Gulf Park Courses

Mondays, October 14 and October 21, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Two-Part Seminar led by Dr. Will Koolsbergen
Join OLLI behind the scenes of a community theater production. Participants will be given a script to read and attend dress rehearsals. They will then attend a play on their own with a follow-up class for group discussion.

Mondays, September 9 - October 7, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Five-Week Class led by Henry Stiller
If you would like to learn how to paint with pastels, this class is for you. You will be given techniques of rendering layouts and designs of landscape art through the use of pastels. Supply List: set of 24 soft pastels, 2 sheets of gray Canson paper, paper stumps, pencil, ruler, and kneaded eraser.

Thursday, October 10, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
OFFSITE: Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, Pottery Building, 386 Beach Blvd., Biloxi Seminar led by Charlie Mabry
Join OLLI in creating a porcelain poinsettia flower hanging accent you'll love! This decorative sculpture will bring some popping 3D art to your living space. Supply cost included in seminar fee.

Monday, October 28, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Seminar led by Brynn Santalla
Be amazed at the artist in you! Come create your very own acrylic canvas artwork. Paint a piece that will fit in your home perfectly. The instructor will walk you through the painting process step by step. No experience necessary. Supply cost included in seminar fee.

Thursday, October 31, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
OFFSITE: Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, Pottery Building, 386 Beach Blvd., Biloxi Seminar led by Charlie Mabry
Come create your very own "kitchen witch" out of clay. This creation was started as a good luck charm. For centuries, people displayed this good witch in their kitchen, believing she has the power to stop roasts from burning, pots from boiling over and sauces from spilling. Supply cost included in seminar fee.

Mondays, November 4 - November 11, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Two-Part Seminar led by Henry Stiller
Come learn the techniques of pen and ink artwork by using cross hatching, stippling, line, positive and negative space. Supply List: bottle of India ink, Crow quill pen, Speedball pens, gel pens, 10 sheets of laser paper, pencil, plastic eraser, and ruler.

In this seminar, students will learn the basics of how to create pottery on the wheel and each student will create two pots. The studio will glaze and fire for you.

Students will learn the basics on how to create pottery on the wheel and each student will create two pots. The studio will glaze (your choice of a selection of glazes) and fire pots for you. This class will expand on the first ‘Spin That Wheel’ class. Recommended for students who have taken ‘Spin That Wheel’ previously.

Five-Week Class led by Susie Pham
This class will teach traditional physical meditative practice. It is designed to build strength, improve health and flexibility, reduce stress and increase energy flow. It is for newcomers to learn and for existing Tai Chi followers to enhance their skills.

This class will teach traditional physical meditative practice. It is designed to build strength, improve health and flexibility, reduce stress and increase energy flow. This class is for those who have previously taken Beginning Tai Chi Chih.

This class will teach gentle yoga that will help build and maintain flexibility, stamina and range of motion in our bodies.

A brief overview by map, photographs and anecdotes of the Korean War. The objectives are to understand how the war began, how it was fought, and how it continues to be perpetuated.

Tour the Charnley-Norwood House, one of Mississippi’s most important contributions to American architectural history. Learn about the history of this residence, the involvement of architects Louis H. Sullivan & Frank Lloyd Wright, and the restoration undertaken after the house was significantly damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Tuesday, September 24, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Seminar led by Jon Caridad
Ever since their discovery in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls have aroused excitement in biblical scholarship and archaeology. There was a group of church scholars which tried to discredit the Scrolls and their origins due to fear, forboding and jealousy that the Scrolls would undermine the foundations of Judaism and Christianity. Come learn who and why.

The seminar will discuss the excavation of the Moran site (22HR511), a cemetery containing the remains of thirty French immigrants who arrived between the years 1717 - 1722 when New Biloxi was the capital of Louisiana. Both historical and archaeological perspectives will be presented.

Ancient Egypt in all her glory still lies among the modern day cities of Egypt. The great pyramids, the Sphinx, Saqqara, Abu SimBel, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings are just a few of the most extraordinary and magical places. Studying these ancient ruins only inspires one to want to know more about their lives.

Wednesdays, October 2 and October 9, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Two-Part Seminar led by Becky Orfila
An overview of the Red Light District of Gulfport will be given. This includes brothel culture between 1860 and 1930, specifically within the restricted district of Gulfport, including the built environment, the demimonde, and the economic, psychological, and criminal constructs.

This five week course will examine the history of cemeteries, prehistoric through today, headstone motifs, mausoleum practices, examination of causes of death, and why it matters. Stories of the interred and a list of the cemeteries in Hancock County will be provided. This topic is rich for class member discussion.

Wednesday, October 23, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Seminar led by Rachel Dangermond
Come learn the history of the 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis, which was a dynamic black energy center for the African-American community. The Hall was an important venue on the Chitlin’ Circuit, and also a gathering place for civic purposes as well as entertainment in the African- American community.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was a small battle on a remote hillside in Montana that resulted in the final demise of the Plains Indians. This class will ride with the 7th Cavalry to the climactic battle. We will explore both Indian and US military experiences in American West. Detailed discussion of battle with major leaders will follow.

Mondays, October 21 - November 18, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Five-Week Class led by Jon Caridad
In the 16th century, the format and face of the Christian religion in the western world went through a radical reformation. The Christian Church evolved into a controlling entity and, for the people of the western Europe, change and reformation were needed. Come learn who influenced this change and the religious wars that occurred during it.

