Four Perfect Pebbles, by Marion Blumenthal Lazan -- April 9, 2013

Marion Blumenthal Lazan, Holocaust survivor and co-author of Four Perfect Pebbles, was the featured speaker at this OLLI-sponsored lecture on April 9.

Mrs. Lazan's mission is to speak to as many people as possible, so they can hear the story from a Holocaust survivor. Her presentation went beyond the facts; she applied the lessons learned to society today. She asked the audience to be tolerant of others and not stereotype individuals based on religious belief, race, color, or national origin.

She stressed the importance of positive thinking as well as creativity and inner strength when working to overcome adversity. She also urged her audience to be true to themselves and not blindly follow the leader.

OLLI thanks Mrs. Lazan for her inspiring talk in front of a packed house (more than 250 people were in attendance!). Thanks also to Steven Streight for providing the accompanying video.

Peoria Fire Academy -- April 15, 2013

In mid-April, OLLI visited the Peoria Fire Academy, a 15-acre training facility near Galena Road utilized by local, state, and federal public safety agencies for upgrade training and continuing education. It is also designated as the regional training site for the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

Byron Yang, Division Chief of Training, provided an in-depth look at the Peoria Fire Department, demonstrated the equipment used by firefighters (including fire gear and breathing apparatus), led a walk-through of the facility’s five-story burn tower, and talked in detail about the duties of the Peoria Fire Department.

OLLI thanks all the firefighters at the Peoria Fire Academy who made our group feel very welcome!

Chicago's Deutschland -- March 28, 2013

One of OLLI’s favorite step-on guides, Pam Risher, accompanied us as we moved beyond breweries and bratwurst and rediscoverd the cultural contributions made by German immigrants to Chicago. We marveled at the Romanesque style St. Michael’s Church with its great clock tower and spire, main altar with an eight-foot statue of St. Michael, and exquisite stained glass windows. We also passed the site of the Haymarket, drove past the Germania Club (the most influential of all European fraternal societies), and made a quick stop at Dinkel’s Bakery. After lunch at the Chicago Brauhaus, we visited the Dank Haus German Cultural Center and viewed its permanent exhibit “Lost German Chicago” featuring art, artifacts, and memorabilia reflecting the Chicago German community over the years.

Midwest Food Bank -- March 27, 2013

In late March, OLLI toured the Midwest Food Bank and learned how the organization handles donations, distributions, and the volunteers that allow it to feed more than 225,000 people each month.

At the end of the tour, participants were able to get "hands on" to help prepare food for a delivery.

OLLI thanks the staff and volunteers at Midwest Food Bank for opening their doors to our group.

For more information, please visit www.midwestfoodbank.org.