In This Issue: Message From the Director | Spring Semester Welcome on January 11 | New Reminder Process for Programs | Osher Lending Library | Symposium for Successful Aging | Future Travel Opportunities | SIGS in the News | Volunteer Information Session | Upcoming Partnership and Community Events | Campus Food Pantry Donations | Osher Office Holiday Closure

Dear Osher Members,

As we ring in another new year, I am spending time weighing my daily activities to be sure that I’m aging well. I read an article recently about six ways to improve quality of life: healthy relationships, plenty of sleep, physical movement, purpose in one’s daily life, eliminating energy drains, and making time for fun and leisure. I want to add one more item to the list: humor. There is no sweeter sound than laughter. As lifelong learners, we understand that continuing to be curious about life, learning new information, and spending time with others contributes to our successful aging.

The two-day Symposium for Successful Aging on Wednesday and Thursday, January 24 and 25, is packed with several speakers on relevant aging topics. This spring, we welcome Dr. David Adler back to the classroom for a 2024 election year program, and in April, we are hosting Dr. Richard Bell from the University of Maryland in person for some American history. Heather Lende, Alaska Writer Laureate, will Zoom in with us as well, and I highly recommend her book, If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name. It is a great depiction of small-town life in Alaska, but it goes beyond that with love for people, culture, and community. And humor.

Our “small but mighty” Osher team works hard to make all the magic happen, and we could not get the work done without the dedication of Osher volunteers. Thank you! And thanks to all of you for being engaged members, supporting the Institute, and taking time to get to know us, each other, and our speakers. Thank you for laughing with us as we learn and grow. I feel sure that we have the process of aging well under control!

Wishing each of you a healthy and gloriously fun new year!

Dana

Dana Thorp-Patterson, Director

dthorppatterson@boisestate.edu

Join us for the Osher Spring Semester Welcome (Livestream Only), an online orientation and preview for the spring 2024 semester! We will provide information about new programs available to Osher members and a sneak preview from new and returning presenters. The event is free, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link to attend. While the program is Livestream Only, members who wish to watch in the classroom are welcome.

Host: Dana Thorp-Patterson, Director, Osher Institute

Date and time: Thursday, January 11, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Cost: Included with membership

You may register for this event at the Log In/Register Online page, or by calling Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

We want to make you aware of an improvement in our program messaging process starting in the spring 2024 semester. In order to reduce the volume of emails you receive from Osher, you will only receive a single, one-hour out reminder email containing the Zoom link to join the livestream.

• If it is less than one hour before the program's start time and you have not received this email, please check your email folders (spam/junk) in case it may have gone there instead of your inbox.
• If you cannot find it, please contact the Osher office at (208) 426-6554 or email osher@boisestate.edu.
• Please do not call or email before this time.

We believe this change will make it easier to access the livestream links while also streamlining the process for our staff.

Did you know that the Osher Institute has a Lending Library? Here are a few guidelines for using the Library:

• The library IS a place for members to donate gently-used fiction, nonfiction, art, science, and history books.
• The library IS NOT a repository for worn, damaged, or very old books.
• Members may take a book they'd like to read; it is not necessary to return it, but when you are done with it you certainly may return it, as long as it is still in good condition.
• If you have books you'd like to donate to the Osher Lending Library, please contact the Osher office at osher@boisestate.edu to schedule a drop-off time.
• If you'd like to volunteer to assist in the occasional cleanup of the Library, please contact Cherie at cherieellingson@boisestate.edu.

We begin the spring semester with a two-day event focused on successful aging featuring several expert speakers on a variety of issues and a panel of resources. Because this is a full two-day event, we will provide a light snack in the morning as well as lunch. Visit the Browse Curriculum page or page two of the print catalog for more details.

Dates and times: Wednesday and Thursday, January 24

and 25, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Cost: $75

To register for this event, visit the Log In/Register online page, or call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709. The deadline to register is Friday, January 12.

The Osher Institute is working with a variety of travel agencies this year to provide opportunities for members to visit other locations. This first information session with Collette Travel will review itineraries and pricing for three upcoming trip options:

• "Countryside of the Emerald Isle" in October 2024,
• "European Christmas Markets" in December 2024,
• "Kingdoms of Southeast Asia" in Spring 2025.

The information session will be offered in person and livestreamed. Registration is required. A livestream link will be provided to registrants prior to the session.

Presenter: Andy Boone, Collette Travel

Date and time: Thursday, January 18, 1:30 p.m.

Cost: Included in membership



To register for the information session, visit the Log In/Register Online page, or call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

You can also check out this Travel Fever Tours newsletter article:

Five Lessons I've Learned Traveling on Four Continents

The Personal Writing SIG welcomes the opportunity to share selected works of its members. This month's featured writing is from SIG member Mark Hurt.

Mark is a retired physician who worked for 35 years in Radiology and hospital design in both the Midwest and Northwest. He was fortunate to be exposed to many memorable characters and to travel extensively around the country and the world. His time in the Personal Writing SIG has created the excellent opportunity to revisit and write about these experiences. In retirement, he lives in Boise with his wife and lifelong companion, Hope.

You can read Mark's essays Elegy for an Old Soul and Camp Randall Memorial Arch, Madison, Wisconsin, May 13, 2023 on the Osher on Demand page of the Osher website.

Are you interested in ways that Osher members can volunteer and support the Osher Institute? Join us for a casual meeting to discuss the upcoming semester and see where your talents can be utilized.

Date and time: Tue., Jan. 16, 10:45 a.m.

Location: Yanke building, Room 510

If you would like to become a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.

First Friday Astronomy Lecture

Babylonian Astronomy

Leif Edmondson, amateur astronomer, Boise Astronomical Society

Friday, January 5, 7:30 p.m.

Boise State University Education Building, Room 112, and via Zoom

To join the livestream, visit First Friday Astronomy.

City Club of Boise

29th Annual Pundits Forum

Thursday, January 18, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Boise Centre, 850 W. Front St.

Sponsored by Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children

To register, visit City Club of Boise.

Deepening Self and Other Awareness Using the Enneagram as Guide

Sandra Smith, MDiv, Certified International Teacher

Friday, March 8, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 950 W. State St., Boise

For more information and to register, visit AlchemyWorks.

We appreciate your generosity in helping Boise State students by donating to the Campus Food Pantry last year! Donations are now being accepted to kick off the spring semester.

Here are some of the most requested items:

Snack foods | Peanut butter | Cereal | White rice | Ketchup

Macaroni and cheese | Canned chili | Coffee, tea, and cocoa

The Pantry is in need of volunteers on Tuesday through Friday to assist them with smaller deliveries, restocking, and completing routine tasks. If you are interested, you may fill out the Campus Food Pantry Volunteer Form.

For more information, visit the Campus Food Pantry website.

The Osher Institute will be closed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday

on Monday, January 15.

As a reminder, from Tuesday, January 2, through Tuesday, January 16,

the Osher office will be closed daily for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Our thanks for the continued support from our Community Sponsors and Partners:

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 designed for intellectually curious adults age 50 and over.



Support the Osher Institute here.

Osher Institute Advisory Board

Chair: Cindy Anson | Chair Elect: Bae Emilson | Tom Baerwald | Michael Bixby

Chuck Folkner | Bob Fontaine | Dennis Hall | Rod McLean | Sharon Moses

Rainey Pieters | Dr. Chuck Robertson | Diane Ronayne

Osher Institute Staff

Director: Dana Thorp-Patterson | Assistant Director: Laura Mehlhaff

Senior Communications Specialist: Jill Chmelko

Administrative Assistant II: Cherie Ellingson

Student Office Assistant: Priscilla Gallardo