Ross Hooper (left) of Fayetteville and Terry Butz of Bella Vista smile as they shake containers of cream while making butter while taking part in a butter-making class offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Drake Field in Fayetteville. Photo by NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE

The wait is over! The 2018 OLLI spring course catalog is officially available! Inside you’ll find nearly 90 courses to choose from along with information about  membership perks, monthly socials, volunteering, interest groups, teaching opportunities, special events and much more. Take some time to browse the pages and discover what the season has in store! You can view the catalog anytime on our website.

For your own personal copy, you can find it in today’s Sunday edition of the NWA Democrat-Gazette. It will be available in all of Washington and Benton Counties and the Ft. Smith area. You can also pick up a copy at the OLLI office, classroom locations and in various locations around the area, including the Fayetteville Public Library, Butterfield Trail Village and Washington Regional Senior Center. Want one mailed to you? Just email us at olli@uark.edu and let us know!

The spring season includes courses that cover a wide array of topics such as language instruction, art appreciation, photography, literature, stress management and other aspects of good health. OLLI courses are held at several locations, including outdoors for activities such as hiking and birdwatching. Several cover current events both abroad and at home such as Brexit, global inequality, the hog farm in Newton County and human sex trafficking.

To learn more, attend the annual spring open house from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Chancellor Hotel, 70 N. East Ave. in Fayetteville. The drop-in event provides an opportunity to meet fellow members and students, pick up the spring course catalog, register for courses, learn about future events, visit with campus and community partners, and participate in the second instructor meet-and-greet via speed rounds. Refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will be open.