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Fall 2022 Courses

ARTS

ANYBODY can act; you just need a little encouragement and a big voice! Join us for Readers Theatre and learn some of the most fun acting techniques and hilarious skits. Spend 5 classes getting comfy with props and costumes, learning new scripts and then the big finale—putting on a show for your family and friends. It is YOUR time to step into the spotlight! Sherri Marengo is a community theater veteran actress, director and producer. She seeks to share her love of the stage with others over 60 who still have so much to offer but may not know they can act. She is the creator of Legacy Actors Theatre Experience, or L.A.T.E., the first and only readers theater in the state. The group does lunchtime shows and works with the local arts councils and senior centers. Their motto—'Better LATE than never'!

In this seminar, we will learn about Monotype printing, which uses a Gelli Plate made of non-perishable gelatin. A brayer (roller) is used, and acrylic paint is spread on the plate surface. Textured surfaces are impressed into the paint and transferred to paper or fabric. We will use stencils and any number of found objects in nature or in home that have a texture to make varied designs that you transfer onto paper or fabric. Using paint in different colors and different textures to make impressions on the Gelli Plate can provide an infinite variety of designs. The Gelli Plate surface can be easily cleaned and reused endlessly. Completed Gelli Plates can be framed or used in art journals, collages or making greeting cards. Bring textured objects from nature (e.g., leaves, grasses) or textured items from home that are relatively flat. Students must wear clothes or a coverup they don't mind splashing with washable paint. Gelli plates, nitrile gloves, paints and paper are provided. Supply cost is included in the course fee. Additional supplies: Bottled acrylic paint and 1 ream of white copy paper. Dr. Lilian Hill is an award-winning university professor, recently retired from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Come for an event of music, history and harp with local professional harpist Kristina Finch. The harp has a long and fascinating history full of interesting characters, engineering miracles and some of the most beautiful repertoire you will ever experience. This class will offer the student an overview of the history and development of the harp and its life as a performance instrument while featuring some of our most significant and exciting music. Harpist Dr. Kristina Finch is a model of an independent modern musician based in Hattiesburg, who is constantly striving to connect with new and diverse audiences using classical training and a passion for popular music to defy expectations and expand perceptions of the harp. Dr. Finch teaches harp and music appreciation at the University of Southern Mississippi and holds degrees from Florida State University and the Eastman School of Music.

Schedule:  11:00-12:30, Walter Anderson Museum | 12:30-2:00, Maison Du Lu | 2:00-4:00, Shearwater Pottery 

During this seminar, learn to make a bracelet out of 10-gauge copper wire. The bracelet will be completed in time to wear home. No previous experience is necessary. Supply fee included in class fee. Sue West is a retired accountant who worked at the Naval Construction Battalion Center. After retirement, Sue became interested in making wire wrap jewelry. She studied jewelry-making at William Holland Lapidary School in northern Georgia. Over the past thirteen years she has been teaching classes on the coast and some of her students have been studying with her for over ten years. Sue enjoys teaching and sharing her art with others.

In 27 years of playing bagpipes all over the world, especially in south Mississippi, Jessie Mathias has amassed quite a collection of stories and anecdotes relating to the characters encountered. This course will incorporate a brief history of the bagpipes, the significance of bagpipes at USM and some anecdotes from Jessie's global adventures. Jessie Mathias has been playing the bagpipes for 27 years. She has traveled the world playing and competing in bagpipe festivals and playing bagpipes in south Mississippi has given her a glimpse of the world that no other art or hobby could offer. 

Dr. Tammy Gragg studied Fine Art at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and New Academy of Art. Her award-winning art has been exhibited locally and regionally.

This class focuses on learning the techniques and skills needed to create acrylic paintings. Students will learn how to paint different compositions and have fun! Supply List: Surface to paint (watercolor paper, card-board, mat board, wooden board, etc.), acrylic paints (a variety of colors), acrylic brushes (three sizes), design to paint, transfer paper and pencil. Marty Broadus Turnbo is a retired art and drama teacher from Oak Grove and is a longtime member of the South Mississippi Art Association.

If you are an art lover, the Louvre is likely on your bucket list. Let's visit Paris from the comfort of the Peck House. With artworks spanning 35,000 years, the Louvre can be an intimidating madhouse. It's a bacchanalia of crowds and can seem overwhelming. Now you can avoid the throngs of crowds and tour the Louvre virtually at your leisure from home. Together, we will visit the Louvre's must-see masterpieces. Get your Leonardo or Michelangelo fix in blissful solitude. Catherine Parker Edmonson is an art historian with two decades' experience. While working at Christie's Auctions in New York City, Catherine’s tasks ranged from counting silverware and shutting down Fifth Avenue when a pesky bookcase required extraction. An enthusiastic art educator, she advocates that everyone deserves a well-balanced visual diet, is a member of the Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art and spearheaded the 'Spread Your Wings' mural.

Come join this seminar and be immersed in the architectural history of Mississippi. Covering buildings from the European settlement period through to the post WWII modern era, discover that Mississippi's architectural canon carries much further beyond the white columned houses frequently stereotyped. Jeff Rosenberg is the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area Historic Preservation Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources where he works to promote historic preservation in Mississippi's six coastal counties.

This is a drawing class for those who would like to practice drawing objects, shapes and shading techniques. Learn about perspective, how to enlarge and much more. Let’s draw! Supply List: #2 pencil, mechanical pencil (optional), eraser, colored pencils, Sharpie with two tips (fine and medium), small drawing pad and 10-12 sheets copy paper. Marty Broadus Turnbo is a retired art and drama teacher from Oak Grove and is a longtime member of the South Mississippi Art Association.

