This seminar presents a look at already published obituaries and how lives were celebrated with the written word.  We’ll explore how people used humor or a quirky habit or an attention grabbing line in their life stories.  What are some features of an obituary that grabs your attention?   Given a snippet of an obituary of a famous person, could you name that person? We know that you are just dying to get in this class.

In Ohio, more than 236,200 people are living with Alzheimer’s and 452,000 caregivers dedicate 679 million hours of unpaid care. Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. This program will explain dementia, Alzheimer’s and key warning signs and symptoms of the disease.  Learn about risk factors and how to care for yourself or care for a loved one. This program has been developed by the Alzheimer’s Association.

In this 2-part seminar, the instructor will share his experience planning, orchestrating, and pulling off a very successful family reunion, a four-day set of events honoring his ancestor’s journeys and their personal sacrifices coming to America to make a better life ‘fur die Kinder’.  We’ll describe how you can create a similar weekend of celebration, commemoration, collaboration, chowing down, and chuckling.  The approach can be used as the template for your get-together - there is no need for previous experience, only bring your enthusiasm, imagination…and the unique knowledge of your family’s journey.  You’re sure to be motivated to jumpstart the creative process for organizing your next extended family reunion!

We'll also share interesting experiences about seemingly random coincidences in meeting people with information about his family, or insights he’s uncovered seemingly by happenstance in the course of his decades of research, and what you can do to 'create your coincidences' to advance your knowledge of your family's story.

Cultivating a Sustainable Campus offers a first-hand look at sustainability at the University of Dayton. The first hour features a presentation highlighting the Office of Energy & Sustainability, including how the office manages energy and utilities, native landscapes, urban agriculture, waste and materials, and campus sustainability goals. The second hour is a guided tour of Flyer Farm, UD’s urban agriculture site, where participants see sustainable practices in action. Attendees will explore both campus-wide initiatives and on-the-ground projects that promote ecological stewardship, energy efficiency, food security, and community engagement.

The seminar will focus on lesser-known Dayton inventors.  For example, Vincent G. Apple has 745 patents credited to his name.  Charles Francis Jenkins had 400 patents, and Thomas Midgley, Jr., was granted over 100 patents over his career.  In addition to these individuals, many more ingenious inventions that came out of Dayton.  The course will also refer to Dayton's more famous inventors.

This relaxed, hands-on workshop is specifically tailored for seniors looking to confidently master the "cloud." We move at a comfortable pace, stripping away the technical jargon to show you how Google Drive can simplify your digital life. Over two days, you’ll learn to securely store and organize cherished photos and important documents so they are always at your fingertips. We will cover how to safely share files with family, use the mobile scanner to digitize paper records, and search effortlessly when things go missing. Join us at OLLI to turn your computer into a stress-free, organized library.

Additional Information: Participants will need to bring devices that can access the internet during class, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop.

This relaxed, hands-on workshop is specifically tailored for seniors looking to confidently master the "cloud." We move at a comfortable pace, stripping away the technical jargon to show you how Google Drive can simplify your digital life. Over two days, you’ll learn to securely store and organize cherished photos and important documents so they are always at your fingertips. We will cover how to safely share files with family, use the mobile scanner to digitize paper records, and search effortlessly when things go missing. Join us at OLLI to turn your computer into a stress-free, organized library.

Additional Information: Participants will need to bring devices that can access the internet during class, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop.

Participants will learn about the history and federal and state regulation of hemp cannabinoids available outside of a marijuana dispensary, as well as pharmacology, product formulations, quality concerns, clinical research, claimed uses, and potential drug/ cannabinoid interactions. The seminar is designed to help participants better understand a rapidly changing health and wellness topic.

This seminar will introduce participants to the basics of 3D printing, including the hardware, software, materials, and design resources used to create printed objects. The class will include a brief history of 3D printing, examples of how it is used today, and hands-on demonstrations. No prior experience is required.

This seminar will provide an update on recent events in Israel and Palestine, building on previous one-day and six-week seminars. The first portion of the session will review key developments, and the second portion will be dedicated to guided class discussion. Participants will have the opportunity to share their concerns, hopes, and questions about the current situation in a respectful learning environment.

Nikola Tesla was one of history’s most imaginative inventors and electrical engineers. This seminar will explore Tesla’s remarkable life, his major inventions, and the ideas that helped shape the modern electrical world. Participants will learn about both his brilliance and the challenges that defined his legacy.

