April 2015 - OLLI - Granite State College

April 2015
Spring Class Catalog Updates
IN THIS ISSUE
Cancelled:
30443 Aqua Zumba
30467 CSA: Our Farm Is Your Garden
20474 Don’t Be the Next Victim
30493 Good Queen Bess Knew How to Dress
30495 Great Decisions – C
30500 Haute Couture
30524 Mothers & Daughters Workshop
30547 Providing the Best Care Possible
Location Changes:
30506 Immigration Reform now at Hooksett Public Library
30511 Join the Fun – Learn to Line Dance now at Temple Israel social hall,
66 Salmon Street (corner of Pine Street), Manchester
30557 Storytelling the Great Myths now at Hooksett Library
Date Changes:
30519 Lizzie Borden now 3 Tuesdays, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2
30521 Mah Jongg for Beginners now 4 Thursdays, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18
30531 Nepal now 1 Monday, 3/30
30532 New Boston Satellite Tracking Station Tour now 1 Thursday, 4/23,
10:00 AM-Noon
New (These classes are second sessions of classes already scheduled
and filled up. You can find the details about the course and presenter
as well as the location information in the catalog):
30598 Boutique Winery Section 2 - 1 Friday, 5/29, 4:30-5:30 PM
30599 Bridges House Tour Section 2 - 1 Friday, 5/8, 1:00-2:30 PM
30600 Hellcat Trail Stroll Section 2 - 1 Friday, 5/15, 1:30-3:00 PM (no
lunch break)
30603 Walk Around Wagon Hill Farm Section 2 - 1 Wednesday, 4/29,
1:00-2:30 PM
30604 Mah Jongg Section 2 - 4 Thursdays, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 10:00
AM-Noon – FILLED
30607 Incredible India Section 2 - 1 Thursday, 5/21, 1:00-3:00 PM
30633 Dover’s Woodman Museum Section 2 - 1 Friday 4/17 10:00 AMNoon – FILLED
30747 Binnie Media Tour Section 2 - 1 Wednesday, 5/20, 3-4:20 PM –
FILLED
The following classes filled up since last month:
30440
30442
30445
30461
30475
30481
30484
30488
30489
30522
30533
30536
30542
30551
30558
30566
30570
Americas Widening Gap
Appledore Walking Tour
Basic Woodshop
Computers 101.5 Getting Started
Dover's Woodman Museum
Fighting Men of NH
Films: Liberal Looks History
Following the Water
From Gaza to ISIS
Marine Mammal Rescue
NH & the American Revolution
Opera for Everyone
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Seven Deadly Sins
Tai Chi: An Intro
The Human Brain
Underground Railroad
CLICK ON ANY TOPIC TO GO TO THE PAGE CARRYING THE ARTICLE
SPRING CLASS CATALOG UPDATE
HALL STREET JOURNAL
SEACOAST LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN
BUNCHES OF LUNCHES
SEE YOU IN COURT
OLLI GOES GLOBAL
EDITOR’S LETTER
NEW MEMBER GATHERING
CONCORD GAME DAY
MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
SATURDAY BRIDGE CLASSES
APRIL CALENDAR
Dear Readers,
It’s been a year since I began editing your OLLI
Outlook. Of course, I thought I was volunteering to
format and produce a final product and learned late
that I was assuming ownership of a lot more.
Hmmm, the ultimate April Fools Day prank????
Still, I’ve had a grand time doing it. The talents of
the various contributors who report, creatively write,
take pictures and supply ideas are widespread among
our membership. I’m privileged and occasionally
intimidated to find myself editing articles submitted
by published authors!
I don’t get as much feedback from you, the readers, as
I’d like, although many have been very generous with
praise. I’d really like to hear more about what else
you’d like to see or what you’d like changed. After
all, this newsletter is for you!
So, as we enter my year #2, let’s make it more
interactive. I’d love your comments, questions, letters
to the editor – anything that makes this the shared
experience which makes OLLI great. Please send
them to: [email protected]. And thanks!
