Senior Learners, Inc., Online Course Catalog for 2026-Fall Term

*"Both" courses are simultaneously online and in Room 107 of Building 20, when more than 5 students register in each.

Finance and Economics
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Economics for the Informed Citizen - Online	Reilly	Thu, 10/29/26	4	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$15.00
As citizens, we regularly evaluate elected leaders and the economic policies they propose—policies that directly shape inflation, taxes, employment, and everyday prices. To make sense of it all, we need a bird's-eye view of how the U.S. economy works. This course presents core economic concepts without complex math, using intuitive, real-world examples that start with the everyday decisions of individuals and business firms. This course uses clips from The Great Courses: Economics. 3rd Edition by Dr. Timothy Taylor.
Health and Better Living
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Brain Health - *Both	Santini	Thu, 9/17/26	1	2:00 PM	3:30 PM	$3.75
Discover why brain health matters and what shapes it over time. This session explores how the brain changes with normal aging, common threats to cognitive health, and how everyday lifestyle choices can positively or negatively influence brain function.
Understanding Dementia - *Both	Santini	Thu, 10/1/26	1	2:00 PM	3:30 PM	$3.75
There are 14,000 people in Marion County with Dementia. You may be interacting with someone who has Dementia and you don’t even know it. Learn about the different types of Dementia and behaviors that are commonly associated with dementia. You will also learn how to interact and communicate with someone who has Dementia.
Dementia During the Holidays - *Both	Santini	Wed, 11/4/26	1	2:00 PM	3:30 PM	$3.75
There are 14,000 people in Marion County with Dementia. If you know someone living with Dementia, connect their loved ones with this class. Holidays can be challenging for people living with Dementia and overwhelming for the caregiver. Family members/caregivers will learn tips on how to navigate this time of year so that they can actually create special memories despite challenges.
History and Geography
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
History of India: Sultans, Mughals and Euros 1 - *Both	Hautanen	Tue, 9/1/26	5	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$18.75
In this course we will look at the period of Indian history from the first Muslim conquests around 700 CE through the early European period. Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama pioneered a sea route to India in the very late 1400s, and after that Portugal developed lucrative trade relationships beginning with valuable spices like black pepper and cinnamon. Various European powers eventually began competing for trade and established areas of control in India. The course will make use of various videos from The Great Courses and other online sources, and allow plenty of time for discussion.
The Pontic-Caspian Steppe as the Ice Ages Ended - Online	Holloran	Tue, 9/1/26	1	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$5.00
Pontic–Caspian Steppe grasslands extend across Eastern Europe to Central Asia north of the Black and Caspian Seas. Ukraine sits near its western end This course explores the evolution of the Pontic-Caspian as the Ice Ages ended. It is the western end of the Eurasian Steppe that stretches east to Manchuria. Its temperate climate, with hot summers and cold winters, supports a variety of grasses and shrubs due to its semi-arid conditions. This course also includes the repopulation of the Pontic–Caspian Steppe, this time with the modern humans. In several millennia they became the Yamnyana - the ancient forefathers much of the population Western World.
Bermuda: The Island That Shaped America and Spawned the Triangle’s Greatest Mysteries - Online	Rossi	Thu, 9/3/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$5.00
Bermuda is far more than a postcard paradise — it is a tiny island that quietly shaped the destiny of early America. From feeding the starving colonies to steering Atlantic trade, Bermuda’s influence reached deep into the New World. Yet just beyond its pink sand shores lies a darker legend: the stretch of ocean where ships vanished, compasses spun wild, and the Bermuda Triangle was born. This is the story of an island that powered a nation’s rise while guarding some of the sea’s most baffling mysteries.
Events of 1776 throughout the World 1 - *Both	Howard	Mon, 9/14/26	3	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$11.25
1776 is considered the birth of what we now know as the USA and it is a pivotal year in our nation’s history. This course is in 3 parts. In this series we will supplement 24 lectures by author and Great Courses Professor Adam Jortner of Auburn University. We will look at significant events that occurred in such places as China, West Africa, and Hawaii. As we celebrate our 250th anniversary of our independence from the British Empire we will look into the politics, philosophy, economics and science breakthroughs that occurred the same year across other continents.
