Lifestyles   

Who doesn't love chocolate? Explore the history of chocolate, where it is grown and how it is produced. We will discuss why chocolate is good to eat and good for you. Learn what is bad about chocolate, including child exploitation and the difficulty of addressing child labor. Taste chocolates from several different countries. Please bring a bottle of water to cleanse your palate between samples.

Understand the stages of dementia, potential treatment options, how to care for a loved one, and prepare for what comes next in your journey.

Each session will offer a facility tour of Duncan Aviation, the largest family-owned maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in the world, providing complete acquisition, sales, and nose-to-tail support services for business aircraft. Owned and operated by the Duncan family since their founding in 1956, Duncan Aviation is well known and respected by operators, manufacturers, and other service providers worldwide for their quality, work ethic and expertise. Join us for a walking tour and a peek into the many different services Duncan provides, including airframe inspections, engine maintenance, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit systems, and full paint and interior services. Be prepared to walk and stand the entire time.

Use your newfound kayaking skills to explore one of the many state recreation lakes around Lincoln. We will spend the afternoon paddling at Pawnee Lake and Middle Creek, which feeds this reservoir. This paddle up the creek provides 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.

The following video programs are previously recorded OLLI courses. Learn at your own pace, on your own time and at your convenience. Over 40 hours of programming is available for a single cost of $30. After registration, you will receive an email with a “Join Code” and instructions on how to access programming.

All programming originates from OLLI at UNL.

Rural America: Wasteland or Reason for Hope – OLLI Fall, 2024 Symposium (2 sessions)

The United States seems to be divided into two different countries – an urbanized “Blue” region of social and cultural liberalism and the “Red” rural regions rebelling against social and demographic change and resenting coastal elitism. It seems everyone has an opinion about rural America. Is it gripped in a tragic decline? Or is it on the cusp of a glorious revival? Is it the key to understanding America today? Perhaps, we’re missing the real question…is rural America even a thing? Prominent experts examine this supposed divide from a social, economic, and political perspective. Presenters include: Steven Conn, W.E. Smith Professor of History, Miami (OH) University; Jena Ochsner, Double O Farms, Sutton, NE; Brad Lubben, Extension Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, UNL; Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Extension Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, UNL; L.J. McElravy, Associate Professor of Ag Leadership, Education and Communication, UNL; Ronnie Green, Chancellor Emeritus, UNL; Erin Schoenberg, Development Manager, Center for Rural Affairs; Jillian Linster, Policy Director, Center for Rural Affairs.

The Women of the Manhattan Project (4 sessions)

Instructor: Lynn Roper

The secrecy of the project hid the roles of women, leaving the perception that it was done by a few brilliant male scientists. Learn the stories of women who served as physicists, chemists, mathematicians, and lab technicians. Forbidden to talk about their work, thousands of young women never knew what purpose their tasks would accomplish. Thousands of men, women and children endured hardships in their everyday lives sequestered inside Los Alamos. They lived in hastily built barracks and had to lie to their families about where they were and what they were doing as they disappeared for years.

The Early Days of Nebraska Volleyball (4 sessions)

Instructors: John Mabry, Vicki Highstreet

Volleyball has been a part of the UNL athletic landscape for more than a century, but the sport didn’t gain much notoriety until the early 1970s, when the Huskers began to put together a program that is now known worldwide.Learn how its reputation grew from its humble beginnings, reaching a pinnacle in August 2023, when Volleyball Day put 92,003 in Memorial Stadium stands. Meet some of the players who made it possible from those early Title IX days at Mabel Lee Hall and the Coliseum.

Religion in Society: Exploring Its Influence (6 sessions)

Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Redding

Obtain a comprehensive understanding of the complex and often contentious relationship between religion and contemporary society. Examine the intersection of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions with key societal domains, including the legal system, public education, LGBTQ+ rights, economics, and responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minimizing Radon Health Danger in Nebraska (1 session)

Instructor: Adrienne Moody

Naturally occurring Radon can gather in Nebraska homes. It increases the risk of lung cancer but can be easily mitigated. Learn the best testing practices and how to make informed decisions on mitigating your home or not. We will dispel myths of radon and focus on the clear facts of the invisible gas.

Politics of Punishment: Implications of Being the World’s Largest Jailer (4 sessions)

Instructor: Dr. Kevin Smith

Why does the United States lock up more of its citizens than any other liberal democracy? How does having the world’s largest incarcerated– and formerly incarcerated – population influence the social, economic and political life of the nation? The key takeaway is that incarceration levels are rooted in struggle to manage a growing violent crime problem during a historical period marked by social changes that include widening economic inequality, increasing racial diversity and sharpening ideological divides. That struggle has produced several unintended and under-explored consequences affecting everyone in society.

Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors (5 sessions)

Instructor: Christina Goodson

The Otoe-Missouria people once called south and eastern Nebraska home before they were forcibly removed to Indian Territory, present- day Oklahoma. They now reside in Red Rock, Oklahoma, the headquarters of the tribe. Learn the origins and history of the tribe, along with their migration from Minnesota and Iowa, the split from the Ho-Chunk, as well as their removal within Nebraska and further removal into Indian Territory.