Jacki Fogarty, Editor
Your generous donations work to maintain affordable dues and
class fees, supplement scholarships, ensure program
sustainability and build organizational capacity.
Thank you for supporting OLLI at Granite State College.
Click here to access the online donation form or mail your check,
payable to OLLI at Granite State College, to:
OLLI Office, 25 Hall Street, Concord NH 03301
THE LATEST NEWS
FROM THE OLLI OFFICE, 25 HALL STREET, CONCORD
Jane Fletcher, Program Director, Class of 2011
OLLI is Open on Fridays!
Thanks in large part to member donations, the OLLI office will
be officially open on Fridays from April 1- June 30, (the end of
the fiscal year). In its 11-year history the OLLI office has
never officially been open on Fridays due to the part-time
status of the staff. However, member contributions since July
1, 2014, have added up to over $18,000 and you, the
members have made it possible to support one more day per
week for the OLLI Program Coordinator, Christina Link. And
that means better service to members. OLLI is building
capacity and adding to the reserves! Hopefully we can
continue this remarkable trend into the new fiscal year on
July 1. Thank for your contributions!!
Granite State College announces New President
The University System of New Hampshire has selected Dr.
Mark Rubinstein, formerly Vice President for Student and
Academic Services at the University of New Hampshire, to
serve as the next president of Granite State College.
Rubinstein’s service to the University of
New Hampshire began in 1998 with an
initial focus on enrollment management and
academic support programs. Subsequently,
his role was expanded to include student
affairs and public safety. In 2009 and 2010,
Rubinstein worked with the University’s advancement offices
and more recently he has been involved in UNH’s efforts to
build better partnerships with the Community College System
of New Hampshire.
whom are UNH graduates and the third who still attends the
University of New Hampshire. Rubinstein will assume his
responsibilities as president on March 31st.
Meet Lucia (a/k/a “Kia”)
Lucia Rowell is a Granite State College work-study student
who will be working in the OLLI office through June. Kia will
be answering phones, greeting members and helping with
registration activities among other types of office work. Kia
is working on a BS in Management with a minor in Adult
Learning and Development.
The work study program is a federally funded opportunity
for students to earn a stipend while earning a college
degree. OLLI benefits by enjoying skilled help at no cost to
the program.
Bridge Classes and Game Days for the Health of It
Sharon Kace, the volunteer Chair of the Manchester Central
Committee, recently sent me an article published in the
March 2015 edition of AARP Bulletin which emphasized the
health benefits of bridge and other games that that work to
keep the mind sharp:
Keith A. Josephs, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, Minn., said, "It is soft data that says, 'Boy,
perhaps playing these games and being socially active
result in better performance.' Patients are less likely to
be depressed; hence they sleep better, tend to exercise
more and have a better life in general. They do better
from a cognitive standpoint."
“As Granite State College’s newest student, I look forward to
learning from my GSC colleagues and contributing to the
College’s unique mission of serving learners of all ages with
accessible pathways to high quality and affordable
educational opportunities through the College’s nine physical
locations across the state, the capacity for online education,
strong partnerships that have been forged with the
Community College System of New Hampshire, and a well-established platform for evaluating and awarding credit for
prior learning experiences,” said Rubinstein. “Admittedly,
much of this will be new for me and I appreciate the trust of
the Board and my new colleagues at GSC in affording me this
opportunity to serve.”
The article goes on to say that a large scale clinical trial in
Finland correlated the benefits of cognitive training and
social activities, in combination with other healthy lifestyle
choices, to improved memory and thinking. Both of these
attributes can be gained by playing card games such as
Bridge, which demands complex problem-solving, and board
games.
