Dorothy Lamberton Busy with books

Insights Summer 2009 Vol. 14 Number 4 Dorothy Lamberton: Busy with books by Judy Schuster Inside... Travel Report Dorothy Lamberton has taken classes offered by the Great Books Foundation for nearly half a century, yet her love for books and her enthusiasm for those who share her interest haven’t dimmed. A petite ball of energy, Dorothy first became interested in books while growing up in Young America, Minnesota. She joined the Foundation’s Junior Great Books Program when her children were young enough to be involved. Later, she and her late husband Richard, a professor in the English Department at the University of Minnesota, enrolled in a Great Books Foundation course. Participants formed a follow-up study group that still meets monthly. Soon after OLLI was formed, Dorothy agreed to organize a Great Books course. She’s been doing it ever since, with the exception of this past fall when, she says, “I took OLLI off!” But she expects to be back leading another group of 15 members in the fall of 2009. “I look at myself as a leader, not a teacher,” Dorothy explains. “My role is to ask insightful questions that provoke discussion and to address issues of ambiguity. “It takes intense concentration to enjoy this kind of reading, get your arguments ready and begin the dialog,” she says. “Regardless of what selections we read, we almost always find things that refer to cur- page 3 Because you asked page 4 Thanks page 6 Summer Courses page 8 Summer SIGs page 10 “I look at myself as a leader, not a teacher. My role is to ask insightful questions that provoke discussion . . .” rent events. Members bring in other books and newspaper articles. It helps them continue their intellectual stimulation long after retirement.” When she isn’t busy with books, Dorothy organizes OLLI’s weekly course, Tuesdays with a Scholar at the Southdale Library. She contacts weekly speakers, gets their biographies, and arranges for any additional needs such as audio-video equipment. She’s been helping our OLLI in this way for several years, too. And the good news is that she plans to continue. Financial expert Ruth Hayden spoke to OLLI members and guests about weathering the current economic climate at the Spring Information Fair in March. The President’s Column By Merritt Marquardt Reflections on OLLI changes In 1790, writing from his vantage point in England, Edmund Burke offered to the world his Reflections on the Revolution in France. Times were turbulent, and his ideas reflected the view that things would never be the same. Our vantage point to the changes occurring in the world today does not afford the luxury of being quite as detached as Burke. We are in the midst of change ourselves, even down to the level of our own OLLI operations and planning. How we react to and manage the broader changing trends will determine what OLLI becomes in the years ahead. In times of economic change, organizations such as OLLI tend to react by changing the very structure of who they are and why they exist. Some of our members would argue for a major adjustment in our membership fee. Others would say it is time to invade the principal of our endowment funds rather than tighten our belts and find ways to live within our means. Another change of great significance for OLLI would be a totally new way of looking at membership growth. A concerted effort to recruit a large number of new members might solve a host of financial problems, but it would also create a new dimension of planning for more class locations, more course leaders, and more paid staff to handle the workload. It would also require another level of support from the membership to provide the same commitment to volunpage 2 teer activity that has been the hallmark of our OLLI in the past. One thing is certain: We must not embark on a course either of financial change or of a change in the philosophy of what gives our OLLI its underlying strength without a vigorous debate on the likely long-term outcome. As we discuss these things among ourselves in the days ahead, we must not lose the vision of our founders, for that vision is as sound today as when it first motivated them to organize this enterprise. It is, and must remain, what every OLLI member believes in and what motivates us all. As Gandhi phrased it, “Learn as if you were to live forever.” As we near the end of another OLLI academic year, it is right and proper to pay tribute to our many members who give so generously of their time and energy to make it all work. The members of the board, the chairs of our committees, and the committee members who contribute their ideas and make their committees a functioning whole are all vital to making it possible for everyone to experience that favorite course or two each term. They all deserve our thanks and appreciation. Of special note this year are several who led their committees through a time of particular change and growth. I have singled them out because each has either stepped down from serving as chair during the year or will do so at the end of this term. They are Barb Whiting of the Communication Committee, Anne Mason of Membership and Marketing, Geri Burns of Curriculum, and Peter Sammond of Finance. They made contri- butions of special note, and their work