OLLI Fall 2026_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 18
Advanced Trailblazers
Thursdays, September 10 – October 8
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Various locations
Join our hike leaders to explore a variety of local
trails. Each hike will cover approximately 3–4.5
miles, with some routes including significant
elevation changes. Trails may be uneven, rocky,
or include water crossings, and the pace may
be brisk. Please consider your physical abilities
and register only if you are an experienced hiker.
Hiking poles are optional, and the AllTrails app will
be used. Planned hikes include Robinson South,
Springdale Cemetery, and other area trails.
$45 – Facilitated by Stacey DelVecchio, Diane Rock
Jeanne Barclay, Rob Parks, Denise Hocker, Chris
Esken and Paul Miller.
Seats available: 18
Falling Once Again for a Great Short Novel!
Thursdays, September 10 – November 19 (every
other week)
1:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Peoria Public Library, Main Branch, 107 NE
Monroe Street, Peoria
(Parking is free in the Library lot.)
What could be better than settling in with a good
book as the seasons change? Our experienced
OLLI literature enthusiasts have selected favorite
short novels for participants to read independently
and discuss together. Participants should
purchase the books or borrow them from the
library and must have internet access and an
email address to receive discussion questions.
Titles, in order of discussion, are: Everything I
Never Told You by Celeste Ng; 9/24: In Country
by Bobby Ann Mason; The Story of Lucy Gault by
William Trevor; A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest
Gaines; Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro;
and Plainsong by Kent Haruf.
$45 – Facilitated by John Brady, Roger French,
Jane Hense, Roberta Koscielski, Gary Nelson, and
Paul Resnick, all literature lovers and experienced
OLLI facilitators.
Seats Available: 18
18
STUDY GROUPS
All’s Fair in Love and War - Or Is It?
Mondays, September 14 – October 12
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Peoria Next Innovation Center
Is war, like love, a “no holds barred” contest in
which no behavior is immoral and no battlefield
tactic unethical? Can a nation defeat an enemy
by any means necessary? Throughout history,
religious traditions, international conventions, and
military protocols have attempted to define the
moral limits of warfare. In 2026, is the idea that
morality should guide modern warfare simply
outdated? Through discussion and research,
we will examine religious and philosophical
perspectives, historical examples, and pre-1960
war scenarios to explore the question at the heart
of this study group, while leaving the “love” part
for another day. Research and readings from the
Internet will be required, so Internet and email
access will be necessary.
$45 – Facilitated by John Brady, a semi-retired
attorney. Even after 80 years, he is still looking for
the answers to life's big questions.
Seats available: 18
Fever in the Heartland:
The Ku Klux Klan in the Midwest
Fridays, September 25 – October 16
9:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Peoria Next Innovation Center
Back by popular demand! We’ll explore the
chilling rise of the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Indiana
through Timothy Egan’s book, A Fever in the
Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over
America. We will examine the Klan’s three major
eras in American history, explore its political
influence and corruption, and discuss connections
to white supremacy in America today. Participants
should obtain and read A Fever in the Heartland
before class. The book is available online, through
local booksellers, and at libraries. There may also
be supplementary reading materials.
$45 – Facilitated by Rob Parks, retired fundraiser
and Chamber of Commerce Executive, and Glen
Collier, retired judge.
Seats available: 20
