Events   

When the world stops, a small town opens its doors. Tony-winning “Come From Away” is the inspiring true story of 7,000 strangers from around the globe unexpectedly stranded in Gander, Newfoundland in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, proving community can become home when humanity leads the way. Director Brandon Box-Higdem will meet with OLLI attendees before the show to share the creative process and inspiration behind the OCP production.

LSO kicks off its centennial season under the baton of Music Director Edward Polochick with “Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man” and Tyler White’s “A Fivescore Festival: 100 Measure for 100 Years.” To amplify the celebration, LSO is joined for both fanfares by The Pride of All Nebraska: The Cornhusker Marching Band. LSO then pays homage to the program of its very first concert in March of 1927 with Mozart’s “Overture to Le nozze di Figaro” and Liszt’s “Les Préludes.” The celebration culminates with 7-time GRAMMY Award-winning piano legend Emanuel Ax, who joins the orchestra to perform Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 22.”

Billy’s is named after William Jennings Bryan located close to the Nebraska State Capital building in the “Noble-Dawes House” built in 1887. The “Noble-Dawes House” has been the home to Billy’s Restaurant since 1986. Enjoy a fabulous lunch at this iconic Lincoln restaurant while you learn about the history of the house and Chef Nader Farahbod’s career.

Join OLLI members the morning of Saturday, October 24th at 8:30 a.m. for a buffet breakfast and three presentations reflecting on the past, present and future of the United States.

The country was born 250 years ago and founded on principles of equality, human rights and democracy. In the first presentation, Eric Berger of the UNL College of Law will examine the founding principles and how they were expressed in the documents of the era.

Where we stand today in living up to the founding principles will be the subject of a panel discussion with Mindy Chipman, executive director of ACLU Nebraska, and UNL professors Rose Holz and Gwendolyn Combs

Then U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and former U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter will offer their thoughts on the future and the prospects for adhering to our founding ideals.

Speakers:

Eric Berger, J.D.
Eric Berger is a professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law whose teaching and scholarship focus on constitutional law. He has been recognized with numerous teaching awards, including being named Professor of the Year eight times.

Mindy Rush Chipman
Mindy Rush Chipman is executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska. She has held leadership roles in civil rights, legal aid, and public service, advocating for marginalized communities across Nebraska.

Rose Holz
Rose Holz is Associate Director of Women's and Gender Studies and Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her teaching and research focus on the history of women, sexuality, medicine, and reproductive politics in the United States.

Gwendolyn Combs
Gwendolyn Combs is a retired associate professor of management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is recognized for her leadership in workplace inclusion, student mentorship, and human resources education.

Don Bacon
Don Bacon has represented Nebraska's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. Before entering Congress, he served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a brigadier general.

Douglas Bereuter
Douglas Bereuter represented Nebraska in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 2004. He later served as president and CEO of The Asia Foundation, leading the organization from 2004 to 2011.

Agenda:

8:15 am - Doors Open

8:30 am - Breakfast

9:00 am - Welcome

9:15am - The Promises: Founding Fathers and Founding Documents - Eric Berger, J.D.

10:00 am - Break

10:15 am - The Progress: The Ways the Experiment Has Played Out - Mindy Rush Chipman, J.D., Rose Holz, Ph.D., Gwendolyn Combs, Ph.D.

11:15 am - Break

11:30 am - The Prognosis: Where Do We Go From Here - Honorable Don Bacon, U.S. House of Representatives, Honorable Doug Bereuter, Retired, U.S. House of Representatives

12:15 pm -  Closing statements

Join OLLI members the morning of Saturday, October 24th at 8:30 a.m. for a buffet breakfast and three presentations reflecting on the past, present and future of the United States.

The country was born 250 years ago and founded on principles of equality, human rights and democracy. In the first presentation, Eric Berger of the UNL College of Law will examine the founding principles and how they were expressed in the documents of the era.

Where we stand today in living up to the founding principles will be the subject of a panel discussion with Mindy Chipman, executive director of ACLU Nebraska, and UNL professors Rose Holz and Gwendolyn Combs

Then U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and former U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter will offer their thoughts on the future and the prospects for adhering to our founding ideals.

Speakers:

Eric Berger, J.D.
Eric Berger is a professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law whose teaching and scholarship focus on constitutional law. He has been recognized with numerous teaching awards, including being named Professor of the Year eight times.