is very much appreciated by all. As most of you know, Jerry Mundt passed away this January. Jerry was the quintessential OLLI volunteer member with his long service on the Board of Directors and as a course leader in his beloved field of paleontology. He is greatly missed. Howard Guthmann will step down as Finance Officer at the end of June. Howard has held this elected position since the very beginning of our OLLI, a period of 14 years exemplified by a commitment to excellence in managing the financial affairs of the organization that is truly outstanding. We will miss Howard, and wish him well as he may now find the time to take a favorite course among his many other interests. Thank you, Howard. Fall Preview Ancient Egyptian Civilization Behind the Scenes at the Science Museum Creative Writing: Poetry Flicks on Friday Genes, the Environment, and Us Great Books Great Decisions A History of Atheism Nobel Conference: Water The Presidents: Part 6 The Roaring ‘20s What’s in Your Attic? Discovering Antiques Insights Summer 2009 Second OLLI Travel Expo on May 8 by Billie Young Travel Report Share your dreams and ideas about future travel at the second annual OLLI Travel Expo on Friday, May 8, at 1666 Coffman in St. Paul. Enjoy wine and cheese, swap travel stories, get information about upcoming trips, and tell Travel Committee members where you would like to go. The Expo begins with a 1 p.m. program and ends at about 2 p.m. Leaders of upcoming trips will have brochures, information, and maps to help whet your appetite for travel already planned. Scheduled for this summer, July 21–28, is an eight-day excursion to Santa Fe, New Mexico, led by Ramsis Gobran. Visitors will tour Georgia O’Keeffe’s home as well as museums featuring her art; attend a cooking demonstration and dance performance; and visit Pueblo cliff dwellings. “Minnesota Prairie: Then and Now,” will leave the Twin Cities on September 14 and take travelers inside a wind turbine and an ethanol plant. Ron Tabar, who organized an earlier successful tour of Minnesota’s Iron Range, will lead the group. As a follow-up to the winter OLLI course on Southeast Asia, a trip to the countries of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar is scheduled for November. You need not have taken the fall course to enroll. Participants will visit all five countries over a three-week period. Additional information will be available at the Expo. OLLI trips require months of advance planning. We invite you to share ideas with fellow travel enthusiasts and members of the Travel Committee. They are eager to hear about your travel ideas. Look for travel information in the OLLI Up-to-Dater e-newsletter. To subscribe to the UTD, send an e-mail with “Subscribe to UTD” in the subject line to olliregb@umn.edu. For more information on OLLI travel opportunities, call committee chair Ramsis Gobran 651-484-5632, rgobran@ earthlink.net On a recent OLLI cruise to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands, traveler Audrey Grote won a drawing for a portrait by the photographer on board. Audrey convinced the photographer to shoot the entire OLLI group. OLLI members pictured (in alphabetical order): Susan Adamek, Audrey Grote, Gretchen Johnson, Marta Kaplan, Sylvia Kerr, Dorothy Linse, Nita Lussenhop, Gerry Mooers, Ginny Morse, Mary Oelke, Sharon Sechrist, Judy Solmonson, Gail Stremel, Anne Marie Templin, Dick Thomas, Constance Van Valkenburg, Connie Waterous, Rita Welch, Mary Wilson, and Billie Young. Get the most up-to-date OLLI news in your e-mail For the very latest news about OLLI sign up for our e-mail newsletter, the Up-to-Dater. The UTD contains recent updates on courses, activities, travel news, and events as well as news about OLLI people. You also may now receive Insights, our quarterly bulletin, over the Internet. Contact the OLLI office by e-mail only, and you will be sent a link to the new edition as soon as it is available and before you would receive it in the mail. By choosing to receive all OLLI communication by e-mail, you’ll help us reduce printing and postage costs and reduce OLLI’s impact on the environment by eliminating paper waste. To subscribe to the UTD, and/or receive Insights online, send an e-mail to olliregb@umn.edu and ask to be put on the UTD e-mail list. Please include your full name and e-mail address in the body of the e-mail. If you would like to receive all OLLI communications by e-mail, send your request to olliregb@umn.edu and type “Stop Surface Mail” in the subject field. page 3 Because you asked . . . OLLI financial facts In an effort to reach as many OLLI members as possible, a letter from OLLI president Merritt Marquardt, published in a recent Up-to-Dater and previously e-mailed to all OLLI Board members, is reprinted below to inform members of OLLI’s current financial situation. For a summary of “Financial Facts” as read by members of the Board of Directors in as many courses as possible in the first week of the Spring Session, see the middle column. Letter to Board Members The Executive Committee, at its meeting on March 5, 2009, engaged in significant debate concerning the financial affairs of OLLI and how best to address anticipated shortfalls in revenue for the coming fiscal year. Past president Joanne Kendall presented