Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
Spring: March 17 – May 9, 2025
Ringling College Continuing Studies
OLLI at Ringling College is
the Place to Be If
You like meeting people.
You are age “50 and better.”
You enjoy intellectual discussions and the lively exchange of ideas.
You realize that an important part of aging well is staying active mentally and physically.
Your daily routine is flexible, giving you the freedom to choose your schedule.
If you identify with at least two of the above statements, you’re a perfect candidate for lifelong learning.
There are no tests or grades—ever.
We invite you to come and experience learning for the pure joy of learning!
Become a Member Today!
Arts and Entertainment
Teachers and Preachers: A Film Discussion Class
At the Box Office: A Film Discussion Course
Masters of Cinema: Powell and Pressburger
Current Events and Global Issues
World in Transition
What Law and Order (And Other Media) Get Wrong
The Wealth Gap in the U.S.: Causes and Implications
Health and Lifestyles
Using Your Voice More Effectively Take Charge of Your Life
The New World of Planned Death
Explain Your Pain
Bloom & Flutter: How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
How to Start a Lifetime Daily Meditation Practice
History
Classical Education and the Western Canon
This Was Their Lives
History of Modern China
Following Emperor Hadrian: A Tour Across the Roman Empire
America's War with Mexico: The Inevitable Conflict
Why Ulysses S. Grant Matters: Now More Than Ever
The Florida Seminoles – Tale of Tears
Literature
The World's Great Literature
OLLI Mystery Book Club
OLLI Spring Book Club
Short Story Collective
The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations
Myths, Fairy Tales, and Fantasy Literature
Music Appreciation
The Art of Listening: Exploring Song Lyrics
Jazz Appreciation
Was Music in the ’70s Really That Great?
Part Two (’75-’80)
Beethoven's Final Years: The Music He Wrote When Completely Deaf
The Amazing Sound and Legacy of the Brill Building
The Best Rock Songs of All Time
Psychology
Rewirement For Retirement
Seeing Is Believing: Or Is It?
Science
Human Consciousness: The Last Frontier of Life Science
Science Wednesdays
Sports
A History of Baseball Cards (1886-1943)
Writing
Writers’ Workshop
Feel It! Write It!
Memories in Ordinary Objects — A Generative Poetry Workshop
“I’ve Always Wanted to Write a Book” How to Get Your Book Published
CONNECTIONS: Documentary Film Series
Daughters (2024)
Songs of Earth (2023)
Program
Screening: Katherine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful
Lectures
Health Impacts of Air Pollution
Minorities in Shark Sciences
Guiding Lights: A History of Florida's Most Famous Lighthouses
Presentation and Event
Handbells: Music to Your Ears!
Best of Ringling Exhibition Tour
Program and Event
What’s It Worth? with Andrew Ford
Asolo Repertory Theatre: Behind-the-Scene Tour
Making a Gift
Thank You to Our Donors
Instructor Biographies
About Sarasota Art Museum
Staff
Dr. Phyllis C. Brown Director
pbrown3@ringling.edu Advisory Committee
Jeff Ryder Chair, Advisory Committee
Mark Moulin Chair, Strategic Planning Committee
Marilyn Pinsky Chair, Membership Committee
Colleen Lundwall Chair, Curriculum Committee
Sheila Reed Assistant Director
sreed@ringling.edu
2025 Academic Calendar
Spring Term:
Monday, March 17-Friday, May 9, 2025
Summer Term: Monday, May 19-Friday, July 11, 2025
No classes held on these dates:
• May 26 (Memorial Day)
• June 19 (Juneteenth)
• July 4 (Independence Day)
Photography by Lori Sax
Meghan Burrows Registration & Operations Assistant mburrows@ringling.edu
Patricia “Tobie” van der Vorm Chair, Instructor Recruitment Committee
Tom Miller
Marion Richter
Jack Sukin
Bev Harms (Emeritus)
Sam Samelson (Emeritus)
2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Fall Term:
Monday, Sept. 29-Friday, Nov. 21, 2025
Winter Term:
Monday, Jan. 12-Friday, March 6, 2026
Spring Term:
Monday, March 16-Friday, May 8, 2026
Summer Term:
Monday, May 18-Friday, July 3, 2026
About OLLI at Ringling College
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College is a program of Ringling College of Art and Design. OLLI at Ringling College operates year-round and is supported through memberships, student registrations, and private contributions. OLLI courses are non-credit and primarily based on a liberal arts curriculum. Tuition varies depending on course length. There are no grades and no tests. Courses are offered purely for the joy of learning.
Mission
The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College is to enrich the lives of mature adults in Sarasota and Manatee counties. We provide affordable and outstanding educational programs and social interaction that covers a broad spectrum of topics that are rich in intellectual stimulation, interactive in scope, and worthy of academic consideration.
Learning Environment
Above all else, our ultimate goal is to provide a stimulating and thoughtful learning experience.
We are committed to creating an intellectually nurturing environment that encourages a collegial exchange of ideas and concepts and enables us to broaden our perspectives and hone our opinions. Sometimes we agree with others’ viewpoints; sometimes we question them and feel the need to present an alternative view. This honest give and take of scholastic discourse, tempered with mutual respect and an open mind, makes for a rare and memorable learning experience.
Student Code of Conduct
We all play a role in maintaining this balance of civility and academic freedom. Here’s how you can do your part.
• Allow others to have their say.
• Respect the rights of others to express their views.
• Listen quietly while the instructor or other students are speaking.
• Refrain from quarrelsome interruptions to an instructor’s presentation.
• Ensure cell phones are switched off or muted during the class.
• Comply with OLLI staff and instructor requests.
Instructor Responsibility
If a student disrupts a class, the instructor has a responsibility to ask the student to refrain from class disruptions. If the disruptive behavior persists, the instructor has a responsibility to ask the student to leave class.
The definition of disruptive behavior includes not complying with the Student Code of Conduct. It may also include any behaviors or actions considered threatening, abusive, or inconsiderate of other students.
A student may return to class only if they refrain from disruptive behavior. If the student refuses to comply, security will be called and the student will be escorted from the classroom.
The director and the assistant director of OLLI at Ringling College must be notified if an incident occurs where a student is asked to leave the classroom.
Membership
A Gold ($85) or Silver ($25) Membership is required to register for a multi-session course. You do not need a membership to register for lectures, workshops, programs, or presentations. Membership in OLLI is not transferable. Spouses or partners must have their own individual memberships. Gold and Silver memberships are non-refundable.
Payment Options
OLLI accepts credit cards and or checks for all program registrations. We do not accept cash for any program transaction.
Registration Options
Online: Visit www.rcad.augusoft.net and browse courses. If you have more than one address, remember to use the address that is associated with the credit card you are using.
Mail or in Person: Fill out the mail-in form. Enclose it with your check or credit card information. You can also drop off your form in Room 105 (Fran Mann Reception Area) on the Ringling College Museum Campus.
Phone: 941-309-5111
Cancellations
If a class is canceled due to under-enrollment, students will receive a full refund.
Students will also receive a full refund if an instructor cancels a class prior to the first scheduled session.
Once a class has started, and the instructor cancels a class for medical or personal reasons, students will receive a prorated refund based on the number of classes held prior to cancellation. Students are expected to pay for course sessions they attend.
Course Refunds
If a student drops a course before the first scheduled session, the student will receive a full refund.
If a student drops a course after the first scheduled session, the student will receive a refund minus a 25 percent administrative fee.
If a student drops a course after the second scheduled session, the student forfeits their entire tuition.
There are no refunds for lectures, workshops, or special programs.
Guest Policy
Guests are welcome to visit two classes per semester on a space available basis. They must register prior to attending each class by calling the office 941-309-5111. When classes are closed (all seats filled), guests cannot be accommodated. A guest cannot “bump” a registered student from any class.
Building Evacuation Procedures
Upon receipt of an evacuation order, all employees and students shall exit via the nearest unaffected exit. They shall proceed quickly and quietly to the designated evacuation relocation point for the area they were in at the time of the evacuation order. If class is in session, it is the responsibility of the instructor to direct their students from their classroom to the appropriate egress route and relocation point.
Contact/Mail Information
OLLI at Ringling College
1001 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236-9117
Office hours: 8 am to 4 pm • Monday-Friday
Phone: 941-309-5111
Email: OLLI@ringling.edu
Website: www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org
Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design
Photo: Ryan Gamma
May We Have This Dance — Again?
Yes! The OLLI Oldies Dance returns with Alan "DJ Al" Fisher. Get ready to dance to your favorite hits from the ’50, ’60s, and ’70s! Bring a friend or two or come alone. We just want you to join us for some fun. If you missed the dance in December, click on the link below and check out dance moves from a few of your fellow students.
There is a party in your future, so save the date!
Friday, March 14 1-3 pm • McGuire Hall
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $10 per-person (pre-registration required). Light refreshments.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the success of OLLI. We need volunteers to make the OLLI experience the best it can be. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, make friends, and stay active. As an OLLI volunteer, you can spread the message about lifelong learning, its importance, and what it means to you. When you contribute your time and talent to OLLI, the rewards are mutually beneficial.
