Member Benefit Programs   

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

All the Beauty in the World, by Patick Bringley is the basis for a three-session book discussion about loss, grief and renewal based on the overarching theme of the power of art to restore individuals and bring beauty to our lives. Bringley was a guard at The Metropolitan Museum of Art for ten years – a place of silence and solace for him after his brother died. Our exploration of the book leads us to questions and reflections about grief and the importance of art. The discussion will be focused on the instructor’s powerpoint of artworks from The Met as mentioned in the book. Participants will engage in readings from the book along with probing questions about art and the passage of time.

Dr. Barbara Baditoi is a retired educator from Northern, VA with over 35 years of experience as a special education teacher, Assistant Principal, District Director of Special Education and Student Services, and adjunct professor at Marymount University. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from VA Tech; she received her MEd from Penn State and BA from Wheaton College. During her career she was a consultant on Special Education issues: she wrote a book about student behavior, and co-authored a book on special education and school counselors. Since retiring she has focused on exploring the world of art through travel, gardening and museum exploration. She is on The Fralin Museum of Art Volunteer Board and indulges her passion for art by painting pet portraits and taking art classes.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Meditations from an Indigenous Elder by Steven Charleston. Charleston is a Choctaw Elder and former professor of theology for several educational institutions. This book connects native thought with other religious traditions while being mostly non-religious. We will read sections of the book and discuss a native perspective on how to deal with contemporary issues.

Led by Bob Covert and Pam McFaden

Dr. Pam McFaden received her EdD from UVA in 2011. Pam taught Language Arts and History at the secondary level before continuing her education. She co-taught the multicultural education course at Curry School for six years before returning to public education to work on diversity issues as the Supervisor for Equity Assurance for Amherst County Public Schools. Pam has spoken on American Indian rights and led professional development on equity issues. Dr. Bob Covert received his PhD from Temple University in Research and Statistics in 1972. He conducted local and national evaluations through the Evaluation Research Center at UVA. Bob taught education courses in Curry School of Education, and developed a variety of courses in computer data analysis, qualitative research methods, questionnaire construction, and multicultural education. He is the past president of the American Evaluation Association and past-president and co-founder of the Virginia chapter of the National Association of Multicultural Education. He has received several diversity awards at UVA, including the John T. Casteen Award for Diversity. He worked at UVA for 42 years.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

As we get older we sometimes reflect on life's big questions; What are our most important responsibilities? How do we want to spend the rest of our time on this earth? In this session, we'll talk about another "big question:" How do we maintain gratitude for our many blessings? Some seniors become more aware of the many things we can be grateful for, like kids and grandkids, life itself. But for others that isn't true: growing physical limitations and health problems can make gratitude difficult.

In this session we’ll discuss how to maintain an attitude of gratitude, and help others do the same.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Have you ever wondered what to do if you encounter a Black Bear, at home or in the wild? Have you ever wondered how to prevent human-bear conflicts, like upended garbage cans and torn-down bird feeders? Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers Carol Diggs, Jack Day, and Beth Kuhn will help you find the answers to these questions and more, as they guide you in learning more about bear behavior and actions people can take to keep bears wild and people safe. This presentation is part of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources project “Living with Black Bears in Virginia”.

Beth Kuhn has been a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer in the Rivanna chapter since 2014, and currently is coordinator for the RMN Black Bear education group and chair of the Outreach Committee. As an RMN, she enjoys stream monitoring, school nature walks, and Outreach tabling events. She retired from a middle school teaching career in 2019 but continues to be a dedicated science nerd and reading advocate.

Carol Diggs has been a member of the Virginia Master Naturalist program’s Rivanna chapter since 2021, and a trained Black Bear educator since 2025. Her volunteer work has included monitoring the trail at The Nature Conservancy’s Fernbrook Natural Area, working on a VDOT/Virginia Tech roadkill tracking project to identify the need for wildlife corridors along Route 29 south of Charlottesville, and checking local kestrel nest boxes for new broods. She retired to Charlottesville from a public relations career in 2016 and is happily busy with RMN volunteering and continuing education, freelance writing, and leading visitor tours at James Madison’s Montpelier.

Jack Day has been a Virginia Master Naturalist in the Rivanna chapter (RMN) since 2020. In 2023 he completed the DWR program about ‘Living with Black Bears’, which prepared him to participate in public speaking and information table events about black bears in Virginia. Before becoming a Master Naturalist, he was monitoring bluebird boxes on a trail at Lake Monticello to report population data to the Virginia Bluebird Society (VBS). Bluebird monitoring has been his main volunteer activity for RMN. In the fall of 2025, he became a County Coordinator for VBS where he advises and supports those who monitor bluebird box trails in Albemarle and Fluvanna Counties.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Enjoy an evening under the stars at UVA’s historic McCormick Observatory (est. 1885). OLLI members will explore this landmark while learning about its famous 26 inch refractor and, weather permitting, viewing the night sky through telescopes. If skies are cloudy, the program continues indoors. Join fellow members for a relaxed, engaging night of learning and connection.