Prior to his work at UNH, Rubinstein served as the Director of
Admissions at the University of South Florida and in myriad
roles related to admissions at Penn State. He holds a
bachelors and masters degree from the University of
Pennsylvania and a doctorate in Education Theory and Policy
from Penn State. Rubinstein resides in Strafford with his wife,
Maria. The Rubinsteins have three adult children, two of
OLLI encourages you to watch your email inbox for
announcements from Christina Link and take advantage of
these “mental gymnastics” classes. Register for bridge
classes and or Game Days and have fun while exercising your
brain and staying mentally healthy!
Manchester OLLI volunteers are planning Introductory
Bridge classes in May (Saturdays) at Granite State College in
Manchester. Bridge classes are also frequently offered in
Concord and plans for another Concord “Game Day” on April
16 are in the works.
MANCHESTER NEW MEMBER GATHERING
Submitted by Mary Rheault, Class of 2011
Manchester OLLI will host a New Member Gathering on Tuesday,
April 21, at Granite State College, Manchester from 2:00 to 4:00
PM. Come join the members of the 2014-2015 who joined OLLI
since April 2014.
Seacoast Lunch Bunch
Submitted by John Russell, Class of 2014
This event will give new members the opportunity to socialize,
exchange OLLI experiences with one another plus address any
questions and concerns. The OLLI Program Director, the Chairs
of Manchester OLLI's Central, Curriculum, and Communication
Committees along with members of the Membership Focus and
Volunteer Coordination Committees will also be present to meet
new members and offer information about the OLLI
organization.
The April Seacoast Lunch Bunch will be held at
the Café Espresso on April 20 at 12:00 noon.
Café Espresso is at 800 Islington Street in
Portsmouth, the same plaza as Hannaford. You
can order off the luncheon or breakfast menu.
For reservations contact John Russell at
[email protected] or 742-9403. For
more information see www.cafe-espresso.com.
Please watch for a personal invitation in the near future. Be sure
to RSVP for planning purposes. Late afternoon refreshments will
be served. Manchester OLLI is looking forward to welcoming its
new members at this OLLI social event. Members, old and new,
from all sites are welcome.
Submitted by John Russell, Class of 2014
The first Seacoast Lunch and Learn will be Wednesday, May
27, at 12:00 Noon at Granite State College in Portsmouth.
Our theme of Service to Others will start with lunch (bring your
own) and socializing and then there will be presentations by
End 68 Hours of Hunger, the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, and
CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates, an organization for
child advocacy). After the presentations, there will be opportunities for questions and discussion. For reservations contact John Russell at [email protected] or 742-9403.
It’s coming again! You can’t be there and not laugh.
Who can’t use some extra endorphins – those feelgood thingies that flood your brain when you laugh?
So pack a lunch and come to Concord Granite State
College at noon on Thursday, April 16. We’ll provide
the desserts. And, beginning at around 12:30 we’ll
also provide two hours’ worth of games, companions
and worthy competition for Scattergories, Balderdash,
Scrabble, Pictionary and a bunch of other games.
Members from all sites are welcome.
Manchester Lunch Bunch
Submitted by
Marilyn Otterson, Class of 2006 and Norma Steiner, Class of 2005
Our first Lunch Bunch this spring will be held on Friday, April 10, at
Canoe, a new restaurant in Bedford. It is located in the Lowes/
Target Plaza on South River Road a short distance beyond the
Manchester Country Club. Most lunches are in the $10 range and
there is plenty of easy parking.
Last year we tried getting together on different days of the week
and that didn't work out too well. That is why we are planning to
go back to getting together on Fridays. Most OLLI committee
meetings are held on Friday mornings so our lunches will be
scheduled at 12 noon rather than the previous time of 11:30 AM.
We are hoping more people will be able to join us for our lunches.
We get together once or twice a month (on Fridays) April through
June and then resume these social events in the fall.
Have you got ideas for our lunches this spring? Please think of
restaurants within an easy drive with good food at moderate
prices, off-street parking, and a pleasant atmosphere. Members
offered excellent and fun ideas last spring and fall, so we hope we
can come up with more this year.
