Stillwater Courses
Explore and learn with us!
Stillwater Fall 2023 Course Offerings
Registration now open!
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SF23-0212 Beer 101
Tuesday, 1:30-3:30p, 1wk | 9/19
Format: Participation
Instructor: Matt Sullins, General Manager, Stonecloud Stillwater Patio & Taproom
Location: Stonecloud Stillwater Patio & Taproom
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $10
We will focus on the what, how and why of everything beer related, with a specific emphasis on the history and cultural significance of beer and brewing. We will dive into the four ingredients that make up beer, the differences between beer, cider and mead and look at the history of the processes and ingredients that formulate our favorite beverages.
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SF23-0351 Hey There Fungi! Meet the Mushrooms
Wednesday, 10a-12p, 1wk | 10/18
Format: Presentation
Instructor: Shiitake Mama, Mushroom Educator
Location: Prairie Art Center
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $10
We'll look at how mushrooms support life on earth: their importance to plants, animals, humans and the environment and the general nutritional and health benefits they provide. We’ll discuss medicinal mushrooms, how they work and how they can support our physical, mental and emotional well-being. We'll also take a deeper dive into several specific mushrooms, especially less well-known edible varieties, where you can Meet the Mushrooms yourself.
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SF23-0361 Tour of OSU Gardens
Wednesday, 10a-12p, 1wk | 10/25
Format: Tour
Instructor: Nick Ouellette, University Landscape Design ManagerLocation: OSU Main Campus
Important Info: A La Carte: $10Join in this expert-led tour of gardens on campus. Learn what goes into creating and maintaining the gardens and how decisions are made to put which plants where. Specific site visits will depend on what site and horticulture maintenance or construction is underway the day of the tour. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Golf carts will be available for those with mobility issues.
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SF23-0371 Self Defense Basics
Wednesday, 10a-12p, 1wk | 11/1
Format Participation
Instructor: Craig Nichols, Self-Defense InstructorLocation: Stillwater Martial Arts
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $10What are the most common ways someone may intrude on your space? How would you set boundaries or respond if someone pushes you or grabs your wrist? Learn techniques to manage these types of situations and bring your own self-defense related questions.
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SF23-0512 Walking Tour: Public Art on Campus
Friday, 1:30-3p, 1wk | 9/22
Format: Tour
Instructor: Daedelus Hoffman, OSU Museum of Art CuratorLocation: OSU Main Campus
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $10Join us on this one-hour walking tour of the outdoor, public artworks tour on the OSU Stillwater campus hosted by the OSU Museum of Art. We will follow a one-mile loop that is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear and bring mobility aids or hearing devices, if needed.
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SF23-0521 Shrinkin-Yoku: Forest Bathing
Friday, 10a-12p, 1wk | 9/29
Format: Participation
Instructor: Sharon Bennett, Spiritual CompanionLocation: OSU Botanic Gardens
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $10Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathing, is a Japanese healing technique that boasts a wide variety of health benefits, including a potential for decreased stress, improved concentration, boosted immunity and lowered blood pressure. We will focus on connecting with nature and being mindful of experiences. We will take time to wander in the OSU Botanical Garden and then gather to share and participate in a guided breath mediation. Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather.
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SF23-111 STEM Symposium
Mondays, 10a-12p, 3wks | 9/18-10/2
Format: Presentation
Instructor: VariousLocation: Stillwater Public Library
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25In this series of weekly presentations, we’ll hear from experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM fields. A microbiologist will share insights into protein function and his work in exploring biotechnological applications. Hear from a biologist about new discoveries in nature’s solar energy process, photosynthesis. Learn from a researcher in biochemistry and molecular biology how mass spectrometry is used to weigh molecules for fun and profit. A full list of speakers and topics is available on the OLLI course enrollment webpage.
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SF23-112 Theatre Games and Improvisation
Mondays & Thursdays, 1:30-3:30p, 2wks | 9/18-9/28
Format: Participation
Instructor: Shiitake Mama, Theatre Professor
Location: Stillwater Public Library
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25
Learn basic stage and voice techniques, build confidence and skills in thinking on your feet and trusting yourself and others. No acting experience is required to inspire your creativity and have fun, even if you are shy. What is required is a willingness to speak, move and play. Those who are differently abled are welcome.
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SF23-152 It's a Myth-tery: Tracing the Ancient Great Goddess
Mondays, 1:30-3:30p, 4wks | 10/16-11/6
Format: Presentation
Instructor: Christina "X-tina" Rich-Splawn, Mythology Connoisseur
Location: Stillwater Public Library
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25
From about 250,000 BCE (Before Common Era), there was the existence of an ancient Great Goddess as the primary divine entity. The appearance of the primary masculine deity began about 3000 BCE. So, for more than 225,000 years, the Goddess was revered. What happened to Her? Using archeological, historical and literary sources we’ll trace Her existence from the Paleolithic age down to the classic Greek Bronze Age myths which form the basis for our western culture.
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SF23-211 Stillwater Town Hall
Tuesdays, 10a-12p, 8wks | 9/19-11/7
Format: Presentation
Instructor: Various
Location: Stillwater Public Library
Important Info: Free, registration required
Join us to hear from various speakers on timely topics, the school bond issue and the status of education in Stillwater, the federal trials of the Osage Murders, NEAR Science, the YMCA’s new facility, Block 34 and the cultural district, the history of the Stillwater Public Library, community development and more.
