Week of June 8, 2026 

June 12, 2026

THANK YOU!! To All OLLI Members Who Made Gifts In Support Of Our Annual Campaign
17% of OLLI members participated, allowing us to receive a $5,000 matching gift. There is still time to make a gift over the next three weeks which allows us to continue with quality service with a reminder that we have not raised our membership and course fees for the past eleven years.

Consider making your gift today. No dollar amount is required. Let’s reach 20% of our membership making a gift this fiscal year. Donations by check should be made payable to the URI Foundation and can be dropped off at the OLLI office or mailed to us at 210 Flagg Rd, Rm 212, Kingston, RI 02882 or online at alumni.uri.edu/olli

SUMMER CATALOGS – have been mailed to current OLLI members! Click HERE to browse the online catalog. Summer registration begins Tuesday, June 16! Register online, over the phone at 401.874.4197, in person OR print, complete and mail this Registration Form.

Important Preparation Tips-

  • Check your membership renewal date: Your membership must be active throughout the duration of your classes. 
  • Make sure you’re ready for registration by logging into your OLLI account ahead of time in case you need to reset your password or need help logging in.

TIME/LOCATION CHANGE – CREATIVITY & PLAY – Thurs, June 11th, 2PM – Beavertail Light House, Jamestown, RI for kite flying 

NEW CLASS FOR SPRING SEMESTER (Enroll Now!)– 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

NEW MAH JONGG CLASSES FOR SPRING SEMESTER (Enroll Now!)– Prerequisite: Learn to Play Mah Jonng or prior playing experience, 3 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:

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 In This Moment: Mindfulness Meditation
  • 9:30AM Clouds Hill House & Farm – Portal to the Past
  • 11:30AM Improving the Home Landscape
  • 5:00PM Mah Jongg – Enhanced Guided Play

Tuesday

  • 9:30AM The Constitution as Applied: Further Exploration
  • 1:00PM Game On!
  • 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
  • 5:00PM Mah Jongg – How to Play with 1,2,3 Players

Thursday

  • 10:00AM Beginner Mah Jongg
  • 10:00AM Modern Irish Authors
  • 11:00AM Current Events
  • 1:00PM Mah Jongg
  • 2:00PM Creativity and Play – off site
  • 3:00PM Movie Group
  • 3:00PM Great Decisions

Friday

  • 9:30AM Chronic Pain
  • 10:00AM Great Decisions
  • 1:00PM Take A Breath
  • 1:00PM One Hit Wonders
  • 1:00PM Book Club 

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, Rm 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.

250th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:

The Web They Wove: Women & Their Wardrobes During the American Revolution Cranston Public Library, Tues, June 23, 6-7:30PM This program is presented by costumed historians and includes reproduction clothing pieces & fabric samples as well as a PowerPoint presentation with images of extant originals. More information and the registration form (limited seating-registration required) is available at https://events.cranstonlibrary.org/event/1650322 

Free Community Event – Preservation & Heritage Commission/WG 250th/WG Town Hall & Louttit Library present: An exhibit of the ORIGINAL Southwick Broadside of the Declaration of Independence West Greenwich Town Hall Council Chambers on Sat, June 27,1:00-3:00PM. (Please note that the State Archivist warned us that the Declaration can only be exposed to light for two hours, so don’t wait until late in the window)

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

  • 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)
  • Conversations at the Castle –The Second Revolution: R.I.’s Role in the Abolition Movement in the North with local Historian Christian McBurney, Tues, June 23, 6PM (free event – suggested donation $5)
  • Breakfast Talk–Stephen Hopkins:The Complicated Life of RI’s Founding Father-with Mark Burnham, Sat, Jun 27, Doors open 9:30AM, talk at 10AM Free for members $10/nonmember

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/

UPCOMING EVENT- Bus Tour of The Historic Armories of Rhode Island Sat, Sept 12, 2026 Begins at 9AM sharp; finishes 5PM, Boxed lunch included A rare visit to see 14 of Rhode Island’s 18 historic armories and ride in coach comfort Your guides: Roberta Mudge Humble (author: The Historic Armories of Rhode Island & President, Westerly Armory) Colonel Ron Barnes (Past Commander, Pawtuxet Rangers) Ticket: $45 per person Purchase by mail or in person: (cash or check, to Westerly Armory) Westerly Armory PO Box 614 Westerly, RI 02891 

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: