"I enjoyed seeing and hearing the newly elected officials. Also, enjoyed hearing issues they felt pressing and their thinking regarding those issues."

-Participant, "New Directions: County and City Leaders Look Forward to 2024"

Jessica's Note

Thank you to those who braved the snow and wind to join us at the OLLI Spring Semester Reception! We enjoy welcoming fresh and familiar faces and sharing the joy of learning with you.

We are so grateful to everyone who raised their hands to volunteer at the reception. You were the secret ingredients that turned the occasion into a masterpiece, and we truly appreciate your time and dedication!

The countdown to the first Spring semester courses begins! Check below for more information about upcoming programs.

Jessica Alvarez

Program Coordinator, OLLI at MSU

Made in Montana: R.L. Winston Rods

Developed by an OLLI at MSU volunteer writer

Spring is just around the corner, and OLLI's spring semester is open for registration. You'll notice that OLLI is offering several courses on the art of fly fishing this semester. This is appropriate since Montana is one of the world's epicenters for catching trout.

Montana's rich history of fly fishing dates back to the founding of the R.L. Winston Rod Company in 1929. Robert Winther and Lew Stoner founded the company in San Francisco. Initially, they pioneered building bamboo rods, known for their excellent quality and performance. In fact, in the '30s and '40s, several world casting records were broken by anglers using Winston rods. Primo Livenais shattered the world record in 1936 using a powerful Winston surf rod with a 623-foot cast.

Winston perfected their manufacturing and design techniques, and their reputation continued to excel. After a series of ownership changes, David Ondaatje bought the facility in 1991 and moved it to Twin Bridges, MT. In Twin Bridges, the company was able to take complete control of the sourcing and manufacturing process to ensure continued innovation and quality control. Plus, they had the added benefit of being in the backyard of world-class trout fishing of the Beaverhead, Big Hole and Jefferson Rivers.



Today, you can take a short drive to Twin Bridges, tour the facility, witness how Winston makes rods and meet the remarkable staff. It's never too early to get a jump start on the fishing season!

SOURCES: Winstonrods.com

Upcoming OLLI at MSU Programs

January and February Courses

Reframing Rural: Rural Representations in the Media & Rural Issues in the West with Megan Torgerson. Wednesdays, January 24 - February 14, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church.

Weighing the Scales of Freedom: Communities in Conflict with Bruce Gourley. February 13, 20, 22, 27, 29 and March 5, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church. This program meets on irregular days. You will receive a reminder email on the day before each session.

The Prophetic Passion of Leonard Cohen with Michael Beehler. Tuesdays, February 20 - March 12, 10:00 a.m. - noon. Hope Lutheran Church.

January OLLI Extras

Demystify Music Notation: Hands-on, Intergenerational, Multi-level! with Clark Chaffee and Lori Rosolowsky. Saturday, January 20, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 21, 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. MSU Bozeman Howard Hall.

Attic Treasures: How to Easily Declutter Sentimental Stuff with Jamie Novak. Thursdays, January 25 - February 15, 10:00 a.m. - noon. Online via Zoom.

January Speaker Series

My Life in Winters: History of the Ski Industry with Mike Ewing. January 22, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Museum of the Rockies.



Levi Strauss and the Blue Jeans with Anette Isaacs. January 29, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Online via Zoom.

Osher Online Courses

Osher Online programs are not recorded.

Nero Wolfe with Jeff Walker. Tuesdays, January 16 - February 20, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online via Zoom. Few spaces remain. Registration closes January 14.



Fake News: Keys to Ethical and Impactful Journalism with Annie Krall. Saturdays, February 24 - March 30, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. Online via Zoom. Registration closes February 22.

Preludes & Performances

Under Carousel's Canopy Saturday, January 27, noon - 1:30 p.m. The Ellen Theater.

Bohème Backstage Saturday, April 20, noon - 1:30 p.m. The Ellen Theater.

How to Listen: Orff's Carmina Burana Thursday, May 9, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall.

Full programs

These popular programs are in high demand, but we hate the thought of anyone missing out! We invite you to add your name to the waitlist online. Sometimes, good things come to those who wait.

Community Events

• Gallatin Women at War, at Home and Abroad January 18
• Codebreaking Technology in WWII February 1

How It's Made

• HRDC's Market Place at Community Commons March 21

OLLI Extras

• Skills for Montana's Bear Country April 16
• Fork & Spoon April 24
• Underground tours, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. May 3
• Zentangle: Unleashing Your Creative Side May 8

Learning Opportunities for Everyone - Feed Your Curiosity at a Price That Works for You!

We strive to keep member participation affordable so everyone 50 years of age and better can engage with us in lifelong learning. Therefore, OLLI at MSU offers financial assistance for both tuition and membership.

We are grateful to the family and friends of our late OLLI at MSU leader and consummate lifelong learner, Doug Young, for establishing the Doug Young Memorial Scholarship Fund.

We encourage you and your neighbors or friends to apply for membership or program tuition assistance as needed. Our application is quick and easy. Click or tap here to view more information or apply for financial assistance. Applications must be submitted prior to program registration.

January Reads



OLLI at MSU offers three member exclusive book discussion groups. We are sharing the below titles to allow you time to enjoy a good cozy autumn read and join in the discussions! You may join any of the groups below for one, a few, or all of the sessions.

OLLI Mystery Book Discussion Group

The Devotion of

Suspect X

Keigo Higashino

February 6,

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

OLLI Non-Fiction Book Discussion Group

Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

Anne Appelbaum

January 15,

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom

OLLI at MSU Book Discussion Group

Stella Maris

Cormac McCarthy

February 5,

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Face-to-face

Hope Lutheran Church

Help us connect and learn!

We're on the lookout for incredible volunteers to add their flair to the OLLI experience! Whether you're a master multitasker or have a knack for shaping unforgettable programs, we want YOU on our team.

Join the Fun Brigade: Assist with general tasks at our upcoming events or in the office! From setting the stage to ensuring everything runs like clockwork, we need your expertise to sprinkle some magic on our gatherings and program preparation.

Power Up Your Ideas: Be a part of the OLLI Extras Committee! If you are passionate about crafting engaging programs and public outreach, share your brilliance and help us create experiences that resonate with our vibrant community.



Fuel Future Moments: Consider joining our efforts to plan and implement fundraising initiatives for long-term sustainability. The Development Committee seeks enthusiastic volunteers to help shape and execute these crucial fundraising endeavors. Join us and help ensure the continuous magic of OLLI experiences.

Ready to dive in? Complete our short volunteer form or reply to this email, and we will contact you with follow-up information. Let's make every OLLI moment extraordinary together! 

We hope you enjoy the selection of items we have chosen for this edition. Everything in this email will be archived on the Newsletter Archive page of our website.