This Week at OLLI

June 5, 2026

 Week of June 1, 2026 

SUMMER CATALOGS – have been mailed to current OLLI members! Click HERE to browse the online catalog. Summer registration begins Tuesday, June 16.

TRAVEL WITH OLLI – Join us for a travel preview Today, June 1, 3-4PM, here at OLLI. Sit back and take a virtual tour of Hawaiian Adventure (Feb 21-Mar 2, 2027) and Portugal’s Old World Charms (Apr 25 – May 5, 2027). Our Collette representative will be here to present all the highlights and answer any questions you may have.

OLLI NEW MEMBER WELCOME–  Are you new to OLLI @ URI? or returning after being gone awhile?  Both current and new members are invited to attend and learn about all OLLI has to offer. We’ll review our current programs, and our special interest groups, all while exploring and becoming more familiar with our OLLI website and registration software. Plenty of time for Q & A. Coffee & refreshments too! Join us! Bring a friend! Non-members welcome! If you are not a member and need a temporary parking pass, please call the OLLI office at 401-874-4197. Thurs, June 4, 11AM -12:30PM  Click HERE for more info & to register

OLLI EVENT – Cheers to Lifelong Learning at Tilted Barn Brewery. Join your OLLI friends for a relaxing afternoon at Tilted Barn Brewery. Enjoy the charm of a farm setting while sampling a wide selection of craft beverages available for purchase. Grab a bite from the visiting food trucks or bring along your favorite snacks to share. For extra comfort, feel free to bring a chair, settle in, and unwind with fellow OLLI members. It’s the perfect chance to connect, sip and savor time together. Thur, June 4, 5PM-7PM Click Here To Register

NEW CLASS FOR SPRING SEMESTER– The Art of Organization: Collaged Vision Wall Pockets – 1 Session with Kara Marziali, Tues, June 16 11:30AM-1PM. Transform a practical organizing tool into a unique work of art! In this relaxed, hands-on workshop, we will decorate a premium Martha Stewart Home Office wall pocket using the timeless art of collage. Design a visual roadmap for your personal goals (similar to a vision board) or simply spend an afternoon playing with color, texture, and magazine clippings, this class is all about personal expression. Your personalized pocket is perfect for organizing mail, storing project notes, or acting as a daily functional inspiration board. No prior crafting experience is necessary—bring your imagination and a pair of scissors. All other materials are provided, including a curated selection of magazines, adhesive, tools, and your own premium wall pocket. Limit: 28 A material fee of $10 is payable directly to the instructor on the day of class via cash, PayPal, or Venmo. Click Here for More Info and to Register

SCHEDULE CHANGE– BIKING GROUP Rides will now begin at 10AM on Tuesdays for the summer months.

NEW MAH JONGG CLASSES 

Prerequisite: Learn to Play Mah Jonng or prior playing experience, 5 sessions with Karen Sanderson (see dates below) Fee: $25 per session Register online or call 401-874-4197.

Enhanced Guided Play (Max 36) You’ve got the basics — now let’s perfect them! In this guided play session, you’ll put the 2026 NMJL card to work, sharpen your hand selection, and build the confidence to play with purpose at any table. This is the perfect next step after the beginner course or if you want to brush up your skills with the new 2026 card. Choose 1 Session:

How to Play with 1, 2 or 3 Players (Max 24) Who says Mah Jongg needs four players? In this 2-hour class, you’ll learn solo, 2-player Siamese, and 3-player formats so you can shuffle up and deal anytime, with anyone.  Choose 1 Session:

CLASS SPOTLIGHT –

Art in the Courthouse – There is still time to register!- 1 Session with Retired Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia at The McGrath Judicial Complex. Friday, June 5, 1:30PM-3:00PM. After a welcome by Hon. Gilbert V. Indeglia (Ret.) and Kara Picozzi of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, our tour will include a look into the current photography exhibit featured as part of our community art initiative “Art in the Courthouse.” The visit includes a conversation with the artist. The 90-minute tour includes a short walk and a Q & A with a judicial officer. Free parking onsite. 