We always welcome your suggestions and would appreciate
having a couple of new volunteers help plan the lunches, accept
emails/phone calls for reservations, and coordinate details with
the restaurant -- it is not difficult work.
If you have not previously notified Marilyn Otterson that you want
to be included on her email mailing list for Manchester Lunch
Bunch luncheons, please contact her at [email protected].
Submitted by Richard Frye, Class of 2005
The monarch butterfly has been admired for generations, but
the amazing story of its annual appearances was not known
until as recently as 1975.
We now know that they spend the winter months hibernating by the millions
in a certain grove of trees in Mexico. Come February or March, they begin a
multigenerational trek that takes them first to southwestern states like Texas
where they lay their eggs and die. After transitioning through the larval and
chrysalis stage over about three weeks, this beautiful first generation flies
away north and west.
The mating-metamorphosis-death cycle is repeated until the fourth
generation is born at the peak of the migration. (A separate multigenerational migration occurs separately on the West coast.) During
September and October, the great, great, great grandchildren of the Mexican
immigrants’ offspring miraculously find their way back to the homestead of
their ancestors, the very same grove of trees in Mexico.
Donna Miller’s lively presentation of this class included some recollections of
her early experience with setting up gardens to attract monarchs and
encouraging family members to share her enthusiasm. They now have
extensive gardens, a monarch way station and maternity ward at “Petals in
the Pines” in Canterbury where she conducts nature classes.
Unfortunately, the population of these beautiful creatures has declined
precipitously due primarily to the encroachment of the world’s most lethal
predator. Can anything be done to protect these royal favorites? Yes! Plant
milkweeds for your own way station. It’s complicated, but Donna has guides
to help.
The female butterfly chooses milkweed exclusively to deposit her eggs – only
one per leaf – because the milky sap provides the next generation with the
toxicity to ward off predators. And, in the caterpillar stage, they eat only
milkweed. So yes, the world’s most lethal predator can also be the savior of
this declining species.
See You In Court . . .
Submitted by Richard Frye, class of 2005
We’ve heard that expression a lot . . . in Hollywood
productions. OLLI wanted to find out what all the
attraction was about, so the necessary arrangements
were made to visit the Sixth Circuit Court in Concord.
Actually, any citizen can visit; they’re just a little
particular about what you bring with you. The entry
seemed like a TSA pre-flight security experience – we
surrendered our water bottles, but at least we didn’t
have to take off our shoes.
The court is quite impressive: spacious foyer, elevator,
modern sky-lighted courtrooms with comfortable
benches (although watch out for wads of gum under the
edges). OLLI attendees heard a sampling of the 16,000
cases heard around the state yearly: “no heat upstairs,”
“you owe back rent,” “you sold me a lemon,” and “stay
away from me.”
This court system provides prompt personal access to
justice. Lawyers are not required and the fees are
minimal. A citizen can bring any grievance before the
court, seeking financial restitution for up to $7,500,
eviction enforcement or restraining orders. But
sometimes the plaintiff can win a small claims case and
still have a hassle collecting the award. Noncompliant defendants are subject to an “ability to pay”
evaluation by the judge and income from
government programs is excluded, so often they
cannot be ordered to make their legally-awarded
judgment. Landlords found guilty of code violations
or taking willful action to “encourage” a tenant to
leave may be required to pay $1,000 for every day in
violation.
The presiding judge, the Hon.
Gerald J. Boyle, chief judge of
the Sixth Circuit, generously
spent a lot of time between
sessions and after, explaining
the types of cases he and the
other judges hear in this
third busiest court in New Hampshire. He explained
the intricacies of small claims law and described
domestic abuse and other criminal cases which land
on his docket. He recounted some of his experiences
over 10+ years on the bench and detailed his process
for deciding outcomes which always, irrespective of
his personal feelings about a case, must adhere to
the provisions of the laws passed by the state
legislature. Great class this first week of the Spring
term!
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.
