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OLLILife
A community of learners over 50
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January, 2023 | Vol 3, No. 3 | |
FROM THE DESK OF VERONICA MAXWELL | |
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Happy New Year OLLILife Readers!
We have so much to be thankful for as we embark upon this new journey together. The collaboration of leaders, lecturers, and learners from varied backgrounds is one of our organization's greatest strengths.
I have been continuing my deep dive into the OLLIverse through visits to classes, special events, and meeting some of OLLI's residential partners. We are now preparing for a new semester, with some new teachers and new members. It is my earnest desire to see our OLLI continue to thrive and I welcome you to join me in this endeavor.
As an OLLI newbie myself, I have had the honor of being interviewed by OLLI members, and it has become increasingly clear to me that so many of you want to know more about this Veronica Maxwell, so here you go...
I am 42 years old (a proud millennial), a doting mother to three incredible sons: Jordan, Jaden, and Julian (ages 16, 14, and 13 respectively), and the devoted wife of my husband Francis Maxwell (a pastor) for the past 21 years.
I love all things entertainment: movies, television, etc. I am a huge fan of tennis and a lover of board games, trivia, etc. You are welcome to follow me on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) as well.
Finally, I must admit that I am immensely humbled and honored to lead OLLI-USF toward unchartered territory!
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Jan.11 -- OLLI Open House
Jan. 18 -- OLLI Bird flies away after 4:30 p.m.
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Here is a reminder to register for OLLI's Open House at the beautiful and historic Centro Asturiano located at 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., in Tampa.
Date: January 11
Time: A New Member Orientation starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Open House at 10 a.m.
At the event, you'll have the opportunity to meet our new director, Veronica Maxwell, and also enjoy coffee, conversation and community. What's more, you'll be able to meet our instructors and find out what else is coming up in our community of older learners.
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We are delighted to have Golfo Alexopoulos, professor and director of the USF Institute for Russian, European and Eurasian Studies. as our guest speaker. She will enlighten us on some of the following questions we have been wondering/concerned about:
- What was Russian President Vladimir Putin thinking?
- What are the Kremlin’s stated objectives for invading Ukraine?
- What are Putin's maximalist war aims, and how do Putin and the Russian people view the conflict?
- How might this war end?
Please register here for the Open House!
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One last chance to use the 50 percent discount on selected classes. Not only is there a discount, but there are no minimum purchases or codes to remember. Easy peasy! Click here for the class catalog.
Utilize this discount by registering classes between 8:30 a.m. Jan. 11 and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 18, as the OLLI bird will be flying away after that.
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CELEBRATING ARA’S ERA
OLLI members, dignitaries, and guests joined together on Dec. 13 to honor and pay tribute to OLLI Director Ara Rogers, PhD, who retired this month after leading the organization for the past 21 years. The celebration was held at Compton Park Community Center Clubhouse and hosted over 100 in attendance.
Congratulations on your retirement, Ara. We thank you for your outstanding leadership, dedication and guidance and applaud you for your many accomplishments through the years.
--Photo, Mike Hayes
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HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY SOCIAL | |
Entering OLLI’s Holiday Gathering on Dec. 16, you could tell right away there were a lot of joyous conversations going on - some about OLLI, some about the upcoming holidays, and just general topics. Members were pleasantly delighted to be gathering together and have time to sit, talk and laugh with each other. Besides having time to get caught up with each other’s lives, there was a delicious array of food to indulge in. What a terrific way to start the holidays! | |
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The OLLILife editors have decided to periodically insert a poll on different subjects asking members their opinions. This is just for fun, so we hope you will join in. We will report the findings in the following issue of OLLILife.
This month, we narrow in on a subject that will get your brain cranking back a few years. Remember being a kid and hoping for a few pennies to spend at the corner candy store, and so much to choose from it was hard to decide? The candy brought smiles to our faces! Here is a poll on just a few of old-fashioned candies we got to pick from. Please look at the list and click on one of your favorites.
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Volunteering with OLLI Lets You Follow Your Passion!
Attend a free, no-obligation volunteer information session to learn more about how your knowledge, skills or experience can help OLLI!
The next session will be held Friday, Jan. 27, at 1 pm. Click here to register.
Have a question? Ask Us Anything about volunteering by emailing the Ask Team at OLLIder962@gmail.com.
--Diane Russell
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OLLI Walking Club Forming
Do you like to walk? Enjoy walking with others?
OLLI Outdoors is interested in starting a walking club. Walks can be at neighborhood parks on paved paths with distances of two miles or less. Once formed, the group will decide where, how far, and how often to walk.
