Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
Winter: Jan. 13 – March 7, 2025
Ringling College Continuing Studies
A Warm Welcome to a Resilient OLLI Community
Dear OLLI Members,
I want to take a moment to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you. Reflecting on the disruption caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton to members and our OLLI program was undeniably very stressful. For some, it continues to be a source of stress; however, I am grateful for the resilience and compassion of OLLI and the Ringling College community.
I am particularly grateful to the OLLI office volunteers for their resilience and tireless assistance in helping the staff reschedule classes. As members and instructors your ability to adapt to fluctuating class schedules with patience and kindness demonstrates your commitment to lifelong learning and unwavering support for one another and to OLLI. Thank you.
As we move forward, let’s continue to uplift and support each other by embracing the spirit of resilience that defines us. I am grateful for each of you and look forward to another enriching semester together.
With more than 90 classes, workshops, and special events scheduled for the winter semester, it was not easy choosing some to highlight. Everything looks so interesting! I hope my letter encourages you to try something new and most importantly, please participate and support your OLLI.
The winter term includes a wonder-filled magic show and our very own 2024 Oscar predictions: “Who Should Win” vs. “Who Will Win.” Take in nature by joining three “Public Arts Walking Tours.” Discover facts about “American Women in World War II” and “Law Enforcement, Public Safety and the Constitution.” Learn “Better Photography With the iPhone 16” or become a photographic storyteller using your newly-acquired skills in “An Introduction to Photographic Storytelling.”
For thought-provoking experiences, join us for a live production of Auto Da Fe, a one-act play by Tennessee Williams, or screen the film Resistance — They Fought Back as part of the CONNECTIONS series that includes a guest appearance by the writer and co-director of the film. Enjoy writing and publishing your novel, memoir, or legacy letter with the “Writers Workshop” or learn “How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book.” Slip into the world of “Leontyne Price: Queen of the Met" and explore her legacy of recordings from opera to pop. Join one or more OLLI book clubs. From mysteries to short stories, you have choices. Listening to Women returns for its sixth year. There are two lectures that you don't want to miss: “Black Hollywood: African Americans in Film: The Early Years” and “How the Supreme Court Is Re-making America.”
As we close the curtain on 2024, let’s celebrate our resilience and love of community at the Oldies Dance on December 5 in McGuire Hall with DJ Alan “Al” Fisher. Come out and let’s enjoy the good times. I look forward to meeting you there!
Yours in Lifelong Learning,
Phyllis C. Brown Director, OLLI
Art Appreciation
Visual Artists Designing for the Stage
Stage Designs by Robert Indiana and Other Artists
The Business of Art: The Secrets of Success
Public Arts Walking Tour
Women in Modern Architecture
A Visual Artist's Process and Journey
The Florida Highwaymen: Pioneers of Art and Enterprise
Art & Elegance: The Treasures of Tiffany & Co.
Van Gogh: From Haystacks to Smokestacks
Arts and Entertainment
The Connected History of Games and Computers
“Who Should Win” vs. “Who Will Win” the 2024 Oscar Race
Mah Jongg for Everyone — Beginners Course
Beginning Modern American Canasta
OLLI Movie Club
Unlocking the Architectural Lessons of Life
ON and AT the Beach
Alfred Hitchcock Films of the 1950s and 1960s
Evolution of the Home: From the 20th, 21st, and Anticipated 22nd Century
Behind the Scenes with Naughty Maria von Trapp
Culture and Travel
Culture Trip 2025: A Global Exploration
Who Are the Jews of India?
Current Events and Global Issues
Should We Change Our Election Process?
World in Transition
Miscarriage of Justice: Wrongful Convictions
Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and the Constitution
Global and Local Environments
United States — China Rivalry in Southeast Asia
Economics and Finance
Advanced Investment Analysis
Financial Literacy: The Key to Making Good
Financial Decisions
Health and Lifestyles
Create Pollinator Gardens and Stunning
Potted Arrangements
Understanding Dementia
Learn “Mendful Meditation” and Reach Beyond Mindfulness
Increase Calm and Resilience in Uncertain Times
Living Long and Well
Finding Your Fitness Personality
Living Your Legacy
New Year, New Start, Get with the New Program!
Prioritizing Brain Health
Finding Your Florida Style
Your Enteric Nervous System and the Mind-Gut Connection
A Proactive Approach to Building Bone Density
Posture, Joint Mobility, and Balance
History
The Great Cold War Nuclear War Crisis You've Never Heard Of!
American History: 1928-1948
American Women in World War I
This Was Their Lives
A Maritime History of Florida
The Rise and Fall of the 19th Century Presidency
Intelligence and U.S. Foreign Policy
Caesar's Women
History of New York City — Wilderness to Sky High City
History Thursdays
The Berlin Wall — A Scar on the Face of Freedom
Language
Introductory French, Part 3
Situational French, Part 2
Literature
The World's Great Literature
OLLI Mystery Book Club
OLLI Winter Book Club
James Joyce's Dubliners
Short Story Collective
Russian Novelists: Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov
Literature (cont.)
Classic Plays of Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar
The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations
Music Appreciation
Great Cantors of the Golden Age
The 100 Greatest Movie Songs of All Time
Comparing Two Baroque Masters
Leontyne Price: Queen of the Met
Bebop and Beyond: Jazz Innovation of the 1940s-1960s
The Art of Listening: Exploring Song Lyrics
Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh: Surprising Contributors to American Pop Music
Philosophy and Religion
Darkness & Dawn: How Emerson, Thoreau, and James Recovered from the Greatest Losses of Their Lives
Exploring Modern Dilemmas Through the Eyes of Jewish Tradition
Heroes For Our Time Video Salons
Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
Spirituality and Your Identity
What's in Your Genes?
Photography
Better Photography With the iPhone 16
An Introduction to Photographic Storytelling
Psychology
Aging as a Spiritual Journey
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
Psychology of Ancient Wisdom: Timeless
Teachings of Euripides
Lives Well Lived
Parenting Secrets to Bring Out the Best in Puppies and Dogs
Decode Your Sacred Contracts: What is Your Purpose?
Science
A Guided Tour Through the Universe
Introduction to Biotech Drugs: From Insulin to Gene Therapy
Science Wednesdays
Evolution of Intelligence: Past, Present, and Future
Technology
Artificial Intelligence — What is It and How Can You Use It?
Writing
Writers’ Workshop
Write Like a Dancer
How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book
Ralph Waldo Emerson on Writing for Your Life
Listening to Women 2025
CONNECTIONS: Documentary Film Series
Mountain Queen (2023)
Resistance – They Fought Back (2024)
Lectures
How the Supreme Court is Re-Making America
Black Hollywood: African Americans in Film: The Early Years
Presentation
Magic and Other Wonders
Program
Another One by Tenn: Auto Da Fe by Tennessee Williams
OLLI Travel
OLLI in Pictures
Making a Gift
Thank You to Our Donors
Instructor Biographies
About Sarasota Art Museum
Staff
Dr. Phyllis C. Brown Director
pbrown3@ringling.edu Advisory Committee
Jeff Ryder Chair, Advisory Committee
Mark Moulin Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Marilyn Pinsky Chair, Membership Committee
Colleen Lundwall Chair, Curriculum Committee
Sheila Reed Assistant Director
sreed@ringling.edu
Meghan Burrows Registration & Operations Assistant mburrows@ringling.edu
2024-2025 Academic Term Calendar
Term Dates
Winter Term 2025: Jan. 13 – March 7
Spring Term 2025: March 17 – May 9
Summer Term 2025: May 19 – July 11
Patricia “Tobie” van der Vorm Chair, Instructor Recruitment Committee
Tom Miller
Marion Richter Jack Sukin
Bev Harms (Emeritus)
Sam Samelson (Emeritus)
No classes held on these dates:
Dec. 21-Jan. 5 (Holiday/Winter Break)
Jan. 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
May 26 (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
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the success of OLLI. We need volunteers to make the OLLI experience the best it can be. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, make friends, and stay active. As an OLLI volunteer, you can spread the message about lifelong learning, its importance, and what it means to you. When you contribute your time and talent to OLLI, the rewards are mutually beneficial.
How
You Can Make A Difference:
• Committee Assignments: Serve on a committee such as curriculum, membership retention, or membership recruitment.
• Community Outreach: Talk to members and prospective members at monthly events at Sarasota Art Museum including, Free Admission Sunday or Jazz Thursday, or during our outreaches at the Sarasota Farmers Market.
• Greeter: Welcome and direct new and returning students to their classrooms.
• Office Assistants: Answer questions from members and guests in person or by phone and assist the staff with projects.
• Special Events: Contribute to the success of our special events by sharing information, helping people find their way, and answering questions.
Volunteering Myths
I don’t want to volunteer every day or every week. I’m retired.
Fact: You can decide how often you want to volunteer. Volunteering at OLLI is definitely not like work!
I don’t have a lot of time to commit to volunteering.
Fact: You can give back to OLLI in as little as 30 minutes on a day and time of your choosing.
I might get an assignment that I don’t like. Fact: You get to choose your assignment from our project lists. We welcome new ideas, and you can suggest a volunteer project that suits your skills and interests.
I like the idea of volunteering, but what if I’m not good at it?
Fact: We want volunteers who like helping others and who want to support OLLI and its mission.
Volunteer Voices
I want to contribute to the community. I consider that as a duty, in retirement to pay back and enrich my life.
~ Jose Garnham
When I volunteer, I look forward to meeting my co-volunteers who are there for the same reason; and enjoying our time together often making a new friend.
~ Ann Pitcock
I meet members who become friends!
~ Jack Sukin
I get the opportunity to "spread the word" about an integral and rewarding organization right here in our Sarasota community.
~ Angela Carruba
For more information about OLLI and volunteering visit: www.olliringlingcollege.org/ volunteer
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Membership
An OLLI membership makes it possible for a community of intellectually curious individuals to come together and share ideas and experiences in a welcoming environment. Your membership and tuition also support our goals, initiatives, and mission to provide quality lifelong learning to adults aged 50 and older in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Members can take classes from 15 different topic areas, all for the joy of learning.
Become a Member:
Membership Levels
• Gold: $85* annual per person
• Silver: $25 annual per person
* $37.50 is tax-deductible
Member Benefits for Both Levels
• Free parking
• 10% discount at Bistro
• Volunteer opportunities
• Monthly e-newsletter
• Participation in a Shared Interest Group (SIG)
Exclusive Gold Member Benefits
• Early class registration
• 10% discount on classes and workshops
• Three free lectures a year (a $45 value)
Three Ways to Become A Member or to Renew
• By phone: 941-309-5111
• In-person: Stop by Room 105 (Mann Reception Area) on the Ringling College Museum Campus at Sarasota Art Museum
Membership FAQ’s
How long is a membership? Memberships are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Can I purchase a family or couple membership? OLLI only offers individual memberships.
Do I need a membership to register for a class? Yes. A membership at the Gold or Silver level is required to register for any multi-session classes (e.g. classes that meet 2 or more sessions)
Can I go upgrade or downgrade my membership? You can upgrade from Silver, by purchasing a Gold membership for the full fee. You cannot downgrade your membership.
If I change my mind, can I get a refund on my membership? Once you use your OLLI membership to register for any fee-based program, you cannot receive a refund.
Course
Topic Areas
• Online: www.rcad.augusoft.net ○ Art Appreciation
Can I purchase a membership as a gift? Yes. An OLLI membership is always a smart gift idea.
Arts and Entertainment
Culture and Travel
Current Events and Global Affairs
○ Economics and Finance
○ Health and Lifestyles
○ History
○ Languages
○ Literature
○ Music Appreciation
○ Philosophy and Religion
○ Psychology
○ Science
○ Technology
○ Writing
For more information about OLLI and membership visit: www.olliringlingcollege.org/ member-options-and-benefit/
Name (as it appears on credit card) _______________________________________________________
Student Information (Please Print Clearly) Course Information
OLLI at Ringling College
1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Photo Policy Return Completed Forms To
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.
