OLLI Café is a venue for the exchange of ideas and experiences focusing on improving the quality of life. These are not courses, and cost no additional charge – OLLI Cafe is one of the benefits of your annual membership. Pre-registration IS required. Cafe events feature a guest speaker followed by a short Q&A session.

 

OLLI Café Location and General Schedule:

Fridays – Multipurpose Rooms (113 – 119)

11:45 am – 12:00 pm: Arrive & Get Seated

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm: Speaker Presentation

 

Presentations:

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Event Description: This presentation provides a brief natural history of Connecticut, addresses the current state of wildlife in the state, including a discussion of major species, factors affecting their habitats, challenges we face in managing them, and provides suggestions for what people can do to make a difference.

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Event Description: This presentation covers Medicare basics—coverage, enrollment, and cost-saving programs—along with common challenges. It also highlights the CHOICES program’s free, unbiased counseling to help individuals make informed decisions as they approach eligibility.

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Event Description: Passionate about recycling and reuse, Jan motivates and supports clients to get – and stay – organized. In this presentation, Jan will share practical tips for decluttering, sorting, and organizing the items you keep.

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Event Description: An informative and interactive presentation to help people with arthritis find effective strategies to complete physical activity in order to benefit and avoid negative consequences.

Event Details: Friday, October 16, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Event Description: By the late 19th century, wealthy “new money” American families sought husbands for their daughters but were rejected by established “old money” American families. Join us to hear the stories—and discover how these marriages helped preserve England’s stately homes.

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Event Description: Research on my paternal grandparents revealed many facts but left gaps I filled with imagined scenes, dialogue, and historical context. The main challenge was staying true to their character while making Wolfgang and Anna believable and engaging.

 

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Event Description: We’ll discuss the history and importance of Breakneck Hill, then a part of Waterbury, to the American Revolution and the important individuals who crossed its rugged terrain. This includes George Washington, John Adams, and the encampment of the French Army of the Comte de Rochambeau from June 27th through 30th, 1781.

Event Description: Mysteries and hauntings surround Connecticut’s historic Naugatuck River. Join award-winning journalist and historian Michael Bielawa as he shares supernatural legends from his book Haunted Waterbury & the Naugatuck Valley.

 

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Please Note: OLLI at UConn’s end-of-semester celebration will be on Friday, November 13, 2026! We have the pleasure of welcoming Gomez&Sadlon who will be presenting Jazz Goes to the Movies!