While 216 OLLI members have already enrolled in one or more of the 32 Winter Term classes, there is plenty of room for more.

A few classes are underenrolled (which means they have not yet met the minimum enrollment required), so give these a good look and consider signing up:

Concord Dawn of the Space Age

Conway Book Talk & Swap

Manchester Curiosities in Math Film Operettas Frauds and Scams Hospice Care at Home Storytelling: Gilgamesh – Nashua (Hunt Community)

Three classes are filled:

Concord Films: Bonnie and Clyde

Manchester Art Collection Tour St. Anselm Snowshoeing Manchester

Classes which are not listed here as filled have available seats. You may register any time right up to the start of any class. Call the office at 603-513-1377 or register using the online form found on the OLLI website: http://OLLI.granite.edu.

IN THIS ISSUE CLICK ON ANY TOPIC TO GO TO THE PAGE CARRYING THE ARTICLE

WINTER TERM CLASSES WEATHER CANCELLATIONS HALL STREET JOURNAL OLLI’S NEW WEBSITE NABIL MIGALLI BALSAM WREATH MANCHESTER RED BOX CONWAY OLLI NEWS CONCORD BOOK CLUB SEACOAST MUG ‘N’ MUFFIN CONCORD HOLIDAY CELEBRATION MADNESS IN THE WORLD SEACOAST LUNCH BUNCH JANUARY CALENDAR

January 2017

Weather Cancellations Submitted by Jane Fletcher, Program Director

Do you think it might snow in January? Unfortunately winter classes and events are

especially susceptible to cancellations related to bad weather. Here is how to determine if your class or event has been cancelled.

Granite State College cancellations, early closings and delayed openings will be posted on

WMUR-TV and on www.wmur.com and are campus specific. (For example, Manchester may be closed but not Portsmouth.) The OLLI Office

will be closed if GSC-Concord is closed, so staff will be unavailable to take calls.

For safety reasons, all OLLI meetings and activities are considered cancelled if the local GSC campus has been closed whether

the event was scheduled for the GSC building or not.

If GSC remains open but OLLI decides to cancel an event/class due to weather conditions, those registered will be notified by email or phone.

OLLI members are personally responsible for their own safety and must exercise good

judgment when making traveling choices in inclement weather. GSC advises you not to

travel if you believe you may be putting yourself in harm’s way.

Granite State College’s winter weather closure

policy can be found at: http://my.granite.edu/safety-security.

Your generous donations work to maintain affordable dues and class fees, supplement scholarships, ensure program sustainability

and build organizational capacity. Thank you for supporting OLLI at Granite State College.

Click here to access the online donation form or mail your check, payable to OLLI at Granite State College, to:

OLLI Office, 25 Hall Street, Concord NH 03301

You don’t have to look far to find volunteer opportunities right here. OLLI is a “member driven” organization so why not take it for a test drive?!

Like to bake or cook? Volunteers and members like to eat!

Like to work at home on computers? Class evaluation summaries, and data tracking might be your thing.

Need to get out of the house? Committee work in Manchester, Portsmouth, Conway or Concord might appeal to you. (Parking is free and there is usually coffee!)

Miss being the boss, supervisor, manager? Volunteer leadership is key to our member-led organization - you might enjoy chairing a committee.

Miss teaching, training, sharing your interest or expertise? How about presenting a course?

Motivated to promote OLLI to your friends? Try the OLLI Membership or Development Team.

If your 2017 New Year’s resolution is focused on improving your health this year consider this: a gym membership costs money—volunteering is free!!

Happy, Healthy New Year,

George, Laurie, Tessa and Jane

And Speaking of Healthy We all wish Laurie Galletta the very best for a speedy recovery from her “broken wing.” We miss her smiling and efficient presence in the office and look forward to her return.

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE OLLI OFFICE, 25 HALL STREET, CONCORD

Jane Fletcher, Program Director, Class of 2011

New Years Resolution: Volunteer for the Health of It – What's In It For You?

The Bernard Osher Foundation promotes volunteerism in OLLI as an opportunity to reestablish “purposefulness and dignity” after retirement. Volunteerism in OLLI is an integral and intentional part of the fabric of OLLI. Volunteerism not only promotes organizational ownership but just look at what the research says about the health benefits for people aged 50 and above.

On July 22, 2010, the Greater Good Science Center, University of California Berkley, published an article referencing a study led by the University of Pittsburgh which found that “volunteers (ages 50 or older) reported significant improvements in their mental health, along with other socioemotional benefits ranging from a greater feeling of productivity to increased social activity to an overall sense that their life had improved.” Read the full article by clicking here.

