SPRING REGISTRATION IS ONGOING! – Click Here to browse the online catalog. Click Here to log into your OLLI account and register for classes or feel free to give us a call in the office at 401-874-4197.
NEW CLASSES:
Improving the Home Landscape – 5 Sessions with Will Green, Mondays, May 18, (skip 25,) June 1, 8, 15, 22 from 11:30AM-1:00PM A home landscape can be a place to observe nature, garden, and enjoy time outdoors—but as our needs change, our yards may need to change with us. This class explores practical ways to adapt your outdoor spaces so they remain enjoyable, accessible, and inspiring as you age. You’ll learn how to assess your current landscape—from trees and shrubs to flower beds and built features—how to plan for future changes, and how to put your ideas into action. Through lectures, discussion, and short at?home exercises, you’ll develop a preliminary landscape plan and gain confidence in creating a more functional, colorful, and sustainable environment. Click to register or call 401-874-4197.
Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop – FREE 6 session class brought to you by RIPIN (The RI Parent Information Network). Classes are highly participative, in which mutual support and success build participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active, fulfilling lives. The program will help you find ways to address important topics such as: Pain Management, Addressing Isolation, Exercise Techniques to Improve Strength, Balance, Flexibility & Endurance, Appropriate Use of Medications, Effective Communication with Your Healthcare Provider, Making Informed Nutrition Decisions, Techniques for Dealing with Frustration and Stress Fridays, May 1, 8, 15, (skip 22,) 29, June 5, 12 from 9:30AM-12PM.
Because this class is limited to 18 participants, OLLI will be using a lottery system. Registration means your name will be entered into the lottery. To be entered into the lottery, please register online or call 401-874-4197. Those selected will be notified by Friday, April 24.
NATIONAL PET DAY 
– For the month of April OLLI at URI will celebrate National Pet Day by collecting donations for Animal Rescue RI. The following are appreciated: canned or dry dog or cat food, cat or dog treats, marrow bones, cat or dog toys. Thank you for supporting this great organization based in Peacedale. If you’d like to give a direct gift or wish to volunteer at Animal Rescue RI please visit their website: https://www.animalrescueri.org/.
CLASS SPOTLIGHT – Fostering Safe Spaces for Members of the LGBTQ Community – Support our 3 graduating OLLI interns as they host an informative session, “Fostering Safe Spaces for Members of the LGBTQ Community”, Thursday, April 23, 10-11:30 here at OLLI. Registration is required for this FREE presentation as space is limited.1 Session with Gerri August & Annmarie Vaccaro Click Here for More Info & To Register
NEW SPRING CLASS ADDITIONS (not listed in the catalog) –
Preserving Your Assets After Retirement & Beyond – 1 session with Josh Sroka beginning Fri, May 1, 10AM-11:30AM Click Here To Register
The History of Modern Architecture and Urbanism, Part 2 – 3 Sessions with Richard Levy, beginning Thurs, May, 7 3-4:30PM $40 Click Here to Register
Art in the Courthouse – 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. Click Here to Register
Click Here to check out the virtual previews for some of OLLI’s spring classes.
NEW SESSIONS-The following second sessions of full classes have been added to the spring semester. Please look at the dates carefully as these are second sessions and not the dates listed in the catalog (click links to register):
“Wicked Big Puddles”: A Naturalist Explores Vernal Pools #2 – Mon, April 20 & 27, 3:30PM-5PM
Your Soil and Amendments to Improve It– Mon, April 27, 11:30AM-1PM
Road to Independence: Revolutionary Newport – Tour #2 -Wed, May 20, 11:00AM-12:20PM
Westerly Museum of American Impressionism – Tour #2– Sat, May 23, 10:30AM-11:15AM
Westerly Museum of American Impressionism – Tour #3 – Fri, May 29, 11AM-11:45AM
CELEBRATION OF LIFE for OLLI Instructor and Friend – Betty Bogutt. Celebrating Betty’s many contributions to OLLI by gathering at one of her favorite places, Narragansett Beach, to exchange memories, poetry and reflections in her honor. Mon, April 27, 2PM (rain date, Fri, May 1). Bring a blanket or a chair and meet at the entrance closest to Coast Guard House near the pavilion (not the stairs).
