Lectures & Connections   

Mr. Lee Bellamy: The Promise Kept—Preserving the Tradition of Sugar Cane Syrup Making

Discover the remarkable story of one of South Carolina's enduring agricultural traditions as Mr. Lee Bellamy shares the history, heritage, and craftsmanship of sugar cane farming at Freewoods Farm. Through personal stories, historic photographs, and generations of farming knowledge, participants will explore how sugar cane is planted, harvested, and transformed into cane syrup using traditional methods that have been preserved since the post-Civil War era. This inspiring presentation celebrates the resilience, ingenuity, and cultural legacy of the Gullah Geechee community while highlighting a living tradition that continues today.

Speaker: Mr. Lee Grant Bellamy is the Operations Manager and dedicated Promise Keeper of Freewoods Farm. A lifelong Horry County farmer and cultural preservationist, he carries forward generations of agricultural knowledge, preserving the increasingly rare art of planting, harvesting, and processing sugar cane using traditional methods. Through his stewardship, visitors experience an authentic piece of South Carolina's Gullah Geechee heritage brought to life.

With the 2026 midterm elections just weeks away, join Coastal Carolina University Provost Gibbs Knotts for a timely discussion of the campaigns, key races, and issues shaping this election cycle. The presentation will place the midterms in historical perspective, with special attention to South Carolina politics, and examine what the results could mean for the balance of power in Washington and the road to the 2028 presidential election.

This lecture is free and open to the public; however, registration is required.

As we get ready to launch our fall term and begin a new membership year, we invite you to a celebration of the exciting year ahead for meaningful connection and lifelong learning with OLLI! Whether you are a longtime member, or joining us for the first time, this lively kickoff event will provide plenty of opportunities for fun with games and mingling, memorable photo moments as you catch up with your OLLI friends, and space to turn new faces into new friendships.

Summer may be ending, but the year ahead for OLLI is looking bright!

Special Note: This celebration is free to OLLI members, but due to space limitations, registration is required.

December 7 was to be "a date which will live in infamy." Well, let's help it stay that way. For many years, I taught high school students about the day. Now, I have adapted my lecture to share with a new audience at OLLI. Between my 30+ years of teaching, my military experience, and years of study, my presentation promises to be informative as well as entertaining. Join me as I take you back to that horrible day that changed history.

Special Note: There will be references to the Jerry Bruckheimer production of "Pearl Harbor." It would be helpful to see the movie beforehand. If not, I'm hoping that you will want to run out and see it again as soon as I am finished.

Healthy aging starts on your plate. Join us to learn how balanced nutrition can support energy, mobility, cognitive health, and disease prevention after age 50. We'll discuss nutrient-rich foods, hydration, protein needs, and realistic lifestyle changes that can make a lasting impact on your health and quality of life.