Programs (No Refunds)
CONNECTIONS: Documentary Film Series
Mountain Queen • Tuesday, Jan. 21 • 2:30-4:30 pm Resistance — They Fought
8-Session Courses
6 & 7-Session Courses
5-Session Courses
4-Session Courses
3-Session Courses
2-Session Courses
1-Session Courses
Half-Day Workshop
• Tuesday, Feb. 11 • 2:30-5 pm Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15 (fees are per film)
Lectures (No Refunds)
Another One By Tenn: Auto Da Fe • Friday, Feb. 28 • 2-4 pm Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $20 How the Supreme Court is Re-Making America • Friday, Feb. 7 • 2:30-3:30 pm
Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Black Hollywood African Americans in Film: The Early Years • Wednesday, Feb. 26 • 2-3:30 pm
Presentation (No Refunds)
Gold Member: Free (Pre-registration required) • Silver Member and General Admission: $15 Magic and Other Wonders with Star Newman • Friday, Jan. 10 • 1-2 pm
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $15
Gold Member registration begins Tuesday, Nov. 19 | Silver Member registration begins Monday, Nov. 25
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
9 am-12 pm
_____ Writers Workshop (7) WR107
10-11:20 am
_____ The Connected History of Games & Computers (4) AE179
_____ American Woman in World War I (6) HS211
_____ Introductory French, Pt. 3 (7) LA120
_____ Visual Artists Designing for the Stage (1) AP181
_____ Should We Change Our Election Process? (4) CV151
_____ The Great Cold War Nuclear Crisis (2) HS210
_____ Artificial Intelligence (3) TC144
12-1:20 pm
_____ Great Cantors of the Golden Age (2) MA187
_____ Create Pollinators Gardens & Potted Arrangement (2) HL149
_____ American History: 1928-1948 (6) HS217
_____ Situational French, Pt. 2 (7) LA121
2-3:20 pm
_____ This Was Their Lives (6) HS106
_____ Who Should Win the Oscar Race (1) AE180
Tuesday
9-10:20 am
_____ Better Photography With the iPhone 16 (5) PH400
_____ Advanced Investment Analysis (8) EC108
_____ Learn “Mendful Meditation” & Reach Beyond Mindfulness (2) HL150
11 am-12:20 pm
_____ A Guided Tour Through the Universe (4) SI123
_____ World in Transition (6) CV108
_____ Understanding Dementia (6) HL114
_____ Aging as a Spritual Journey (6) PY153
_____ Introduction to Biotech Drugs (6) SI134
_____ The World's Great Literature (6) LI145
_____ Stage Designs by Robert Indiana & Other Artists (1) AP175
_____ The 100 Greatest Songs of all Time (6) MA188 online
_____ Mah Jongg for Everyone — Beginners Course (5) AE181
11 am-1 pm
_____ A Guided Tour Through the Universe (4) SI123
2-3:20 pm
_____ Increase Calm and Resilience (2) HL151
_____ OLLI Winter Book Club (4) LI161
_____ A Maritime History of Florida (8) HS212
_____ Comparing Two Baroque Masters (8) MA189
_____ OLLI Mystery Book Club (4) LI161
_____ Living Long and Well (4) HL152
Wednesday
10-11:20 am
_____ Law Enforcement, Public Safelty, ...Constitution (6) CV153
_____ Miscarriage of Justice: Wrongful Convictions (6) CV152
_____ Culture Trip 2025: A Global Exploration (8) TV112
_____ Rise and Fall of the 19th Century Presidency (8) HS170
_____ Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself (6) PY154
_____ Exploring Modern Dilemmas (6) PL127
_____ Global and Local Environments (8) CV154
_____ Finding Your Fitness Personality (3) HL153
Public Arts Walking Tour:
_____ Feb. 19: Florida Studio Theatre & Cocoanut Area (1) AP182
_____ Feb. 26 City Hall & Five Points Park (1) AP183
_____ March 5: Rosemary District (1) AP184
10-11:30 am
_____ Short Story Collective (6) LI127
12-1:20 pm
_____ Leontyne Price: Queen of the Met (4) MA190
_____ The Business of Art (7) AP176
_____ Psychology of Ancient Wisdom (8) PY155
_____ Intelligence and U.S. Foreign Policy (8) HS213
_____ Russian Novelists: Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov (8) LI163
_____ Darkness and Dawn: Emerson, Thoreau, James (3) PL126
_____ Beginning Modern American Canasta (6) AE182
2-3:20 pm
_____ Caesar’s Women (4) HS214
_____ Classic Plays of Shakespeare (3) LI144
_____ Lives Well Lived (5) PY156
_____ Heroes of Our Times (7) PL128
_____ Bebop and Beyond: Jazz Innovations (8) MA191
_____ Science Wednesdays (4) SI108
Thursday
11 am-12:20 pm
_____ Evolution of Intelligence (3) SI135
_____ Financial Literacy (3) EC126
_____ History of NYC: Wilderness to Sky High City (4) HS215
_____ The Art of Listening: Exploring Song Lyrics (6) MA192
_____ Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth (7) PL129
The New Yorker Magazine Conversations (8) LI125
_____ Suprising Contributors to Am. Pop Music (8) MA193 online
_____ Living Your Legacy (3) HL154
_____ Jame Joyce's Dubliners (5) LI162 online
2-3:20 pm
_____ OLLI Movie Club (8) AE144
_____ U.S. China Rivlary in Southeast Asia (8) CV155
_____ Women in Modern Architecture (6) AP177
_____ History Thursday (6) HS194
2-3:30 pm
_____ Listening to Women (7) CV156
Friday
Workshops (3 hours)
9:30 am-12:30 pm
_____ Finding Your Florida Style (1) HL121
_____ Ralph Waldo Emerson on Writing for Your Life (1) WR126
10 am-1 pm
_____ New Year, New Start, Get with the New Program (1) HL155
_____ Prioritizing Brain Health (1) HL156
_____ Your Enteric Nervous System (1) HL157
_____ A Proactive Approach to Building Bone Density (1) HL158
_____ Posture, Joint Mobility, and Balance (1) HL159
_____ Van Gogh: From Haystacks to Smokestacks (1) AP180
_____ Spirituality and Your Identity (1) PL112
_____ Decode Your Sacred Contracts (1) PY158
_____ How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book (1) WR125
Single Sessions (60, 80, or 90 minutes)
10-11:20 am
_____ Art & Elegance: Treasures of Tiffany (1) AP179
1-2 pm
_____ A Visual Artist's Process and Journey (1) AP165
_____ Unlocking Architectural Lessons of Life (1) AE183
_____ Evolution of the Home (1) AE185
_____ Behind the Scenes with Naughty Maria Von Trapp (1) AE186
_____ Parenting Secrets to...Puppies and Dogs (1) PY157
1-2:20 pm
_____ What's in Your Genes (1) PL130
1-2:30 pm
_____ FL Highwaymen: Pioneers of Art and Enterprise (1) AP178
_____ Who Are the Jews of India (1) TV113
Classes (2-8-sessions)
10-11:20 am
_____ The Berlin Wall (2) HS216
_____ Introduction to Photographic Storytelling (3) PH401
10 am-1 pm
_____ Alfred Hitchcock Films of the ‘50s and ‘60s (8) AE184
Art Appreciation
New: Visual Artists Designing for the Stage
Course #AP181
Nanette Crist
Ringling College Museum Campus
Monday: 10-11:20 am
1 Session: Jan. 27
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Scenic and costume design are integral parts of any performing arts event. Sets establish where and when the action takes place. Costumes provide clues to the characters’ identities. Many visual artists have ventured into the world of scenic and costume design with exciting results. In this class we’ll take a look at some of those designs in the theater, the opera, and the ballet. Featured artists include Picasso, Hockney, and Chagall. Note: This class is a repeat of the course taught in the 2024 summer session. “Stage Designs by Robert Indiana and Other Artists” is a related course.
New: Stage Designs by Robert Indiana and Other Artists
Course #AP175
Nanette Crist
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesday: 11 am-12:20 pm
1 Session: Feb. 4
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Scenic and costume design are integral parts of any performing arts event. In this class, we’ll take a look at visual artists who have designed for the stage, including Anish Kapoor (Cloud Gate). The primary focus will be Robert Indiana’s work on the Gertrude Stein opera The Mother of Us All. Philomena Marano, studio assistant to Indiana for the project, will provide an insider’s view of the process. Note: This class is a stand-alone continuation of “Visual Artists Designing for the Stage.”
New: The Business of Art: The Secrets of Success
Course #AP176
Wendy Rosen
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
7 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 26
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
The marketplace for art is no longer a mystery. This course helps artists and artisans in every medium grow a successful studio business plan and migrate from local to national sales with top retailers, boutiques, and galleries nationwide where creative works sell at higher prices. Since 1994, this program has been held in Italy, Ireland, Barbados, Canada, and at 50 colleges, art centers, and art schools across the U.S. Topics covered include: Making Work That Sells, The Secrets of Pricing, Getting into Top Art Fairs, Selling Art Online, Trends, Gallery Negotiations, Alternative & Niche Markets, Art as a Product, and Selling Wholesale. Learn the success stories of top makers, jewelry designers, sculptors, and painters.
New: Public Arts Walking Tour
#AP182 Florida Studio Theatre & Cocoanut Area • Feb. 19
#AP183 City Hall & Five Points Park • Feb. 26
#AP184 Rosemary District • March 5
Judith Levine, Nanette Crist, and Stephenie Frasher
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
3 sessions: Feb. 19-March 5
Gold Member: $12 for each tour
Silver Member and General Admission: $15 for each tour 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. Note: Rain dates are the following week at the same class time. Students will receive an email with tour starting points.
Art Appreciation (cont.)
New: Women in Modern Architecture
Course #AP177
Robert Cassway
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 16-Feb. 20
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Women architects own or are partners in a significant number of architectural firms. They produce many fine, well-designed buildings and receive quite a few design awards, including the Pritzker Prize. This class examines the careers of a number of internationally prominent women architects. Including Minerva Nichols, the first woman architect in the United States; Julia Morgan, the first registered woman architect in California; and Zaha Hadid, one of the most important architects of the 21st century, plus many other great women designers.
A Visual Artist's Process and Journey
Course #AP165
Kelly Parisi Castro Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: Jan. 17
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Have you ever wondered why an artist chooses a particular subject? Why they choose a certain medium or expressive style — representational vs. abstraction, for example? Every artist has an individual process and journey in creating their work. From the earliest stages of discovery and inspiration through the process resulting in the final work of art, the instructor will discuss her creative journey as an artist, her move to Florida, and her fascination with the natural beauty found in her new surroundings. She will share revealing photographs of the stages of paintings in progress. This session is a visual feast for art lovers and the art curious
New: The Florida Highwaymen: Pioneers of Art and Enterprise
Course #AP178
Stephenie Frasher
Arts Advocates Gallery
Friday: 1-2:30 pm
1 Session: Jan. 17
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
In 2004, 26 Florida Highwaymen artists were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. The Highwaymen, self-taught artists who began painting in the mid-1950s, overcame the social conditions of the Jim Crow South and thrived as painters and entrepreneurs. Unable to sell their works in galleries, they sold their paintings from the trunks of their cars along Highway A1A. Join Stephenie Frasher for an in-depth look at six of the 26 Highwaymen artists: Alfred Hair, Al Black, Rodney Demps, James Gibson, John Maynor, and Sam Newton. The lecture will feature closeup looks at the artists' paintings, video clips of the artists demonstrating their painting style, and personal tales of being part of the Highwaymen.
Minerva Parker Nichols Historical Society of Pennsylvania
New: Art & Elegance: The Treasures of Tiffany & Co.
Course #AP179
Nanette Crist and Stephenie Frasher
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10-11:20 am
1 Session: Feb. 14
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Tiffany & Co. is known for its luxury jewelry, place settings, and more, all waiting to be wrapped up in the store’s signature blue boxes and taken home. Already famous for its elegant setting, the flagship store in New York was reopened last year after a four-year renovation. In the midst of all that architectural beauty, you can find worldclass art on display. Join Stephenie Frasher and Nanette Crist as they share some of the store’s history and artwork in its outstanding art collection. You might want to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s to get in the mood!
New:
Van Gogh: From Haystacks to Smokestacks
Course #AP180
Marie-Agnès Sourieau
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Feb. 21
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Van Gogh is viewed as the quintessential painter of nature. An array of exhibitions and scholarly books devoted to his art focus on the theme of nature in its multiple variations. This romanticized vision conveys the idea that Van Gogh, who lived at a time of rampant industrialization, somehow managed to sidestep or even avoid its far-reaching and, at times, destructive effects. In fact, his art was deeply engaged with modern industry and, specifically, industrial pollution. The seminar will address Van Gogh’s genius in his representation of the troubling changes of the environment in the natural world he loved so much.
Arts and Entertainment
New: The Connected History of Games and Computers
Course #AE179
Alexandra Cahn
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 10-11:20 am
4 Sessions: Jan. 13-Feb. 10 (Note: No class on Jan. 20)
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
From Spacewar! to Solitare, video games have evolved with technology at unprecedented speeds, but how did this revolution start? What are video games? What is a computer in the first place? This course will answer all those questions and more. Video games and computers have always been connected, but the “how” or “why” is often overlooked. Overshadowed by flashy technology, the humble beginnings of gaming tell tales of a fascinating history.
New: “Who Should Win” vs. “Who Will Win” the 2024 Oscar Race
Course #AE180
Roxanne Baker and Jeff Ryder
Ringling College Museum Campus
Monday: 2-3:20 pm
1 Session: Feb. 24
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Remember Siskel and Ebert? Join our own OLLI film instructors, Roxanne Baker and Jeff Ryder as they discuss and defend their choices to win Academy Awards. The duo will showcase the top nominations — Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, and a few other categories — and pose the questions “Who Should Win” vs. “Who Will Win” an Oscar. Through the years, many have debated this question because rarely are they the same answer. Each instructor will give you their answers to both questions. See if you agree and enjoy watching the two cinephiles look into their crystal balls to predict their winners.
Arts and Entertainment
New: Mah Jongg for Everyone — Beginners Course
Course #AE181
Michelle Chaplin
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
5 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 11
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $85
This is a game played with tiles as you experience the thrill of ancient China. Mah Jongg is a game of skill, strategy, and a degree of chance. It is a social game that involves fun and conversation. The goal of the game is to reach certain combinations of tiles before your opponents. This course is hands-on and includes handouts. Reasons for playing Mah Jongg: science says it is beneficial for memory difficulties; positively affects your mood; and improves concentration. Come learn and have fun. Note: Students must purchase the 2024 National Mah Jongg League Card by the second class. The cards are $14 for a small and $15 for a large. You can purchase cards online at https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/store.
New: Beginning Modern American Canasta
Course #AE182
Donna Miller-Small
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 19
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Do you want to learn the basics of Canasta? Here’s your chance! Canasta is a fun, social, and partnership card game that is now sweeping the country. Simple step-by-step instructions and supportive handouts will help participants build their skills. This class is for beginners and requires no previous knowledge. It is recommended that students purchase the book Modern American Canasta: The Complete Guide by Donna Miller-Small and Dara Collins. The book will be available from the instructor for $26. Note: The book is not a requirement for participating in and enjoying the class.
New: OLLI Movie Club
Course #AE144
Joe Cucci
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
8 Session: Jan. 16-March 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
The OLLI Movie Club is a very casual discussion group. It is not a lecture series. It’s just like your neighborhood book club. It meets weekly. Your homework is “go see a movie” that’s assigned, then meet to discuss it with other folks who love films. The moderator will pick movies that are playing in theaters that week as well as those showing on Netflix and Amazon Prime. This is the period when the best movies are getting buzz prior to the Oscars. The moderator will provide some cursory background information and then will steer the discussion that is driven by the OLLI Movie Club members.
New: Unlocking the Architectural Lessons of Life ON and AT the Beach
Course #AE183
David O’Bryan Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: Jan. 17
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
A fun architectural discussion regarding the relationship between the natural environment (On the Beach) and the built environment (At the Beach). These two territories have distinct qualities, yet the two must exist in a symbiotic way. The boundary the two create should be valued and never ignored. We will look at cities and projects along Florida’s coastline and discuss the pros and cons of how this boundary was challenged for the good of both.
New: Alfred Hitchcock Films of the 1950s and 1960s
Course #AE184
Jeff Ryder
Ringling College Museum Campus
Fridays: 10 am-1 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 17-March 7
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Alfred Hitchcock was one of the greatest film directors. Many of his best films were made during the 1950s and 1960s. These include Rear Window, North by Northwest, and Psycho. We will view all films in class with a brief introduction before each screening, followed by additional background and a group discussion of the film.
New: Evolution of the Home: From the 20th, 21st, and Anticipated 22nd Century
Course #AE185
David O’Bryan
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: Feb. 7
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Have you ever wondered if people in the year 1901 considered what a house would be like in 2001? How about us today discussing what features a house will have in 2101? This lecture will look backward from 2000 to see how homes have changed, then look forward to see if there is a connection. How we use and value a home is, many times, connected to the cultural and economic times around us. Although this is a great factor in the evolution of homes, we will discover that home trends are a by-product of simply what excites people and how they want to better their lives, regardless of the times.