The Yamnaya - Our Ukrainian Forefathers - Online	Holloran	Tue, 9/15/26	3	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$15.00
The Yamnaya culture was a significant group of nomadic herders from the Pontic-Caspian steppe around 3300–2600 BCE. This ancestry has been found to contribute to the genetic makeup of many modern populations with estimates showing that nearly half of modern Europeans can trace their ancestry back to Yamnaya males. This course will explore their origin, genetics, culture and how they quickly spread their genes, language and culture across much of Europe, North America and South Asia.
Life at the Top of the Earth: Norway and Its Northernmost City - Online	Rossi	Thu, 9/24/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$5.00
Travel to the far edge of Norway, where the Arctic begins and the world feels newly made. This lecture takes you to Longyearbyen - the northernmost city on Earth - a place of polar bears, endless night, endless daylight, and raw, untamed beauty. Discover how miners, scientists, and families survive and thrive in one of the planet’s most extreme environments. It is a vivid look at life at the very top of the world. Journey deep into the Arctic as we explore Norway, a land of towering fjords, midnight sun, and ancient Viking coastlines.
Inventing the Republic: 1787–1801 - Online	Reilly	Thu, 10/1/26	4	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$15.00
The Constitutional Convention in 1787 established a framework for our government, but it was the tumultuous 14 years that followed that determined whether the American experiment would actually survive. Between the close of the Convention in 1787 and Thomas Jefferson’s inauguration in 1801, a small group of brilliant, deeply flawed founders fought fiercely over the meaning of liberty, federal power, civil liberties, and constitutional interpretation. We will go beyond the dates and standard myths to examine the bitter rivalries, emergency crises, and backroom political compromises that brought the nation to the brink of collapse—and ultimately set the structural precedents that govern our lives today. This course uses The Great Courses: America’s Founding Fathers with Prof. Allen Guelzo.
Events of 1776 throughout the World 2 - *Both	Howard	Mon, 10/5/26	5	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$18.75
1776 is considered the birth of what we now know as the USA and it is a pivotal year in our nation’s history. This course is in 3 parts. In this series we will supplement 24 lectures by author and Great Courses Professor Adam Jortner of Auburn University. We will look at significant events that occurred in such places as China, West Africa, and Hawaii. As we celebrate our 250th anniversary of our independence from the British Empire we will look into the politics, philosophy, economics and science breakthroughs that occurred the same year across other continents.
History of India: Sultans, Mughals and Euros 2 - *Both	Hautanen	Tue, 10/6/26	5	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$18.75
In this course we will look at the period of Indian history when various European powers eventually began competing for trade and established areas of control in India. Special emphasis will be given to the Mughal Empire which was a powerful empire that controlled most of the subcontinent at its height in the late 1600s. We will end with the rise of the British East India Company which gained control of large parts of the subcontinent, at its apex was the largest company in the world and had a private army twice the size of the British Army. The course will make use of various videos from The Great Courses and other online sources, and allow plenty of time for discussion.
From Collapse to Control: How Vladimir Putin Rose to Power - *Both	DiPiero	Wed, 10/7/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$5.00
This presentation explores the political landscape of post-Soviet Russia and traces the rise of Vladimir Putin from a former KGB officer to the dominant figure in Russian politics. We wll examine the chaos following the collapse of the USSR, the power struggles of the 1990s, and how Putin's background, alliances, and strategy allowed him to take control. The session will also consider the political reforms, crises, and public sentiment that shaped his ascent to power—and ultimately, how he became Russia’s longest-serving leader since Stalin. Join us to understand the pivotal moments that defined Putin’s path and reshaped Russia.
Anne Morrow, More than Mrs. Charles Lindbergh, Sr. - *Both	Howard	Fri, 10/9/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
Not behind, but next to one of the most famous names in aviation, was the award winning adventurer and author Anne Morrow Lindbergh. As the first woman to receive a glider pilot license, she had a high profile and complicated marriage of 45 years to the Spirit of Saint Louis pilot. She rescued flood victims in China, endured the kidnapping and murder of their firstborn child, Charles Jr., and is a subject of a forthcoming book, Solo and Together. The baby Lindbergh kidnapping was the inspiration for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. As his co-pilot, navigator and radio operator she too was a trailblazer in aviation history. She was also the author of poems, essays, letters, diaries, novels and a non-fiction work on the Apollo 8 mission.
The Ukrainian Region From the Historic Period Up to 1917 - Online	Sutton	Tue, 10/13/26	3	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$15.00
This course will cover how the Ukraine region fared during the multiple invasions of the region. Why did the Mongols, Tatars, Cossacks, Poles, Austria, and Russia want to possess Ukraine? Ukrainian heroes Taras Bulba and Taras Schevchenko will be discussed.
Amelia Earhart and the Taraia Project, The 2026 Update - *Both	Howard	Fri, 10/16/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
July 2, 2026 was the 89th anniversary of Amelia Earharts mysterious disappearance. Purdue University Research Foundation was scheduled to launch another search on November 5, 2025 and the project was postponed, but renewed efforts are underway. Donors to this search include Eli Lilly, Bendix, Western Electric, BF Goodrich and Goodyear. Her biographies describe her as tomboy, pioneer, homeschooled, women’s rights activist, educator, and even a fashion icon. Join us as we review her life story, accomplishments in the cockpit of her Lockheed 10 Electra aircraft, and uncover new revelations of her disappearance on that fateful July 2, 1937 flight.
WWI Later years and Aftermath - *Both	Hautanen	Fri, 10/30/26	5	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$18.75
The last two to three years of WWI saw incredible ups and downs for most of the nations involved. We will investigate in this course the later parts of the war, and also the aftermath. How did each of the greater and lesser powers come out of the war? What new nations were born or reborn after the war? Were the individual peace treaties grossly unfair to the losers? The Treaty of Versailles only applied to Germany, the other nations had their own treaties. For quite a few people fighting did not stop on November 11th 1918, there were follow-on civil wars and border wars aplenty. What did those people think of what was happening around them? Was a second great war inevitable? The course will make use of various videos from The Great Courses and other online sources, and allow plenty of time for discussion.
Events of 1776 throughout the World 3 - *Both	Howard	Mon, 11/9/26	5	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$15.00
1776 is considered the birth of what we now know as the USA and it is a pivotal year in our nation’s history. This course is in 3 parts. In this series we will supplement 24 lectures by author and Great Courses Professor Adam Jortner of Auburn University. We will look at significant events that occurred in such places as China, West Africa, and Hawaii. As we celebrate our 250th anniversary of our independence from the British Empire we will look into the politics, philosophy, economics and science breakthroughs that occurred the same year across other continents.
The Ukrainian Region Portion of the Soviet Union - Online	Sutton	Tue, 11/10/26	3	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$15.00
This course will cover Ukraine under Soviet rule. The Holodomor (the elimination of The Kulaks). Ukrainian emigration. Customs, religion, and foods will be discussed. Ukraine today.
From Compass to Conquest: The Voyages That Shaped Civilization - Online	Rossi	Tue, 12/1/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$5.00
Strap in for a whirlwind journey across oceans and centuries! This lecture plunges into the Age of Discovery, when bold European explorers—armed with little more than a compass, a dream, and royal ambition—set sail into the unknown. From the spice-laden ports of the East to the gold-rich shores of the New World, we will trace the daring expeditions that redrew the map of civilization. Meet the navigators who defied superstition and stormy seas, the empires that rose on the backs of conquest, and the civilizations forever changed by first contact. With dramatic tales, vivid visuals, and a touch of humor, we will explore how these voyages sparked global trade, cultural collisions, and the birth of the modern world.
Guardians of the Deep: The Epic History of Lighthouses and Ships - Online	Rossi	Wed, 12/9/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$5.00
A vivid journey into the world’s great sentinels of the sea. This lecture reveals how lighthouses—those lonely towers on cliffs, reefs, and storm‑battered shores—became humanity’s most steadfast guardians of maritime life. From ancient fire beacons to the engineering triumphs of the 19th century, the story blends innovation, courage, and survival. It begins with early mariners pushing past the horizon on simple rafts, then moves through the age of galleys and the rise of bold seafaring cultures. As centuries pass, the narrative surges into the great age of exploration, when caravels and galleons stitched continents together and reshaped the world.
Literature and Language
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Talking About Books 1 - In Room 107	Berra	Tue, 9/8/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us.
