OLLI Fall Catalog 2023

Stay Curious. Stay Connected.

Fall Term: Sept. 26-Nov. 17, 2023

Ringling College Continuing Studies

Moving Steadily Forward

Dear OLLI Members,

Welcome to the beginning of a new academic year at OLLI. I write to you with great excitement and enthusiasm about the upcoming fall semester. But, before I tell you about the wonderful opportunities we have in store, I want to share some exciting news about last year and this summer.

I am delighted to report that OLLI grew from 806 members to 965 members, that’s an impressive 20% increase in our membership. The membership growth could not have happened without the volunteers who support us. Word of mouth continues to be the most effective way to recruit new members, and you certainly have been spreading the word about OLLI.

In March, we hired Renee Simon as our part-time volunteer coordinator. Renee is taking volunteerism to the next level by recruiting, training, and onboarding new volunteers. I encourage you to consider volunteering for OLLI. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Renee at rsimon@ringling.edu.

We also hired Valeria Fernandez, an undergraduate Ringling College work-study student, to manage our social media. Valeria graduated in May; however, in her short tenure with us, she increased our social media presence on Facebook by 20.8%.

Join our Facebook community. Please “like” and “share” our posts with your network of friends. Members have commented that they appreciate seeing OLLI’s Facebook page with regular posts about events and activities.

This summer we offered a seven-week thematic Summer Adventures program. It was a big hit with our current members and 240 yet-to-be members. We had 721 registrations and only canceled one session due to under-enrollment. I think it is safe to say OLLI is BACK! Moving on to the fall semester, we have a lineup of more than 50 courses (39 are new), workshops, and lectures offered by returning and new instructors. In the last academic year, we recruited 29 new instructors.

Some of the popular courses and programs are back including CONNECTIONS, the documentary film series, and Trivia Tuesday (September 26). You don’t want to miss this fall semester!

To get a taste of what’s ahead, please join us on August 31 for our fall preview event. You can meet new and returning instructors who will tell you about their upcoming classes. I want to thank everyone who renewed their membership and who donated to OLLI. If you haven’t renewed your membership, now is the time.

We have something for everyone, and I can’t wait to see you in the halls and classrooms.

Best,

Phyllis C. Brown, Ed.D.

Director’s Note

Staff | Advisory Council | Academic Calendar

Health and Lifestyles (cont.)

Wellness Fridays: The Mental Health

Competencies of Elite Athletes

Healthy Aging: Lifestyle Medicine Really Works!

Wellness Fridays: A Healing Retreat for the Holidays

Managing Stress in Troubled Times: Increasing Resilience

History

The Berlin Wall – A Scar on the Face of Freedom

Gettysburg: Three Days in Hell

The Gilded Age – 1865-1910

Arts Appreciation

Art History and Representations of the Human Condition

Walking Tours of Sarasota Public Art

Sarasota Colony Artists and the Florida Highway Men

Limelight District Art Tour

iPhone Photography Workshop

A Feast for the Eyes

The Allure of Coco Chanel: Feminist, Modernist, and Artist (Part 1)

The Allure of Coco Chanel: Feminist, Modernist, and Artist (Part 2)

Arts and Entertainment

Improv Brain Games

Texas Roll 'em — The Lone Star State in Film

1970s Films, Part 4

Current Events and Global Affairs

World in Transition

Civic Literacy: The Key to Democracy

Economics and Finance

Introductory Investment Analysis

Health and Lifestyles

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Florida Gardening Series for Plant Lovers

Understanding Aging and Dementia: Challenges and Opportunities

Stress: The Silent Killer

Wellness Fridays: Sustain Your Brain

Wellness Fridays: A Proactive Approach to Building Bone

Wellness Fridays: Maintaining Joint Mobility, Balance, and Posture

Exploring the Power of Labyrinths—Ancient Tools for Finding Peace

Blood on Our Hands? The War in Mexico

China: History and Politics

History Thursdays

Languages

Latin for Beginners, Part 1

Latin for Beginners, Part 2

Literature

The World’s Great Literature

The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations

OLLI Fall Book Club

OLLI Mystery Book Club

Three 20th Century Novels by Native Americans

Short Story Collective

Florida: Stories by Lauren Groff

Music Appreciation

The 25 Top Film Scores of All Time

Music and the Holocaust: Tragedy, Hope, and Legacy

Bach's Goldberg Variations — A New Approach

Brooklyn: The Boys That Made the Noise

Opera Legend Maria Callas: Why She Still Matters

Simon & Garfunkel: Here's to You

Philosophy and Religion

Walking the Yogic Path with Practical Feet: The 8 Limbs

Psychology

How to Reprogram Your Mind

Science

Science Wednesdays

Technology

50 Things You Didn't Know Your iPhone Could Do ChatGPT and the Rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Writing

Writing a “Legacy Letter”

Photography by Karen Arango ’13: www.karenarango.com

Connections the Documentary Film Series AUDREY

Sam Now

Lectures

Italian Iconic Design & La Linea Italiana

The Real Reason for the Loss of the USS Scorpion

Exploring Florida's Historic African American Homes

Special

Staff

Dr. Phyllis C. Brown Director

pbrown3@ringling.edu

Sheila Reed

Assistant Director

sreed@ringling.edu

Meghan Burrows

Registration & Operations Assistant mburrows@ringling.edu

Renee G. Simon Volunteer Coordinator rsimon@ringling.edu

Melinda Whitson

Records & Accounts Specialist

mwhitson@ringling.edu

Advisory Council

Holly Freedman Co-Chair

Jeff Ryder

Co-Chair & Chair Curriculum Committee

Louise Gallagher

Bev Harms (Emeritus)

Colleen Lundwall

Tom Miller, Chair, Membership Committee Mark Moulin

Marilyn Pinsky

Marion Richter

Sam Samelson (Emeritus)

Jack Sukin

Patricia van der Vorm

OLLI 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

Term Dates

Fall: Sept. 26-Nov. 17

Winter: Jan. 8-Mar 1*

Spring: Mar. 11-May 3*

Summer: May 13-June 28

* Notes: A one-week break between terms

Closings and No Classes

• Nov. 23-24 (Thanksgiving)

• Dec. 18-Jan. 2 (Winter break)

• Jan. 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

• May 27 (Memorial Day)

• June 19 (Juneteenth)

• July 4 (Independence Day)

About OLLI at Ringling College

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College is a program of Ringling College of Art and Design. OLLI at Ringling College operates year-round and is supported through memberships, student registrations, and private contributions. OLLI courses are non-credit and primarily based on a liberal arts curriculum. Tuition varies depending on course length. There are no grades and no tests. Courses are offered purely for the joy of learning.

Mission

The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College is to enrich the lives of mature adults in Sarasota and Manatee counties. We provide affordable and outstanding educational programs and social interaction that covers a broad spectrum of topics that are rich in intellectual stimulation, interactive in scope, and worthy of academic consideration.

Learning Environment

Above all else, our ultimate goal is to provide a stimulating and thoughtful learning experience.

We are committed to creating an intellectually nurturing environment that encourages a collegial exchange of ideas and concepts and enables us to broaden our perspectives and hone our opinions. Sometimes we agree with others’ viewpoints; sometimes we question them and feel the need to present an alternative view. This honest give and take of scholastic discourse, tempered with mutual respect and an open mind, makes for a rare and memorable learning experience.

Student Code of Conduct

We all play a role in maintaining this balance of civility and academic freedom. Here’s how you can do your part.

• Allow others to have their say.

• Respect the rights of others to express their views.

• Listen quietly while the instructor or other students are speaking.

• Refrain from quarrelsome interruptions to an instructor’s presentation.

• Ensure cell phones are switched off or muted during the class.

• Comply with OLLI staff and instructor requests.

Instructor Responsibility

If a student disrupts a class, the instructor has a responsibility to ask the student to refrain from class disruptions. If the disruptive behavior persists, the instructor has a responsibility to ask the student to leave class. The definition of disruptive behavior includes not complying with the Student Code of Conduct. It may also include any behaviors or actions considered threatening, abusive, or inconsiderate of other students.

A student may return to class only if they refrain from disruptive behavior. If the student refuses to comply, security will be called and the student will be escorted from the classroom.

The director and the assistant director of OLLI at Ringling College must be notified if an incident occurs where a student is asked to leave the classroom.

Membership

A Gold ($85) or Silver ($25) Membership is required to register for a multi-session course. You do not need a membership to register for lectures, workshops, programs, or presentations. Membership in OLLI is not transferable. Spouses or partners must have their own individual memberships. Gold and Silver memberships are non-refundable.

Registration Options

Online: Visit www.rcad.augusoft.net and browse courses. If you have more than one address, remember to use the address that is associated with the credit card you are using.

Mail or in Person: Fill out the mail-in form. Enclose it with your check or credit card information. You can also drop off your form in Room 105 (Fran Mann Reception Area) on the Ringling College Museum Campus. Phone: 941-309-5111

Cancellations

If a class is canceled due to under-enrollment, students will receive a full refund.

Students will also receive a full refund if an instructor cancels a class prior to the first scheduled session.

Once a class has started, and the instructor cancels a class for medical or personal reasons, students will receive a prorated refund based on the number of classes held prior to cancellation. Students are expected to pay for course sessions they attend.

Course Refunds

If a student drops a course before the first scheduled session, the student will receive a full refund.

If a student drops a course after the first scheduled session, the student will receive a refund minus a 25 percent administrative fee.

If a student drops a course after the second scheduled session, the student forfeits their entire tuition.

There are no refunds for lectures, workshops, or special programs.

Guest Policy

Guests are welcome to visit two classes per semester on a space available basis. They must register prior to attending each class by calling the office 941-309-5111.

When classes are closed (all seats filled), guests cannot be accommodated. A guest cannot “bump” a registered student from any class.

Building Evacuation Procedures

Upon receipt of an evacuation order, all employees and students shall exit via the nearest unaffected exit. They shall proceed quickly and quietly to the designated evacuation relocation point for the area they were in at the time of the evacuation order. If class is in session, it is the responsibility of the instructor to direct their students from their classroom to the appropriate egress route and relocation point.

