OLLI Winter 2027_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 17
Timeless Short Stories from The New Yorker
Tuesdays, January 12 – February 16
1:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Peoria Next Innovation Center
Do you love short stories or are you new to
reading them? Either way, join us as we explore
12 stories over six sessions, led by six enthusiastic
facilitators. Participants should purchase or
borrow A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker.
Internet access and an email address are required
to receive discussion questions and other relevant
information.
$45 – Facilitated by Meeta Baphna, John Brady,
Roger French, Jane Hense, Roberta Koscielski,
Paul Resnick, all experienced OLLI study group
facilitators.
Seats available: 18
Leading Ladies: Five Women Who Defined the
Golden Age of Hollywood
Tuesdays, January 19 – February 23
1:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Peoria Next Innovation Center
This study group explores five actresses—
Katharine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly,
Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor—whose
careers helped define Hollywood’s Golden Age
and the changing image of women on screen.
Each week focuses on one actress, her life, career,
persona, and influence, followed by a discussion
of one of her films: The Philadelphia Story,
Gaslight, Rear Window, Breakfast at Tiffany’s,
and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Along the
way, we’ll explore the studio system, celebrity
culture, the Hays Code, changing expectations
for women, the influence of European performers
and filmmakers, and Hollywood’s transition to
New Hollywood. We’ll consider how these stars
reflected (and sometimes challenged) ideas about
beauty, romance, independence, sexuality, and
identity, while discovering why their films and
performances continue to captivate audiences.
$45 – Facilitated by Tim Burns, Denise Hocker,
Gary Nelson, and Randy Wilson, all long-time OLLI
facilitators and film enthusiasts.
Seats available: 22
Advanced Trailblazers
Thursdays, February 4 – 25
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Various Locations
Join our hike leaders to explore several area
trails. Hikes will be 3–4 miles in length and may
include significant elevation changes. Trails may
be uneven, rocky, or include water, ice, or snow,
and the pace may be brisk. Please consider your
physical abilities and register only if you are an
experienced hiker. Poles are recommended for
winter hikes. The AllTrails app will be used. Planned
locations include Running Deer Trail in Dirksen
Park, Springdale Cemetery, Detweiller Park, and
Independence Park near Groveland. Locations may
change based on weather conditions.
$45 – Facilitated by Dave Woodruff, Sheila Hansen,
Allan Spangler, Stacey DelVecchio, Chris Esken and
Paul Miller, all experienced hikers on local trails.
Seats available: 18
The Antebellum Period in U.S. History,
1815 - 1860
Fridays, February 5 – March 5
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Peoria Next Innovation Center
What events and growing tensions pushed a
divided nation toward Civil War? Explore the
political, social, and economic conflicts that
shaped the years leading up to 1861. Through
discussion and historical perspectives, we’ll
examine the debate over slavery, states’ rights,
sectional tensions, and key events that ultimately
brought the nation to war.
$45 – Facilitated by John Cummings, frequent
OLLI instructor and history teacher for 45 years.
Seats available: 25
Study Group Committee Co-Chair Gary
Nelson provides helpful hints for volunteers
during a recent facilitator training session.
STUDY GROUPS
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