SUMMER REGISTRATION BEGINS TUESDAY, JUNE 16!

Summer catalogs have been mailed to all OLLI members! You can also browse the catalog online by Clicking Here. Choose from 4 convenient ways to register:

1.       Online: Starting at 7:00 AM  (Click Here to log into your OLLI account)

2.       By phone: Starting at 9:00 AM (Call 401-874-4197)

3.       Walk-in: Starting at 9:00 AM

4.       Mail – Download the Registration Form from our website (or pick one up in the office). Fill it out and include a check (made out to URI).  We don’t advise mailing your form at this time. Please stop by the office and fill out the form in person. 

Important Preparation Tips For Registering Online:

• Password Update May Be Required: Check your password today so you’re ready to register on Tuesday.
• Check Your Membership Renewal Date: Your membership must be active throughout the duration of your classes. The system will now prompt you to renew if necessary.

If you need help with updating your password or renewing your membership, reach out to the OLLI office for assistance at 401-874-4197 to avoid any issues on registration day!

SUMMER SCHEDULE CHANGES: 

The class A Gilded Age Tale of a Millionaire Madman and an Adventuress has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope to reschedule this class next semester.

The good news is that it has been replaced with the class How the Beatles Changed the World with David Aguilar. The class will remain in Swan Hall and you may register a guest to attend this class with you. Open for registration June 16.  Click here to read all about it!

The class RI Geologic History has been postponed until the spring 2027 semester. We will keep you posted when we’re able to reschedule.  

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 CLASS FOR SPRING SEMESTER (Enroll Now!) Prerequisite: Learn to Play Mah Jonng or prior playing experience.
1 session with Karen Sanderson. Fee: $25. 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.

• Mon, June 29, 5PM-7PM

BIKING GROUP ON PAUSE – The Biking Group has been paused. If you are interested in becoming a facilitator for this group, please contact Beth D at 401-874-4619 or email beth_desrosiers@uri.edu.

 PARKING – OLLI Members continue to enjoy FREE parking (with permit) in the Plains Rd Lot (#25). All permits expire 7/31/26. You will receive a notification when you are able to register for the upcoming school year. 

Click Here for more information about parking and disabled parking or call the office at 401.874.4197 with any questions.

THIS WEEK AT OLLI 

Monday

• 9:30AM In This Moment: Mindfulness Meditation
• 9:30AM Clouds Hill House & Farm – Portal to the Past (off site)
• 11:30AM Improving the Home Landscape

Tuesday-Summer 2026 Registration Opens

• 9:30AM The Constitution as Applied: Further Exploration
• 11:30AM The Art of Organization: Collaged Vision Wall Pockets
• 1:00PM Game On!
• 5:00PM Let Writing Lead to Wellbeing

Wednesday

• 10:00AM Events Committee
• 11:30AM Beginning French for Travel
• 12:30PM Bowling
• 2:00PM Cribbage

Thursday

• 10:00AM Beginner Mah Jongg
• 10:00AM Modern Irish Authors (Zoom)
• 1:00PM Mah Jongg
• 4:00PM OLLI Instructor Powerpoint Building & Presenting

Friday – OLLI CLOSED – Juneteenth Holiday

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 Thurs, 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.

KINGSTON CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL– 38th Season with Artistic Director Natalie Zhu – July 22-August 2- 8 concerts (6 at URI & 2 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd). As the nation commemorates the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our 2026 festival celebrates “Life, Liberty, & Music.” Classical music offers a unique opportunity to explore how dialogue across centuries, borders, and genres—among composers, performers, and audiences alike—fuels cultural vitality. From fresh interpretations of classic works to pieces by living composers, the festival will showcase the diverse voices that continue to shape and enrich the American musical landscape. Click Here for Schedule & Tickets

NARRAGANSETT ART FESTIVAL- Presented by the Rotary Club of Wakefield Sat, June 20 & Sun, June 21, 9AM-5PM Veterans Park and Gazebo Field at the historic “Towers” overlooking Narragansett Bay. Visit the Rotary website for more details.

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)

• 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

SUMMER CONCERTS BY THE SEA – Wakefield Concert Band presents Movie Themes! June 22, 6:30PM Marina Park Bring A Snack! Bring A friend! Visit https://wakefieldconcertband.org/ for more details.

THE CONTEMPORARY THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS – INTO THE WOODS Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Directed by Maggie Cady Once upon a time in a far-off kingdom…This witty, poignant, and unforgettable musical with Sondheim’s gorgeous score reveals what lies beyond “happily ever after.” June 26-Jul 25 Standard Tickets $35 Click Here For Tickets & More Info

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:

• Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BEmNropLd/
• YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7Tf5ZQQQQ

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 

If you would like to view past This Week At OLLI weekly newsletters go to https://web.uri.edu/olli/news/If you would like to receive updates of URI News and Events subscribe to Rhody Today.  To connect with OLLI, go to our website olli@uri.edu or follow/like us on  .