Contact/Mail Information

OLLI at Ringling College

1001 S. Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34236-9117

Office hours: 8 am to 4 pm • Monday-Friday

Phone: 941-309-5111

Email: OLLI@ringling.edu

Website: www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org

Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design

Photo: Ryan Gamma

Teach for OLLI

Our instructors are vital to the success of OLLI at Ringling College. They help us in our mission to stimulate intellectual curiosity among mature learners, aged 50 and better!

OLLI at Ringling College wants to expand its team of instructors. We’re also looking for new and innovative courses and program ideas.

If you currently teach for us and know someone who would be a good fit for OLLI, please send us an email at: OLLI@ringling.edu

If you are a prospective instructor or have a new course idea, we encourage you to visit our website, www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org to learn more and submit a proposal.

Become a Member

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College is a member-based learning community serving adults aged 50 and older in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our students by offering intellectually stimulating high-quality educational programs. Students get to interact with their peers and form new relationships.

OLLI Offers Programs:

Join fellow lifelong learners virtually or on the Ringling College Museum Campus. Enjoy learning opportunities in a welcoming environment.

Membership in OLLI is not transferable. Spouses or partners must have their own individual memberships. Gold and Silver Memberships are non-refundable.

Course Topics Include:

• Art Appreciation

• Arts and Entertainment

• Culture and Travel

• Current Events and Global Affairs

• Economics and Finance

Why Join?

200+ courses offered in our academic year

Engage with a community of dynamic lifelong learners

Lectures with subject matter experts

Monthly e-newsletters

Opportunities to make new friends

Volunteer opportunities

• History

• Health and Lifestyles

• Languages

• Literature

• Music Appreciation

• Philosophy and Religion

• Psychology

• Science

• Technology

• Writing

OLLI Member Benefits

Participation in SIGs (Shared Interest Groups)

Listening to Women: The lecture series

Discount on course fees (Gold Members)

CONNECTIONS: The documentary film series

Tours of Ringling College Galleries

Discounted membership to Sarasota Art Museum

$85 Gold $25 Silver

Gold members get early registration privileges, a 10 percent discount on courses, lectures, and workshops, and $37.50 is tax-deductible

Only members can register for multi-session courses

Members enjoy a 10 percent discount at the Bistro

How to join OLLI at Ringling College: Call: 941-309-5111

Visit: www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org

Student Information (Please Print Clearly)

Name (as it appears on credit card)

OLLI at Ringling College

1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

By registering for courses, I acknowledge that my photo may be taken while at the OLLI at Ringling College and utilized for purposes of promoting the OLLI. If I do not want my photo utilized, I will step aside when photos are being taken.

Special Programs (No Refunds)

CONNECTIONS (The Documentary Film Series)

AUDREY • Tuesday, Oct. 10 • 2:30-4:30 pm

Sam Now • Tuesday, Nov. 7 • 2:30-4:30 pm

Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15

Sarasota Opera House Tour • Tuesday, Oct. 17 • 3-4 pm

Admission: $10. Must be a Gold or Silver Member. (Pre-registration required. No onsite registration.)

Lectures (No Refunds)

Italian Iconic Design & La Linea Italiana • Friday, Sept. 29 • 10:30 am-12 pm

Gold Member: Free (pre-registration required) • Silver Member and General Admission: $15

The Real Reason for the Loss of the USS Scorpion • Thursday, Oct. 19 • 2:30-4 pm

Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15

Exploring Florida's Historic African American Homes • Monday, Nov. 6 • 2:30-4 pm

Gold Member: Free (pre-registration required) • Silver Member and General Admission: $15

Special Presentations (No Refunds)

Travel Information Session • Tuesday, Sept. 19 • 11 am-12 pm

Free to Gold and Silver members and General Admission guests. (Pre-registration required.)

Understanding Medicare: What You Need to Know • Thursday, Sept. 28 • 2:30-4 pm

Free to Gold and Silver members and General Admission guests. (Pre-registration required.)

Electric Bass-ics • Wednesday, Oct. 18 • 3-4 pm

Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15

Empowering Dementia Caregivers: Tips for Effective Communication, Coping, and Self Care

Thursday, Nov. 9 • 2:30-4 pm

Free to Gold and Silver members and General Admission guests. (Pre-registration required.)

Gold Member Benefits

Gold Membership Annual Fee: $85 = $

Silver Membership Annual Fee: $25 = $

Tax-Deductible Donation = $ Final

Gold Member registration begins Sept. 5 | Silver Member registration begins Sept. 12 Please indicate your choice of course(s) from the list below, then complete all information on the registration form. The number in parenthesis indicates the number of sessions.

Monday 11:00 am-12:20 pm

_____ Improv Brain Games (7) AE141

_____ The Eight Dimensions of Wellness (7) HL100

_____ The Berlin Wall – A Scar on the Face of Freedom

(2) HS177

_____ 50 Things You Didn't Know Your iPhone Could Do

(3) TC123

1:00-2:20 pm

_____ Texas Roll 'em — The Lone Star State in Film (6) AE149

2:30-4 pm

_____ Opera is for Everyone! (3) LC193

Tuesday 9:00-10:20 am

_____ Introductory Investment Analysis (8) EC100

(online) The World’s Great Literature (8) LI145

(online) The 25 Top Film Scores of All Time (6) MA160

(online) Music and the Holocaust (2) MA161

11:00-12:20 pm

_____ World in Transition (4) CV127

_____ Gettysburg: Three Days in Hell (8) HS178

_____ The Gilded Age – 1865-1910 (2) HS179

_____ The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations (7) LI146

_____ How to Reprogram Your Mind (8) PY139

1-2:20 pm

_____ Florida Gardening Series for Plant Lovers (8) HL101

_____ Bach's Goldberg Variations — A New Approach

(8) MA162

1-2:30 pm

_____ OLLI Fall Book Club (3) LI137

_____ OLLI Mystery Book Club (3) LI147

1:30-3:30 pm

(online) Art History & Representations of the Human Condition (5) AP161

Wednesday 9:00-10:20 am

_____ Walking the Yogic Path with Practical Feet: The 8 Limbs (8) PL119

11:00 am-12:20 pm

_____ 1970s Films, Part 4 (8) AE140

_____ Understanding Aging and Dementia: Challenges and Opportunities (4) HL102

_____ Latin for Beginners, Part 1 (8) LA116

(online) Brooklyn: The Boys That Made the Noise

(8) MA163

11:00 am-12:30 pm

_____ Short Story Collective (6) LI116

1-2:20 pm

_____ Latin for Beginners, Part 2 (8) LA116

_____ Three 20th Century Novels by Native Americans

(4) LI148

_____ Science Wednesdays (4) SI108

Thursday 9:00-10:20 am

_____ Blood on Our Hands? The War in Mexico (2) HS181

10 am-12 pm

(online) Simon & Garfunkel: Here's to You (3) MA165

10:30 am -12:00 pm

_____ Walking Tours of Sarasota Public Art (3) AP144

11 am-12:20 pm

_____ China: History and Politics (8) HS182

(online) Florida: Stories by Lauren Groff (6) LI149

_____ ChatGPT and the Rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) (2) TC135

1-2:20 pm

_____ Stress: The Silent Killer (4) HL103

_____ History Thursdays (3) HS160

_____ Opera Legend Maria Callas: Why She Still Matters (4) MA164

Friday

9-10:30 am (online) Writing a “Legacy Letter” (1) WR121

10 am-1 pm

_____ iPhone Photography Workshop (1) AP158

_____ The Allure of Coco Chanel: Feminist, Modernist, and Artist, Part 1 (1) AP160

_____ The Allure of Coco Chanel: Feminist, Modernist, and Artist, Part 2 (1) AP160

_____ Civic Literacy: The Key to Democracy (1) CV140

10:30 am-1:30 pm

_____ Wellness Fridays: Sustain Your Brain (1) HL104

_____ Wellness Fridays: A Proactive Approach to Building Bone (1) HL105

_____ Wellness Fridays: Maintaining Joint Mobility, Balance, and Posture (1) HL106

_____ Exploring the Power of Labyrinths — Ancient Tools for Finding Peace (1) HL107

_____ Wellness Fridays: The Mental Health Competencies of Elite Athletes (1) HL108

_____ Wellness Fridays: A Healing Retreat for the Holidays (1) HL110

11 am-12:20 pm

_____ Sarasota Colony Artists and the Florida Highway Men (1) AP156

_____ A Feast for the Eyes (1) AP159

12-2 pm

_____ Limelight District Art Tour (1) AP157

1-4 pm

_____ Healthy Aging: Lifestyle Medicine Really Works! (1) HL109

_____ Managing Stress in Troubled Times: Increasing Resilience (1) HL111

Arts Appreciation

New: Art History and Representations of the Human Condition

Course #AP161

Gerald Stulc

Online

Tuesdays: 1:30-3:30 pm

5 Sessions: Oct. 10-Nov. 7

Gold Member: $76.50

Silver Member: $85

Art is one of many approaches to describe the human condition, often being interpreted subjectively because it seeks to evoke an emotional response in the individual observer. The sciences of biology and medicine, on the other hand, aim for complete objectivity, yet have the same ultimate goal, to explain the core of humanity. In this course, we will explore how these two disparate approaches to understanding ourselves often influenced one another through the ages, from prehistory to the postmodern.

Walking Tours of Sarasota Public Art

Course AP#144

Judy Levine, Nanette Crist, and Stephenie Frasher

Walking Tour (Various Sites)

Thursdays: 10:30 am-12 pm

3 Sessions: Nov. 2-Nov. 16

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

Sarasota has more than 80 pieces of public art that are free and accessible to everyone to enjoy. They are found everywhere – from parks to busy intersections, the bayfront, and downtown. We walk past them every day and likely do not know anything about them or the artists who made them. Participants will have an opportunity to engage with the art, discuss its significance, and learn about the artist who made it and its history. Our tours cover downtown and the Rosemary District. We will get to know the art that enriches our Sarasota art legacy — 100 years in the making. Guest artists to be announced. The walks are no more than six blocks. Rain dates are the following week at the same class time. Students will receive an email with tour starting points.