a recommendation that Board members take a few minutes preceding the first meeting of each of their spring session courses to speak to class members about the financial condition of OLLI and what plans are being made to provide the best possible fiscal management and governance of our organization. Toward that end, I am asking that each of you make a brief presentation to your OLLI classmates using the attached fact sheet as your resource. This presentation is not intended to be a detailed discussion of financial affairs, but it is rather an opportunity to bring greater awareness of OLLI finances and nearterm prospects for the most effective use of Osher Endowment money and OLLI membership fees. OLLI’s greatest strength lies in the dedication of our members and their support of OLLI courses and activities. As page 4 our OLLI has grown, so has the need for increasing financial resources and their prudent management. Your help in this endeavor will bring greater transparency to OLLI fiscal management and is much appreciated. It will serve to make all OLLI participants better informed and realistic about our goals and objectives for the coming year. Financial Facts 2009–10 Like most investments, over the past year the Osher Endowment Fund has realized a market loss of approximately 25%. This means that the earned interest income from the endowment principal, which we use to calculate OLLI annual revenue, will also result in a 25% reduction of our required budget revenue stream. • In order to maintain the current cost of the OLLI annual membership fee, we need to rely on the loyalty of current members to renew their memberships and continue our efforts to recruit new members. • The Board is committed to prudent management of OLLI resources. While we are trying to eliminate unnecessary costs, we are also dedicated to maintaining our high standards of quality for OLLI course offerings. • We encourage those who are able to consider making a donation to the Miriam Seltzer Scholarship fund or to the general fund. As no one is turned down from OLLI membership for inability to pay, the scholarship fund may find itself particularly stressed in the current economic situation. • The true strength of our OLLI lies in the volunteerism of its members. We encourage those who can more easily give of their time to consider volunteering for any of the OLLI standing committees, to help occasionally in the OLLI office, or, most importantly, to lead or assist a course. Please contact the OLLI office with questions or comments at 612-624-7847, ollimlb@umn.edu. Insights is a publication of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of Minnesota, providing learning opportunities under the guidance of its members. Editor: John Cardle Managing Editor: JoAnne Makela Photo Editor: Charles Turpin Copy Editors: Cathy Coult, Arden Durham, Marlyce Helm Reporters: Dan Lutenegger, Ginny Morse, Judy Schuster Contributors: Kate Anderson, Steve Benson, Merritt Marquardt, Anne Morrow, Billie Young Photos: Charlie Turpin Design: S. Johnson Creative Layout: JoAnne Makela Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 250 McNamara Alumni Center 200 Oak Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 612-624-7847 ollimlb@umn.edu www.cce.umn.edu/olli This publication is available in alternative formats upon request to the OLLI office at 612-624-7847, ollimlb@umn.edu Insights Summer 2009 From the Executive Director by Steve Benson A savvy mind and a sharp pencil This summer issue is traditionally a time to reflect on the achievements of the last year and acknowledge OLLI volunteers who make our learning community possible. In this column I can reflect on not only the achievements of this year but also on those of the past 14 years. I feel it important and imperative to acknowledge Howard Guthmann, a volunteer present at the birth of ELI/OLLI and who has served as our financial officer since that heady summer of 1995 with a savvy mind and a sharp pencil. Howard (one of the youngest CPAs in the state of Minnesota at the start of his career) has been involved in a variety of educational and civic organizations since he graduated from the University of Minnesota at the end of WWII. He has been chair of the St. Paul School Board and on the boards of a distinguished list of institutions such as the St. Paul libraries, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Minnesota Humanities Commission as well as Rotary, Regions Hospital, and his church. During his watch, OLLI has grown from 200 members at the end of the first year to over 1,000. Our budget resources have grown from a seed grant from the University of Minnesota to a $2 million endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation. Apart from mentoring and educating me and a host of OLLI volunteers in the labyrinthine ways of finance and accounting, Howard founded the OLLI investment group Elderwise, which even in the choppy waters of the current economy has steered a successful and profitable course for its members. Howard has dedicated his time and considerable expertise to OLLI while maintaining a full professional and civic life (he has worked for the same prominent firm, Wilkerson Associates since the early 1940s). Howard is now stepping down as OLLI’s financial