Mindy Rush Chipman
Mindy Rush Chipman is executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska. She has held leadership roles in civil rights, legal aid, and public service, advocating for marginalized communities across Nebraska.

Rose Holz
Rose Holz is Associate Director of Women's and Gender Studies and Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her teaching and research focus on the history of women, sexuality, medicine, and reproductive politics in the United States.

Gwendolyn Combs
Gwendolyn Combs is a retired associate professor of management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is recognized for her leadership in workplace inclusion, student mentorship, and human resources education.

Don Bacon
Don Bacon has represented Nebraska's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. Before entering Congress, he served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a brigadier general.

Douglas Bereuter
Douglas Bereuter represented Nebraska in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 2004. He later served as president and CEO of The Asia Foundation, leading the organization from 2004 to 2011.

Agenda:

8:15 am - Doors Open

8:30 am - Breakfast

9:00 am - Welcome

9:15am - The Promises: Founding Fathers and Founding Documents - Eric Berger, J.D.

10:00 am - Break

10:15 am - The Progress: The Ways the Experiment Has Played Out - Mindy Rush Chipman, J.D., Rose Holz, Ph.D., Gwendolyn Combs, Ph.D.

11:15 am - Break

11:30 am - The Prognosis: Where Do We Go From Here - Honorable Don Bacon, U.S. House of Representatives, Honorable Doug Bereuter, Retired, U.S. House of Representatives

12:15 pm -  Closing statements

Join OLLI on an autumn tour of arts and culture in Nebraska’s own Alps! We’ll visit Schuyler’s historic Oak Ballroom to learn about this WPA gem, then view the St. John’s Bible, a hand illuminated masterpiece housed at the St. Benedictine Center. Next, we will enjoy a traditional Czech lunch of roast pork, dumplings, sauerkraut and kolaches at Abie’s Place in Abie. Then we’ll head to the new quarters of the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art in David City. Finally, we’ll stop at Junto Wine near Seward to enjoy the beautiful views and local wine.

Rome: now. The landscape of leadership is shifting like sand. The people are starving and rioting in the streets. Who can keep the peace when the status quo is collapsing? Coriolanus – a celebrated war hero is returning to the city in triumph. When he refuses to “play the game” and appeal to the “lower” classes he disdains to secure their vote for office, he is branded a traitor and banished from the city. Now, he’s returning with vengeance. Coriolanus – anger is my meat. The show concludes with a post-performance question and answer period for OLLI attendees.

Love games but need more players? Join us for Game Night! Bring your favorite indoor game or learn a new one while enjoying fun, food, and great company. OLLI provides snacks and drinks—just bring your enthusiasm. No game? No problem! We’ll have plenty to choose from, like Scrabble, Monopoly, Yahtzee, Pictionary, and more. Whether you're playing or mingling, it’s the perfect evening to socialize and connect through friendly competition.

Peek behind the curtains at Stuhr Museum, Nebraska’s premier living history museum. You’ll go places most visitors don't get to see and hear from the people who make history come alive. Following lunch, you’ll discover Raising Nebraska. This education pavilion operated by UNL on the State Fairgrounds helps visitors understand modern agriculture, which is rooted both in nature and science. Enjoy a special class arranged just for OLLI, then enjoy a short drive through Fonner Park which hosts the State Fair.

Join us for a tour and lunch at the Abbott House for a magical experience. The Abbott House of Mystery, located in Omaha’s Field Club Historic District, is a 1913 Craftsman bungalow once owned by legendary magician David P. Abbott. Purchased by illusionist Teller (of Penn & Teller) and the Omaha Magical Society, it has been restored as a venue for magic history. Lunch will be from Jimmy John’s and include assorted sandwiches, chips, grapes, cookies and water.

Register for the performance in the company of fellow OLLI members in a reserved section of the theatre or attend the production at a different time that works with your schedule by purchasing a ticket on your own. The same OLLI discount on ticket prices applies either way you attend.

Few prevention initiatives directly address how aging, social isolation, and ageism can increase suicidal thoughts among older adults. To help fill this gap, the Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition has provided a 2025-2026 mini grant to the University of Nebraska Emeriti and Retirees Association (ERA). With these funds, the ERA launched a suicide Prevention education program. Learn about available resources, ways to recognize suicide warning signs and strategies for supporting individuals who may be considering suicide.

Gain a deeper understanding of life with dementia through this eye-opening experience. This individualized, experiential tour is designed to provide participants with insight into the cognitive and sensory challenges associated with dementia.