New:
Behind the Scenes with Naughty Maria von Trapp
Course #AE186
Donna Serio
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: Feb. 21
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Singer, actress, director, writer, and storyteller Donna Serio delights participants with an invitation to go behind the scenes as she relives her role as Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Her surprising and entertaining tale of theatrical mischief takes you backstage from audition to final performance in which circumstances compelled her younger actress self to become, not just a mischievous Maria, but a “Naughty Maria!” Donna shares the story, sings from the show's much-beloved repertoire, and fully embodies the original characters. Enjoying rare audience access, you will learn about a world of hidden theatrical mishaps. Hold onto your proverbial hats. You may never think of life on the musical theater stage in quite the same way again.
Culture and Travel
New: Culture Trip 2025: A Global Exploration
Course #TV112
Garry Grossman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Join us to be challenged and inspired as each week we explore a new article by a contemporary travel writer. The best travel writing is not about sightseeing. It is a lens into the human story. Consider:
•An adventurous couple decides to honeymoon in Iran.
•A visitor to Otavalo, Ecuador, experiences the psychological dissonance of donning the traditional costume of the local indigenous women.
•The construction of a Hindu temple on the ruins of a mosque tests the limits of Hindu-Moslem harmony in Ayodhya, India.
If you thrive on intelligent, informative discussions led by a focused facilitator who offers you the opportunity to be heard and also to evaluate and expand your own views, this course is for you.
Who Are the Jews of India?
Course #TV113
Sue Spector
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2:30 pm
1 Session: Feb. 21
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
How and when did the three different Jewish groups arrive in India? And who are the recently discovered fourth group? What has each group contributed to the growth and development of life in India? What challenges have they faced? Is their cultural and religious life similar or different to that of Jews in other countries? What is their future? Learn from this multi-media presentation about the life of Jews in India, as well as see the sights that everyone visiting India must see.
Current Events and Global Issues
New: Should We Change Our Election Process?
Course #CV151
John Scibak
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 10-11:20 am
5 Sessions: Feb. 3-March 3
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $85
Are the processes and systems that were created in 1787 still relevant and effective today? Does your vote really make a difference if you don't live in a “swing state?" What did we learn from the 2024 election? Are there better alternatives to our current primary system or the Electoral College? How has technology impacted elections, and what can we expect for the future? What can be done to rebuild voter confidence and ensure the integrity of our elections? Join us for the discussion.
World in Transition
Course #CV108
Peter Mermin
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 18
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
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.
Miscarriage of Justice: Wrongful Convictions
Course #CV152
Rick Steinmann
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
6 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 19
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
The course will address “factually innocent” persons who are nonetheless convicted and incarcerated for a crime they did not commit. Discussions will include common contributing factors such as mistaken eyewitness identifications, false confessions, forensic science problem areas, incentivized informants, ineffective defense counsel, and prosecutorial and police misconduct. We will also consider potential remedies to reduce wrongful convictions and the issues that confront those who are exonerated relative to their re-entering society.
New: Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and the Constitution
Course #CV153
Hollis Weisman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
6 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 19
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
The class will survey how the Constitution affects law enforcement and public safety. In particular, we will study how the Exclusionary Rule evolved to limit the use of evidence seized unlawfully by law enforcement officers under the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution and how those limitations have expanded and contracted periodically during the 20th and 21st centuries. These issues are particularly relevant in light of the prosecutions arising out of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. We will discuss who benefits from these Constitutional protections — those charged with crimes or the public who wants protections from crimes.
Global and Local Environments
Course #CV154
Richard Gelpke
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
This descriptive course will cover the broad aspects of our physical environment — the atmosphere, the water sphere, and the earth's surface. For each, we will look at patterns across the globe. After ascertaining the “big picture,” we will then focus on the U.S. Southeast and detail the importance and impacts, especially to Florida. How have these influences played out historically and now? For the atmosphere — change; for the water — water supply/Everglades; and the landscape — living near the ocean (barrier islands). There will be extensive use of graphics with lots of references to websites and print resources relevant to current topics.
United States — China Rivalry in Southeast Asia
Course #CV155
Paul Sarno
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 16-March 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
The long rivalry between the U.S. and China has intensified relative to the 11 countries of Southeast Asia (from Myanmar/ Burma to Timor-Leste). This course will explore the contest in these aspects: history, military clashes (including the South China Sea), trade, foreign direct investment, aid, soft power, and diplomacy.
Economics and Finance
Advanced Investment Analysis
Course #EC108
Lauren Rudd
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am
8 Sessions: Jan. 14-March 4
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
This course takes students into an in-depth analysis of equities for possible inclusion in a portfolio. Students will learn about different models and analyze various methods for selecting equities based on quantitative analysis. At the completion of the class, students should be able to create a list of dividend-paying equities to be used in building a profitable portfolio. Reading lists, Excel models, and internet resource website will be provided.
New:
Financial Literacy: The Key to Making Good Financial
Decisions
Course #EC126
Roz Goldberg
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
3 Sessions: Jan. 16-Jan. 30
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
Want to improve your "financial literacy?" Learn more about basic financial concepts and terminology? How the value of money discounts over time? Whether using “puts” or “calls” is a good strategy for you? The difference between your “marginal tax rate” and your “effective tax rate?” Explore the elements of investing, basic investment strategies, and estate planning? If you answered “yes,” this is the course for you. The class will be very interactive and fun, so please be prepared to participate. Bring your desire to learn, your questions, and a pen or pencil.
Health and Lifestyles
New: Create Pollinator Gardens and Stunning
Potted Arrangements
Course #HL149
Tenille Dixon Pawlus
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
2 Sessions: Jan. 27-Feb. 3
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Learn how to attract butterflies to your landscape and create a pollinator garden. Don’t have a garden, no problem. In this two-session class, you will learn how to create stunning potted arrangements for your home as well as for pollinators.
Understanding Dementia
Course #HL114
Bonnie Garvey Spadafora
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 18
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
What do Tippi Hedren, Mavis Leno, and Bruce Willis have in common? The diagnosis of dementia. What is dementia? Is it all about Alzheimer’s, or are there other types? Why does it occur? Will I get it? Can I avoid it? We will discuss these questions and related topics like coping with the emotional impact of dementia, communicating with a confused person, and dealing with changing behaviors in a loved one. We will also review legal issues, current research, and treatment options. Class interaction will be encouraged. There is no required text.
Learn “Mendful Meditation” and Reach Beyond Mindfulness
Course #HL150
Rabbi Sigal
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am
2 Sessions: Jan. 21 and Jan. 28
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
There are many kinds of meditation techniques. While mindfulness is a foundation to living with awareness, “mendful” meditation trains us to see and live in our interconnected world. The instructor will teach new meditation methods to free the mind, heart, habitual self-loathing, resentment, and pain. Rabbi Sigal is the founder of “Mendful — Live Connected.” Join her in these sessions to find new ways to peace, contentment, and joy. All are welcome. No meditation experience is necessary.
New: Increase Calm and Resilience in Uncertain Times
Course #HL151
Gail Sussman-Miller
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
2 Sessions: Jan. 21 and Feb. 4
(Note: Class meets every other week)
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Gain a sense of control, stability, and well-being in a world of uncertainty and ambiguity. Like a hidden browser slowly draining your computer’s battery, stress quietly impacts your mental and physical health. In this course, you’ll learn to reduce stress and increase joy by mindfully and strategically managing your limited Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual (P.I.E.S.) energy. We’ll explore exercises and techniques to boost resilience, calm, and concentration, helping you navigate change with ease. Set empowering boundaries and discover freedom and choices you didn’t realize you had. Embrace the opportunity to live with greater peace, clarity, and power.
Living Long and Well
Course #HL152
Herbert Cohen
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: Jan. 21-Feb. 11
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
What are the pathways to living a long and healthy life? We will explore the factors that are associated with happiness and better health as people age. Research will be presented citing five key elements of longevity. You will learn how to tolerate anger, sorrow, and fear to make positive lifechanging moves to increase joy. The course will also explore ways you can lower your odds of developing dementia.
New: Finding Your Fitness Personality
Course #HL153
Wendy LeBolt
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
3 Sessions: Feb. 19-March 5
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
What is the best way to stay physically fit? Experts say, “The best exercise is the one you keep doing.” If you’re having trouble sticking with your fitness plan, you may not be the problem. Maybe the fitness activity you’ve chosen doesn’t match your fitness personality. In this class, we will use Suzanne Brue’s book, The 8 Colors of Fitness, to consider “fitness personality types.” Then, using her assessment tool, we'll find the “color” of our fitness and use this new information to find ways to match our fitness activities with our fitness personalities. The goal of this class: each participant will emerge with fitness activities they’ll enjoy and keep on doing! Note: Students are encouraged to purchase their own book to take full advantage of weekly assignments. The book can be purchased inexpensively online ($5 used or $20 new). Be sure to get the full textbook with the orange cover. The full title of the text is: The 8 Colors of Fitness: Discover Your Color-Coded Fitness Personality and Create an Exercise Program You'll Never Quit! by Suzanne Brue. Do not purchase the workbook or handbook.
Health and Lifestyles (cont.)
New: Living Your Legacy
Course #HL154
Rabbi Sigal
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
2 Sessions: Jan. 23 and Jan. 30
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Instead of leaving a legacy, the instructor invites you to explore living your legacy. As we age, some may feel that life is not as infused with meaning and purpose as it used to be. By reflecting on your values and passions, you will discover what is most meaningful and important to you in this life. Rabbi Sigal will guide you in a contemplative process of reflection on your life experiences and values and how they affected your life choices. Then, gleaning insights, you will be able to see a path and pave a way to live your legacy — a life of purpose, peace, and joy — more fully now. Bring a notepad and pen.
New: New Year, New Start, Get with the New Program!
Course #HL155
Paula Morris
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Jan. 17
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Look, feel, and live better! There are new recommendations for aging well achievable through lifestyle factors to maintain vitality, healthy weight, muscle, bone, and joint strength and flexibility, immune resilience, cognitive function, and overall youthfulness and longevity. Learn what multiple studies confirm is the new roadmap of small lifestyle changes to begin, or to continue, living well.
New: Prioritizing Brain Health
Course #HL156
Paula Morris
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Jan. 24
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Neuroscience and psychology endorse key lifestyle factors impacting cognitive health. Learn what research tells us reduces dementia risk and how to recognize 10 early signs of possible impairment. Take away the awareness of what you can do NOW to take charge of your future.
Finding Your Florida Style
Course #HL121
Gail Condrick
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
1 Session: Jan. 31
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
It's all new — the weather, the activities, and your clothes! In this half-day workshop, you will get tips on how to dress like a native, where to shop from consignment to high-end shops, and how to create looks that work for Florida and beyond all while having fun. Perfect for seasonal visitors, retirees, and anyone transitioning to a Florida lifestyle or in need of a style uplift.
New: Your Enteric Nervous System and the Mind-Gut Connection
Course #HL157
Paula Morris
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Jan. 31
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
It's hard to feel good and stay healthy when experiencing gastrointestinal “GI" issues or emotional upset. The relationship between mind and body is well established but not well understood. Stress hormones and endorphin release play a significant role in both. Yoga's therapies of movement, breathing, and meditation relax brain reactivity and the gut's enteric nervous system (the so-called "second brain") allowing for improved digestion, nutrient absorption, and calm, positive states of mind. In addition, 70% of our immune defenses live in our guts, so taking good care of this area can't be overstated. Learn how you can regulate the health of these vital systems.
New: A Proactive Approach to Building Bone Density
Course #HL158
Paula Morris
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Feb. 7
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Aging puts everyone at risk for osteoporosis and fractures. Women over 50 and men over 70 are equally high risk. But there is much you can do through lifestyle to build bone density naturally, improving osteoporosis and even reversing osteopenia. Ongoing clinical research worldwide identifies specific dietary and exercise programs contributing significant benefits. Becoming well-informed and proactive today can strengthen and stabilize the building blocks of your movement.
New: Posture, Joint Mobility, and Balance
Course #HL159
Paula Morris
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Feb. 21
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Your skeletal alignment affects everything: heart and lung health, longevity of your joints and spine, back and arthritis pain, strength of your bones and muscles, balance and fall risk, and even your mood. Learn the biomechanics of optimal alignment and optimal range of motion to keep your body at its best.
History
The Great Cold War Nuclear War Crisis
You've Never Heard Of!
Course #HS210
Brian J. Morra
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 10-11:20 am
2 Sessions: Jan. 27 and Feb. 3
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
In the fall of 1983, there was a nuclear war crisis rivaled in history only by the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The instructor was a key participant in the events in 1983. This two-session course conveys both the amazing history and stories from his personal involvement. The course also relates the 1983 crisis to today's fraught geopolitics. The instructor dramatized the events in his 2022 awardwinning historical novel The Able Archers by Brian J. Morra, published by Koehler Books.
New: American Women in World War I
Course #HS211
Carole Munro
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 10-11:20 am
6 Sessions: Jan. 27-March 3
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
This six-session class looks at the shifting traditional roles of American women in the early 20th century, highlighting women's vital part in winning World War I. We will discuss the Gilded Age expectations of gender and trace how the New Woman emerged from a progressive era prior to America's entry into the war in Europe. During the Great War, we will focus on the essential contributions of American women on the home front and foreign battlefields, culminating in a legacy of political and cultural change.
New: American History: 1928-1948
Course #HS217
Ted Russell
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 27-March 3
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
1928-1948 — these were 20 of the most fascinating years in American history. Starting with the election of 1928 and ending with President Truman’s victory in 1948, we’ll go through the end of the 1920s boom, the Depression, the rise of Fascism in Europe, even World War II, and the beginning of the Atomic Age. Fasten your seatbelts for an exciting journey.
New: This Was Their Lives
Course #HS106
Jeffrey Sherman, Dent Davis, Mary Ziegler, Alex Beavers, Sandy Moulin, and Bill Simpson Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 27-March 3
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Join us each week as a different instructor leads you on a journey of discovery, delving into the lives of historical figures, both well-known and lesser-known. You may be familiar with some of their stories, but others may be new to you. By the end, you'll have a snapshot of their lives. You may learn about their highs and lows and why they are important in history.
Jan. 27: Groucho Marx with Jeffrey Sherman
Groucho Marx starred on Broadway, in the movies, and on TV. With his brothers, he made over a dozen classic cinematic comedies, and Groucho himself hosted one of TV's most beloved game shows, You Bet Your Life. Besides being an unmatched raconteur, Groucho was a prodigious correspondent and author. Hear his story — rising from the tenements of lower Manhattan to the peak of comedic genius and worldwide adoration.