officer but has promised to stay on the Finance Committee and, along with his wife Betsey, remain active in OLLI. Howard’s commitment to the volunteer spirit of OLLI is exemplary but not unique. Throughout the past 14 years, hundreds of OLLI members have given back in so many ways from leading courses, as course assistants, serving on committees, guiding OLLI through membership on the Board of Directors, helping out at special events, producing Insights and other OLLI publications, and contributing financially. Read through the long lists of acknow ledgements for this year and marvel with me at the ongoing commitment and dedication of so many to our OLLI learning community. If you have not already been a volunteer, consider looking for an opportunity and add your name to next year’s honor roll. OLLIs and prospective members gathered at the Spring Information Fair at Incarnation Lutheran Church to find out about upcoming programs and hear financial expert Ruth Hayden speak. The Membership and Marketing Committee organizes this annual event with help from volunteers on the Arrangements Committee. page 5 Thank you, OLLI Volunteers! Without volunteers, we would have no OLLI. They allow us to offer a wide variety of courses and activities. So, as this fiscal year draws to a close, we thank our board members, course leaders, class assistants, and many volunteers who have helped make our events and programs a success. We especially thank our generous donors. Course leaders (*OLLI Scholars) Esam Aal, Mike Amidon, J. B. Andersen, George Anderson, Neil Anderson, Verne Anderson, Steven Antenucci, Marcia Aubineau, Olive Jean Bailey, Edward J. Bardon, Carrie Bassett, Sarah Bellamy, Steve Benson, Odelle Bjerkness, Joyce Black, Bain Boehlke, Jeannine Bohlmeyer, Irwin Boris, Geraldine Braden, Jean Brookins, Donald Christensen, Curtis Dahlin, Kathie Dahlquist, Joan Davies, *Abigail Davis, Leni De Mik, Joan Delich, Liz Dodson, Roy Dorn, *Benjamin Arda Doty, Knowles Dougherty, Rachel Dubke, Jim Dunn, Margretta Dwyer, Osman Elhadary, Bob Erickson, Lois Farag, Lawrence Farrar, Ed Ferlauto, David Ferrens, *Heather Flowers, Robert Foy, Richard Fuller, Stephen Gasiorowicz, Caroline Gilbert, Gary Gilson, Marie Goblirsch, Ramsis Gobran, Pat Greene, Ted Greenfield, Chuck Grimsrud, *Kimberly Ohmyo Gross, Manuel Guerrero, *Amy L. Gunty, Seymour Handler, Alice Hanson, Gary Hanson, *Samuel Hintz, David Hopper, Sue Jewell, Dave Johnson, Earl Johnson, Judith Johnson, Roger Jones, Alan Kagan, Alan Kahn, Richard Kain, Badal Kariye, Apeckchya Karki, Joanne Kendall, Sylvia Kerr, David Kopf, *Miriam Krause, Patricia Kridler, Karin Krull, Vinnie Kutty, Dorothy Lamberton, Greg Lecker, Rhoda Lewin, Megan Lewis, Michael Lupu, Nancy Martin, Jamie McBride, *Kelly McDonough, Jean McElvain, Kimberly D. Miesten, *Matthew Mihalka, *Chris Miller, Todd Miller, Shirley Moore, Bill Morton, Charles Mundale, Susan Mundale, Marc Nagel, Iric Nathanson, Charlotte Neill, Bonnie Nelson, Charles Nelson, Connie Nelson, John Nugent, Tom O’Dea, Silvia Ontaneda, Thomas O’Toole, Carolyn Papke, *Joshua Plocher, Sally Polk, Mary Quinlivan, Marguerite Ragnow, *Julia Rauchfuss, Dan Reddan, Corey Rieck, Robert Roman, Andreas Rosenberg, Elisabeth Rosenberg, Peter Rosko, Carol Rudie, Daniela Ruggiero, Peter Sammond, Neala Schleuning, *Sara Schmelzer, Ed Schwartzbauer, Rick Shiomi, *Johanna Shreve, Lonni Skrentner, *Edward Snyder, Bob Solotaroff, Allen Starkey, Vivian Steblay, Jack Stuart, Marghe Tabar, Ron Tabar, Ed Tang, Albert Trostel, Parker Trostel, Charles Turpin, Bonnie Turrentine, Doug Wallace, Stephanie Lein Walseth, Che Wang, Gil Ward, David Wark, Bill Weir, Gerhard Weiss, Mark Welter, Winifred Winkleman, Donald Winters, Pat Wuest, Billie Young page 6 Course assistants, board members, committee members, SIG leaders Kay Abbott, Kay Acton, Barbara Amram, Grace Anderson, Joyce Anderson, Karen Anderson, Kate Anderson, Loretta Anderson, Sonja Anderson, Woody Andrews, Barb Aune, Tom Bagott, Gene Bard, Val Barlau, Mary Beagan, Nell Bean, Jeanne Bearmon, Elaine Bellew, Margit Berg, Judy Berland, Shirley Bierma, Mike Bosanko, Sally Bosanko, Helen Bowlin, Jean Brookins, Helen Brooks, Ann Buran, David Buran, Barb Burleigh, Geri Burns, Tom Burt, Andrea Canter, Carol Carberry, John Cardle, Dean Carlson, Louise Carpentier, Jean Conklin, Kay Cooper, Nancy Copeland, Cathy Coult, Carole J. Cranbrook, Lyn Culbert, Lou Culbert, Phil Dahlen, Peggy Dale, Carol Daly, Alice de Meurisse, Joan Delich, Emily Dennison, Judith Devine, Liz Dodson, Mari Donaldson, Knowles Dougherty, Bridget Doyle, Mary Eggen, Marian Eisner, Osman Elhadary, Alice Evenson, Joan Fearing, Watson Fearing, Ed Ferlauto, David Ferrens, Ruth Fingerson, Alfred Fish, Enrica Fish, Larry Flaskerud, Christine Garner, Caroline Gilbert, Marie Goblirsch, Norma Gobran, Ramsis Gobran, Pat Greene, Georgia Gustafson, Howard Guthmann, Dolores Gutierrez, Bill Halloran, Jeannie Hanson, JoAnn Hanson, Grace Harkness, Jack Harkness, John Harris, Shawn Hartfeldt, Marlyce Helm, Molly Henke, Peggy Henrickson, Nita Huseby, Marge Hutton, Mildred James, Robert Jansen, Sue Jewell, Barry Johnson, David Johnson, Earl L. Johnson, Gini Johnson, Harriet Johnson, Janice Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Roger Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Terry