How
You Can Make A Difference:
• Committee Assignments: Serve on a committee such as curriculum, membership retention, or membership recruitment.
• Community Outreach: Talk to members and prospective members at monthly events at Sarasota Art Museum including, Free Admission Sunday or Jazz Thursday, or during our outreaches at the Sarasota Farmers Market.
• Greeter: Welcome and direct new and returning students to their classrooms.
• Office Assistants: Answer questions from members and guests in person or by phone and assist the staff with projects.
• Special Events: Contribute to the success of our special events by sharing information, helping people find their way, and answering questions.
Volunteering Myths
I don’t want to volunteer every day or every week. I’m retired.
Fact: You can decide how often you want to volunteer. Volunteering at OLLI is definitely not like work!
I don’t have a lot of time to commit to volunteering.
Fact: You can give back to OLLI in as little as 30 minutes on a day and time of your choosing.
I might get an assignment that I don’t like. Fact: You get to choose your assignment from our project lists. We welcome new ideas, and you can suggest a volunteer project that suits your skills and interests.
I like the idea of volunteering, but what if I’m not good at it?
Fact: We want volunteers who like helping others and who want to support OLLI and its mission.
Volunteer Voices
I want to contribute to the community. I consider that as a duty, in retirement to pay back and enrich my life.
~ Jose Garnham
When I volunteer, I look forward to meeting my co-volunteers who are there for the same reason; and enjoying our time together often making a new friend.
~ Ann Pitcock
I meet members who become friends!
~ Jack Sukin
I get the opportunity to "spread the word" about an integral and rewarding organization right here in our Sarasota community.
~ Angela Carruba
For more information about OLLI and volunteering visit: www.olliringlingcollege.org/ volunteer
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Membership
An OLLI membership makes it possible for a community of intellectually curious individuals to come together and share ideas and experiences in a welcoming environment. Your membership and tuition also support our goals, initiatives, and mission to provide quality lifelong learning to adults aged 50 and older in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Members can take classes from 15 different topic areas, all for the joy of learning.
Become a Member:
Membership Levels
• Gold: $85* annual per person
• Silver: $25 annual per person
* $37.50 is tax-deductible
Member Benefits for Both Levels
• Free parking
• 10% discount at Bistro
• Volunteer opportunities
• Monthly e-newsletter
• Participation in a Shared Interest Group (SIG)
Exclusive Gold Member Benefits
• Early class registration
• 10% discount on classes and workshops
• Three free lectures a year (a $45 value)
Three Ways to Become A Member or to Renew
• By phone: 941-309-5111
• In-person: Stop by Room 105 (Mann Reception Area) on the Ringling College Museum Campus at Sarasota Art Museum
• Online: www.rcad.augusoft.net
Membership FAQ’s
How long is a membership? Memberships are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Can I purchase a family or couple membership? OLLI only offers individual memberships.
Do I need a membership to register for a class? Yes. A membership at the Gold or Silver level is required to register for any multi-session classes (e.g. classes that meet 2 or more sessions)
Can I upgrade or downgrade my membership? You can upgrade from Silver, by purchasing a Gold membership for the full fee. You cannot downgrade your membership.
If I change my mind, can I get a refund on my membership? Once you use your OLLI membership to register for any fee-based program, you cannot receive a refund.
Can I purchase a membership as a gift? Yes. An OLLI membership is always a smart gift idea.
Course Topic Areas
Art Appreciation
Arts and Entertainment
Culture and Travel
Current Events and Global Affairs
○ Economics and Finance
○ Health and Lifestyles
○ History
○ Languages
○ Literature
○ Music Appreciation
○ Philosophy and Religion
○ Psychology
○ Science
○ Technology
○ Writing
For more information about OLLI and membership visit: www.olliringlingcollege.org/ member-options-and-benefit/
Student Information (Please Print Clearly)
Registration Form
Name (as it appears on credit card) _______________________________________________________ I am a new student
Billing Address _____________________________________________________________ City/State/ZIP _______________________________________
Phone Number ___________________________________________________ Email Address ________________________________________________
OLLI at Ringling College
1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Photo Policy Return Completed Forms To
By registering for courses, I acknowledge that my photo may be taken while at the OLLI at Ringling College and utilized for purposes of promoting the OLLI. If I do not want my photo utilized, I will step aside when photos are being taken.
Programs
CONNECTIONS: Documentary Film Series
Daughters • Tuesday, March 25 • 2:30-4:30 pm
Songs of Earth • Tuesday, April 15 • 2:30-4:30 pm
Course Information
8-Session Courses
6 & 7-Session Courses
5-Session Courses
4-Session Courses
3-Session Courses
2-Session Courses
1-Session Courses
Half-Day Workshop
Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15 (fees are per film).
What’s It Worth with Andrew Ford • Monday, April 7 • 10-11:30 am
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $15
Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful • Friday, March 21 • 1-2:30 pm Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $12
Lectures
Health Impacts of Air Pollution • Thursday, March 20 • 2:30-4 pm
Gold Member: Free (Pre-registration required) • Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Minorities in Shark Sciences • Monday, April 14 • 10-11:30 am
Free: Gold and Silver Members and General Admission (pre-registration required).
Guiding Lights: A History of Florida's Most Famous Lighthouses • Wednesday, April 16 • 10-11 am
Gold Member: $12 • Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Presentation
Handbells: Music to Your Ears! • Thursday, March 27 • 2-3:30 pm
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $15
Events
Oldies Dance • Friday, March 14 • 1-3 pm
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $10 (per-person) (pre-registration required).
Asolo Repertory Theatre: Behind-the-Scene Tour • Friday, April 25 • 10 am-12 pm
Free to OLLI Gold and Silver Members only. Limited space (pre-registration required).
Best of Ringling Exhibition Tour • Monday, April 28 • 10-11 am
Free to OLLI Gold and Silver Members only. Limited space (pre-registration required).
Gold Member registration begins Tuesday, Feb. 25 | Silver Member registration begins Tuesday, March 4
Please indicate your choice of course(s) from the list below, then complete all information on the registration form. The number in parenthesis indicates the number of sessions.
Monday
9 am-12 pm
_____ Writers’ Workshop (8) WR100
12-1:20 pm
_____ Classical Education and the Western Canon (3)HS218
_____ Teachers and Preachers: A Film Discussion Class (6) AE192
_____ The Art of Listening: Exploring Song Lyrics (6)MA192
2-3:20 pm
_____ At the Box Office: A Film Discussion Course (6)AE193
_____ Jazz Appreciation (6) MA181
_____ This Was Their Lives (5) HS106
Tuesday
11 am-12:20 pm
_____ Human Consciousness: The Last Frontier of Life Science (3) SI136
_____ Feel It! Write It! (6) WR127 online
_____ The World’s Great Literature (8) LI145
_____ Was Music in the ’70s Really That Great? Pt. 2 (’75-’80) (8) MA186 online
2-3:20 pm
_____ What Law and Order (And Other Media) Get Wrong (2) CV157
_____ OLLI Mystery Book Club (4) LI135
_____ OLLI Spring Book Club (3) LI164
_____ Beethoven’s Final Years (8) MA195
_____ History of Modern China (6) HS219
Wednesday
10-11:30 am
_____ Short Story Collective (6) LI160
12-1:20 pm
_____ A History of Baseball Cards (1886-1943) (8) SP103
_____ Using Your Voice More Effectively (4) HL136
1-4 pm
_____ Masters of Cinema: Powell and Pressburger (3)AE194
2-3:20 pm
_____ Take Charge of Your Life (4) HL160
_____ Science Wednesdays (4) SI108
Thursday
9-10:20 am
_____ The Amazing Sound & Legacy of The Brill Building (3)MA194 online
11 am-12:20 pm
_____ Following Emperor Hadrian: A Tour Across the Roman Empire (2) HS220
The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations (8) LI125
_____ America’s War with Mexico: The Inevitable Conflict (2)HS221
2-3:20 pm
_____ The New World of Planned Death (2) HL161
_____ Myths, Fairy Tales, and Fantasy Literature (5) LI165
_____ The Best Rock Songs of All Time (6) MA196 online
Friday
Classes (2-8 Sessions)
10-11:20 am
_____ Florida Seminoles: Tale of Tears (2) HS200
Workshops (3 hours)
9:30 am-12:30 pm
_____ Memories in Ordinary Objects — A Generative Poetry Workshop (1) WR128
_____ How to Start a Daily Meditation Practice (1) HL146
Single Sessions (60, 80, or 90 minutes)
9-10:30 am
_____ How to Get Your Book Published (1) WR129 online
10-11:20 am
_____ Rewirement for Retirement (1) PY159
1-2 pm
_____ Bloom & Flutter: How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden (1) HL163
_____ The Wealth Gap in the U.S.: Causes and Implications (1) CV158
2-3 pm
_____ Why Ulysses S. Grant Matters: Now More Than Ever (1) HS222
_____ Explain Your Pain (1) HL162
_____ Seeing is Believing: Or is It? (1) PY160
Arts and Entertainment
New: Teachers and Preachers: A Film Discussion Class
Course #AE192
Roxanne Baker
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 17-April 21
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Let’s look at 12 iconic films that cover the professions of teachers and preachers. You’ll watch the film in the comfort of your own home and come to class inspired to discuss what you enjoyed, noticed, and/or whether the portrayal and story ring true with your school or church experiences. Award-winning performances from Sidney Poitier, Maggie Smith, Sean Connery, and Robin Williams will give us the cinematic distraction and impetus for jovial talks. Films to be discussed can be found on selected streaming services such as Amazon Prime or Apple TV.