Welcome to Medicare: Avoiding Confusion and Empowering You (1 session)

Instructor: Jonathan Burlison

Are you confused about Medicare? Nebraska’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) educates people about Medicare, empowering older adults and people with disabilities to make informed decisions about health care. Become more educated with Medicare so you can identify and report possible Medicare scams, errors, or waste. Learn more regarding your health insurance options, benefits, and choices.

Because the System Isn’t Broken – Non- Profits, Grant Money and White Saviors: Poverty Pimping in North Omaha (1 session)

Instructor: Schmeeka Simpson

This session critically examines the complex dynamics among non-profit organizations, philanthropic funding, and the perpetuation of systemic inequities within North Omaha. It delves into how well-intentioned charitable initiatives often inadvertently reinforce existing power imbalances and contribute to a cycle of dependency rather than fostering genuine empowerment and community-driven change. Explore the impact of "poverty pimping" – the phenomenon where poverty is commodified for financial gain – and listen to discussions on alternative approaches to creating sustainable, equitable solutions.

Democratic Partners (1 session)

Instructor: Mike Lux

Mike Lux, a political consultant who provides a variety of services for candidates and political organizations, is founder of Democracy Partners, a political consulting firm with offices in Washington D.C., Maine and California. He was born and raised in Lincoln and is a graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School. Lux was a White House employee during the administration of President Bill Clinton, served on the Obama- Biden presidential transition team and was also a staffer for the 1988 Joe Biden Presidential campaign. He discusses his career and the types of services his firm provides (e.g. fundraising, messaging, campaign services, etc.) and trends he sees from his three decades in national politics.

Podcasts: Free,  Fun and Customized for You (2 sessions)

Instructor: Kelli Bohling

Podcasts are on-demand, user-selected audio content that allows listeners to go beyond radio's geographic and temporal restrictions and listen to content at their leisure. More than 50% of Americans over 12 have listened to a podcast, and 22% consider themselves regular podcast listeners. But what are they listening to? That’s the cool part: Whatever they want! News, music, stories, comedy, history, theatre, and more are ready and waiting for you 24/7. What will you listen to? Learn from an avid fan of podcasts, specifically true crime, about how this new information source came to be, how to get started enjoying podcasts, and her recommendations for a few to try in different genres. Come prepared to be wowed by this new media option.

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of birding in Nebraska's parks. Discover the diverse bird species that call these parks home and the best times and places to spot them. Learn about bird identification techniques, Nebraska’s Important Bird Areas designated by the National Audubon Society, and the importance of habitat conservation. Enhance your birding skills and learn how Nebraska's parks provide vital resources for both residents and migratory birds, making them prime locations for bird enthusiasts.

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of birding in Nebraska's parks. Discover the diverse bird species that call these parks home and the best times and places to spot them. Learn about bird identification techniques, Nebraska’s Important Bird Areas designated by the National Audubon Society, and the importance of habitat conservation. Enhance your birding skills and learn how Nebraska's parks provide vital resources for both residents and migratory birds, making them prime locations for bird enthusiasts.

Enjoy a live, virtual presentation by Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Learn from a zoo educator and caretaker about the elephant herd. Meet the elephants from the public viewing platform, then virtually journey to the non- public areas of the Elephant Barn for a tour behind the scenes. Discover how the animal care staff trains and enriches the lives of Nebraska’s largest zoo residents. Learn about the care of the five elephant babies now at the zoo.

Enjoy a live, virtual presentation by Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Learn from a zoo educator and caretaker about the elephant herd. Meet the elephants from the public viewing platform, then virtually journey to the non- public areas of the Elephant Barn for a tour behind the scenes. Discover how the animal care staff trains and enriches the lives of Nebraska’s largest zoo residents. Learn about the care of the five elephant babies now at the zoo.

Enjoy the “golden years” with a healthy and strong body. Meet with a certified personal trainer to discover ways to incorporate physical activity and fitness into your daily life. All sessions will be broken into two main components: education and activity. Topics will include functional fitness, cardio training, strength training, flexibility training, balance exercises and core work. Modifications will be provided for all activities. Copies of the workouts will be provided to all participants so exercises can be done at home. Please wear comfortable work out attire and tennis shoes.

All participants must submit the Health Questionnaire and UNL Rec Center Waiver before beginning the workouts. The OLLI office will email electronic forms to fill out online and electronically sign prior to the first class. 

Dance Fitness is perfect for older adults who want to add some movement to their lives but would like to adapt the easy-to-follow choreography to their own fitness levels. You will be encouraged to do what works for you and will be shown options for raising and lowering the intensity. In the process, you’ll move to great show tunes, standards and world music while improving your balance, brain function and cardiovascular endurance. Wear comfy clothing and come prepared to move. And yes, you can dance in a chair.

Understand the stages of dementia, potential treatment options, how to care for a loved one, and prepare for what comes next in your journey.

