OLLI Summer 2025 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 13
more about prairie restoration and controlled
burns, witnessing 昀椀rsthand the role of 昀椀re in
ecosystem renewal (transportation not provided
but carpooling is available.) Participants should
acquire A Sand County Almanac available from
local and online booksellers and the library.
Participants must have internet access.
$45 – Facilitated by Lee Maki, experienced
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener
and Master Naturalist and Jennifer Bass, retired
educator, both have been active volunteers in local
prairie areas and frequent OLLI facilitators. (RG/
RFs) Seats available: 16
More Great Short Novels
Tuesdays, June 3 - July 29 (every other week)
10:00 a ⸀m ⸀ – 12:00 p ⸀m ⸀
Peoria Main Library
Summer is the perfect time to dive into a good
book, whether you’re relaxing indoors on a hot
day or enjoying the fresh air outside. Participants
will read 昀椀ve short novels over the course of
nine weeks. Each week, a different facilitator will
lead the discussion, offering fresh perspectives
and insights into the books: This Other Eden by
Paul Harding (6/3), The Nickel Boys by Colson
Whitehead (6/17), The Great Gatsby by F. Scott
Fitzgerald (7/1), If Beale Street Could Talk by
James Baldwin (7/15), and Rita Hayworth and the
Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King (7/29).
Participants should plan to obtain and read all
books, available at local booksellers and libraries.
$45 – Facilitated by Jane Hense, Roberta
Koscielski, John Brady, Bev Ketel, and Gary Nelson.
all frequent OLLI facilitators. (NG/RFs)
Seats available: 20
Urban Walkers
Tuesdays, June 3 – 24
1:30 – 3:30 p ⸀m ⸀
Various Locations
So, what can you see and do when walking
around downtown Peoria? Plenty! We’ll explore
monuments (Bernie Drake), sculptures (John and
Jeff Heintzman), and murals (Doug and Eileen
Leunig), and maybe even stop by a few bars or
coffee shops. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse of what
it’s like to walk around if you live downtown (Rob
Parks). As mentioned, each walk will be led by a
different expert on the subject, and the length of
each walk may vary. You’ll be pleasantly surprised
by all the sights and experiences waiting for you in
downtown Peoria!
$45 – Facilitators listed above; all frequent OLLI
facilitators. (NG/RFs)
Seats available: 18
OLLI Trailblazers
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Thursdays, June 5 – 26
9:00 – 11:00 a ⸀m ⸀
Various Locations
Join our experienced hiking leaders to explore
several scenic trails in the area. Each hike will
span 3-4 miles, with some featuring SIGNIFICANT
elevation changes. The trails will be uneven,
rocky, and may involve crossing through water,
so be prepared for a challenging experience. The
pace will be brisk, so it’s important to consider
your physical abilities before registering. These
hikes are designed for experienced hikers who
are comfortable with a more strenuous outdoor
adventure. We will be using the “All Trails” app to
guide us along the way.
$45 – Facilitators: Diane Rock, Chris Eskin & Paul
Miller, Sheila Hansen, and Stacey DelVecchio. (RG/
RF) Seats available: 16
Write to Remember: From Memory to Memoir
Thursdays, June 5 – 26, July 3
9:30 – 11:45 a ⸀m ⸀
Goodwill Commons
You have a story to tell, and the world is waiting
to hear it. Well, if not the whole world, then at
least our group of fellow writers—and certainly
your family and friends. Memoir writing is
exciting because it comes straight from your
own experiences—whether joyful, heartbreaking,
dramatic, or simply the everyday moments of your
old neighborhood. Join us for brief, spontaneous
writing and the opportunity to share pieces you’ve
written between sessions. We’ll provide prompts
(always optional) to spark inspiration. But what
if you’re not a writer? No worries! If you have
stories to tell, we’re here to help you put them on
paper, iPad, or laptop. No prior writing experience
is needed. We will be using Judith Barrington’s
book, Writing the Memoir, which is available at
bookstores, online, or your local library.
$45 – Facilitated by Gary Nelson and Jane Hense,
both frequent OLLI facilitators with a love of
writing. (RG/RFs)
Seats available: 20
STUDY GROUPS
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