Films on teachers: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie; Educating Rita; To Sir, with Love; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; The Dead Poet’s Society; and Mr. Holland’s Opus. Films on Preachers: A Man for All Seasons (1966 version), Elmer Gantry, The Name of the Rose, The Master, First Reformed, and Silence.
New: At the Box Office: A Film Discussion Course
Course #AE193
Roxanne Baker
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 17-April 21
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Do you go to movies but wish you had someone to discuss them with? Well, your wait is over! Each week, your cinematic assignment will be to watch a film at one of our local theaters (Burns Court, Hollywood 11, or CinéBistro) and come to class and share your viewpoints and thoughts regarding the film's overall quality, the performances, and what you enjoyed or thought was lacking. Film is an art form that provokes varying opinions, so get ready for a lively and fun discussion!
New: Masters of Cinema: Powell and Pressburger
Course #AE194
Jeffrey Ryder
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 1-4 pm
3 Sessions: April 23-May 7
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
English filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger were a rare breed in cinema. They co-directed, wrote, and produced most of their films and a number of them are classics. Their films had a signature visual style with adult themes. In this course, we will screen and discuss their three most famous films from the late 1940s, A Matter of Life and Death, The Red Shoes, and Black Narcissus. Their films influenced many American directors including Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. Each of the films will be screened in the auditorium with a brief introduction, followed by a more thorough background of the films and a class discussion.
Current Events and Global Issues
World in Transition
Course #CV127
Peter Mermin
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
4 Sessions: March 18-April 8
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
We will be discussing various topics relating to the current world situation. Optional materials for the course will be emailed to participants two weeks before our first class. The class will be conducted seminar-style, with full class participation. We will consider books, articles, movies, and personal experiences which may help us illuminate what is going on in today’s world. Let’s all learn from each other.
New: What Law and Order (And Other Media) Get Wrong
Course #CV157
Hollis Weisman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
2 Sessions: March 18 and March 25
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
On TV, the police “take the suspect down to the station for questioning.” Judges announce evidence is “out” after arguments by lawyers in the judge's chambers. Police advise defendants of their Miranda rights as the officers are handcuffing multiple suspects on the street. Sergeants tell their officers to “go get a warrant,” and moments later, the police have a warrant. Federal prosecutors waltz into state prosecutors’ offices and announce they are taking custody of a suspect already arrested by the state. Victims announce that they “don't want to press charges,” so no prosecution occurs. Is any of this real? No. In this class, we will review some of these scenarios and discuss how they bear little resemblance to the law or reality.
New: The Wealth Gap in the U.S.: Causes and Implications
Course #CV158
Jeffrey Orenstein and Virginia Orenstein
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: May 9
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
This session will include an analysis of the huge and growing gap between the wealthiest Americans and the average American. We will examine its origins and its implications in the present and the future.
Health and Lifestyles
Using Your Voice More Effectively
Course #HL136
Joy McIntyre
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
4 Sessions: March 26-April 16
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
The speaking voice is a valuable instrument. It needs to be heard and understood. How you use your voice is an integral part of that. In this course, we will have fun as we discuss:
• The anatomy and process of speaking.
• Practicing effective and healthy vocal habits.
• Techniques for enhancing your vocal impact.
• Application and presentation of your new vocal skills. This course is intended for people with healthy vocal responses. Note: For conditions involving pathology, please consult with a medical specialist.
Take Charge of Your Life
Course #HL160
Herbert Cohen Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: April 2-April 23
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
This course is designed to help you take charge of your life by examining techniques for overcoming stress and coping with everyday problems and those that are more severe. It will explore stress busters and mindfulness techniques, as well as how to maintain healthy relationships. Current research in the area of longevity and stress will be presented. The goal is to find ways we can improve the quality and length of our lives.
Health and Lifestyles
New: The New World of Planned Death
Course #HL161
Ron Hammerle
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
2 Sessions: March 20 and March 27
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Changes in medicine, law, and culture now enable you to plan the time, place, and circumstances of your death. The first session describes how and why that happened. The second involves a group discussion about what this might mean for you and your family. Please join us in exploring life's only universal experience.
New: Explain Your Pain
Course #HL162
Greg Kotlarczyk and Jared Campbell
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 2-3 pm
1 Session: March 28
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Joint and muscle pain are a common everyday problem for most people. This lecture will help you understand the common causes and degenerative changes that take place in the musculoskeletal system. Knowledge is power, so understanding the “why” helps you with the “how and what.” After this session, you will leave with a better understanding of why you hurt, how it happens, and what you can do about it.
New: Bloom & Flutter: How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
Course #HL163
Tenille Dixon-Pawlus
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 1-2 pm
1 Session: April 4
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Discover the magic of transforming your Florida garden into a butterfly haven. This course will teach you how to select native Florida plants that attract and sustain local butterfly species year-round. Learn essential gardening techniques for creating a pollinator-friendly environment. Perfect for beginner and experienced gardeners alike, this course will help you bring beauty and biodiversity to your outdoor space.
How to Start a Lifetime Daily Meditation Practice
Course #HL146
Gary Halperin
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
1 Session: April 18
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member and General Admission: $55
Many of the benefits of meditation have been proven by science. Meditation can make you happier, reduce your stress, and foster relaxation. Millions of people want to learn to meditate, yet most people do not know where to begin. Relaxation meditation is the answer. It is a straightforward, practical, non-religious, modern meditation technique. It is easy to learn and practice, takes 15 minutes a day, and the benefits happen right from the start. In this workshop, meditation will be demystified and you will learn everything you need to know to start a relaxation meditation practice. Once you begin and experience how easy and effortless the practice is, you will be drawn to meditate daily. In addition, you will learn how to seamlessly integrate meditation practices into your everyday life.
History
New: Classical Education and the Western Canon Course #HS218
Michael Weddle
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
3 Sessions: March 17-March 31
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
Classical Education is the only topic in history that has a value judgment baked into the subject title. Classical Education is both an ancient theory of education that has been re-envisioned in different historical periods and a “Western canon” curriculum emphasizing works presented as solely the product of European authors. Beginning as religious language instruction in the Medieval period, it has also been an educational system to promote a military expansion of Italy under Mussolini, and more recently, classical scholars have been critical of a history that erases Africa from European history and promotes a white political agenda. We will discuss both the educational theory and the present canon.
New:
This Was Their Lives Course #HS106
Gayle Yaverbaum, Wendy LeBolt, Judy Levine, Beverly Jennings, and Joseph and Jean Volpe Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 2-3:20 pm
5 Sessions: March 17-April 21
(Note: No class on March 31)
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $85
March 17: Golda Meir with Gayle Yaverbaum
Golda Meir went from a humble beginning in tsarist Russia to becoming the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. She was a remarkable woman who led Israel through the 1973 Yom Kippur War as well as other critical times. A glimpse of her life and its impacts will be presented in this lecture.
March 24: Jack LaLanne with Wendy LeBolt
Jack LaLanne, known as the “Godfather of Fitness,” was a pioneering figure in the health and wellness industry. He overcame poor health and a sugar addiction as a teenager, transforming himself into a fitness advocate who opened the first modern health club in 1936. LaLanne popularized weight training, exercise machines, and the importance of daily fitness and nutrition long before they became mainstream. His television show, “The Jack LaLanne Show” (1951–1985), brought exercise routines into homes across America, inspiring millions to live healthier lives — including me! He was known for his extraordinary physical feats, lifelong dedication to fitness, and influential role in shaping today’s fitness industry. LaLanne worked out daily into his ’90s, embodying his message of lifelong health and vitality.
April 7: Ai Weiwei: Artist and Activist with Judy Levine
Ai Weiwei is a renowned Chinese artist, creator of Beijing’s National Stadium also known as the “Bird’s Nest” designed for the 2008 Olympics, critic of society’s inhumanity, and the century’s major conceptual artist. We will explore his art, film, and the price he paid to speak his mind in a society with tight social controls.