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.
THIS WEEK AT OLLI
Monday
9:30AM Beginning Italian
9:30AM Island Countries of the Caribbean
10:30AM Cyber Seniors
11:00AM Violinists: Performers & Composers (Osher Online)
1:30PM Journey Through the Camino de Santiago
3:30PM Wicked Big Puddles: A Naturalist Explores Vernal Pools
5:00PM World War II in the Pacific: 80 Year Retrospective
Tuesday
11:00AM Biking
1:00PM Game On!
1:00PM Place Memory & Environmental Psychology (Osher Online)
1:30PM Historical Plagues & Epidemics
3:00PM Of Earth & Sky: Intro to Astronomy
5:00PM From Leo XIII to Leo XIV (Osher Online)
Wednesday
9:30AM Kinetic Knowledge: Let’s Capture the Power of Dance
9:30AM Praised But Controversial: John Steinbeck’s Of Mice & Men
10:00AM Cyber Seniors
11:00AM History of Street Art (Osher Online)
12:30PM Bowling
1:00PM Siberia: Russia’s Frozen Wasteland (Osher Online)
1:00PM Hiking
1:30PM Cinema Classics: The Best of Foreign Films – Part 2
2:00PM Cribbage
3:00PM Short Stories From England II (ZOOM)
3:30PM The Great Gatsby: A Revisitation
5:00PM Music: Controversies & Curiosities
Thursday
9:00AM Let’s Skate!
10:00AM Beginner Mah Jongg
11:00AM Current Events
11:00AM A Beautiful Brain (Osher Online)
1:00PM JFK’s Quest for Peace (Osher Online)
1:00PM Mah Jongg
2:00PM Your Soil and Amendments
3:00PM James Baldwin & Toni Morrison: Banned at Westpoint
4:00PM Great Decisions: US China Relations
7:00PM AI For Regular People (Osher Online)
Friday
9:00AM Qi Gong for Vitality (Studio at Mariner Square)
10:00AM Great Decisions: US China Relations
10:00AM The UFO Chronicles
10:15AM Qi Gong for Vitality – Deepening Practice (Studio at Mariner Square)
11:30AM Qi Gong – Tian Gan (Studio at Mariner Square)
1:00PM Meditation – Old Practice for Renewed Wellness
1:00PM Legends of Country Western Music
BIKING GROUP-Tuesdays at 11AM. Park in the Southeast corner of Lot #25 on URI campus to access the URI Bike Path (Nearest the Ryan Center). Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. (Times may be seasonally changed for the comfort and safety of the group). Co-facilitators are Art Schloth and Liz O’Brien.
CYBER SENIORS – Stop by the lobby to get help with all your technology questions on Mondays, 10:30AM-12:30PM & Wednesdays, 10AM-12PM. No appointment necessary.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY, PURPOSE, PEACE – Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts on colorful ‘post-its’ and for contributing to our white board this week. Sharing your thoughts on Joy, Purpose and Peace as a greater community is very impactful especially as so many of you attended the Thewlis Lecture this week that focused on the impacts of kindness and optimism as it relates to healthy longevity. To see the resulting word cloud click here.
RHODY OUTPOST- URI’s principal basic needs pantry for students experiencing food insecurity. The Outpost provides fresh and non-perishable food and personal care items at no charge to students. 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.
All OLLI Members are cordially invited to a free lecture sponsored by the Retired Faculty Association at URI: FOOD FOR THOUGHT: THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN HEALTHY BRAIN AGING Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:00 – 5:15 PM at the Hope Room, Higgins Welcome Center, University of Rhode Island, 45 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI. Speakers: Maya Vadiveloo, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Nutrition, URI, and John K. Robinson, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Co-Executive Director, George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, URI. The speakers will address the latest research on nutritional factors for maintaining brain health. Please also bring any questions you have about the topic. Parking is available in the lot off Briar Lane behind the Welcome Center. Letting us know if you plan to attend at aging@uri.edu is helpful but not required. Sponsored by the URI Retired Faculty Association with support from the Provost’s Office and Belmont Market.