Note: This event is rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, an indoor program will be provided. This event is not handicapped accessible.This is a historic building with steps. Parking is on a gravel lot with uneven surfaces; wear comfortable shoes.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

This 45-minute class followed by Q&A will demystify any of the issues you may have with controlling your Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)- answer any of your burning questions and ensure that You are the master of your IRA. Learn to harness the power of Qualified Charitable Distributions—the ultimate win-win scenario.

Graduating with an Ed.S. in Psychology, Margie Swanson worked as a School Psychologist before starting her own financial practice in the Midwest. She moved to Charlottesville in 1987, driving cross country during the crash of ‘87 and slowly built up a clientele of teachers, nurses, and everyday individuals who wanted to be involved in the process of growing their hard earned assets. Margie, who retired in 2023, learned early on that her background in psychology was valuable with steering clients into becoming more confident financial decision makers.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. Join licensed healthcare professionals Jennifer Perry from Benchmark Senior Solutions for an informative session exploring the full spectrum of senior care options available in the Charlottesville area. In this session, you’ll:

• Learn about different levels of care, including in-home services, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing communities.

• Understand the types of support offered in each setting and how they align with individual needs.

• Explore insurance and payment options, including what is (and isn’t) typically covered.

• Gain practical tools and questions to ask providers as you navigate the healthcare and senior living continuum. By the end of the discussion, attendees will have a clearer understanding of the services and resources available — and the confidence to make informed decisions for themselves or their loved ones.

Jennifer Perry has worked with the geriatric population for over 20 years in both clinical and operational roles. As an occupational therapist, Jennifer provides a focus on function and safety in the home environment as well as a keen eye when considering senior living options. Jennifer has a strong familiarity of the senior living business with experience in management at the community level as a rehab director and at the corporate level as a regional rehab director. Jennifer has a high expectation of quality care and positive outcomes, with an eye for details and excellence. This combination provides her clients at Benchmark Senior Solutions with a compassionate and factual resource to provide advice in the process of selecting the best resources to meet individual needs. Jennifer obtained her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. She is Licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine and certified by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy as an Occupational Therapist. She is an independent contractor and owner of OnPoint Solutions LLC, and is a Certified Geriatric Care Professional as well as Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Reasons you may be unable to register:

1. You have not added a membership to your cart or renewed your membership
2. You are not logged in (“Sign In” on the blue bar above)
3. You may need to refresh your screen

Wednesday, 2-4 p.m.
9/30
Free, please consider a donation or membership to the Fralin
Limit: 25

Join us this fall for an exclusive tour for OLLI members of The Fralin Museum of Art’s five Legacies of Independence exhibitions, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Discover immersive installations by internationally renowned contemporary artists Georges Adéagbo and Sky Hopinka, alongside rare materials illuminating Jefferson’s global exchanges and travels. Reflect on Narcissa Chisolm Owen’s powerful portrait of Jefferson’s family, and explore how artists have interpreted labor, land, and identity in the twentieth century. This engaging, conversational experience invites lifelong learners to connect art, history, and the enduring questions of independence today.

REGISTER (this link will take you to the Fralin Museum registration page for this opportunity).

Change. Change. Everywhere change! That’s the state of college football today. The old axiom that “you have to have a program to know the players” has never been truer. In this age of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money and the transfer portal, college football rosters are in constant flux. Coaches are changing jobs. New powerhouses are emerging from larger, sometimes exorbitant, roster budgets. Everywhere you look, there’s change. It’s a lot to unpack. But that’s exactly what we’ll do, along with some special guests, in the sixth year of this fun OLLI at UVA Discussion Group. Coaches and three of the Power Four conferences — the Big Ten, the ACC, and the Big 12 — favor expanding the current 12-team playoff to 24 teams. The SEC leadership favors playoff expansion, but only to 16 teams. Only 12 teams will compete in this season’s playoffs, and we’ll examine who may still be playing come December. Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana have won the last three national titles, giving the Big 10 a three-peat. Can they make it four in a row? Michigan and Penn State both have new coaches who are proven winners. Ohio State and Oregon are loaded with talent. Will Indiana’s miraculous run continue? Notre Dame is getting a lot of preseason love. Speaking of new coaches, what will James Franklin’s first Virginia Tech team look like? Can Tony Elliott continue UVA’s winning ways after posting the first 11-win season in school history? We’ll take a long look at both schools, as well as the rest of the ACC, where Miami is the favorite. In the Big 12, Texas Tech, Utah, and BYU again look strong. Oklahoma State could be the next Indiana with a dramatic roster makeover that includes 85 new players. Lane Kiffin’s coaching move to LSU from arch rival Ole Miss generated hours of talk show commentary and a whopping $42 million roster makeover. Can all of that compete with Texas, Georgia, and Texas A&M for SEC supremacy? What about the Ivy League and the Group of Six schools? We’ll talk about it all. Join us, have some fun, hear from special guests, and get ready for the 2026 season.

Early in his career, while working at The Tuscaloosa (AL) News—before spending four decades in Washington, DC, as a congressional press secretary and a public relations professional—Steve Bevis had the opportunity to cover one of the nation’s premier college football programs. While his career moved on from sitting in press boxes on crisp fall afternoons to time on Capitol Hill and a public relations career that included projects with historians, members of Congress, Senators, and Presidents, his passion for college football never waned.