There’s still time to join us for a fun variety of one-day classes and special events this summer at the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), UD’s social and learning cooperative for adults age 50-plus!
Prior OLLI participation is not required, and the usual 50-plus age guideline is waived for adults of any age to participate in OLLI Summer Selections.
Registration remains open on a first-come, first-served basis for the following offerings on a space-available basis, at $20 per event, for individual special events and one-day classes. Some offerings require additional fees, noted in their descriptions.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building) — *also available online*
Tuesday, 6/30/2026, 10:45 a.m.-noon
Instructor(s): Tracey Marino
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments and the music they are performing. This session highlights Alkemie, comprised of singer-performers playing two dozen instruments including vielles, harps, psaltery, scheitholt, recorders, dulcians, bagpipes and percussion. They describe themselves as travelers to the intersections of medieval and Renaissance court, cloister and folk music. Participants receive a free ticket to a Coastal Concert of their choosing.
Lewes (Moorings at Lewes)
Wednesday, 7/1/2026, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Instructor(s): Larry Meinert
Participants learn how wine is made and how to identify what they like and don’t like. By tasting several wine pairings, participants see, smell and taste the differences. Different people like different wines, so there is no right answer to which is the best. What you like is what you like! In addition to the wine, water and bread-as-palate-cleanser are supplied. Held at The Moorings in Lewes. There is an additional $20 materials fee required; and each participant must bring three stemmed wine glasses.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall)
Thursday, 7/2/2026, noon-1 p.m.
Instructor(s): John Schwarz
This is the compelling story of the USS Houston CA-30 and its struggles fighting in the Asia West Pacific, commencing with the outbreak of WWII. The story chronicles the prisoner of war experience for the modest number of survivors and directly correlates to the famous WWII war movie titled Bridge on the River Kwai. Learn the true story of what happened that is historically untold and unknown.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building)
Thursday, 7/2/2026, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Instructor(s): Ed Rugerro
Combat Jump chronicles the first large-scale airborne invasion by American forces during the assault on Sicily in July 1943. The operation served as a critical test for the newly formed U.S. airborne units and was led by 36-year-old James M. Gavin in his first combat action.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall)
Monday, 7/6/2026, 12-12:45 p.m.
Instructor(s): Caitlin McGeever
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with OLLI. Participants will hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud, just as Delaware residents heard it for the first time in 1776, and then engage in discussion about the implications and importance of this document in its historical context.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building)
Wednesday, 7/8/2026, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Instructor(s): Tracey Marino
Have you ever been approached with a fraudulent offer or been a victim of identity theft? The AARP Fraud Watch Network is working to empower you in the fight, with proven resources and tools to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud. By taking a few practical steps, you have the power to fight back against fraud. This session will arm you with the latest data on fraud trends and provide tips and resources to protect yourself and your family.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall)
Monday, 7/13/2026, 12:00-13:30 p.m.
Instructor(s): Jeffrey Chambers
This class covers barbecue meats, regional styles and flavorings, kinds of barbecue smokers and controlling fire. Students learn short-cook and long-cook techniques and barbecue specialties. The class concludes with information on barbecue competitions and resources.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall)
Monday, 7/13/2026, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Instructor(s): Ann Hapka
Learn how to grow vegetables organically with an emphasis on hand pollination, sun and insect protection and methods of dealing with problems caused by climate change.
Wilmington (off site, 310 Kiamensi Road)
Tuesday, 7/14/2026, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Instructor(s): Katherine Lecocq, Nicole Sexton
Turn an old hardbound book into a one-of-a-kind creative journal. In this hands-on class, you’ll transform a discarded hardcover book into a personalized art journal. The result is a unique, handcrafted journal that’s perfect for sketching, writing, collage, or mixed media. Offered in partnership with The Art Studio. This course requires an additional fee of $30. Participants receive a payment link from OLLI. There is also a $10 material fee due to the instructor at the first class.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building) — *also available online*
Tuesday, 7/14/2026, 10:45 a.m.-noon
Instructor(s): Tracey Marino
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments, and the music they are performing. A complimentary ticket will be given to each of the participants in this course. This session will highlight pianist, Awadagin Pratt.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall)
Wednesday, 7/15/2026, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Instructor(s): Carolyn Stankiewicz
Join us for a lively 90-minute OLLI presentation exploring today’s cruise options, from choosing the right ship and cabin to understanding pricing and itineraries. Will use a short Power Point to see what major cruise lines sail from various ports in the eastern United States. Learn practical, money saving strategies for booking, on board spending and the all important beverage package! Perfect for first time cruisers and experienced travelers who want to sail smarter/stretch travel budget.