April 14: Cleopatra VII with Beverly Jennings Cleopatra VII was the last pharaoh of Egypt. Her palace glittered with precious jewels and gold. No one knows what this alleged “wanton temptress” actually looked like. She poisoned her siblings. She had a son with the most famous Roman of them all, Julius Caesar, and three more children with his right-hand man, Marc Antony. She lived less than 40 years, but during her lifetime, she helped reshape the ancient world. In this lecture, we will try to separate fact from fiction to find the real Cleopatra.
April 21: Luciano Pavarotti with Joseph and Jean Volpe Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) was one of the most celebrated operatic tenors of the 20th century, known for his powerful and emotionally expressive voice. With his distinctive talent, he made opera accessible to a broader audience and became an icon worldwide. Pavarotti gained widespread fame for his performances in classic operas, including La Bohème and La Traviata, as well as for his work with The Three Tenors, where he helped popularize opera through large-scale performances.
History
New: History of Modern China
Course #HS219
Michael Gibson
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 18-April 22
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
An important key to understanding contemporary Chinese politics and international behavior is to study their history. This course will review traditional Chinese culture and society to better understand their unique worldview. We will trace China’s early interactions with the industrialized West and see how this led to the revolution in 1949. We will then look at modern Chinese history down to the death of Mao and then discuss the more “pragmatic” policies we see in place after his death. The goal of this class will be, hopefully, to better understand China’s current role in world politics.
New: Following Emperor Hadrian: A Tour Across the Roman Empire
Course #HS220
Beverly Jennings Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
2 Sessions: March 20 and March 27
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Emperor Hadrian was a traveler and intellectual. He commissioned Hadrian's Wall in Britain and the Pantheon in Rome. In this class, we will follow the most powerful man in the world as he travels across the empire, along with those who traveled with him.
America's War with Mexico: The Inevitable Conflict
Course #HS221
Jeff Newman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
2 Sessions: April 10 and April 17
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
Historians tell us that, per capita, more Americans died in the Mexican War than in any other conflict in our history. Why did it happen? What were the political and social issues driving us toward war? While battles raged on the fields of Mexico, the war was also fought on our nation's social and political landscape, dividing the nation. Why did this costly conflict become a source of both pride and shame for 19th-century America?
New: Why Ulysses S. Grant Matters: Now More Than Ever
Course #HS222
William Simpson
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 2-3 pm
1 Session: March 21
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
The historiography of the U.S. Civil War, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow has systematically misrepresented the remarkable life and achievements of Ulysses S. Grant. With a current renewed popular interest in Grant’s 1885 memoirs and improved scholarly access to The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant since their relocation to Mississippi State University in 2008, a revitalized Grant narrative has emerged from the historical mist of 19th-century “Lost Cause” Confederates and 20th-century “States Rights” segregationists. This presentation covers the best recent research and analysis on Grant with a focus on why the general who won the Civil War and president who championed Civil Rights for Freedmen and Native Americans deserves to be reexamined by each new generation of American students and citizens.
The Florida Seminoles – Tale of Tears
Course #HS200
Bob Busch
Ringling College Museum Campus
Fridays: 10-11:20 am
2 Sessions: April 4 and April 11
Gold Member: $40.50
Silver Member: $45
What do you think when you hear Seminoles? Is it the Hard Rock Casino or the Florida State University mascot? There is much more to this story. Indigenous Americans flowed into Florida to escape wars to the north. The Florida Indians collectively became known as Seminole meaning “wild people” or “runaway.” Many free Blacks and runaway slaves also joined the Seminoles. After broken treaties and three wars, the Seminoles were forced to march to Oklahoma in the early 1800s. Estimates are that 3,000 Seminoles perished on the “Trail of Tears.” The treatment of the Seminoles is a mark of shame in Florida history.
Literature
New: The World's Great Literature
Course #LI145
Robert Kendal
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
8 Sessions: March 18-May 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member and General Admission: $95
We build on the tradition of the Great Books by exploring classic and contemporary texts of world literature in addition to reading the great classics of the Western canon. Our selections cover a wide range — fiction and non-fiction, plays and poetry — but all lead, both in the reading and the conversation, to a stimulating expansion of our worldview. Each week, our discussion will be led by a volunteer from the class. About two weeks before the first session, a syllabus with specific readings will be emailed to those registered for the class.
As Marilynne Robinson said in The Givenness of Things, “Open a book and a voice speaks. A world, more or less alien or welcoming, emerges to enrich a reader’s store of hypotheses about how life is to be understood.” Welcome to The World’s Great Literature.
New:
OLLI Mystery Book Club
Course #LI135
Joe Cucci
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: March 18, April 1, April 15, and April 29
(Note: Class meets every other week)
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
The OLLI Mystery Book Club is a very casual discussion group. The hope is to introduce you to new authors and series. You’ll read four books with one book being discussed for 80 minutes every other week. The moderator will select the first book; the other three will be selected by the class from a menu that will include books from three different categories. The moderator will provide some cursory background information and then will steer the discussion which is driven by the Book Club members. The first book to read is From Doon with Death by Ruth Rendell.
OLLI Spring Book Club
Course #LI164
Carol Ellis
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
3 Sessions: March 25, April 8, and April 22
(Note: Class meets every other week)
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
The OLLI Spring Book Club will meet every other week and read three books over the term. The first book is a contemporary novel selected by the instructor. The next two books will be voted on by the group at the first meeting from a short list (provided by the instructor), a second contemporary novel, and a work of non-fiction. If you would like to expand your reading repertoire and have meaningful analysis and discussion with a thoughtful group of people, you should join us this spring. The first book for the class will be Three Days in June by Anne Tyler.
Literature (cont.)
Short Story Collective
Course #LI160
Debbie Mackler and Tom Miller
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 10-11:30 am (Note: Extended class time)
6 Sessions: March 26-April 30
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
“When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you…”
- George Saunders
“Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds, and other minds, and other dreams. They’re journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and still be back in time for dinner.”
- Neil Gaiman
We read two short stories each week before class and ask you to come prepared to discuss these stories in a seminar setting. Each week we have different presenters who share their selected stories with the class. Please join us for an exciting and dynamic literary experience.
The New Yorker Magazine: Conversations
Course #LI125
Alan Freedman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
8 Sessions: March 20-May 8
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
For nearly a century, The New Yorker has been a treasured source of essays, fiction, cartoons, satire, poetry, criticism, and reportage, and its writers occupy a unique place in the pantheon of erudition and wit. In this class, we'll enjoy the magazine even more by sharing our knowledge and opinions on weekly selections from “Shouts & Murmurs,” “The Talk of the Town,” a work of fiction or non-fiction, a movie review, or cartoons. Prior to each weekʼs meeting, you'll receive an email naming items from the prior weekʼs issue to be discussed, so a subscription (either in print or online) is necessary. A stimulating conversation is certain!
New: Myths, Fairy Tales, and Fantasy Literature
Course #LI165
Chris Angermann
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
5 Sessions: March 27-April 24
Gold Member: $76.50
Silver Member: $85
How foundational cultural stories have changed from ancient to modern times; from Homer’s Odyssey to James Joyce’s Ulysses to Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad. We will examine the roles these tales and their tellers play in our lives and how, in the past 20 years, we have seen profound revisioning of traditional male and female roles, including heroes, unsung heroines, shapeshifters, and tricksters.
Music Appreciation
The Art of Listening: Exploring Song Lyrics Course #MA192
Robert Litwak
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 12-1:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 17-April 21
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Our favorite songs shine like jewels in the treasure chests of our memories. Unlock the power of music and discover the profound stories hidden within the lyrics of your favorite songs. Join us for an interactive course designed specifically for music lovers who enjoy meaningful discussions. In this highly participatory course, you'll have the unique opportunity to bring your favorite songs to the class via YouTube. Whether your musical tastes lean towards the poetry of singer-songwriters, the anthems of rock bands, or the vivid narratives of musical theater, this is your stage to share these meaningful songs. Enroll in this course and let your favorite songs inspire and connect you with a vibrant community of music lovers.
Jazz Appreciation
Course #MA181
Charley Rich
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 17-April 21
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
This six-week course provides a look at the evolution of Jazz music, how it evolved, who practiced the art, and the audience that appreciated it from its inception at the beginning of the 20th century up to the present day. Jazz started as a fringe art that was considered beneath the tastes of “high society” and those who appreciated “culture” (as opposed to folk and primitive art). It wasn’t considered to be “serious” music. However, over time this changed, and it has developed into what many believe to be America’s primary contribution to world culture. This course will provide extensive samples of the music and artists that led to its mainstream adoption.
New:
Was Music in the ’70s Really That Great? Part Two (’75-’80)
Course #MA186
Tony Moon
Online / Zoom
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
8 Sessions: March 18-May 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
The ’70s were one of the most diverse and exciting decades in American popular music. Singers and songwriters honed their skills, bands became more diverse and unusual, and superstars began careers that lasted well into the ’80s, ’90s, and beyond. The advent of FM radio expanded the many genres to develop and thrive. R&B, folk, hard rock, and country all became more mainstream. The late ’70s saw the meteoric rise of disco and the beginnings of rap. You can’t hold back a decade that gave us Queen, Elton John, Chicago, David Bowie, and Billy Joel. Come, join the nostalgia!
