Thursdays   

RB-04 (in-person)
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
Religious and spiritual traditions can be sources of profound meaning, community, and personal growth. Yet, they can also be misused in ways  that cause harm. This course invites lifelong learners to critically examine the dynamics of religious and spiritual abuse—a form of coercion and control that exploits faith, belief systems, or spiritual authority to manipulate, silence, or diminish individuals.
Instructor Princilla Ursery (see LIT-02)
 

Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16
Thursdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm (5 Weeks)
*This course meets at the Pioneer Park Dance Hall! 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709.
*Participants should bring comfortable, non-marking shoes with smooth soles, and water.
*Each 5-week session stands alone; you may take either one or both.
Come learn the basics of English Country Dancing! Enjoy wonderful music from the 1700s to present, and be social and physically active with others in an easy walking format. All dances will be taught step-by-step, then called as you progress through the centuries of this wonderful dance form. The most challenging thing will be remembering which is your left hand or right hand, how to walk, and then turn in a circle! Partners are not necessary.
Instructor Dennis Rogers has been dancing and playing this form of music since the 1970s. 

FF-06 (in-person)
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Growing Roses in Alaska at the UAF-GBG, by the Georgeson Botanical Garden rose crew. Guest speakers planned!
Instructor Janet Matheson has been a rose grower since 1974 (test panelist for Jackson & Perkins, master gardener, & GBG rose crew since 2014; Millie Peek - rose grower, master gardener, & leader of GBG rose crew).
 

FF-06-Z (distance-delivered)
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Growing Roses in Alaska at the UAF-GBG, by the Georgeson Botanical Garden rose crew. Guest speakers planned!
Instructor Janet Matheson has been a rose grower since 1974 (test panelist for Jackson & Perkins, master gardener, & GBG rose crew since 2014; Millie Peek - rose grower, master gardener, & leader of GBG rose crew). 

SOC-09 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: April 16, 17
Thursday and Friday 10:30 - 11:45 am (2 consecutive meetings)

*OLLI membership is not required.

Title: Guide to Retirement

Presenter: Jordan Hendry, Financial Advisor, MBA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®

Date: Thursday, April 16

Course Description:

We will discuss general guidelines to retirement principles that include,  saving, spending, investing, gifting, Social Security, health, and planning opportunities to minimize taxes in retirement.  We’ll explore the relationship between IRA withdrawals, Roth IRA conversions, taxability of Social Security and Medicare part B premiums, and how to leverage your giving power with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA. We would encourage those attending to bring their statements or have them available to participate in this activity.

Title: The Psychology of Investing: Discipline, Emotions, and Meaningful Giving

Presenter: Ethan Daniels, Financial Advisor, MSPFP, CFP®
Date: Friday, April 17 

Course Description:
Explore how behavioral biases such as envy, regret, and loss aversion shape the way we invest and make financial decisions. This session also highlights how emotions influence charitable giving and how donors can create intentional, tax‑efficient strategies that align with their values. Attendees will learn practical ways to stay disciplined during market turbulence while building an investment and giving plan that supports both their long‑term goals and the causes they care about.

SOC-09 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: April 16, 17
Thursday and Friday 10:30 - 11:45 am (2 consecutive meetings)

*OLLI membership is not required.

Title: Guide to Retirement

Presenter: Jordan Hendry, Financial Advisor, MBA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®

Date: Thursday, April 16

Course Description:

We will discuss general guidelines to retirement principles that include,  saving, spending, investing, gifting, Social Security, health, and planning opportunities to minimize taxes in retirement.  We’ll explore the relationship between IRA withdrawals, Roth IRA conversions, taxability of Social Security and Medicare part B premiums, and how to leverage your giving power with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA. We would encourage those attending to bring their statements or have them available to participate in this activity.

Title: The Psychology of Investing: Discipline, Emotions, and Meaningful Giving

Presenter: Ethan Daniels, Financial Advisor, MSPFP, CFP®
Date: Friday, April 17 

Course Description:
Explore how behavioral biases such as envy, regret, and loss aversion shape the way we invest and make financial decisions. This session also highlights how emotions influence charitable giving and how donors can create intentional, tax‑efficient strategies that align with their values. Attendees will learn practical ways to stay disciplined during market turbulence while building an investment and giving plan that supports both their long‑term goals and the causes they care about.

