Campus OLLI: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) within the Greater Burlington Area

with Amanda McIntire
Fee: $50

In this online, introductory class, learn the basics of yoga, including the physical practice (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation.

Required Materials: Yoga or exercise mat.

Suggested Materials: yoga blocks, yoga strap, blanket

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Shelburne Craft School
Fee: $245

Create a one of a kind cutting board in this day long workshop and learn about wood selection, milling and building in the process. This day will begin at beautiful Shelburne Farms and then proceed at Shelburne Craft School’s woodshop just a few miles down the road.

Special note: This program is being offered in honor and memory of Marshall Webb. Marshall, along with his siblings founded the non-profit, Shelburne Farms and also served as the woodlands manager for many years. Marshall spent his lifetime on the land and embodied the vision of the farm as a true working landscape for learning.

Program Location:Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne AND Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Road, Shelburne

Parking: TBD

Meeting Location: Shelburne Farms is the initial meet up point and then students will travel back to our woodshop. Specific details will be provided closer to the program date. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: The terrain at Shelburne Farms is uneven–the distance walked, however, is short (1-2 football fields). The Craft School portion is in our woodshop–students will be standing the entire time and sanding.

with Katherine Elmer
Fee: $25

Our farm landscapes are not only capable of producing nourishing foods, but also powerful plant-based medicines. This autumn-themed weed walk will focus on the identification and benefits of bitter herbs and roots commonly found on the Vermont farm landscape and invites participants to engage in nature-based local medicine as part of a resilient food system. Participants will help gather and process some of the bitter roots into classic tonic recipes traditionally featured in fall remedies.

Program Location: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available on the back side of the barn.

Meeting Location: Shelburne Farms Farm Barn, We will meet outside the farm on the North Side of the farm building.  Look for picnic tables in the grass. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Suggested Reading: The Wild Medicine Solution by Guido Mase, ‘Wild Remedies by Rosalee de la Foret

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: We will be walking a 1/8 mile loop that includes a path up a steep hill. We will walk slowly and the second half of class will be inside making plant remedies with chairs available.

with Antonello Borra
Fee: $35

Love Italian food? Ever wanted to learn a little Italian while cooking delicious dishes? This fun, hands-on program is perfect for absolute beginners. As you prepare simple, authentic recipes, you’ll also learn basic Italian words and phrases, including the names of ingredients, cooking techniques, and common kitchen expressions. Come hungry to learn and enjoy a taste of Italy through both its language and cuisine!

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Sage Farm Goat Dairy
Fee: $60

Meet a small, exceptional herd of Alpine dairy goats and discover the art of cheesemaking at this award-winning farm. Sage Farm Goat Dairy takes pride in crafting artisanal cheeses using only milk from their highly productive goats. Beyond cheese, they also produce maple syrup and fresh eggs from their pasture-raised hens. During the tour, you’ll have the chance to interact with the goats and other farm animals while learning about Sage Farm’s sustainable farming practices, including their rotational grazing and milking systems. You’ll also get an inside look at their cheesemaking process, with a peek into the cheeseroom. The experience concludes with a guided cheese tasting, showcasing the delicious variety of cheeses made right on the farm.

Program Location: Sage Farm Goat Dairy, 2248 West Hill Rd, Stowe

Parking: Parking for farm tours is at the bottom of the FIRST farm driveway, at 2248 West Hill Rd. We will meet you in the driveway and begin the tour at the dairy barn. Do not park at the farm store, which is down the SECOND farm driveway at 2346 West Hill Rd.

Meeting Location: Meet in the parking lot. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: less than 1/4 mile, dirt driveways, relatively flat grassy lawn and dirt paths, stairs to enter barn. The walking tour will take you up and down barn steps and over rough, uneven ground. Please wear appropriate footwear and be forewarned that goats like to nibble on clothing!

Note: Tours will happen as scheduled in all weather. If it is raining (or snowing) hard, tours will mainly be inside the barns and the tasting will be indoors. Please leave all pets at home. If you are a farmer or live on a farm, please wear clean footwear and clothing that has not been recently worn inside another animal facility. And be sure to wear shoes that can handle a little goat poop.

with Burlington Taiko
Fee: $30

Experience the power, energy, and rhythm of Taiko drumming—by doing it yourself! This interactive session invites you to explore the dynamic Japanese art form through voice, movement, and drumming. You’ll learn basic rhythms by speaking them first, then bring them to life on real Taiko drums. With live demonstrations, guided practice, and plenty of repetition, you’ll build confidence and skill in a supportive, high-energy environment. No experience needed—just come ready to move, play, and have fun!