Come hear my life's journey, including being an award-winning author, publishing senior executive, music industry senior executive, rock performer and songwriter, university educator, Grammy-nominated record producer, mail order video company owner, Times Square tourist business owner, consultant to multiple companies, actor and more. At 77-years-old, Rick Bleiweiss' first novel, "Pignon Scorbion and The Barbershop Detectives" was published to great acclaim. He started his career in music as a rock performer, producer of over fifty records (including a Grammy nomination) and record company senior executive in New York City. Since 2006 as a publishing company executive with Blackstone Publishing, he has acquired works by bestselling and award-winning authors and celebrities.

In this class, OLLI members come to understand the ukulele as a musical instrument, learn to read ukulele chords and play while reading the chords. Left-handed members will need left-handed ukuleles. Supply List: Soprano, concert, tenor or baritone (with GCEA strings) ukulele and a ukulele tuner (tuned before each class begins). Gina Aguilar has worked with various Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) for over 20 years and has been in leadership roles for 16 years. Her work experience covers the areas of customer service, fraud and abuse and appeals, as a Hearing Officer and Sr. Appeals Specialist. In her leadership roles, Gina worked closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, (CMS), the Administrative Law Judges of the Office of Hearing Appeals and law enforcement.

In this seminar, we will make 8 holiday inspired cards, 2 each of 4 designs. All supplies including envelopes will be provided—all you must do is come and have fun. These will be all new designs so if you have made cards with me before these will not be duplicates. Supply fee included in course fee. In the past, Karen LeBeau taught Kindergarten, was office manager for her husband's business, sold designer ladies clothing and worked for a small builder helping people design their new homes. Now she is retired and has time to play with fabric and make clothing. She is happiest when she is creating something.

In this seminar, learn origami from the very basic paper folds and then continue to more difficult folds, making a wide variety of fun, decorative and useful items. Supply List: Origami or typing paper, pencil and scissors. Sherryl LaPointe is a certified elementary teacher who has taught many years in different states and more recently has done a great deal of tutoring. She has also previously taught several OLLI classes.

Learn new and exciting ways to decorate a cupcake using a few common decorating techniques and delicious buttercream! Course will include four cupcakes and Petit Joie's signature buttercream, as well as a decorator's tip and icing bags to take home to continue your decorating adventures! Food fee is included in the course fee. Elizabeth Laird is the owner of the home bakery, Petit Joie Bakery and is a self-taught baker and cake decorator.

This class will introduce you to the Ohara styles of Ikebana that can be enjoyed in your home. We will follow the Ohara School of Ikebana curriculum and will include placement of each stem with questions and answers as the arrangements are completed. The hope is the class inspires you to attempt and enjoy Ikebana. Dr. Yasuko Naiki is accredited by the Ohara Ikebana School of Japan as instructor and 3rd term Master. She has been teaching flower arrangement in a Japanese Senior Home in San Francisco since 2014 and has demonstrated at the Ikebana International Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco and other venues. Dr. Naiki is a dentist (periodontist) and runs offices in Japan.                                  

Serpents, Sackbutts, Crumhorns and Racketts. These are a few of the long-forgotten instruments that offered color and flavor to the music of the Renaissance. Learn about these odd creations, hear them in recorded performances and see how they were supplanted by the more familiar modern instruments. We may even learn some of the rules of Renaissance-style dirty dancing. Dr. Ed Hafer teaches music history at USM.

Come spend an afternoon painting an acrylic whimsical crab on canvas to add to your holiday decor and enjoying time with OLLI friends! No experience necessary. Bring a table cover to protect surfaces and wear something to protect your clothing. Supply fee included in course fee. After retiring from the U.S. Public Health Service, Tammy Gragg studied Fine Art at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and New Academy of Art. Her award-winning art has been exhibited locally and regionally.

Curious about Hattiesburg's burgeoning public art scene? Interested in exploring our fair city, but aren't sure where to start? Join a walking tour of downtown's murals, including a stop at the Pocket Museum. The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum is a 36" x 48" window in a downtown alleyway with only four display shelves, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in charm. The exhibits, tiny but no-less cohesive, are selected from public submissions, making the free-admission, secretly located "museum" a cheeky little portal into community imagination when folks need it most. Catherine Parker Edmonson is an art historian with two decades' experience. While working at Christie's Auctions in New York City, Catherine’s tasks ranged from counting silverware and shutting down Fifth Avenue when a pesky bookcase required extraction. An enthusiastic art educator, Edmonson advocates that everyone deserves a well-balanced visual diet. She is a member of the Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art and spearheaded the 'Spread Your Wings' mural.

Using beads to create beautiful art and jewelry can be very enjoyable. In this seminar, we will learn the simple steps required to make a decorative cover for a round Christmas ornament. Supply List: Medium-sized ornament, Perciosa Crystal Bicone Beads 4mm crystal AB, JET AB #5328 4mm Swarovski Crystal Bicone beads, pack of 20, Miyuki round 11/0 seed beads 19-gram tube, your choice of color, Fireline Beading Thread 6lb smoke grey .006 50 yards (can also use crystal clear), scissors and container or mat for beads. Michelle Magrath Greene is an avid crafter who enjoys beading, needlework and reading. 

Holiday in July was such a great time everyone decided we would get together during th actual holiday season! Join OLLI for a cookie and treats swap (baked or store-bought, individually wrapped). We will exchange fun seasonal stories and make an easy Christmas ornament, too. Ugly sweaters encouraged! Supply fee is included in the course fee. Bring enough cookies to share with the class. Dr. Christi Magrath loves science and crafting!

HEALTH AND FITNESS

This class is for newcomers and will teach traditional physical meditative practice. It is designed to build strength, improve health and flexibility, reduce stress and increase energy flow. Susie Pham has practiced Tai Chi for years and was trained by Grand Master Shi DeRu, 31st generation descendant of the Shaolin Temple.

This class is for those who have previously taken Tai Chi Chih for the Beginner. This class will teach traditional physical meditative practice. It is designed to build strength, improve health and flexibility, reduce stress and increase energy flow.  Susie Pham has practiced Tai Chi for years and was trained by Grand Master Shi DeRu, 31st generation descendant of the Shaolin Temple.

