At the Douglas County Seniors’ Council Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2, you’ll be introduced to a program that anyone of a certain age will appreciate. It is called OLLI at DU, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Denver. OLLI offers an array of online and in-person classes that will spark your interest in a range of subject areas.

You’ll also get a sample course from OLLI at DU instructor and travel writer Bruce Caughey who has been teaching various courses for OLLI over the past four years. No matter how long you have lived in Colorado, Caughey will find a way to surprise you with what he has learned during a lifetime of travel. Come enjoy a multimedia and slide show presentation entitled “Out of the Way Places in Colorado” and learn about the many other courses that OLLI at DU provides in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere.

OLLI at DU has been around for 26 years and is now taking registrations for its Winter Term that starts on Jan. 9 (https://portfolio.du.edu/olli). Courses last four to eight weeks and are facilitated by experienced and passionate teachers. Try one of the following courses: Aging and Spirituality; Alfred Hitchcock movies; Economic Crashes and Crises; Historical Survey of Yellowstone National Park; New Yorker Essays from a Chaotic Decade (1960s); or Essential Jazz Recordings.

OLLI at DU recognizes that we need to maintain our social connections and we offer many ways to connect with those who have a similar interest in lifelong learning. We offer special blended learning sessions with excursions, as well as social and travel outings for our members.

Lifelong learning does have an impact and we should pay attention to the research that shows that staying cognitively active throughout life — via social engagement and intellectual stimulation — is linked to better health and overall quality of life.

Learning with other like-minded adults has documented positive effects on wisdom, motivation, social interaction and general wellbeing. This impact was the inspiration behind the foundation of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network (OLLI) back in 1977. OLLI at DU is part of a network of more than 150,000 students at 124 institutes across the U.S

OLLI at DU is proud to announce a partnership with Douglas County Libraries. Caughey’s weekly “Travel Sampler” will kick off at the Parker Library each week starting on Jan. 11. He will provide details on his journeys across Colorado, New Zealand, Greece and, most recently, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Stay tuned for information about five other OLLI at DU classes to be held at various Douglas County Libraries during 2023.

Please plan to attend the meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the library in Castle Rock, 100 S Wilcox, from 10-11:30 am. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Bruce Caughey co-authored “The Colorado Guide,” “Colorado’s Best” and “Crete: Off the Beaten Track” and has written dozens of freelance projects in magazines and newspapers. He served as the communications director for Douglas County Schools before being named the executive director of CASE (Colorado Association of School Executives). He retired from that role in 2016 and has served as a consultant, writer, board member and most importantly, an instructor at OLLI at DU. portfolio.du.edu/olli

This column is hosted by the Seniors’ Council of Douglas County. For more information on meetings and activities, visit www.MyDougCo. Email us at dcseniorlife@douglas.co.us.