"Come Blow Your Horn" -- February 23, 2012

On the last trip of Winter 2012, OLLI traveled to Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre in Goodfield, Illinois.

Our evening began with a presentation by Jim Ludwig, Professor Emeritus of Theatre at Bradley University, about Neil Simon's writing legacy. After dinner, we watched the performance of "Come Blow Your Horn," a romp about a man who moves in with his brother in New York City.

The performance, which featured well-known local actors Bob Lane, Jr. and Mary Simon, was followed by an exclusive question-and-answer session with the cast.

For more information about Conklin's, please visit www.barn2.com.

ICC Cat Dealer Service Tech Training Facility -- February 22, 2012

For the first time ever, OLLI visited the Illinois Central College Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Training Facility in East Peoria.

During our tour, Mark Matthews, program coordinator, explained how the program combines classroom and real-world experience to teach engine fundamentals, machine hydraulics, Caterpillar fuel systems, transmissions and torque converters, undercarriage/final drives, and more.

OLLI thanks Mark and his staff for welcoming our group to the facility.

For more information about the program, please visit www.icc.edu/ait

182nd Airlift Wing -- February 21, 2012

The 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, is a diverse group of citizen-airmen from our community serving the nation's call to duty. It also maintains and operates eight C-130 Hercules aircraft capable of transporting large amounts of personnel and equipment over long distances.

During our visit to the base, Colonel William Robertson ('83), the Wing Commander, led a tour to explore the Wing's mission to include the maintenance, flying operations, and air support to the Army, Security Forces, and much more. He also provided an update on the Wing's current worldwide missions.

OLLI thanks Col Robertson and his staff for welcoming our group to the base.

For more information about the 182nd, please visit www.182aw.ang.af.mil.

USDA NCAUR (Ag Lab) -- February 16, 2012

On what is fast becoming one of the most popular learning trips, OLLI members traveled to the National Center for Agriculture Utilization Resarch (NCAUR) near the Bradley University campus.

During this tour, we had the rare opportunity for a first-hand look at the lab, home to more than 100 Ph.D. research scientists who invent industrial and food products and develop technologies to improve environmental quality. We also had the chance to see the science at work and speak with professionals who conduct the groundbreaking research.

For more information about the NCAUR, please visit www.ars.usda.gov.

South Side Mission -- February 15, 2012

In mid-February, OLLI had an inside peek at the South Side Mission and learned all about the programs offered by the non-profit church group.

During the trip, we also learned more about the South Side Mission's Culinary Arts School, a program designed to help under- and unemployed men and women train for careers in the hospitality industry. We toured the school, met Chef Chris Franzoni and his students, and dined on lunch prepared by the students.

For more information about the South Side Mission, please visit www.southsidemission.org.

Peoria City Hall -- February 10, 2012

Peoria City Hall, constructed 113 years ago on the site of an outdoor produce market at the corner of Madison and Fulton, has been celebrated recently with a 52-page booklet about its priceless art and architecture.

The author of that booklet, Dr. Peter J. Couri, was our guide as we took a private tour of City Hall and learned all about the planning, politics, and Peorians involved in constructing the Flemish Renaissance-style building.

During our visit, we saw the building's priceless art, plus its Italian marble wainscoting, copper cupola bell tower, ornamented stepped gables, and the open atrium rotunda with a stained glass skylight.

OLLI thanks Dr. Couri and the City Hall staff for welcoming our group!

Homeway Homes -- February 8, 2012

OLLI members who'd ever wondered about the modular homes on display off Interstate 74 in Goodfield had a perfect opportunity to learn how they're designed and built when we toured the Homeway Homes Factory.

We traveled to Deer Creek to tour the factory and speak with employees about the company's modern design and construction processes. We saw the staff at work throughout each step of the building stages, including floor and wall build, roof set, plumbing and insulation, siding, and final inspection and wrap.

After the factory tour, we headed to Goodfield to tour two completed model homes. OLLI thanks the staff at Homeway Homes for welcoming our group and answering our questions about the building process.

For more information about Homeway Homes, please visit www.homewayhomes.com

Peoria County Coroner's Office -- February 2, 2012

On this repeat trip, we learned about the responsibilities of Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll, an elected official charged with investigating sudden, unusual, and traumatic deaths and assuring those bodies are examined, identified, and, if necessary, autopsied. Our visit also included an observation of a jury inquest, which is held weekly to determine the manner of some deaths occurring in Peoria County.

OLLI thanks Coroner Ingersoll for spending time with our group and leading a very insightful discussion about the duties of the office.

For more information about the Coroner’s Office, visit www.peoriacounty.org

University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria -- February 1, 2012

On the first of February, OLLI visited the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP).

As part of the nation’s largest public medical school, UICOMP offers a balance of classroom education and clinical experience. During our visit, we learned how the school aims to improve healthcare in our community via education, research, and patient care. The tour included a presentation by the school's dean, Dr. Sarah Rausch, and updates on UICOMP's latest cancer research.

For more information about UICOMP, please visit www.peoria.medicine.uic.edu

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