Week of December 25

The OLLI staff wishes you a very Happy Holiday and a New Year filled with new adventures, new friendships and new learning opportunities!

CLOSED CLASSES: Click here for a list of our closed classes. Make sure to put your name on the waitlist.

CANCELED CLASSES: The Lyrical Poetry of Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot.

NEW CLASSES ADDED! Log on to register or call 401-874-4197.

COMPASSIONATE CONVERSATIONS, 6 Sessions with Kathy Black. – Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, March 7  1:30PM-3:00PM $55

What members who took this course are saying:

• “This was an outstanding and very much needed course, especially in today’s society of violent conflicts.”
• “Thank you for a wonderful class ~ I learned a great deal and will continue to practice this new way of relating with others!”
• “I appreciated Kathy’s sincere ability to present the material in a compassionate way and how that presentation awakened my personal feelings and awareness of my own communication with others. I now “Pause” often before plunging ahead”

Communication can be very tricky and challenging. How do we talk with someone who just won’t listen? How can we connect with others who see the world differently than we do? Understanding the skills needed to listen deeply and really connect with people makes all the difference. We will discuss the four basic components of Compassionate Communication and how to use them in any conversation. We’ll practice true empathic listening and uncover behaviors that impede our ability to be present with others. Learning to communicate with compassion for others will enhance and improve all of your relationships!

DEMOCRACY: DOES IT HAVE A FUTURE (THIS IS A SECOND SESSION OF THE CLASS) with Steve Berardo- Feb 1, 8, 15, 22  10:00AM-11:30AM $45

When the U.S. Constitution was signed, there were only two other democracies in the world. Democracy only became the predominant political system in the late 20th century. Today the number of democracies is rapidly declining, with many countries trending toward autocracy. The Covid-19 pandemic only hastened that trend. In the U.S., political polarization is at an all-time high and public trust in national institutions is at an all-time low.

We will examine how democracy evolved, what it is, and the growing challenges faced by today’s democratic governments. We’ll focus on the U.S., including looking at the structural flaws in our Constitution and institutions. We will also explore the dynamics underlying different types of governments and how citizens influence change, particularly in the age of social media.

THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH: A SHORT HISTORY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (THIS IS A SECOND SESSION OF THE CLASS) with Lloyd Kaplan and Tom Shaker. 3 Sessions on January 9, 16, 23, from 1:00PM-2:00PM  $40

LUNCH AND LEARN: Advanced Care Planning- Free Lunch and Learn. Rescheduled from last semester. (Fee: $1.00-cash only payable at start of class- for booklet Five Wishes.) Monday, February 12, 11:30AM-1:00PM.

Advanced care planning is not only for older adults, it is for everyone. We never know when a situation might occur when we can no longer speak for ourselves, particularly about the type of healthcare treatment we want to receive. By planning ahead, we can get the medical care we want, avoid unnecessary suffering, and relieve caregivers of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief. Advanced planning also helps reduce confusion or disagreements about the choices we want people to make on our behalf. Ginette will provide the information needed to complete an informed advanced directive.

CLASS SPOTLIGHT: Register online or call 401-874-4197

AWARD WINNING NOVELS, 3 Sessions with Marylen McKenna on Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 6, 10:00AM-11:30AM

We’ll explore, discuss, and enjoy three current award-winning novels, discussing one each month for three months. Selections include: 

• Jan 10-National Book Fiction winner, 2023: BlackOuts by Justin Torres.
• Feb 7-International Booker Prize, 2023: Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodina..
• Mar 6-Booker Fiction Prize, 2023: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.  

WRITING A LEGACY LETTER (ZOOM) with Jay Sherwin, Thursday, Jan 11, 10:00AM on Zoom $15

Click here to watch the Virtual Preview.

Here’s what OLLI members who took this class had to say:

• “If there were a rating higher than excellent, I would have selected that option. The content, the knowledge and delivery of the instructor, and the relevance of this material were all outstanding.  Without a doubt this was the most impactful and meaningful class I have taken thus far in almost a year with OLLI.”
• “He is very effective — his approach is different from the usual writing classes on similar subjects, like memoir writing.”

A legacy letter (also called an ethical will) is a written document that allows people to share their life lessons, express their values and transmit their blessings to future generations. A legacy letter is shorter than a memoir, typically only a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for family, friends, and loved ones. This workshop includes discussion and brief writing exercises to help you examine your life history, explore your values, and  capture important insights. It offers advice, encouragement, and a model structure to help you draft and complete your own legacy letter.

CLASS TIME CHANGE: The time for the class Immigrants in America – Stories of Jazz, Blues, Rock and Popular Culture, has been changed from 9:30AM to 9:00AM.

THIS WEEK AT OLLI

Monday

• Office Closed- Merry Christmas!

Tuesday

• Office Closed

Thursday

• 1:00PM Mah Jonng

LET” S GO TRAVEL with OLLI. Join us for a virtual tour of two of our upcoming trips on Monday, January 8, at 1:00PM at OLLI. Our Collette Rep will walk you through the scheduled trips to British Landscapes (September 10-19) and the Azores (October 10-22).

GREAT DECISIONS- REMINDER: There are two sessions of each Great Decisions class in February and March:

• Mideast Realignment: Thur, Feb 15, 3:00PM and Fri, Feb 16, at 10:00AM
• Climate Technology and Competition: Thur, March 14, at 3:00PM and Fri, March 15, at 10:00AM

Both of the Friday at 10:00AM classes have waitlists, but the Thursday sessions have plenty of openings. Log on to register or call the office at 401-874-4197. 

LEARNING/TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY: Beyond the Classroom- Civil Rights Retrospective: The Alabama Triangle. Join us Thursday, January 11, at 1:00 PM to get a thorough overview of this experience along with travel details. Registration is not required for this informational session.

GROW YOUR OWN HEALTHY FOOD WITH FREE SEEDS! Click here to watch a brief video.

URI Cooperative Extension is pleased to offer Burpee® seed packets to individuals, schools, and other nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island beginning now through Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Interested in free seed packets? Visit the Free Seed Program webpage to access the seed order form. Orders for individuals and families are available by mail only for the cost of shipping; organizations may arrange for in-person pickup on Jan. 13 or Jan. 20 in Kingston for a flat handling fee or request that their order be mailed.