Novellas 1 - The Dead by James Joyce - Online	Hautanen	Wed, 9/9/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
A continuation of last terms class, for each course we will read and discuss one selected novella. The short novels for this term will be (in order): The Dead by James Joyce, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, and The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain. Subject to change if the class so decides. Although all are easy, quick reads, each illuminates and crystallizes those shadowy thoughts and feelings we struggle to put words to - this is what literature does
Talking About Books 2 - In Room 107	Berra	Tue, 10/6/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us.
Novellas 2 - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark - Online	Hautanen	Wed, 10/14/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
A continuation of last terms class, for each course we will read and discuss one selected novella. The short novels for this term will be (in order): The Dead by James Joyce, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, and The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain. Subject to change if the class so decides.. Although all are easy, quick reads, each illuminates and crystallizes those shadowy thoughts and feelings we struggle to put words to - this is what literature does
Talking About Books 3 - In Room 107	Berra	Tue, 11/3/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us.
Novellas 3 - Cannery Row by John Steinbeck - Online	Hautanen	Wed, 11/18/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
A continuation of last terms class, for each course we will read and discuss one selected novella. The short novels for this term will be (in order): The Dead by James Joyce, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, and The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain. Subject to change if the class so decides.. Although all are easy, quick reads, each illuminates and crystallizes those shadowy thoughts and feelings we struggle to put words to - this is what literature does
Talking About Books 4 - In Room 107	Berra	Tue, 12/8/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Avid readers enjoy a casual, friendly meeting with like-minded members to talk about the books they have been reading, how they liked them (or not!) and why. As we share our recent reading experiences, we also get to hear about books recommended by fellow book-lovers. If you are an enthusiastic reader, come join us.
Novellas 4 - The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain - Online	Hautanen	Tue, 12/8/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
A continuation of last terms class, for each course we will read and discuss one selected novella. The short novels for this term will be (in order): The Dead by James Joyce, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, and The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain. Subject to change if the class so decides.. Although all are easy, quick reads, each illuminates and crystallizes those shadowy thoughts and feelings we struggle to put words to - this is what literature does
Science and Technology
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Science as a Way of Knowing - In Room 107	Pealer	Wed, 9/2/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
This was presented in August and those who attended felt it was worth repeating for others. THIS IS IN CLASS ONLY because you will be given a scientific journal which we will review together. Science is a way of knowing. There is skepticism about science today so perhaps it would be useful to talk about the nature of science and how scientists come to conclusions. We will examine the considerations a scientist had to deal with when planning and determining the results of a real but simple research project. Few non-scientists ever see an actual published research paper so you will be given a copy of the journal, Science. We will walk through a published scientific report. You will be able to keep the copy and spend time reading the other parts of the journal that deal with research issues and public policy.
Tech Help 1 - *Both	Team	Thu, 9/3/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Senior Learners works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as a dumb question. We are here to help with your technology questions, devices such as laptops, phones, storage devices, cables, etc. Submit questions in advance or join us as we explore a technical topic of your choice. If we cannot answer your questions we will follow up with practical suggestions and possible solutions. A casual and fun atmosphere where no one will be embarrassed by asking a dumb question. Bring in your laptop, phone, or other portable device and we will navigate together. If you cannot come into the classroom, help will be available via Zoom.
Early History of Personal Computers at Xerox PARC - Online	Holloran	Thu, 9/10/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
A little more than 50 years ago the first personal computers were introduced. Development of PCs followed two parallel paths. The first course describes the earliest path began with foundational computer inventions in the 1970s at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), which was funded by Xerox. The second course in the series will describe the second path that started with the Apple II and then the IBM PC, and its clones. The final course will describe how the two paths converged in 1981 after Steve Jobs (Apple) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) saw the Xerox Star. YouTube videos will tell the stories supplemented with Bob sharing his experience Bob with each of these paths.
AirVenture 2026 - A Celebration of the Freedom of Flight - *Both	Howard	Fri, 9/18/26	2	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$7.50
Any pilot or aviation enthusiast will know the following equation: OSH = AirVenture = EAA & the Oshkosh, Wisconsin Airshow. A humble start in 1953 with 150 registered visitors to a record setting 734,000 in 2026, AirVenture is an annual week long celebration of flight. This year from July 20 to 26 AirVenture 2026 observed our nation’s 250th anniversary thru history, leading edge technology, innovation, entertainment, and most of all, miles (up, down, left and right) of fun in the heart of Wisconsin. We will connect you with NASA, the NTSB, the FAA, drones, the Goodyear blimp, OSH Honor Flight arrival, NFL player Jimmy Graham, Amelia Earhart, Tuskegee Airmen, and much more.
Science Surprises 2 - *Both	Pealer	Wed, 9/30/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
The instructor shares interesting science things that she finds on the Internet, or in books or magazines or that people send her. You never know what you will learn!!
How the Bell Labs Created the Modern World and Then Essentially Disappeared - Online	Holloran	Thu, 10/8/26	3	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$15.00
The Bell Labs were the research arm of the Bell Telephone System and AT&T utile its the monopoly was broken up by a federal judge in 1984. Prior to the break up Bell Laboratories is regarded by many as the premier private research facility. It developed a wide range of revolutionary technologies. Eleven Nobel Prizes were awarded to Bell Lab employees for these developments, which formed the foundation of most of the technology of the modern world. We will learn why AT&T profited very little from the investments in creating them. But companies built on these foundations now have tens of trillions dollars of shareholder equity. Each week we will learn the history and people behind some of these foundational technologies and how the technologies evolved in the private sector to underly our daily lives.
Tech Help 2 - *Both	Team	Wed, 10/21/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
Senior Learners works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as a dumb question. We are here to help with your technology questions, devices such as laptops, phones, storage devices, cables, etc. Submit questions in advance or join us as we explore a technical topic of your choice. If we cannot answer your questions we will follow up with practical suggestions and possible solutions. A casual and fun atmosphere where no one will be embarrassed by asking a dumb question. Bring in your laptop, phone, or other portable device and we will navigate together. If you cannot come into the classroom, help will be available via Zoom.
Science Surprises 3 - *Both	Pealer	Wed, 11/4/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
The instructor shares interesting science things that she finds on the Internet, or in books or magazines or that people send her. You never know what you will learn!!
Tech Help 3 - *Both	Team	Tue, 11/17/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
Senior Learners works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as a dumb question. We are here to help with your technology questions, devices such as laptops, phones, storage devices, cables, etc. Submit questions in advance or join us as we explore a technical topic of your choice. If we cannot answer your questions we will follow up with practical suggestions and possible solutions. A casual and fun atmosphere where no one will be embarrassed by asking a dumb question. Bring in your laptop, phone, or other portable device and we will navigate together. If you cannot come into the classroom, help will be available via Zoom.
Early History of Personal Computers - Mac and Windows - Online	Holloran	Wed, 11/18/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
A little more than 50 years ago the first personal computers were introduced. Development of PCs followed two parallel paths. The first course described the earliest path began with foundational computer inventions in the 1970s at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), which was funded by Xerox. The second course in the series described the second path that started with the Apple II and then the IBM PC, and its clones. This final course will describe how the two paths converged in 1981 after Steve Jobs (Apple) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) saw the Xerox Star. YouTube videos will tell the stories supplemented with Bob sharing his experience Bob with each of these paths.
Science Surprises 4 - *Both	Pealer	Wed, 12/2/26	1	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$3.75
The instructor shares interesting science things that she finds on the Internet, or in books or magazines or that people send her. You never know what you will learn!!
Google Gemini: Your Everyday AI Companion - Online	Reilly	Thu, 12/3/26	2	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$7.50
Since Senior Learners last explored Google's AI tool (formerly known as: Bard) in 2023, it has undergone major upgrades! Today's Google Gemini is easier to use, safer, and far more powerful. Whether you are completely new to AI or looking to sharpen your skills, this short course will show you how to make Gemini work for you. Gemini will help you draft warm letters, summarize long articles, or compose tricky emails in seconds. Dig into family genealogy, get creative meal ideas, or plan your next vacation step-by-step. Get clear, easy-to-understand explanations of medical or technical jargon. Course participants will be invited to propose new Gemini uses, and free SLI courses will be awarded for those judged by the class to be most creative and valuable. This course utilizes clips from YouTube videos and classroom demonstrations.
Tech Help 4 - *Both	Team	Wed, 12/9/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Senior Learners works with the philosophy that there is no such thing as a dumb question. We are here to help with your technology questions, devices such as laptops, phones, storage devices, cables, etc. Submit questions in advance or join us as we explore a technical topic of your choice. If we cannot answer your questions we will follow up with practical suggestions and possible solutions. A casual and fun atmosphere where no one will be embarrassed by asking a dumb question. Bring in your laptop, phone, or other portable device and we will navigate together. If you cannot come into the classroom, help will be available via Zoom.
