Rutland OLLI

with Cale Shipman, Former National Park Ranger; Music Enthusiast

Celebrate the timeless music of legends from Elvis to Elton. Recall two special performances on the Ed Sullivan Show that changed everything. Reflect on these iconic moments—you probably already know the performers and may have even watched them live.

with Alastair Stout, Director of Music Ministries, Grace Congregational Church

Venture from wild Scottish islands to ancient English cathedrals, from the ghost town trails of Western Pennsylvania to the soaring mountains of New England. Follow composer Alastair Stout as he retraces his remarkable 50-year musical journey across landscapes rich in history, mystery, and inspiration. Discover how place, memory, and experience have shaped his compositions and artistic voice. Join us for a personal and evocative reflection through music, story, and sound.

with Stephen Belcher, Scholar of African Mythology and Oral Traditions

Discover the rich and diverse worlds of African mythology. Explore key regional themes and recurring patterns across the continent’s many cultural traditions. Gain insight into the ways these myths reflect and shape the communities from which they emerge. Learn how to understand or approach the cultural contexts behind the stories, and come away with a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty of African mythological traditions.

with Anne Lezak, M.P.A., Nonprofit Leader; Political Organizer and Harry Chen, M.D., Public Health Leader; Emergency Physician

Join Anne and Harry as they reflect on how a late-in-life plunge into another culture enriched their lives. Learn about their year in Mbarara, Uganda, after joining Peace Corps Response in their 60s—Harry taught at a medical school and public hospital, while Anne volunteered with Hospice Africa Uganda, one of East Africa’s first palliative care providers. Discover the lasting connections they’ve built through multiple return visits, most recently this past winter. Reflect on the gifts, challenges, and lessons of their journey and consider how connecting across cultures, whether abroad or at home, can transform your own life.

with Ben Burdge, Documentary Filmmaker; Member of the Rutland Historical Society

Dig up the past as we unearth the origins and traditions of The Rutland Halloween Parade and the man who put it on the map, Tom Fagan. Discover the monumental impact Fagan had—not only locally but also among giants like Marvel and D.C. Comics. Explore beloved traditions such as The Annual Pumpkin Princess, The Mysterious Mr. or Ms. Jack O’Lantern, and much more!

with Nina Keck, Senior Reporter with Vermont Public; Award-Winning Journalist

Trace the evolution of radio journalism in the U.S. over the past 40 years—shaped by technology, shifting audiences, digital platforms, and media consolidation. Join Vermont Public Senior Reporter Nina Keck as she reflects on her nearly four-decade career in radio. Explore the ongoing threats to local journalism and the critical role it plays in our communities. Examine the challenges and emerging opportunities facing public media in a rapidly changing landscape. Gain insight into the future of journalism from a seasoned reporter on the front lines.

with Joanna Tebbs Young, Biographer; Columnist; Vermont Historical Author

Unearth a hidden piece of Rutland’s past as we uncover a long-buried cemetery discovered beneath a pile of garbage off Gleason Road. Reveal the stories of some of the city’s poorest—and loneliest—residents. Join historian Joanna Tebbs Young as she delves into the lives of Mary Jane, widow of a local Black barber; William, a mystery man found dead in an alley; Charles, Vermont’s most notorious horse thief; and Vito, a man murdered by a jealous husband.