Before I’d even turned 50, AARP had contacted me to remind me that one of the opportunities I could accept as I reached that milestone was membership.
At the time, I didn’t really want to be reminded. However, I now seek out the many opportunities available to those of us who have reached a “certain age.”
For the past 13 years, one of the big pluses for the over-50 set locally has been the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI as it is more affectionately referred to by the more than 1,000 members in New Hampshire. Their slogan is “Learning for the Fun of It.” With more than 300 classes offered each year, you could make it an all-consuming part of your life if you chose to.
Classes are offered at campuses in Concord, Manchester, Portsmouth, Rochester and Conway. Membership is affordable, as are the classes, and you don’t need to be a member to take a class, although after taking one you may be asking, “Where do I sign up?”
Since I began my affiliation with OLLI nearly five years ago, I’ve taught nearly two dozen classes in front of more than 700 enthusiastic members and attendees. I’ve made the rounds from Concord to Manchester and then to Portsmouth and even to Conway. While my classes have been mainly built around various film genres with the exception of the hugely popular “Growing Up Catholic” class that Peg Fargo and I devised, the topics of the 300-plus annual offerings run the gamut from history, music, travel, math, discussion groups and everything in between.
You can visit the website at olli.granite.edu, and you’ll find out how to become a member as well as having the opportunity to peruse the seemingly endless listing of classes offered at every site.
It’s always been my firm belief that you should never stop expanding your horizons and becoming a part of OLLI will certainly open portals of knowledge and entertainment to you that will enrich and heighten your enjoyment of life.
Paul Brogan