Winter
Komi’s Northern Lights,
Junia Ancaya
Most of us are old enough to remember WW II as having been a recent event when we were children. Junia Ancaya and her family suffered the brutalities of both the Soviets and the Nazis during that dreadful time, and she has written about it in two books she’s published. Here she added another chapter to her family’s saga.
Doug Guido’s three-part memoir of an extraordinary journey to Alaska reminded us of carefree days ruled by the spirit of adventure. This is the first chapter of his story.
The Road to Athabasca
Doug Guido
Is The American Experiment Doomed?
Peter Neame
Peter Neame delivered an eeriely prescient analysis of the stresses and costs that influence political change. In his view “The American Experiment may not last, and history would suggest it will not, but the resilience of human societies and individuals in particular do not paint a picture of disaster, rather cautious optimism. …Biological systems – and the surface of the planet is a biological system – change with time. Short term swings may be unpleasant, but that is the nature of life.“
Spring
Subtle Observances
E. Romano, K. Winarski, B. Bosserman
“April showers bring May flowers.” April is the month when we celebrate poetry in all its forms. Three member wordsmiths treated us with poems of wit, reflection and poignant reminiscence. Find a quiet place to savor a return visit to these lyrical expressions.
Life Lessons from Sourdough,
Jane Applegate Belzer
In May, Jane Applegate recounted the “Life Lessons” she found in her kitchen and took us step-by-step through the process of making sourdough bread. Where have you found yours?
Donna and Ann’s Excellent Adventure:
Lions, Hippos, and Elephants, Oh My!,
Ann Sofia and Donna McGrew
In June, Ann Sofia guided us through a daily journal of events describing a once-in-a-lifetime trek to several African safari parks in Southeast Africa. Donna McGrew provided powerful photos of their encounters with wildlife and the landscape. Take a walk on the wild side and remember … you are as young as you feel!
Summer
Once Upon a Time Happily Ever After,
Janet Bergeron
In July, Janet Bergeron framed existential questions within a fairy tale format. What does that mean to a young child who cannot see beyond a decade? What does that mean to a child grown up? Eternity? If life everlasting is not implied, then what is?
Going to Germany,
Russ Hostetler
In the spring of 1969, 19-year-old Russ Hostetler seized an opportunity to travel with a group of art students heading for Amsterdam. In his words “It was pure bravado that prompted me to inquire if I could just hitch a ride on the flight,” and it was a decision that launched him on a 12-week adventure that proved to be the experience of a lifetime. He was “Going to Germany.”
The Voyage of the HMS Indestucktable,
Graham Tobin
First-time contributor Graham Tobin shared his memory of a youthful adventure involving a handmade raft, a bridge and some rather unruly river currents. You could not have made this one up!
Autumn
Is “Her” Here?,
Bruce Gobioff
Two years ago when Bruce Gobioff introduced us to the Chat GPT3 artificial intelligence language model he predicted new applications in video, imaging and other AI platforms would soon follow suit. In a 2024 update, Bruce discussed the numerous AI tools now available, referring (perhaps ominously) to the 2013 film “Her,” where a lonely man falls in love with an AI “assistant.” OLLI Connects is lucky to count Bruce as our AI guru!
A Russian Fairy Tale Book — WWII Spoils
Diane Henrikson Russell
During WWII, Diane’s Uncle Dan served with the 439th Troop Carrier Group, a support group activated in 1943 to haul supplies to the front lines and facilitate evacuations of wounded G.I’s. One day Dan came across a beautifully illustrated book that had been dropped and left behind. Diane shared Dan’s story as well as some images of this most treasured possession.
Can You Call It Work If You Love It?
Marilyn Myerson
Marilyn Myerson revealed the personal story of her life’s work advancing and supporting women in academia, in society and in their personal lives. Her efforts live on with the establishment of a USF fund in her name, providing aid for female students.
Al Carlson, Editor spent 40 years as a Librarian and joined OLLI-USF after he retired in hopes of meeting interesting people and learning new things! Boy, did that ever work out well! OLLI now allows him to co-edit OLLI Connects, moderate Zoom sessions, and take on other interesting projects from time to time.
Theresa D’Aiuto Sokol, Editor was an opera singer and music teacher in a career that lasted over forty years. She sang in Europe, the U.S. and in the far east and is an accomplished stage director. Her production credits include regional opera and theater companies and USF where she was the Opera Director and Professor of Voice. She enjoys videography and creates marketing and special interest videos for OLLI’s website and promotional uses.
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