This class is open to all participants of the 2021-2022 Zoom class or with permission of the instructor. Participants must be familiar with Dr. Lam's Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention (40 Sun forms) and Tai Chi for Beginners (first 6 forms of the 24 Yang style Forms). Emphasis will be placed on advancing the practice and learning new forms. Susan Nodurft is a retired biology teacher. After retirement, she began the study and practice of Qigong/Tai Chi. She is certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach Dr. Paul Lam’s medically and researched-based program, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, as well as Tai Chi for Beginners. She has also received certification from the Institute of Integral Qigong Tai Chi as a Tai Chi Easy practice leader.

This class will introduce yoga concepts of meditation, breath control and basic asanas (poses or positions). Our goal is to evaluate and improve participant strength, flexibility and balance. Emphasis will be on the functional practice of yoga, not the perfect pose. Whether you are new to yoga or experienced, come join us. "It's your mat and it's your yoga." Serina Carpenter earned a 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2017 and a 300-hour teacher training in 2019. She taught multiple classes at the Yoga Room and The YMCA in Petal.

This class will introduce yoga concepts of meditation, breath control and basic asanas (poses or positions). Our goal is to evaluate and improve participant strength, flexibility and balance. The emphasis is on the functional practice of yoga, not the perfect pose. Whether you are new to yoga or experienced, come join us. "It's your mat and it's your yoga." Serina Carpenter earned a 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2017 and a 300-hour teacher training in 2019. She has taught multiple classes at the Yoga Room and The Family YMCA in Petal.

This class is for Tai Chi students who would like to advance their practice beyond the introductory Tai Chi for Health and Fall Prevention. The offering will include practice of previously learned sets as well as new forms based on the Sun and Yang styles of Tai Chi. Susan Nodurft is a retired biology teacher. After retirement, she began the study and practice of Qigong/Tai Chi. She is certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach Dr. Paul Lam’s medically and researched-based program, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, as well as Tai Chi for Beginners. She has also received certification from the Institute of Integral Qigong Tai Chi as a Tai Chi Easy practice leader.

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness in which the conscious and subconscious minds are focused and receptive to therapeutic suggestions. Participants will learn self-hypnotic techniques. Dr. Joseph Tramontana is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in both adult and child clinical services. He is certified in clinical hypnosis from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH).

Drive down Highway 90 to downtown Pass Christian to Pass Christian Olive Oils and Vinegars where you will feel like you stepped off the steps to Tuscany! In this seminar, you will tour the tasting room, sample over 70 different varieties of olive oil and balsamic from around the world and learn a little more about the world of olive oil and balsamic. Kyla Jacobs is a graduate of USM Gulf Park, studied in the College of Arts and Letters with a focus on Nonprofit and Child and Family Studies and is the Regional Manager of Pass Christian Olive Oils and Vinegars. Serving the Gulf Coast community for almost 9 years, she provides a new twist to everyday cooking in the kitchen with their UP Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars from around the world. She is excited to teach again with OLLI!

For centuries, we've known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. Kristen White is a licensed master social worker. She received her undergraduate degree from Mississippi College and master’s degree from The University of Alabama. Kristen has experience working with those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers both in the nursing home and hospital settings. She has been the Program Manager for the Alzheimer's Association since Fall 2019. Her work at the Association includes educating the public about Alzheimer's.

HUMANITIES  

This class will be an inquiry into the archaeological record of the Egyptian civilization from 3,100 BCE to the Ptolemaic period. Emphasis will be on the evolutionary points of transition between Early Dynastic and Late Dynastic achievements in agriculture and irrigation, religion, architecture, art and extant literary texts.  Attention will be called to the Egyptian influence and interaction with neighboring civilizational cultures and languages. Special topics will include the Pyramids and Pyramid Complexes from Abydos to Giza. Note will be taken of the unique hieroglyphic writing system. Dr. Marvin Kendrick taught at Yale University in 1964, earned a degree from Harvard Divinity School and returned to Yale to earn a Master of Fine Art in 1980. Retiring to Hattiesburg, he taught art history in the Art and Design Department at USM. 

In this seminar, we will delve into the legal history of Roe v. Wade, analyze the recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Center overruling Roe, the possible effect on other cases involving contraception, same sex marriage, privacy in the bedroom and delve into the possible future legal path. Michael Adelman is a graduate of the University of Michigan (1962, BA with Honors) and the University of Michigan Law School (1967, Juris Doctor Cum Laude). He has practiced in Mississippi since 1974 in both trial level and appellate courts and in both state and federal court. He won two landmark decisions, Collin v. State and Mississippi Power v. Blanton et al., the latter resulting in a $380 million refund to Mississippi Power customers.

Like all religious traditions, Vodou offers intangible benefits and gifts to practitioners and believers. What is symbolic in Judeo Christian traditions, however, is experienced as reality in Vodou through the power of possession trance. Vodou has protected and preserved the spirits of pre-Diasporan religious beliefs in its deepest levels of practice. This seminar presents the syncretic collection of influences that has allowed these traditions to survive the dehumanization and upheavals of slavery. In movies like White Zombie (1932), Hollywood has encouraged popular misconceptions about Vodou. We will look at some of the authentic symbols and rituals of this resilient religious tradition. Dr. Victoria Hippard MSW, PhD, LCSW now lives in Whitehouse, Texas. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Loyola and Tulane Universities in New Orleans, maintains a small private practice in psychotherapy and balances a bit of work with lots of art and writing projects. She enjoys learning about the ways in which people find meaning and enlightenment in our world.