In May 2012 the Corporation for National & Community Services reported “Volunteering may be particularly helpful for older Americans undergoing a life stress or for those who are at risk for being isolated. One study found that bereaved individuals who engaged in volunteering activities to help others experienced a shorter course of depression than those who did not volunteer (Brown, Brown, House, and Smith, 2008). Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and future outreach should include older adults undergoing transitions such as unemployment or retirement (Greenfield and Marks, 2004). Finally, there is evidence that the health benefits of volunteering are strongest among rural retirees . . .” (Lee et al 2010). Read the full article by clicking here.

In a March 23, 2015 blog the Senior Citizens Bureau posited “Volunteerism provides a sense of purpose that can help with issues about no longer working. Other studies have shown that volunteers experience increased brain activity and preservation of cognitive function. Volunteers show lower rates of depression as well. In a study by Carnegie Mellon University, adults over 50 volunteering regularly were less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who didn’t volunteer.” Read the full article by clicking here.

It’s not all pretty pictures – the site will carry general OLLI information such as upcoming courses (above) as well as site-specific news and events.

http://olli.granite.edu Submitted by Jane Fletcher, Program Director, and George Haire, Program Assistant

Check out OLLI’s New Website – Same Address – New Look and Feel!

OLLI’s new and improved website is scheduled to go live on January 5. It has been designed to be user friendly and more responsive. We can update it more frequently to keep the information timely and relevant. The website will be the best way for you to keep current with all that is happening in OLLI.

One new feature is a unique page for each of our four sites: Concord, Conway, Manchester and Seacoast. The volunteer leadership at each learning site will have greater flexibility to update their regional news, events, images and more!

In a short few months the OLLI website will also be your pathway to the new online membership and course registration system that is currently in development. Below is a sneak peek at some of the pages.

Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the new website any time starting January 5 at http://olli.granite.edu/

. Happy navigating!

The new HOME PAGE is what you will see when you enter the site http://OLLI.granite.edu

At left is the top of the home page. Hover your mouse over the links in the dark blue stripe below the OLLI logo to bring up menus to click in order to navigate easily exactly where you want to go.

Below is the bottom of the home page featuring a convenient link to make a donation, recognition of the corporate sponsors of OLLI and navigation buttons for general information about OLLI, a contact us link and a link that will eventually be activated to take you to the new online registration system.

Links to each site’s page will be accessed via a picture link. Pictured are the GSC buildings housing each OLLI site.

Making Your Own Balsam Wreath Submitted by Diana McLellan,

Class Assistant, and Class of 2011

On November 28 Carol Saunders, member (class of 2008) and volunteer presenter, taught a small class in Conway how to make their own wreaths. Class members were instructed to bring their own decorations to embellish the balsam greens that would be provided.

This Christmas wreath has a special meaning to me because I collected these pine cones from my parents’ home. Since both are deceased, I cherish the memories brought on whenever I look at this wreath.

Submitted by Phil Valley, Class of 2012 & Mary Rheault, Class of 2011

could not find a stronger supporter of their rights as well as the rights of all minorities. Nabil continued, to his last days on earth, to voice this support.

Zane Knoy, as a member of the Curriculum Committee, first recruited Nabil to offer courses in the OLLI program as did I for the past ten years or so. There is no doubt he loved doing it, and those who attended his classes profited from his presentations.

The classes he offered very often revolved around his native Egypt. Some of the courses Nabil presented were: Egypt: Its Religion and Politics, Egypt: One Year After the Revolution and Egypt: The Rocky Road to Democracy. All of these courses were timely topics in their respective years, 2011, 2012 and 2014. OLLI members who attended Nabil’s classes always had very positive comments about him as an OLLI presenter.

Nabil came to this country in 1982 at the age of 45. He received his academic training and education in Egypt, attending the Cairo School of Social Work and the Institute of National Planning also in Cairo. Most recently Nabil was a consultant with Nabil Migalli and Associates offering services in training, consulting, and translations. He was also an Arabic interpreter for Ascentria Care Alliance along with his work as a Staff Development Manager for the Moore Center.

Well-known in the community, Nabil received the Martin Luther King Award for New Hampshire in 1997. He recently received the 2016 Granite State Legacy Award which celebrates the accomplishments of the state’s most distinguished citizens who have given the most to New Hampshire through business, philanthropy, politics and career. He served as secretary of the Community Advisory Board, an initiative of the Manchester Police Department, and was a bridge between the police and the community-at-large. In this role he created the Youth Leadership Academy wherein students were given the opportunity to learn about law enforcement and judicial operations.

The community and OLLI have lost a valued member, and we extend our condolences to his wife of 35 years, Anne-Marie Chagnon-Migalli, his many relatives and friends. Rest in peace, Nabil, you have given OLLI much to think about.