Feb. 3: Ralph Waldo Emerson with Dent Davis
Few thinkers in American life have had the enduring influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Called the “American Sage,” Emerson lived during one of the most challenging and exciting periods of American history. Both then and now, his writings have served countless readers as an inspiration, and a wonderful example of wisdom, in the best sense of the word.
Feb. 10: Myles Horton with Mary Ziegler
How can ordinary people achieve extraordinary things?
Myles Horton, educator and activist, grappled with this question by founding Highlander Folk School in 1932, a unique learning center where adults could come together to solve problems and create meaningful change in their communities. In this session, we will explore Horton’s remarkable life, his pivotal influence on the Civil Rights movement, and the enduring power of his educational vision to inspire and empower people today.
Feb. 17: Perry Wallace, The First Scholarship Athlete of Color in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with Alex Beavers
In 1966, Perry Wallace accepted a basketball scholarship offer from Vanderbilt University making him the first Black scholarship athlete in the SEC. Perry and I were the same age, I was his teammate on the Vanderbilt basketball team, and we both majored in electrical engineering. He later went on and earned a juris doctorate from Columbia and had a distinguished career as a professor at American University in D.C. We both grew up in the segregated South (Nashville); however, we might as well have been in parallel universes. I last saw Perry at a Vanderbilt class reunion just a few months before he passed away a few years ago. It would be my honor to share his story with anyone who wishes to listen.
Feb. 24: Over the Moon: The Story of Johnny Mercer with Sandy Moulin
Accentuate the Positive, Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, and Autumn Leaves, are only a few of the over 1,500 songs written by lyricist Johnny Mercer. His story resonates with joy, sorrow, and adventure. Music was only part of the legacy of this colorful musical icon. In this session, Johnny’s wife, Ginger, (played by Sandy Moulin), will AC-CEN-TU-ATE highlights of their rocky 45-year marriage and entertain with live piano excerpts of his most famous songs.
March 3: Why Ulysses S. Grant Matters – Now More Than Ever with Bill Simpson
The historiography of the U.S. Civil War, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow has systematically misrepresented the remarkable life and achievements of Ulysses S. Grant. With a current renewed popular interest in Grant’s 1885 memoirs and improved scholarly access to The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant since their relocation to Mississippi State University in 2008, a revitalized Grant narrative has emerged from the historical mist of 19th-century “Lost Cause” Confederates and 20th century “States Rights” segregationists. This presentation covers the best recent research and analysis on Grant with a focus on why the general who won the Civil War and why the president, who championed civil rights for freedmen and native Americans, deserves to be re-examined by each new generation of American students and citizens.
A Maritime History of Florida
Course #HS212
Stan Zimmerman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 14-March 4
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Florida’s history is governed by the sea. Its shores, tributaries, rivers, and swamps all have starring roles at different times. This eight-week course begins with the peninsula’s geographic formation, progresses to its first human inhabitants, and then the post-Columbian eras of sail and steam. The stage is strewn with conquistadors, smugglers, gun-runners, submarines, nuclear weapons, and shipwrecks galore.
History (cont.)
New: The Rise and Fall of the 19th Century Presidency
Course #HS170
Jeff Newman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
For its first half-century, America had only seven presidents. Each became a historical icon for the nation. Some grace the currency. Two are on Mount Rushmore, and all seven are highly prominent in the history books. However, the remainder of the 19th century presents a different story. Seventeen different presidents, many barely known to today's public, rotated through the White House. Why such a drastic change? Who were the men (and the women) who attempted to guide our nation through the political minefields of that age? What were the issues making their task so challenging in a divided nation? It was a different time and, yet, maybe not so different!
Intelligence and U.S. Foreign Policy
Course #HS213
Michael Gibson
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
U.S. foreign policy consists of the strategies we use to protect our domestic and international interests, and determines how we interact with other state and non-state actors on the global stage. Intelligence informs these strategies and offers insights on how effective these policies may be. After a brief look at early U.S. history, this course will trace U.S. foreign policy since World War II and examine how the intelligence community interacts with the government to protect and enhance our national security.
New: Caesar's Women Course #HS214
Beverly Jennings
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 5
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
We all know the name Julius Caesar, but what about his women? Caesar had several! In this course, we will talk about the man himself, “his women,” plus other classical world women — famous women and others most people have not heard of.
History of New York City — Wilderness to Sky High City Course #HS215
Michael Sherrow Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
4 Sessions: Jan. 16-Feb. 6
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
How did a small island become the capital of the world? How did its early Dutch and English settlers, and later immigrants, influence its development, culture, and personality? Which individuals and events accelerated its progress and growth? How did it adapt to adversity when tough times arrived? These are some of the questions and topics we will explore and discuss.
New: History Thursdays
Course #HS194
Michael Gibson, Beverly Jennings, Monroe Brett, Michael Sherrow, Bob Busch, and Brian J. Morra Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 23-Feb. 27
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Jan. 23: The 1968 Vietnam Tet Offensive with Michael Gibson
The Tet Offensive, launched in January 1968, was a campaign of surprise attacks against U.S. and Vietnamese targets across South Vietnam. The American public, having been told that we were winning the war, was caught completely off guard. The campaign, although technically a military victory, severely undermined the position of U.S. senior military leaders and the credibility of President Johnson. As a result, the President announced he would not run for re-election. This marked the beginning of the end of our involvement in that war and ushered in the Presidency of Richard Nixon.
Jan. 30: Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare with Beverly Jennings
There were three Masters of Command in the ancient world: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and the general from Carthage: Hannibal Barca. Hannibal famously took his troops and war elephants across the Alps to fight the Romans. Carthage and Rome fought for supremacy in the Mediterranean and for who would rule the Western world for the next 500 years. Gen. “Stormin’ Norman” Schwarzkopf said he used some of Hannibal’s tactics during the Gulf War.
Feb. 6: Music from Broadway and Hollywood with Monroe Brett
Patriotic American Music traces American History. Melodies and songs we have stood to sing to, played at the ballpark, and marched into battle — all follow and relate our story. The Star-Spangled Banner, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and This Land is Your Land are historic documents because they changed the attitudes and culture of this country. Patriotic music was composed by the earliest settlers and is still being composed anew today. A special feature of this class is that students will be able to pick their favorites.
Feb. 13: Russia – A History of Tyranny: Modern Russia Since Lenin with Bob Busch
Why is Russia hostile to the ideas of freedom and democracy? Their view of the world is so different from ours in the West. This is an overview of Russia’s modern history. We begin with the 1917 revolution and the founding of communism in Russia. We then look at Stalin’s reign through World War II and the division of Europe. Continuing with a review of the Cold War years up to the reforms under Gorbachev. Finally, we take a look at the age of Putin. We examine why Russia today remains a paradox of political, economic, and military power.
Feb. 20: Draft Riots of 1863 with Michael Sherrow
In New York City, during the Civil War in the summer of 1863, there were four days of riots triggered, in part, by the recently enacted draft laws. Scores were killed, many more wounded and, arson, looting, and the lynching and rape of Black citizens all went mostly unchecked by an undermanned and partially sympathetic police force. It was a shameful stain on that city and took many years of healing to remove that stain. We will discuss the causes and consequences and lessons learned from these days of anarchy.
Feb. 27: The Other Side of Charlie Wilson's War with Brian J. Morra
The Tom Hanks film Charlie Wilson's War dealt with the secret involvement of the CIA in the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and its eventual defeat which had major repercussions for the world. The lecture will focus on the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the CIA program to arm the Islamic resistance, and the reverberations of those actions we still feel today.
History (cont.)
The Berlin Wall – A Scar on the Face of Freedom
Course #HS216
Bob Busch
Ringling College Museum Campus
Fridays: 10-11:20 am
2 Sessions: Jan. 24 and Jan. 31
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Do you want a history of the Berlin Wall from the perspective of a Berlin resident? The Berlin Wall was an aberration in history that divided a city for three decades and started the Cold War. The victorious Allied Powers met in Potsdam to decide the fate of Europe. Europe was divided into spheres of influence, and tensions resulted in the Wall. This is a twopart series on the construction and the fall of the Wall. Part one covers the East/West tensions in Berlin and construction of the Wall. Part two covers the historic events in the fall of the Wall and German reunification. The instructor lived in Berlin before and after the fall of the Wall.
Language
New: Introductory French, Part 3
Course #LA120
Dianne Tisman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 10-11:20 am
7 Sessions: Jan. 13-March 3 (Note: No class Jan. 20)
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
This course picks up where Introductory French, Part 2 ends and continues to develop the four major skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing French.
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
• discuss their daily routine
• discuss what to see and do in a French-speaking city or country
• share a variety of vacation experiences
• make reservations by phone or email
• begin to relate past experiences
The instructor will provide materials for participants to review or complete between classes. Aspects of Francophone culture are presented throughout the course.
New: Situational French, Part 2
Course #LA121
Dianne Tisman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
7 Sessions: Jan. 13-March 3 (Note: No class Jan. 20)
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Designed for Advanced Beginners and Early Intermediates, this course picks up where the Fall class ended. The course continues to focus on role-playing that allows participants to acquire language through specific situational challenges and objectives. Some examples:
• how to place orders and make reservations in person and online
• how to complete transactions and engage in discussions in a bank
• how to exchange or return items in a store
• how to make different kinds of comparisons
Grammatical concepts are introduced to further situational objectives. Aspects of French culture are presented throughout the course.
New: The World's Great Literature
Course #LI145
Robert Kendal
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 14-March 4
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
We’ve broadened the Great Books focus on the classics of the Western canon to include curated selections of wonderful writings from world literature. Our selections cover a wide range — classical and contemporary, nonfiction and fiction, poetry and plays — but all seem to lead, both in the reading and in the conversation, to a stimulating expansion of our worldview. Each week, our discussions are facilitated by a volunteer from the class. The syllabus of specific readings will be emailed to those registered for the class about two weeks before the first session.
New: OLLI Mystery Book Club
Course #LI147
Joe Cucci
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: Jan. 14, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, and Feb. 25
(Note: Class meets every other week)
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
The OLLI Mystery Book Club is a very casual discussion group. The hope is to introduce you to new authors and series. You’ll read four books with one book being discussed for 80 minutes every other week. The moderator will select the first book; the other three will be selected by the class from a menu that will include books from three different categories. The moderator will provide some cursory background information and then will steer the discussion which is driven by the book club members. The first book to read is The Trail by Ray Anderson. Ray Anderson will attend that first session to discuss his book as well as answer questions about his journey to becoming an author.
New: OLLI Winter Book Club
Course #LI161
Carol Ellis
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18, and March 4
(Note: Class meets every other week)
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
The OLLI Winter Book Club will meet every other week and will read four books during the semester: two contemporary novels, one non-fiction, and one classic novel. The OLLI Book Club is a great opportunity to expand your reading repertoire and discuss interesting books with a thoughtful group of people. If you like to read or would like to find new genres and books to enjoy, please join us. The first book for the class will be Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner.
New: James Joyce's Dubliners
Course #LI162
Eliot Tarlin Online / Zoom
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
5 Sessions: Jan. 23-Feb. 20
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $85
Before his groundbreaking novel Ulysses, James Joyce (1882–1941) wrote exceptional short fiction. As he worked on these stories about his hometown, Dublin, and its inhabitants, his style of writing, his unique voice, and his confidence were developing rapidly. His 15 short stories are rich in detail about the people, their lives, and their city. We will be reading and discussing five stories from Dubliners including his masterpiece, The Dead. Though Dubliners was published over 100 years ago, these stories are universal and remain timeless. For the first class, students are asked to read The Sisters. Recommended text Dubliners by James Joyce Penguin Classics edition.
Literature (cont.)
Short Story Collective
Course #LI127
Debbie Mackler and Tom Miller
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:30 am
6 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 19
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: Russian Novelists: Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov
Course #LI163
Lawrence DeMilner Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
These three great writers launched the Golden Age of Russian Literature, an Age later illuminated by the likes of Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov. We will read and discuss Eugene Onegin, Dead Souls, and A Hero of Our Time — a tragic romance, wicked satire, and a memorable adventure. The reading assignments are about 700 pages over eight weeks. Recommended texts will be posted on the OLLI website under Instructor: Course Materials.
New: Classic Plays of Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar
Course #LI144
Stuart Mushlin
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
3 Sessions: Jan. 15, Jan. 29, and Feb. 12
(Note: Class meets every other week)
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
We will read and discuss three of Shakespeare’s classic plays: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. In this course, we will approach them from an adult perspective, setting aside any negative feelings that may have arisen from studying these plays in high school. Students are asked to read the plays before class.
The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations
Course #LI125
Alan Freedman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 16-March 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
For nearly a century, The New Yorker 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!
Music Appreciation
New: Great Cantors of the Golden Age Course #MA187
Cantor Murray E. Simon
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
2 Sessions: Jan. 27 and Feb. 3
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
The period from 1900 to 1950 is widely known as “the Golden Age of Cantorial Art.” Luminary cantors (hazzanim) such as Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt were considered the “rock stars” of synagogue chant. People would throng to hear their favorite “rock star” cantor lead the prayer services and synagogues would compete for their services. In this course, we will study how this phenomenon came to be, and we will hear and see these great cantors through rare, historic films restored by the National Center for Jewish Film at Brandeis University. Please join us for this inspirational musical experience.
New: The 100 Greatest Movie Songs of All Time Course #MA188
Emanuel Abramovits Online / Zoom
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 18
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Songs have been a fascinating component of many of our favorite movies. Let's analyze the best ones in their cultural significance, their role within the movie itself, and their lyrics and memorability. Who was behind them, and the historical context when they were written? Great songs like Moon River, As Time Goes By, Mrs. Robinson, and My Heart Will Go On set a tone or mood, define character, advance the plot, and express the film's themes in a manner that elevates the art of moviemaking. These songs have also captured the nation’s heart and have resonated across time while enriching America’s film heritage.
New: Comparing Two Baroque Masters Course #MA189
Albert H. Cohen
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 14-March 4
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Two Baroque masters: one well-known, the other seldom heard: that is the subject of this course. The two are Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) and Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767). Both were prolific and wrote in diverse formats. Each week, we will hear music by both masters, compare and discuss.
New: Leontyne Price: Queen of the Met
Course #MA190
Theodore Medrek
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
4 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 5
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
When Leontyne Price opened the “new” Metropolitan Opera House in 1966, her status as America's reigning soprano and resident Met diva was confirmed. From her sensational Met debut in 1961 to her farewell in 1985, Price’s voice remained luxuriantly beautiful and fresh. The Laurel, M.S. native was also a standard bearer and role model for Black opera singers then just breaking down the barriers Black artists still faced in 1950s America. At the Met, she built upon Marian Anderson’s historic color barrier-breaking debut in 1955, opening its doors to a host of other supremely talented Black artists. We’ll discuss her rise to recognition in America and Europe, her illustrious Met career, and explore her legacy of recordings from opera to pop.
