Giving Day 2026!
Please mark your calendars and set your clocks—WMU's Giving Day 2026 is almost here! On March 25th, for one day, we're putting our best fundraising feet forward to show how much we care about our beloved lifelong learning community. Join us in donating on March 25th.
The easiest way is to give online, and we will share our OLLI Giving Day direct donation link as we get closer to March 25th. While we encourage you to make your gift online, you can also mail checks made to the WMU Foundation (include OLLI at WMU Giving Day in the memo line) or call the WMU Alumni Association at (269) 387-8700. Checks must be received before 5 p.m. on March 25th to count toward Giving Day 2026.
Our mailing address is:
WMU Foundation
Attn: Gift Processing
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5403
Thank you for all that you do to support OLLI at WMU!
Sincerely,
Toni Woolfork-Barnes, Ed.D.
Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU
Curriculum
Winter/Spring Semester Offerings
One of the courses offered this semester was ‘An Introduction to Plant-Based Cooking and Eating’ with Nancy Bentley as the instructor. The course provided OLLI students with tasty recipes and samples with the focus on preparing healthy and alternative options for snacks, and even coffee. Thanks, Nancy, for sharing your expertise.
Senior Readers Theater
Senior Readers Theater will perform the One-Act play “The White Caps.” The play will be performed in the People’s Church commons on Wed., March 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. This presentation is part of the programming for the “Inner Work of Age Group” at People’s Church and is free, and open to all members of the community. A discussion will follow the performance. “The White Caps addresses what it means to grow older and depicts a Senior woman’s sometimes humorous, sometimes dramatic quest to banish fears related to her annual cognitive test.
OLLI Shared Interest Groups
Join Us for Virtual Happy Hour!
The next topic for Virtual Happy Hour participants is our favorite United States travel destinations. Join fellow OLLI members on Thursday, March 12 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Bring a beverage and enjoy! Join the SIG via the OLLI website or by directly contacting your happy hour host, Judy Sivak, at @email
We can’t wait to see you!
Events
Thank You!
Thanks to all of you who braved the cold weather to join us at the rescheduled January/February 4th Thaw—the roads may have been slushy and the cold hung on, but the warmth of conviviality gave 109 of us all the thaw we needed to enjoy the afternoon.
Many of you took advantage of the social hour to visit with instructors and find out more about the array of classes offered during our Winter/Spring 2026 semester. Take a look at the offerings at wmich.edu/olli/courses Classes are filling quickly. Thank you to all the instructors!
We had the pleasure of hearing Jeff Breneman, Vice President of Government Relations and External Partnerships, welcome OLLI to his fold. As a result of the administrative change, Toni announced the move to Walwood Hall in March where OLLI will now make its home.
Sheriff Rick Fuller educated us on the most recent ploys used in I.D. theft by phone, email, online sites, and any other time or place you are asked to provide personal information. He provided informative booklets and pamphlets for our easy reference. We need to ask him back every two or three years since AI is changing the electronic landscape every day.
Once again, we replenished the WMU Student Pantry with pounds of non-perishable items and filled a bin for the Literacy Council. Leftover books from the exchange went to Plainwell, Portage and Mattawan libraries. Despite the week’s delay, the Thaw was a great success!
Looking ahead, the Events Team will be discussing social gatherings for the coming year at our next meeting and scheduling an Open House at Walwood Hall once Toni and Madison are comfortably ensconced in their new digs.
Wellness Moment
7 Rules of Longevity
Longevity has become the hottest topic in the wellness arena, which I think makes us (OLLI) very forward thinking because we talk about it a lot! As I was summarizing the habits, I was reflective of the “Secrets to Longevity” interviews I conducted and reported on. Of all the interviews, the following 7 habits were a common theme. My grandmother Ebba lived to be 95 and attributed her longevity to a relationship with God, and eating a piece of cheese every day of her life. Beyond that, Shirley has one shot of whiskey per day, “Not every day, but most days”. Bev grows her own herbs and adds a bit of ginger to her smoothie every day, and Bob has played the horn for more than 85 years. There are always new angles to discuss like the association between posture and longevity, or grip-strength and longevity which are interesting, but here’s the tried and true, the scientifically proven…
Healthy Diet:
Prioritize whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Regular Exercise:
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day, with at least two strength training sessions per week. Exercise is medicine!
Quality Sleep:
Ideally 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. It’s important for muscle repair, cognitive rejuvenation and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. I know this can be challenging as we age, I’ve noticed it myself.
Stress Management:
Exercise, meditation, relaxation, or having a hobby have been shown to reduce stress, which is believed to improve longevity. This is especially important if you have chronic disease like hypertension or Diabetes. For me it’s exercise and electric guitar!
Social Connection:
Maintain strong relationships and social engagement. Isolation increases risks for heart disease and dementia. If covid taught us anything, it’s that our social health is just as important as other aspects of health!
Avoid Harmful Habits:
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption both significantly increase the risk of chronic disease. I know, no fun, right?
Mental Acuity:
Stay active mentally somehow someway. Wordle, crossword puzzles, games, reading, play/learn an instrument etc. will stimulate your brain and promote mental sharpness and longevity. The lucky thing is that many hobbies will serve to manage stress AND facilitate mental acuity.
Hopefully you’re in good shape with most of these habits, and if not it’s never too late for a New Years Resolution!
Community Connections
Volunteer opportunity - Become a tutor!
The Kalamazoo Literacy Council invites caring volunteers to join our community of tutors who help empower adults to read, write, and participate more fully in everyday life. Your time can transform a learner's life —and enrich your own.
We offer:
- One-on-one tutoring tailored to adult learners’ goals
- Flexible options to fit busy schedules
- Training from master tutors and a supportive staff
Why tutor?
- Help adults gain skills that unlock opportunities in employment, health literacy, and community engagement
- Low commitment, big impact
- No prior teaching experience needed
Tutor training begins March 5
Join us for orientation to learn about our mission, services, and the tutoring experience, followed by the workshops. You may participate in person or online.
Orientation: March 5, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Workshops: March 9, 12, 16, & 19, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Get involved
If you’re interested, please contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219, @email, or visit kalamazooliteracy.org/volunteer to sign up. We hope to hear from you!
Free Tax Help Available
Local Program Provides Assistance
Sam Grossman
Need help filing your 2025 federal and state income taxes? Volunteers with a local program can prepare and file tax returns free of charge.
Trained, IRS-certified volunteers with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program meet with clients by appointment at six locations in greater Kalamazoo. Tax-Aide helps anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate incomes. You don't need to be an AARP member to use the service.
Volunteer tax counselors will begin meeting with clients the first week of February and continue until April 15. To make an appointment, call your preferred site at the number listed. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling begins in early to mid-January.
| Location | Day of Service | Scheduling Number |
| Parchment Public Library | Monday | 269-343-7747 |
| Portage Zhang Senior Center | Tuesday | 269-329-4555 |
| Rivers Community Center, Three Rivers | Wednesday | 269-279-8083 |
| Church of God Family Worship Center, Comstock | Thursday | 269-359-0743 |
| Otsego District Library | Friday | 269-694-9690 |
| Disability Network, Kalamazoo | Friday | 269-359-0743 |
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Every year, from early February to mid-April, volunteers take appointments at over 3,600 locations around the country. Last year, Kalamazoo district volunteers completed 1,081 returns.
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.