PARKING – OLLI Members continue to enjoy FREE parking (with permit) in the Plains Rd Lot (#25). Click Here for more information about parking and disabled parking or call the office at 401.874.4197 with any questions.

Click Here to check out the virtual previews for some of OLLI’s spring classes. 

THIS WEEK AT OLLI 

Monday

  • 9:30AM Beginning Italian
  • 9:30AM In This Moment: Mindfulness Meditation
  • 10:00AM Tour of URI’s Medicinal Garden
  • 11:30AM Improving the Home Landscape
  • 3:00PM Travel Meeting – Hawaii & Portugal

Tuesday

  • 9:30AM The Constitution as Applied: Further Exploration
  • 10:00AM Biking
  • 1:00PM Game On!
  • 1:00PM Colonial Kings Towne
  • 4:00PM Tree & Shrub Identification
  • 5:00PM Let Writing Lead to Wellbeing

Wednesday

  • 9:30AM Empowered Living: Planning Ahead with Dignity
  • 11:30AM Beginning French for Travel
  • 12:30PM Bowling
  • 1:00PM Hiking
  • 1:30PM Women of the Revolution
  • 2:00PM Cribbage

Thursday

  • 10:00AM Beginner Mah Jongg
  • 10:00AM Modern Irish Authors
  • 11:00AM New Member Welcome
  • 1:00PM Colonial Kings Towne
  • 1:00PM Mah Jongg
  • 5:00PM OLLI Event at Tilted Barn

Friday

  • 9:00AM QiGong for Vitality (Studio at Mariner Square)
  • 9:30AM Chronic Pain
  • 10:00AM Photo Friday
  • 10:15AM QiGong for Vitality – Deepening Practice (Studio at Mariner Square)
  • 11:30AM QiGong – Tian Gan (Studio at Mariner Square)
  • 1:00PM Take A Breath
  • 1:00PM One Hit Wonders
  • 1:00PM Writer’s Group

CROSS THAT BRIDGE WITH OLLI! The Citizens Pell Bridge Walk/Run raises thousands of dollars for local charities. The 4-mile walk/run which begins in Jamestown and ends in downtown Newport attracts 3000 participants each year. We’re organizing an OLLI team this year to train together for the event, raising awareness of OLLI and spreading OLLI spirit. You don’t need to be an athlete for the event or have any experience in a race. You set your pace. Imagine “walking over the Pell Bridge” with your OLLI friends, and you can take this off your bucket list! The event takes place on Sunday, August 30. We’re planning on meeting once to discuss getting ready for the event, how we want to participate as OLLI members, and how we can support each other.  To learn more, you can go to their website. As you will see, there is a fee for the race, most of which is donated to their selected charities. Meet at OLLI on Thursday July 9, at 9:30AM in room 201. Let’s go OLLI!! Click here to hear a few words from Sandra.

HUNGER DOESN’T TAKE A BREAK – URI’s principal basic needs pantry, Rhody Outpost, is for students experiencing food insecurity. Although the school year is over, many students remain on campus throughout the summer months. You can help by donating the following items: Tuna, Sardines, Rice, Pasta (regular & gluten free), Drink Mix Packets (lemonade) and Sunscreen. A collection bin is located in the OLLI lobby. Click Here to view the updated list of all urgently needed items. You can also purchase items directly from Amazon on the Rhody Outpost Wish List.  Reminder: Please no expired food!

URI MASTER GARDENERS AWAITING YOUR CALL (OR EMAIL) – Have a garden quandary or need some advice before you start planting your 2026 garden? Ready to celebrate spring but don’t know where to start? The University of Rhode Island Gardening & Environmental Hotline is now open and in full operation through Nov 1. Southern New Englanders are welcome to send an email and photos to the University’s Master Gardener volunteer educators or call for science based-answers to their gardening and environmental questions. In-person visits are also available by appointment at URI’s Mallon Outreach Center on the Kingston Campus. Just call 401-874-4836 or email gardener@uri.edu. Click HERE for info about FREE soil testing.