If you would like to help get this group off the ground, please email Diane at OLLI Outdoors.
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SIGnificant EVENTS FOR JANUARY 2023
Kathy Palmer, SIG Liaison
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For more information on OLLI SIGs, see the full list here. Several of the SIGs continue to meet on Zoom; others have resumed in-person meetings and are organizing group outings and events. To visit a SIG, email the contact(s) below. | |
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China SIG
The China SIG will meet on Wed., Jan. 18, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer JCC Multicultural Cafe for A Taste of China. OLLI has partnered with the JCC to plan and implement this session. Kun Shi will speak about Chinese culture. He has invited some great entertainers. To register, call OLLI Registrar Charise Dixie at 813-974-5848 or contact JCC's Pnina Levermore at 813-291-2253. Member price is $15. For further information, contact Nancy Stuart or Kun Shi.
Community of Readers and Writers
Struggle and resistance are hallmarks of the African American experience, but they are not the only story. In developing a reading and discussion series on current Black literature, we watched Henry Louis Gates' PBS special on Making Black America: Through the Grapevine. We'll lift off discussion in January with this program as background material in four Zoom events. Contact readersandwriters@aol.com to help make this a vibrant and diverse OLLI Shared Interest Group conversation.
Food, Glorious Food!
Food! Glorious Food! will kick off the new year with our meeting, Mon., Jan. 23, at 10 a.m., with David Himmelgreen, professor of Antropology and director of USF's Center for the Advancement of Food Security and Healthy Communities. He has been involved in multiple projects addressing food insecurity (hunger) in the Tampa Bay Area. If you would like to hear this impressive speaker, contact Jane Applegate.
Hablemos! Spanish Conversation SIG
Tues., Jan. 3 and 17, from 3 until 4:30 p.m. All levels of Spanish speakers welcome. Email olli.hablemos@gmail.com for more information.
Games
Thurs., Jan. 12, at 3:30 p.m. To play Scattergories, email Kathy Palmer for the link.
German Conversation
Tues., Jan. 10 and 24, at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Christine Basch.
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Ici on parle français!
Mon., Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. For an invitation, contact Theresa Sokol.
OLLI Outdoors
Sun., Jan. 1 - Sunrise bike ride on Courtney Campbell Causeway
Tues., Jan. 10 - Bike ride at Ft. DeSoto
Thurs., Jan 12 - Hiking at Lake Rogers
Thurs., Jan 19 - Kayaking at Lettuce Lake Park
-Annual Dog Walk at Carrollwood Village Neighborhood Park
Fri., Jan. 27 - Online program/social - Tampa Bay Watch & Discovery Center with Zoe Caraffi, Education Coordinator
Tues., Jan. 31 - Kayaking at Weedon Island
Walking Club - events being organized
For more information on how to attend these great events, contact the SIG coordinators at ollioutdoors@gmail.com.
Operatunity
For information about this SIG, Derrie Perez.
P-SIG
The next meeting will be in person on Wed., Jan, 11. Email Doug Dallio for more information.
Shutterbugs
For more information about the Shutterbugs SIG, email Jean Nixon.
Talking Movies
Fri., Jan. 20, at 1:30 p.m. Watch a movie and then get together on Zoom to talk about it. Movie to be determined. For more information about this SIG, contact Arlene Zimney.
Write Time for Poets
Thurs., Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. For more information, email
Cath Mason.
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FAREWELL TO EPHRAIM GRAFF
Ephraim Graff passed away on November 30, 2022.
He was a long-time participant in OLLI and our Saturday Social gatherings. He also was an avid follower of the politics of Israel and a frequent contributor to discussions on that subject. He will be sorely missed.
Ephraim was the husband of Nancy Graff; son of Ruth and Henry (z'l) Graff; father of Adrian Graff, Elena (Sean) Graff Bowmer, and Jonathan Graff; brother of Eve Graff; Uncle of Coby Graff; and grandfather of Rylie and Jonah.
His funeral took place on December 1 at Kol Ami.
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Carolyn Clark is our Goodwill Ambassador, sending notes of support, congratulations and comfort on our behalf. If you or another OLLI member have a significant personal event, please let Carolyn know. | |
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Send Us Your News
OLLILife wants to share topics of interest that pertain to OLLI-USF and other OLLIs in the country.
Send your article to ollinewsusf@gmail.com to reach your editors Sandy Buckley, Pat Dodge, Veronica Maxwell, Kathy Palmer. If possible, please send a picture along with the article as pictures help tell the story.
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