By Carol McCracken

The spring semester of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (“OLLI”), starts on Monday, March 23rd. There is still time for you to register for a class or two. They are wide-ranging in scope; including history, music, science, literature, etc. If you are at least 50 years old with an interest in learning just for the joy of if, then it might be just what you’ve been looking for.

OLLI, originally called Senior College, is now eleven years old. For its first ten years, classes were held on Fridays only in the University of Southern Maine classrooms here in Portland. However, with the completion of the Wishcamper Center last fall, OLLI classes are available five days a week. The Center is located on Bedford Street on the USM campus here in Portland. OLLI shares the building with the Muskie School of Public Service. Classes are low in cost and there are scholarships available. There are more than 1,000 enrolled in the program.

Each semester lasts for eight weeks. There are no grades or tests. All books and course materials are included in the course fee and are distributed on the first day of class.

For more information, please call 780-4406 or visit www.usm.maine.edu/olli