New: Sarasota Colony Artists and the Florida Highway Men

Course #AP156

Stephenie Frasher

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 11 am-12:20 pm

1 Session: Oct. 13

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member: $15

Sarasota is known as the “Art Mecca” of the Gulf Coast. But how did Sarasota, a quiet beach village, become a renowned art center, home of the “Colony Artists”? In this session, learn about these famous resident artists and what brought them to Sarasota. Discover how the Florida Highway Men parallel this exciting time. Follow the timeline of both groups, working at the same time, on opposite coasts.

New: Limelight District Art Tour

Course #AP157

Judy Levine

Creative Liberties (address below)

Friday: 12-2 pm

1 Session: Oct. 13

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member: $15

Limelight is a new arts district in Sarasota. Come and explore the 25-plus artist studios created by Creative Liberties and Palmer Gallery. Meet the visionaries behind this idea to provide affordable studio space for artists to create, support each other, and exhibit their work. Talk to the artists and learn about their work. Come away with a new perspective of our local artists and their creative spirit. We will meet at Creative Liberties, 901 Apricot Ave. (across from the Bazaar on Apricot and Lime). The tour location has ample parking.

Arts Appreciation (cont.)

iPhone Photography Workshop

Course #AP158

Alan Freedman

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10 am-1 pm

1 Session: Oct. 20

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

It’s said that the best camera in the world is the one you have with you. And now, with the iPhone’s increasingly sophisticated lens and editing tools, it is commonly used by professional photographers as well as by amateurs. In this three-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to compose and take extraordinarily good photos, and edit them to perfection. Topics covered include the proper iPhone settings and controls, composition, night photography, videos, and special effects. Just bring your fully-charged iPhone and an interest in learning how to use the remarkable photographic tool that you carry every day!

New: A Feast for the Eyes

Course #AP159

Nanette Crist

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 11 am-12:20 pm

1 Session: Nov. 3

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member: $15

As the holidays descend upon us, we all have one thing on our mind — what to eat! Let’s take a romp through art across the ages that features food. We will even discuss some works in which food is the actual medium. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to get creative with your own holiday table. Featured artists include Arcimboldo, Renoir, and Warhol.

New: The Allure of Coco Chanel: Feminist, Modernist, and Artist (Part 1)

Course #AP160

Marie Agnès Sourieau

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10 am-1 pm

1 Session: Nov. 10

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

Coco Chanel (1883-1971) led a revolution in womenswear that rejected the oppressive constraints of male-dominated couture in favor of fluid silhouettes and understated elegance. She believed that a shift toward simplicity would facilitate the evolving role of women. She reshaped the landscape of fashion by creating a lexicon of must-have items that still resonates today. This workshop will look at Chanel’s philosophy of fashion through the remarkable episodes of her life from her humble beginnings, early fame and fortune, friendships in the elitist Parisian society and artistic circles to the notable men in her life.

New: The Allure of Coco Chanel: Feminist, Modernist, and Artist (Part 2)

Course #AP160

Marie Agnès Sourieau

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10 am-1 pm

1 Session: Nov. 17

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

This workshop will examine how Coco Chanel changed the course of fashion and redefined elegance, style, and luxury. Trousers, costume jewelry, cotton jersey, rabbit fur, bouclé jackets and skirts, the “little black dress,” the unstructured suit, the bow, and the cardigan are among her avant-gardist innovations. She promoted the boyish hairstyle, hemlines just below the knee, and the “style garçon” featuring male sports outfits. But Chanel’s legacy transcends her clothing creations. They symbolize the modern woman, energetic, glamorous, and above all independent. Chanel’s impact as a successful entrepreneur and emancipated woman illuminates a captivating time in history.

Arts and Entertainment

Improv Brain Games

Course #AE141

Will Luera

Ringling College Museum Campus

Mondays: 11 am-12:20 pm

7 Sessions: Oct. 2-Nov. 13

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

Discover the freedom of spontaneity and prepare to laugh! Improv Brain Games will teach students to think quickly on their feet, explore creativity, hone their comedic voice, and build self-confidence. Students will focus on the tenets of improvisation by learning how to play together, make others look good, be confident, support each other, and have fun, all while learning some of the classic improv games made famous by shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

New: Texas Roll 'em — The Lone Star State in Film

Course #AE149

Roxanne Baker

Ringling College Museum Campus

Mondays: 1-2:20 pm

6 Sessions: Oct. 9-Nov. 13

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

Ten-gallon hats are not required. This fun six-week film class will require you to watch an assigned Texas-themed movie once a week in preparation for rootin’ tootin’ rollicking discussions. Do movies like Blood Simple lead outsiders to believe Texas is loco? Do classics like Hud still hold up? Community talkbacks are a great way to socialize and generate new insights. Students will receive a list of films to view in advance of the class. Ya’ll come!

New: 1970s Films, Part 4

Course #AE140

Jeff Ryder

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 27-Nov. 15

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

Continuing chronologically through the 1970s, the films this semester from 1975 to 1977 will include Dog Day Afternoon, Rocky, Taxi Driver, and other classics from the decade. Featured directors will include Martin Scorsese, Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg, and renowned screenwriters such as Paddy Chayefsky and Woody Allen. Before class, students will be expected to view the films on Amazon Prime video streaming service. The instructor will provide an introduction and behind-the-scenes comments on the making of the film, followed by in-class discussions.

Current Events and Global Affairs

World in Transition

Course #CV127

Peter Mermin Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

4 Sessions: Oct. 24-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $63

Silver Member: $70

We will be discussing various topics relating to the current world situation. Optional materials for the course will be emailed to participants two weeks before our first class. The class will be conducted seminar-style, with full class participation. We will consider books, articles, movies, and personal experiences which may help us illuminate what is going on in today’s world. Let’s all learn from each other.

New: Civic Literacy: The Key to Democracy

Course #CV140

Jeffrey and Virginia Orenstein Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10 am-1 pm

1 Session: Nov. 10

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

The state of American civic literacy has contributed to the erosion of American democracy. This workshop will define civic literacy, trace its decline and evaluate how that decline has negatively impacted democracy and our political economy. Policy prescriptions on how civic literacy can be improved in schools, journalism, the economy, and in lifelong education will be explored. This workshop is being offered by two board members of First Responders for Democracy, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes American civic literacy.

Economics and Finance

Introductory Investment Analysis

Course #EC100

Lauren Rudd

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am

8 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

Learn the basics of analyzing a possible equity investment. The importance of corporate dividends, intrinsic value, and the use of models such as free cash flow to equities and dividend investment models are covered in detail. Mathematics are kept to a minimum. At the completion of the course, students should be able to begin to select investments on a quantitative basis. Ability to use a computer and the Internet is highly recommended.

Health and Lifestyles

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Course #HL100

Robert Litwak

Ringling College Museum Campus

Mondays: 11 am-12:20 pm

7 Sessions: Oct. 2-Nov. 13

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

The class is designed to help increase participants’ awareness of the eight dimensions of wellness including: physical, social, work/volunteer, financial, intellectual, environmental, emotional, and spiritual. Each week the class will cover one of the dimensions through lectures, videos, and discussions. Through the exploration of these elements of wellness, each participant will develop the tools to assess their strengths and challenges in order to live their most fulfilling lives. These sessions will be supportive and interactive, and the instructor will be primarily in the role of a facilitator honoring the collective wisdom of the class. Materials will include PowerPoint slides and handouts that will act as prompts for class discussions.

New: Florida Gardening Series for Plant Lovers

Course #HL101

Tenille Dixon Pawlus

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 1-2:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

In this eight-session course, we will discuss the details of correct gardening techniques in Florida, including how to garden on your patio, lanai, condo, courtyard, inside, and everything in between. We will cover everything from navigating your Florida garden, choosing the best plants for your landscape and outdoor living spaces, creating a pollinator/butterfly garden, container gardening, best pruning practices, and the mental and physical benefits of working with plants, and more.

New: Understanding Aging and Dementia: Challenges and Opportunities

Course #HL102

Alan Grindal

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

4 Sessions: Sept. 27-Oct. 18

Gold Member: $63

Silver Member: $70

All living things are programmed to age. Aging is largely responsible for most fatal and disabling diseases including Alzheimer’s disease. This course will begin by examining the biological changes responsible for aging and specifically those that underlie cognitive deterioration. Exploring these processes will help us better understand and intervene with effective treatments and lifestyle modifications. Aging can be modified. Our goal should not be just extended longevity, but a health span that matches our lifespan.

Stress: The Silent Killer

Course #HL103

Herbert Cohen Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursdays: 1-2:20 pm

4 Sessions: Oct. 26-Nov. 16

Gold Member: $63

Silver Member: $70

Stress appears to be epidemic. Research has shown that it is related to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and a depressed immune system that can contribute to cancer and other diseases. This course is designed to better understand the sources of stress and to learn how to manage and overcome the stresses of everyday life. Research will be presented as well as techniques for coping effectively. The mind-body connection will be explored as it relates to the effect of stress on life expectancy and the quality of life.

Health and Lifestyles (cont.)

New: Wellness Fridays: Sustain Your Brain

Course #HL104

Paula Morris

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

1 Session: Oct. 6

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

Learn what research tells us are essential lifestyle factors for strong cognitive health and reduced dementia risk. Understand the 10 early signs of cognitive impairment. Begin now to take charge of your future.

New: Wellness Fridays: A Proactive Approach to Building Bone

Course #HL105

Paula Morris

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

1 Session: Oct. 13

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

In this workshop find out what research suggests you can do through diet and specific exercise to build and rebuild bone mass holistically and effectively.