September 19 | SPS Bond Issue & the Current State of Education in Stillwater
Uwe Gordon, Superintendent, Stillwater Public Schools
September 26 | NEAR Science: Beyond ACEs
Hannah James-Alsabrook, Program Manager, OSU Center for Family Resilience
Hilary Jespersen, Prevention Coach, OSU Center for Family Resilience
October 3 | No session.
October 10 | The Osage Murders: The William K. Hale & John Ramsey Cases
Leigh Dudley, Executive Director, Federal Judicial Learning and Museum
October 17 | Book Talk
Dr. David Prentice, Author and Historian
October 24 | Block 34, Stillwater Community Center, The Cultural District and Stillwater
Jim Beckstrom, Chair, Stillwater Community Center Foundation and Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee, Coordinator, Block 34 Musician Recognition Committee and the 2023 Dancing Turtle art event
October 31 | History of the Stillwater Public Library
Stacy DeLano, Director, Stillwater Public Library
November 7 | Comprehensive Planning and Community Development
Jeff Mathews, Community Development Manager, City of Stillwater
Jackie Porter, City Planner, City of Stillwater
Brady Moore, Assistant City Manager, City of Stillwater
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SF23-2110 The Cognitive Stimulation Program: Train Your Brain
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30-10:20p, 8wks | 9/19-11/9
Format: Participation
Instructor: Dr. Sabiha Parveen, CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, OSU Communication Science and Disorders
Location: Our Daily Bread Food & Resource Center
Important Info: $75 (both levels). $100 nonmembers. No-shows will be charged.
These courses are the creation of Dr. Sabiha Parveen and her team in OSU’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. This eight-week program will help seniors in and around Stillwater find resources and engage in cognitive and language activities to keep their brains sharp. Group-based activities will aim to improve and maintain some of the critical cognitive skills (including attention, memory and social communication) for increased safety, independence and engagement in daily activities. These groups are available for anyone who is interested in learning ways to keep their brain engaged and active.
Three options are available:
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Online group for those beginning to notice some changes in attention and memory but not seeing an impact in daily interactions and performances.
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Online group for those who have been seeing considerable changes in attention and memory and also seeing impact in ability to do things they enjoy.
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In-person group that will target skills such as attention, memory, naming and problem-solving.
The course fee helps off-set the cost of materials provided to each participant. Income-based financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Contact the OLLI office for more information prior to enrolling. Active OLLI membership levels pay the same fee.
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SF23-232 Here's Looking at You, Kid: Casablanca, Warner Bros. & WWII
Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30p, 6wks | 10/3-11/7
Format: Presentation
Instructor: Dr. Carol Schmitz, Educator and Historian
Location: Stillwater Public Library
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25
Casablanca was one of 33 films cranked out by Warner Brothers in 1942. Considered one of the best movies of all time, it will be our case study to examine the studio system, wartime restrictions, the censorship machine and the fear of communism in Hollywood. We will explore relationships and creative minds working together in a film peopled by real refugees, the “usual suspects” and some new folks, too – as we engage in “the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Join us inside Rick’s Café Américain.
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SF23-311 Watercolors
Wednesdays, 10a-12p, 4wks | 9/20-10/11
Format: Participation
Instructor: Tandi Memmott, Artist
Location: Art on 6th
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25. Max 12 students.
Come learn the basics of painting with watercolor. We’ll discover techniques such as creating washes, working wet into wet and wet on dry to produce desired results. We’ll experiment with masking fluid, salt, plastic wrap, etc., to create different effects. Some basic drawing skills are helpful but not required.
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SF23-312 Baseball Movies: From Nostalgia to Social Change POSTPONED
Wednesdays, 1:30-4p, 8wks | 9/20-11/8
Format: Presentation
Instructor: Dr. Vickie Sturgeon, Educator, Broadcasting and Motion Picture History
Location: Legacy Village
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25. Max 24 students.
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SF23-351 Acrylics
Wednesdays, 10a-12p, 4wks | 10/18-11/8
Format: Participation
Instructor: Tandi Memmott, Artist
Location: Art on 6th
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25. Max 12 students.
Working from photo references, you’ll explore painting using acrylic paint on canvas. We’ll cover the basics—composition, value, color mixing and mark making—and experiment with different mediums that change the consistency of the acrylic paint. You’ll also have the option of experimenting with a palette knife, as well. Bring photo references to class or use one provided by the instructor, and let’s paint!
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SF23-421 The Med Instead of Meds
Thursdays, 10a-12p, 6wks, 10/19-11/16 (New Dates)
Format: Lecture
Instructor: Candy Gabel, Director of Community Nutrition Education Programs, OSU Extension
Location: Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25
Why do we say Mediterranean lifestyle instead of medications? This course will focus on a healthy Mediterranean style eating pattern, using the Seven Simple Steps to eating the Med Way. We’ll explore a couple of simple steps each week, including a mindfulness skill and a Med Way recipe. Food demonstrations and/or cooking instructions will be included in each class.
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SF23-432 Ukulele for Beginners
Thursdays, 1:30-3:30p, 6wks | 10/5-11/9
Format: Participation
Instructor: Kami Koontz and Pam Brown, Ukulele Instructors
Location: Stillwater Public Library
Important Info: A La Carte Price: $25
Pair your love of learning with the joy of music for a great combination. The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn, and this course will provide instant gratification of playing songs right away. You’ll use those basics to build what you need to continue learning. The ukulele is versatile, sounds great played solo or in a group, works across musical genres and is really beginner friendly. Don’t have a ukulele? Loaners will be available.
Contact
Robbin Davis
OLLI Director
139 Nancy Randolph Davis
405-744-5868
olli@okstate.edu