Michelangelo
Saturday Bridge Comes to Manchester!
Submitted by Sharon Kace, Class of 2010
You asked for it, we listened and finally found the
perfect instructor, one of only three accredited ACBL
(American Contract Bridge League) teachers in New
Hampshire.
Have you ever wanted to learn to play bridge, the most
challenging of all card games? Did you play years ago
and want to take it up again? Do you know that bridge
and other such mental exercises can keep you sharp as
you grow older?
If so, then this class is for you!
And it is scheduled for four Saturdays (also as you
requested) in May. So mark your calendars now. Full
details will be sent via email very soon.
Did you catch OLLI’s segment on Concord OnAir at 3:50 PM
on Sunday, March 29? Cities of Concord all around the
world viewed two videos created by OLLI members as public
service announcements (PSA). Jo Hendry starred in the
promotion for Concord’s ill-fated Spring Preview and Marcia
Gray and Ed McMonagle spoke about the benefits of OLLI in
the PSA created by the OLLI class held at Concord TV last
year. Nice job, all, representing OLLI to all the Concords of
the world.
April Calendar
All meetings are at the local Granite State College office unless otherwise noted.
Concord
Monday, April 6
Monday, April 13
Thursday, April 16
Thursday, April 16
Monday, April 20
Concord Communications Committee – 9:30 AM
Concord Central Committee – 9:30 AM
Concord Brown Bag Lunch – 12:00 Noon
Game Day – 12:30 to 2:30 PM
Concord Curriculum Committee – 9:30 AM
Conway
Wednesday, April 8
Conway Central/Curriculum Committee - 9:30 AM
Manchester
Friday, April 3
Monday, April 6
Friday, April 10
Friday, April 10
Manchester Communications Committee – 10:00 AM
Manchester Membership Focus Committee – 1:30 PM
Manchester Curriculum Committee – 10:00 AM
Manchester Lunch Bunch, Canoe Restaurant, Bedford – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday, April 15
Tuesday, April 21
Friday, April 24
Manchester Volunteer Coordination Committee – 2:30 PM
Manchester New Member Gathering – 2:00 PM
Manchester Central Committee – 10:00 AM
(RSVP to Marilyn Otterson at [email protected] by Tuesday, April 7)
Seacoast
Wednesday, April 1
Thursday, April 9
Monday, April 13
Monday, April 20
Seacoast Ambassador Presentation, N. Berwick Senior Center – 12:30 PM
Seacoast Central/Curriculum Committee – 1:00 PM
Seacoast Mug ‘n’ Muffin, GSC-Portsmouth – 10:00 AM
Seacoast Lunch Bunch, Café Espresso, Portsmuth – 12:00 Noon
(RSVP to John Russell at [email protected] or call 742-9403 by Friday, April 17)
Statewide Meetings and Events
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Friday, April 10
Monday, April 27
OLLI Bus Trip to Boston Symphony Orchestra
Informational Meeting for New York Bus Trip Participants, GSC Concord – 10:30 AM
OLLI Travel Committee, GSC Concord – 10:00 AM
Steering Committee, GSC Concord – 10:00 AM
Looking Ahead
Friday-Sunday, May 1-3
Wednesday, May 27
Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, June 18
July 6 to August 7
Bus Trip to New York City
Seacoast Lunch ‘n’ Learn, Service to Others – 12:00 Noon
Seacoast Volunteer Appreciation Brunch – 10:00 AM
Concord Volunteer Appreciation Event – 1:00 PM
2015 Summer
25Term
Hall Street Concord, NH 03301
OLLI at Granite State College
25 Hall Street Concord, NH 03301
(603) 513-1377
[email protected]
http://olli.granite.edu
OLLI National Resource Center
The OLLI Outlook is published monthly and sent
electronically to all current OLLI members with
an email address. OLLI members are invited to
submit articles of interest to the general
membership. Articles and comments may be
emailed to [email protected]. Thank you.
Jacki Fogarty, Editor