Open House, Sample Classes

At Osher Lifelong Learning Center

WATERBURY — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Connecticut-Waterbury will host its annual open house Wednesday, August 17, from 9 am until 3 pm. The open house is free, and open to anyone interested in learning more about OLLI and its offerings.

The learning institute is at 99 East Main Street.

The morning program will take place in the multipurpose rooms, and a continental breakfast will be served. The keynote speaker will be Professor Joanna Clapps Herman, a Waterbury native and author. She will share humorous anecdotes of her Italian heritage and what it was like growing up in Waterbury. Prof Herman teaches at the City College of New York (CUNY) and is on the graduate writing faculty of Manhattanville College.

Participants have the opportunity to choose from four afternoon classes: “Going Deep: A Memoir Writing Workshop,” with Prof Herman; “Composing A Creative Life on Purpose,” with Steve Dahlberg; “Preserving the Art of Dance,” with Donna Bonasera and Sheila Waters Fucci (at The Howland-Hughes Building, 110-142 Bank Street); and “Food To Live For,” with Jane Sirignano.

Free parking is available in UConn’s garage on North Elm Street, which is attached to the UConn building. Downtown restaurants will provide lunch specials and discounts to participants who attend the OLLI open house.

Anyone planning to participate in the afternoon sessions is encouraged to register, as seating is limited. Call 203-236-9924 or 203-236-9925 or send e-mail to Osher@UConn.edu.

OLLI provides noncredit learning experiences for older adults who wish to learn for the sheer enjoyment. The program is currently attracting residents of more than 75 Connecticut cities and towns. The fall 2011 session begins in September, with classes concluding in November.

Annual membership is $60, which allows members access to parking, participate in courses at nominal fees, discounts for featured community events and lunchtime learning into OLLI Café and UConn Library Workshops, and participation in the Mattatuck Museum’s Lunch & Learn Trilogy, along with other special events during the session.

Course registration is first-come, first-served, as courses are designed to be small and therefore seating is limited. Program booklets are expected to be available during the second week of August.