OLLI Fall 2025 - Flipbook - Page 22
Spotlight on Local Education
Featuring Carl Cannon, ELITE
Program, and Coach Mike
Lawless, Peoria High School
Wednesday, October 29
10:00 3 11:45 a.m.
Peoria Public Library, Main branch,
107 NE Monroe
This session shines a light on two remarkable
Peoria High School alumni whose lifelong
dedication to education and youth empowerment
has made a deep and lasting impact on our
community. Carl Cannon is the founder of the
nationally recognized ELITE program, developed
as an alternative school environment to keep
kids safe and a re-entry program for formerly
incarcerated individuals. Cannon now leads
ELITE as an independent nonpro昀t committed to
mentoring and community transformation. Coach
Mike Lawless has served as a teacher and coach
in the Peoria area for more than 50 years, shaping
the lives of thousands of students. Recently
inducted into the Illinois Track and Field and Cross
Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, he
brings decades of wisdom, humor, and heartfelt
stories about education. Join us for an uplifting
conversation with two local legends whose work
continues to inspire hope and resilience in future
generations.
Free member perk! 3 includes presentation and
snacks. Transportation not provided 3 meet us
there!
Seats available: 100
Cindy Schwindenhammer takes 昀ight at
Spring昀eld’s Air Combat Museum
22
OLLI ORIGINALS
Rethink Poverty:
An Experience You Will Never Forget
Friday, November 7
1:30 3 3:30 p.m.
Dream Center, 714 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria
In collaboration with Dream Center Peoria, join
us for a poverty simulation designed to help
participants begin to understand what it might be
like to live as a typical low-income family trying to
survive from month to month. It is a simulation,
not a game. The object is to sensitize participants
to the complex realities faced by low-income
individuals. Through immersive role-play, we9ll
experience the stress, uncertainty, and dif昀cult
decisions required to secure basic needs while
confronting unexpected obstacles. The simulation
encourages re昀ection on the societal and personal
factors that contribute to poverty, inspiring
participants to consider solutions and become
more informed community members.
$15 3 includes presentation. Transportation not
provided 3 meet us there!
Seats available: 60
Bix Beiderbecke: A Century of Jazz Inspiration
Tuesday, November 18
10:00 a.m. 3 12:00 p.m.
Peoria Next Innovation Center
For over a century, the music of legendary
cornetist, pianist, and composer Bix Beiderbecke
has inspired admiration from fans worldwide. His
treasured recordings continue to showcase his
unique tone, melodic style, lyrical phrasing, and
remarkable improvisations.
Ed Lamoureux, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of
Interactive Media and Communication at
Bradley University, serves on the Board of the
Bix Beiderbecke Museum and World Archive in
Davenport, Iowa. Ed will bring Bix9s story to life
through biography, images, recordings, and virtual
tours of Bix9s hometown and museum. Todd Kelly,
Chair of the Department of Music, will provide a
live music session demonstrating Bix9s distinctive
techniques, style, and tone.
$15 3 includes presentation and snacks.
Transportation not provided 3 meet us there!
Seats available: 35