New: Wellness Fridays: Maintaining Joint Mobility, Balance, and Posture

Course #HL106

Paula Morris Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

1 Session: Oct. 20

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

Learn simple seated and standing exercises for retaining the optimum range of motion in all major joints and understand the importance of alignment, posture, flexibility, and muscle tone to sustaining joint health, balance, and safety. No equipment is needed.

Exploring the Power of Labyrinths — Ancient Tools for Finding Peace

Course #HL107

Gail Condrick

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

1 Session: Oct. 27

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

The labyrinth is a walking meditative tool in use since 2000 BCE to center the mind and calm the spirit. As you enter into a labyrinth you release your fears and blocks, find clarity when you reach your center, and receive new ideas and insights. These same meditative benefits can be applied to focus a creative mind — whether you need to be more original or select the best of the many options. You will learn the power of the labyrinth to support any decision and the benefits of combining mindfulness with the creative process. A paper labyrinth is provided for class exercises and to take home.

New: Wellness Fridays: The Mental Health Competencies of Elite Athletes

Course #HL108

Paula Morris

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

1 Session: Oct. 27

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

Discover the “Gold Medal Profile” of sports psychology and how you can pursue these same qualities to act like a pro and become your best self in sports and life.

Health and Lifestyles (cont.)

New: Healthy Aging: Lifestyle Medicine Really Works!

Course #HL109

Cheryl Brandi

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 1-4 pm

1 Session: Oct. 27

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

Research has shown that lifestyle changes can be better than drugs or surgery for treating and reversing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Lifestyle medicine is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary movement in health care that relies on science to show that healthy lifestyle behaviors yield positive health outcomes. By making even small, but sustainable lifestyle changes, we can add high-quality years to our lives. This workshop will provide an overview of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine blueprint for health, which includes plant-based nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections. We will explore evidencebased lifestyle recommendations for each of these categories and ways participants can tailor them for their benefit.

New: Wellness Fridays: A Healing Retreat for the Holidays

Course #HL110

Paula Morris

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

1 Session: Nov. 10

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

Holidays for many people are the opposite of happy, relaxing, or restive. They can be a stressful, exhausting, sad, isolated, and conflicted time. This workshop aims to provide an antidote. Experience and enjoy a dose of self-care, stress release, and supportive practices to survive the holidays in the best possible way.

Managing Stress in Troubled Times: Increasing Resilience

Course #HL111

Cheryl Brandi

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday: 1-4 pm

1 Session: Nov. 17

Gold Member: $49

Silver Member: $55

The last few years have presented challenges to our health and well-being in unpredictable ways. Rapid change and uncertainty have become the new norms, creating more unease and amplifying stress in our lives. The links between stress and chronic disease are well-documented, so the need for holistic stress self-management becomes most critical during troubled times. This workshop will define stress and stress responses, explain the relationship between stress and chronic conditions, help participants identify the effects of stress in their lives, provide techniques for coping with stress, and teach ways for calming body responses to stress through relaxation.

History

New: The Berlin Wall – A Scar on the Face of Freedom

Course #HS177

Bob Busch

Ringling College Museum Campus

Mondays: 11 am-12:20 pm

2 Sessions: Oct. 2 and Oct. 9

Gold Member: $40.50

Silver Member: $45

Post-World War II Europe was in economic shambles. The leaders of the victorious Allied Powers met in Potsdam, Germany to decide the fate of Germany and Europe. The “Iron Curtain” fell across the European landscape and the Cold War began. This is a two-part series. Part one reviews the political decisions and the turmoil resulting in the construction of the wall. Part two covers the historic events surrounding the fall of the wall and eventual German reunification.

History (cont.)

New: Gettysburg: Three Days in Hell

Course #HS178

William Krause, Jr. Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

In this course, we will look at the events leading to the Battle of Gettysburg. The primary focus will be an in-depth look at the battle action that took place between July 1-3, 1863. Topics that will be discussed include but are not limited to personalities within each army, topography, battlefield decisions, logistics, troop movements, leadership styles and their effects on the battle, how the battle affected the civilian population, and human-interest stories.

New: The Gilded Age – 1865-1910

Course #HS179

Michael Sherrow Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

2 Sessions: Oct. 24 and Oct. 31

Gold Member: $40.50

Silver Member: $45

The Gilded Age was an era of unimaginable opulence and wealth for a few, much private and public corruption, and crushing poverty for many struggling to survive. Mark Twain coined the term because he saw the serious social and economic problems of the era as being masked by a thin gilding of extraordinary affluence. It was a fascinating and exciting period of our history, filled with heroes, villains, and colorful personalities. It was a time of workers vs. employees, old money vs. new, and nativists vs. immigrants as millions were flocking to seek America’s promise of a better life. The course examines the amazing people and events that made this era a historical turning point for what our nation would aspire to become.

New: Blood on Our Hands? The War in Mexico

Course #HS181

Jeffrey Newman Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursdays: 9-10:20 am

2 Sessions: Nov. 2 and Nov. 9

Gold Member: $40.50

Silver Member: $45

Historians tell us that, per capita, more Americans died in the Mexican War than in any other conflict in our history. Why was it fought? While war raged on the battlefields of Mexico, it was also fought on our nation’s social and political landscape, casting neighbor against neighbor. Why did it become the source of Americans’ greatest pride and greatest shame for our 19th-century cousins?

New: China: History and Politics

Course #HS182

Michael Gibson

Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 28-Nov. 16

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

This course will examine traditional Chinese history, culture, society, and politics to better appreciate how Beijing looks at the contemporary world. We will review how ancient China interacted with its neighbors and contrast this with the challenge posed by the industrialized West in the 19th century. We will look at Mao Zedong’s policies developed after the successful revolution in 1949. We will discuss the death of Mao and the shift to the more “pragmatic” policies we see in place today. Finally, we will try to apply what we have learned to analyze Beijing’s role in today’s international environment.

History (cont.)

New: History Thursdays

Course #HS160

William Krause, Jr., Monroe Brett, and Paul Sarno Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursdays: 1-2:20 pm

3 Sessions: Nov. 2- Nov. 16

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

This course covers a great deal of historical ground including war efforts in Gettysburg, American country music, and current issues in Southeast Asia. There is truly something for everyone this term.

November 2: Pickett’s Charge: Lee is Defeated with William Krause, Jr. July 3, 1863 marked one of the defining moments in American history. After two days of blood-letting, Robert E. Lee chose to take one more chance at defeating the Union Army of the Potomac on northern soil. This effort failed because of the actions of soldiers on both sides, generals as well as enlisted men. This presentation examines the actions of that day and their effect on the battle, as well as the overall war effort.

November 9: I Walk the Line with Monroe Brett American history can be traced through its music. Appalachian, Bluegrass, and Country are original sources. The Carter family, Johnny Cash, and Reba McEntire performed their compositions, and we sing and dance to their music. Understanding the progress of these styles helps us understand the progress of America. No dancing in the aisles.

November 16: Surprise in the Philippines with Paul Sarno

The new president Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has opened four more bases to American troops and supplies, and the level of cooperation between the countries has increased substantially. During the past six years, former president Rodrigo Duterte was generally hostile to U.S. interests and had tried to befriend China, illustrating the variable nature of recent relations between the two countries. All of this is in the context of U.S.-Chinese rivalry in the South China Sea.

Languages

Latin for Beginners, Part 1

Course #LA116

Bradley Maleh

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 27-Nov. 15

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

This course is designed to give students a foundation in the basics of Latin. No prior knowledge of Latin is needed. In fact, you already have an advantage in learning Latin because about 60 percent of all English words come from Latin. You will learn grammar and vocabulary and practice pronunciation by reading aloud and translating sentences from the textbook. The course will also include brief overviews of Roman literature, ancient Greco-Roman culture, and the history of the Roman Republic and empire. The textbook for the course is Wheelock’s Latin, 7th Edition. So, carpe diem and join us in gaining a more in-depth understanding of how a 2,500 year-old language has influenced Western institutions and the English language itself.

New: Latin for Beginners, Part 2

Course #LA116

Bradley Maleh

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 1-2:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 27-Nov. 15

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

This course is designed as a continuation for those who have taken Latin for Beginners at OLLI or who have recently taken a course elsewhere. You will be expected to have a basic understanding of the Latin case system (nominative, genitive, etc.) and be able to decline and translate nouns from the first and second declensions as well as conjugate first and second verbs. This course begins with Chapter 5 of Wheelock’s Latin, 7th Edition. Please be familiar with the content covered in Chapters 1-4. Join us as we continue to explore the fascinating language and culture of the ancient Romans and the immense influence it has had on our culture and institutions.

Literature

New: The World’s Great Literature

Course #LI145

Robert Kendal

Online

Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am

8 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

In this class, we continue the tradition of Great Books through the practice of text-based, shared inquiry discussions. In addition to reading the great classics of the Western canon, we also explore classic texts of world literature, as well as contemporary works, both fiction and non-fiction. We read exceptional selections, curated by the editors, from the Norton Anthology of World Literature (Shorter Fourth Edition), Volume 2. About two weeks before the first session, a syllabus with specific readings will be emailed to those registered for the class. Discussion each week will be led by a volunteer from the class.

New: The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations

Course #LI146

Alan Freedman

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

7 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 21

(Note: No classes on Oct. 3 or Oct. 10)

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

For nearly a century, The New Yorker Magazine has been a treasured source of essays, fiction, cartoons, satire, poetry, criticism, and reportage, and its writers occupy a unique place in the pantheon of erudition and wit. In this class, we’ll enjoy the magazine even more by sharing our knowledge and opinions on weekly selections from “Shouts & Murmurs,” “The Talk of the Town,” a work of fiction or non-fiction, a movie review, or cartoons. Prior to each week’s meeting, you’ll receive an email naming items from the prior week’s issue to be discussed, so a subscription (either in print or online) is necessary. A stimulating conversation is certain!

New: OLLI Fall Book Club

Course #LI137

Carol Ellis

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 1-2:30 pm

3 Sessions: Oct. 10-Nov. 7

(Note: Class meets every other week. Extended class time.)