Dover (off site)
Thursday, 7/16/2026, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Instructor(s): Walter Makarucha
Over two thousand miles separate the Republic of Georgia from Germany, but it’s easy to take a tour in a single afternoon with additional stops in Hungary and Austria – simply by sampling the distinctive wines from each country. Regional food pairings accompany each selection. There will be a $20 materials fee to cover the cost of wine and food pairings.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building) — *also available online*
Thursday, 7/16/2026, 10:45 a.m.-noon
Instructor(s): Tracey Marino
Coastal Concerts presents a classical music experience that delves into the background of guest artists, their instruments, and the music they are performing. A complimentary ticket will be given to each of the participants in this course. This session will highlight The American String Quartet. The American String Quartet is a renowned ensemble that has been celebrated for its exceptional performances and innovative programming since 1974.
Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building)
Wednesday, 7/22/2026, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Instructor(s): Tracey Marino
This is a one-time lecture that focuses on caregiving. No matter where you are in the journey of family caregiving – just beginning to anticipate a need, helping to coordinate a big move, or taking care of a family member full-time – having a good framework to help guide both you and your loved one will make the process easier. During this session, we will share a framework to help you make plans to care for friends, family members, or loved ones. You will have the opportunity to connect with other family caregivers, exchange tips and advice, and learn about resources available to you and your loved ones.
Jan. 5-16 — Priority registration period has closed. All class requests were entered into OLLI’s lottery registration system to ensure fairness in allocation of classes for the upcoming semester. In some popular OLLI courses, registration demand exceeds the number of class seats available. The allocation process takes into account a variety of factors including class size, seat availability, and the priority order that you indicated at the time of registration.
Week of January 19 — Class confirmations — Members received confirmation emails detailing their confirmed class selections.
Still time to join us this summer! |
OLLI open house Aug. 3-6 |
OLLI travel opportunities |
Extra benefits of joining OLLI |
Top 10 reasons we love OLLI |
The priority registration period is noncompetitive — During priority registration, registrations are received as class requests into a lottery system to ensure fairness in allocation of classes. Course selection and availability is not first-come, first-served. When demand exceeds availability in popular courses, the allocation process takes into account a variety of factors, including the priority a registrant assigned to the course. After the priority registration period closes, registration is unavailable until the late registration and drop/add period opens, at which time late registrations and drop/add are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Using the online registration system — Registration takes place primarily online. Prior OLLI members who used our Fall 2021 online registration system should sign into the online registration system with their existing username and password. New OLLI members, or those who have not registered since Fall 2021 must create a new registration account. Click here for more details about how to register online —
Scholarship and Financial Assistance — If you, or someone you know, would benefit from partial financial assistance please contact any of our offices. Our financial assistance process is simple, protects your privacy and is enthusiastically supported by fellow OLLI members who want to make sure the program is always accessible. Inquiries are confidential. You can start the process now by contacting any UD OLLI office or by completing the online form:
In-person registration assistance — Limited in-person registration will be provided at all OLLI locations. Please contact us for details about in-person registration assistance, click here for contact information.
Vaccines strongly recommended — The University of Delaware and the OLLI program are committed to hosting in-person programs in a safe, healthy environment. It is strongly recommended that all OLLI in-person participants remain up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination. Mask wearing is optional but encouraged. Guidelines are subject to change in accordance with current UD health guidelines. For details, visit UD OLLI In-person Participation Guidelines.