During this mini-seminar, we will discuss what Big Foot may be, how it arrived in this country and the laws to protect it. In addition, we will learn about DNA evidence and stories of various encounters. Connie Rainey is a retired RN, an active paranormal investigator/researcher and a member of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) She has been investigating all things paranormal for over fifteen years and lectures on Big Foot, UFOs, Aliens, Witchcraft, New Orleans Voodoo, Vampires and other subjects in the range of the paranormal. She is a married artist, writer and lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In 1942 a teenage sailor escapes from his Japanese captors in the Java Sea only to be betrayed and sent back into their hands. Can he summon the fortitude to carry on through months of ill health, back-breaking work and lack of food? A ball turret gunner escapes from and is recaptured not once but four times by his German captors. Can he get a message to American forces before his prison is bombed? The memoirs of a Bataan Death March soldier who survived as a slave laborer of the Japanese from age 16 through 19 are part of the class. Kayleen Reusser is the author of 10 books on World War II. She has interviewed 260 World War II veterans and has presented programs virtually and in-person in Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Indiana. In 2017, she and her husband participated in a World War II Tour of Europe. She lives with her husband in Bluffton, Indiana.

Join Mike Landrum to hear about the 6 years of intellectual property collection that lead to Curtis Wilkie’s bestseller, When Evil Lived in Laurel, an NPR favorite and Edgar Award finalist in the True Crime Category. View never-before-seen documents, videos and commentary on this important topic of Civil Rights History in America. Mike Landrum grew up in Laurel and has been a financial services business owner for the last 32 years. He played tight end at the University of Southern Mississippi, with the Atlanta Falcons and is the family spokesperson for Tom Landrum's family, the central character of Curtis Wilkie's best seller, When Evil Lived in Laurel.

Film noir continues to captivate audiences with its unflinching depictions of crime and sex in America's decaying cityscapes and its equally bold aesthetic, which employed expressionistic shadows and jarring camera angles to further emphasize its fatalistic themes. Despite its thrilling plots and aesthetics, however, film noir is a genre obsessed with boredom and malaise; as such, it illuminates a troubling trend in postwar America, as abundance and an endless array of diversions left people alienated, listless and vulnerable to commercial exploitation. We will look at how boredom, a particularly intense brand of alienation characterized by a lack of meaning and susceptibility to dangerous behaviors, is formalized within film noir's characterizations, plots and aesthetics. Rather than focusing on a particular film, we will look at examples from across the genre, paying attention to larger trends and individual frames to understand how the genre theorizes boredom in the postwar marketplace. Brian McCarty is a PhD candidate at Southern Illinois University, where he studies representations of boredom and spatiality in post-World War II film and literature. Brian received his BA at USM in 2009, taught at Kansas State University as a master’s student and then a term instructor prior to working on his doctorate at SIU.

Explore the life of this amazing woman. Helen Keller, who was blind and could not hear, cofounded the ACLU and was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and French Legion of Honour. Helen Keller authored twelve books, including an autobiography at age 22. This seminar will pay homage to the accomplishments of this American author, speaker, activist and disability rights advocate. Details of her life and her lasting impacts on the world will be discussed. Her impact on pop culture will also be included. Dr. Christi Magrath is a retired Biology professor with a BS from USM, a PhD from Tulane and a lifelong appreciation of the life of Helen Keller.

From west Texas to Nashville to the world, Roy Orbison was one of the Founding Fathers of Rock and Roll. "A great voice but lonely sound (NPR)" and is recognized as soon as he hits a high note. Walk through some highs and lows of his too-short life, tell stories and listen (maybe sing along) to some hits we all grew up on. Jim Dryden grew up in Dayton, Ohio, earning a bachelor’s in geology and environmental studies and spent 6 years on the Archaeological Research staff at the University of Alabama. He spent 31 years with the US Bureau of Land Management in 6 States and Washington, DC. Hailing from Dayton, Jim could not avoid a lifelong connection to the Wright Bros, including attending Wright State University, near Wright-Patterson AFB, and the connections don't end there.

This course examines cases in which individuals working in companies committed fraudulent activities that enhanced the financial reports of the companies. We will discuss how the frauds were committed and how the perpetrators were caught. This will go beyond the well-known Enron case and discuss at length at least five lesser known but very interesting fraud cases. Dr. Lorraine Magrath is Interim Director of the Troy University School of Accountancy. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and her PhD from the University of Alabama. She loves coding and crafting and sitting in the sun with her dog Splash.

Why was a city here in 1880 when the area was a pine forest? This walking tour features descriptions of historic buildings and information about events that have occurred in and near downtown Hattiesburg. We will begin with a discussion of the founding of Hattiesburg and the group will see numerous photos of downtown buildings which no longer exist. The public art in the downtown area will also be discussed. Carey Varnado was an undergraduate history major and has been a lifelong student of history. He is a native of Hattiesburg who has studied local history, particularly the history of the downtown area where he has had a law office for over 40 years.

In this seminar, discover matters such as the nature and origin of both love and sexuality, the relationship between love, sexuality and marriage, erotic love, Christian love, romantic love, psychoanalytic theories of love and sexuality, feminist perspectives on love, etc. Susan Mullican has a master’s in philosophy with an emphasis on ethics and women's studies. She has been teaching at USM for over 20 years.

Beginning after the fall of the Roman Empire, this course will discuss the period onward from this important change of the western history. It will include the church's influence on the period, the supremacy of England, France and Germany and the impact of the Crusades.     Rev. Jon Caridad is a retired Episcopal priest with extensive experience in education, ancient history and biblical studies.

Come learn about human history from the first days of the Ancient Greek Empire through the successes and failures of Ancient Rome. Rev. Jon Caridad is a retired Episcopal priest with extensive experience in education, ancient history and biblical studies.

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Join this class to consider grammar, vocabulary, sentence construction and speaking practice. You will also integrate cultural instruction, etiquette, history, cuisine and preparation to travel to France. Ms. Sidonie Sawyer is a French teacher, all levels, all ages. She has worked at several private schools in Florida and Texas and has recently moved to this area.