Music Appreciation (cont.)
New: Bebop and Beyond: Jazz Innovation of the 1940s-1960s
Course #MA191
Henry Ettman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Join our exploration of the remarkable period in jazz after swing from the ’40s through the ’60s, from bebop to the blossoming of jazz into a cornucopia of styles that shaped contemporary American music. We'll begin with the bebop “revolution,” then explore hard bop, cool jazz, and the evolving mainstream that followed. The jazz avant-garde, jazz-rock fusion, and evolving ethnic fusions such as Latin jazz will also be discussed. The impact of the jazz education movement, as well as major social/political changes that impacted jazz, will be incorporated into our musical journey. Recordings, rare photos, archival videos, and lively discussions (some with special guests) will enrich our experience.
New: The Art of Listening: Exploring Song Lyrics
Course #MA192
Robert Litwak
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 16-Feb. 20
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Our favorite songs shine like jewels in the treasure chests of our memories. Unlock the power of music and discover the profound stories hidden within the lyrics of your favorite songs. Join us for an interactive course designed specifically for music lovers who enjoy meaningful discussions. In this highly participatory course, you'll have the unique opportunity to bring your favorite songs to the class via YouTube. Whether your musical tastes lean towards the poetry of singer-songwriters, the anthems of rock bands, or the vivid narratives of musical theater, this is your stage to share these meaningful songs. Enroll in this course and let your favorite songs inspire and connect you with a vibrant community of music lovers.
New: Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh: Surprising Contributors to American Pop Music
Course #MA193
Tony Moon Online / Zoom
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 16-March 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
I know, I know — the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland. But, the question has always been, “Shouldn't it have been in Memphis or New Orleans?” This class will uncover littleknown facts about these three cities: the artists, record labels, songwriters, musicians, etc. Because neither city has a recording reputation, one would assume all three are part of America's Rock and Roll wasteland. Absolutely not! We will learn that artists from Doris Day to Eric Carmen; from the Isley Bros. to Tracy Chapman; The Vogues and The McCoys all came from those cities. Even the Bubblegum genre can call Cleveland home. We'll have lots of videos, interesting bios, stories, and tons of nostalgia. Come, join us. This will be fun!
Philosophy and Religion
Exploring Modern Dilemmas Through the Eyes of Jewish Tradition
Course #PL127
Sue Spector
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
6 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 19
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Life presents us with a litany of ethical dilemmas, some current, while others are ageless. Is it a sin to tell a lie? When should a person go through genetic testing? How much profit should a person in business make? How do we balance economic development with environmental concerns? What are our responsibilities to the hungry and homeless? In this course, open to those of all faiths, we will spend each session focusing on a different ethical dilemma, using biblical, Talmudic, medieval, and modern texts (in English). In doing so, we will explore what Jewish tradition says about these topics and add our thoughts to the beliefs of wise men through the ages.
New: Heroes For Our Time Video Salons
Course #PL128
David Lionel
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
7 Session: Jan. 15-Feb. 26
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
This class offers a chance to discover more about several consciousness leaders who have made a difference. The seven half-hour programs in the instructor’s “Heroes for Our Time” series present the Dalai Lama, Buckminster Fuller, Mikhail Gorbachev, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Patch Adams, Dennis Kucinich, and Planet Earth. These visionaries employ universal spiritual principles to achieve significant practical results. They show how to bring about a world with peace and justice that fulfills the fundamental human needs of all people and restores the biosphere. Such inspiring role models may put you in touch with the ideals that motivate you at the deepest level. The interactive format allows you to learn what your classmates care about most.
Darkness & Dawn: How Emerson, Thoreau, and James Recovered from the Greatest Losses of Their Lives
Course #PL126
Dent Davis
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
3 Sessions: Feb. 12-Feb. 26
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
Everyone experiences personal loss. This class will explore personal losses experienced by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and William James, three of America’s great 19th-century writers. What did they experience? What did they learn? What lessons might these three great authors offer to us today? Theirs is a story of resilience, courage, and creativity; a story important for any age but especially for anxious, uncertain times like these.
New: Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
Course #PL129
Tom Miller and Mahesh Patel
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
7 Sessions: Jan. 23-March 6
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
In this beloved six-part 1988 PBS series, mythologist and storyteller Joseph Campbell joins Bill Moyers to explore what enduring myths can tell us about our lives. Our course material for this discussion is one TV episode per week for six weeks. Each episode is one hour long, to be viewed at home and discussed in class in a seminar setting. The seventh class will be a discussion of our experience. Our goal is to further our understanding of how we got here and who we are. Sounds intriguing? It is! Join us.
Philosophy and Religion (cont.)
Spirituality
and Your Identity
Course #PL112
Alan Fisher
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Feb. 21
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
In this troubled, divisive, stressful, “mind-made” world, where many people are experiencing suffering from stress, anxiety, fear, or depression, it’s hard to imagine living in peace, love, joy, and harmony. Yet we have a choice. Most people identify themselves as the “thinking mind” and “their past” experiences. This workshop offers something different — an opportunity to not only learn about, but experience their true identity through unique written and oral exercises, meditation, videos, lectures, and discussion. Suggested readings (but not required): any books or videos by Eckhart Tolle and/or Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself.
New:
What's in Your Genes?
Course #PL130
Sue Spector and Tammy Li Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2:20 pm
1 Session: March 7
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
What role should genetic testing play in our lives? Who should be tested to see if they carry a genetic disease? Who should be told the results of the testing? Does genetic testing have a place in reproductive planning today? This presentation will look at what Jewish tradition has said about genetics and how modern medical science can interact with traditional practice. With more than 30 genetic diseases affecting Jewish ethnic groups, can other ethnic groups learn how to deal with medical issues affecting other groups as well?
Photography
New: Better Photography With the iPhone 16
Course #PH400
Alan Freedman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 9-10:20 am
5 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 11
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $85
It’s said that the best camera in the world is the one you have with you. And now, the new iPhone 16 features increasingly sophisticated controls, lenses, and editing tools. Today’s professional photographers now commonly rely on iPhones, and the iPhone 16 provides you too with the ability to create studio-quality portraits, magnificent nature studies, night photos, cinematic videos, astounding sound editing, and a variety of special effects. In this five-week class, you’ll learn how to create all this and more, as well as how to store and find all your newly-created masterpieces and family and vacation photos. The course is limited to those who have an iPhone 16; just bring your fully-charged iPhone and an interest in learning how to use the remarkable photographic tool that you carry every day.
New: An Introduction to Photographic Storytelling
Course #PH401
Harvey Schipper Ringling College Museum Campus
Fridays: 10-11:20 am
3 Sessions: Jan. 17-Jan. 31
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
Modern digital technology frees us to be artists and storytellers first and technicians second. This course is about the expression of inner vision through photography. We will examine (and create) images and ask the questions: What is the story I am trying to tell? How did I come to that point of view? How did I compose the image? What elements add to or detract from the story? We’ll start with the building blocks of an image: the light, lines, color, and form. We then build on those foundations to consider: perspective, mood, mystery, and revelation. Finally, we’ll put it all together by exploring and telling stories. Each session will mix examples from the instructor's experience with your explorations based on exercises and homework. Note: No prior photography experience is needed. This class is about artistic vision — not technology. Students can use any digital camera they have including an iPhone or Android.
Psychology
Aging as a Spiritual Journey
Course #PY153
Dent Davis and Mary Ziegler Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 18
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Research continually suggests that spirituality is one of the key factors in aging well. Spirituality contributes to having greater optimism, longevity, and a more meaningful life. But what is spirituality? How do you get it? And how does it fit into the complexities of aging in today’s anxious, complicated world? This class explores growing older from several psychological and spiritual perspectives, including insights from researchers, poets, artists, religious leaders, and researchers, in addition to exploring some helpful practices for the journey.
New: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
Course #PY154
Michael Bommer Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:20 am
7 Sessions: Jan. 22-March 5
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
You are not doomed by your genes and hard-wired to be a certain way for the rest of your life. A new science is emerging that empowers all human beings to create the reality they choose. In Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, Dr. Joe Dispenza combines the fields of quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology, and genetics to show what is truly possible. In this class, we will read and discuss this book and share insights. Students are encouraged to read the Forward and Introduction chapter prior to the first class. Note: Students can purchase course text online or at a local bookstore.
New: Psychology of Ancient Wisdom: Timeless Teachings of Euripides
Course #PY155
Davis Eisner and Barbara Shocket Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
8 Sessions: Jan. 15-March 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Unbridled power, unrequited love, fury, revenge, madness, and creativity — these are some of the universal and timeless themes expressed in the plays of the ancient Greek dramatist Euripides. In this class, we will interactively read selected plays, experiencing the passions of the human heart in dealing with the complexities of free-will, destiny, and life's ageless conflicts. Our text will be Ten Plays by Euripides, translated by Paul Roche, published by Signet Classics. Students must bring a copy of the Roche translation to class.
Lives Well Lived
Course #PY156
Julie Cotton Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
5 Sessions: Jan. 15- Feb. 12
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $80
What can we learn from people who have lived long and especially satisfying lives? The inspiring and enlightening film Lives Well Lived (we'll watch it in our first class) will serve as our springboard to answer this question. Using the findings of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, other readings, and class members’ experiences, we’ll explore what characteristics are vital to living in a deeply satisfying manner. We’ll also investigate how to bring more of these ingredients into our own lives so that we, even during our older years, can still experience joy and fulfillment. It's certainly true that while we can't go back and make a new start, we can start right now and make a new ending.
Psychology
(cont.)
New: Parenting Secrets to Bring Out the Best in Puppies and Dogs
Course #PY157
Wendy L. Sunshine
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: Jan. 17
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Take a journey of discovery into how best practices for helping at-risk children align with best practices for dog handling. We’ll dig into parallels between raising children and dogs, exploring why-and-how approaches that benefit all the little ones in our care. We’ll identify core needs shared by kids and dogs and foundational strategies that can be used to meet those needs for dogs—often in unexpectedly simple ways. We’ll consider parenting styles, how they influence outcomes, and why love alone isn’t always enough. The discussion will draw from case studies as well as research findings from the fields of genetics, neurobiology, child development, attachment, trauma, education, dog behavior, ethology, and animal welfare.
New: Decode Your Sacred Contracts: What is Your Purpose?
Course #PY158
Gail Condrick
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Feb. 21
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
The Decode Your Sacred Contracts workshop introduces an approach to analyzing and understanding your own life experiences and relationships with others. It is based on the New York Times bestselling book Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential by Caroline Myss. You will be introduced to the concept of the four archetypal patterns that everyone shares and reflect on how the spiritual energies of your Inner Child (Guardian of Innocence), Victim (Guardian of Self-Esteem), Saboteur (Guardian of Choice), and Prostitute (Guardian of Faith) influence you. This theory combines psychology and mysticism to re-evaluate the gifts of the people, places, and events that have shaped your life, to honor your unique journey, and bring clarity to future choices.
Science
A Guided Tour Through the Universe
Course #SI123
Kenneth P. Bechis
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-1 pm (Note: Extended Time)
4 Sessions: Jan. 21-Feb. 11
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
This four-session course will tour: 1. Our home territory in space: the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, the Inner Solar System, plus what happened to Mars? 2. Our amazing Solar System: new discoveries, water everywhere, thousands of undiscovered Plutos, Planet X, and entering the Milky Way. 3. Our Milky Way and the Realm of the Galaxies: other Earths, rogue planets, black holes, pulsars, deadly spiral arms, galaxy clusters and collisions, and the expanding Universe. 4. The Great Beyond: The James Webb telescope's journey to the beginning of time, dark matter, dark energy, parallel universes, other dimensions, and the end of everything. Each class will also introduce a ground-breaking female astronomer. Beautiful celestial imagery/videos and minimal math!
New: Introduction to Biotech Drugs: From Insulin to Gene Therapy
Course #SI134
Wendy Gabel
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: Jan. 14-Feb. 18
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
There is a lot in the news about the newest drugs for cancer, obesity, diabetes, and genetic disorders that all fall under the category of biotechnology. But what is “biotech,” and how does it differ from traditional drug development? This course will explore the history of biotechnology in drug development, starting with insulin and bringing us to the present day of gene therapy. The instructor will explain the basic principles of biology that allowed the discovery and manufacturing of drugs like insulin and explain the basic biology of the immune system that allows drugs like Keytruda to be developed and work against cancer.
New: Science Wednesdays
Course #SI108
Kenneth P. Bechis, Alex Beavers, Alan Grindal, and Steve Suau
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: Jan. 15-Feb. 5
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.
Jan. 15: Destination: Moon! with Kenneth P. Bechis
The U.S., China, and other countries are in a race back to the Moon — with landers, satellites, and astronauts. How will they get there? When? And especially, why? The Moon has affected life on Earth since its formation 4.5 billion years ago. What resources does the Moon possess for future exploitation besides water and He3? The U.S. Artemis program aims to land astronauts at the lunar south pole by 2026; and China by 2030. Who will win? Let's find out!
Jan. 22: View at 2025: How Generative AI Is Changing Our Lives with Alex Beavers
It has been three years now since the new Generative AI started trending. It has created trillions of dollars of new wealth. It is changing how we work, play, get medical care, and defend the nation. This discussion will highlight what has changed already and what is likely going to change next. This is not a doom-and-gloom discussion but an attempt to look objectively at the impact (costs and benefits) of the emerging changes.
Jan. 29: The History and Science of Flooding in Sarasota County: Is it Getting Worse? with Steve Suau
In recent years, Sarasota County has experienced several flood-causing rainfall events including the Myakka River watershed and North Port from Hurricane Ian in 2022 and the Phillippi Creek watershed from Hurricane Debby in 2024. Is the region more susceptible to flooding, and regardless, what can be done to reduce susceptibility?
Feb. 5: How Memory Works with Alan Grindal
Without memory, we would all be forced to live only in the present. Learning could not occur. Memory depends on the process of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP). This lecture will explore the biological basis of LTP and will examine the types, phases, and modifications of memory.
Science (cont.)
New: Evolution of Intelligence: Past, Present, and Future
Course #SI135
Alan Grindal
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
3 Sessions: Jan. 16-Jan. 30
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
The evolution of intelligence began with the origins of life. Advancement of survival skills progressed over millions of years through natural selection, adaptation, and competition. Humans have developed superior talents that have allowed them to rule over all other forms of life. Technology has the promise of extending human capacity to an uncertain future. This course will seek to follow this journey from the past to the future.
Technology
New: Artificial Intelligence — What is It and How Can You Use It?