TARICANI LECTURE: DEFENDING LOCAL NEWS AND A FREE PRESS, Tuesday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. Robert J. Higgins Welcome Center, 45 Upper College Road. Join the Harrington School of Communication and Media for the 2026 Taricani Visiting Journalist Series on defending local news and a free press featuring Tim White, WPRI investigative reporter and managing editor. White is the recipient of seven New England Emmy Awards, including five for investigative reporting. The Taricani Visiting Journalist Series on First Amendment Rights honors the work of Jim Taricani, Hon. ’18, a veteran Rhode Island journalist and nationally respected investigative reporter for nearly four decades with WJAR-TV.
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.
POETRY READING BY JOY HARJO, 23rd United States Poet Laureate, April 16, 2026, 4–6 p.m.Edwards Hall Auditorium
The College of Arts and Sciences welcomes internationally renowned poet, performer, and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Joy Harjo, for a poetry reading and book signing. Harjo served as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States from 2019 to 2022. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Poetry Society of America’s 2024 Frost Medal, Yale’s 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry, and a National Humanities Medal. The series is free and open to the public. Click to register.
URI GRAD SCHOOL of OCEANOGRAPHY PRESENTS: Bay Days at the URI Narragansett Bay Campus – Learn about the technology and facilities used on this campus for ocean research and education, including:The Ann Gall Durbin Aquarium, featuring a touch tank containing critters from Narragansett Bay, The Marine Geological Samples Lab, with ocean rock and sediment core samples, The Lander Lab, showcasing equipment used to study the seafloor, Small boats at the Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) pier, URI’s Inner Space Center, connecting ocean research from ship to shore, ROV Rhody Lab, URI’s newest remotely operated vehicle Thurs, April 16, 3-5PM Click Here To Register
URI THEATER PRESENTS: RIDE THE CYCLONE– In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived! Music, Lyrics, and Book by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell Apr 17-18 and 22-25, at 7:30PM Apr 19 & 26, at 2PM Robert E. Will Theatre, URI Fine Arts Center Click Here For Tickets
CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES PRESENTS: Harvard Shakespeare scholar Jeffrey Wilson will close out the Center for the Humanities’ year-long series on “The Humanities and Popular Culture/Counterculture” with a talk titled, “Why Shakespeare?” Dr. Wilson’s talk will analyze why Shakespeare matters to so many people in so many ways. Higgins Welcome Center, Hope Room and will be livestreamed.Thurs, April 23, 5PM -Free and open to the public. For registration and more information, please click here.
URI MUSIC PROGRAM: Performing is an integral part of the University of Rhode Island Music program, with a wide range of ensembles for you to choose from. There are performances by bands, orchestra, choirs and opera, jazz ensembles and all sorts of chamber music groups Click Here for More Info and for Tickets for a full schedule of recitals, concerts, festivals and more.
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
THE CHORUS OF WESTERLY & FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA PRESENTS – The Dream of Gerontus, Music by Edward Elgar. Providence: Sat, April 18, 7:30PM The Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul and Westerly: Sun, April 19, 3PM The George Kent Performance Hall Tickets & info call 401.596.8663 or chorusofwesterly.org
WESTERLY ARMORY EVENTS- An Afternoon with Chef Terranova – Chef Terranova returns to the Armory for an afternoon of cooking and fun. The Westerly-born Chef will answer questions after his demonstration. Sumptuous snacks included (you might want to skip lunch). Ticket: $25 prior to event: $30 at the door.Tickets available at the Armory or by mail at PO Box 614, Westerly RI 02891. Sat, Apr 18, 2PM
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION – 15th Annual Caregiver’s Journey Conference Highlights Include: An immersive experience to demonstrate living with dementia, Morning and lunchtime presentations in ballroom, light breakfast, buffet lunch and up to 12 breakout sessions to choose from throughout conference space, Meditation/Yoga session for attendees, Participate in the Caregiver Message Wall, Ample time for networking and engaging with businesses who provide services for individuals supporting a person living with Alzheimer’ or another dementia Lunchtime speaker. April 23, Crowne Plaza Warwick, RI Click Here To Register
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 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/
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