Got a room for rent? Jamison Bachman wants to be your new tenant . . . forever. We will review how this renter-turned-serial-squatter conned multiple landlords, who all attempted to evict the law school grad (and who all ended up regretting it). A wild, true crime goody with some horrific and jaw-dropping details. Leah Holmes is a veteran high school, junior college and part-time English Instructor at USM 26 years. She quietly retired from classroom teaching in 2021. Once passionate about British mysteries, crimes and detective stories, she now studies the true crime genre, sharing bizarre and shocking tales with whomever will listen.

In 2006, the release of an unassuming book called "The Secret" swept the nation—its teachings on "the law of attraction" being perfectly suited for DVDs, gurus and Oprah. High-earning yuppie types gave their money and their time as they flocked to intense, multi-week retreats where some ended up giving their lives. Buckle up for this cautionary tale of cults, cult leaders and the self-help genre in general. Leah Holmes is a veteran high school, junior college and part-time English Instructor at USM 26 years. She quietly retired from classroom teaching in 2021. Once passionate about British mysteries, crimes and detective stories, she now studies the true crime genre, sharing bizarre and shocking tales with whomever will listen.

Written over two millennia ago, Homer's Odyssey is a tale of gods and mortals, love and adventure and has messages about the importance of parents and grandparents to children. Learn how the only thing second in importance to the gods is family. Dr. Richard Scott Nokes is a professor of medieval literature at Troy University, the founder of Witan Publishing and host of the "Pop Medieval" podcast. He is also known as "Professor Awesome" in the convention circuit.

Their 19-year-old son called after the party needing help with the car, now in a ditch. But when they arrived at the designated location, Brandon was gone, along with the car. In Part 1, we will examine Brandon's movements earlier in the night, the details he gave his folks plus the clues that he left behind. Part II unfolds several theories surfacing over the years in this strange and, sadly, open-ended Minnesota mystery. Get your thinking cap ready! Leah Holmes is a veteran high school, junior college and part-time English Instructor at USM twenty-six years. She quietly retired from classroom teaching in 2021. Once passionate about British mysteries, crimes and detective stories, she now studies the true crime genre, sharing bizarre and shocking tales with whomever will listen.

PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

This class involves the fall migration of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These are most of the hummingbirds we see as they pass through to Mexico and Central America in the late summer and early fall. We will talk about identification, migration routes, feeders and plants. This class is designed to learn and share your experiences about this spectacular annual migration event. John Lipscomb is an amateur birder and Master Naturalist. His mother was a birder, and he was " fledged" from the same nest. His talks are open for discussion, questions and comments. He doesn't claim to be an expert, but he is definitely "for the birds."

In Strategies for Bridge Playing, come study some of the conventions touched on in Beginning Bridge, Part II. Discuss doubles, strong openings and no-trump responses. There will be a lecture every day with plenty of time to play. Ellen Davies is a retired teacher and lawyer who has played bridge since she was a teenager. She has taken many bridge classes at OLLI and has taught many courses as well. There is always time for instruction and time for play.

This course will cover what to do and what not to do during an active shooter event. Learn helpful tools and tips on how to protect yourself as well as others around you in case there is an active shooter. Lieutenant DeJeremy Thomas is the Training Director at USMPD and has been with the department for 8 years. He is a graduate of Pearl River Community College and USM with a degree in psychology and obtained his master’s degree from Grambling State University in criminal justice. Lt. Thomas has been certified as a Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event (CRASE) instructor through Texas A&M University for 2.5 years.

Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) represent the fastest growing equine industry in the world. Horses are being used to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs, heal the hearts of trauma survivors, ease the transition of soldiers returning from combat and allow individuals with mobility related disabilities the freedom of movement. Jessie Mathias is the founder and director of Worthy Stables Therapeutic Horsemanship, a nonprofit equestrian center in Petal, Mississippi which has been serving the area since 2017. Certified through PATH International, Jessie has been working in the EAAT (Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies) industry for almost 20 years. The daughter of a USM professor and USM alumni, Jessie, naturally, attended USM as a German major.

During this mini-seminar, we will discuss what Big Foot may be, how it arrived in this country and the laws to protect it. In addition, we will learn about DNA evidence and stories of various encounters. Connie Rainey is a retired RN, an active paranormal investigator/researcher and a member of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) She has been investigating all things paranormal for over fifteen years and lectures on Big Foot, UFOs, Aliens, Witchcraft, New Orleans Voodoo, Vampires and other subjects in the range of the paranormal. She is a married artist, writer and lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

This course is for players wanting to play above beginning Bridge. Content will include hand evaluation, bidding and responding, overcalls and responses, defense and doubles. Dr. Vivien Carver, former OLLI President, is professor emeritus in public health at USM and has taught bridge courses for several years, many of those at OLLI.

Nadine will discuss gardening as a form of nature connection that can inspire the "active cherishing" so greatly needed to improve planetary health. She will introduce different forms of nature therapy, share transformative moments of connection found in her own garden and highlight the changing role of gardening as it relates to restoring fragmented habitats and increasing biodiversity. Finally, she will introduce a groundbreaking project called Homegrown National Park™. Co-founded by renowned entomologist and best-selling author, Dr. Doug Tallamy, Homegrown National Park™ is the largest cooperative conservation project ever conceived or attempted. This grassroots call to action needs small efforts by many people to achieve collective success. By joining Homegrown National Park™, you can contribute to "re-weaving" the tapestry of life and rejuvenating biodiversity where you live. Returning instructor, Nadine Phillips is a lifelong gardener, nature lover and a certified Forest Therapy Guide. She is active in the native plant movement as a gardener, longtime volunteer at The Crosby Arboretum, Vice President of the Mississippi Native Plant Society and Historian for the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. All her interests revolve around nature and promoting biodiversity to support the interconnected Web of Life.

