OLLI Summer 2025 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 8
Activity Level 3
Be able to stand and walk for over 2 hours with
minimal chance for sitting, plus all Level 1 and 2
requirements.
Stephen A ⸀ Forbes Biological Station
Tuesday, June 3
8:30 a ⸀m ⸀ – 3:00 p ⸀m ⸀
The Stephen A. Forbes Biological Station,
established in 1894, is located along the Illinois
River on Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
near Havana, Illinois. It is the oldest inland 昀椀eld
station in North America and one of nine 昀椀eld
stations of the Illinois Natural History Survey.
During our tour, we will learn about the research
on a variety of topics relevant to wetland
ecosystems, with a speci昀椀c focus on the ecology
and management of wetlands, waterfowl, and
other waterbirds.
$40 – Includes guided tour, lunch at a local
restaurant, gratuities, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
Blue Ridge Community Farm
and Picket Fence
Tuesday, June 17
9:15 a ⸀m ⸀ – 2:30 p ⸀m ⸀
Join us for a visit to Blue Ridge Community Farm,
a 245-acre nonpro昀椀t near Chillicothe, dedicated
to children and adults with special needs. OLLI
members will learn about their free educational
昀椀eld trips featuring interactions with farm animals,
music, crafts, hayrides, and lessons on farming
and animal care. You’ll tour the farm, home to
alpacas, donkeys, chickens, a horse, and golden
retrievers. After lunch, we will tour the Picket
Fence Foundation in Chillicothe, the farm’s sister
organization. Picket Fence is a nonpro昀椀t, full
service 昀氀orist, gift shop and garden center with
a mission to offer training and employment
opportunities to people with disabilities.
$35 – Includes lunch at a local restaurant,
gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
8
LEARNING TRIPS
Giant Goose Ranch and the Uplands
Thursday, June 19
9:00 a ⸀m ⸀ – 4:00 p ⸀m ⸀
The Giant Goose Ranch is one of the most unique
family vacation destinations in the Midwest. It
is a hybrid property somewhere between a
campground, a sportsman’s club, a vacation
resort, a working ranch, and a private recreational
farm. Join OLLI as we get a behind-the-scenes
look at how Giant Goose Ranch operates as well
learn more about their diverse multi-species
昀椀shery. After lunch we will head to the Uplands, a
private 80 acre vacation rental property.
$40 – Includes lunch at a local restaurant,
gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
Princeville Heritage Museum
Thursday, June 26
8:30 a ⸀m ⸀ – 3:30 p ⸀m ⸀
Discover the rich history of rural Illinois with a
tour of the Princeville Heritage Museum. This
visit offers a look at fascinating exhibits in two
large outdoor buildings, featuring blacksmithing,
antique agricultural equipment, a 1900s kitchen,
and even the evolution of washing machines.
After lunch, we will dive into the museum’s
archives, local memorabilia, and a restored oneroom schoolhouse.
$40 – Includes guided tour, a boxed lunch
at Princeville Heritage Museum, and shuttle
transportation.
Seats available: 28
Kira’s Flower Farm
Thursday, July 10
8:30 a ⸀m ⸀ – 1:30 p ⸀m ⸀
Join OLLI as we head to Kira’s Flowers, an organic
昀氀ower farm and 昀氀oral design studio on the edge
of East Peoria. On an old Civil War era farmstead,
she grows over 75 varieties of 昀氀owers, and
creates designer bouquets for weddings, special
occasions, and for her community-supported
agriculture (CSA) and farmers market customers.
Using her art and design background, Kira seeks
to break the barriers of the traditional bouquet
and delve into 昀氀oral sculpture and wearable 昀氀oral
art. In the last year, she has focused her efforts on
raising money to restore the old Sears Roebuck
barn on the property.
$40 – Includes lunch at a local restaurant,
gratuities, tour, and shuttle transportation.
Seats available: 28
