Other Locations   

Discover the life and work of Nebraska author Bess Streeter Aldrich who published over 160 short stories and articles, nine novels and one novella. Visit her historic Elmwood home and step back to 1946 to meet Mrs. Aldrich (character portrayer), enjoy tea and her signature Lady Baltimore Cake, and tour her home. In class, explore “A Lantern in Her Hand,” “The Lieutenant’s Lady,” and selected short stories. Information about obtaining these books will be provided after registration.

Use your kayaking skills to explore one of the many state recreation lakes around Lincoln. Spend the afternoon paddling at Pawnee Lake and Middle Creek, which feeds this reservoir and will provide a great opportunity to see birds and other wildlife. This class is targeted toward paddlers who have participated in one of the previous kayaking classes. All kayaking equipment is provided. You must provide your own entry fee into State Recreation Area.

Team up with OLLI friends and experience Medieval Putt, indoor mini golf with a fun medieval theme! Take on one of two challenging 18-hole courses amongst amazing décor like a full-size castle, 8-foot-tall Iron Throne, 40-foot-long flying dragon, knights, and even a dragon ride. Marvel at the ingenuity it takes to create these structures and enjoy OLLI camaraderie while you figure out ways to get that little ball into the hole.

Take a trip to scenic Mahoney State Park to visit a Native American site that has been preserved in place through the efforts of archeologists at the Nebraska State Historical Society, the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the Nebraska Game and Park Commission. See and learn about the site in question and how these three agencies work together to follow state and federal cultural resources laws and preserve sites when necessary.

Journey to northeast Nebraska to discover the lives of two individuals whose voices shaped history and culture. At the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site in Bancroft, explore the legacy of Nebraska’s poet laureate and his search for meaning through story. After a boxed lunch at the Neihardt Center, travel to Walthill and visit the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center to learn how compassion, courage, and service transformed health care and community life. Between Bancroft and Walthill, we’ll stop at the Bancroft Cemetery to view the graves of Dr. Susan and her family.

Join OLLI friends at James Arthur Vineyards to explore unconventional wine pairings with familiasr "junk food". Sample a range of wines matched with classic snack-aisle items and compare how each pairing works. This session offers a simple, practical look at how different flavors interact.

One of Nebraska’s greatest attractions is the annual arrival and departure of thousands of Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds to replenish their fuel as they graze and roost in and around the fertile fields along the Platte River. Enjoy this phenomenon through a day trip that will include an educational session on “Crain Behavior Basics,” viewing exhibits, dinner in the area and an evening guided viewing of Cranes in blinds at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon.

Climb aboard for a fun and fascinating bus tour to two standout historic sites in southeastern Nebraska. Our day begins at Homestead National Historical Park near Beatrice, where a ranger-led introduction and short film set the stage for exploring the Heritage Center, a pioneer cabin, and the surrounding grounds. After lunch, we’ll head to nearby Wymore to visit the one-of-a-kind Great Plains Welsh Centre, home to the only U.S. cultural resources dedicated to Welsh immigrants on the Great Plains.