New:
Beethoven’s Final Years: The Music He Wrote When Completely Deaf Course #MA195
Albert H. Cohen
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 2-3:20 pm
8 Sessions: March 18-May 6
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
The last 13 years of Beethoven’s life were ones of silence as his deafness became complete. Yet the music he wrote was both exciting and profound. We will listen to his last two symphonies, his last five piano sonatas, string quartets, and other works that show the depth of his understanding of the forms he used.
New: The Amazing Sound and Legacy of the Brill Building Course #MA194
Emanuel Abramovits Online / Zoom
Thursdays: 9-10:20 am
3 Sessions: March 27-April 10
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
In this class, we will describe the cosmopolitan musical textures that defined the best works of an unforgettable period when gifted young songwriters huddled in midtown Manhattan’s Brill Building, creating enduring entries in the Great American Songbook. Stories, anecdotes, and audiovisuals will illustrate this golden era of the ’50s and ’60s that integrated audiences, eclectic multicultural sounds, and brought social consciousness to pop music, with protagonists like Neil Sedaka, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Phil Spector, Don Kirshner, Burt Bacharach, and many more!
Music Appreciation (cont.)
New: The Best Rock Songs of All Time
Course #MA196
Emanuel Abramovits Online / Zoom
Thursdays: 2-3:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 27-May 1
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
Put some music fans in the same room, and sooner or later, they will ask each other, “What's your favorite song?” If we ask rock fans, some will choose Smoke on the Water, others Bohemian Rhapsody, some Stairway to Heaven, and many will have other choices. Using audiovisuals, stories, and anecdotes, let’s discuss what makes these songs great, the context when they became classics, the songwriters, the performers, their cultural significance, and if they will continue resonating across time. From the ’50s until today, there’s plenty of great music to discuss — we can even build our own top 100 list.
Psychology
New: Rewirement For Retirement
Course #PY159
Daniel Chiodo
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 10-11:20 am
1 Session: March 21
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
What does retirement mean?
When do you start thinking about it?
Can it happen even after you retire?
This course explores your journey in life — even into the later years. The rewiring refers to changing your course. Perhaps when you were younger, you held various jobs before you landed the right one. This same thing can be true during the retirement years. In this season of life, you don’t want to waste any time. Why not enjoy what you’re doing, whether it’s a job or a hobby? You are invited to share your experiences as we talk about how to create a “rewirement plan.” We will also discuss a few famous people and why they are going strong into their later years and feeling better than at any other time in their life. The first quarter of the year is a great time for this course so that you have time to implement your plan.
New: Seeing Is Believing: Or Is It?
Course #PY160
John Scibak
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 2-3 pm
1 Session: April 11
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Have you ever wondered why or how your eyes play tricks on you when you see an optical illusion? It’s not your eyes but your brain that’s being fooled. This course will focus on optical illusions, review the various types of illusions and their causes, explore several classic illusions, and examine more recent discoveries to better understand the disconnect between perception and reality. We will discuss perceptual illusions involving the other senses and see how artists have used illusion-producing principles for centuries to enable patrons to see things that may or may not be real.
New: Human Consciousness: The Last Frontier of Life Science Course #SI136
Alan Grindal
Ringling College Museum Campus
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
3 Sessions: March 18-April 1
Gold Member: $54
Silver Member: $60
Consciousness is the only real way we experience the observable world and yet the greatest mystery of all. It is the product of the complex interaction of multiple neural networks from which emerges a phenomenon that truly defines us as humans. Recent technological advancements, such as modern brain imaging, have begun to open doors to a better understanding of the mind at work. This course will begin by studying the structure and function of the brain and then look at how we perceive our inner and outer worlds. Finally, we will explore current concepts of consciousness in health and disease.
New: Science Wednesdays Course #SI108
Fiona Crawford, John McFetridge, Jono Miller, and David Tomasko
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 2-3:20 pm
4 Sessions: March 19-April 9
Gold Member: $63
Silver Member: $70
The objective of science is to gain an understanding of nature. This enables us to develop tools that apply Nature’s Laws to improve our daily lives. Science Wednesdays is a series of lectures dealing with a broad range of sciences, including physics, biology, health, and medicine.
March 19: The Human Brain: Research and Discoveries with Fiona Crawford
Join Fiona Crawford for an enlightening discussion on groundbreaking research and therapies at the Roskamp Institute. Crawford will cover the latest FDA-approved treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, advancements in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research, and insights from the Institute’s Red Tide study. She will also highlight the Institute’s work with veterans, including Gulf War Illness, and explain how translational research bridges the gap between lab discoveries and clinical applications.
March 26: The History and Mystery of Cabbage Palms with Jono Miller
Join environmental author, educator, activist (and co-host of WSLR's Our Changing Environment) Jono Miller, for an excursion into the world of our misunderstood state tree: the cabbage palm. Jono’s illustrated presentation will also include reading short passages from The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm, telling stories not found in the book, and fielding questions.
April 2: Managing the Health of Sarasota Bay: Current Conditions and Future Challenges with Dave Tomasko
Successful management of Sarasota Bay requires a thorough understanding of the status and trends in water quality and ecosystem health, as well as understanding the issues that stress the bay. Using this basic framework, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program has developed an ecosystem health report card, which it paired with a pollutant loading model to develop a pollution load reduction target. Then, working with local stakeholders, a series of projects and programs were identified to allow the bay to meet its locally developed and science-based pollutant load reduction goals. The results of these efforts will be summarized in this talk.
April 9: Genetic Engineering (CRISPR) with John McFetridge DNA is the instruction manual for life. It encodes the fundamental properties of an organism — how it develops, functions, and reproduces. A technology called CRISPRCas9 allows directed changes to DNA, which has started a revolution in gene editing. This talk will first give an overview of required background topics, such as DNA, chromosomes, and protein folding. With these basics, we will examine CRISPR from a high level.
New: A History of Baseball Cards (1886-1943)
Course #SP103
Jeffrey Sherman
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesdays: 12-1:20 pm
8 Sessions: March 19-May 7
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
Baseball cards have been around nearly as long as organized baseball. The earliest baseball cards were produced in 1886, and the manufacture and distribution of baseball (and other sports) cards continued uninterrupted until World War II. News reports have brought attention to the multimilliondollar Honus Wagner and Mickey Mantle cards, but the story of baseball cards goes far beyond the big stars and big dollars. This course will introduce the amazing variety and beauty of the national pastime’s favorite companion (bubble gum not included).
Writing
Writers’ Workshop
Course #WR100
Ellen Brosnahan
Ringling College Museum Campus
Mondays: 9 am-12 pm
8 Sessions: March 17-May 5
Gold Member: $85.50
Silver Member: $95
The Writers’ Workshop provides an interactive setting for writers to share their work and receive feedback from one another. In this workshop, members read five to 10 pages of their finished work or work-in-progress and then have it critiqued (not criticized) by others. Constructive feedback acts as a motivating factor for further revising and editing. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. All genres are embraced. This class offers a non-threatening experience among a group of individuals who wish to improve their craft.
New: Feel It! Write It!
Course #WR127
Ronni Miller
Online / Zoom
Tuesdays: 11 am-12:20 pm
6 Sessions: March 18-April 22
Gold Member: $81
Silver Member: $90
A motivational and expressive writing workshop based on sensory exercises from the Write It Out® program. Students enjoy hands-on classroom motivational writing exercises to inspire and stimulate material from their own lives to write fiction, memoir, or poetry. The Write It Out program began in 1992 and has been facilitated in health and education centers and private locations guiding individuals to tap into their feelings, memories, and experiences. Created by Ronni Miller the program has been endorsed by Dr. James W. Pennebaker, world-renowned authority on Expressive Writing. First-time and experienced writers benefit from the unique and creative writing exercises in the workshop.
New: Memories in Ordinary Objects — A Generative Poetry Workshop
Course #WR128
Randi Sanders
Ringling College Museum Campus
Friday: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
1 Session: April 4
Gold Member: $49
Silver Member: $55
This workshop invites participants to explore how ordinary objects can unlock vivid memories and inspire poetry. Through guided exercises, we will delve into the emotional significance of everyday items—such as a photograph, a cup, or a pair of shoes—and how they can serve as powerful metaphors. Participants will engage in group discussions, receive individual feedback, and create one or more poems that reflect the connection between personal memories and these objects. By the end of the workshop, everyone will leave with a new understanding of how to find the extraordinary in the everyday. Open to all levels, this class fosters a supportive and creative space for personal expression.
New: “I’ve Always Wanted to Write a Book” How to Get Your Book Published
Course WR129
Preethi Fernando Online / Zoom
Friday: 9-10:30 am
1 Sessions: April 4
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member: $15
Publishing your book can be a rewarding work of art. It is also a therapeutic experience, especially if your book is about your life story or a memoir. In this class, you will learn how to tap into readily available resources to turn your words into a published book. For some, it might turn into money through book sales and speaking engagements. For others, it might be a work of passion to fulfill your soul and feel that sense of achievement by publishing your very own book.