Program Location: Burlington Taiko Dojo, 208 Flynn Ave Suite 3G, Burlington

Parking: Parking is available in the parking lot around Flynn Ave

Meeting Location: Meet in the Dojo located right across from the NoMad Cafe counter.

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: Students will be asked to be physically active – using their bodies to make full motions to learn to play taiko drums. Arm movements and aspects of crouching and squatting will be asked of students. Students will be able to take breaks if needed. Students will also be asked to remove their shoes upon entering the Dojo.

with Jacob Holzberg-Pill
Fee: $30

Join us for a guided tour of the Branch Out Burlington street tree nursery at the beautiful UVM Catamount Educational Farm. Participants will explore the nursery and learn what makes street trees unique, how they are selected, and the important role they play in creating healthy, vibrant communities. The tour will also introduce the principles of urban forestry and highlight the innovative work being done through the Branch Out Burlington Nursery program.

Program Location: UVM Horticulture Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Participants should meet at the UVM Hort Farm, 65 Green Mountain Drive in South Burlington and follow the yellow Branch Out Burlington Signs to the Nursery. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: We will be standing in and walking around a grass field of young trees.

with Robert Weibezahl
Fee: $70

Join fellow readers online for a lively exploration of the gems found in The Oxford Book of English Short Stories. Together, participants will discover both celebrated and lesser-known English storytellers from the past century. Stories are read in advance and discussed in the context of their time, exploring what makes them distinctly English while uncovering the universal themes that continue to resonate today. No prior experience or prerequisite is required—just a love of reading and good conversation.

Required Reading/Materials: The Oxford Book of English Short Stories, edited by A.S. Byatt 978-0199561605

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

Note: This program will not be recorded.

with Amanda McIntire
Fee: $50

In this online, introductory class, learn the basics of yoga, including the physical practice (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation.

Required Materials: Yoga or exercise mat.

Suggested Materials: yoga blocks, yoga strap, blanket

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Shelburne Farms
Fee: $30

Discover how farmstead cheddar is made at Shelburne Farms. On this behind-the-scenes tour, participants will watch cheesemakers craft cheddar in the Farm Barn, enjoy a guided cheese tasting, and visit the dairy to meet the Brown Swiss cows while learning about the farm’s approach to caring for its land, pastures, and herd.

Program Location: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne,

Parking: Parking at Welcome Center, short distance to tractor (2-4 steps to access wagon) for tour

Meeting Location: Meet at the Shelburne Farms Welcome Center. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Christine Klein
Fee: $35

Inspired by the book Finding Your Spunk in Your 60s, 70s, and 80s, this uplifting program encourages participants to rediscover what brings them joy, purpose, and energy in this stage of life. Through reflection and discussion, participants will explore how to overcome obstacles that may be limiting their happiness, reclaim personal power, embrace their authentic selves, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen existing relationships while creating new connections. Leave inspired with practical ideas for living with greater confidence, fulfillment, and, of course, spunk.  Note: all participants who are in attendance will receive a copy of the book. 

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with E. Thomas Sullivan
Fee: $25

How did the presidency become one of the most powerful and visible institutions in American government? This engaging program traces the evolution of the presidency, exploring how the office has grown in power and public prominence far beyond what many of the Constitution’s Framers envisioned. Participants will examine the constitutional responsibilities and limits of the office, as well as the historical events and political forces that have expanded presidential authority over time. The discussion will also explore the democratic safeguards designed to check presidential overreach, including the roles of Congress, the courts, elections, and the rule of law. Throughout the session, participants will be invited to consider a central question of American democracy: Do presidents have the final word, or does ultimate authority rest with the people?

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Rebecca Starks
Fee: FREE

With an eye to how poetry can respond to authoritarianism, participants will read and discuss poems by Polish-American poet Czesław Milosz, awarded the 1980 Nobel Prize for work that “with uncompromising clear-sightedness voices man’s exposed condition in a world of severe conflicts.” Participants are encouraged to write beforehand a poem or reflection in response to Milosz’s A Song on the End of the World–a poem alive to the contradictions of daily life during times of catastrophe and upheaval–and to share the poem during class. No prior poetry experience necessary.