Walking is the perfect way to visit a new area, and the UK and Ireland are perfectly set up to see the country very close to the ground. The National Trails network crisscrosses the countries' historically, culturally and geologically significant locales, offering varied terrain, physical challenge and a chance to get off the beaten path. Beginning in 2013, at the age of 60, two American ladies, as they came to be known on the trail, decided it was time to get cracking if they were going to do this and thus began a walking adventure that has taken them to some of the wildest, most remote and beautiful parts of England, Wales and Ireland, where every day ended in a hot shower, a good hearty meal and a comfy bed. This seminar will include a short intro, followed by a visual trek along three of these trails (the Pennine Way, the Wicklow Way and Offa's Dyke Way), with time for your questions. Lucinda Coombs is retired from the faculty of the Humanities Department at Central Maine Community College, where she taught writing and humanities for 25 years. In her free time, she walks and has completed several self-guided long-distance "walking holidays" in England, Wales and Ireland.

This supervised bridge class gives players a chance to play with an instructor available to advise and answer questions. Participants should have played bridge for about a year or completed beginning bridge courses. Ellen Davies is a retired teacher and lawyer who has played bridge since she was a teenager. She has taken many bridge classes at OLLI and has taught many courses as well. There is always time for instruction and time for play.

In this seminar, members will learn how the differences between Discount, Off-Price, Specialty and Traditional Retailers impact the quality and the price we pay for their merchandise. The tips learned in this seminar will help members dress themselves, their families and their homes with fashionable products at the lowest prices. Annette Sowell spent her entire professional life working in retail. She held marketing, copywriting and buying positions during a 30-year career with Sears Roebuck and Company. Annette then managed inventory allocation for Marshalls and TJ Maxx for 19 years. Though her career led to her residing in Chicago, Memphis and Dallas, upon retirement she came back home to her native Mississippi. Annette has now marked 1 year of residing in Hattiesburg.     

Have you ever wanted to know how actors are transformed into creatures like ghouls, zombies, day of the dead skeletons or mermaids? This course will show examples, explain the materials needed and provide demonstration of how everyone can be a "creature." From creating whimsical being looks to showing how to make a fake bruise, cut or scar to gruesome transformations that simulate rotting flesh, be prepared to learn skills perfect for Halloween time. Trissy Knight has a cosmetology degree and is a licensed stylist in Louisiana. She is passionate about makeup, especially special effects makeup.

Do you have a house full of treasures, collectibles and souvenirs? Are you ready to pare down but you are not sure where to begin or how to determine what might be valuable? Learn how to get started and how to make this overwhelming task a lot easier with insider tips and techniques for organizing your home. Jamie Novak, expert professional organizer, author and organizing humorist has been helping busy people declutter for more than 25 years. She has appeared on morning TV and is the author of "Keep This, Toss That." If you are ready to simplify, Novak can show you how, even if you are overwhelmed or are attached to sentimental things.

From small groups to large crowds, charcuterie boards can be a festive way to celebrate a weekend, a holiday or just a night that you don't feel like cooking! Join Rouses Dietitian for a virtual class! April Sins is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master's in health care management. She is the retail dietitian for Rouses Markets.

Nature’s Calendar | $15

Fridays, October 28 and November 4 | GP In-Person and Meet-Up

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Two-Part Seminar led by Gail Bishop

Meet at MS Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, 7200 Crane Lane, Gautier.

If you love being outdoors and observing wildlife, put that interest to use and help tract seasonal changes for the National Phenology Network. In this course on phenology, or nature's calendar, students learn how to observe and record the life cycles of some of their favorite plants or animals using an app, Nature's Notebook. Students will have an indoor class followed a week later by an outdoor walk at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge in Gautier to practice and make observations. Gail Bishop is the coordinator of citizen scientists who study life cycle changes in plants and animals. She is a retired National Park Service superintendent and completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at USM.  

Flood Insurance for the Homeowner | $5

Tueday, November 1 | GP In-Person and Zoom 

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Mini-Seminar led by Margaret Reynolds

What is flood insurance and what does it cover (and not cover)? Who is required to have it and who should consider it? Why did my premium change suddenly this year? What about private flood insurance? What if I need more coverage than FEMA offers? Margaret Reynolds is a retired insurance agent. She has been licensed in Property and Casualty Insurance since 1999 and owned an independent insurance agency for 8 years. She has a BS degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from USM.

Gardening in the Fall | $10

Wednesday, November 2 | GP Off-Site 

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Seminar led by Polly Cuevas

Meet at Pine Hills Nursery, 7434 Cuevas Road, Pass Christian.

Come learn how to create and care for a successful garden this fall while visiting Pine Hills Nursery. Polly will teach you how to keep your plants and flowers in bloom through the fall. She will also show you what plants thrive in the cooler months. Polly Cuevas has been manager at Pine Hills Nursery since its beginning in 1986.

Reinvigorating Your Soul Connection | $10

Thursday, November 3 | GP In-Person and Zoom

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Seminar led by Dr. Alice Graham

What's next? Is this all there is? Who am I now? Is my life over? Am I done? Any number of life experiences can lead to these kinds of questions: divorce, retirement, loss of spouse or life partner, loss of job or position, financial disruption, etc. Sometimes a shift in our self-perception is needed to be open to new possibilities. In this workshop, we will explore spiritual practices that can lead to a deepening self-awareness, an expanded perspective and reassessment of one's value. Using your life experiences as a pathway to wisdom rather than despair requires intentionality and one-step-at-a-time courage. This 2-hour workshop invites you to learn about spiritual practices that can connect you with your deeper self, your soul. Dr. Alice Graham, an ordained American Baptist minister with a B.A., was Professor of Pastoral Care at Hood Theological Seminary. She is a retired Fellow from the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. On the coast she was Executive Director at Interfaith Disaster Task Force for 5 years and retired as Executive Director of Back Bay Mission after six years. Dr. Graham seeks to engage with people who are asking questions of meaning for their lives.

