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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories UPDATED: Traffic getting by I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit 10 things to know for Friday Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion 10 things to know for Thursday Police Reports Education Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Teacher's Tips: Who gets to teach history? Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Arthur I. Cyr: The legacy of Singapore’s leader Lee Kwan Yew Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Columns Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Arthur I. Cyr: The legacy of Singapore’s leader Lee Kwan Yew The rest of the story Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Ticket Availability Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW UPDATED: Traffic getting by I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? ... Ashland Calendar: Friday, March 27 ... UPDATED: Traffic getting by I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit ... Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? ... Ashland Calendar: Friday, March 27 ... COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Osher Lifelong Leaning Institute offers a way to stay connected Comment By Margaret Pashko DailyTidings.com By Margaret Pashko Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 7:16 PM By Margaret Pashko Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 7:16 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Rogue Valley musicians shine in OLLI’s spring class schedule... • Editor's notes: Want to make your own newspaper? • What's the worst that could happen? She'll tell you • Community Contributor: OLLI helps enrich lives in Ashland and Medford... » Social News When I arrived in Southern Oregon in May 2013, I found myself alone and lonely for the first time in my life. It was not a good feeling! A widow after 36 years of marriage, I missed the extensive network of family and friends I’d enjoyed in California. I was in a new place, with a very different culture, and only a few friends. Transition and change are not easy at any age, but as I approached my mid-60s without my partner and best pal, I suddenly understood how depression and isolation can become realities. At this age, where do you reach out to meet new friends and develop new relationships? I knew that volunteering would help on many levels — getting me outside my comfort zone, paying it forward, and meeting people with like-minded interests. Some neighbors in Jacksonville had been raving about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at SOU and encouraged me to go online and check out the courses. They told me about the variety of classes they’d taken at OLLI, and my curiosity was aroused.  So, in September 2013, I began my OLLI journey. I remember thinking that the low annual fee was a great value, given the unlimited number of classes you could sign up for. I wanted to explore some new ideas. And there were no tests or grades — just the fun of learning! Recalling my college days, the OLLI experience sounded like a real deal, with none of the stress. Needless to say, I haven’t been disappointed. OLLI classes have allowed me to keep myself intellectually challenged. What’s more, I’ve made connections with some fascinating people. These friendships provide opportunities to go out to dinner or the theater — without feeling like the “fifth wheel.”  Since OLLI is volunteer-driven, there’s always an opportunity to lend a hand in support of the organization. I took on a leadership role, chairing a committee that requires me to use the skills from my former career in public relations. It feels good to know that I am contributing and making a difference. Some days, I admit, it begins to feel like the old days back at “work,” but I cherish the chance to stay involved.  OLLI has also allowed me to meet and interact with a variety of community groups and become an integral part of the community. Being new to the area, this experience has helped me feel more “at home,” versus merely looking in from the outside. Keeping active in local affairs is a natural for me and I give OLLI credit for opening that door. To me, OLLI provides the all-important link between a balanced social life and one of the sure-fire antidotes to aging: lifelong learning! As we know, older adults who find themselves without social connections are more prone to physical and mental health issues. My participation in OLLI is the best way I’ve found to fuel my curiosity and keep my connections alive and well. Late registration  for unfilled classes  at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Southern Oregon University begins March 30. A nyone signing up for courses then gets immediate confirmation of admission to a particular course.  Classes begin at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, and continue once a week through May 22.  There is no official age restriction on membership, but the program is geared towards those aged 50-plus.  For more information about OLLI, including a complete list of the courses offered this spring, visit www.sou.edu/olli or call 541-552-6048.   By Margaret Pashko DailyTidings.com By Margaret Pashko Posted Mar. 25, 2015 at 7:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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