Required Reading/Materials: A Song on the End of the World by Czesław Milosz:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49451/a-song-on-the-end-of-the-world

Suggested Reading: Poet in the New World: Poems, 1946–1953 – Previously Untranslated Work by Nobel Laureate Czeslaw Milosz from His Years in Postwar Washington

or another collection of Milosz’s poems

Poet reading March 26 1998:
vimeo.com/11148794

“Czeslaw Milosz’s Battle for Truth” (essay by Adam Kirsch):https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/29/czeslaw-miloszs-battle-for-truth

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

This program is generously sponsored by Phoenix Books.

with Lisa Zinn
Fee: $30

Birds delight us, not just with their colors and flight, but also with their songs.  Why do birds sing?  What does it mean?  How can this make such complicated vocalizations?  Learn what scientists have learned about these questions and what mysteries still remain.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Suggested Reading: Merlin Bird App from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Chip Darmstadt
Fee: $45

Join FlyAway Birding for a casual morning bird walk along the beautiful Colchester Causeway. The causeway extends out into Lake Champlain and is a great place to enjoy numerous and easy to see birds – ducks, herons and egrets, Bald Eagle and Osprey, shorebirds, loons in migration and much more. Beginners welcome!

Program Location: Causeway Park, 178 Mills Point Rd, Colchester

Parking: The parking lot for Causeway Park is off Mills Point Rd in Colchester, approximately 1 mile past Airport Park on Colchester Point Road. There is no restroom available at the parking lot, but restrooms may be open at Airport Park. Carpooling is encouraged.

Meeting Location: Participants will meet at the parking lot for Causeway Park. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Required Reading/Materials: BYOB – Bring your own binoculars.

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: The terrain is a wide, flat, dirt and gravel track. The total distance is approximately 2 miles round trip.

with Stephen Parsons Chandler
Fee: $40

Meet the farm’s friendly llamas during a special meet-and-greet while learning about their care and the history of the farm. After a brief Q&A, participants will enjoy a short guided hike, taking turns leading a llama while learning about both the llamas and the farm’s Christmas tree operation. The experience concludes with a hands-on demonstration exploring the many uses of llama fiber and how it is transformed into a variety of products.

Program Location: Northern Vermont Llama Company, 766 Lapland Rd, Waterville

Parking: Parking is available onsite at the farm.

Meeting Location: Meet in the parking area. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Suggested Reading: If you are interested in finding out more about llamas, visit galaonline.org

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: We will be standing while meeting the llamas. We will have some chairs available. The walk with llamas is leisurely through our Christmas tree plantation, the roads are mowed grass, mostly flat with a slight hill. Please wear appropriate outdoor shoes. The walk is about 1/2 hr.

with Julia Davenport
Fee: $30

In Zentangle, participants will find a space for gratitude through simple mark-making with pens and pencils, creating intricate, structured patterns that are both forgiving and fun to make. Using a small format and a straightforward series of steps, the process removes much of the intimidation often associated with drawing. As participants engage in focused, repetitive mark-making, they can calm their nervous systems, enter a flow state, and give their minds an opportunity to reset. Participants are often amazed by what they create and inspired by the unique artwork of others in the class.

Program Location: Milton Artists’ Guild, 199 US-7, Milton

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the main lobby.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Sam Darmstadt
Fee: $45

Join FlyAway Birding for a casual morning bird walk along the beautiful Colchester Causeway. The causeway extends out into Lake Champlain and is a great place to enjoy numerous and easy to see birds – ducks, herons and egrets, Bald Eagle and Osprey, shorebirds, loons in migration and much more. Beginners welcome!

Program Location: Causeway Park, 178 Mills Point Rd, Colchester

Parking: The parking lot for Causeway Park is off Mills Point Rd in Colchester, approximately 1 mile past Airport Park on Colchester Point Road. There is no restroom available at the parking lot, but restrooms may be open at Airport Park. Carpooling is encouraged.

Meeting Location: Participants will meet at the parking lot for Causeway Park.  Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Required Reading/Materials: BYOB – Bring your own binoculars.