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

For the Fall Book Club, we will discuss two contemporary novels and one current non-fiction book. The class will meet every other week. If you enjoy reading and would like to have thoughtful discussions with a group of insightful folks, please join us in the Book Club. The instructor selects the first book and then provides a list of choices for the class to vote on at the first session. The selections are of a reasonable length to read in a few weeks and will expand your reading universe. The first book is I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai.

New: OLLI Mystery Book Club

Course #LI147

Joe Cucci

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 1-2:30 pm

3 Sessions: Oct. 17- Nov. 14

(Note: Class meets every other week. Extended class time.)

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

The OLLI Mystery Book Club is a very casual discussion group. The hope is to introduce you to new authors and series. You will read three books with one book being discussed for 90 minutes every other week. The moderator will select the first book; the other two will be selected by the class from a menu that will include books from the earliest forms of the genre to today’s contemporary novels. The moderator will provide cursory background information and then will steer the discussion which is driven by the book club members. The first book for the class is Roman Blood, by Steven Saylor.

New: Three 20th Century Novels by Native Americans

Course #LI148

Martha Hill

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 1-2:20 pm

4 Sessions: Sept. 27-Nov. 8

(Note: Class meets every other week.)

Gold Member: $63

Silver Member: $70

Beginning in the 1960s, there was an explosion of books written by Native Americans. This class will feature three of those novels: The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, by Louise Erdrich, Reservation Blues, by Sherman Alexie, and Green Grass, Running Water, by Thomas King. These early works by the writers show the talent, heart, and humor. The first class will be an introductory lecture and there is no required reading.

Short Story Collective

Course #LI116

Debbie Mackler and Thomas Miller

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 11 am-12:30 pm (Note: Extended class time.)

6 Sessions: Oct. 11-Nov. 15

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

“When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you…”

-George Saunders

“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds, and other minds, and other dreams. They’re journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.”

-Neil Gaiman

We read two short stories each week before class and ask you to come prepared to discuss these stories in a seminar setting. Each week we have different presenters who share their selected stories with the class. Please join us for an exciting and dynamic literary experience.

New: Florida: Stories by Lauren Groff

Course #LI149

Eliot Tarlin

Online

Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

6 Sessions: Sept. 28-Nov. 2

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

Lauren Groff is one of America’s best contemporary writers and a Florida resident. We will look at the state through six short stories from her collection: Florida. Groff is a skilled storyteller who draws the reader deep into conversations and situations both familiar and uncomfortable. There are many sides to Florida and Groff explores them all. We will discuss her themes of family and nature, her remarkable sense of place, and her take on Florida as both state and state of mind. Let Groff’s stories of Florida open your eyes to new ways of seeing and appreciating this unique place and its equally unique people. Students should read Ghosts and Empties, the first story in Florida, before the first scheduled class.

Music Appreciation

New: The 25 Top Film Scores of All Time

Course #MA160

Emanuel Abramovits Online

Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am

6 Sessions: Sept. 26-Oct. 31

Gold Member: $81

Silver Member: $90

The American Film Institute released a list of the best film scores that includes many well-known classics and some surprises. Some of these scores have even outlived the film they soundtracked. The composers of those scores had fascinating lives and solid careers. Let’s enjoy the ride through the process of creating those historical pieces that convey what the movie is trying to say without words and evoke an emotional response even the most brilliant bit of dialogue cannot. And even more exciting, let’s build our own Top 25 list!

Music Appreciation (cont.)

New: Music and the Holocaust: Tragedy, Hope, and Legacy

Course #MA161

Emanuel Abramovits

Online

Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am

2 Sessions: Nov. 7 and Nov. 14

Gold Member: $40.50

Silver Member: $45

Music was heard in many ghettos, concentration camps, and partisan outposts of Nazi-controlled Europe. For many victims of the Holocaust, music was an important way of preserving and asserting their humanity. In this class, we will learn the role that music played in the struggle for hope in the darkest of times. With support from audiovisuals and anecdotes, we’ll hear stories about the artists who died in the Holocaust, those who survived, the fate of the instruments that have been restored, and how the musical world was affected by World War II and the Holocaust.

New: Bach’s Goldberg Variations — A New Approach

Course #MA162

Albert Cohen

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 1-2:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

French pianist Simone Dinnerstein brings a new set of ideas to the great “Bach’s Goldberg Variations.” We will listen to her interpretation and compare it to other Bach interpreters including Glenn Gould and Vladimir Feltsman.

New: Brooklyn: The Boys That Made the Noise

Course #MA163

Tony Moon

Online

Wednesdays: 11 am -12:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 27-Nov. 15

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

In a class titled “A Song Grows in Brooklyn,” students were amazed by the number of famous songs and songwriters who came from that part of New York City. This class will continue this discovery, except we will focus on the unbelievable number of great music executives who were responsible for so much of the music of our lives — all from Brooklyn. As we listen and watch videos of the artists and their hits, we wonder: “was there something in the water?” Who knows, but they all had a “Golden Ear” and a “Midas Touch.” Come join us for some nostalgia and hit songs from Brooklyn: The Boys That Made the Noise.

New: Opera Legend Maria Callas: Why She Still Matters

Course #MA164

Ted Medrek

Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursdays: 1-2:20 pm

4 Sessions: Oct. 12-Nov. 2

Gold Member: $63

Silver Member: $70

One hundred years ago on this December 2, GreekAmerican soprano Maria Callas — the most influential and controversial opera singer of the 20th century — was born in New York City. She died suddenly in 1977 in Paris at age 53, three years after completing an international comeback recital tour that proved to be her farewell to the stage. Despite a vocal prime lasting barely 10 years, her legend continues to grow. Callas even became enshrined in pop culture as the glamorous mistress dumped by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis upon his marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy — the scandalous subject of a Jeopardy! clue just this year. With lectures and recordings played in class and assigned as homework, we’ll survey Callas’ intriguing life and unparalleled career.

Music Appreciation (cont.)

New: Simon & Garfunkel: Here’s to You

Course #MA165

Bruce Gobioff

Online

Thursdays: 10 am-12 pm

3 Sessions: Oct. 12-Oct. 26

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

In their teens, they were the musical duo Tom & Jerry, but Columbia Records sent them to stardom in the ’60s as Simon & Garfunkel. Explore the history and music of these iconic artists through stories, videos, and songs. Discover little-known facts about their noisy breakup in 1970, their free Central Park reunion concert in 1981 and their enduring popularity as individuals well into this century. Rolling Stone ranked them third on its list of greatest duos of all time.

Philosophy and Religion

New: Walking the Yogic Path with Practical

Feet: The 8 Limbs

Course #PL119

Susan Marcus

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 9-10:20 am

8 Sessions: Sept. 27-Nov. 15

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

The yoga sutras of Patanjali is a collection of 196 short verses that guide the reader on the path of yoga to attain greater self-knowledge, contentment, and emancipation from the thoughts, beliefs, and actions that lead to unhappiness. In this eight-week class, we focus on the sadhana pada — the path of practice, exploring the historical and metaphysical roots of the eight limbs of yoga and the practical matters of how to practice yoga in everyday life.

Psychology

How to Reprogram Your Mind

Course #PY139

Stephen Gillum

Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

8 Sessions: Sept. 26-Nov. 14

Gold Member: $85.50

Silver Member: $95

In this class, we will look at how the mind operates and learn how to reprogram it to get what we really want out of life. We will also learn how to quiet our minds and observe our thoughts. Our thoughts create our perception of reality. By changing our thoughts, we change our reality.

Science

New: Science Wednesdays

Course #SI108

Kenneth Bechis, Isaac Kalvaria, Lenny Landau, and Fred Lasky Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesdays: 1-2:20 pm

4 Sessions: Oct. 18-Nov. 8

Gold Member: $63

Silver Member: $70

The objective of science is to gain an understanding of nature. This enables us to develop tools that apply Nature’s Laws to improve our daily lives. Science Wednesdays is a series of lectures dealing with a broad range of sciences, including physics, biology, health, and medicine.

October 18: The Gut Microbiome: Conductor of the Body’s Orchestra? with Isaac Kalvaria

The majority of cells contained within our bodies are not “ourselves.” They are micro-organisms that live in our gut. These are essential for digestion, immunity, and nutritional health. Recent research has begun to shine a light on the importance of the microbiome, not just for gastrointestinal health, but for total body health. We will discuss general concepts about the microbiome, illustrate the influence of the microbiome on multiple body systems and diseases, and explore ways in which the microbiome can be altered or adjusted to improve body health.

October 25: How Reliable IS Your Clinical Lab Result? with Fred Lasky

Several entities work to ensure that your clinical laboratory results are reliable to support your health-related decisions. We’ll explore the history and focus on the laws, regulations and strategies of laboratories, and device manufacturers that are used. We’ll also discuss the parameters to determine if a test is, indeed, effective for its purpose, and who and what can influence the reliability of results. As testing becomes more sophisticated and important for diagnosis and treatment, examples of current challenges and opportunities will be shown.

November 1: Why Red Tide Comes and Goes…Runoff and Red Tide Duration with Lenny Landau

Red Tide severely impacts the environment, public health, and the economy. Natural processes explain offshore bloom initiation and movement to the coast, where natural and man-caused nutrient sources can fuel its growth and persistence. Predicting how long a red tide bloom will last based on available runoff data will promote awareness and provide insight needed to develop actions to minimize red tide events in the future.

November 8: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: If They’re Out There, Where Are They?

with Kenneth P. Bechis

Are (or were) aliens already here, do they even exist, or have our paths just not yet crossed? We will review past and ongoing searches for extraterrestrial intelligence, explore the physics of why some stars/planets might be more hospitable than others, and consider whether we are alone in the Universe. With over 200 billion star systems in our Milky Way Galaxy alone, what are the odds? Let’s find out!