Johnson, Bob Jones, Carolyn Jones, Alan Kahn, Joanne Kendall, Rich Kessler, Elaine Knoft, Eleanore Kolar, Gayle Kollitz, Ray Kreps, Ruth Kreps, Gretchen Kreuter, Janet Krofta, Corinne Kroonblawd, Diane Ladenson, David Larson, Judith Larson, Marcia Larson, Pat Larson, Shelly Lausch, Del Leaf, Lorrie Leaf, Nancy Lockard, Nita Lussenhop, Dan Lutenegger, Ginny Mahlum, Merritt Marquardt, Carole Martin, Nancy R. Martin, Anne Mason, Sue McCloskey, Donn McLellan, Peggy Meyer, Gerry Mooers, Monica Morin, Anne Morrow, Ginny Morse, Ilse Mortensen, William Morton, Susan Mundale, Jerry Mundt, Mary Negri, Linda Nelson, Eleonora Nikonova, Diane Nimmer, Warren Nordley, Linda North, Kathleen Olson, Angie O’Neill, Diane Ondrey, Sally Onstad, Carolyn Papke, Insights Summer 2009 Robert Papke, Kathy Patton, Perry Plank, Sharon Pleimling, Al Potter, Kathy Potter, Charlotte Prentice, Ginny Quattlebaum, Audray Rees, JoAnn Rice, Ken Rich, Charles Roach, Virgina Roach, Betty Rohmann, Elisabeth Rosenberg, Ivan Ross, Marilyn Rushenberg, Noel Ryan, Lesley Rylander, Peter Sammond, Paula Sanan, Betty Schlotthauer, Judy Schuck, Jan Schultz, Judy Schuster, Eliot Schweitzer, Janet Sheldon, Bonnie Skelton, Leanne Skjervold, Ellen Sovik, Elaine Spiegel, Gail Stalpes, Olga Staneslow, Allen Starkey, Vivian Steblay, Burt Sundquist, Tom Swain, Jill Swiler, Marghe Tabar, Ron Tabar, Morgan Tamsky, Susan Tanner, Renee Tasaka, Dick Thomas, Marilyn Thorne, Dwight Townes, Shirley Trossen, Al Trostel, Charlie Turpin, Susan Verrett, Betty Wallien, David Wark, Connie Waterous, Bill Weir, Barb Whiting, Rick Whiting, Karl Willson, Mary Wilson, Marian Wolters, Pat Wuest, Billie Young, Elizabeth Young, Marge Young, Sue Zuriff Special thanks to the Bernard Osher Foundation Donors Bernard Osher Foundation, 3M Foundation, Inc., Colonial Acres Homes, Inc., General Mills Foundation, Margaret Alldredge, Valeria Barlau, Donna Lee Barnett, Steve Benson, Florence Bogle, Frank & Gail Brendemuchl, Geraldine Burns, Beverly Christensen, Kirsten Dawson, Leni DeMik, Ann Ellwood, Alice Evans, Charles Grimsrud & Penny Bond, Howard Guthmann, Marguerite Harbison, Joanne Kendall, Sylvia Kerr, Joseph Kuznik, Sharon Lovo, Merritt & Betty Marquardt, Ann Merz, Geraldine Mooers & Dick Thomas, Diane Mundt, Paul O’Connor, Frances Paulu, Gordon Peterson, Nancy L. Peterson, Mary Quinlivan, Allen Starkey, Dorothy Swanson, Ron & Margaret Tabar, Marilyn & Morgan Tamsky, Renee Tasaka, Alice Thompson, Bonnie Turrentine, Robert Ulstrom, Mary Waibel, Richard & Barbara Whiting, Kay Williams Classroom and Event Sites 1666 Coffman, American Swedish Institute, The Bakken Museum, Becketwood, Eastcliff, Edina Senior Center, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Ferguson Hall, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Guthrie Theater, Hennepin County Library– Ridgedale, Hennepin County Library–Southdale, James Ford Bell Library, The Kenwood, Lakewood Cemetary, Lenox Community Center, Main Street Village, McNamara Alumni Center, McNeal Hall, Market BBQ, Mayflower Congregational Church, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis Parks & Recreation, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minnetonka Community Center, Mount Zion Temple, Mu Performing Arts, Murzyn Hall, North Como Presbyterian, Penumbra Theatre, Plymouth Congregational Church, Richfield Community Center, The Museum of Russian Art, Saint Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, Saint Paul Jewish Community Center, TaiChi-Chuan Studio, Temple Israel, Theater in the Round, Unity Unitarian Church, Vision Loss Resources, Walker Art Center, Washburn Public Library, West 7th Community Center OLLI Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social, June 4 The OLLI Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social will be held on Thursday, June 4, 1–4 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 8600 Fremont Avenue South, Bloomington. Join us for refreshments and entertainment as we bring OLLI members together for this final event of the fiscal year. Help us celebrate OLLI accomplishments from the 2008–09 year and welcome the Board of Directors for 2009–10. Please let us know that you are coming by May 27 at 612-627-7847 or olliregb@umn.edu. In Memoriam Robert Bugenstein, Duane Elvin, Jerry Mundt, Carole Murphy, Joanna Nordseth, Beth Oschwald page 7 Summer 2009 Courses Short summer courses are a great way to stay involved as well as to introduce a friend to OLLI. You may take as many courses as you like. Non-members may try-out OLLI and participate in summer courses for only $50, which will be deducted from the annual $195 membership fee if they join OLLI by March 1, 2010. Call or e-mail the OLLI office for more information. Register online by May 30 at www.cce.umn.edu/olli, or mail in the registration form to arrive at least one week before the start date of a class as listed in its description (i.e. if class begins June 16, you have until June 9 to mail in the form). This course schedule is subject to change. 