Activity Level: Level 3: Moderate Activity

Activity Level Comments: The terrain is a wide, flat, dirt and gravel track. The total distance is approximately 2 miles round trip.

with Paul R. Morwood
Fee: $25

What happens to your assets—and your wishes—after you’re gone? This practical and informative program helps participants understand the key documents involved in estate planning, including wills and trusts, and how they work within the probate process. Participants will gain clarity on what documents are needed, how to make informed choices, and how to ensure their assets are passed on according to their intentions.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Shelagh Connor Shapiro
Fee: $25

In this program, participants will discuss The Elements, a novel by acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne. The book is a saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim—or Water, Earth, Fire and Air. An emotionally challenging read, The Elements offers stories of guilt, blame, trauma, and redemption, providing an honest and empathetic look at our best and worst selves. Discussion will focus on examining “the often ignored shadow of abuse,” as described in the novel’s New York Times review.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Required Reading/Materials: none

Suggested Reading: It’s strongly suggested that participants read the novel The Elements by John Boyne

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Shelburne Craft School
Fee: $75

In this workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of coil basketry by creating a small hand-stitched basket. We’ll cover how to start a base, shape the sides, and use simple stitching techniques to build structure and pattern. This program is suitable for beginners and anyone who enjoys working with their hands. All materials are provided, but if you have special yarns or fabric you’d like to incorporate, feel free to bring them along.

Program Location: Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Road, Shelburne

Parking: Please park in the railroad lot across the street. We will have construction on our main building. Your course will be held in the bunkhouse (long, skinny yellow building, parallel to the tracks).

Meeting Location: Meet in bunkhouse (long, skinny yellow building, parallel to the tracks).

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Rita-Mary Sweeney
Fee: $30

Come learn about Ayurveda, the world’s oldest system of medicine, and discover how food can be used as a tool for health and well-being. Participants will explore the principles of seasonal eating, the energetics and functions of the six tastes, and how to identify foods that best support their individual constitution. The program will also cover simple, practical strategies for supporting digestion and nutrient absorption. Registration includes recipes and a seasonal cooking spice blend to take home.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Eileen Corcoran
Fee: $25

Photographs, letters, heirlooms, and other keepsakes tell the story of our families and communities. In this engaging program, participants will learn how to determine what to keep, what may have historical value, and how to properly care for and preserve treasured family materials. Time will be provided for questions about participants’ own collections and family archives.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Ron Miller
Fee: $60

This program explores landmark decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States that have shaped American law, politics, and society—and examines the Court’s central role in interpreting the Constitution. Participants will discuss the reasoning behind key rulings as well as the historical and political contexts in which they were decided, gaining a deeper understanding of how these influential cases came to be and why they continue to matter today.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Heart and Soil Farm
Fee: $60

Learn how to make delicious sourdough cinnamon buns to enjoy throughout the holiday season! This hands-on class includes a full demonstration of the cinnamon bun-making process, along with instruction on sourdough starter care and maintenance. Participants will prepare the dough, filling, and icing together, then take everything home to rise and bake. Along the way, you’ll learn what sourdough starter is, how to care for it, and how to incorporate it into other recipes. Sourdough snacks will be provided, and participants will leave with their prepared dough, filling, icing, and a sample of sourdough starter. Please bring: one large bowl, two medium bowls, and a dish towel.

Program Location: The Event Barn at Heart and Soil Farm,778 Hill Road, Fairfield, VT

Parking: On site parking.  Carpooling is appreciated.

Meeting Location: Meet in the event barn.

Required Reading/Materials: Please bring one large bowl, two medium bowls and a dish towel.

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Madelynn Edwards
Fee: FREE

What happens when an invasive species changes the ground beneath our feet? In this fascinating program, participants will explore the far-reaching effects of jumping worms on Vermont’s forests, gardens, and ecosystems. Drawing on research from the University of Vermont, the class will examine how these seemingly small invaders alter soil health, disrupt plant communities, and affect insects, pollinators, and other wildlife that depend on Vermont’s landscape. Participants will learn how to identify signs of jumping worm activity in their own yards and discover why changes below the soil surface can have surprising consequences above ground.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Ashley Eaton
Fee: $50

While aboard a research vessel on Lake Champlain, participants will be guided by UVM Watershed Educators as they learn about the unique properties of the lake and gather data that will help us understand the dynamic nature of the lake. Participants will learn about ongoing research being conducted based out of the University of Vermont and SUNY Plattsburgh. This program is an opportunity to gain experience with science on the lake and deepen our understanding of the interaction between the many physical, biological, chemical, and cultural variables that contribute to the health of the lake and our watershed.

Program Location: R/V Marcelle Melosira, 3 College Street, Burlington

Parking: Paid parking is available before you get to the ECHO Center/Rubenstein Lab or take a left just in front of the ECHO Center/Rubenstein Lab and park to the south of the building.

Meeting Location: Please arrive at the dock (3 College Street) a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the time of departure. Note: Please plan to attend rain or shine. If weather conditions require a cancellation or change, participants will be notified by email.