Do you feel like you know Mary Tyler Moore, the girl next door who won America’s TV hearts with her cheerful smile and her regular spunk?  This two-day seminar will describe Mary’s difficult childhood, her early career as a dancer, her sudden rise to fame on the Dick Van Dyke Show and later The Mary Tyler Moore Show during the 1960s and ‘70s. You will also learn about the second half of Mary’s career and her struggles with family, marriage, alcohol, and diabetes.  Learn about the public image vs the private reality of Mary’s fascinating life and enjoy many clips of her best television moments.

Travel virtually to the Eternal City and discover its archaeological wonders. Our tour begins on the Palatine Hill where we’ll uncover evidence supporting its mythical creation. We’ll trace the first kings as they established foundations and constructed the Forum. During the Republic, elite patricians vied for power resulting in an expansion of temples, theaters, and public works. Civil unrest produced a new emperor who transformed a city of brick into one of marble. This class will prepare you to visit Rome and witness its legacy from the bedrock up.

At the beginning of the automobile era in America marketing and advertising focused on the need to convince consumers that these new-fangled conveyances were roadworthy. Print advertisements mostly emphasized the mechanicals of the motorcar as well as its  reliability. By the 1930s, particularly with the rise of General Motors and the ethos of planned obsolescence, keeping the customer wanting “the next new thing” was being aggressively pushed by marketing executives. Indeed, two of the most important individuals in the early marketing of the automobile had Dayton connections: Ned Jordan and Richard Grant and we’ll speak to their contributions. Within the advertising field its long been a given that consumerist behavior is highly influenced by desires for personal identification and social status. As such most automobile marketing over time has focused on cars as desirable objects but with important subthemes related to the family unit, class status, the desire for travel, economic success and upward mobility, celebrity, feminism, and sexuality. In this seminar we’ll illustrate all of these themes through the viewing of actual print and motion picture marketing placements.

Do you ever feel unsure of what to say when someone close to you is struggling with their mental health? Or find yourself emotionally drained trying to help? In today's fast-paced world, supporting others starts with caring for our own wellbeing. This interactive workshop offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help you support loved ones facing mental health challenges - while also building your own resilience. Together, we'll explore how to foster empathy, strengthen emotional wellness, and create a culture of compassion that uplifts us all.

Additional Information: Participants will need to print an 11-page resiliency workbook for use during the seminar.

What became known as the Great American Songbook, the most popular and influential American popular songs, would eventually make up the canon of standards performed and recorded by countless musicians and singers. Most of these timeless compositions were written in the first half of the 20th century for musical theater or Hollywood films, while some were simply individual pop tunes.  We’ll explore the lives and music of over 50 of the top songwriters and lyricists, but most of our time will be spent listening to and discussing the music they created. There will be video and live piano performances, singalongs, contests, prizes, handouts, occasional food . . . and surprises. Join us for this brisk walk down Tin Pan Alley. The memories are waiting!

Calvary Cemetery is one of the most peaceful and scenic sites in the Miami Valley, overlooking the Miami River, Carillon Park, and the Dayton skyline. This seminar will explore the history of St. Henry and Calvary Cemetery through a 50-minute chapel presentation followed by an approximately one-hour walking tour. Participants will learn about the people, stories, and setting that make this site an important part of Dayton’s history.

During World War II, the small town of North Platte, Nebraska, became the site of an extraordinary act of hospitality. Over four years, local volunteers welcomed and fed millions of traveling soldiers at a Union Pacific depot, often working up to 20 hours a day. This seminar will tell the inspiring story of the North Platte Canteen and the community spirit that helped sustain service members far from home.

Janet and her husband Todd traveled the famed Mother Road, Route 66, in May of 2025. It was something they had thought about and dreamed of for a long time. After much research and planning they took the plunge, driving the entire route, Chicago to LA. Hear their strategy for the trip, what they liked, what they would do differently, how much they spent and recommendations for anyone thinking of making the trip themselves. And see lots of pictures. This is a repeat presentation of February's seminar which ended up being a snow day and some people could not attend. It will be largely the same presentation with some new thoughts and photos as Janet has recently revisited parts of the route.

Just imagine your next move being simple, certain, and stress-free. Whether you are curious about downsizing for a new lifestyle or helping a family member navigate their first purchase, this seminar provides the clarity you need. We explore strategies for selling your current home, modern financing options, and how to support the next generation in today’s market. How would you feel knowing you had a clear plan for every stage of life? Join us to turn your questions into a confident next step for you and your family.