1911 Introduction to Great Books Using the unique reading and discussion techniques of the Great Books Foundation of Chicago, we will read from the anthology Introduction to Great Books (first series, $13.95 from the Great Books Foundation 800-222-5870). Beginning with “Why War” by Sigmund Freud, we will then read “The Melian Dialogue” by Thucydides, and “Everything That Rises Must Converge” by Flannery O’Conner. Please order the anthology as soon as possible and read “Why War” before the first class. Limit: 20 David Mesenbourg, Great Books course leader, OLLI member 3 sessions: Thursdays, June 11–25 12:30–2 p.m. Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina 1912 Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad “The brown current ran swiftly out of the heart of darkness towards the sea.” In this four-session course we will focus on a close textual examination of Conrad’s journey into the human psyche. Read Part I for the first session. Limit: 20 Bonnie Nelson, retired teacher, OLLI member 4 sessions: Mondays, June 15–July 6 12:30–2 p.m. The Kenwood, 825 Summit Ave, Mpls 1913 Arty Experiences: A Mixed Bag Join us for three intriguing, diverse art experiences. Visit Groveland Gallery to hear about the history of a unique gallery housed in a wonderful old mansion in Kenwood as well as Groveland’s annual summer group exhibition; get a close-up look at works in the Walker Art Center’s Sculpture Garden with a veteran docent; and attend a discussion and slide show about public art presented by Jack Becker, founder and executive director of Forecast Public Artworks, publisher of the public art journal, Public Art Review (www.forecastpublicart.org). Limit: 20 Vivian Steblay and Carol Daly, art mavens, OLLI members 3 sessions: Tuesdays, June 16–30 12:30–2 p.m. 1st class: Groveland Gallery, 25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls 1914 Botany for Gardeners A basic understanding of botany is an essential tool for gardeners. Where better to learn about the basics of botany than at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden? With over 500 plant species in the 15-acre Golden Valley reserve, this living, outdoor classroom is perfect for hands-on exploration. Join us for this three-week series and dig into the delights of botany. Geared toward the layperson, each class will consist of field study and classroom discussions. Limit: 8 Courses listed by start date 1908 Monarch Butterflies: Minnesota to Mexico View the extraordinary odyssey of these remarkable butterflies, from their summer hatching grounds in North America to their wintering sites in the mountains of central Mexico. We will review local efforts to improve Minnesota habitats, including planting butterfly friendly gardens. Limit: 50 Steve Benson, nature enthusiast, OLLI Executive Director One session: Monday, June 1 10 a.m.–12 noon Richfield Community Center, 7000 Nicollet Ave S, Richfield 1909 The Best of Contemporary Scandinavian Film This fourweek series will feature favorite films from the last two years of this popular course. Watch how contemporary filmmakers capture and comment on their societies and broad human issues with wit, insight, and humor. Films include: As it is in Heaven, how music restores the spirit of a small Swedish town; Kitchen Stories, a droll film from Norway about bachelor farmers; House of Angels, how a seemingly idyllic community is shaken up by a ghost from the past; and one new film. Limit: 50 Steve Benson, film buff, OLLI Executive Director 4 sessions: Tuesdays, June 2–23 9:30a.m.–noon 235 McNamara Alumni Center, U of M East Bank Campus 1910 History Hodgepodge Join us for lectures on immigration including a slide show of Ellis Island; on the ages of man; and on medical history from the early 1900s. Class members are invited to lunch, at their expense, at a local restaurant following class. Limit: 50 J. B. Andersen, educator, curator, writer 4 sessions: Wednesdays, June 3–24 10–11:30 a.m. 1666 Coffman (enter on Larpenteur) across from U golf course page 8 Insights Summer 2009 Course fee: $15 due at registration Diana Thottungal, former botany instructor at City University of New York, interpretive naturalist at Eloise Butler 3 sessions: Tuesdays, June 16–30 1–3 p.m. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Mpls 1915 Minnesota Historical Society: Generations Camp A week long summer camp for middle school aged English Language Learner students and Minnesotan seniors will be held the week of June 22, at the Minnesota History Center and the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent (CHAT), both in Saint Paul. Over the course of the week, seniors and students will enjoy hands-on history classes, museum exhibits, and a variety of art activities as they work together to create art work based on the theme: “being Minnesotan.” Senior participants should be able to commit to a full day on Tuesday, June 23; lunch on Wednesday, June 24; and attend an afternoon session on Thursday, June 25.. Seniors are also invited to (and strongly encourage to attend) a showing of all the paintings on the afternoon of Friday, June 26 at the Minnesota History Center. Limit: 10 Aleah Vinick, program associate, Minnesota Historical Society David Feinberg, associate professor of art, director of undergraduate studies, U of M 4 sessions: Tuesday–Friday, June 23–26, schedule varies by day CHAT (Center for Hmong Arts and Talent) 995 University Ave, Suite 220. St. Paul Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St. Paul 1916 