Daughters (2024)
Films #FS137
1 hour 45 minutes
Tuesday, March 25 • 2:30-4:30 pm
Ringling College Museum Campus
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Four young girls prepare for a special Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers as part of a unique fatherhood program in a Washington, D.C. jail. For most of the daughters, the dance will be the only time they will be able to touch or hug their fathers during their sentences, some of which are as long as 20 years. Over eight years, the film inhabits the lives of these young girls, enabling the audience to witness the rippling effects of their fathers’ absence, as well as the love their fathers have for them. What unfolds is an intimate, healing portrait of the weight of mass incarceration on families while still showing what is possible. The film is at once sweet, sad, and relentlessly heartrending.
Films are screened at the Ringling College Museum Campus. Julie Cotton, the series creator and moderator, facilitates conversations and discussion after the screenings.
Julie Cotton, a long-term OLLI member and instructor, is the coordinator and host of this series. Julie has a doctorate in Human Development and is a former organizational consultant and executive coach. She is an aficionado of documentary films and a skilled facilitator of group conversations.
CONNECTIONS is made possible, in part, with generous support from the Harms Family Endowment
Songs of Earth (2023)
Films #FS138
1 hours 30 minutes
Tuesday, April 15 • 2:30-4:30 pm
Ringling College Museum Campus
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
This film explores the connection between the filmmaker’s aged father and the ageless wonder of the land that surrounds them. Itʼs a majestic visual and auditory symphony for the big screen. The filmmaker’s father guides us through Norway’s spectacular scenery while we’re immersed in sounds of the earth harmonizing during this breathtaking journey. Everything in this gorgeous film gives the impression of wisdom passed down through generations, as the camera soars over fjords, frozen lakes, and ancient glaciers. This is a hypnotic and contemplative film that makes us examine our relationship with mortality and nature and helps us to see that humans are a microcosm of the Earth.
Premiere screening: Katharine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful
Film #FS139
Special guests John de Graaf and Laurence Cotton Friday, March 21 • 1-2:30 pm
Ringling College Museum Campus
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $12
This new film examines the life of Katharine Lee Bates, poet, professor, and social reformer; an unsung hero best known for authoring America The Beautiful.
America the Beautiful may be America’s most beloved song. It celebrates our natural beauty and makes a powerful appeal for justice, brotherhood, and inclusion. But few know about the fascinating life of Katharine Lee Bates. The first words of her poem America came to Bates as she surveyed the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains from the summit of Coloradoʼs Pikeʼs Peak on July 22, 1893. Her poem— transformed into a national hymn—captures the beauty of our land, and at the same time calls us to the “better angels of our nature.” This film tells that story.
John de Graaf (Director and Writer) has been directing and writing documentaries, often for public television, for 46 years, winning more than 100 regional, national, and international awards for filmmaking—including the highest award for legal reporting from the American Bar Association. More than a dozen of his films received PBS broadcasts, including his 1997 hit, Affluenza. His most recent film is Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty. The John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award is presented annually at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in California. He spent 32 years with KCTS, the Seattle PBS affiliate, has taught documentary production at three colleges, and authored four books. He lives in Seattle.
Laurence Cotton (Producer) served as a producer of public television programs, including the recent Stewart Udall documentary, and he originated and produced the nationally broadcast film Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America. A public historian, Laurence delivers popular talks about the Olmsted landscape legacy and serves as a guest lecturer for a small ship cruise line, plying the waterways of North America. Laurence was the Director of the Cambridge Forum, a lecture series and public radio program. He was a senior aide in the Massachusetts State Senate, served as Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Oregon, and played a leadership role in planning the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. A Massachusetts native, he splits his time between Portland, OR and Sarasota.
Health Impacts of Air Pollution
Lecture #LC211
Rick Tolin, M.D.
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursday, March 20 2:30-4 pm
Gold Member: Free (pre-registration required)
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Air pollution is arguably the most important preventable cause of disability and death — responsible for 20% of all deaths due to heart and lung disease and stroke. It’s also responsible for 20% of all cases of Type II diabetes mellitus and contributes to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, pre-term birth, and fetal loss. The health harms of air pollution are now quantifiable and modifiable on both a population level and an individual level. This session will include these topics: 1.) a definition and causes of air pollution; 2.) an explanation of EPA standards and the clinical relevance of those standards; 3.) the broad spectrum of health harms caused by air pollution and the mechanisms responsible for those harms and the economic costs of those harms; 4.) and the simple measures we can take to protect ourselves and our families from the harms of air pollution. Bring your questions and join us for the discussion.
Rick Tolin, M.D. had a long career as a gastroenterologist at a community hospital in Pennsylvania where he also served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine. In 2017, he joined Vice President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and transitioned his interest to teaching about the interconnections between health care, climate change, pollution, and social injustice. He retired from clinical practice in 2020.
Minorities in Shark Sciences
Lecture #LC212
Norah Mendoza
Ringling College Museum Campus
Monday, April 14
10-11:30 am
Free to OLLI Gold and Silver Members and General Admission (pre-registration required). In this presentation, we will focus on programs and initiatives designed to support minorities in shark sciences. We will highlight opportunities for underrepresented groups to engage in marine biology and shark research, including mentorship, internships, field experiences, and scholarships. These programs aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment for aspiring scientists, equipping them with the resources and guidance needed to succeed. Our goal is to empower and inspire a diverse group of individuals to pursue careers in shark science, driving innovation and advancing the study and conservation
Norah Mendoza works as the Program Coordinator for Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), where she focuses on fostering inclusivity and empowering underrepresented individuals in shark research. Her background includes coral reef restoration, shark conservation, and leading projects in diverse locations like Florida and Sicily. She’s passionate about organizing programs that support MISS members and creating a welcoming environment for all aspiring scientists.
Guiding Lights: A History of Floridaʼs Most Famous Lighthouses
Lecture #LC213
Liz Coursen
Ringling College Museum Campus
Wednesday, April 16
10-11 am
Gold Member: $12
Silver Member and General Admission: $15
Florida’s lighthouses have many fascinating stories to share, including surprising associations with a famous Union general and the infamous Secretary of State of the Confederate States of America. Join award-winning author and editor Liz Coursen as she uses colorful illustrations and contemporary ephemera to explore the little-known role that lighthouses have played in Florida’s history in this lively, hour-long lecture.
Liz Coursen, author, editor, and publisher, grew up bouncing between Sarasota and Brunswick, ME. After attending Southside and Pine View schools in Sarasota, she graduated from Emory University in Atlanta with a degree in English literature. Ten of Liz's 14 books are about American English punctuation and grammar, and she has lectured about American English best practices as far away as India. Liz is a member of two Toastmasters International clubs and is a lector at the Church of the Redeemer.
Anastasia Lighthouse
Anastasia Lighthouse Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Handbells: Music to Your Ears!
Program #SE100
Ringling College Museum Campus
Thursday, March 27 2-3:30 pm
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $15
Join us for a special presentation by the RingSide handbell ensemble. Ringside will perform a selection of pieces that highlight the versatility of handbells. In addition, guests will learn the history of handbells, how they work, and the various music genres associated with the instrument. Guests will also have an opportunity to try their hands at ringing the handbells. Whether you're a curious observer or a longtime fan, join us for this enjoyable session.
Best of Ringling Exhibition Tour
Event #SE105
Ringling College of Art and Design
2700 N. Tamiami Trail, 34234
Monday, April 28 10-11 am
Free to OLLI Gold and Silver Members only. Limited space (pre-registration required).
Best of Ringling is an annual juried student exhibition. Each spring, Ringling College celebrates the top art and design work created by students that academic year. The work is judged by more than a dozen well-known and respected professionals in their fields who participate in the vetting, selection, and awards process. Students' award-winning works are on display in seven galleries across campus. With a Ringling College curatorial guide, you'll get the opportunity to get up close and personal with the exhibitions.
Note: This is a walking tour. Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Tour will meet at 9:50 am at the Ulla Searing Student Center. Parking available throughout the Ringling College campus. Registered members will receive campus and parking maps.
What’s It Worth? with Andrew Ford
Course #AE163
Andrew Ford
Ringling College Museum Campus
Monday, April 7
10-11:30 am
Gold and Silver Members and General Admission: $15
In this session, you have the opportunity to bring in one item that you have been curious about, and Andrew Ford will assess its worth. With decades of knowledge and experience, Andrew can accurately evaluate the value of your treasure. It could be a sterling silver necklace from your great aunt or a glass sculpture. Whatever it is, bring it in, and let Andrew tell you what it’s worth!
Asolo Repertory Theatre: Behind-the-Scene Tour
Program #SE104
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Friday, April 25 10 am-12 pm
Free to OLLI Gold and Silver Members only. Limited space (pre-registration required). Not open to non-members.