Smell Memory: A Fascination With Food | $15

Tuesday, November 8 | GP In-Person

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Seminar led by Anita Huey

In this seminar, participants will initially get an overview of the 5 senses in relationship to food. The class will then explore the fascinating sense of smell, its ability to imbed itself in our memory and how those memories affect our eating and in some cases our lives. This class will be filled with lots of lively discussion and an opportunity for participants to take a blind "Smell Test" to see how much the "nose knows.” Anita Huey is a professional chef with 40 years’ experience. She received her culinary degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Chef Huey moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and her culinary career continued as a Culinary Arts Instructor for USM Gulf Park and she taught Nutrition and Culinary Arts at Gulfport High School. Chef Huey now prepares meals for families, individuals in medical recovery or with special dietary needs.

Effortless Outdoor Entertaining | $5

Thursday, November 10 | GP Meet-Up

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Mini-Seminar led by April Sins

Meet at Rouses, 1444 East Pass Road, Gulfport.

Join us to elevate your outdoor entertaining spread - from dried fruit paired with your favorite cheese for the perfect picnic to refreshing beverages mixed with 100% juice! Meet the Rouses Dietitian at the Gulfport Rouses to get some ideas for outdoor entertaining! April Sins is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master's in health care management. She is the retail dietitian for Rouses Markets.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Every fall and spring, thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate throughout coastal Mississippi habitats, but, where are they heading? In the spring, it usually takes four generations of Monarchs to reach the northern-most regions of their range, but in the fall it takes just one supergeneration to return to Mexico. However, lately, Monarch “watchers" have observed many Monarchs have been overwintering here along the northern Gulf of Mexico and in Florida. Learn how you can help track where the Monarchs are going by participating in the Monarch Watch citizen science program. You will learn how to tag a Monarch butterfly and report your observations of the life stages of this species of butterfly to Monarch Watch. You will also learn how to attract the Monarchs to your yard so that you can observe their amazing metamorphosis from caterpillar through chrysalis to adult. In addition, participants will receive information regarding the Butterflies in the Pass Festival on October 1. Jennifer Buchanan is a "Double Eagle,” having earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is retired from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources where she worked as a coastal ecologist and was the first Education Coordinator of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Additionally, she has served as the Education Curator at the Crosby Arboretum.

Maintaining Your Home Landscape will help participants improve home landscapes and retain property value through regular maintenance and proper care. Through this course, participants will: gain an understanding of proper landscape maintenance; be able to scout for diseases, pests, nutrient deficiencies and other issues; be able to prepare landscapes for changing seasons; and be able to adapt maintenance practices to a maturing landscape. Tim Ray is the agriculture/horticulture agent for Mississippi State University in Harrison County. He has over 25 years working in the horticulture industry, having worked in lawn and landscape management, tree farm and orchard management and now with Extension serving the needs of Harrison County clientele. He holds both a bachelor's in agriculture and extension education and a master's in horticulture from Mississippi State University.

Learn how to respond to health emergencies and provide basic first aid for your furry family members. It may save the life of your pet until you can reach a veterinary hospital or clinic. Live demonstration will be provided with the assistance of Belle, a certified Search and Rescue canine. Dr. Jennifer Lewando-Sutton is a graduate of Millsaps College and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Along with her husband, Jeffrey D. Sutton, DVM, they established the only 24-hour veterinary hospital on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Gulf Coast Veterinary Emergency Hospital.

Come learn the health concerns affecting cats as they age and their unique requirements.     Dr. Kirk Frazier is a veterinarian in West Hattiesburg. He is a 1989 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University.

Class 1 will include such topics as: the Apple ID and why it rules your life, getting synced (for multiple devices), the Gearbox (control your device) and survey for special topics to address next week. Class 2 will include such topics as: Tap vs swipe, Apple gestures, apps and the library, organizing apps for living, find my iPhone and special topics as requested. Santha Walters is a 27-year veteran of the classroom, specializing in technological integration into the secondary curriculum. Santha also has a passion for learning and teaching technology skills in all educational arenas. It is her firm belief that computer literacy is as essential a skill as reading literacy and her drive to bring this curriculum to all communities, especially those from underrepresented populations.  

In this seminar, you will learn characteristics and types of live oak trees and their ecological importance. Two species of live oak trees and their habitat will be discussed, as well as why live oak trees are different from other oak trees. Pat Alford is a retired educator who graduated from Mississippi State with a BS in secondary education and Master of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in Marine Biology. Pat volunteers with the National Park Service at Davis Bayou, Ocean Springs and conducts tours of Ship Island.

This course will provide an overview and tour of the Accelerator and the Mississippi Polymer Institute. On this tour, we will discuss physical and analytical testing, other laboratory activities and 3D printing. Robert Thompson is currently the Assistant Director of the Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) where he serves as an interface with MPI customers and provides technical oversight to projects. Robert is also involved with ASTM test method development as the chair of D20.30.08 section on Thermal Processing Properties and as chair of D20.30 Subcommittee on Thermal Properties.  Robert is also a Staff Approved Lead Assessor with A2LA.  

There are over 400 bird species that have been seen in southern Mississippi. Come learn about the birds of the area and how to identify them. Discussions will also focus on popular birding spots in the area and what is needed to get started in this exciting hobby. Dave Reed worked as a hydrologist/river forecaster for the National Weather Service for 32 years. Since his retirement, he has enjoyed traveling and pursuing his hobbies of bird watching and bird photography.

In the 1st session we will discuss the science behind why our atmosphere and oceans are heating up so rapidly, as well as the consequences. In the 2nd, we will discuss bipartisan solutions for this important problem. Dr. Chris Werle is a horticultural entomologist with degrees from the University of Maine, University of Tennessee and LSU. He serves as state coordinator for the non-profit Citizens' Climate Education.