Suggested Reading: Lake Champlain Basin Program – State of the Lake Report

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Amanda McIntire
Fee: $50

In this online, introductory class, learn the basics of yoga, including the physical practice (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation.

Number of Sessions: 4

Required Materials: Yoga or exercise mat.

Suggested Materials: yoga blocks, yoga strap, blanket

Activity Level: Level 2: Light Activity

with Jay Sherwin
Fee: $25

What wisdom, values, and life lessons would you like to pass on to future generations? A legacy letter—sometimes called an ethical will—is a meaningful way to share your experiences, express what matters most to you, and leave a lasting gift for family and friends. Through guided discussion, reflection, and brief writing exercises, participants will explore the purpose and power of legacy letters while learning a simple framework for creating their own. Whether you are just getting started or looking for inspiration, this program will provide the tools and encouragement to begin capturing the stories, insights, and blessings you wish to share.

Note: This program will not be recorded. 

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Rebecca Starks
Fee: FREE

With an eye to how poetry can respond to authoritarianism, participants will read and discuss poems by Polish poet Wisława Szymborska, awarded the 1996 Nobel Prize for “poetry that with ironic precision allows the historical and biological context to come to light in fragments of human reality.” Participants are encouraged to write beforehand a poem or reflection in response to Szymborska’s The End and the Beginning –a poem imagining what might come after the end of a war, authoritarianism, or other disaster–and to share the poem during class. No prior poetry experience necessary.

Required Reading/Materials: The End and the Beginning by Wisława Szymborska: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52955/the-end-and-the-beginning

Suggested Reading: Map: Collected and Last Poems by Wisława Szymborska

or other collection of her poems

“How to Endure Authoritarianism” (essay on Szymborska) by Adam Gopnik:

https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-to-endure-authoritarianism

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Barry Snyder
Fee: $30

Aliens! UFOs! They’re back! What does it all mean? Explore the cultural, political, historical, and religious resonances behind what depth psychologist Carl Jung referred to as the “modern myth of things seen in the sky.” View and discuss film clips from the alien invasion genre, from the golden age of 1950s science fiction through Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, and explore the rich iconography of the posters by which these films are advertised. Examine how these films reflect society’s hopes, fears, and fascination with the unknown.

Program Location: Vermont International Film Festival, 60 Lake Street, 1st floor, Suite 1C, Burlington

Parking: Paid parking available via ParkMobile or coins on Lake St., or using ParkMobile or credit card in Pease Lot (4 College St.).

Meeting Location: Meet in the screening room.

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

with Stephen Perkins
Fee: $25

From 2016 to 2024 the Vermont Historical Society partnered with the local ABC/Fox newsroom to produce a high-impact, place-based history series featuring a story every week. By the end of production we created over 300 three-to-four-minute stories and over 24 hours of content. This program will highlight some of our favorite stories from around the state, discuss the evolution of the program, and dive into the challenges and rewards of creating public history. The program will feature select videos and in-person story-telling.

Program Location: St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, 92 Church Street, Shelburne

Parking: Parking available onsite.

Meeting Location: Meet in the program space.

Suggested Reading: Archived This Place in History Programs can be found at https://vermonthistory.org/this-place-in-history

Activity Level: Level 1: Sedentary

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Description: From its emergence in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with those navigating a rapidly changing world. A key genre of American roots music, it expresses hardship while evoking emotion. This course explores the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Taylor Ackley, PhD, is a scholar, composer, and performer of American Roots music. He holds a PhD and a master’s degree in composition, and a master’s in ethnomusicology from Stony Brook University. Ackley is an independent scholar and professional musician based in northwestern Montana and is writing his first book, Hearing Class. A singer and multi-instrumentalist, he has performed nationwide, released four albums, and presented at major conferences in music, sociology, and ethnomusicology.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