Gain greater proficiency in digital photography while using an advanced amateur camera (adjustable), mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) or digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Learn the fundamentals as you practice with your own personal camera. Basic principles of photography will be reviewed and then more sophisticated digital camera operations, such as controls, function and purpose, lighting, composition, hardware options and software will be discussed.

From the comfort of your own home, join in meditation, breath-work, balance, and mindful movements to reconnect your mind, body, and spirit. Class is for all levels, but poses will include a variety of positions requiring students to get on/off the floor. Instructor will provide modifications as needed. Learn some yoga tidbits to use in your future practice both on and off your mat. No equipment is needed but a yoga mat is encouraged. Consult with your physician prior to participating.

Step back in time and engage with history as questions are posed to iconic historic figures. Edith Kermit Roosevelt has been called the “first of our modern First Ladies.” Behind the scenes, she was a trusted advisor to her husband. She was said to be an excellent judge of character and her children said she had “a longer head in politics” than her husband. How influential was Edith?

Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States from 1868-1875. During this time, most journalists and historians thought the Grant administration accomplished very little and was involved in political corruption. What does Ulysses say about those accusations?

Ansel Adams is known for his black and white photographs of the western United States. He was an innovator in the science of photography and organizer of professional photographers. Ansel was also an environmentalist and advocate for photography as art.

Step back in time and engage with history as questions are posed to iconic historic figures. Edith Kermit Roosevelt has been called the “first of our modern First Ladies.” Behind the scenes, she was a trusted advisor to her husband. She was said to be an excellent judge of character and her children said she had “a longer head in politics” than her husband. How influential was Edith?

Ulysses S. Grant was President of the United States from 1868-1875. During this time, most journalists and historians thought the Grant administration accomplished very little and was involved in political corruption. What does Ulysses say about those accusations?

Ansel Adams is known for his black and white photographs of the western United States. He was an innovator in the science of photography and organizer of professional photographers. Ansel was also an environmentalist and advocate for photography as art.

This course is a continuation of the Introduction to Bridge I course. It is structured for the student with very limited prior knowledge of the game of bridge. We will cover how the game is played, bridge vocabulary, basic Standard American bidding, and basic card play. Each week, learn new content which builds on the previous week's concepts. There will be ample opportunities to play hands that will illustrate what has been taught in class. The students will dictate the pace of the course so all can grasp the basics of the game. 

Recreational kayaking is a great lifetime activity and way to explore and enjoy the lakes in the Lincoln area. This class will introduce you to the basics of kayaking and safety measures so you can start enjoying this new activity on your own. All kayaking equipment is provided.

The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn. Have fun singing, strumming, and learning with fellow OLLI members. Learning a new instrument keeps the brain sharp, and fingering the ukulele helps arthritic hands. You don’t have to know how to read music to take this class. Any standard "C tuning" ukulele may be used. It is helpful if members bring their own ukulele and music stand; and, members may check out a beginner ukulele from any public library in advance.

The ancient practice of Qigong, pronounced "chee-gong,” focuses on improving balance, core strength, mental clarity, and flexibility. The slow and measured movements guarantee participants an excellent workout without the strain of jumping, quick movements, or floor work. Seated and standing forms will be practiced. Appropriate for individuals at all levels of ability.

Tai Chi is a widely practiced physical and mental exercise form that originated from ancient Chinese martial arts. This class builds on Tai Chi Part 1. We will train in more complex skills that comprise the second portion of the classic Yang ‘solo routine’ that is the foundation for daily self- practice. Those who have taken Tai Chi Part 1 or with prior Tai Chi experience are welcome.

See the home of the Nebraska Cornhusker football team on this facility tour. Memorial Stadium has many historic and notable structures around the facility. The University of Nebraska athletics supports 24 varsity sports and is proud to be fully self- supporting, receiving no state funding or student fees. More than 1.3 million fans attend home sporting events each year. Memorial Stadium becomes the state’s third largest city on football game days with nearly 90,000 Husker fans and has been sold out for every game since 1962. Enjoy this tour with stops in the Osborne Athletic Complex (North Stadium), All-American Wall Display, Captains Photo Display, view of the North Stadium weight room, and the tunnel walk out onto Tom Osborne Field.

Do you have a Mac computer or an iPhone, or an Apple Watch… or, even a Home Pod? From editing photos to word processing to spreadsheets to turning on and off the lights in your home, these incredibly high-tech devices can be both easy to use and fun. We will touch on some of the more useful features of Apple’s amazing products, as well as demonstrate some practical features and apps to help make your life a bit easier. This course will cover Apple devices and products only.

Tour five senior independent living communities in Lincoln and learn what an active, carefree lifestyle can be. In the first session, we will learn the aspects to consider when selecting a senior living community, to ensure social, physical, medical, and financial needs are met. Then, each week we will tour one of five senior living communities in Lincoln gathering information specific to each facility such as type and number of units, costs, special amenities and features and dining options. Start your search by learning about the different personalities of retirement communities.