This course will explain various types of computer malware such as viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware/adware, etc. We will discuss methods of blocking and eliminating them from your computer (PC, Macintosh or Chromebook) such as firewalls and virus protection programs. We will also discuss cookies - what they are and what to do with them. Various types of system backup strategies will be presented. E-mail spam and strategies for reducing/eliminating it will be presented. Encrypted electronic online transactions and digital signatures will also be investigated. Phishing is also presented as a topic for discussion. Social Engineering is the use of deception to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information that may be used for fraudulent purposes. This will also be addressed. Dr. Ralph Bisland retired from university teaching after 37 years as professor of computing science with specialties in software engineering, database management and the internet. Ralph has been an OLLI instructor since 2007, teaching mainly computer-related courses.

There are so many lawn winterizer products on the shelves today. This seminar will help you gain an understanding of lawn winterizers and what benefits they may have. In addition, you will gain and learn how to understand your soil test results to help you decide what program is best for your situation. Tim Ray is the agriculture/horticulture agent for Mississippi State University in Harrison County. He has over 25 years working in the Horticulture industry, having worked in lawn and landscape management, tree farm and orchard management and now with extension serving the needs of Harrison County clientele. He holds both a bachelor's in agriculture and extension education and a master's in horticulture from Mississippi State University.

TRAVEL

Come see the beauty of the Douro River in Portugal and learn about Port wine and cork. Learn why the locals say, "God made the world but man made the Douro." Dave Reed worked as a hydrologist/river forecaster for the National Weather Service for 32 years. Since his retirement, he has enjoyed traveling and pursuing his hobbies of bird watching and bird photography.

Honey Island earned its name because of the honeybees once seen on a nearby island. A tract of bottomland timber lying between the East Pearl and West Pearl rivers, Honey Island Swamp Tours has provided unique, interpretative boat tours since 1982. Our personal wildlife tour appeals to the majority of the population and, in particular, to those people who enjoy getting back to nature. Join OLLI members and get back to nature! Tour fee is included in the field trip fee.

Now that the weather is cooler, meet at the Hattiesburg Zoo where we will enjoy a train ride, an animal encounter and a behind-the-scenes look at the Zoo. You may tour the zoo after.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home’s Magic Christmas in Lights is their annual holiday light display, opening every year the Friday after Thanksgiving and extending through the New Year. Join OLLI members to tour the Bellingrath Museum Home, enjoy a special dinner in the Magnolia Café and enjoy a walking tour of the gardens, lit with Christmas lights. Dinner, admission and bus fees are included in the field trip price.

SPECIAL EVENTS

From the Delta to the Coast, from the Mighty Mississippi to the Gulf, the "Look Around Mississippi" series is a big umbrella that tells stories about people, places, events, geography, culture, history and all things Mississippi. Walt Grayson grew up in Greenville where he started his broadcasting career at one of the Greenville radio stations while he was in high school. He moved from radio to television in 1984 when he became a weather anchor and occasional feature reporter for Jackson's WLBT-TV. He is the host of Mississippi Roads on Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

Join OLLI members at a cafe currently serving American Southern cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Lunch is Dutch treat.

In the aftermath of the Black Plague, Giovanni Boccaccio wrote The Decameron, a hundred short stories of laughter, love, loss and adventure. Come join “Professor Awesome” to learn about how Boccaccio and his audience of pandemic survivors used storytelling to rebuild their world in a spirit of hope and optimism. Dr. Richard Scott Nokes is a professor of medieval literature at Troy University, the founder of Witan Publishing and host of the "Pop Medieval" podcast. He is also known as "Professor Awesome" in the convention circuit.

Prepare to laugh as "The Detectives Comedy Dinner Theatre" guides us through an interactive comedic event in which guests enjoy a 3-course meal that includes a murder mystery to solve. Part sit-com and part crime drama, dinner will be a unique experience. Is that your friend’s new boyfriend or a serial killer? It is up to audience members to determine the guilty party, the motive and how the murder was done. With a little luck, good detective work and loads of laughs, your table could be the one to unlock the mystery and win some prizes. Join us: we are "Dying to Meet You"! Membership not required.

Join OLLI for an Italian cuisine experience. Connect with OLLI members and enjoy a delicious lunch. Lunch is Dutch treat.

Join OLLI for an early holiday dinner at the Rusty Pelican. Dinner Includes: appetizers, two meats, veggie sides, rolls, dessert, beverage, tax and gratuities. 

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)

SIGs are free with membership!

The schedule for SIGs currently meeting in Zoom is below. Your OLLI membership 
must be current to participate in a SIG. Also, to receive emails with 
the Zoom joining details, you must be registered in the SIG. 
Contact either office with questions: 
228.214.3277 (Gulf Park) or 601.266.6554 (Hattiesburg).
         __________________________________________________________________

Art (Gulf Park)                                                                     1st Friday at 9:30 a.m.

              Coffee Chat (GP)                                                               2nd Friday at 9:30 a.m.

              Knitting                                                                   1st and 3rd Friday at 2:00 p.m.

              Life Story and Poetry                                                        3rd Friday at 10:30 a.m.

              MS Books and Authors                                                     4th Friday at 11:00 a.m. 

              OLLI GP Book Club                                                             3rd Friday at 1:00 p.m. 

              OLLI HB Book Club                                                          2nd Friday at 10:00 a.m.

              OLLI Outdoors in South Mississippi (GP)                         3rd Friday at 9:30 a.m.

              Photography (Zoom)                                            1st and 3rd Fridays at 2:30 p.m.

              Ukulele (Gulf Park)                                                                 Mondays at 9:30 a.m.

              Ukulele (Hattiesburg)                                                                Fridays at 2:00 p.m.