Special Event
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
SLI Board Meeting - Online	Hautanen	Fri, 9/25/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$0.00
Later
SLI Board Meeting - Online	Hautanen	Fri, 10/23/26	1	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$0.00
Later
Senior Learners 2026 Halloween Gathering - *Both	Team	Fri, 10/30/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Ghosts, goblins, witches — and Senior learners! Come join us for a Halloween extravaganza of food, games, and trivia. Learn about Salem, the witch trials, and how that theme is being used today. Costumes optional.
Senior Learners Honors Our Veterans 2026 - *Both	Howard	Tue, 11/10/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$5.00
Veterans Day falls on this Wednesday, November 11, when the College and the Senior Learners do not hold classes, so we are celebrating the holiday and honoring our veterans a day early. All Senior Learners are invited to participate by sharing a brunch, stories and special memories. Veterans are encouraged to wear insignia, military dress, pins, hats or any item that identifies your service affiliation. This course will be a great opportunity to introduce your family and friends to Senior Learners. Please register early so that we may adequately plan and prepare.
SLI Thanksgiving Dinner - Off Site	Kelly	Thu, 11/26/26	1	1:00 PM	4:00 PM	$0.00
Senior Learners Thanksgiving dinner at the home of Evelyn Kelly. Hosted by Evelyn and Pat Nevard. Feel free to bring some food or drink (no alcohol) if you like but it is NOT required. DO bring yourselves and join the fun as we share our various Thanksgiving stories, Senior Learners stories, and whatever other stories come to mind. Directions will be emailed to all registrants when we near the day.
SLI Board Meeting - Online	Hautanen	Fri, 11/27/26	1	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$0.00
Later
Holiday Chocolate Extravaganza - *Both	Holloran	Wed, 12/2/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
You will learn how to, taste, evaluate and compare a variety of chocolate bars. In addition you will enjoy several of the chocolate desserts Bob provides for Senior Learners parties. Bob will share the recipes for these chocolate ice cream and desserts, so you can prepare them for your holiday entertaining.
Holiday Party - *Both	Nevard	Fri, 12/11/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
This year we plan on having a very BEARY Christmas. You are welcome to bring in your toy bear to celebrate the holiday season with us and the most festive bear may win a prize! Lots of food, lots of fun, lots of camaraderie!
Holiday Party Prep - In Room 107	Nevard	Fri, 12/11/26	1	10:00 AM	12:00 PM	$0.00
Later
SLI Board Meeting - Online	Hautanen	Fri, 12/18/26	1	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$0.00
Later
the Arts
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
For Love of Film: A Harrison Ford Film Festival - In Room 107	Smith	Mon, 8/31/26	4	1:00 PM	4:00 PM	$20.00
Join us in viewing and discussing some of Harrison Ford’s more interesting films including The Fugitive about a doctor who is unjustly accused of killing his wife and who is being hunted by a U. S. Marshall played by Tommy Lee Jones, Witness where Ford is a detective protecting an Amish boy who is a witness to a brutal murder, Regarding Henry shows the versatility of Ford as he plays an amnesiac married to Annette Bening and ending the series with Raiders of the Lost Ark, an adventure film that set a new standard for the genre. Popcorn will be available to enhance the viewing experience.
Watercolor In Nature - *Both	Craggs	Wed, 9/9/26	6	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$30.00
We will continue to explore the beauty of nature. We will be using traditional artistic elements in our painting during this course. We will also incorporate color pencils to provide additional interest in our work. They are very flexible.
For Love of Film: American Film Institute - Schindler’s List - In Room 107	Smith	Mon, 10/5/26	1	1:00 PM	4:00 PM	$5.00
Join us in viewing and discussing the critically acclaimed and awarded Schindler’s List which is Steven Spielberg’s brilliant story of the Holocaust during WWII and the man, Oskar Schindler, who becomes concerned about his Jewish workforce and sets up a process to save them. The film stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, Popcorn will be available to enhance the viewing experience.