Technology

50 Things You Didn’t Know Your iPhone Could Do

Course #TC123

Alan Freedman

Ringling College Museum Campus

Mondays: 11 am-12:20 pm

3 Sessions: Oct. 16-Oct. 30

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

You’ve probably used your iPhone for years, and of course, you can make calls, send emails and text messages, and use Google. But did you know there are dozens of other features hidden in your iPhone that can make your life easier and more enjoyable? In this class, we’ll explore how to take full advantage of these useful, entertaining, productive – and, yes – sometimes even quirky abilities of the iPhone. Got a crooked picture? Your iPhone can straighten it! Want to type with super speed? No problem! Getting emails while driving? Stop them automatically! Can’t remember what that photo is? Put a caption on it! You’ll leave this class with these tricks and more…and have great fun along the way.

New: ChatGPT and the Rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Course #TC135

John McFetridge

Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm

2 Sessions: Nov. 9 and Nov. 16

Gold Member: $40.50

Silver Member: $45

We are on the verge of the biggest technology breakthrough since the onset of the internet in the 1990s. There are great benefits for those who embrace the technology and dangers from its abuse and misuse. Our class discussions will explore the implications of new technology for each of us.

Writing

Writing a “Legacy Letter”

Course #WR121

Jay Sherwin

Online

Friday: 9-10:30 am

1 Session: Oct. 6

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member: $15

A legacy letter (also called an “ethical will”) is a written document that allows you to share your life lessons, express your values and transmit your blessings to future generations. A legacy letter is shorter than a memoir, typically just a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for children, grandchildren, and other loved ones. This one-session online course includes discussion and brief writing exercises to help you examine your life history, explore your values and capture important insights. It offers advice, encouragement, and a model structure to help you draft and complete your own legacy letter.

CONNECTIONS has been a vital part of OLLI’s program offerings since 2017 when we were known as the Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy. The communal viewing experience offers our students the opportunity to connect to many of today's pressing global issues via the penetrating perspectives of contemporary films. After watching a film together, students can engage in a facilitator-led conversation about the film's content and impact, which forges deeper learning and social connections.

As the name CONNECTIONS implies, the themes for our films showcase the connections humans have with each other, with our physical world (including technology), and with other species that share our planet. CONNECTIONS is offered in our fall, winter, and spring terms, with two films in each term for a total of six per year.

Julie Cotton, a member of the OLLI Advisory Council, is the coordinator and host of this series. Julie has a doctorate in human development and is a former organizational consultant and executive coach. She is an aficionado of documentary films and a skilled facilitator of group conversations.

AUDREY (2020)

Film #FS127

Ringling College Museum Campus

1 hour 40 minutes • Tuesday, Oct. 10 2:30-4:30 pm

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member and General Admission: $15

An intimate portrait of legendary Hollywood actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn, who became a superstar overnight when cast in William Wyler’s Roman Holiday. Apparently having the “Midas touch” when it came to iconic roles, it seemed Hepburn could do no wrong. Famously retiring after making Wait Until Dark, her star never faltered due to her philanthropic pursuits including becoming the UNICEF ambassador. Effortless in her beauty and grace, AUDREY epitomizes the kind of celebrity who truly deserves our admiration.

Sam Now (2022)

Film #FS128

Ringling College Museum Campus

1 hour 25 minutes • Tuesday, Nov. 7 2:30-4:30 pm

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member and General Admission: $15

What do two film-obsessed brothers do to solve a family mystery? Using every video format imaginable, they make a movie as they travel thousands of miles looking for their missing mother. Stitching together 25 years of home videos and filling gaps in the archive with play, Sam Now is a mosaic of love, longing, and loss, as well as an attempt to heal intergenerational trauma.

Italian Iconic Design & La Linea Italiana

Lecture #LC189

Rosanne Martorella

Ringling College Museum Campus

Friday, Sept. 29

10:30 am-12 pm

Gold Member: Free

Silver Member and General Admission: $15

Since the 1950s, Italy has been a trendsetter and exerts a vast influence on urban, industrial, and fashion design. Architects and engineers worked closely with local craftsmen respecting a classic and artisan past. This presentation will include examples from architecture, furniture, and fashion. We will familiarize ourselves with the innovative designs of urban landscape, the innovative and whimsical objects as Olivetti’s typewriter and Piaggio’s Vespa, and the fashionable boutiques of Milan and Rome.

Rosanne Martorella is professor emeritus from William Paterson University (NJ). She received a doctorate from The New School (NY) and a post-doctorate fellowship from Princeton University (NJ). She has served on several boards and currently is a trustee of Sarasota Opera and Sarasota Italian Cultural Events. She is a recipient of the Cavaliere Medal from the Republic of Italy.

The Real Reason for the Loss of the USS Scorpion

Lecture #LC191

Steve Frasher

Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursday, Oct. 19

2:30-4 pm

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member and General Admission: $15

This presentation will highlight the background of the loss of the USS Scorpion, the development of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Program, and newly-released underwater pictures and information about this incident that puts the puzzle pieces together. Join Submarine Commander Steve Frasher to learn about the Soviet Union payback scheme against the U.S. This presentation will also delve into the extreme damage to the U.S. Navy as a result of the Anthony Walker, Jr. spy ring.

Steve Frasher graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1970 and was accepted into the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program. His submarine experience includes the New Construction Engineer for the USS New York City (SSN-696), the Executive Office of the USS Skate (SSN-578), and the Commanding Officer of the USS Permit (SSN-594). Steve served as Submarine Operations Officer during the Gulf War attack on Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) oversight in Cairo, Egypt, where he retired from the Navy in 1995. He worked in FMS as a civilian until retirement.

Exploring Florida's Historic African American Homes

Lecture #LC190

Jada Wright-Greene

Ringling College Museum Campus

Monday, Nov. 6

2:30-4 pm

Gold Member: Free

Silver Member and General Admission: $15

Learn about the rich history of African Americans who contributed to the development and advancement of our state and nation. From slaves to millionaires — those from all walks of life resided in cabins, homes, and stately mansions. Each Florida residence of the businessmen, educators, community leaders, and innovators examined reflects their lives. Subjects include Mary McLeod Bethune, A.L. Lewis, and Dana A. Dorsey among other prominent figures. They not only created opportunities for other Blacks to further their lives but also to own property to attain a better quality of life. Today, some of their residences serve as house museums, community art galleries, cultural institutions, and monuments that embody their humanity as well as interpret and promote the legacies of their former owners. Join us for this enlightening lecture and discussion.

Jada Wright-Greene is the founder and president of Heritage Salon, the first and only electronic magazine dedicated to promoting African American museums, historical sites, and homes. Wright-Greene has worked in the museum field as a museum activist, independent museum professional, writer and lecturer for more than 10 years. Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Wright-Greene earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Bethune-Cookman University (FL), a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University, and a master’s degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University (MD).

New: Opera is for Everyone!

Lecture #LC193

Martha Collins

Ringling College Museum Campu

Mondays: 2:30-4 pm

3 Sessions: Oct. 2-Oct. 16

Gold Member: $54

Silver Member: $60

Opera has been captivating audiences for more than 400 years. Stage director Martha Collins believes this is because opera tells compelling stories through beautiful, timeless music by thrilling, emotional singing. Known for her lively and engaging talks, she will lead you in exploring the extraordinary and compelling world of opera and the reasons for its enduring popularity. So, what makes opera great? The singing! The music! The storytelling! Join us for this special program.

Oct. 2: The Singers! Whether on an opera stage or on America’s Got Talent, an operatically trained voice has the power to enthrall and captivate an audience. Explore what makes opera singers unique in their ability to portray their characters through beautiful, emotional singing that soars out over an entire orchestra.

Oct. 9: The Music! Great opera composers were able to take a story and make it more compelling with music that is timeless and deeply emotional. Their music can often convey reactions and emotions more strongly than mere words alone. Martha will lead you to explore some of the most extraordinary artistic works of all time.

Oct. 16: The Stories! Learn from an opera director about how these great stories are brought to life on the stage. Using stories from her years in opera, Martha will lead you through a director’s process from first opening the score to opening night.

Martha Collins, director of education at the Sarasota Opera, has a long association with the company, having first joined in 2004 as a stage director. She has since directed over 21 mainstage productions and 12 youth opera productions, and this season she will direct Bizet’s Carmen and The Little Sweep by Benjamin Britten. Martha has also directed at numerous other companies and universities throughout the U.S., and she has extensive teaching credits, including at New York University and the Florence Voice Seminar in Italy. Born in Ottawa, Martha gained much acclaim in Canada as both a concert and operatic performer, and she was a finalist in the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition. She was chosen to perform for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the opening gala of the World’s Fair in Vancouver and on the silver screen, Martha appeared in the Norman Jewison film Moonstruck, in the role of Mimi.

Sarasota Opera House Tour

TR107

Tuesday, Oct. 17 3-4 pm

61 N. Pineapple Ave.

Fee: $10. Must be a Gold or Silver Member. (Limited space. Pre-registration required.)

Experience the thrill of standing on the opera stage. Explore the Opera House with Martha Collins, Sarasota Opera’s Director of Education and long-time stage director, as your tour guide. This interactive tour will highlight the history of the Opera House and its connection to Sarasota, and will include visits to the backstage area, the scene bay, the costume and prop shops, and will culminate in a performance of opera excerpts on the stage by our Resident Artists.

Travel Information Session

Lecture #LC195

Deb Sculley Ringling College Museum Campus

Tuesday, Sept. 19

11 am-12 pm

Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: Free (pre-registration required).

OLLI at Ringling College is exploring a partnership with Collette to reintroduce its travel program with tour options to Iceland's Magical Northern Lights, Shades of Ireland, and the Canadian Rockies by Train.

Travel is an important part of the lifelong learning experience. Travel provides a gateway to explore customs, cultures, the histories of countries, and so much more. The opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, and make lasting memories are rewards for a well-planned adventure.

In the tradition of learning and exploring, we invite you to attend a free information session with our Collette representative.

Where will you go next? Let's find out together!

Understanding Medicare: What You Need to Know

Lecture #LC155

Janet Lambert Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursday, Sept. 28

2:30-4 pm

Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: Free (pre-registration required).