This course examines royal succession through acclaimed British films that explore power as a moral and political crisis. We will trace the monarchy’s evolution from personal rule to institutional authority. We will cover the Plantagenet struggles in Becket and The Lion in Winter; the moral costs of kingship and the performance of national leadership through Chimes at Midnight and Henry V; the Tudor rupture through A Man for All Seasons; and the consolidation of legitimacy in Elizabeth.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Bernard (Butch) Epps earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University, graduating cum laude as an award-winning film production major. He received his MFA from the UCLA School of Film and Television’s graduate Producers Program, where he specialized in story development and working with screenwriters. At UCLA, he served as academic liaison to the MFA Producers Program faculty, including studio heads, development executives, and industry professionals. Epps has taught film appreciation courses with a strong emphasis on story analysis.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Harry S. Truman called the presidency “the most peculiar office in the world.” In this program, participants will explore how the framers left the office open to interpretation, allowing presidential power to expand over time. We will examine how the presidency has come to dominate the three branches, how presidents gain and use power, and how the rise of the administrative state has altered the balance the framers intended.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: John Kenneth White is a political scientist specializing in American political parties and the US presidency. White is the author of several books, including The New Politics of Old Values, Still Seeing Red, Barack Obama’s America, Grand Old Unraveling, and Democracy on the Edge, co-authored with Matthew R. Kerbel. He taught at The Catholic University of America and writes a biweekly column for The Hill, a Washington, D.C. based publication covering the White House and Capitol Hill.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Mexicans celebrate a remarkable diversity of peoples, music, food, festivals, and historical traditions, expressed through fiestas that bring communities together throughout the year. In this course, we will explore Mexico City as a cultural and historical crossroads shaped by centuries of continuity and change. We will trace the legacies of Indigenous civilizations, the transformations of Spanish colonial rule, the struggles for independence and revolution, and the rise of modern democratic politics, culminating in the election of Mexico’s first woman president.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: William Beezley is professor emeritus of history at the University of Arizona and a leading scholar of Mexican history and culture. Beezley received Mexico’s Ohtli Medal for promoting Mexican culture abroad. He has taught at several universities, held endowed chairs, served as a Fulbright Specialist, and been a visiting professor in Mexico. He directed the Oaxaca Graduate Institute and has appeared on PBS. His current research explores embroidery as a voice of Mexican women.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

In this course, we will explore the three fascinating realms of the cosmos: nearby planets and moons; the stars; and the galaxies (the great island of stars that turn out to be the building blocks of the universe.) Our discussion will be in everyday language, without any math, and will be accompanied by remarkable color images from the latest space probes and the world’s largest telescopes, including the latest breathtaking images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Andrew Fraknoi, retired chair of the astronomy department at Foothill College, continues to teach noncredit astronomy courses at San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco. He is lead author of OpenStax Astronomy, the most frequently-used, introductory astronomy textbook in North America. He appears regularly on radio, explaining astronomical developments in everyday language, and was named California Professor of the Year. He writes science fiction, has published eight stories, and has an asteroid named in his honor, recognizing his contributions to the public understanding of science.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

This course traces Apple’s fifty-year history and its massive impact on personal computing, design, product culture, platforms and ecosystems, and daily life. Each session focuses on a different decade in Apple’s history, from the birth of the PC in the late 1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets, and future iPhones. We will learn how Apple reshaped not just technology, but how people live, work, and communicate.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Leander Kahney is a veteran technology reporter who has covered Apple for more than 30 years. He has written six books about the company, including two New York Times bestsellers. He is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, a long-running Apple blog, and was previously news editor at Wired.com.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

In this course, we will examine the dramatic circumstances that gave rise to the Beat Generation in the 1940s. Together, we will examine three famous Beat works: Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. We will focus on historical events involving Beat writers, important passages of Beat literature, and the literary movement that spawned the 1960s counterculture.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Kurt Hemmer is the editor of the Encyclopedia of Beat Literature and a professor at Harper College. Hemmer has produced award-winning documentaries on Beat poets with filmmaker Tom Knoff and published extensively on Beat writers. He organized the Jack Kerouac Centenary Conference and serves as president of the Beat Studies Association. He is currently working on a biography of Beat poet Gregory Corso.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

In this course, we will explore the history and cultural impact of kit homes in North America, focusing on their peak from 1905 to 1945. We will learn how to identify these mail-order houses and examine their rise, decline, and industrial innovations. We will also consider how kit homes intersected with issues of race and gender. Through examination of the industry and the stories of the people who lived in these homes, we will discover why they remain an important part of the cultural landscape.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Nigel Tate is an urban planning student at Michigan State University and an architectural preservationist and historian. Tate has studied kit homes for more than a decade, delivered talks across mid-Michigan, and created a guide to kit homes in Grand Blanc, MI. His interest began with a childhood discovery and has grown into ongoing research and advocacy focused on identifying and documenting these distinctive homes.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

