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:
Paul Benjunas presents Black Bears of Connecticut
Event Description: Paul Benjunas is an Outreach Biologist with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division. Come learn about the natural history and management of black bears in Connecticut!
Event Details: Friday, March 3rd, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Carla Perugini-Erickson presents Getting your “Ducks in a Row” with Basic Estate Planning Documents
Event Description: This is a basic introduction to essential estate planning and elder care documents that can help you and your family if you become incapacitated or die. We will discuss important items to consider before meeting with an attorney to prepare such documents, and what could happen to you or your family if you do not have these documents.
Event Details: Friday, March 10th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
John Westcott presents Perspectives on Organic Vegetable Farming with OLLI
Event Description: Growing vegetables organically provides hours of social interaction and exercise for OLLI volunteers, and produces food for Waterbury and surrounding community organizations. The presentation will offer observations on organic farming related to energy requirements and implications of CO2 affecting growing conditions.
Event Details: Friday, March 17th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Kenny Adams presents The Great Highland Bagpipe of Scotland
Event Description: Love them or hate them, bagpipes conjure deep emotion whenever they are heard. We will delve into the origins of their history and how they have won wars, celebrated funerals and thrilled us in parades. Explore with us how the Highland bagpipe has evolved into the world’s most recognized and loved National Instrument of Scotland.
Event Details: Friday, March 24th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Felicia Ortner presents H.O.R.S.E. OF Connecticut – An Equine Rescue
Event Description: Many are not aware of the large issue of unwanted horses, ponies and other equines. The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E. of CT), established over 40 years ago, was the first equine rescue in Connecticut. Besides assisting with rescuing equines locally and from around the country giving them love and care, we’re also dedicated to educating the public on horse care.
Event Details: Friday, March 31st, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Vincent de Luise, M.D. presents Amadeus in Retrospect: The Music, Life and Legacy of Mozart
Event Description: The music, life and legacy of Wolfgang Amade’ Mozart continue to fascinate and enthrall us. Who was Mozart, as a son, brother, musician, husband, and father? What made him a child prodigy and a musical genius? Why did he die so young? Join Dr. Vincent de Luise for a fascinating look at Mozart: the man, his life, and his musical legacy.
Event Details: Friday, April 14th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Tiffany Healey presents Waterbury Police Department on Personal Safety
Event Description: Officer Tiffany Healey is a Community Service Officer with the Waterbury Police Department. She will lecture on maintaining personal safety in today’s society.
Event Details: Friday, April 21st, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Joseph Baxer presents Marco Polo: the Silk Road & China: The UN in Action
Event Description: Images of the ancient Silk Road and the medieval journey of Marco Polo invite fascinating images. The UN is far from an office building in Manhattan, but alive, in action, rooted across a continent in which China reimagines the ancient routes at sea, on ice and through cyberspace. Is it true that no longer do all roads lead to Rome, but now to Beijing?
Event Details: Friday, April 28th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
*Please Note: This OLLI Cafe presentation was originally supposed to be given by Gerald O’Connell. Gerald has cancelled this session, and we are currently working to find someone to fill this spot.
Event Description: TBD
Event Details: Friday, May 12th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Jacob Pinho presents Naugatuck Police K9, Judge, certified in Narcotics Detection and Tracking Persons
Event Description: This presentation will discuss the abilities of a police canine certified in narcotics detection and tracking persons. It will also provide insight on case law in regards to police canines, the amount of work/training a canine and handler conduct, and will include a demonstration of canine performing narcotics detection.
Event Details: Friday, May 19th, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM