January 2022
In This Issue: A Message From the Director | Happy New Year! | January Programs in the Spotlight | Tips for Spring Programs | Social Hours Update | Volunteering Opportunities | Other January Events | Campus Food Pantry Donations
A Message From the Director
Dear Osher Members,

Welcome to a new year and a new season of lifelong learning. By now, you have had an opportunity to register for seated, livestream, and recorded programs for Spring 2022, and we hope to see you in our classroom this semester as we welcome many new speakers to the Osher Institute.

This is likely the final year that we will partner with Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus). Many of you have enjoyed the access to even more program and course options; for those who would still like to check it out, register for the subscription online for only $45. A subscription is valid through July 31, 2022.

Our office doors will be open again beginning January 3, 2022, and I hope you will stop in to say hello to our team. If you are so inclined, feel free to bring a donation to the Boise State Campus Food Pantry to our office. For the month of January, we are asking for nonperishable healthy foods (like protein and granola bars, whole grain pastas, and soups) and personal care items. Thank you for your generosity to help our students move beyond food insecurities and personal needs.

Please let us know if you have questions or need assistance with any of your classes. 

Warmest regards,  

Dana

Dana Thorp Patterson, Director
Happy New Year!
As the second year of the pandemic comes to a close, we want to acknowledge how grateful we are to our Osher members for your continued support of our Institute and your perseverance during this difficult time.

Starting January 3, the Osher office will be open on Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Programs for the Spring 2022 semester will resume on Tuesday, January 18. We look forward to seeing you in classes, and we wish you all a healthy
and very Happy New Year!
January Programs in the Spotlight
Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story (Livestream Only)
Join us for a special screening of director Martin Doblmeier’s film about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr., a critic of the Vietnam War, a champion for Soviet Jews, and a pioneer in the work of interfaith dialogue. The film combines archival photographs and interviews with civil rights leaders John Lewis and Andrew Young, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Taylor Branch, public theologian Cornel West, and Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor Arnold Eisen. Following the film, Doblmeier and a select panel will discuss the strong connection between MLK and Heschel and Heschel’s legacy. Sponsored by Boise State University Honors College and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Presenter: award-winning filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, Rabbi Dan Fink, and Rabbi Laura Duhan-Kaplan. Moderated by Andrew Finstuen, Dean, Honors College, Boise State University
Date and time: Tue., Jan. 18, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

The Ongoing Crisis in American Democracy: Restoring Norms and Principles
This lecture will assess the state of our nation and the necessary steps to remedy the diminished democratic norms and practices and respect for the rule of law, so essential to the health and maintenance of our Constitutional system.
Presenter: Dr. David Adler, President, The Alturas Institute
Date and time: Fri., Jan. 21, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Basque History and Culture in Idaho
This lecture on the history and culture of the Basques in Idaho is built around Marcus L. Hansen’s “Law of Third Generation Return.” In short, what the son wishes to forget, the grandson wishes to remember. Each generation has a different series of choices based on opportunities that differentiate their experience in Idaho. While many may know about the Basques in shepherding, Dr. John Bieter’s generational research offers a fresh perspective.
Presenter: Dr. John Bieter, Co-Director, Basque Studies Collaborative, and Professor of History, Boise State University
Date and time: Fri., Jan. 28, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Northern Spain Trip Information Session With Travel Fever Tours (Livestream Only)
In partnership with Travel Fever Tours, the Osher Institute is exploring a travel opportunity to the Basque region in northern Spain in September, 2022. Participants will explore the roots of Basque culture in Idaho and gain an insider’s view of Basque history, economics, and cuisine. The trip will start in Bilbao and explore rural life in villages and larger towns. Join Travel Fever Tours owners Bob Lawson and Cicely Carroll for an information session on the trip. The itinerary, travel details, and payment plan options will be discussed.
Presenters: Bob Lawson and Cicely Carroll, owners, Travel Fever Tours
Date and time: Mon., Jan. 31, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Visit the Osher Registration page to sign up for courses and lectures. If you have any questions about your registration, please contact Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.
Tips for Spring Programs
  • We will share further information about the Osher-sponsored Planetary Science Workshop in June with the link to register through the Boise State Physics Department as soon as it becomes available.

  • Keep an eye on your email for updates regarding seating for programs. Many Spring semester programs will offer in-person seating; however, if a change must be made from an in-person format to livestream for any reason, we will notify registrants via email.

  • Did you miss a great program from the previous semester and want to view it again at your convenience? Choose from the list of Archived Programs on the Osher Registration page and register to receive the link to the recording. Also, if you miss a program during the Spring semester, you can register to receive the recording after it is completed.

  • The best place to find the most up-to-date information on Osher programs is the Browse Curriculum page of the Osher website.
Social Hours Update
Join us at our monthly Social Hour during the Spring semester! They are a great way to stay connected, engage with other Osher members, hear from guest speakers, and get updates on Osher programs and activities.

Meetings will be held in a hybrid format on Zoom and in the Osher 207 classroom, which means you can attend either in person or from your living room! The first Social Hour of the semester will be held on Wed., Jan. 19, from 12 to 1 p.m.

A reminder for the Social Hour will be posted on the Osher Facebook page, and an email with the Zoom link to join the meeting from home will be sent to members the day before.
Volunteering Opportunities
There's still time to submit your application to serve on the Osher Advisory Board. You can learn more about the Board's duties and commitments on the Advisory Board page. If you have any questions about the position, contact Director, Dana Thorp Patterson, at (208) 426-2047 or dthorppatterson@boisestate.edu, or Advisory Board Chair, Merilee Marsh, at merilee.marsh@gmail.com. Please complete and submit the Advisory Board Application Form by March 1, 2022.

We also are still looking for Osher members to serve on our Osher Curriculum Committees. If you are interested, please fill out and submit the Volunteer Interest Form. For more information on the committees, contact Program Coordinator, Laura Mehlhaff, at
(208) 426-2027 or lauramehlhaff@boisestate.edu.
Other January Events
First Friday Astronomy Lecture
In the Shadow of Asteroids: Stellar Occultation Observations at the College of Southern Idaho
Chris Anderson, Production Specialist and Observatory Coordinator, College of Southern Idaho
Fri., Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.

To join the online lecture: http://boi.st/astrobroncoslive
Faculty Artists Series Recital: Woodwind Chamber Music
Fri., Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Morrison Center Recital Hall
Adults $7, Seniors $5
Proceeds fund Boise State Music Scholarships

For more information, visit boisestate.edu/music/events.
Campus Food Pantry Donations
Donations to the Boise State Campus Food Pantry for the Spring semester will resume on Friday, January 21. To get the new year off to a positive start for students in need, January's theme is health and nutrition.

Please drop off your nonperishable items in the barrel in the Yanke building lobby or at the Pantry's location at the Campus School building, Room 103, on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Here are some items to consider:

Power bars | Protein shakes | Emergen-C packets | Fruit or oatmeal bars | Granola
Dried fruit | Shampoo and conditioner | Bar soap or body wash | Whole-grain pasta Canned vegetables | Canned soups

A helpful tip: Pick cans with pop-top lids when possible, or consider donating a manual can opener.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with delivery of donations to the Pantry on campus on January 21 and February 4. Use of your own transportation and lifting of items are required. If you are interested, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
Our thanks for the continued support from our Community Partner and Sponsors:
‌
The Osher Institute is a proud underwriter of
Boise State Public Radio.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University
Phone: (208) 426-OLLI (6554)
Email: osher@boisestate.edu
Website: boisestate.edu/osher

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University operates within the Division of Extended Studies. It is a membership-based, lifelong learning program offering non-credit, college-level programs for intellectually curious adults age 50 and over.

Support the Osher Institute here.
Osher Institute Advisory Board
Chair: Merilee Marsh | Chair Elect: Cindy Anson | Ralph Bild | Michael Bixby
Chuck Folkner | Dennis Hall | Rod McLean | Sharon Moses
Rainey Pieters | Virginia Rivers | Chuck Robertson
Osher Institute Staff
Director: Dana Thorp Patterson | Program Coordinator: Laura Mehlhaff
Communications Specialist: Jill Chmelko | Administrative Assistant: Jeremy Trent
Student Office Assistant: Faith Spaulding
Like us on Facebook