For Love of Film: American Film Institute Top 100 Films - Sampling - In Room 107	Smith	Mon, 10/12/26	4	1:00 PM	4:00 PM	$20.00
Join us in viewing and discussing four films from the American Film Institute (AFI) Best 100 Films list including Driving Miss Daisy starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman where an old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years, The Sixth Sense starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment where a child psychologist who has been shot, treats a young boy with a disturbing secret, in E. T. the Extra-Terrestrial a child helps a friendly alien return to his planet and ending the series with The Graduate the story of a disillusioned college graduate (Dustin Hoffman) who finds himself torn between an older woman (Anne Bancroft) and her daughter (Katharine Ross). Popcorn will be available to enhance the viewing experience.
Ultimate Classical Music: The 50 Greatest Compositions Ever Written - *Both	Satterfield	Thu, 11/5/26	3	1:30 PM	3:30 PM	$20.00
Join Dr. Sarah Satterfield, Senior Professor of Music and Humanities at the College of Central Florida, for an engaging four-week journey through the 50 greatest classical compositions ever written, as determined by a BBC poll of musicians, conductors, critics, and music scholars. Each week, you will discover the fascinating stories behind these iconic masterpieces while enjoying guided listening experiences that reveal what makes each composition extraordinary. From the emotional power of Beethoven and the brilliance of Mozart to the sweeping symphonies of Mahler, Brahms, Bruckner, Sibelius, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, and many more, this series celebrates the pinnacle of orchestral and symphonic achievement. Whether you are a lifelong classical music enthusiast or simply curious about the worlds greatest masterpieces, this course offers an accessible and inspiring exploration of the music that has stood the test of time. Come out and see if your favorite composition earned a place among the top 50!
For Love of Film: American Film Institute - Lawrence of Arabia. - In Room 107	Smith	Mon, 11/9/26	1	1:00 PM	4:00 PM	$5.00
Join us in viewing and discussing one of the best American Films, Lawrence Of Arabia. Peter O’Toole stars as T. E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks. The film features Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn. Popcorn will be available to enhance the viewing experience.
For Love of Film: Family - In Room 107	Smith	Mon, 11/16/26	3	1:00 PM	4:00 PM	$15.00
Join us in viewing and discussing movies that include views of different kinds of families. We go back in time with the film Hamnet to experience William Shakespeare and his family in the years that include building a family, the Plague and the debut of the play Hamlet starring award winning Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Sentimental Value is an international award winning film which shows an intimate exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art. (It is in English and Norwegian with subtitles.) What better way to finish the year and enter the holiday season than with a story about a Great Dane and the family that he moves in with. The Friend stars Bill Murray, Naomi Watts and Bing as the Great Dane Apollo. Popcorn will be available to enhance the viewing experience.
Topical Issues
Title	Instructor	First	Weeks	Starts	Ends	Fee
Should We Amend Florida's Constitution? - *Both	Johnson	Fri, 9/4/26	1	1:30 PM	3:00 PM	$3.75
Three amendments to Florida's constitution are on the November 3 ballot. The issues include reduction of property taxes and to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund. The amendments all have an impact on Florida and on you directly. Hear the arguments both for and against each of the proposals. Then make up your mind and VOTE.
Data Centers – Boom or Bust? - Online	Reilly	Thu, 9/10/26	2	10:30 AM	12:00 PM	$7.50
Data centers are rapidly multiplying across America and the globe. Proponents view them as essential engines of technological growth and prosperity, while critics warn of environmental hazards and strains on local communities. Using a variety of YouTube video clips as jump-off points, this short course explores both sides of the debate. What actually goes into a data center? Why are they so energy-intensive? And do they threaten our power grid, or drive the digital infrastructure of tomorrow? This course utilizes clips from several YouTube videos.

*Senior Learners, Inc., sponsors events offered by non-profit organizations, such as the CF Foundation and its Appleton Museum, which the Board considers will be of interest to our students.

info@seniorlearners.org (352) 239-8780

Senior Learners, Inc. 3001 S.W. College Road PMB No. 210 OCALA FL 34474-4415

IMPORTANT Please do not contact CF personnel about any Senior Learners, Inc. courses. Senior Learners, Inc. is independent of CF. We have the use of a classroom and support the CF Foundation with donations. If you have any questions about our courses or operations, please contact us: info@SeniorLearners.org, (352) 239–8780.

Printed 8/26/26.