Flower Drum Song Mu Performing Arts will present a new version of an old favorite, Flower Drum Song. Tony awardwinner David Henry Hwang has rewritten the book to update the story, but most of the famous and beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein songs remain intact. This lovely new version of an American classic blends American razzmatazz with stylized Chinese opera traditions to create a beautiful theatrical tapestry. The play opens June 26 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul. For tickets call the Ordway box office, 651-224-4222, or go to the Ordway Web site, www.ordway. org. See the play before the class. Limit: 50 Rick Shiomi, Artistic Director, Mu Performing Arts Tuesday, June 30 12:30–2 p.m. 235 McNamara Alumni Center, U of M East Bank Campus 1917 Summer Discoveries Metro area parks and nature centers are beckoning. Join us as we visit three: Woodlake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield; Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan; and Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E. Bush Lake Road, Bloomington. We’ll hear briefly from a staff naturalist, check out exhibits, hike the trails, and listen for summer birds. Bring a lunch and we will end our visits with a picnic. Limit: 25 Molly Henke and Karen Bowen, OLLI members, conveners 3 sessions: Tuesdays, July 14–28 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 1st class: Woodlake Nature Center, Richfield 1918 OLLI Online Registration Have you experienced frustration at navigating the OLLI/CCE online registration system? Or have you never attempted it? This workshop will walk you through the procedures for registering from the OLLI Web site, showing you exactly what your computer screen should look like and what to expect once you have successfully registered for courses. You may bring your own laptop for hands-on experience. A limited number of laptops will be available for the class. Limit: 25 JoAnne Makela, OLLI office manager Monday, August 10 12:30–2:30 p.m. 235 McNamara Alumni Center, U of M East Bank Campus 1919 Minnesota Centennial Showboat: Is There a Doctor in the House? Join fellow OLLI members and the U of M Showboat Players on board the Minnesota Centennial Showboat. Based on The Imaginary Invalid by Molière, the story centers on Argan, a hypochondriac obsessed with his health and determined to follow his physician’s advice. A comedy of misdirection, mistaken identities, and misdiagnosis, the production will fill your prescription for musical entertainment. Go to showboat.umn.edu for more information. Limit: 30 Ticket fee: $18 due at registration Tuesday, August 11, boarding at 1:30, curtain at 2:30 Minnesota Centennial Showboat, Harriet Island, St. Paul page 9 Special Interest Groups OLLI Special Interest Groups (SIGs) meet regularly to provide enriching opportunities beyond the OLLI classroom. To better serve all OLLI members, we need SIGs in more neighborhoods. For guidelines on starting one in your area, contact the co-chairs: Kate Anderson, 651-488-9061, anderson1466@aol.com or Anne Morrow, 612-669-4940, anne.morrow@hotmail. com. This list is of SIGs active for the summer. Contact the coordinator listed for more details about each SIG. ARTS/The OLLI Arts Exhibitionists: The group arranges four or five exhibits a year. The Edina Senior Center (952-8339570) features 47 works by OLLI artists through May 29. Ed Ferlauto, 612-9291004, slfelicity@aol.com. BIKING/The OLLI Questers: Wednesday, April–September. Nita Lussenhop, 763-546-6641, femnat@ comcast.net; Gerry Mooers, 952-9398095, grmooers@usfamily.net. BIRDING AND NATURE: Visits nature centers, state and regional parks throughout the year. Eliot Schweitzer, 952-835-7591, pneliot@aol.com. BOOK CLUBS (6 groups) Fiction/Mpls.: 3rd Friday, 10:30 a.m. Temple Israel, 24th and Hennepin. Lesley Rylander, 952-431-7181, cvrylander@aol. com. Fiction/St. Paul: 3rd Friday, 10:30 a.m. St. Paul Jewish Community Center, 1375 St. Paul Ave. Judith DeVine, 651-731-1404, jdevine1404@comcast.net. NEW YORKER READING GROUP: Fiction/Nonfiction/Arden Hills: 3rd Wednesday, 1 p.m. Davanni’s party room, Thursday, 2 p.m. Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. Peggy Dale, 3673 N. Lexington. Marcia Larson, 651484-9387, marcialarson1948@yahoo.com. 952-896-1878, marferda@comcast.net. Nonfiction/Mpls.: 2nd Friday, 1 p.m. PLAY READING: 2nd Friday, 10:30 Franklin Avenue Library, 1314 E. a.m. Franklin Avenue Library, 1314 E. Franklin Ave. Kate Anderson, 651-488Franklin Ave.. Mpls. Elizabeth Young, 9061, anderson1466@msn.com; Ivan 612-870-5659, liz11238@yahoo.com; Sue Ross, 952-546-6312, ivan@ivanross.net. Nonfiction/St. Paul: 3rd Thursday, 1 p.m. Zuriff, 612-332-2011, s-zuri@umn.edu. St. Paul Jewish Community Center, w! Ne RENEWING AMERICA: 1st & 3rd Fridays, 1375 St. Paul Ave. Connie Waterous, 1:30 p.m. in St. Louis Park. Continuation 651-291-1610, conniew01@comcast.net. of discussion from winter ’09 course. Bill Nonfiction/Bloomington: Last Monday, Weir, 763-568-7022, wweir1@gmail.com. 1 p.m. Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Ave. S. Osman Elhadary, SCRABBLE™: Thursday, 1 p.m. Edina 952-831-0511, usus32@hotmail.com. Senior Center. Scoring points is second to BRIDGE–East Metro: 2nd & 4th Tuesday, having fun. Marlyce Helm, 612-926-8178, tallertwin2@yahoo.com. 6 p.m. Coffee Grounds, Falcon Heights. Kate Anderson, 651-488-9061, SPANISH LANGUAGE CONVERSATION: anderson1466@msn.com. Friday, 10 a.m. St. Louis Park. For adBRIDGE–West Metro: 1st & 3rd Monday, vanced beginners and intermediate Spanish speakers. Jeanne Bearmon, 9523 p.m. at Perkins, Hwy. 394 at Louisiana 920-6388, jbearmon@comcast.net. Ave, St. Louis Park. June–August, once a month, location/time TBA. Rich Kessler, TALETELLERS: Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 952-884-3282, rkessler@cpinternet.com; St. Louis Park. In response to trigger Ginny Morse, 612-288-9121, 88virginia@ questions drawn by participants in each earthlink.net. session, we will recall and share our memories. Jeanne Bearmon, 952-920DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: 1st & 3rd 6388, jbearmon@comcast.net. Monday, 2 p.m. Loretta Gagnon room, Black Bear Crossings, 1360 N. Lexington WEDNESDAY EVENING DISCUSSION: Pkwy., St. Paul. Phil Dahlen, 952-9371st Wednesday, 7 p.m. Minnetonka 1856, dahlenp@earthlink.net. Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd. A wide-ranging discussion of variJAZZ APPRECIATION/The OLLI Cats: 4th Friday, 1 p.m. Temple Israel, 24th and ous topics. All viewpoints and opinions welcome. Allen Starkey, 952-475-2977, Hennepin. Joan Delich, 763-574-0409, rugbyref@prodigy.net. sokadel@earthlink.net. w! Ne WOMEN IN TRANSITION: 3rd Thursday, KNITTING: 2nd Wednesday, noon. Party 6:30 p.m. Join other women for discussion room at 6085 Lincoln Dr., Edina. All and encouragement during retirement levels welcome. Vivian Steblay, 952-938transition. Marian Eisner, 952-884-3282, 8477, vsteblay@gmail.com. mareisner@comcast.net. page 10 page 10 Insights Summer 2009 Summer 2009 Registration Form Register online starting May 4 at www.cce.umn.edu/olli. Mail in by one week before the start of a course. To register by mail for OLLI Summer 2009 Courses: Fill in this form completely and mail back to the OLLI office. You must include payment for any materials/ticket/tour fees. You may pay by credit card or check for the exact amount due payable to: University of Minnesota. PLEASE mail back this ENTIRE FORM. You will receive registration confirmation by mail. If a course you register for does not appear on your confirmation, it has either been filled or cancelled. To register online: Go to www.cce.umn.edu/olli and click on the link “Click here to go to online registration.” You will be redirected to a different site with instructions on how to register. Because the online instructions are generic, some items do not apply to OLLI members (for instance, on the page that asks for a “mail code,” there is no such number on this mailing—skip that page). Courses that are full or cancelled will not appear on the course selection list. You will receive immediate confirmation of your registration on the last page of online registration and by e-mail. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within one hour of registering, please call the OLLI office. Non-OLLI Members: You may register for Summer Session 2009 by noting on this form that you are a guest-member and include payment for $50. If you decide to join OLLI before March 1, 2010, we will deduct $50 from the $195 annual membership fee. Registration is not final until all fees are paid. This course schedule is subject to change. Name Address City Day phone E-mail OLLI ID# (optional) $195 Annual Membership  New  Renewal  Current  Guest ($50) Make checks payable to: University of Minnesota I authorize the University of Minnesota to charge my credit card: State Zip Please register me for the following SUMMER courses (check only those you are sure to attend):  1908 Monarch Butterflies: Minnesota to Mexico  1909 The Best of Contemporary Scandinavian Film  1910 History Hodgepodge  1911 Introduction to Great Books  1912 Heart of Darkness  1913 Arty Experiences: A Mixed Bag  1914 Botany for Gardeners  1915 Generations Camp  1916 Flower Drum Song  1917 Summer Discoveries  1918 OLLI Online Registration  1919 Showboat: Is There a Doctor in the House?  Visa  MasterCard  Discover  American Express Card# Expiration Date Signature  Please add my e-mail address to the Up-to-Dater newsletter.  I would like to assist course #  I would like to volunteer; please call me.  Please omit my name from the OLLI Membership directory.  Please omit my name from course lists. Mail to: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 250 McNamara Alumni Center Call: 612-624-7847 200 Oak St. SE E-mail: olliregb@umn.edu Minneapolis, MN 55455 www.cce.umn.edu/olli Office use only: Rec’d Ent CCC CHK # ID Key Conf page 11 University of Minnesota 250 McNamara Alumni Center 200 Oak Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 First Class Mail U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN Permit No. 155 Insights Important dates Summer 2009 Annual Meeting & Ice Cream Social: June 4, 1 p.m. @ Christ the King Lutheran Church, Bloomington Travel Expo: May 8, 1 p.m., 1666 Coffman St., St. Paul Fall Session 2009: September 21–November 13 OLLI members are welcomed at Eastcliff. The home of the U of M president hosts a reception for new members every spring. Register for summer courses (page 11). www.cce.umn.edu/olli