Tuesday, September 10, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Seminar led by Dr. Victoria Hippard
How do we come to understand the Buddhist belief that “Everything in life and in the universe is in an endless process of impermanence, change, and decay”? This seminar presents the history and teachings of Buddhism with its richness as a philosophy and also a religious practice. Bodhisattva and wrathful deities will join us on this journey.

Thursday, September 19, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
OFFSITE: 1900 East Railroad Street, Gulfport
Seminar led by Yvette Champagne
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. We will discuss the club bylaws and how we conduct meetings.

This will be an entertaining and informative educational adventure about writing with humor.

A pinnacle work of Classical Antiquity, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex (430 b.c.) unfolds the tragic truth about Oedipus' life: he has unknowingly slain his father and slept with his mother. But is Oedipus really a fool of the gods, or do his own choices hasten his demise? How much of life do we control? Participants will receive a printed packet of the play ($15 fee included in cost of seminar).

Join OLLI in creating a Thai Cuisine menu: Green Mango Salad with rice noodles, green mango, tomatoes, peanuts, fresh herbs, and shrimp crackers; Pad Thai with rice noodles, shrimp, egg, bean sprouts, radish, tofu; and for dessert - Coconut Custard with Grilled Bananas. Arts discussion afterwards!

This chef duo will give you a hands-on experience in the art of baking challah, French bread and Hawaiian rolls. Techniques of kneading, weighing, shaping, and actual baking will be taught, with plenty left to take home to break bread with your loved ones.

Part one of this seminar will focus on the fundamentals of investing, and part two will address key issues that need to be considered once reaching retirement.

Tuesday, September 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Seminar led by Tim Ray
Through this course, you will learn what a winterizer fertilizer is and the importance of fertilizer for your lawn for winter protection.

Wednesdays, September 11 - October 9, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Five-Week Class led by Rick Logan
Learn how to play the fun card game of bridge in this seminar. This is a beginning class for those who have never played or for those who would like to freshen up on the game.

Thursday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Seminar led by Karen LeBeau
You will use a simple knot to join fabric strips to make a honeycomb scarf. A kit will be provided with all necessary supplies and is included in the course fee.

We will explore the typical managed honey bee colony and reflect upon the place of honey bees in our world today. A presentation of the various parts of the Langstroth hive, overview of the honey bee family, biology, and work force development along with environmental threats and what we can do to promote their survival will be included.

Monday, November 18, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Seminar led by Dr. David Holt
In 1812 and 1813, three powerful earthquakes affected much of the eastern US including Mississippi. They occurred in the New Madrid fault in southeastern Missouri. The New Madrid fault system has the potential to produce powerful earthquakes (6+ on the Richter scale) in addition to the minor quakes recorded yearly.

Tuesdays, October 22 - November 19, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
(No Class October 29)
Four-Week Class led by Dr. Raymond Swan
This class helps you to deal with the many problems of living but is not intended to deal with serious emotional illness. All of us have things that irritate us. You will learn how to relax under conditions that cause you to experience negative emotions and to employ strategies that help you get these experiences under your emotional control. You will also learn how to be removed from concrete thinking, cope with fears and improve your relationships.

In this seminar, we'll focus on what it's like to work as a meteorologist in the television industry, and how meteorologists effectively communicate forecasts to the public. We will explore the tools we use to forecast the weather, and how we work with the National Weather Service and emergency managers during significant weather events.

Wednesday, September 11, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Seminar led by Andy Collins
This course teaches the basics of using a personal Facebook account.

Monday, September 9, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Seminar led by Dave Reed
Iceland's top tourist attraction is the Golden Circle including the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss waterfall, and Pingvellir National Park. You will see these famous attractions and learn about the history and geology of this remarkable island.

Monday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Seminar led by David Vincent
Attendees will “travel” around the world via trips taken from China to New Zealand allowing them to see some of the wonders of the world. A discussion of tourism in Mississippi will follow. The world is a huge place, and there is so little time to explore it!

Gulf Park, Fleming Education Center Auditorium
Fall Kick-Off led by Dr. Will Koolsbergen
Join OLLI in kicking off the fall 2019 semester with a little history in theater. This lecture will examine how the 19th century theater in New Orleans impacted community theater on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The movement resulted in multiple theaters in Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and Pass Christian.

Tour led by Sandy Laubersheimer
Join OLLI in a golf cart tour of the USM Gulf Park. This tour will start in the Hardy Hall Building. We will stop for on-site tours of the Gulf Park Fitness Center, Gulf Park Library, and The Institute for Disability Learning Center. The tour will finish up at Hardy Hall, where you may want to have lunch at the Beach View Cafe.

Join OLLI on a personal tour of the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. The museum was established in 1986 to preserve and interpret the maritime history and heritage of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The group will have lunch at Saltgrass Restaurant, dutch treat, and good company.

Friday, October 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
OFFSITE: 679 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531
Field Trip led by Captain Michael Moore
This is a 70-minute tour with complete instruction on the history and heritage of the shrimping industry. You will have the complete shrimping experience along with the full description of each of the sea creatures that are caught in the net. You will have the chance to touch and learn about each creature and what its purpose is in the Gulf of Mexico. (Rain Date: October 18)

Come discuss nature with with Dave Reed while taking an abbreviated crane tour along with a tour of visitor center facilities, led by Melissa Perez, Refuge Ranger. Depending on staffing and weather, this may or may not be a guided trail walk.