Registration for this event only opens Tuesday, Feb. 25 for Gold and Silver Members. What happens on stage is just the beginning—now it’s your turn to experience the magic up close! Join us for an exclusive, guided tour of Asolo Repertory Theatre’s cutting-edge facilities. You’ll explore the heart of our creative process, from our bustling scene and costume shops to the rehearsal halls where performances come to life. Get an insider's look at our administrative offices, backstage secrets, and more. The grand finale? Walking on stage like a true star! Don’t miss your chance to step into the world of theatre like never before.
Note: Tour will start at the Robert and Beverly Koski Center, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport at 1009 Tallevast Road, Sarasota, 34243
Tour will end at The Center for Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34243
Making a Gift
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Ringling College enriches the lives of adults in Sarasota and Manatee counties by providing affordable and outstanding educational programs and social interactions that cover a broad spectrum of topics rich in intellectual stimulation, often interactive in scope, and worthy of academic consideration.
A gift to OLLI will expand meaningful and inspiring classes, timely topics, speaker series, travel courses, and lectures that broaden diverse offerings and inspire dialogue among our learning community.
Thank You to Our Donors
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College is grateful to have generous, consistent donors. It is their extra financial support that allows us to offer an affordable and outstanding program. Donations are always appreciated. The following honor roll of donors represents gifts given between June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024.
Beverly A. Harms
Nora Duffy
The Bernard Osher Foundation
Barry Baker
Judith Schwartzbaum
Sam Samelson
Alan and Holly Freedman
CEA Associates, LLC
Daniel Idzik and Kathleen Osborne
Day Hagan Asset Management
Albert Tripodi and Fran Harris
Anthony and Lora Wey
Barbara Osmon
Charles A. and Laurey T. Stryker
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
David and Louise Klain
Jay and Marion Richter
Allen and Rhoda Katz
Alliance Francaise De Sarasota Inc
Ann Diaz
Barbara Brizdle
Benjamin and Sara Curtis Robinson
Bernice Shor and Irwin Feinberg
Carl and Liza Caruso
Cathleen Morano
Colleen Lundwall
Ellen Brosnahan
First Horizon Foundation
Jeffrey Ryder and J. Alvin Stout
Marilyn L. Pinsky
Jose A. Garnham and Barbara Lausche
Joseph Cucci
Mark A. and Sandra Moulin
Sol Cohn
Sun Coast Alliance for Lifelong Learning, Inc.
Thomas and Mary Dudar
Thomas and Sue Miller
Frederick and Elaine Gewirtz
Hal and Peggy Hayden
Harry and Gayle Yaverbaum
Jack and Adrea Sukin
Jacob and Patricia van der Vorm
Jane E. McCormack
John and Barbara Kerwin
Julie Cotton
Lynette Velez
Martha Hill
Mary J. Hixon
Michael Vlaisavljevich
Paul M. and Deborah Tschirhart
Peter and Linda Pichetti
Phyllis Brown
Richard Mace
Robert DeFillippi
Sheila Reed
Susan Gorin
Victoria Eckl
OLLI instructors possess a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences. These biographies are small snapshots showcasing the lives and careers of these valued team members.
Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer with a Master of Business Administration. Emanuel has been a concert promoter, directly involved in many events by international artists, like Itzhak Perlman, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G, and many more. He has also staged awardwinning original orchestral events. Emanuel served as the Cultural Director at Union Israelita De Caracas releasing books, organizing concerts, and art exhibits. He has been consistently teaching online and in presence across the U.S. (pp. 19, 20)
Chris Angermann is a graduate of Yale University (CT) and the Yale School of Drama. He has been a university teacher (University of North Carolina), professional theater director and acting teacher, and, most recently, a writer, journalist, and book producer for self-published authors –with over 100 titles to his credit. A former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association, he lectures on “The Future of Books,” “How to Write a Memoir,” and “Narrative Techniques.” (p. 18)
Roxanne Baker is a retired English teacher from upstate New York. She became a film introduction hostess at The George Eastman Museum (NY) in 2005 and continues to moderate film discussions at Burns Court Cinema as well as author a film review blog. (p. 12)
Ellen Brosnahan is a lifelong educator who spent many years as a middle school language arts teacher and as a supervisor of the next generation of teachers at Illinois State University. She is the author of the novel The Second Mrs. Ringling and the co-author of 101 Things to Do in Naperville and Guiding Students into Information Literacy. She has written several novellas and has published a variety of pieces on her blog Hello Lamppost. (p. 22)
Bob Busch holds a master’s degree in Soviet Studies and Russian language. He was assigned as a diplomat in Moscow, Russia during the later Cold War era. His duty required extensive travel throughout the former USSR to places rarely visited by foreigners. His travels gave him a unique perspective on the Russian people. Bob had a following assignment to Berlin as a liaison officer to the Soviet military in East Germany until the fall of the Berlin Wall. (p. 17)
Jared Campbell is a chiropractic physician. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology-Movement Science from Penn State University. He then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in San Jose, CA where he completed his doctorate in chiropractic medicine in 2016. Since then, Jared has been developing his unique approach to chiropractic adjustment, manual and/or soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitative exercises. (p. 14)
Daniel Chiodo is an executive coach in Florida who has worked with more than 900 executives around the world. He is also a corporate trainer, working with many of the Fortune 500 companies. Daniel is the author of PerfectTIMING, a time management book. He also has a leadership podcast called Level Up, which has more than 80 episodes. Before starting iMPACT Training & Executive Coaching, Daniel worked for Dow Jones and was a vice president for 14 newspapers nationwide. Daniel is also a keynote speaker for associations and organizations. (p. 20)
Albert H. Cohen has worked as a classical music critic for more than 42 years (20 for a Gannett newspaper in New Jersey). In Florida, he is music critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Pro-Opera magazine and former music critic for the Orlando Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times. Albert was also managing director of the Music Critics Association of North America for 13 years. (p. 19)
Herbert Cohen is a psychologist and marriage and family therapist. He taught at New York University and the State University of New York (Purchase). Herbert received his doctorate in psychology from Columbia University (NY) and is the author of Snap Out of It, a book dealing with stress, addictions, and anxiety. (p. 13)
Julie Cotton is a longtime OLLI member who, in addition to being an instructor, is a member of the OLLI Advisory Council and hosts the documentary film series CONNECTIONS. Julie has a master’s and a doctorate in psychology and worked as a human resource executive, an organizational development consultant, and an executive coach. (p. 24)
Fiona Crawford is the president, CEO, and co-founder of the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota. She holds a doctorate in Medical Genetics from the University of London. Crawford's groundbreaking research includes identifying genetic causes of Alzheimer's Disease and developing models for traumatic brain injury and PTSD. She has published over 217 research papers and leads efforts in novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. (p. 21)
Joe Cucci is a former Army officer and retired Procter & Gamble sales manager. He enjoys mystery books, so he created this club for OLLI. (p. 17)
Carol Ellis started in the Book Club as a participant when classes were held on Zoom at the start of the pandemic and has been the in-person leader for the past two years. She is an avid reader and compulsive learner. By background, she is a retired physician who practiced both outpatient and hospital medicine and taught medical students and residents internal medicine. (p. 17)
Preethi Fernando, the author of 15 books, is a keynote speaker and instructor. She is the founder of Kelum Training and Consulting www.kelumteam.com. Preethi wrote her first book at age 9 and is still going strong. She is the winner of Stephen King’s Haven Foundation award, given to one author each year. Preethi lives in Loveland, CO. preethifernando.com. (p. 23)
Alan Freedman has a journalism degree from Boston University. Prior to retiring, he was public affairs director at a New York-based electric utility, responsible for government relations and corporate communications. Previously, he had been a financial writer and editor, and an advertising account executive at a major book publisher. Since moving to Sarasota, Alan has been an OLLI instructor for over a decade, focusing on technology and media topics. (p. 18)
Michael Gibson worked as a China analyst for the U.S. government (CIA and Department of Defense) for over 30 years. He was an adjunct professor of Chinese history at American and George Washington Universities (D.C.) Michael has a doctorate in Modern East Asian history and has lived and served in multiple East Asian locales. He is the principal author of “China: U.S. Policy Since 1945” (Congressional Quarterly, 1980), as well as numerous other articles. (p. 16)
Alan Grindal is a neurologist, a consultant at the Memory Disorder Clinic at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and is on the clinical faculty of Florida State University Medical School. He has taught numerous courses at OLLI at Ringling College on brain science and history. (p. 21)
Gary Halperin is a Professional-level Certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher who has been teaching for over 30 years. Through his books and workshops, he has taught thousands of people his Relaxation Meditation technique. He is the author of Feel Better Now: Meditation for Stress Reduction and Relaxation and Meditate, Relax, Repeat: Start a Daily Meditation Practice. You can connect with Gary at his website www.MeditateRelaxRepeat.com. (p. 14)
Ron Hammerle studied end-of-life care with internationallyknown Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. He earned his doctorate for interdisciplinary studies at the University of Chicago and has taught in graduate schools of medicine, business, law, and pharmacy. (p. 14)
Beverly Jennings has a master’s degree in history and taught at a Kansas City College for 15 years. Beverly’s field is the ancient and medieval world. One of Beverly’s favorite quotes about history is: “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.” (pp. 15, 16)