URI ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PRESENTS- RAMS ON THE ROAD – The University of Rhode Island Athletic Department will be out in the community, giving fans a chance to engage with new Vice President/Director of Athletics Pat Lyons, as well as football coach Jim Fleming and basketball coaches Colleen Mullen and Archie Miller. Tues, June 16, the Rhody contingent will head to Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling Co. (293 JT Connell Highway) in Newport, from 6-8PM. Free and open to the public. Click HERE to register.

SMITH CASTLE UPCOMING EVENTS: (Click www.smithcastle.org for tickets & more info)

  • Music on the Meadow featuring Brass Attack Sun, June 7 4:30-6:60PM. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic! Food trucks available ($15/non-member, $10/member, kids under 12/ $5)
  • Conversations at the Castle –The Untold Story: Rhode Island African Americans as Loyalists with Jamestown historian Peter Fay Tues, June 9, 6-7PM (free event – suggested donation $5)
  • Tea and History Arthur Bowler: In Slavery and Freedom –follow the extraordinary odyssey taken by an “ordinary” enslaved man in the 18th century with Dr. Jane Lancaster Sun, June 14, 4:30-5:30PM $35

SOUTH COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – Build With Pride! Sat, June 13, 8:30AM-2:30PM, Westerly, RI Must be 18+ no experience needed Click HERE to Register

SUMMER CONCERTS BY THE SEA – Wakefield Concert Band presents Movie Themes! June 22, 6:30PM Marina Park Bring A Snack! Bring A Friend!

RHODE ISLAND SENIOR GAMES – A community-driven celebration of health, wellness, and friendly competition. Open to participants from across the country, RISG welcomes athletes of all experience levels to stay active, make new friends, and rediscover the joy of play. Registration is now open for all Rhode Island Senior Games 2026 events during our May – October season. Offering 14 events this year- there is something for everyone. Whether you’re in it for the medals or the memories, there is a place for you at the Games! Upcoming events: Men’s & Women’s Tennis Tournament Sat, June 13. Bocce July 11-12, For a list of all events and to register click the link: https://riseniorgames.org/sports/

URI PHYSICAL THERAPY DEPT – Shoulder Motor Control Study: Rotator Cuff Seeking study Participants between 18-64 yrs old with or without shoulder surgery with no mobility limitations. Compensation $20 email: tyler.foster@uri.edu for more information See Flyer For Details

URI DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY (HIPLAB) – COPD Study Seeking study participants with COPD, 45 years or older, no hospitalizations or antibiotics in last 3 months Compensation up to $120  email:hiplab@uri.edu or call 401-874-5541 for more information See Flyer For Details

URI DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY – Cerebral Palsy Study Seeking participants 18-60 years old with cerebral palsy for one 90 minute session assessing muscle strength and function Compensation $25 For more info email sedandrea@uri.edu or call 401-874-5210

NEW DOCU-SERIES FROM CYBER-SENIORS Cyber Seniors is proud to share the pilot episode of a new short-form documentary series called The Choice. It explores MAID,(Medical Assistance in Dying) a complex and deeply important issue facing many families today. For older adults, caregivers, and younger generations alike, questions around dignity, autonomy, care, and end-of-life choice can be deeply personal. Whether people agree or disagree on the issue, it is a conversation that touches many lives. The pilot was created to encourage thoughtful dialogue with compassion and respect.

You can view the pilot here:

Your engagement helps demonstrate interest in the series and supports future production funding.

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING CLASSES AT OLLI, YOU MUST HAVE A PARKING PASS! If you are not sure if your permit is current, please call the office at 401-874-4197. Parking is FREE with membership in Plains Road lot #25 but you must register your vehicle if you are taking classes in 2026. If you get a ticket you will be responsible for appealing it with the URI parking administration.

OLLI IN THE NEWS- Check out the recent article featuring OLLI in Rhody Today and this essay in WBUR.org written by an OLLI member about her experience with OLLI’s Learn to Skate program.

If you would like to view past This Week At OLLI weekly newsletters go to https://web.uri.edu/olli/news/