Course #TC144
Ronni Loundy
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 10-11:20 am
3 Sessions: Feb. 3-Feb. 17
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
What exactly is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? In this course, you will delve into the fascinating world of AI. You will learn about its applications, use cases, and how it is transforming our lives. We will look at future applications as well as how you can protect yourself from AI scams and falsehoods.
Note: This course description was generated by AI.
Writing
Writing
Writers’ Workshop
Course #WR107
Ellen Brosnahan
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 9 am-12 pm
7 Sessions: Jan. 13-March 3 (Note: No class on Jan. 20)
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
The Writers’ Workshop provides an interactive setting for writers to share their work and receive feedback from one another. In this workshop, members read 5-10 pages of their finished work or work-in-progress and then have it critiqued (not criticized) by others. Constructive feedback acts as a motivating factor for further revising and editing. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. All genres are embraced. This class offers a non-threatening experience among a group of individuals who wish to improve their craft.
New: How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book
Course #WR125
Debra W. Englander
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10 am-1 pm
1 Session: Jan. 17
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Do you have a book idea that you’re eager to share with the world? You don’t want to wait years to get a literary agent or find a traditional publisher. Self-publishing is now an accepted and increasingly popular way for anyone to publish a book, both non-fiction and fiction. From finished manuscript to a book for sale on Amazon can take as little as three to four months. The key is having a book that is as professional as a traditionally published one. This workshop will provide a step-by-step guide to the self-publishing process including editing, cover design, back cover copy, and choosing the right Amazon categories. Strategies on marketing, publicity, and launching a book are also discussed.
New: Ralph Waldo Emerson on Writing for Your Life
Course #WR126
Ringling College Museum Campus
Dent Davis
Friday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
1 Session: March 7
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
This workshop merges two important learning currents of later life: pondering life’s meaning and imagining ways to share the story of that reflection. There’s no better teacher for either topic than Ralph Waldo Emerson. In one brief morning, we will explore how Emerson addressed these important topics in his writing, including trying out a few of his suggestions. In classic Emerson mode, this is both a workshop on writing and thinking (broadly conceived). Note: though, that even Emerson would say there is no expert. We each must make our own way. Sometimes, though, it helps to learn together. Join us on the journey!
Listening to Women 2025
Course #CV156
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:30 pm
7 Sessions. Jan. 23-March 6
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member and General Admission: $90
Listening to Women is a weekly series which recognizes women whose brilliance and fortitude have reshaped industries and who are making a difference in today’s communities. At each session, we will hear the personal stories of women, driven by a cause, with the passion and determination to have achieved success in a variety of fields.
Listening to Women is made possible, in part, with support from our sponsors.
The Listening to Women Team
Holly Freedman, Founder & Team Leader
Victoria Eckl
Bev Harms
Victoria Kasdan
Sherry Suggs
Jan. 23: Government, Politics, and Friendships: Women Who Made It Happen
Speakers: Maria Cino and Cindy Stevens
Moderator: Sandi Stuart
Three young women from different parts of the country, different ways of life, and different political leanings converged in the deeply polarized city of Washington, D.C. Each had very successful careers in government, politics, and the private sector. While their paths crossed in the Capital City, it wasn’t until the end of their careers that they met in Sarasota and forged lasting friendships. In this session, they will explore their unique stories and how, by unburdening themselves from deeply ingrained biases, they developed their current relationships.
Sandi Stuart dreamed of starring on Broadway but after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree at University of North Carolina, she only made it to Washington, D.C. Inspired by President Kennedy’s call to public service, she went on to have an exciting career in government, politics, and the private sector. She became the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under President Clinton. After leaving government, she was a lobbyist representing Fortune 500 companies. Sandi currently chairs the Mote Marine Laboratory Board of Directors and is vice chair of Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Maria Cino has over four decades of experience in senior level positions in government, national political parties, and the private sector. She managed national and international organizations, driving strategy, executing public policy, and was confirmed twice by the U.S. Senate as Deputy Secretary of Transportation and Assistant Secretary at the Department of Commerce, respectively. Maria was the National Political Director for Bush for President, CEO for the 2008 Republican National Convention, and worked for three Fortune 100 companies. She’s a graduate of St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.
Susan Gorin
Judy Levine
Terry Rixse
Tobie van der Vorm
Cindy Stevens is a retired Deloitte Partner who managed government affairs and public policy with responsibility for federal, state, legislative, and political programs. She was also treasurer of the Deloitte Political Action Committee (PAC). Early career experience included Director of Legislative Affairs of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Legislative Director for Congressman G.V. Montgomery. Cindy serves on Deloitte’s PAC Board of Directors, Mississippi State University Arts and Science Board of Directors, and the Alexandria Breast Cancer Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi State University.
Jan. 30: Beaches, Boycotts, and Court Battles: Sarasota's Civil Rights Movement
Speakers: Shelia Atkins, Harriet Moore, Ph.D., and Sheila Sanders
Moderator: Vickie Oldham
Three defining moments in Newtown's 110-year history tested the courage, dignity, and determination of its residents. Beach desegregation, the school boycott of 1969, and the Sarasota NAACP's federal lawsuit against the City of Sarasota underscore the resilience of people focused on improving the lives of future generations. The panel discussion features the personal stories of Newtown women who witnessed Black leadership at its finest hour and used the lessons learned to effectuate community transformation.
Vickie Oldham, MFA, was born and reared in Sarasota, an alumna of the University of Florida and Florida State University's film conservatory. She is a former broadcast journalist, television host, and higher education marketing administrator. Through the multi-disciplinary project, “Newtown Alive," she led a team in documenting the neighborhood's history. Newtown is listed on the National Register as the largest historic district in Florida. As president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, she led fundraising efforts to renovate and open the Leonard Reid House, an arts, cultural, and history center.
Shelia Cassundra Hammond Atkins was born in 1952 in Manatee County and grew up in Newtown. She attended high school there during integration and has been a member of the community for over six decades. Shelia and her husband, former Newtown Mayor Fredd Atkins, remain in Newtown. After 42 years of service, Shelia retired from the Sarasota County School District and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library.
Harriet Moore, Ph.D., is the first African American female graduate of Pine View School for the Gifted and has over 20 years of experience as an educator. Renowned for her ability to coach and mobilize educators and community members, she currently serves as the director of Strategic Engagement for Sarasota County Schools, where she developed the district's first Educational Equity Policy. Dr. Moore is also the 2024 recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties Leadership Award.
Sheila (aka SE) Sanders is a thirdgeneration resident of Sarasota, whose maternal family moved here in 1927, grew up poor in a town catering to tourists and the wealthy, and is a product of a separate, but equal education system. In third grade, she organized a boycott of Sarasota Federal Bank, persuading classmates to send deposits to Palmer Bank where they would be treated fairly. This action foreshadowed future activism with the NAACP and schools. Today she passes on to her children and grandchildren her principles of sharing and fairness.
Feb. 6: Head of the Class: Women Leaders in Higher Education
Speakers: Katherine Haley, Ph.D., Lucie Lapovsky, Ph.D., Patricia Okker, Ph.D., and Laurey T. Stryker, Ph.D.
Moderator: Lynne P. Brown, Ph.D.
Colleges and universities are challenging places to lead. There is a long list of constituencies whose needs and demands must be balanced: faculty and students, donors and trustees, parents and alums, governing agencies, and in many cases, elected officials. Recent years have also placed a new set of demands, from responding to political pressure to convincing the American public that a higher education degree is worth the time and expense. Hear from four former college/university presidents — all women — about their experiences at the helm. Their observations, which span large public universities to smaller liberal arts colleges, offer insights into the highs and lows, joys and sorrows, of one of the toughest jobs.
Lynne P. Brown, Ph.D., retired in 2023 after a 40-year career at New York University (NYU), where she served as senior vice president responsible for the university’s government relations, strategic communications, public affairs, and university events. A political scientist by training, before coming to NYU, she worked in Washington, D.C. as an aide to congressional leadership. She received her bachelor’s degree from Smith College (MA) and her doctorate from The Johns Hopkins University. She is a frequent speaker on national politics, trends in higher education, and leadership strategies.
Katherine Haley, Ph.D., is founder and principal of Haley Associates Higher Education Executive Search and Consulting, Inc. She was the first woman president at Gettysburg College (PA), and Whittier College (CA), and the first woman provost at Kenyon College (OH). She chaired The Annapolis Group, the presidential professional organization of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, and she holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree in English. Dr. Haley has placed over 60 university and college presidents, provosts, vice presidents, and deans across the nation.
Lucie Lapovsky, Ph.D., is the former president of Mercy College, a multicampus institution in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y. and was Vice President of Finance/CFO of Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. She consults, speaks, and writes on higher education finance and governance. Lucie serves on several boards including, the Longboat Key Democratic Club, Suncoast International Women’s Forum, Dillard College, Asolo Repertory Theatre, and the Tuition Exchange. Lucie has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Goucher College (MD), a master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Patricia Okker, Ph.D., former president of New College of Florida, is an American literature scholar, teacher, and higher education leader who speaks nationally on academic freedom and leadership. She was recently honored with the Modern Language Association’s Francis Andrew March Award for her service to the profession. She currently provides one-on-one coaching for courageous academic leaders. Get more information at www.patriciaokker.com.
Laurey T. Stryker, Ph.D., is a consultant who works with private foundations and nonprofit organizations to facilitate, develop, and implement innovative education strategies. She enjoyed a career of more than 25 years in higher education. After eight years as Florida Department of Education Deputy Commissioner, she joined the University of South Florida as Vice President of Administration and Finance before becoming president of the University of South Florida, Sarasota where she built their state-of-art campus.
Feb. 13: From Cop to Captain: A Woman’s Journey Through the Ranks
Speaker: Captain Debra Kiner
This session will feature a brief overview of the history of women in law enforcement. Debra Kiner, a senior level command staff member had a calling at a young age to serve her community. She will share her personal experiences and challenges as a law enforcement officer. Kiner will further discuss her leadership accomplishments throughout her 20-year career.
Captain Debra Kiner grew up in Sarasota County and is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration. Captain Kiner has attended numerous upper management seminars including the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Commanders Academy, Southern Police Institute Command School, and the FBI Florida Executive Development Seminar. Captain Kiner has served on the board of directors for SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center) since 2014.
Feb. 20: Straight From the Hood
Speaker: Chris Hernandez Voelker
Interviewer: Janice Bini
Born to a Japanese mother and Mexican-American father, Chris Hernandez Voelker was born on the east side of Los Angeles that was commonly referred to as a “Barrio.” Though the economic environment was poor, her memories of growing up in financial poverty actually centered on a family that was rich in culture. Her mother was only 16 years old when Chris was born. Pregnant and single, her family quickly ensured that she was properly married. However, after Chris was born, the family learned she was not the biological child of her mother’s new husband. He divorced her mother, yet allowed the use of his surname. Thus, began the journey of mother and child.
Janice Bini resides in Sarasota and is a key figure and book reviewer for Incorgnito Publishing Press. Before retiring, Janice was an executive for Avery Dennison Corporation where she pioneered the company’s first telemarketing effort. She also created the sports program for Waverly Middle and High School in Pasadena, CA, and was the school’s first athletic director. Janice has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Regis College (MA) and an MBA from Fordham University (NY).
Chris Hernandez Voelker is a “California Girl” who has resided in Sarasota for 25 years. Following an executive-level career with AT&T, she became an event planner, coordinating corporate programs worldwide. She volunteers and coordinates local charity events for organizations including Asolo Repertory Theatre, American Lung Association, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She chaired the Humane Society of Sarasota County for eight years. Chris is on the board of the Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Downtown Improvement District. She has opened two restaurants: State Street Eating House + Cocktails and BESO.
Feb. 27: Keeping Opera Alive: My Lifelong Passion
Speaker: Martha Collins
Stage Director Martha Collins has always been fascinated by the beauty of the human voice and its unique ability to captivate and move audiences. She considers opera to be the most complete art form in that it combines so many art forms at a high level into one fascinating and compelling whole. The stage director must bring together the music, poetry, drama, dance, visual art, costume, and makeup design to bring great opera stories to life. She will share her journey from opera singer to stage director and the challenges and rewards of keeping this great art form alive by passing it on to a new generation of singers and new audiences of all ages.
Martha Collins is Director of Education at Sarasota Opera. She joined the company in 2004 as a stage director and has since directed over 22 mainstage productions and 14 youth opera productions. This season she will direct Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, and The Hobbit. Martha has directed at numerous companies and universities in the U.S. and her teaching credits include New York University and the Florence Voice Seminar, Italy. Martha gained acclaim in her native Canada as an opera singer, was a finalist in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, and appeared in the film Moonstruck in the role of Mimi.
March 6: Storytelling Through Placemaking: Creating Space for Personal and Family Histories
Speaker: Debra Wren
Placemaking is often invisible, and yet, all around us, every day. From your favorite restaurant, your local hospital, or your city’s exciting amusement venues, there is often a purpose-driven narrative being told. It can be a canvas for human connection, bridging differences and finding commonality, all while making cherished memories. More than just for play, theme park design is one of the clearest examples of physical storytelling. This influence has helped to change how we think about the places where we feel most comfortable, the spaces that bring us the most joy, and the communities with whom we deeply connect.
Debra Wren is the co-owner of Wrenhouse Design, a boutique design firm specializing in environmental graphic design and signage for the theme park and leisure industries. She is a former Walt Disney Imagineer, winner of multiple TEA Awards, wife, mother, and contributing instructor at Ringling College of Art and Design. Her career has spanned over 30 years, working on global projects including multiple theme parks, hotels, and entertainment venues
Mountain Queen (2023)
Film #FS135
1 hour 45 minutes
Tuesday, Jan. 21 • 2:30-4:30 pm
Ringling College Museum Campus
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Mountain Queen tells the amazing story of how a young Nepalese woman bucked the male-dominated Mt. Everest Sherpa Industry with her indomitable spirit and force of will. Uneducated and unmarried, she refused to allow the traditional "housewife culture" to limit her with their ostracism. Instead, she was the first Nepalese Woman to Summit Everest. With her incredible tenacity, Lhakpa Sherpa continued breaking Everest World Records and inspires us with her strength and her loving and compassionate nature. Her story is an inspiration for women of every circumstance, demonstrating that resourcefulness and sheer determination can transform one's existence.
Films are screened at the Ringling College Museum Campus. Julie Cotton, the series creator and moderator, facilitates conversations and discussion after the screenings.
Julie Cotton, a long-term OLLI member and instructor, 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.
