Senior Voice -

Bunkering down for the winter does not have to mean closing down the mind. University of Alaska campuses in Fairbanks and Anchorage both host educational programs for older people who like learning in a fun environment with likeminded peers.

In Fairbanks, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers a full catalog of courses, lectures and educational travel and social activities for members age 50 and older and their companions. Most classes are held at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Park Building – the old University Park School – on University Avenue. The second fall session begins Oct. 14, and there are dozens of classes to choose from in history, art, health and exercise, science, personal finance and many other subjects.

OLLI charges a $35 annual membership fee, and courses are $15 each, or $80 for unlimited courses for a half-year, $150 for unlimited full year.

For more information, call OLLI at 474-6607 or visit the Web site at http://www.uaf.edu/olli.

Anchorage

Opportunities for Lifelong Education (OLE) is a nonprofit organization offering academic classes for lifelong learners in Anchorage. OLE courses are designed to appeal to older adults who share a strong intellectual curiosity and enjoy learning new things in the company of likeminded contemporaries.

Class offerings for the fall session beginning in October include topics such as travel photography, a survey of theater in Anchorage, research studies on Alaska birds and much more. Classes meet at UAA, the Alaska Heritage Museum and the UAF Cooperative Extension Service.

OLE membership costs $150, which pays for a full year (there are also winter and spring semester courses) of as many OLE courses as desired.

For a fall course schedule and more information, call 786-6304 or visit the Anchorage OLE Web site at http://www.oleanchorage.org.