OLLI Spring 2026_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 8
Welcome to the Circus! Illinois State University
Friday, March 20
10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join OLLI as we head to Illinois State University,
home of the Gamma Phi Circus, the oldest
collegiate circus in the nation. From its beginning
in 1929, Gamma Phi has established itself as
a unique performance troupe, supporting
acrobatic and circus arts in higher education,
and continuing the legacy of circus history in
the state of Illinois. We’ll also visit the Circus and
Allied Arts Collection – which contains over one
million items ranging from books (their oldest
circus book dates to the 1500s), performance
contracts, cashbooks/ledgers, correspondence,
and still images in a variety of formats from
glass plate negatives to Kodachrome slides. We
will finish our tour with a unique opportunity to
observe a practice session to see how collegiate
circus performers learn their skills.
$45 – includes lunch at a local restaurant,
gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
Proctor Recreation Center and
Moonlight Coalition
Thursday, April 9
9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Travel to the heart of Peoria’s South Side to
explore the historic Proctor Recreation Center, a
cornerstone of the community for over a century.
We will tour the facility, which features two
gymnasiums, an auditorium, and a swimming
pool, and learn about its vital role in providing
a safe, engaging environment for youth and
families through the Peoria Park District. During
our visit, we will also meet with leaders from
the Moonlight Coalition for Adult Learning. We
will hear about their inspiring mission to break
the cycle of poverty by providing free GED
instruction, literacy programs, and mentorship
to adults in the community. Discover how this
unique partnership is transforming lives through
education and recreation.
$35 – includes guided tour, lunch at a local
restaurant, gratuities, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
OLLI members are all ears as they learn
more about Peoria's iconic City Hall.
8
LEARNING TRIPS
Getz Fire Equipment Company
Thursday, April 23
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Getz family is opening the doors of their
Adams Street facility to introduce OLLI to this
diversified company and how it has grown into a
multi-million dollar business. We’ll learn how the
company’s 125 specialists provide fire protection,
first aid and safety supplies, security, and highpressure cleaning to its residential, commercial,
and industrial clients. Our visit to the 30,000
square foot building will include a look at the fire
extinguisher pressure test rooms, recharge rooms,
and training areas as we learn about the critical
science of fire protection.
$35 – includes guided tour, lunch at a local
restaurant, gratuities, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
Peoria County Courthouse
Friday, May 8
8:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Go behind the scenes of county government
with a visit to the Peoria County Courthouse.
Located in the heart of downtown, this hub of
judicial and administrative activity serves as the
center of county operations. We will be joined by
Peoria County Administrator Scott Sorrel, who will
provide an insider’s overview of how the county
is managed, from budget to daily operations.
Additionally, we will meet with a sitting judge to
gain a unique perspective on the judicial process
and the inner workings of the court system. The
trip includes a tour of the facility and a discussion
on the current challenges and opportunities
facing Peoria County.
$35 – includes guided tour, lunch at a local
restaurant, gratuities, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