CONNECTIONS is made possible, in part, with generous support from the Harms Family Endowment
Resistance – They Fought Back (2024)
Film #FS136
1 hour 40 minutes
Tuesday, Feb. 11 • 2:30-5 pm
Ringling College Museum Campus
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
There will be a reception after the screening and discussion.
Meet Paula Apsell, News and Documentary Emmy winner and the writer and co-director of the award-winning film Resistance — They Fought Back.
We’ve all heard of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, but most people have no idea how widespread and prevalent Jewish resistance to Nazi barbarism was. Instead, it’s widely believed that “Jews went to their deaths like sheep to the slaughter.”
Filmed in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Israel, and the U.S., Resistance – They Fought Back provides a much-needed corrective to this myth of Jewish passivity. There were uprisings in ghettos, large and small, rebellions in death camps, and thousands of Jews fought Nazis in the forests. Everywhere in Eastern Europe, Jews waged campaigns of non-violent resistance against the Nazis.
Told by survivors, their children, and expert witnesses from the U.S., Israel, and Europe, this film is a revelation of how the Jews of Europe fought back. It uncovers evidence of non-violent methods that served as crucial tools of resistance and evolved into Jewish armed revolts in ghettos, forests, and death camps, even as the odds of success were increasingly small. Today, almost 80 years after the Holocaust, this story remains largely unknown to the general public.
How the Supreme Court Is Re-Making America
Lecture #LC210
Bob Levy
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday, Feb. 7
2:30-3:30 pm
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
In this presentation, Bob Levy, chairman emeritus of the Cato Institute, will recap the 12 most important Supreme Court cases over the past five years: 2020 through 2024 including school choice, gay rights, campaign finance, vaccine mandates, abortion, gun control, election integrity, student loans, affirmative action, administrative regulations, and presidential immunity. In addition, Bob will review the Court’s changing make-up and its year-byyear caseload. There will be time for questions from the audience. We hope you can join us.
Bob Levy, earned his doctorate at age 24 and went on to found CDA Investment Technologies. At 51, he entered George Mason University (VA) law school and earned a juris doctorate as class valedictorian. He clerked on two federal courts and then joined the Cato Institute, where he is currently chairman emeritus. Bob also taught at Georgetown University (D.C.) law school, published widely, and appeared often on radio and television. He was co-counsel in the groundbreaking Supreme Court gun case, District of Columbia v. Heller.
Black Hollywood: African Americans in Film: The Early Years
Lecture #LC209
Marilyn Carminio
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesday, Feb. 26 2-3:30 pm
Gold Member: Free. Pre-registration required. Silver Member and General Admission: $15
This lecture is a portrait of the Black film community during Hollywood’s formative years. Film was recognized early on as a powerful medium with which to shape perceptions. There was a conscious attempt to categorize African Americans using negative stereotypes at a time when they were calling for their full rights as citizens. They came to be cast primarily as servants, “mammies," or plantation figures. Not until the 1950s would Hollywood cast a Black actor in a leading role.
This poignant account will feature black film legends and lesser-known artists of the period whose talent is an important part of Hollywood’s legacy. These artists paved the way for future generations of African American actors who would claim their rightful position as leading stars of the silver screen.
Marilyn Carminio has been lecturing since 2013 on subjects ranging from history, cultural history, biography, and the arts. She began her career as a New York City teacher and went on to work in women’s magazines, being privileged to work with Helen Gurley Brown, the noted editor of Cosmopolitan. Marilyn has spoken in university continuing education programs, libraries, historical societies, and residential communities. Her goal is to create high quality presentations through research, use of technology, and an engaging presentation style.
Featuring Star Newman
Friday, Jan. 10
1-2 pm
Step into a world of wonder with Star Newman, the magician/mentalist who brings magic to life in front of your eyes! Forget TV and online tricks — real magic happens up close and personal, where you can feel the thrill and be part of the action.
Dive into an interactive show where Star defies physics, manipulates minds, and delights with worldly wit. As the audience, you play a crucial role, contributing to a unique and engaging performance.
Indulge your curiosity. Come see the magic unfold live!
As seen on:
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 • 1-2 pm
Ringling College Museum Campus at Sarasota Art Museum
Tickets: $15 OLLI Members and General Admission
Advance registration required Call 941-309-5111.
Another One By Tenn
Produced by NoName Repertory in partnership with OLLI at Ringling College
Auto Da Fe
Tennessee
Williams'
SHOCKING one-act play!
A psychological study of the self-destructive effects of paranoia and intolerance. Topical and disturbing. It follows the uncanny descent of a family into madness.
Directed by Leah Gindes
Featuring:
Deloria Berks as Mme. Duvenet and Daniel Pelissier as Eloi
Technical Direction by Alex Gindes
Special Guest performances by Emily Hermey (music) and Marie Carstens (dance)
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 • 2-4 pm
OLLI at Ringling College • Sarasota Art Museum • 1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Leah Gindes (Director/Producer) is thrilled to integrate her dual passions for psychological exploration and theatrical expression in interpreting the work of Mr. Tennessee Williams. Leah is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice and trained at William Alanson White institute in New York City. She has produced and directed downtown theatre in New York City and last spring staged readings from The Glass Menagerie with the NoName Repertory and OLLI at Ringling College.
Deloria Berks (Mme. Duvenet) started her artistic journey under the tutelage of William Esper at Rutgers University who awarded her the Levin Scholarship for Artistic Achievement. Deloria brought characters like "Josie" in A Moon for the Misbegotten and "Inez" in No Exit to life on stage in New York City. Deloria has spent the last 15 years as a licensed psychotherapist. Last spring, she played Amanda Wingfield in produced stage readings from The Glass Menagerie with NoName Repertory and OLLI at Ringling College.
Marie Carstens (Dancer) is delighted to celebrate her 16th year with Dances by Isadora/New York City. Marie is a life-long student of movement and, whether as dancer, therapist, or teacher, she firmly believes that dance is a celebration of life. Marie maintains a performance career while working as dance/movement therapist, and teacher. She co-creates and performs modern dance with Erin Jennings and the Putnam County Dance Project.
Stephen Michaels (Acting Coach) is a long-time member and faculty of the Actors Studio in New York City. He has taught acting and directing extensively and himself has directed over 20 plays.
Alex Gindes (Technical Director) describes himself as an avid biker and hiker and, in his spare time, builds furniture. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology and is in full-time private practice. In the spring term, Alex tech-directed the staged reading of The Glass Menagerie and is very excited to once again be associated with the brilliant and talented members of NoName Repertory and OLLI at Ringling College.
Daniel “Dee” Pelissier (Eloi) has lent their talents to local theatre productions since 2011, performing at Manatee Performing Arts Center (MPAC). They played “Dr. Frank-N-Furter” in The Rocky Horror Show at MPAC, and “Tom” in produced staged reading of The Glass Menagerie with NoName Repertory and OLLI at Ringling College. As Lady Laquelle, they perform original song parodies. Daniel believes the dangerous effects of internalized prejudice remain tragically pervasive, even in today's allegedly enlightened society.
Emily Hermey (Singer) is very excited to be performing with NoName Repertory and OLLI at Ringling College. She is a graduate of Florida Southern College and received her BFA in Musical Theater. Emily has just come off the national tour of Mrs. Doubtfire and has performed at the Trentino Music Festival in Italy and cabarets around the nation. She wants to thank her Mom, Dad, Sister, and Pepe for always loving and supporting her.
Make OLLI Your Happy Place
Our members, instructors, and volunteers are the heartbeat of our community. Each person plays a part in making OLLI at Ringling College an exceptional place for lifelong learning. If you’re someone who enjoys intellectual discussions and meeting new people, OLLI is the place for you. Our doors are open, and we invite you to get to know us!
Making a Gift
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College enriches the lives of adults in Sarasota and Manatee counties by providing affordable and outstanding educational programs and social interactions that cover a broad spectrum of topics rich in intellectual stimulation, often interactive in scope, and worthy of academic consideration.
A gift to OLLI will expand meaningful and inspiring classes, timely topics, speaker series, travel courses, and lectures that broaden diverse offerings and inspire dialogue among our learning community.
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, 2023-May 31, 2024.
Beverly A. Harms
Nora Duffy
The Bernard Osher Foundation
Barry Baker
Judith Schwartzbaum
Sam Samelson
Alan and Holly Freedman
CEA Associates, LLC
Daniel Idzik and Kathleen Osborne
Day Hagan Asset Management
Albert Tripodi and Fran Harris
Anthony and Lora Wey
Barbara Osmon
Charles A. and Laurey T. Stryker
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
David and Louise Klain
Jay and Marion Richter
Allen and Rhoda Katz
Alliance Francaise De Sarasota Inc
Ann Diaz
Barbara Brizdle
Benjamin and Sara Curtis Robinson
Bernice Shor and Irwin Feinberg
Carl and Liza Caruso
Cathleen Morano
Colleen Lundwall
Ellen Brosnahan
First Horizon Foundation
Jeffrey Ryder and J. Alvin Stout
Marilyn L. Pinsky
Jose A. Garnham and Barbara Lausche
Joseph Cucci
Mark A. and Sandra Moulin
Sol Cohn
Sun Coast Alliance for Lifelong Learning, Inc.
Thomas and Mary Dudar
Thomas and Sue Miller
Frederick and Elaine Gewirtz
Hal and Peggy Hayden
Harry and Gayle Yaverbaum
Jack and Adrea Sukin
Jacob and Patricia van der Vorm
Jane E. McCormack
John and Barbara Kerwin
Julie Cotton
Lynette Velez
Martha Hill
Mary J. Hixon
Michael Vlaisavljevich
Paul M. and Deborah Tschirhart
Peter and Linda Pichetti
Phyllis Brown
Richard Mace
Robert DeFillippi
Sheila Reed
Susan Gorin
Victoria Eckl
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.
OLLI instructors possess a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences. These biographies are small snapshots showcasing the lives and careers of these valued team members.
Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer with a Master of Business Administration. Emanuel has been a concert promoter, directly involved in many events by international artists, like Itzhak Perlman, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G, and many more. He has also staged award-winning original orchestral events. He served as the Cultural Director at Union Israelita De Caracas releasing books, organizing concerts and art exhibits. He has been consistently teaching online and in presence across the U.S. (p. 31)
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. 15)
Alex Beavers is a high-technology executive, entrepreneur, and author. Alex was in charge of tech transfer at Stanford Research Institute (CA), CEO of two Silicon Valley ventures, an executive at Schlumberger and General Electric, and PIC of High-Tech Consulting at Price Waterhouse Coopers. He has a bachelor’s (Vanderbilt), a master’s, and a doctorate in electrical engineering (University of Houston). He also holds a Master of Business Administration (Boston University). Alex has authored 25 publications and two books. (pp. 24, 25, 37)
Kenneth P. Bechis retired from Northrop Grumman as Chief Scientist in the Space Operations/Environmental Solutions Division and as a Distinguished Technical Fellow in the Intelligence Systems Sector. He holds a bachelor's in astronomy from Harvard College, a master of science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is a former NASA Payload Specialist Astronaut. (pp. 36, 37)
Michael Bommer is a retired university professor teaching and conducting research in management for 40 years. He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in engineering and a doctorate in business. For the past 20 years, he has been a student of yoga, meditation, Jungian psychology, and Buddhism and non-duality. (p. 35)
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. 27)
Ellen Brosnahan was a middle school language arts teacher in St. Charles (IL) for many years. As a clinical assistant professor at Illinois State University, she supervised student teachers at all grade levels. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University and a master’s in curriculum and supervision from Northern Illinois University. (p. 38)
Bob Busch holds a master’s degree in Soviet Studies and Russian language. He was assigned as a diplomat in Moscow, Russia during the later Cold War era. His duty required extensive travel throughout the former USSR to places rarely visited by foreigners. His travels gave him a unique perspective on the Russian people. Bob had a following assignment to Berlin as a liaison officer to the Soviet military in East Germany until the fall of the Berlin Wall. (pp. 27, 28)
Alexandra Cahn (She/Her/They) is an Indie Developer and Ringling College alumni with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Game Art. They are an active member of the Game Art Community and love to share the history of gaming/computers in fun and interactive ways. (p. 15)
Robert Cassway is an award-winning architect who has taught at the University of Michigan and Temple University (PA) and was a visiting lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. He has won local, state, and national awards and has designed projects throughout the U.S., the Bahamas, and Britain. (p. 14)
Kelly Parisi Castro is a visual artist, former adjunct professor of Studio Art at Washington College (MD), and co-founder and executive director of Air. C artist residency program in Chestertown, MD. Kelly was a Fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Art. She worked with her husband at Castro Arts LLC, an architectural firm where she designed books and exhibition graphics for numerous publications, studios, and museums. Kelly is also a coach for creative writers and artists. (p. 14)
Michelle Chaplin has taught mah jongg for 10 years in Continuing Education programs and privately. She receives outstanding reviews and has been lauded for being patient and an engaging teacher. Her course is hands-on and allows every participant to be involved. The goals of the course are to build skills and create a learning community so that students can play with others after the course. (p. 16)
Albert H. 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 HeraldTribune 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. 31)
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. 21)
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. (pp. 22, 36)
Julie Cotton is a longtime OLLI member who, in addition to being an instructor, is a member of the OLLI Advisory Council and hosts the documentary film series CONNECTIONS. Julie has a master’s and a doctorate in psychology and worked as a human resource executive, an organizational development consultant, and an executive coach. (pp. 35, 45)
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. 13, 15)
Joe Cucci is a former Army officer and retired Procter & Gamble sales manager. He enjoys mystery books, so he created this club for OLLI. (pp. 16, 29)
Dent Davis, a retired Presbyterian pastor, graduated from Vanderbilt University Divinity School (TN) and has doctorates from Columbia Theological Seminary (GA) and the University of Tennessee. He has served as faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary, teaching spiritual growth, as President of Scott Peck’s Foundation for Community Encouragement, and as a business consultant. (pp. 24, 25, 33, 35, 39)
Lawrence DeMilner is a retired economist who spent the bulk of his career with the International Monetary Fund. After retirement, he taught several years at the DowneastSenior College in Maine. He has degrees in Russian and economics. (p. 30)
David Eisner is a doctor of psychoanalysis (National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis Certified Psychoanalyst). David offers interactive seminars encouraging participants to individualize and integrate the gifts of art, music, literature, cinema, and psychoanalysis into deepening perspectives on the wonders, challenges, and complexities of everyday life. (p. 35)
Carol Ellis started in the Book Club as a participant when classes were held on Zoom at the start of the pandemic and has been the in-person leader for the past two years. She is an avid reader and compulsive learner. By background she is a retired physician who practiced both outpatient and hospital medicine and taught medical students and residents internal medicine. (p. 29)
Debra W. Englander is a seasoned publishing professional with many years of experience in the publishing industry. She has worked as a magazine reporter, freelance writer, and in-house editor at several New York publishers. She currently works as an author coach and is a consulting editor for a Nashville-based publisher. Debra has written the “Savvy Self-Publisher” column for Poets & Writers Magazine and has conducted seminars at various writing conferences. (p. 38)
Henry Ettman has been a jazz educator since 2002. A former professor of social psychology and jazz drummer since 1956, jazz administrator and researcher, Henry studied performance with Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Max Roach, and others. He has done research for Jazz Education Network, Jazz Audiences Initiative, plus various jazz presenters. He taught jazz courses at OLLI and Ringling College, the University of South Florida, St. Louis Washington University (MO), and the Naples Philharmonic Center. (p. 32)
