Director's Note
Don’t Wait — It’s Time to Renew Your Membership!
OLLI friends, the countdown is on — and this is your moment to stay connected, stay curious, and stay part of a community that thrives because of YOU. Our membership year runs from July 1 to June 30, which means most memberships expire at the end of this month. If you didn’t renew while signing up for summer classes, now is the perfect time to jump back in.
Renewing is quick and easy: visit our website or call the OLLI office at (269) 387‑4157. A few minutes today keeps you learning, exploring, and engaging all year long.
And here’s the best part: Anyone who renews — or joins as a brand‑new member — before July 31 will lock in a special discounted rate of $40. That’s $10 off the regular membership price, and a great way to start the new program year strong. Renew Your Membership
Your membership isn’t just a transaction — it’s an investment in OLLI’s future. This year, nearly 580 members joined us on the journey of lifelong learning, surpassing last year’s total by more than 20 members. Now we’re aiming even higher. Our goal for the upcoming year is to reach 600 or more returning and new members. With your renewal, you help us grow, innovate, and continue offering the high‑quality programs you love.
And there’s more! Renew or join before August 1, and you’ll be automatically entered into a raffle to win a pair of Miller Auditorium tickets for the upcoming season. Imagine enjoying a night out — simply because you renewed early.
So don’t wait. Don’t miss out. Renew today, save money, support OLLI, and maybe even win big. Let’s step boldly into another year of learning, connection, and community — together.
Together in lifelong learning,
Toni Woolfork-Barnes, Ed.D.
Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU
Curriculum
OLLI’s The History and the Literature class
written by Martha Beverly
Every OLLI term Stan and Diane Henderson offer a class in which they present a historical novel with excellent slides and wry humor. Their classes always fill up quickly and are favorites of mine. They recently presented The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter about the adult life of Judith Shakespeare, Hamnet’s twin. The author, Grace Tiffany, is an English professor at WMU with specialties in Shakespeare and the Renaissance. It is a continuation of her first book about how their mother met William Shakespeare and the early years of their marriage, My Father Had a Daughter.
While little documentation exists about the lives of ordinary people at that time, Tiffany developed a fascinating tale of daily life, vivid characters and described the warring factions between those loyal to sovereignty and the opposing parliamentarians and how it affected the lives of townsfolk. She created strong women who navigated suspicions of witchcraft and challenging societal expectations.
I plan to read more from our local authors. Join me! Suggestions: Bonnie Jo Campbell, Gail Griffin, Mark Nepo, Diane Seuss. And how about some OLLI classes or online author/book talks featuring these local literary leaders?
Shared Interest Group
What Is Pétanque?
written by Sehvilla Mann
Public radio from Western Michigan University 102.1 NPR News
Sehvilla Mann picked up an OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) winter flyer and noticed a word she didn't recognize, so she called me one morning last January. What's pétanque? she asked. I'm the contact person for this happy band and I told her that the best way I could explain was to have her play with the group when the weather warmed up. On the last Monday in April, Sehvilla was at our site on the 9th Street campus of KVCC on a service road out back by the wind turbines for our first play date for the season. She sported a large backpack, a microphone on a long support stick, a camera and headphones which she wore the whole time we played. She recorded 2 1/2 hours of video. And today, a week later, her four-minute feature on the game and our OLLI group of players aired twice on WMUK, 102.1 during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. You can find the story using the highlighted link.
Events
THE EVENTS TEAM REPORT
When the Events Team heard that OLLI would be moving to Walwood Hall, at 741 Oakland Drive, many of us didn’t know where it was on campus. We suggested an open house to introduce Walwood Hall to OLLI, and our Director, Toni Woolfork-Barnes, took us up on it. You have already received the official invitation by email, so consider this a reminder, and bring along a friend! If you sign up to attend the Open House on Thursday, June 18th, you will learn more about Walwood Hall’s diverse history with a special speaker.
You will have the opportunity to admire the building any time between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, with a short presentation at 1:30 to welcome you to the space and to thank volunteers. From the parking lot, you will enter through the west entrance, closest to Oakland Drive—look for the balloons! Admire the lobby’s expanse, its Philippine woodwork, murals, and striking staircase, and enjoy some light refreshments.
Up on the second floor in the Emeriti Lounge, a potential venue for OLLI classes, you will be able to sign up or renew your OLLI membership for the special price of $40, a discount of $10 until July 31st. Visit the Connable Room in the east wing where OLLI may also hold classes. The Open House is your chance to familiarize yourself with OLLI’s new home. If you haven’t already RSVP’ed, register now for the Open House before June 12th and for Taste of OLLI on July 22nd.
Register Here SIGs and Events
Wellness Moment
The Pied Piper of West Hills
Sometimes things take on a life of their own. In this case, it’s the most popular group exercise class we have, by a wide margin, Active Aging. It’s led by the Pied Piper of West Hills, Chanda Curtis, and she has the participants of the class eating out of the palm of her hand. Chanda has established herself as a major asset to West Hills, and with decades of experience in the fitness industry so she knows a little something about it and is the fittest person you’ve ever met. She has created an experience that has cascading benefits to many of the components that make up overall wellness including physical, emotional, mental, social, and I've heard in some cases, spiritual well-being. Averaging 50 people per class of all fitness levels, it’s become a community and in many cases the highlight of the day. If you’d like to try an Active Aging class, email me at @email, and I’ll get you in. If you do, you better get there early because the spots fill up fast! Here’s the description of the class from our website, and a link to a video description from Pied Piper herself.
Active Aging class at West Hills helps keep individuals strong, mobile, and independent with this specialized, low-impact group workout designed for older adults (typically 55+). Each class focuses on strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility to support everyday activities and overall well-being.
What to expect
· Gentle cardio, strength training, and stretching
· Options for seated or standing exercises
· Functional movement and balance exercises
· A welcoming, social environment that makes fitness fun
Benefits
· Improves posture and stability
· Builds strength for daily life
· Enhances flexibility and joint health
· Promotes confidence and independence
Suitable for: All fitness levels—modifications provided.
50 minutes
To learn more, please click on the link -
What is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?
The program was initiated under the auspices of the WMU Emeriti Council and EUP, but now currently resides within the office of Government Relations and External Partnerships. OLLI offers intellectually lively and culturally appealing learning experiences. We accomplish this by focusing on intellectual stimulation, personal growth, social engagement and enrichment. Read more
What do we do?
We offer short courses for one to four weeks. Sessions are usually two hours long. Travel programs are also a part of our offerings. There are no tests and no required homework, just exploring lots of interesting topics.
In the near future we will offer courses in different formats -- noon hour discussions, several sessions in one week, and more evening courses. OLLI courses and activities are developed and produced by its members with the support of the staff of Government Relations and External Partnerships.
We need your ideas for course topics and instructors. Let us know your suggestions. Call the OLLI office at (269) 387-4157 or send an email. The curriculum committee will review all suggestions.