Director's letter

Lucille Salerno Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday I began writing to you with the rhythm of air conditioners setting my pace on a blistery hot evening. Today it is the rhythm of the rain -- they've called it the remains of Hurricane Dolly, but the downpour seems too virulent for that descriptor. Perhaps I am talking about the weather because I am in this lonely moment, again, trying to reach out to you and, with broad brush strokes, give you the highlights of the OLLI fall semester.

First things first: A heartfelt “welcome back to our classrooms.” I hope your summer was pleasurable. We may have contributed a bit to that pleasure as we kept the Friday Film Festival going through rain, more rain and humid heat.

You're curious about the upcoming classes. Thus, within these pages, are to be found descriptions of no fewer than 25 fall courses. Familiar ones like the Gardening Potpourri, Bridge I, The Fight for Missouri in the Civil War, France and the Holocaust, The Vintage Voyage of Wine Discovery, Artistic Anatomy, Conversations on the Shape of Things to Come, Glimpse the World of the Medical Examiner and Experiments in Watercolor, à la Mariel Stephenson. Calling them “familiar” simply relates the fact that their popularity stands over time and magnetically attracts new students and, not infrequently, returning students, enamored of the content and the discussion or skill that proves a renewed experience with an engaging instructor.

Other courses have titles that you have seen before, but you will find that the units that comprise them are completely new -- largely, the “potpourri” courses about gardening, the arts, and significant issues, interests and personalities. All have wonderful new individual presenters with fresh content. Actually, the brown-bag seminars constitute the same type of course, but you need only appear for the seminars. They become gifts to any student who simply registers for a course. Registration is not required for the seminars -- just come out and enjoy them. Learn in the company of fun and savvy adults.

An important national election will occur during our next semester. It motivated Parker Rossman to create a stage for the discussion of issues that are likely to influence how you vote. His course title, abbreviated, is: Leading Up to the Election. Paul Miller's class, Conversations on the Shape of Things to Come, also centers on discussing issues and includes consideration of dynamics on the international scene. At the moment energy is everyone's overwhelming challenge. If it preoccupies you, and it certainly should, join Turk Storvick's lucid presentation of the problem and the path he outlines to resolution, Sustainable Energy. An update on China inheres in the course created by Don Scruggs --the political scientist just returned from a tour of that portion of the world.

What's new besides every session of the potpourri courses? A new take on the teaching of Shakespeare -- it's interactive. You even will take on the task of staging, of directing. Chinese Cuisine, would you believe -- in our newly created kitchen? Wonderful, multitalented Pon Chinn is our chef, and the wonderful Deatons -- Anne and Chancellor Brady -- contributed the stove! Incidentally, in addition to the new kitchen, we have a piano(!) on loan from the gracious members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and arranged by our resident genius and faithful Fiji, Adam Newman. John Bauman and other piano artists, please take note! Eminent impresario Alex Innecco takes on Music History as It Ought to Be Taught, no less; it's a 10-week course -- likely using our piano. Only someone out of the country this fall is likely to miss it. Web Literacy, who does not need this course? Learn from an energetic young woman from Trinidad -- yes, you will love the wonderful lilt as she teaches. There's a new take on financial planning in the Estate Planning course from a wonderful gentleman who has suppressed the desire to be a TV star -- oops, his secret is out! The Andersons are back with a genius theme again -- a funny one this time. Every fully socialized adult who has experienced interpersonal strain and struggled against responding aggressively to provocation should be interested in Machiavelli's The Prince. Here's your chance to learn the art of “the fine Italian hand.” Don't forget to look into the interesting Sunday afternoon tours Sept. 21 and 28. Travel with us to celebrate two historic events/sites -- and leave the driving in the capable hands of OAK Tours.

It's an exciting time for our program. Note that we have added another pleasurable weekly event -- Wednesday Night at the Movies -- at 7 p.m. The movie follows the Glimpse the World of the Medial Examiner course with just enough time preceding it to grab a quick bite of supper or brown-bag it in our kitchen, then come back to enjoy the film and eat popcorn.

Our students are sent announcements about the movies every week via e-mail for both the Friday afternoon and Wednesday night films. Make sure that you are receiving this service and that we have an accurate e-mail address for you.

You will be more likely to glimpse technology in education this fall because more courses will be transmitted live via interactive television -- some folks call it video conferencing. You may find yourself taking a course with students convened in libraries in Carrollton, St. Joseph, Moberly or Kirkwood. It's an experience that should not be missed, and it's how your college-age and younger family members may be securing at least part of their education.

Gosh, didn't OLLI membership prove confusing? Well, we've taken care of that challenge. Now, everyone who registers for a course in the fall and spring is a member of our program. Registering for a course gives you access to:

The course for which you register
lAll of the brown-bag seminars
The Friday Film Festival
The Wednesday night movies
An informed mind and new friends

That's it. It could not be simpler. What are you waiting for?

Finally, this communication now becomes what the Brits refer to as a “begging letter.” I have been bragging about the wonderful features that have been added to our program -- two film series with the concomitant purchase of films, cooking components, cabinets and utensils in the kitchen, the piano -- repair and tuning, and, this year, a comprehensive update of our high-tech equipment/computers and the beginnings of a scholarship fund. Cost recovery is in progress. It would be wonderful if you would assist us with financial contributions in whatever amount you may wish to give. You will find your generous acts facilitated with a “giving envelope” that is inserted in this catalog. Genuine thanks for your generosity.

It is indeed a pleasure to have you with us,

All the best, always,
Lucille Salerno, Director
salernol@missouri.edu
573-884-5927

Laura Ward, Program Coordinator
wardla@missouri.edu
573-882-7478

Adam Ross Newman, Office Assistant
arncde@missouri.edu
573-882-2585

Updated 8/7/08