Mondays, 8wks, 2/17-4/14

Format: Presentation
Instructor: Various
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: Free

 

Join us for an eclectic mix of weekly speakers. A full list of presenters and topics is available on the OLLI course enrollment page.

Mondays, 6wks, 2/17-3/31, 1:30-3:30p

Format: Participation
Instructor: Janice Eskridge, Drumming instructor
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: $25
Note: Max 25 people

 

The I Ching is an ancient book of Chinese wisdom based on eight trigrams consisting of broken or solid lines. Drumming these symbols as “music,” the rhythms are both simple and exciting. Frame drums and other percussion instruments will be provided or bring your own. Let’s make a joyful noise together.

Mondays, 4wks, 3/24-4/14, 1:30-3:30p

Format: Lecture
Instructor: Jennifer Clark, MD, Healthcare delivery consultant, Kelly Scott, Nurse and Executive Director of Clarehouse
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: $10
Materials Fee: $25, all levels

 

This four-part series covers essential caregiving and planning topics. Navigating the Healthcare System provides insights into healthcare teams, effective communication, and self-advocacy. Caregiving Skills and Demonstration offers practical caregiving techniques, including emotional regulation, communication, and stress relief. We Should Talk emphasizes advance care planning with a dynamic presentation and healthcare toolkit review. Your Voice. Your Wishes. Your Advance Directive features a comprehensive video guide on the Oklahoma Advance Directive, helping participants understand the decision-making process with expert input from a Palliative Care Physician.

Tuesdays, 4wks, 2/18-3/11, 10a-12p

Format: Lecture
Instructor: James Showalter, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Langston University
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: $25

 

The Interwar Period has often been neglected but is very important on all fronts. The booming, but often reactionary 1920s were followed by the Great Depression and Dustbowl of the 1930s. But there was much more going on. This course will cover the politics, economics, culture, agriculture, technology, art and journalism, and more of this period.

Tuesdays, 8wks, 2/18-4/15, 1:30-4p

Format: Participation
Instructor: Carol James, Mah Jongg, Educator
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: $25
Materials fee: $15, all levels for 2025 NMJL card
Notes: Max 8 people

 

Mah Jongg is a tile-based game dating to 19th Century China played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols. In the early 20th Century, it was brought to America by travelers to Asia, and an American version of the game developed. The game has spread globally with regional variants. Learn this worldwide sensation of a game in a simplified and explanatory manner, with a little history thrown in. Each week, the instructor also will “show and tell” Mah Jongg items from her collection.

Tuesdays, 4wks, 3/25-4/15, 1:30-3:30p

Format: Lecture
Instructor: Patrick Walters, Former Marine Officer
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: $25

 

We will start with how the Japanese decided to fight the U.S and why the U.S. decided to fight first in the Pacific instead of Germany. We will next explore production differences in the combatants, focusing on the fighting in 1942 and battles that are rarely known but extremely important. We’ll also review technologies and how this failed Japan.

Wednesdays, 6wks, 3/5-4/16, 1:30-3:30p

Format: Presentation
Instructor: Dennis Scott, Film Historian
Location: Zarrow Pointe
À La Carte Price: $25

 

A movie icon, Clark Cable embodied the definition of American masculinity and was originally thought to be too roughhewn for a leading man. We’ll watch “It Happened One Night” (1934) with Claudette Colbert, which earned him an Oscar; “Mutiny on the Bounty” (1935), with Charles Laughton; “San Francisco” (1936), with Jeanette McDonald and Spencer Tracy; “Mogambo” (1958) with Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly; “Teacher's Pet” (1958), with Doris Day; and “The Misfits” (1961), with Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift.

Thursdays, 4wks, 2/20-3/13, 10a-12p

Format: Lecture
Instructor: John Hamill, Educator and Jazz Musician/Jazz Historian
Location: Church of the Madalene
À La Carte Price: $25

 

Explore the art of jazz singing through iconic artists like Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and The Kenton Singers: Anita O'Day, June Christy and Chris Connor. Guided by jazz historian and musician John Hamill, this class delves into the essence of jazz singing, including ballad interpretation, the crossover of jazz and pop, and the unique ability of jazz singers to "swing." The course features a "listening room" experience with curated recordings and insightful commentary to deepen appreciation of jazz vocal styles.

Thursdays, 6wks, 2/20-4/3, 1:30-3:30p

Format: Participation

Instructor: Diana Emerson, Community Resources Coordinator, Center for Individuals with Pysical Challenges

Location: Church of the Madlene

À La Carte Price: $25

Materials Fees: $74, all levels

 

Have you always been curious about American Sign Language? Here is your chance to learn a bit about this beautiful visual language, often said to be the third most common language in the U.S. Whether you want to communicate with someone with hearing loss, add a new language to your repertoire, or challenge your brain with new learning, this is the class for you. This is a relaxed course, with lots of fun interaction.