This course continues our journey into how music drives the emotional power of film. We will explore how scores and songs shape story, character, and memorable moments. We will focus on films where songs take center stage, from iconic themes to pop- and rock-driven storytelling. Spanning genres and eras, we will see how composers, songwriters, and performers expanded the language of film music – from Westerns and global cinema to the pop-cultural impact of James Bond and the Beatles.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Born in Los Angeles’s entertainment scene, Mike Agron is a former high-tech executive and entrepreneur who now creates and delivers dynamic, story-driven seminars on music and entertainment. With a storyteller’s eye and a DJ’s ear, he has led 15 acclaimed seminar series, each spotlighting a different facet of music and entertainment.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

How does DNA reshape our understanding of ancestry and identity in the Americas? In this course, we will explore genetic genealogy through early contact between European and Indigenous peoples, using the New Mexico DNA Project as a case study. We will examine Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, Indigenous haplogroups, and the Spanish castas system. We will consider the ethical and political implications of DNA testing and the limits of what genetic evidence can, and cannot, tell us about race and belonging.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Angelo Cervantes is an anthropological genetic genealogist and history researcher who has conducted archival work in Mexico and Spain. Cervantes teaches at the University of New Mexico and founded the Iberian Peninsula DNA Institute, offering DNA consulting and courses in anthropological genetics. He pioneered anthropological genetic genealogy through the creation of the New Mexico DNA Project, now a major Hispanic DNA database. He has appeared on PBS and frequently lectures on genetic genealogy in the US and Mexico.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

This course introduces the scientific study of life, emphasizing real-world applications and the societal, ethical, and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key principles within the context of issues that affect society. Designed for non-scientists with little or no recent science experience, the course encourages discussion and reflection. Many topics are at the leading edge of discovery, and we will consider the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding their application.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Eric Simon, PhD, is a professor of biology at New England College and holds a PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University. An avid traveler and award-winning nature photographer, he leads educational trips to destinations such as Belize, the Galapagos, Tanzania, Cuba, the Amazon River, and Patagonia. Simon is also the author of a best-selling series of college biology textbooks—used in over 40 countries—with more than 2 million copies in print.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we will open real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study’s meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the full story. No technical background is required – just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read “studies show…” the same way again.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Johnnie Hendrickson, PhD, is a teaching professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University. He holds a PhD in chemistry and is the author of the textbook Chemistry in the World. His academic work centers on science communication and the reciprocal relationship between science and society.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Across cultures and throughout history, mountains have held powerful symbolic meaning. In this course, we will explore how the Buddhists of the Himalayas, the Inca of the Andes, the Inuit of the far north, and European Romantics understood and approached these landscapes. Through an interdisciplinary lens, we will examine the beliefs, traditions, and mythologies inspired by the world’s mountains, using illustrated lectures, short readings, and discussion to deepen our connection to these high and wild places.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Jonathan Duncan is a photojournalist, writer, teacher, and public speaker with more than 25 years of experience. His work has been published in National Geographic, The Himalayan Journal, Sailing, Rock and Ice, and by the University of Utah Press. He has taught at the Art Institute of Portland, Western Washington University, and Westminster University. His work explores humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world, often in remote landscapes and cultures.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since 1926, it has evolved from a busy highway into a symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it serves as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs and preserved roadside landmarks. In this course, we will explore its history, cultural meaning, rise and decline, revival, and preservation, while considering the future of this iconic American highway.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Peter B. Dedek, PhD, is a professor of American history at Texas State University whose work explores the cultural history of the built environment and the stories embedded in historic places. Dedek brings together cultural, design, and social history to illuminate how people shape, and are shaped by the spaces they inhabit. He is the author of Hip to the Trip: Route 66 Centennial Edition and The Cemeteries of New Orleans: A Cultural History, and wrote Historic Preservation for Designers, a guide integrating preservation with design.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

America has long been fertile ground for new and alternative religions. In this course, we will examine New Religious Movements, often labeled “cults”, within the US context. We will explore why some became accepted, others faded, and some led to controversy or tragedy. We will consider both insider perspectives and outsider views while analyzing their history, beliefs, and practices. Focusing on the 18th and 19th centuries, we will work to better understand these movements and challenge common misconceptions.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Kate Davis, PhD, is an intersectional scholar and oral historian. Her work crosses between the fields of Religious Studies, Digital Humanities, and Gender Studies with a focus on North American religions. She holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Claremont Graduate University and is currently a visiting professor in Humanities and Theology at Alvernia University in Pennsylvania. Her first book, an ethnographic study of Mormon and Evangelical influencers, will be published next year.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

