2012 Winter Wrapup -- January 25, 2012

More than 70 OLLI members were on campus today to attend the Winter Class wrapup session. The members reviewed and summarized evaluations from the 32 classes, and discussed what went well during the recent class gatherings.

Thanks to everyone who attended! We hope to see you again in April for the next class session.

Peoria Police Department -- January 19, 2012

On this trip, we visited the Peoria Police Department and viewed holding cells, line up rooms, interview rooms, the evidence room, and a museum that highlights equipment, photographs, and evidence collected over the last 80 years.

Our tour will included the adjacent Emergency Communications Center, where we observed and learned how the trained staff handles emergency calls for all of Peoria County law enforcement, fire, and ambulance services and provides critical information in emergency situations to both officers and citizens.

OLLI thanks Office Beth Hermancinski for taking time out of her day to provide an informative and engaging tour.

For more information about the Peoria Police Department, please visit www.ci.peoria.il.us.

OLLI Winter 2012 Classes -- January 10-13, 2012

Nearly 220 people attended OLLI's 2012 Winter class gathering, held on the Bradley University campus from January 10 - 13.

The 218 registrants marked an all-time high for winter attendance! The 32 classes focused on a wide array of topics, including the 2012 Presidential Race, Forties Flicks, Mathematical Constructions Using Paper and Straws, Human Versus Robot, and Genealogy Research.

Thank you to all of our participants -- we hope to see you again for our Spring classes!

Peoria County Sheriff's Office -- January 17, 2012

On this trip, Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy led a behind-the-scenes tour of his department and the attached jail.

Our visit included a K-9 deputy demonstration and a look at the lockup portion of the facility and its newer technological advances, including the closed-circuit bonding system, computerized mug shot and booking system, and a live scan fingerprint process system.

OLLI extends its sincere thanks to Sheriff McCoy and his department for welcoming our group!

For more information about the Sheriff's Department, please visit www.peoriacounty.org

Winter Waterfall Hike -- January 16, 2012

On our first regional trip of 2012, we traveled to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois, for a day of hiking and geologic adventure.

OLLI favorite Ed Stermer, a Professor of Earth Science at Illinois Central College, guided us along the trails at Starved Rock and discussed some of the 18 canyons that slice dramatically through tree-covered, sandstone bluffs.

It was an incredible day of learning, and we were proud to welcome 12 new members who were on the trip.

Thank you to Ed Stermer, as always, for providing incredible insight and knowledge throughout the day.

General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport -- January 5, 2012

Our first trip of 2012 was an inside look at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport.

Gene Olsen, Director of the Airport, provided an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at ticket counters, inbound baggage facilities, passenger screening rooms, waiting areas, and jet bridges. We also learned how the new 125,000 square-foot terminal places ticket counters, baggage claim, and rental car desks on one floor in the main concourse, serving around 1 million travelers through 12 gates annually.

OLLI thanks Gene and the staff at the airport for welcoming our group!

For more information about the airport, please visit www.flypia.com