We Want You to Use the Red Box in Manchester

Submitted by Norma Steiner, Class of 2005

OLLI staff and committee members are always looking for ways to improve what and how we do things. If you have a question or a suggestion, but are not certain who to contact, drop a note in the red box. Is there a class on a particular subject that has not been offered, but is of interest to you? Maybe you have a suggestion for a possible presenter for an OLLI class. Would you like more social events, more outdoor activities, or additional opportunities for bus trips or weekend classes? If you want a personal response, please provide your name, phone number and/or email address and someone will get back to you in the near future. Or, you may remain anonymous. All ideas and suggestions will be reviewed by the appropriate staff and/or committees.

Nabil Migalli, OLLI Presenter (January 7, 1937 - December 6, 2016)

When I (Phil) became employed by the Moore Center around 1993, Nabil was the Director of the Independent Living Program. This program offered support to clients with intellectual disabilities who were capable of living independently in the community with limited support. You

Have you noticed the bright red box located on top of OLLI’s black file cabinet at GSC in Manchester? Maybe you noticed it and wondered why it was there before you saw the sign on the box asking for suggestions.

Conway OLLI News Submitted by Betsy Gemmecke, Class of 2008

The Conway OLLI chapter is revving up for the winter. We are doing a Public Relations Blitz with OLLI Information Sessions in all of our local libraries in January, we are running two new winter classes and we are starting up three new SIGs (special interest groups). They are:

1. Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing - Weekly trips are planned on Wednesdays or Thursdays in January and February beginning on Thursday, January 12. These will be led by Betsy and Don Gemmecke and John Peterson. You can join any one or all of them. For specific dates and locations contact Betsy at betsygemmecke@gmail.com and she will put you on the list.

2. Cribbage – Cribbage for all levels of expertise. Come for one or more days! Mondays 10:00 a.m.-1200 noon and Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 p.m. beginning January 4, 2017. Contact Barbara Butler at Barbara.butler@yahoo.com or Benny Jesseman at bjesseman1@roadrunner.com.

3. Restaurant Group - Dave Wright would like to start up a monthly social dinner at various restaurants in the Mt. Washington Valley area. If you are interes-ted please contact him at wrightdav@gmail.com.

The Library “Tour” schedule is:

North Conway Library – January 5, 1:00 p.m. Madison Library – January 16, 1:30 p.m. Jackson Library – January 17, 2:00 p.m. Bartlett Library – January 17, 3:00 p.m. Sandwich Library – January 18, 2:00 p.m. Conway Library – January 20, 10:30 a.m. Cook Library – January 25, 11:30 a.m. Fryeburg Library – January 26, 1:00 p.m.

We are hoping with these new activities and outreach we will gain new members. Please encourage your non-OLLI friends to go to one of our Library sessions to learn about all that we are up to. For more information about these info sessions, please contact Betsy at betsygemmecke@gmail.com. See you at the Preview on February 15 if not before!

OLLI On the Road – Pictures from the Connecticut Valley Trip Submitted by Dottie Nelson, Class of 2006

Concord OLLI Book Club Submitted by Peg Fargo, Class of 2005

After cancelling the December Book Club meeting due to a snowstorm, the December book will be discussed in January on Monday, January 9, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at GSC in Concord. Mary Davies will lead the discussion of Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf.

The schedule for the first half of 2017 is as follows: January - Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf, Mary Davies, leader February - Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, Phyllis Benoit, leader March - Massacre on the Merrimack by Jay Atkinson, Peg Fargo, leader April - Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance, Donna Frost, leader May - Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles, Martha Walsh, leader June - Meet You in Hell, by Les Standiford, Marcia Wardwell, Leader

OLLI members from all sites are invited to participate. The Book Club meets on the second Monday of every month from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (note new time) at Granite State College, Concord.

Seacoast Mug ‘n’ Muffin ‘n’ More Submitted by Patricia Nicolino, Class of 2015

Brunch at Café Espresso in Portsmouth on Friday, December 2, turned into a lively conversation for sure. Politics got a brief nod (not heavy-handed at all) and then things opened up to a wonderful source of recommendations for dealing with taxes, arthritis and finding a new primary care doc.

Seventeen of us shared our favorite OLLI courses of the last few years, talked about things we would like to see taught and discussed current classes like What is Judaism? and Great Decisions. A personal observation, as someone who found OLLI just about a year ago, when members get together you feel an energy that builds quickly. It is fueled by intellectual curiosity coupled with a genuine interest in getting to know others.

What a delightful surprise to just walk into a group you don’t know and end up with a great breakfast, at least five things you didn’t know before and an open invitation to come back anytime.

Concord Holiday Celebration Submitted by Jacki Fogarty, Class of 2012

Creative minds were hard at work picking out $5-gifts beginning with members’ initials and creative hands provided a delicious array of treats for Concord’s annual holiday celebration. Meeting in the renovated Events Center on the second floor, members were wowed by the atmosphere achieved by abundant light and sunshine (as well as a good view of the periodic snow squalls) in the large room.