From new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid-20th-century designers worked to shape an aesthetic that reflected post-World War II ideals. In this course, we will explore the optimism linking design and lifestyle, especially through open living spaces. We will examine the Case Study Program and the work of designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, within the context of rapid social change.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures and leads tours worldwide on art and architectural history. She was named a distinguished instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She completed graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby’s Institute in London and New York. She served as a design review commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and serves on the John Lautner Foundation board of directors.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, honoring his powerful portrayal of African American culture. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine plays from Wilson’s American Cycle, which represents each decade of the 20th century. We will explore his life and influences while focusing on Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Seven Guitars, tracing his interpretation and celebration of African American culture.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Ladrica Menson-Furr, PhD, is assistant dean of undergraduate programs and associate professor of African American literature. Menson-Furr is the author of August Wilson’s Fences and August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and has published on Zora Neale Hurston and Pearl Cleage. She has led academic programs in African American studies and served as a Provost’s Fellow and a Tennessee Board of Regents’ Maxine Smith Fellow.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Journey into the vibrant world of early 20th century art and witness the birth of abstraction. This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dreamlike realms of Surrealism. Each session focuses on the movements’ leading artists including Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, and Dali. We will explore their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Lauren Weingarden is professor emerita of art history at Florida State University. Her research explores the intersections of literature and visual art in 19th-century culture, with a focus on the American architect Louis Sullivan and French figures such as Charles Baudelaire and Édouard Manet. She has published extensively on these subjects and developed an interdisciplinary, embodied aesthetic model that invites viewers to re-experience artists’ responses to modernity’s fragmentation and the fleeting qualities of nature, a perspective that shapes her teaching on Impressionism.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

There 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded these significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video, and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still have to teach us today.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Buck Benedict is a former lecturer at Wharton and the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught public speaking for 16 years. He also created and taught speechwriting classes. He was awarded the first Excellence in Teaching Award at the Fels Institute and was nominated for the university-wide Provost Award for non-standing faculty.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

Since the 1890s, when Americans were beginning to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the American sound. We will explore how classical musicians, and Broadway and Hollywood composers, most of them Jewish, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that reflect these lands and its people. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Steel, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein and others will be the protagonists of this lecture.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer and has been a concert promoter for over two decades. He is involved in events by international artists like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, and Kenny G. Abramovits has designed and staged original orchestral events, including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres. He served as the cultural director at Union Israelita De Caracas, releasing books and organizing film cycles, concerts, and art exhibits.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the 20th and 21st centuries against their historic context, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life.  We will cover Silent Films, Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, and the Golden Age of Television.  We will study how each generation’s identity influenced what (and whom) they laughed at.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Eddy Friedfeld is a film and entertainment journalist and historian. Friedfeld co-authored Caesar’s Hours with Sid Caesar, Directed by James Burrows with James Burrows, and worked with Mel Brooks on All About Me. He was senior consultant for the Emmy-nominated Make ’Em Laugh and a consulting producer on Funny You Never Knew. He has produced tributes to major entertainers including George Carlin, Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke, among others. He teaches at Yale, NYU, and the Tisch School of the Arts.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s “Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s US Supreme Court.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Lauren Andersen is the director of the Utah Judicial Institute. Andersen practiced appellate law in the state of California and presented arguments to the California Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court. During this time, Andersen closely studied the Roberts Court. She has lectured about the Supreme Court and the death penalty. Her opinions were quoted by The New York Times and the ABA Journal. She was previously the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah.

Registration closes on September 13 for Osher Online^TM courses

with Osher Online^TM
Fee: $70

We often only notice the global supply chain when it breaks. Yet, for millennia, the movement of goods has been the silent engine of civilization. In this course, we will track the evolution of trade from an executive’s perspective. From the sunken treasures of Bronze Age merchant ships to the high-tech intermodal systems of today, we will explore the vessels that carried the world’s wealth and the complex networks that keep our modern shelves stocked.

Note: The Zoom link and all course related information will be provided by Osher National Resource Center after registration deadline. This program will not be recorded.

Your Instructor: Scott Jones brings a unique perspective to his lectures, combining 30 years of naval command, diplomatic service, and executive leadership in defense and maritime industries. Jones is a docent at the J. Paul Getty Museum, leading architecture and gallery tours. A retired Navy captain, he commanded three warships and a squadron, with assignments at the Pentagon and State Department. He later served as a senior executive for a defense corporation, a maritime shipping company, and ran his own consulting business.