OLLI Fall 2026_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 31
More Male Singers - Their Lives and their Music
Part 2 is here, but no need to have attended the
first session—this class stands on its own. We
continue exploring some of the most influential
male vocalists in popular music history. This
session turns up the volume with legendary
artists like Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Elton John, Rod
Stewart, Roy Orbison, James Brown, James Taylor,
and many more. We’ll listen to key selections and
learn what shaped these artists and their lasting
impact on music.
$30 – Class instructor is Don Baker, disc jockey and
frequent OLLI instructor.
The Medici Renaissance Italy’s Premier Power Brokers
From peasants, to wool merchants, to bankers,
to politicians, to wealthy patrons of the Arts, to
grand dukes and queens, to popes, to obscurity,
the Medici presided over the Renaissance in
Italy and even ascended the throne of France
– twice. Join Stan Ransom as we explore the
most notable people and events associated with
this famous/infamous family. We will see the
immense artistic and architectural treasures that
remain as reminders of the dynasty’s private and
public empire.
$30 – Class instructor is Stan Ransom, retired
educator and frequent OLLI instructor.
Tazewell County’s Historic Congressman
Since 1827, Tazewell County has been represented
in Congress by a remarkable group of national
leaders whose influence helped shape both state
and country. This series explores those individuals
across four historical eras, highlighting their
service, impact, and legacy. We’ll begin with the
early foundations of representation, from the
pre–Civil War era through World War I, featuring
Shelby Cullom, Adlai Stevenson I, Dietrich Smith,
and Joseph Graff. We’ll continue through the Civil
War era into World War I and beyond, including
figures such as William Hull, Everett Dirksen,
Harry Mason, and Harold Velde. Next we’ll follow
leadership through World War I into the post–
World War II period, again highlighting key
transitional figures who helped shape modern
governance. The series concludes with the post–
World War II era to the present day, featuring
Robert Michael and Ray LaHood, offering a look
at more recent congressional leadership and its
continuing influence.
$30 – Class instructor is John C. Ackerman,
Tazewell County Clerk, with guest speakers Chris
Kaergard, Everett Dirksen Center, and Ray LaHood,
Former United States Secretary of Transportation.
● 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ______________________________
America’s Sports Car: The Corvette Journey
This class explores the history of the Chevrolet
Corvette, America’s longest-running sports car,
from its 1953 debut to today. We will look at
all eight generations (C1-C8) and see how the
Corvette’s style, performance, and identity have
changed over time, and speculate what the
next generation C9 might be. We’ll highlight
key innovations that helped transform it from
an early roadster into a world-class sports car,
including improvements in speed, handling, and
design. The class also introduces the people
behind the Corvette, from early designers to
later engineers who shaped its direction and
reputation. Their ideas and decisions will be
explored in the context of the times in which
they worked. Gain a deeper understanding of
the Corvette and what it represents - not just as
a car, but as a reflection of changing technology,
culture, and American ambition.
$30 – Class instructor is Paul Buck, current OLLI
Curriculum Committee Co-Chair, and longtime
member of Mid-Illinois Corvette Club.
Bloody April!
Your Choice
When in 1862 it Got Serious
IN PERSON
Explore the Battle of Shiloh—how
OR ONLINE
it came to be, the intensity of the
ferocious fighting, and Illinois’ significant role in
the conflict. We’ll examine the development of
battlefield markers, monuments, and memorials,
including how they are used and sometimes
misunderstood. Drawing from a three-day visit
to the Shiloh battlefield in June 2025, instructor
Peter Barclay combines firsthand observation with
insights gained from local historians and National
Park Service staff to better understand the scale
and significance of Shiloh.
$30 – Class instructor Peter Barclay is an amateur
historian and frequent OLLI instructor.
CLASSES
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