While retirement is an exciting time in a person’s life, understanding the process for your health care coverage can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals turning 65, for younger individuals with disabilities, and for individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). In this session, you will get a better understanding of how Medicare works and how to supplement what Medicare may not cover for both your healthcare and medications. The session will explore these topics and more. Bring your questions and join the discussion.

Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights

• When am I eligible?

• How do I apply?

• What is the cost?

• Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage.

• How to choose a plan?

• What are all the commercials trying to tell you?

Janet Lambert is an independent licensed insurance agent and owner of Janet Lambert’s Insurance, LLC. She is a Florida native, born in Tampa. Janet understands the importance of health insurance and has a passion for educating individuals about Medicare and Medicaid. Janet is a registered dental hygienist. She also enjoys arts and crafts, Bible studies, gardening, and the beach.

Canadian Rockies by Train Shades of Ireland

Electric Bass-ics

Lecture #LC194

Paul Gormley

Ringling College Museum Campus

Wednesday, Oct. 18

3-4 pm

Gold Member: $12

Silver Member: $15

The electric bass has done more to change the sound of music than any other instrument in the last 70 years. How did the acoustic bass’ electric offspring become a major musical influencer, bigger than Taylor Swift? What is the unique electric bass sound? How did it evolve from the acoustic bass and the electric guitar? Professional bassist Paul Gormley will explore all the bass-ics and demonstrate the versatility of the electric bass.

Paul Gormley is a career musician on acoustic and electric bass. He is known primarily as a former key player on the Los Angeles jazz scene. He began his lifelong musical journey playing in rock and jazz bands on both instruments. Throughout his career, he performed the bass lines for small and large ensembles. Paul performed and produced four CDs in current release. Paul was nominated for a Juno award, the Canadian Grammy for a jazz recording. He is now leading a new Sarasota-based jazz ensemble.

Empowering Dementia Caregivers: Tips for Effective Communication, Coping, and Self-care

Lecture #LC192

Louise Gallagher

Ringling College Museum Campus

Thursday, Nov. 9

2:30-4 pm

Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: Free (pre-registration required).

This presentation will offer dementia caregivers tips and strategies to improve their quality of life and empower them as caregivers. We will review effective communication strategies and discuss how to respond to dementia-related behaviors. We will also share actionable approaches to coping and self-care when caregiving for someone with dementia. This interactive workshop will encourage caregivers to share their experiences and challenges with other participants.

Louise Gallagher is a retired California licensed psychotherapist. She has been involved in Lifelong Learning since 2008. Her passion is working with seniors and especially those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. She is a community educator and support group facilitator with the Alzheimer’s Association, an AARP volunteer, and Tidewell hospice volunteer. Her hobby is jewelry making which she also teaches.

Making A Gift

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a part of Ringling College’s Continuing Studies program. OLLI provides educational opportunities taught by instructors who possess a broad range of knowledge and expertise. Our home, on the Ringling College Museum Campus, will become the gold standard for lifelong learning communities. This new facility provides a thought-provoking setting that creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue among our learning community through opportunities to engage in stimulating courses and lectures.

Gifts to OLLI enable us to continue providing a wide array of classes and lectures that broaden and inspire the intellectual curiosity of our members at an affordable cost.

Your gift could support OLLI’s mission; underwrite a session, workshop, or lecture series, or another area of your choosing. If you would like to make a gift, please go to www.ringling.edu/giving, or call us at 941-309-4733.

Thank You To Our Donors

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College is grateful to have generous, consistent donors. It is their extra financial support that allows us to offer an affordable and outstanding program. Donations are always appreciated. The following honor roll of donors represents gifts given between June 1, 2022-May 31, 2023.

Ms. Beverly A. Harms

Mrs. Jo Hennelly

Mr. Sam Samelson

The Bernard Osher Foundation

Mrs. Shirley Foss

Mrs. Judith Schwartzbaum

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Freedman

Mr. Jeff Ryder and Mr. J. Alvin Stout

Mr. Joseph Cucci

Dr. Albert Tripodi and Ms. Fran Harris

Ms. Leslie Meeker and Mr. Enver Bismillah

Clarence Blanton

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Eckl

Mr. Jon Freedman

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Goldis

Mr. and Mrs. Alan B. Grindal

Mr. and Mrs. Hal Hayden

Mr. John Hockenberry

Dr. Susan Johnson

Ms. Linda Bailey

Ms. Maxine Becker

Mr. Gilbert Bosse, Jr.

Ms. Bette Boysen

Mr. Anthony Cancro

Dr. Julie Cotton

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sukin

Mr. Jose A. Garnham and Ms. Barbara Lausche

Mr. John C. Metz

Ms. Barbara Osmon

Ms. Lisa Kauffman

Ms. Jesse Lazarus

Ms. Sara Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Richter

Ms. Sue Rupp

Michael Sherrow

Ron Shoemaker

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Steinmann

Ms. Victoria Frigo

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin I. Gerstein

Ms. Rosalie Y. Goldberg

Ms. Jan M. Haynes

Mr. and Mrs. William Herring

Mr. and Mrs. Ira and Jessica Hymoff

Ms. Marilyn L. Pinsky

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Wey Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Tschirhart

Mr. Michael Vlaisavljevich

Joan Wexler

Archer L. Seely-Wilson

Exit Art Boutique, Longboat Key Just Because Boutique, Sarasota

The Welcome Club of Sarasota, Inc.

Lynda Irvin

Mr. Robert K. Kendal

Mr. David Lionel

Jennifer McKechnie

A special thank you to our Gold Members for their generous support through their membership this year. If we inadvertently overlooked your name, please accept our apologies and contact us to make the correction.

Emanuel Abramovits has been a concerts promoter since 2000, presenting dozens of shows by international artists, from Pop icons like Journey, to classical artists like Itzhak Perlman, staging along the way, epic orchestral extravaganzas, and winning a prestigious “Event of the Year” award. While directing the cultural activities of Union Israelita de Caracas for 11 years, Emanuel has released multiple books, and organized lectures and art exhibits. (pp. 22, 23)

Roxanne Baker is a retired English teacher from upstate New York. She became a film introduction hostess at The George Eastman Museum (NY) in 2005 and continues to moderate film discussions at Burns Court Cinema as well as author a film review blog. (p. 14)

Ken Bechis retired from Northrop Grumman as chief scientist in the Space Operations/Environmental Solutions Division and Intelligence Systems Sector Distinguished Technical Fellow. He holds a bachelor’s in astronomy from Harvard, a master’s of science in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Massachusetts, and is a former NASA Payload Specialist Astronaut. (p. 25)

Cheryl Brandi is a Whole Health Educator™ (WHE) and adult nurse practitioner (NP) with years of experience in managing chronic diseases and providing health education. She holds a doctorate in nursing science (University of San Diego), a post-master certificate as a nurse practitioner (University of South Florida), a diploma (WHE) from the National Institute of Whole Health, and certification as a Holistic Stress Management Instructor. (p. 18)

Monroe Brett has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in secondary social studies education from George Washington University (D.C.). Monroe taught U.S. history, world studies, and advanced placement economics at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Beltsville (MD), where in 2001, he was selected as the school’s best teacher who made a difference. (p. 20)

Bob Busch has a degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration. He served as a U.S. Air Force pilot, Russian linguist, and diplomat. Bob earned a master of science degree in Soviet Studies with Russian language. He was an attaché in Moscow and a Liaison Officer with the Soviet military in Berlin, Germany. His second career was as a college professor in business. Bob often speaks on finances, retirement, and fraud. (p. 18)

Albert Cohen has worked as a classical music critic for more than 42 years (20 for a Gannett newspaper in New Jersey). In Florida, he is music critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Pro-Opera magazine and former music critic for the Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Bay Times. Albert was also managing director of the Music Critics Association of North America for 13 years. (p. 23)

Herbert Cohen is a psychologist and marriage and family therapist. He taught at New York University and the State University of New York (Purchase). Herbert received his doctorate in psychology from Columbia University (NY) and is the author of Snap Out of It, a book dealing with stress, addictions, and anxiety. (p. 16)

Gail Condrick is an author, teacher, and certified Caroline Myss archetypal consultant. She frequently speaks on topics of creativity, spirituality, and empowerment. For 25 years, Gail led an award-winning staff creating TV programming in Fairfax, VA. She is a University of South Florida graduate and the author of Walking the Grove and online classes “Your Destiny is in Your Closet,” “Art of Observation,” and “Release Your Inner Archetype” series. (p. 17)

Nanette Crist has returned to her love of art after a career as a corporate lawyer. Sharing the talent and creativity of artists with other art lovers has become her passion. Nanette is a docent at Sarasota Art Museum. She also co-leads public art walking tours with Judy Levine and Stephenie Frasher, and writes an art-heavy blog. Her blog is at www.nanettesnewlife. blogspot.com (pp. 12, 13)

Joe Cucci took a film appreciation course in college, and hasn’t stopped going to movies ever since. He participates in movie groups and thoroughly enjoys hearing what others think about movies. Joe retired from Procter & Gamble after a career in sales. (p. 21)

Carol Ellis is a retired internist who practiced and taught medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for many years. She has been a participant in the OLLI Book Club for several years and takes great pleasure in reading and deepening an understanding of books through thoughtful discussion. (p. 21)

Stephenie Frasher left behind a 16-year career as a docent at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In addition to being a docent, she presented outreach programs and conducted tours for the visually impaired. She is now a part of Sarasota Art Museum’s program of Field Guides, is the Lead Docent and Gallery co-director for Arts Advocates, and is a docent for the Public Art Walking Tours. (p. 12)

Alan Freedman has a journalism degree from Boston University. Until retiring, he was public affairs director at a New York electric utility, responsible for government relations and corporate communications. Previously, he had been a financial writer and an advertising account executive at a major book publisher. Alan has been an OLLI instructor for nearly a decade, focusing on technology and media topics. (p. 13, 21, 26)

