Lifelong Learning Institute, LLI

The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) at Ohio State Lima began in 1991. A Road Scholar® program, LLI traditionally offers classes for seniors on four Tuesdays and Thursdays in April and October.

LLI volunteers, in coordination with Ohio State Lima, run our local program. Ohio State Lima provides administrative support, classroom space, audio/visual equipment, and technical support. Volunteer officers and committee members, course participants, and many moderators come from west central Ohio counties surrounding Allen County.

Courses on a variety of subjects are offered each session. Individual classes last one and one half hours and meet at the same time each week. You may sign up for as many or as few classes as you wish. Classes are typically held in the Student Services Center building on the campus of The Ohio State University at Lima.

Tuesdays – April 7, 14, 21, 28

10:00-11:30 a.m.

April 7

John Dillinger 

MODERATOR | Karlyn Lauer 

Ever wonder what John Dillinger was doing in Allen County? Learn about his time here and the events that transpired.

 

April 14

Supporting Fair Trade on a Personal Basis 

MODERATOR | Wendy Chappell-Dick 

World Goods Et-Cetera (formerly 10,000 villages) is a store in Bluffton “where your purchase does a world of good.” Hear Wendy tell stories of women from countries such as Honduras, Ecuador, Haiti and many in Africa and Asia and how they support their families from fair trade sales. The story of how the idea started and who began it is a testament to human care.

 

April 21

How Does the GI Tract Work and What To Do When It Doesn’t 

MODERATOR | Dr. Norman O. Moser 

We will discuss normal GI tract physiology, why gastric ulcers form and how to prevent them, and GERD and how to prevent it. 

 

April 28

Drumming for Wellness 

MODERATOR | Austin Thomas, lecturer in music 

The Drumming for Wellness program introduces students to the therapeutic, psychological and social benefits of rhythm-based practices. Students explore how music can be used as a tool for wellness, stress reduction and community engagement, partnered with the Mercy Health - St. Rita’s Parkinson’s disease cohort.

 

1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

April 7

Tunisian Adventure 

MODERATOR | Judy Fischer 

Join Judy for her adventure to Tunisia and the Sahara Desert.

 

April 14

The Declaration of Independence – 

Beyond the Words

MODERATOR | Chuck Schierloh 

“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…” We all know the words of the Declaration of Independence. In this session we will go deeper and see where these words come from and what they mean and imply for our nation.

 

April 21

Artspace America 250 Art Presentation 

MODERATOR | Sally Windle, executive director of ArtSpace/Lima 

As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, explore the art of the late 1700s, the time when America was defining its identity and voice. This presentation will highlight the artistic styles, symbols and stories of 250 years ago, showing how 

painters, craftsmen and designers reflected the ideals, struggles and hopes of a young nation. By looking at the art created during America’s founding era, we celebrate not only history, but the enduring power of creativity to express who we are as a people and how art continues to shape our national story.

 

April 28

Navigating Insurance in Retirement: What 

Seniors Should Know 

MODERATOR | Dan Brookman, Matt Johnston and Jon Wade 

A practical conversation about long-term care, Medicare supplements and Lifelong Learning Ohio State Lima 6 Lifelong Learning Institute personal insurance focused on explaining what these coverages do and why they work the way they do. Helping seniors stay confident and well protected as their needs change in retirement.

 

2:45 to 4:15 p.m.

April 7

A Life of Service 

MODERATOR | Don Klingler 

The breakdown: Service to my country (including flying the presidential helicopter); service to my community (general manager of the Allen County Fairgrounds); service to Ohio (executive director of the Ohio Fair Managers Association); service to my fellow man (growing food as a farmer).

 

April 14

The Future of Medicine 

MODERATOR | Adah Ellerbrock 

Have you ever wondered where the medicines you take every day got their start? Explore how everyday medicines begin through clinical research with Care 

Access, a global health research company. The program brings health screenings directly to communities, offering testing for some standard biomarkers, like cholesterol and A1C, but also some cutting-edge biomarkers like Lipoprotein(a) and p-Tau that are the next generation of markers the medical community will use to assess risk for cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

 

April 21

The Fife and Drum of the Revolutionary War 

MODERATOR | Lucinda Altstaetter 

Lucy will present some history of the flute up to and including the time of the fife and drum of the Revolutionary War. Lucy will bring and play a fife which is said to have been handed down by her ancestor, Lt. Colonel Jacob Reed, who was involved in training soldiers at his cabin in Stark County for their part in the war.