An enthusiastic review and recommendation from Phyllis Benoit to take every class Concord offers in the Winter Term was followed by good eating and socializing and then the Yankee Swap. Just when we thought OLLI members were too “polite” to trade away a gift they opened, a bottle of wine and a Christmas cactus began making the rounds to laughter, attempts to hide gifts, negotiations and side deals and much appreciation for the personalities that inevitably show up at Yankee Swaps.

At right, Barbara Grant modeled part of her gift, reindeer antlers, for Outlook and for the Concord Sunday Monitor.

Is There Enough Madness in the World? Submitted by Jim Isaak, Class of 2009

Just in case 2016 wasn't crazy enough, some of us OLLI folks hopped into Dr. Stephen Soreff's Madness in the Movies II this fall. This set of movies spanned the spectrum from Oscar winners like Rain Man, insightful films like Inside Out, to comedies like What About Bob?, and painful reality via the banned-in-Boston film, Titicut Follies.

Dr. Steve has many years of “couch-side” practice as a psychiatrist, as well as teaching experience. He provided an enlightening perspective on the conditions of both the mental illnesses portrayed, and the disturbing facilities documented in Titicut. He also demonstrated even more years of experience in PUNishing his students with his sense of humor – probably an essential asset for someone operating at the intersection of patients, state-operated facilities, insurance

companies and the other challenges faced by healthcare professionals.

There is one prescription that I am authorized to offer OLLI members: Look for Madness III this spring in Manchester. The past participants in Madness I and II are nuts about this series. (Editor’s Note: Groan, evidently punning is contagious.)

Dr. Soreff presented this class over seven weeks ending on December 7, 2016. The importance of this class is especially timely with all of the well-publicized problems and challenges associated with caring for individuals with mental illness.

Hopefully OLLI members gained some empathy and increased understanding for individuals who constantly face the stigma of mental illness that continues so visibly in today’s world.

Seacoast

Submitted by John Russell, Class of 2014

In addition to being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 16 is

“Nothing Day.” Whichever day you wish to observe, join us

for lunch at Café Nostimo, 72 Mirona Road, Portsmouth. Café

Nostimo has wonderful Greek food and pastries. RSVP to

russelljohnt@comcast.net by noon, Friday, January 13.

Dr. Stephen Soreff, above. Below, iconic images from Inside

Out and Rain Man.

Concord Tuesday, January 3 Concord Communications Committee – 9:30 a.m. Monday, January 9 Concord Central Committee – 9:30 a.m. Monday, January 9 Concord Book Club – 12:30 p.m. Monday, January 16 Concord Curriculum Committee – 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25 Concord Game Day – 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 25 Concord Membership Committee – 3:00 a.m.

Conway Wednesday, January 4 Conway Cribbage kickoff – 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 11 Conway Central/Curriculum Committee – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 12 Conway Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing kickoff

Manchester Friday, January 6 Manchester Communications Committee – 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 13 Manchester Curriculum Committee – 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 18 Manchester Membership Committee – 3:00 p.m. Friday, January 27 Manchester Central Committee – 10:00 a.m.

Seacoast Thursday, January 12 Seacoast Central Committee – 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 16 Seacoast Lunch Bunch – Café Nostimo, Portsmouth – 12:00 noon (RSVP to russelljohn@comcast.net by January 13 at noon)

Thursday, January 19 Seacoast Curriculum Committee – 1:00 p.m.

Statewide Meetings and Events Monday, January 2 Granite State College Closed Tuesday, January 3 Winter Term Begins Tuesday, January 3 Travel Committee, GSC Concord – 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4 Development Committee, GSC Concord – 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 16 Granite State College Closed Friday, January 20 Classrooms/Meeting rooms unavailable, GSC-Concord Monday, January 23 Steering Committee, GSC-Concord – 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 26 Classrooms/Meeting rooms unavailable, GSC-Manchester

Looking Ahead Monday, February 6 State Membership Committee, GSC Concord – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8 Concord Mug ‘n’ Roll – 12:00 noon February 13-17 Spring Previews Friday, February 17 Concord Catalog Social – 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 20 Seacoast Lunch Bunch, Location TBD – 12:00 noon May 17-20 Bus Trip

January Calendar All meetings are at the local Granite State College office unless otherwise noted.

OLLI at Granite State College 25 Hall Street Concord, NH 03301

(603) 513-1377 olli.office@granite.edu

http://olli.granite.edu OLLI National Resource Center

The OLLI Outlook is published monthly and sent to all current OLLI members. OLLI members are invited to submit articles of interest to the general membership. Articles and comments may be emailed to OLLIOutlook@aol.com. Thank you. Jacki G. Fogarty, Editor

Class of 2012