Michael Gibson worked as a China analyst for the U.S. government (CIA and Department of Defense) for over 30 years. He was an adjunct professor of Chinese history at American and George Washington Universities. He has a doctorate in Modern East Asian history and has lived and served in multiple East Asian locales. He is the principal author of “China: U.S. Policy Since 1945” (Congressional Quarterly, 1980), as well as numerous other articles. (p. 19)

Stephen Gillum has practiced meditation for more than 35 years. He spent time studying in India, including three years living in an ashram. His mentors were leading authorities in the field of mantra and meditation. Stephen practices his non-theistic style that fuses Eckhart Tolle and Zen and focuses on relaxing and observing the mind. (p. 24)

Bruce Gobioff has a Master of Science in management of technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Bruce had a career in the computer industry from 1966 to 2015. (p. 24)

Alan Grindal is a neurologist, a consultant at the Memory Disorder Clinic at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and is on the clinical faculty of Florida State University Medical School. He has taught numerous courses at OLLI at Ringling College on brain science and history. (p. 16)

Martha Hill, a graduate of Bard College (NY) and Monmouth College (NJ) is a passionate lifelong reader of both good and bad books. Martha’s enjoyment of teaching is based on interaction with students to enjoy and illuminate the course materials and the joys of the written word. (p. 22)

Isaac Kalvaria is a semi-retired gastroenterologist who received his medical training in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa. He moved to the United States in 1986, where he held a faculty position at the University of Florida. Although his training was in Western medicine, he has developed an interest in functional medicine and now utilizes both approaches in the diagnosis and management of diseases. (p. 25)

Robert Kendal served as a county government manager in Maryland for 30 years before moving to Sarasota in 2002. For more than 13 years, he has participated in the former “Great Books” class as both a member and occasional weekly discussion leader. (p. 21)

William Krause, Jr. is a retired law enforcement officer with more than 25 years of experience. William holds a master’s degree in Public Administration. His interest in the American Civil War began almost 35 years ago with a trip to Gettysburg, PA. He has been exploring this battle ever since. (pp. 19, 20)

Lenny Landau is a mechanical engineering graduate of West Virginia University, who worked for General Electric Aircraft Engines for 50 years. Since retiring, he has applied his analytical skills to studying and addressing local issues including the impact of climate warming/sea rise and red tide. (p. 25)

Fred Lasky earned a doctorate in chemistry from the State University of New York (Buffalo). He has been involved with diagnostics for nearly 50 years, with responsibilities that included device submissions to government authorities and quality compliance. He has consulted for over 40 device and pharmaceutical companies in developing regulatory strategies, has served on multiple government advisory panels, and has helped develop national and international standards for laboratories and manufacturers. (p. 25)

Judith Levine has photographed the art of Tibet, West Africa, Egypt, and Indonesia. She creates limited-edition jewelry and owns Phoenix Art Workshops. Judith has a bachelor’s degree in art and art education and a master’s degree in visual arts from Montclair State University (NJ), where she was on the art education faculty. (p. 12)

Robert Litwak received his graduate degree from Fordham University (NY). He is a licensed psychiatric social worker with over 40 years of experience as an executive, supervisor, and clinician in mental health services for a large organization in Westchester County. Later in his career, Robert taught students to become licensed mental health staff. Robert is recently retired and lives with his spouse and two cats. (p. 16)

Will Luera is the director of improvisation at Florida Studio Theatre, artistic director of Improv Asylum, director of Big Bang Improv, and serves as the artistic director emeritus of ImprovBoston. He sits on the board of CreArte Latino, a Latino-centric cultural community center in the Sarasota area. Will tours globally as an improv comedy actor, instructor, director, and performs and teaches regularly all across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. (p. 14)

Debbie Mackler is a registered nurse/case manager; her love of literature, especially short stories, offered a distraction from the career stresses of health care. She has facilitated many book clubs and led multiple reading programs in North Carolina. She is grateful for her twin, Donna, who as a library supervisor, influenced and encouraged her to love books. Debbie is passionate in continuing that legacy with and for other enthusiasts. (p. 22)

Bradley Maleh obtained his master’s degree in Latin and ancient Greek literature at Wayne State University (MI) and his bachelor’s in Latin and ancient Greek from the University at Buffalo (NY). He began studying Latin while in high school. Bradley has been teaching and tutoring Latin and ancient Greek for over 15 years to students in middle and high school, college, and seniors. (p. 20)

Susan Marcus has studied yoga since 1989 and is certified at the Intermediate Junior II level. She completed more than 2,000 hours of continuing education, including study with the Iyengars in Pune at Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI). Susan co-authored a pilot study of yoga for Aromatase Inhibitor-associated joint pain in women recovering from breast cancer. She is a certified Yoga Therapist International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT). She is also a research psychologist and professor. (p. 24)

John McFetridge is a retired software developer and entrepreneur who has been in technology for 45 years. He was founder and first president of Simware, a Canadian software company. He later helped develop and market CorelDraw, one of the most successful Canadian software products ever. John is still coding even during his retirement. (p. 26)

Theodore Medrek has worked as a performing arts critic, reporter, editor, and columnist for newspapers in and around Boston, including the daily Boston Herald. Previously, he was a co-founder and manager of the Northern Connecticut Ballet based in Windsor, CT, where he choreographed ballets to the music of Stravinsky, Debussy, Verdi, and Massenet and performed a variety of ballet character roles. (p. 23)

Peter Mermin has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Antioch College (OH), a master’s in psychology from the New School for Social Research (NY), and a doctorate in psychology from Union Institute (OH). Peter taught at Southampton College and Suffolk Community College on Long Island for 34 years. He actively promotes humanistic and spiritual values. (p. 15)

Thomas Miller is a retired business owner, educator, and consultant. He worked in the menswear industry for more than 40 years in New York state. Since becoming part of OLLI, Tom has rediscovered his love of literature and particularly the short-story form. Tom and his wife are yearround residents of Sarasota. (p. 22)

Tony Moon spent 55 successful years in the music business as an artist, agent, songwriter, producer, and publisher. Moving to Nashville, Tony became guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. He has won awards, with songs released by well-known artists. Tony currently administers an entertainment company and does music research for Sarasota’s Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. (p. 23)

Paula Morris has a masters of arts degree in education and a bachelor of science in business. She is one of 5,500 yoga therapists worldwide conferred Certified-International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT). A school educator, a yoga and meditation teacher since 2007, and yoga therapist since 2016, Paula studied Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through the University of Massachusetts Medical Center’s Oasis Institute. Paula offers private therapy and workshops to educate, equip, and empower living well. (pp. 17, 18)

Jeffrey Newman holds a master’s degree in history and taught high school history for a number of years. He also served as the principal of Attleboro Comprehensive High School, one of the larger high schools in Massachusetts. Jeff spent nearly a decade in the Rhode Island State House as a top aide to both the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor. (p. 19)

Jeffrey Orenstein has a doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a retired political science professor. He is the author of several public policy books. (p. 15)

Virginia Orenstein has a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA, inactive) and is a retired chief financial officer of two multi-national corporations. (p. 15)

Tenille Dixon Pawlus is a plant collector, butterfly chaser, lover of flora and fauna, and passionate about helping others create their own green oasis. She is a garden consultant, landscape designer, container gardener, teacher, and plant seller in Sarasota with a registered Florida nursery license. Tenille is also working toward her horticulture professional certification. She specializes in pollinator, shade, container, tropical, and Florida gardening plants and designs. (p. 16)

Jeff Ryder is a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer for his work on Guiding Light. He also was vice president of daytime programming, director of mini-series, and director of casting at NBC. He recently retired after 20 years as a professor and associate dean at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. (p. 14)

Lauren Rudd is president of Rudd International Asset Management. He is a syndicated newspaper columnist who has been writing about Wall Street and the economy for over 26 years. A recognized public speaker, television commentator, and publisher of The Rudd Report, Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in economics and computer science with high honors from the University of Maryland and did graduate work for a doctorate in economics at the Wharton School (PA). (p. 15)

Paul Sarno is a retired trial lawyer. He has taught courses on Southeast Asian history and political science at OLLI at Ringling College and other locations in Sarasota. In addition to wide-ranging readings, his most recent visit to the region was to Thailand and Myanmar in 2018. (p. 20)

Michael Sherrow was born and raised in New York City and lived there his entire life before coming to Sarasota. Michael is a student of the history of the city. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Baruch School at the City University of New York and a juris doctorate from St. John’s University (NY). Michael is a retired member of the New York Bar. (p. 19)

Jay Sherwin created the Life Reflections Project to educate people about legacy letters, ethical wills, and other legacy documents. He has practiced law, given away money for five different charitable foundations, worked as a philanthropy consultant, and served as a hospital chaplain. He has extensive experience as a teacher and facilitator for adult learning programs, including online presentations of this course for more than 30 OLLI programs nationwide.

(p. 26)

Marie-Agnès Sourieau is professor emerita at Fairfield University (CT). She is a specialist in 19th and 20th century French and Francophone literature and culture. She has published extensively and is presently an assistant editor of The French Review. (p. 13)

Gerald Stulc is a retired oncology surgeon and former flight surgeon. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing. The author of scientific articles and a novel, The Surgeon's Mate, he is currently writing a book on the history of military medicine. (p. 12)

Eliot Tarlin has a love for short stories that developed during a 12-hour flight with nothing to read but two short story collections. This passion ultimately led to his curating and moderating a short story discussion group which has been meeting for over five years. He previously taught an OLLI course titled John Steinbeck’s Search for America. Eliot has earned degrees from both Brown University (RI) and Boston University. (p. 22)

SARASOTA ART MUSEUM

is Ringling College of Art and Design’s dynamic laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art

BISTRO

A farm-to-table experience made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients

JOIN TODAY

Museum Members receive Free and discounted Museum programs, Discounts on Studios at SAM classes, 10% discount in SHOP and Bistro, and more!

SarasotaArtMuseum.org/membership

1001 South Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34236

SarasotaArtMuseum.org

941.309.4300

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An eclectic collection of exhibition-inspired merchandise, art and architecture books, contemporary jewelry, and gifts

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