HIS-07 (in-person)
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Ladd Field during WWII with contributions to Europe and the Pacific Theatre of operation.
Instructor Donna Wheelock retired from Alaska Airlines and Northern Air Cargo. She also is a presenter of aviation history at the Pioneer Air Museum with a degree in History.

 

FLM-07 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: April 14, 16
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am- 2:00 pm (2 meetings)
Exploring Jewish foods, stories, poems, and films, the course charts a sensory journey through the diverse geography of Jewish communities and cultures. Materials fee $20, pay instructor at first meeting. Enrollment limited to 12.
An immigrant, a teacher, and a writer, Dafna Young has lived and taught in Fairbanks for 22 years.
 

Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
China has a long history and covers a vast land area. A good starting point for this all-encompassing topic is a brief overview of Chinese geography and history. We will then chat about people’s lives in areas of food, education, music, as well as how Confucius’ teachings have shaped and influenced Chinese society. As time allows, we will dabble in Chinese language, painting, and Chinese opera. Short video clips will be included in class meetings. 
Instructor Rosalind Kan is a retired highway design engineer, and currently teaches Chinese at UAF. 
 

LIT-04-Z (distance-delivered)
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:00 pm (5 weeks)
We will end up reading five books: two about the race for the North and South Poles; two about the search for the Northwest Passage. The fifth book will be a philosophical novel about exploration.
Instructor Toby Widdicombe specializes in Tolkien studies, American and British literature, Shakespeare, textual studies, critical theory, film, and utopianism. He has published books on (among others) Tolkien, Edward Bellamy, Utopianism, Shakespeare, Shakespeare and film, Raymond Chandler, Max Nettlau, and Anglo-American travel writing. One of his current projects studies the rhetoric of polar exploration. 

HL-07 (in-person)
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16
Thursdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm (5 weeks)
The Mayo Clinic, Harvard, the NIH, and the University of Texas, Austin, all agree. Serving others has positive health benefits, including improved physical and mental health; reduced rate of cognitive aging by 15-20%; increased sense of purpose; gaining new skills; increased friendships; and reduced mortality. Aren't we lucky to have so many service organizations in Fairbanks? Find out more about which organizations are active locally as well as their accomplishments and priorities. Consider if you would like to support or become a member of a local service group to improve your health while doing good for others.
Organizer Patricia Merrit has brought together members with over 100 combined years of service in Fairbanks, from multiple service organizations, to provide an overview of their organizations.
 

Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
*Two sections of the same course, please only take one.
Ever wanted to paint watercolors but did not know where or how to start? Come learn a bit about color, composition and general "how to" in a fun and friendly environment. A materials list will be sent out after registration. Enrollment limited to 12.
Instructor Patricia Mata-Celis has been painting for a few years and likes to share what she has learned.
 

PHT-01 (in-person)
Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Thursdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
*This course meets for 8 weeks.
Get out of the “Auto,” setting! This course will have you shooting like a pro! Learn about ISO, aperture and shutter speed. I’ll teach you how these work together. You’ll be creating stunning masterpieces in no time!
Instructor Todd Whetstine professional sports and wildlife photographer that loves to teach.
 

EX-06 (in-person)

*Dates TBA; estimated late February.
*This course will be held offsite at the Birch Hill ski trails.
This class is for skiers who have had little to no formal instruction in skate skiing OR are trying to improve and up their game a bit. Ideally, participants in this class have experience in classic skiing, however, this is not a requirement. The goal is to learn additional techniques on varied terrain so you can be more confident and efficient on any trail. Enrollment is limited to 12.
Instructor Sven Grage is looking forward to spending time with students on the trails and loves teaching others about cross-country skiing.

Session II: Mar. 17, 24, 31, Apr. 7
Tuesdays 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
*Two sections of the same course, please only take one.
Ever wanted to paint watercolors but did not know where or how to start? Come learn a bit about color, composition and general "how to" in a fun and friendly environment. A materials list will be sent out after registration. Enrollment limited to 12.
Instructor Patricia Mata-Celis has been painting for a few years and likes to share what she has learned.