 

April 28

From the Mount Vernon Kitchen 

MODERATOR | Brian Keegan 

Our first presidential family enjoyed a varied menu based primarily on local foods much of which was grown in their own garden. Many of their recipes survive, including Mount Vernon Gingerbread. Brian will walk the group through the preparation of this family staple and samples will be in evidence.

 

Thursdays – April 9, 16, 23, 30 

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

April 9

Mammals in Ohio 

MODERATOR | Haley Williams 

Wildlife surrounds us every day, even when it goes unnoticed. This program explores the diversity of mammals around us and what they do in their environment. By comparing different species, we can gain a clearer understanding of the different roles that are filled by these animals.

 

April 16

Revisiting Lima’s Interurban Era 

MODERATOR | Mike Buettner 

Lima›s interurban and street railways played a major role in the economic and social growth of Allen County. This program will revisit the interurban lines that radiated from Lima in six directions with old and new photos, plus vintage postcards, maps and timetables.

 

April 23

The Salvation Army 

MODERATORS | Charity and Philip Bender and Paul Downing 

The Salvation Army is, first of all, a church and includes Sunday school classes for adults and children as well as Bible study classes. They also sponsor many programs such as the Christmas Red Kettle Campaign, Christmas in July, the annual car show, and the Angel Tree Program.

 

April 30

An In-Depth Look at the Ohio State Lima 

Campus History 

MODERATOR | Dr. Tina Schneider 

As Ohio State Lima celebrates its 65th anniversary, Dr. Schneider will provide an 

in-depth look at the campus’ history.

 

1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

April 9

Navigating the Senior Living Environment 

MODERATORS | Jessica Trinko and Samantha Kerner 

This program is designed to help individuals understand and manage the complexities of senior living options. It provides guidance and resources for making informed decisions about care, housing and support for older adults as well as information on how to pay for care.

 

April 16

The Significance of George 

Washington’s Presidency 

MODERATOR | Dr. Brian Himebaugh, lecturer in history 

Many people consider George Washington one of the greatest presidents in American history, but few fully understand why he deserves such accolades. Washington set numerous precedents for future presidents to follow, strengthening governmental institutions at the outset of the nation and guaranteeing the survival of the Constitution of 1787.

 

April 23

Regulating Wildlife 

MODERATOR | Officer Craig Barr, Allen County Wildlife Officer 

Join Officer Craig Barr as we discuss the enforcement of wildlife regulations in Ohio and Allen County. Craig will share his 21-year experience in the field as the discusses the sustainable use of Ohio’s natural resources and notable law enforcement cases from his career.

 

April 30

Artspace: 250 Years of Art – Then and Now

MODERATOR | Sally Windle, executive director of ArtSpace/Lima 

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Artspace will present a visual and engaging program comparing the art of 250 years ago with the art being created today. Explore how artists of the late 1700s expressed identity, history and everyday life, and how contemporary artists continue to do the same using modern tools, materials and ideas. By placing historic and modern works side by side, we will highlight what has changed in artistic style and technique and what has remained timeless: creativity, storytelling and the desire to reflect the world around us. This program invites viewers to see how art connects generations and how each era leaves its mark on culture.

 

2:45 to 4:15 p.m.

April 9

Hitchcock’s The Birds and the Kennedy Era 

MODERATOR | Dr. John Hellmann, professor of English 

The presentation will demonstrate that in the only film that Alfred Hitchcock made and released during John F. Kennedy’s brief presidency (1961-63), the “master of suspense” spun contemporaneous slogans, icons and events with the apocalyptic logic of the horror genre. Since those same slogans, icons and events signified emerging Lifelong Learning Ohio State Lima10 Lifelong Learning Institute discontents with the postwar social order that would subsequently erupt into the apocalyptic 1960s, The Birds (1963) now appears prophetic.

 

April 16

Vaccination – History and Future 

MODERATOR | Dr. Will Ellis 

Dr. Ellis will review vaccinations and their success and failures. He will talk about the development of modern vaccines, vaccine issues and the future of vaccines.

 

April 23

What Can I Do to Stay Healthy 

MODERATOR | Dr. Kelly Schroeder 

Do you have questions about what you could do to keep your health maintenance up to date? What are your options for colon cancer screening, what vaccines are you due for, what testing is available for breast cancer screening, is a PSA (prostate screening antigen) necessary? We will address these questions and many more!

 

April 30

Bridges of Allen Count

MODERATOR | Scott Little 

When you cross over a bridge do you ever think about why they put it there and why they chose that type of bridge? Scott will share his knowledge of the bridges of Allen County.