Winter Wilderness Adventure -- February 4, 2010

Three dozen OLLI members braved the cold to participate in our Winter Wilderness Adventure on Thursday, February 4.

We traveled to Starved Rock State Park to watch eagles and take a wintry hike to the top of Starved Rock. Joining us on our adventure was Maury Brucker, President of the Illinois Audubon Society. Maury provided wonderful insights about bird conservation efforts throughout the state, and gave great eagle watching advice and assistance, too.

Our guided trolley tours took us to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, where we heard experts talk about the history of bald eagles in Illinois. We stepped out onto the balcony to view the eagles, and spotted several in trees and on an island in the river. The trolleys then transported us to Buffalo Rock, where we saw even more eagles and gazed at the frozen waterfalls along the way.

Back at Starved Rock, our docent, Abby, took some members on a hike around the park, while others braved the icy conditions to climb to the top of the rock.

It was another great day of learning, and OLLI extends heartfelt thanks to Maury Brucker and the staff at Starved Rock State Park for making our trip even more delightful.

For more information about our trip, please visit the Illinois Audubon Society and Starved Rock State Park.

Five Points Washington -- January 21, 2010

What originally started as an idea for a fitness center has blossomed into a large multi-purpose facility with a partnership among with the City of Washington, the Washington Park District, Washington Community High School, Washington District Library, and the Washington Area Community Center (WACC) Board.

OLLI visited Five Points Washington, the non-profit, 136,000 square-foot facility in mid-January. During the tour, we viewed the fitness center, indoor track, aquatics center, gymnasium, performing arts center, banquet rooms, and the library. Two members of the WACC Board, President Sherril West and Secretary Kris Hasten, also addressed our group and explained the incredible community support that helped build the facility, which now boasts more than 7,000 members.

OLLI extends its appreciation to Sherril and Kris, along with General Manager Vikki Poorman, who provided an incredible learning experience and informative tour. For more information about the facility, please visit the Five Points Washington website.

Scottish Ethnic Dinner -- January 16, 2010

OLLI's latest ethnic dinner celebrated the Scottish culture at the 41st Annual Burns Supper at the Itoo Hall in Peoria.

More than 30 OLLI members joined 100+ other guests for the ever popular and traditional evening of Scottish music, dancing, toasts, and addresses by members of the Peoria Scottish American Society.

Special thanks to the Peoria Scottish American Society, as well as Dick and Norma Helfrich, for their assistance in making this event a part of OLLI's winter offerings.

2010 Winter Classes -- January 12-15, 2010

It was our biggest Winter OLLI ever!

More than 175 members braved the cold weather to participate in 25 diverse courses over four days during the second week of January. Led by community experts, Bradley faculty and staff, and OLLI members, the classes once again combined expertise and subject matter for lively discussion and through-provoking insights.

OLLI is lifelong learning at its best.