The members of this OLLI study group were delighted to have their biography come to life when Bryan Fox Ellis portrayed James John Audubon at their last meeting, August 23. Ellis led the group discussion as they explored Audubon's art, his science, his intellect and his spirit.
OLLI would like to thank Bryan Fox Ellis for his entertaining visit and Jerry Whitledge for facilitating this great study group
We started our behind-the-scenes tour in the basement of the museum, viewing the prototype Duryea Peoria Motor Trap. While downstairs, we were also able to check out the art studios, the classrooms, and even peek at the sculpture gardens.
The Museum Curator, Kristan McKinsey, gave background details as we went through the various exhibits including the Illinois River Encounter, ISHA Peak Performance, the Ansel Adams feature exhibit, and The Street, a dramatic exhibit designed with a sense of grandeur, with a large media display to immerse visitors in more than 300 years of Peoria's rich history.
OLLI even had the opportunity to visit the planetarium where Sheldon Shafer, Director of Education/Planetarium Curator, explained the technology behind the sky of stars and showed off the latest technology with a short documentary on black holes.
In addition, we learned about a few of the building features and practices that make it an environmentally sustainable museum.
OLLI would like to thank the outstanding staff at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for such an enjoyable tour.
OLLI members explored interactive displays and exhibits with two Caterpillar docents.
Some of the highlights included climbing into the seat of a massive two-story Cat® 797 Mining Truck and taking a virtual ride into a customer's mine site down a haul road, seeing what the Holt steam track-type tractor prototype from 1905 looked like, and viewing the antique Cat® D8 Tractor to see what it was like to operate the machine in the 1930s.
OLLI members also got a chance to climb around and try out some of the other CAT trucks on display.
OLLI thanks the Caterpillar Visitors Center for welcoming our gang.
During the trip, Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy led our private tour of the jail, along with Corrections Superintendent Brian Asbell.
OLLI participants volunteered to test their skills in an interactive indoor shooting range at the facility. Sheriff McCoy was impressed with our member’s marksmenship. This video skills test is used to assess officers on a regular basis.
Sheriff McCoy spent time with OLLI discussing the strategies and challenges facing the operations of the County Jail, as well as current community issues.
OLLI would like to extend a huge thanks to Sheriff Mike McCoy and his staff for hosting our tour.