Robert Kendal served as a county government manager in Maryland for 30 years before moving to Sarasota in 2002. For more than 13 years, he has participated in the former “Great Books” class as both a member and occasional weekly discussion leader. (p. 17)
Greg Kotlarczyk graduated magna cum laude with a doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine from Logan University (MO). He holds a bachelor’s degree in human biology and has a 27-year background in massage therapy and bodywork. He has been a featured speaker for local government departments, the Speaker's Bureau and Wellness Committee for the Manatee County School Board, Florida Chiropractic Association, and Florida State Massage Therapy Association. (p. 14)
Wendy LeBolt has a doctorate in kinesiology and is an exercise scientist and health educator. Wendy has spent most of her professional career working to keep young athletes healthy and free of injury. Most recently, she taught kinesiology at the College of William & Mary (VA) and is delighted to call it her alma mater. Wendy is the author of two books, Fit2Finish: Keeping Your Soccer Players in the Game (2015) and Made to Move: Knowing and Loving God Through Your Body (2019). (p. 15)
Judith Levine has photographed the art of Tibet, West Africa, Egypt, and Indonesia. She creates limited-edition jewelry and owns Phoenix Art Workshops. Judith has a bachelor’s degree in art and art education and a master’s degree in visual arts from Montclair State University (NJ), where she was on the art education faculty. (p. 15)
Robert Litwak received his graduate degree from Fordham University (NY). He is a licensed psychiatric social worker with over 40 years of experience as an executive, supervisor, and clinician in mental health services for a large organization in Westchester County (NY). Later in his career, Robert taught students to become licensed mental health staff. Robert recently retired and lives with his spouse and two cats. (p. 18)
Debbie Mackler is a registered nurse/case manager. Her love of literature, especially short stories, offered a distraction from the career stresses of health care. She has facilitated many book clubs and led multiple reading programs in North Carolina. She is grateful for her twin, Donna, who, as a library supervisor, influenced and encouraged her to love books. Debbie is passionate about continuing that legacy with and for other enthusiasts. (p. 18)
John McFetridge is a retired software developer and entrepreneur who has been in technology for 45 years. He was a founder and first president of Simware, a Canadian software company. He later helped develop and market CorelDraw, one of the most successful Canadian software products ever. John is still coding even during his retirement. (p. 21)
Joy McIntyre, associate professor emerita of Boston University, was a leading soprano with major opera houses in Europe. In Sarasota, Joy volunteers with arts and educational organizations, lecturing regularly at the Selby Library under the auspices of the Sarasota Music Archive (SMA). She serves on the Board of Directors for the Sarasota Concert Association (SCA) (past president) and the SMA (Vice President). Joy is also a past president of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL). (p. 13)
Peter Mermin has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Antioch College (OH), a master’s in psychology from the New School for Social Research (NY), and a doctorate in psychology from Union Institute (OH). Peter taught at Southampton College and Suffolk Community College on Long Island for 34 years. He actively promotes humanistic and spiritual values. (p. 12)
Jono Miller is a natural historian, environmental educator, and activist who has worked for half a century to understand and protect the wild places in Southwest Florida. Now retired, Jono is a former director of the Environmental Studies Program at New College of Florida and has provided leadership on protecting over 60,000 acres in Sarasota County. (p. 21)
Ronni Miller, founder and creator of Write it Out® a motivational and expressive writing program since 1992, facilitates writing workshops in the U.S. and Italy. Her self-actualization program is endorsed by James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D., an authority in Expressive Writing. Ronni is a graduate of Boston University with a bachelor of arts degree in English; she has won awards for fiction, published 12 books for adults and children, and has a private practice as a Book Midwife (p. 22)
Thomas Miller is a retired business owner, educator, and consultant. He worked in the menswear industry for more than 40 years in New York state. Since becoming part of OLLI, Tom has rediscovered his love of literature and particularly the short-story form. Tom and his wife are year-round residents of Sarasota. (p. 18)
Tony Moon has spent over 10 years teaching adult learning reflecting his 50 years in the music business. As a successful artist, producer, award-winning songwriter, and music publisher, he brings much experience and knowledge into all his classes. Moving to Nashville from Los Angeles, Tony became guitarist and conductor for superstar Brenda Lee. Tony currently administrates an entertainment company and does music research for the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe. (p. 19)
Jeff Newman holds a master’s degree in history and taught high school history for a number of years. He also served as the principal of Attleboro Comprehensive High School, one of the larger high schools in Massachusetts. Jeff spent nearly a decade in the Rhode Island State House as a top aide to both the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor. (p. 16)
Jeffrey Orenstein has a doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a retired political science professor. He is the author of several public policy books. (p. 13)
Virginia Orenstein has a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA, inactive), and is a retired chief financial officer of two multinational corporations. (p. 13)
Tenille Dixon-Pawlus is a plant collector, butterfly chaser, lover of flora and fauna, and has a passion for helping others create their own green oasis. She’s also a garden consultant, a certified landscape designer from Emory University (GA), a container gardener, teacher, and plant seller in Sarasota with a registered Florida nursery license, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program Certified Professional, GI-BMP Certified, and FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional. (p. 14)
Charley Rich retired from Gartner as Research Director in the IT Operations Management group guiding users and providers of APM and AIOps solutions. He has almost 40 years of IT experience as a Product Management Executive. He received the General Manager's Award at IBM and the President's Award at Tivoli. Charley is a lifelong musician, whose music can be heard at: youtube.com/user/charleyrich. (p. 19)
Jeff Ryder is a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer for his work on “Guiding Light.” Jeff was also vice president of daytime programming, director of mini-series, and director of casting at NBC. He recently retired after 20 years as a professor and associate dean at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia (PA) (p. 12)
Randi Sanders, a Venice, Florida poet, holds a master's degree in Fine Arts from Mississippi University for Women. Her work can be found in publications such as The Florida Review, Saw Palm, and Your Daily Poem, among other places. Randi crafts verse that celebrates the haunting beauty of Florida's landscapes. Balancing her passion with a financial advisory practice, she devotes herself to poetry before and after market close. (p. 23)
John Scibak has a doctorate in experimental psychology and has held academic positions at Indiana University, University of Massachusetts, and Westfield State University (MA). Despite having never taken a political science course, John ran mid-career for elective office and served 16 years in the Massachusetts legislature prior to retiring in Sarasota. (p. 20)
Jeffrey Sherman is a retired financial service lawyer who moved from Washington, D.C., to Sarasota in 2020. In his working years, Jeffrey taught adult continuing education, continuing professional education courses, as well as law school and undergraduate classes. (p. 22)
William Simpson is a lifelong student of American history and politics. He has a diverse background in public service fields including national security, family services, intergenerational poverty, and urban planning. For the past two decades, he has led two Maryland nonprofits in executive capacities. He is a featured guest speaker and panelist on inner-city issues, welfare reform, prisoner reentry, and workforce development. The grandfather of Miles and Taylor, he resides in Sarasota. (p. 16)
David Tomasko is Executive Director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, which works to develop and implement projects and programs aimed at restoring the health of Sarasota Bay. He was previously an Environmental Consultant with more than 30 years of experience related to water quality assessments and the development of science-based resource management plans. He is the author of more than 60 publications. (p. 21)
Jean Volpe studied, performed, and/or taught with The Juilliard School of Music (NY); Zurich Ballet (Switzerland); New York Theater Ballet; Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company (NY); Ballet School of New York; 92nd Street Y (NY); and the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory of the Sarasota Ballet. (p. 15)
Joseph Volpe was the General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He now serves as the Executive Director for the Sarasota Ballet Company. (p. 15)
Mike Weddle has a medical degree from the University of Miami and a doctorate in engineering from the University of Michigan. He completed his medical residency at the George Washington and Georgetown University Hospitals in Washington, D.C. Mike is a board member of the Manatee ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History). He is a previous NAACP Branch Education Chair (Maryland) and has taught many adult education college-level courses. (p. 15)
Hollis Weisman has 45 years of experience as a federal and state prosecutor and handled thousands of trials, hearings, and briefs. For 12 years, she was an adjunct professor at George Washington University in the Forensics Sciences master's program, teaching criminal procedure, evidence and moot court/trial practice. She also regularly conducted continuing education and refresher courses on criminal procedure for law enforcement officers. Hollis holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and a juris doctorate from New York University. (p. 13)
Gayle Yaverbaum holds a master’s and a doctorate in computer science. She has taught numerous technology courses at the college level and chaired the commission that develops guidelines for the worldwide accreditation of university computing programs. Gayle was director of Information Technology programs at Penn State Harrisburg and a teacher of technology for over 25 years. (p. 15)
1001 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236-9117