The courses listed below start in May
~~~~~
Blues Queens: The Women Who Built American Popular Music | $50 Kyla Lewis
May 1-22, 2026 | Fridays | 11:00am-12:00pm
Before Elvis swiveled his hips or Billie Holiday broke hearts, there were the Blues Queens: bold, brassy women who ruled stages and phonographs in the early 20th century. From Ma Rainey’s traveling tent shows to Bessie Smith’s empire of record sales, these pioneering artists challenged social norms, built their own business empires, and left an indelible mark on American music. In this course, we’ll celebrate the lives, lyrics, and legacies of the women who gave blues its voice — and examine how their songs still echo in today’s music. Expect laughter, a few tears, and a whole lot of foot-tapping.
Everyday Horror: The Fiction of Shirley Jackson | $50 Trevor McMichael
May 1-22, 2026 | Fridays | 1:30-3:30pm
Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) is one of the most memorable writers of mid-twentieth-century American fiction, renowned, as she is, for her uncanny ability to shine a light on the dark, disturbing, and dangerous potential lurking both in the human psyche and around the corner everywhere in our mundane, everyday lives. This seminar examines in depth one of America’s great writers of horror and psychological fiction, and we will learn about Jackson’s biography and read and discuss some of her hallmark works of fiction, including several short stories as well as the novel We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) and the 2018 film adaptation of that text. OLLI will assemble a course packet containing the short stories we will read, which will be distributed as a hard copy during our first meeting. I will be using the Penguin edition of We Have Always Lived in the Castle (ISBN: 9780143039976), but feel free to use whichever edition you can acquire. Finally, we will discuss the film adaptation of this novel during our final meeting, and you should be able to access it via Amazon Prime (among other streaming platforms).
What is My Rug? | $5 Alan Atkinson (Mornings with the Professor)
May 5, 2026 | Tuesday | 9:30-11:00am
Dr. Atkinson will share some of his knowledge and enthusiasm for hand-knotted carpets, primarily from central Asia. (Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, etc.) He will discuss some of the easily identifiable characteristics of specific types and qualities of carpets. Participants are welcome to bring small examples (under 3’ x 4’) for examination & discussion.
Lewis & Clark Revisited | $50 Luann Swell Waters
May 7-June 11, 2026 | Thursdays | 1:30-3:30pm
The journey made by the Corps of Discovery, led by Lewis & Clark, is looked upon as the “opening” of the American West. We will explore their journey through journal entries, works of art, historical photos, PowerPoints, and DVDs. The many discoveries and impacts of the trip, and what became of the people they met and the Corps members after the expedition.
Beyond Beloved: Toni Morrison’s Later Works | $50 Kyla Lewis
May 11-June 22, 2026 | Mondays | 2:00-3:00pm
This course invites readers to journey through the second half of Toni Morrison’s extraordinary literary career, exploring six of her most provocative and ambitious works: Paradise, Tar Baby, Jazz, Home, Love, and the short story Recitatif. As a continuation of a previous course centered on Morrison’s earlier novels, this class delves into the evolving themes, narrative structures, and moral complexities that define her later writing. These texts grapple with questions of belonging, displacement, community, gender, and the lasting effects of history. From the haunting chorus of voices in Paradise to the rhythmic experimentation of Jazz and the enigmatic racial ambiguity of Recitatif, Morrison pushes the boundaries of form and perspective. Each work challenges readers to confront what is left unsaid, what has been forgotten, and what remains remembered. Through guided discussions, we’ll consider how Morrison constructs stories that are at once deeply personal and profoundly political. No prior participation in the first Morrison course is required, and new and returning students are welcome. Participants should be prepared for thoughtful engagement and open conversation as we continue exploring the legacy of one of America’s most powerful literary voices. *Class will NOT meet 5/25
Creative Writing: The Form and the Practice | $50 Bailey Brooks
May 18-June 29, 2026 | Mondays | 1:00-3:00pm
Creative writing is a craft, an art, and a passion. It affords us the opportunity to exercise our minds, process our thoughts, and interpret the world around us in a way that few other activities can. In this class, for the first five weeks, we will focus on various elements of short fiction, including character, plot, dialogue, setting, and genre. Each class will feature a discussion of technique and a short reading that showcases or highlights that week’s craft element. In our final meeting, students will be encouraged to bring a short creative piece to share and workshop in small groups. *Class will NOT meet 5/25
Race Records: How Black Music Changed America Before Motown | $50 Kyla Lewis
May 20-June 10, 2026 | Wednesdays | 11:00am-12:00pm
Long before Berry Gordy launched Motown, another revolution was underway — one pressed into grooves of fragile 78 rpm records and sold under the label “Race Records.” In the 1920s and ‘30s, these recordings brought Black voices into homes across America, shaping everything from jazz to rock & roll. Join us as we explore the birth of this industry, the rise of blues and jazz pioneers, the surprising popularity of recorded sermons and gospel, and how these records laid the foundation for rhythm & blues and beyond. Hear rare recordings, meet the colorful characters behind the music, and discover how “Race Records” changed American culture forever. No musical expertise required — just curiosity and a love of great stories and songs.
Electricity: Creation, Use and the Future of Renewable Energy | $50 Dave Boeck
May 26 – June 16, 2026 | Tuesdays | 9:30–11:00am
From the invention of the first battery by Volta in 1800, to the establishment of the first power station by Thomas Edison, and then the war between Tesla for the use of direct current and Edison for the use of Alternating Currents, society has been transformed by the use of electricity to power our society. The war was won by AC because of its ability to distribute electricity over long distances. The development of the power grid enabled the widespread application of electricity in our homes and businesses. Today, electricity is the backbone of our society, powering our lives. With the increased production of CO2 from the burning of coal and petroleum-based energy sources, as well as the related issues of pollution and global warming, we are compelled to develop more sustainable methods of power production to ensure our survival. This course will examine this transformation as we work to save the planet from the issues related to pollution produced in the generation of electricity.
