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National Resource Center
for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes Newsletter
October 2013
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Greetings from Kali
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Last week the fall colors were gorgeous here in Maine, this week we are suddenly looking at bare branches and feeling the first nip of November in the air. Some of you have finished your first fall courses by now, I hope all of you are enjoying the semester activities.
I would like to revisit the September newsletter, specifically the article about Penn State's book club Skype-ing the author of the month's book during their discussion. That sounds like great fun and a good learning experience on several levels. And the author was an OLLI member. Has your book club thought about visiting the "OLLI Authors" webpageto choose a next book? The page features a number of categories like Fiction, Poetry, Non-fiction, Mystery -- all books written by OLLI members and published since 2001.
Imagine my surprise at hearing the voice of Mary Bitterman (President of the Osher Foundation) coming from my car radio the other morning! Mary was interviewing Rebecca Eaton, Executirve producer of Downton Abbey and Masterpiece Theater. A podcast is available here . And now on to October's riches -- articles to enjoy from Alaska to Louisiana as well as some notes about items we have received here in the National Resource Center from other organizations.
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OLLIs -- Toot Your Horns!
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The Baptism of the Selenites
by Vittore Carpaccio (1507)
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Toot your horn! Does your OLLI have news that you are Toot your horn! Does your OLLI have news that you are proud of and would like to share with the network? The NRC newsletter is looking for articles about those special happenings that you know will inspire and excite others. So, keep the network newsletter in mind as a place to "toot your horn!"
If you have a story to share, please send it (with photos if possible) to Fran or Anne at the National Resource Center.
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Save the Date! OLLI National Conference
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 | | The Palm Courtyard at the Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad, CA |
We are pleased to announce the dates and location for the 2014 OLLI National Conference. The gathering will be held at the Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad, CA from April 28-30, 2014. More information will follow on session proposal requests, programming, schedules, and many, many more details! Please do not hesitate to contact Fran Myers if you have any questions.
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Geocaching 101 - "Alaska Style"
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 | | Geocaching 'Alaskan style' |
September 11 through October 9, 13 members of OLLI at Alaska, Fairbanks got together to learn Geocaching 101 - "Alaska Style".
Taught by 4 members of "Those Who Cache In The Banks" (Tony & Danielle Roof and Hal & Carol Meyer), the program was held for 2 hours a day, once a week, for 5 weeks. Using a range of skill sets and 8 GPS units provided by Geocache Alaska!, students were given a solid understanding of just what geocaching is before proceeding to practice their newly found skills. Two days were spent indoors studying the Geocaching website, watching videos and listening to explanations of how to research and download caches before you 'log them in'. The weather gods then gave us 3 spectacular days outside locating those caches amidst the perfect fall colors.
 | | OLLI members enjoying geocaching in Golden Heart City, Fairbanks, Alaska |
One student was so excited he started hiding caches before the class was over! It is important to note that this class was scheduled for 4 weeks yet the students "demanded" we extend it a week because the weather was so great and they were having so much fun. (Read more.)
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OLLI at San Diego State University Offers Special Events with Former California Governor Pete Wilson and SDSU President Elliot Hirshman
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 | Former Governor Pete Wilson (right) with Joe Shapiro, Dean of
SDSU's College of Extended Studies |
OLLI members at San Diego State University participated in several exciting events featuring distinguished leaders from the state of California as well as our university.
At "A Conversation with the 36th Governor of California," former Governor Pete Wilson spoke to an audience that included a highly engaged group of OLLI members, SDSU President Elliot Hirshman, College of Extended Studies Dean Joe Shapiro, College of Sciences Dean Stanley Maloy, Campanile Foundation Chair Kit Sickels, and OLLI Advisory Board Members Mike Schwarz and Barbara Stroud.
Participants at the event had the opportunity to ask former Gov. Wilson about his experiences serving as California's 36th governor and as mayor of San Diego. Mrs. Wilson, the former First Lady of California, also attended the event and engaged in conversation with many of our OLLI members. This special event was held on August 29th in the Allan Bailey Library at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center as a prelude to Dixon Arnett's related course, "What if You Were the Governor of California?"
In addition to welcoming the former governor of California, OLLI at SDSU has also been fortunate to feature our university's president, Dr. Elliot Hirshman, at several recent events. President Hirshman has provided welcoming remarks and answered OLLI students' questions at several OLLI Semester Kickoff events. At our Fall 2013 Kickoff event, Dr. Hirshman also presented a short preview of his upcoming Osher lecture: "Reflections from a University President." The September 13th lecture was attended by nearly 60 OLLI members who enjoyed the opportunity to ask about the issues facing university administrators today, and changes taking place at SDSU. President Hirshman also demonstrated his support of OLLI at SDSU by appearing on the Fall 2013 Osher Catalog cover along with several of our OLLI members.
Submitted by - Emily Moore, OLLI at San Diego State University
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New Hampshire OLLI Members Invest in On-line auction
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 OLLI at Granite State College (GSC) in New Hampshire is not only experiencing the magnificence of the peak foliage season, we're also about to experience the excitement of our first on-line auction fund raiser!
OLLI volunteers at GSC are invested in sustaining their organization and to that end, generously sharing in fiscal responsibilities. It was not a complete surprise when a particularly talented, former marketing executive and current volunteer prepared a power point presentation for GSC staff and administrators 'pitching' the concept of an on-line auction as an OLLI fundraising event.
Under the direction of Sharon Kace (also an antique dealer), volunteers from all over New Hampshire have been soliciting donations for the auction from members and merchants.
With the assistance of Bidding- for- Good, an on-line auction event management system that helps raise money for non-profits and boasts of a registered community of "400,000+ cause-minded consumers", we are now well on our way to holding an on-line auction. Donated items range from New England Patriots tickets and coffee with the Governor to antiques, hand- crafted afghans, bird houses, made-in-New-Hampshire gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, wine, furniture and everything in-between.
OLLI at Granite State College will hold its auction from October 28th-November 10th. We'll be sure to get back to you with the results!
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"Loving Louisiana"
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Leslie Tassin's "Loving Louisiana" class tour of the Louisiana State Museum and State Capitol
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Lagniappe Chapter of OLLI at LSU (Louisiana State University) recently offered a class entitled "Loving Louisiana," which highlighted some of the more interesting facts about our state and the people who live here. In conjunction with that class, our instructor, Leslie Tassin (kneeling in front) led the class on a tour of the new Louisiana State Museum and the State Capital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In November, OLLI members will take a "road trip" with Leslie to some of our outlying parishes where we will visit a few of Louisiana's Acadian landmarks, an important part of our heritage.
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OLLI at San Francisco State
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OLLI at University of North Carolina, Wilmington
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OLLI at California State University, Fullerton
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OLLI at Arizona State University
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Webinar: Beautiful Minds - Inspiring older adults to live healthy, creative, and active second halfs of their lives
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A National Center for Creative Aging webinar: Andrea Martin, Manager, Brand Public Relations, Life's DHA will speak about the Beautiful Minds Campaign, a traveling photo essay exhibit that features adults 55+ living inspiring and creative second halfs of their lives. Learn about the ways in which you can turn the second half of your life into one filled with creativity. One of the 2013 Beautiful Minds winners will also be featured. Register Now
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Senior Theater Resource Center
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2014 Best Intergenerational Communities Awards
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MetLife Foundation and Generations United are searching the nation for communities that place immense value on intergenerational connections and quality of life for all. If your community fits that description, apply for the third annual Best Intergenerational Communities Awards program. Deadline to apply: Nov. 8, 2013
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Wikimedia Commons Picture Credits
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