Alice Dembner’s mom taught her valuable lesson: Never stop learning. It was a lesson taught by example. Even after she earned a master’s degree, Dembner’s mom continued taking college classes during her later years, even learning Italian for the first time. When Dembner learned about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UMass Boston, Dembner decided to follow her mom’s example and take full advantage.
“OLLI has a huge diversity of offerings, pretty much something to suit everyone,” Dembner says. “There are opportunities to dabble in subjects that you’re interested in, whether it’s five-week courses or other events, like discounted theater tickets, trips, and talks.”
Through OLLI—which provides learning opportunities to people over 50—Dembner has taken programs in history and music, she’s gone on a birding outing, and she’s attended author talks and book discussions.
“I’ve always liked learning, but I didn’t like the grades part,” Dembner laughs. “This the best of the learning, of being exposed to new ideas.”
OLLI’s Active Winter Season
“Hibernating is not allowed with OLLI,” says Jim Hermelbracht, director of OLLI at UMass Boston.
As winter begins, the group has announced its new slate of offerings for January and February. Unlike the spring and fall semesters, these winter programs are free to Boston-area residents, even if they aren’t OLLI members. (A few courses have costs for materials.) The winter programs are held virtually, creating an easy and convenient way for people to discover OLLI.
“Even though these programs are virtual, they still allow folks to connect during the bleak winter months,” Hermelbracht says. “Even if you’re not getting out of your house, you’re still getting out of your comfort zone and satisfying your curiosity. You’re still staying connected.”
This winter has a special focus on the arts, including drawing workshops, writing workshops, author talks, a class on Broadway in the 80s, and the annual winter film series. One new program focuses on a more epicurean art: a virtual tasting of wine, cheese, chocolate, and fruit, held (when else?) right before Valentine’s Day. “These are a way to tease out one’s creativity,” Hermelbracht says.
“Even though these programs are virtual, they still allow folks to connect during the bleak winter months. Even if you’re not getting out of your house, you’re still getting out of your comfort zone and satisfying your curiosity. You’re still staying connected.”
James Hermelbracht, director of OLLI at UMass Boston
In addition to the art programming, OLLI will continue to host programs in history, mental health, and online security. It’ll also bring back its most popular offering, Book Reviews and Recommendations. Attendees come with title suggestions across a variety of genres—mystery, historical fiction, nonfiction, romance—and leave with a list that can fill their to-be-read list well into the year.
By offering free programs to non-members, Hermelbracht hopes to introduce new attendees to OLLI—and to show them it’s more than just courses and presentations.
“We’re not just an organization, but we’re a lifelong learning community,” he says. “We connect members to one another, as well as to the subjects at hand. It’s a community that goes to the theater together, who goes on day trips together. It’s an amazing experience that allows folks to continue their lifelong learning journey.”
Learn more about OLLI at UMass Boston: OLLI at 25: Remembering the early days and evolution of lifelong learning at UMass Boston
Leave a Reply