Alan Fisher has worked as a disc jockey, salesman, lawyer, and Small Claims Court judge, but that's not who he IS. First and foremost, he is a human BEing. He has been on his spiritual path since 1979 with numerous classes and retreats on the “Art of Living.” He is full of love, life, and joy, and wishes to share that with others. (p. 34)
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. (pp. 13, 14)
Alan Freedman has a journalism degree from Boston University. Prior to retiring, he was public affairs director at a New York-based electric utility, responsible for government relations and corporate communications. Previously, he had been a financial writer and editor, and an advertising account executive at a major book publisher. Since moving to Sarasota, Alan has been an OLLI instructor for over a decade, focusing on technology and media topics. (pp. 30, 34)
Wendy Gabel holds a bachelor of science in medical technology from George Washington University (D.C.) Wendy started her career in laboratory medicine, working in hospital laboratories and research. She later moved into the biotech industry and has more than 25 years of experience, including vice president leadership roles at Biogen in the neurology business. Wendy also led Biogen’s oncology business and co-promotion with Genentech. (p. 37)
Richard Gelpke has a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University (Boston). He worked in the department of geography and earth science at the University of Massachusetts for more than 20 years. His areas of interest are historical and physical geography, environmental issues, and mapping. (p. 19)
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 (D.C.) 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. (pp. 26, 27)
Roz Goldberg spent 27 years at Merrill Lynch (ML) as a financial advisor, senior marketing manager, and investment banker. One of her “claims to fame” was her ability to elucidate complex financial products to both brokers and investors, enabling them to understand and appreciate these investments. For 10 years before her retirement, Roz was the Managing Director of the Private Equity Group for ML Wealth Management. (p. 20)
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. (pp. 37, 38)
Garry Grossman is a professor of law, an attorney, and a former software developer. His formal training in facilitating and public speaking makes him a popular and engaging teacher and discussion leader at OLLI and elsewhere. (p.18)
Beverly Jennings has a master’s degree in history and taught at a Kansas City College for 15 years. Beverly’s field is the ancient and medieval world. One of Beverly’s favorite quotes about history is: “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.” (pp. 26, 27)
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. 29)
Wendy LeBolt has a doctorate in kinesiology and is an exercise scientist and health educator. Wendy has spent most of her professional career working to keep young athletes healthy and free of injury. Most recently, she taught kinesiology at the College of William & Mary (VA) and is delighted to call it her alma mater. Wendy is the author of two books, Fit2Finish: Keeping Your Soccer Players in the Game (2015) and Made to Move: Knowing and Loving God Through Your Body (2019). Wendy and her husband Scot split their time between Sarasota and Williamsburg, VA. (p. 21)
Tammy Li earned her B.B.A. from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern (IL). She has spent her corporate career working in consumer insights and marketing strategy for consumer goods companies including Kraft Foods, Pepsi-Cola, and ConAgra Foods. In the non-profit community, Tammy has been involved in hereditary cancer outreach and education through an organization called Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE). She has been a peer counselor and a board member and leads outreach and support meetings in Tampa and nationally. (p. 34)
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. 13)
David Lionel has a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University (NY) and a Master of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley in English. David was a doctoral candidate in Television at the University of Texas Austin and Holistic Health Education at the University for Humanistic Studies (CA). During his long career covering social movements as an advocacy video producer and editor, he has created 40 programs. David has four videos: "Heroes for Our Time," "Sustainable Community," "Global Democracy," and "Holistic Self-Care." (p. 33)
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 (NY). Later in his career, Robert taught students to become licensed mental health staff. Robert recently retired and lives with his spouse and two cats. (p. 32)
Ronni Loundy graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in mathematics. She continued her graduate work in software development at Wright State University (OH). Ronni is a former college software development instructor who formed her own company that provided custom software and hardware support. She now provides technical support for Windows and Android products. (p. 38)
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 about continuing that legacy with and for other enthusiasts. (p. 30)
Thedore Medrek started attending opera regularly at age 11, and studied piano and music theory at Sarah Lawrence College (NY). From 1990 to 2006, he was a dance, theater, and classical music critic and editor in Boston. During that time, he was appointed the first full-time staff classical music critic at the Boston Herald newspaper. (p. 31)
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. 18)
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 year-round residents of Sarasota. (pp. 30, 33)
Gail Sussman-Miller, women’s leadership coach, guides women to leverage, rather than squelch, feminine powers and abilities they don’t realize they possess so they live their most joy-filled, authentic lives. Clients find her wisdom and techniques for creating mindset shifts indispensable. Gail’s rare gift is sensing and seeing things few people see, speaking truthfully, and offering practical ways to thrive and fulfill their soul’s desires. www.inspiredchoice.com (p. 21)
Brian J. Morra is a decorated former intelligence officer and retired senior aerospace and defense executive. The Able Archers is his first historical novel in a series of seven. The Able Archers has been optioned by Legendary Entertainment, which plans to produce a TV series based on the book. Morra also will appear in Netflix's “Turning Point” series on the Cold War. (pp. 24, 27)
Sandra Moulin, a high-energy 40-plus-year veteran teacher, earned her bachelor’s at the University of Michigan and her master’s at Wayne State University (MI). Since retiring in 2005, Sandra has continued teaching numerous subjects for multiple lifelong learning institutions. She has been performing her one-woman show featuring romantic and contemporary composers’ stories as told by their muses for eight years. Her presentations are entertaining and inspiring. (p. 25)
Stuart Mushlin is a retired internal medicine physician and educator. He nearly enrolled in a graduate program in English, but instead went to medical school. He has taught two prior classes (six plays) of Shakespeare plays at OLLI. (p. 30)
Tony Moon has spent over 10 years teaching adult learning; reflecting his 50 years in the music business. As a successful artist, producer, and award-winning songwriter and music publisher, he brings much experience and knowledge into all his classes. Moving to Nashville from Los Angeles, he also became guitarist and conductor for superstar Brenda Lee. He currently administrates an entertainment company and does music research for the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe. (p. 32)
Paula Morris has a master 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. 22, 23)
Carole Munro began researching her family history after retiring as a psychologist in private practice. This class emerged from transcribing a journal written in the World War I trenches by a family member. Carole holds master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University (MD) and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She has taught at The Glenridge Academy and written a local history book titled Braden River and Beyond. (p. 24)
Jeff 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. 26)
David O’Bryan is a graduate of Syracuse University School of Architecture. He founded his design and architecture firm in 1993. David is an innovative designer, architect, author, teacher, and developer. His creative work can be seen throughout New York, Florida, and the Carolinas. David’s practice has been recognized for his creative witty thoughts, and high energy, and for bringing joy to the process of design and imagination. (pp. 16, 17)
Tenille Dixon Pawlus is a plant collector, butterfly chaser, lover of flora and fauna, and is passionate about helping others create their own green oasis. She’s also a garden consultant, a certified landscape designer from Emory University (GA), container gardener, teacher and plant seller in Sarasota with a registered Florida nursery license, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Certified Professional, GI-BMP Certified and FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional. (p. 20)
Mahesh Patel is a photographer, world traveler, consultant, and author. His publications range from using camels to carry vaccines across the desert in North Africa to analyzing child poverty in Asia to relieving pain with acupuncture. He is retired in Sarasota with his wife, a beautiful professional opera singer, and his puppy who is a well-known expert on napping and licking. (p. 33)
Wendy Rosen has worked in art marketing for more than 40 years. Rosen founded the American Made Show for artists making production, ltd edition and one-of-a-kind works in every medium (1982-2022). The show featured 1,600 artists and drew 8,000 buyers from galleries, museums, boutiques, and design firms. Rosen’s magazines, AmericanStyle and Niche helped artists and galleries connect. (p. 13)
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. 20)
Ted Russell is a retired attorney whose passion is American history. He received his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University (WI), his master’s from the University of Chicago, and his law degree from Illinois Institute of Technology. (p. 24)
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 (PA). (pp. 15, 17)
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. 19)
Harvey Schipper is a professor of medicine and adjunct professor of Law at the University of Toronto, and has travelled the world in the cause of cancer control as an engineer/physician. His camera, a constant companion, has been a tool to focus his vision and impart his story. His photography animates lectures, and has become recognized as photographic art. He has mounted solo shows and sells internationally through Saatchi Art. (p. 34)
Barbara Shocket holds a master’s of science degree and is a licensed mental health counselor. Barbara is currently involved in creating and teaching interactive classes that promote personal insight by synthesizing art, literature, and depth psychology. Her focus is pan-historic and metaphysical. She believes that through the lens of ancient wisdom teachings, the universality of all experience emerges. (p. 35)
John Scibak has a doctorate in experimental psychology and has held academic positions at Indiana University, University of Massachusetts, and Westfield State University (MA). Despite having never taken a political science course, John ran mid-career for elective office and served 16 years in the Massachusetts legislature prior to retiring in Sarasota. (p. 18)
Donna Serio has a uniquely diverse background. Donna's accomplishments include serving as producer, director, choreographer, musical arranger, composer, singer, actress, and teacher. As Director of Fine & Performing Arts in the public schools in New Jersey, her work has been honored earning the designation of "Model Schools for Excellence in Arts Education." She is presently a professional theatrical reviewer and consultant, and continues to pursue her passions in both performance and creative writing. (p. 17)
Jeffrey Sherman is a retired financial service lawyer who moved from Washington, D.C., to Sarasota in 2020. In his working years, Jeffrey taught adult continuing education, continuing professional education courses, as well as law school and undergraduate classes. (p. 24)
Rabbi Sigal is a spiritual mentor and scholar. She is the Rabbi at Kol HaNeshama congregation in Sarasota and on the faculty at the premier Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She has two master’s degrees, one in Jewish studies, the other in organizational psychology. She has training in art, yoga, meditation, and dance. Using a multidisciplinary approach, she facilitates experiences of transformation for individuals and groups. Rabbi Sigal has presented at TEDx, and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning News and NPR: National Public Radio. RabbiSigal.org (pp. 21, 22)
Cantor Murray E. Simon earned a master’s of music in voice from the Boston Conservatory of Music (MA). He is a graduate of Temple University (PA) and Hebrew Union College (NY) School of Sacred Music, where he was ordained a cantor. Murray was a voice student of the late famed soprano Eleanor Steber of the Metropolitan Opera Association. He served as cantor of The Jewish Center, Princeton, NJ, and is now its Cantor Emeritus. (p. 31)
Bill Simpson, a lifelong student of American history and politics, has a diverse background in public service fields including national security, family services, intergenerational poverty, and urban planning. For the past two decades, he has led two Maryland nonprofits in executive capacities. He is a featured guest speaker and panelist on inner-city issues, welfare reform, prisoner reentry, and workforce development. The grandfather of Miles and Taylor, he resides in Sarasota. (p. 25)
Donna Miller-Small has taught mah jongg and canasta in libraries, Adult Education programs, and privately for over 15 years, all with excellent reviews from participants and program directors. With a carefully designed and wellhoned curriculum, Donna provides sequenced activities that build skills and boost self-confidence. A flair for engaging presentations and supportive teaching methods add to her teacher credentials. (p. 16)
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. 15)
Bonnie Garvey Spadafora graduated from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s in public health from the University of South Florida. She spent 15 years at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a charge nurse in neuroscience and rehabilitation and as a clinical instructor. Before retirement, she was on the nursing faculty at Manatee Community College (now State College of Florida). (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. (pp. 26, 27)
Susan Spector has a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in Jewish studies, and has spent her life as a Jewish educator and community volunteer. She was the director of Akron Jewish High School and a faculty member of Akron Melton Adult Mini-School and Kent State University (Ohio). She has presented Jewish ethics workshops in Sarasota, Akron, (OH), and Chautauqua Institute (NY). (pp. 18, 33, 34)
Rick Steinmann is a retired criminal justice professor with a long-term interest in wrongful convictions. He has taught several seminars on the topic, including to undergraduates at the University of South Florida. He earned a bachelor’s in sociology, a master’s in criminal justice, and has a juris doctorate degree. (pp. 19)
Stephen Suau is a hydrologist with 40 years of experience, specializing in watershed management and restoration. He has been both a small business owner in the private sector and Director of Sarasota County’s Stormwater Program. Residing in Sarasota, he currently serves on the Technical Advisory Committees for Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor. (p. 37)
Wendy L. Sunshine writes about the human-dog connection for PsychologyToday.com and is the author of Tender Paws: How Science-Based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs. Wendy co-authored the awardwinning bestseller The Connected Child and Raising the Challenging Child. Wendy is former editor of Sarasota SCENE magazine and has taught writing at Ringling College of Art and Design and Rutgers University (NJ). (p. 36)
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. 29)
Dianne Tisman has been a French teacher for 27 years. Dianne currently teaches and tutors online and in person. In addition to teaching, she served as World Language Department Chair for 10 years. Dianne lived in France for seven years and worked as Directrice Pédogique for Language Power France where she taught all levels of English to business and professional people. (p. 28)
Hollis Weisman has 45 years of experience as a federal and state prosecutor and handled thousands of trials, hearings, and briefs. For 12 years, she was an adjunct professor at George Washington University in the Forensics Sciences master's program, teaching criminal procedure, evidence and moot court/trial practice. She also regularly conducted continuing education and refresher courses on criminal procedure for law enforcement officers. Hollis holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctorate from New York University. (p. 19)
Mary Ziegler has a passion for adult learning and change across the lifespan. She is a retired professor from the University of Tennessee. Her doctorate from Columbia University is in adult and continuing education and her master’s degree from the University of South Florida is in counseling. She is a certified instructor for Guided Autobiography from the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies at the University of Southern California. (pp. 24, 25, 35)
Stan Zimmerman is a reporter, writer and author with awards from the National Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists and the U.S. Naval Institute. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in journalism. Stan is the author of four books, including A History of Smuggling in Florida. (p. 25)
1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236-9117