Unless otherwise noted, programs take place at the Reuter Center and are free and open to everyone. Please note that you must have either a UNC Asheville annual parking permit or a visitor permit to park on campus 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Visit the Campus Parking for OLLI Members page for instructions on how to purchase an OLLI-subsidized annual parking permit. Daily and monthly visitor permits must be obtained through the UNC Asheville parking site; OLLI does not provide visitor permits.
April
Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m. | WNC Sierra Club
Partner Program: “Crypto Mines and AI Data Centers” (in-person + online)
Ben Murray, Yvonne Taylor, Cyndie Roberson and the National Coalition Against Cryptomining
Join online via Zoom, and read more on the WNC Sierra Club’s website.
Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m. | Astronomy Club of Asheville
Partner Program: “Tracking Artemis II’s Orion Spacecraft” (in-person + online)
The upcoming Artemis II mission will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. NASA has selected the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute as one of a small number of organizations worldwide that will passively track the Orion spacecraft during its roughly 10-day journey. Using our radio telescopes and communications equipment, PARI will receive some of Orion’s transmissions and measure Doppler shift in the signal to help track the spacecraft’s trajectory. This data will help NASA assess the tracking capabilities of aerospace organizations worldwide.
Timothy DeLisle, director of software engineering at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, will explore PARI’s role in supporting Artemis II, some of the preparations we have made for the mission and a peek into PARI’s past from when the site was a NASA ground station. Along the way, we will take a look at some of the techniques used in space communication. What is Doppler shift, and why is it valuable for spacecraft tracking? How do ground stations receive signals from spacecraft across hundreds of thousands of miles? And, what is radio modulation, the technique used to encode data, voice and telemetry onto radio waves traveling through space?
Join online via Zoom, and read more on the Astronomy Club of Asheville’s website.
Friday, April 3, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “Building Better Body Composition for a Strong Independent Life”(in-person + online)
Dr. Pattillo will build upon two related Fab Friday talks that were well received in 2024 and 2025. Building a better body composition improves older adults’ opportunities for maintaining independence in aging. In a time of almost singular attention to weight loss, it is worth considering a change in this narrative by learning to improve body composition. Join us to learn more about how to achieve improved muscle mass, bone density and balance through attention to improvements in body composition.
Lee Pattillo grew up in WNC. He earned an undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics and his doctorate in physical therapy from Western Carolina University. He owns Vitalee PT, a full-service physical therapy clinic in Asheville, where several OLLI members train. Earlier in his career Less was a collegiate athlete, movement coach and Cross Fit trainer.
Join the April 3 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 p.m. | World Affairs Council
Partner Program: “Eyewitness to History: Lessons from a Foreign Correspondent”
NPR’s Frank Langfitt will present a whirlwind audiovisual program on his nearly two decades of reporting in Asia, Africa and Europe. Frank will focus on how a foreign correspondent covers history in the making from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to tracking the rise of China’s economy by driving a free taxi in Shanghai. He will also detail how he uses skills honed as a foreign correspondent to cover the U.S. at this historic moment.
Thursday, April 9, 4:30 p.m. | OLLI Authors
OLLI Program (in-person + online)
Marjorie Klein and John Ryder
Marjorie Klein’s first novel, Test Pattern (Wm. Morrow Publishers, 2000; HarperCollins/Perennial 2001) was a Barnes and Noble “Discover Great New Writers” selection. Boom! A Miami Beach Story was published in 2021, and her third novel, Time in a Bottle, was published by Black Rose Writing in 2023. Her essays and narrative nonfiction have appeared in various publications including 20 years of writing for Tropic, the Miami Herald’s former Sunday magazine. Recipient of a Florida individual artist fellowship and a graduate degree from Florida International University, she served as a preliminary judge for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts for 13 years and is a member of the Flatiron Writers group in Asheville. She has taught in writing programs at the university level in Florida and North Carolina, and has taught courses at OLLI since 2011.
After a career in television production and college career counseling, John Ryder retired to the mountains. He lives with his wife Deborah and two dogs in Waynesville, where he reads history and writes short stories and poetry. He hopes to someday write something interesting.
Join online via Zoom.
Friday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “Women in the Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard” (in-person + online)
We will learn more about the history of women working as lighthouse keepers and in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Wayne Wheeler is a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, founder and president emeritus of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, a national expert on lighthouses and longtime CFS instructor. He is the recipient of a U.S. Coast Guard meritorious public service award for his work with lighthouse preservation and history.
Join the April 10 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Sunday, April 12, 5:30 p.m. | Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association was founded in 1992 to promote nature photography in the Carolinas, to help conserve and preserve the diverse natural ecosystems in the Carolinas and to educate others interested in nature and wildlife photography. The CNPA-Asheville Region’s goal is to develop a community that will preserve, celebrate and create a sense of appreciation for the beauty of nature through photography. Activities in the Asheville region include monthly meetings, photo outings, seminars, workshops, exhibits, photo contests and image critiques. Meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month at 5:30-8 p.m. in room 206 and online via Zoom.
For more information, visit the CNPA-Asheville Region’s website.
Monday, April 13, 4:30 p.m.
OLLI Event: “Annual Meeting and Celebration of Community” (in-person + online)
Join OLLI staff and volunteers as we review the past year, highlighting the accomplishments of our committees and programs, offering an overview of our finances and presenting our slate of officers for 2026-2027. We will celebrate what we have achieved together and hope to inspire more members to be engaged in planning our future. Come to share ideas, ask questions, learn how OLLI works and look to the future of our organization. We will serve light refreshments.
Register for the annual meeting in-person or online, and join online via Zoom.
Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m. | Blue Ridge Naturalist Network
Partner Program: “Meetings with Remarkable Trees” (in-person + online)
We will take some time together to share the love of trees, how much we depend on them, how they heal us and what we might do to serve them in return. We will leave this visual and interactive talk feeling a greater appreciation and respect for these “one-legged people.”
GuruMeher is a graduate of the NC Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Naturalist Program. He lives among the trees in Fairview, working to restore native plants.
Join online via Zoom.
Friday, April 17, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “The Impact of Aging on Ear, Nose and Throat Function (and What You Can Do About It)” (in-person + online)
Dr. Chip Currens is a board-certified otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon (and ear, nose and throat doctor). Chip is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, where he got his undergraduate degree at Transylvania University and then attended and graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. From there, he went on to do his general surgery internship and ENT training at St. Louis University in Missouri. After completing his residency, he moved here to Asheville in 2001 where he has been practicing ENT ever since until retiring at the end of 2025. Chip enjoys all aspects of general ENT, caring for both children and adults through surgical and medical treatment. He is also committed to a more holistic approach, asking, “What is leading to these symptoms?” rather than simply making a diagnosis and prescribing medication.
Join the April 17 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Friday, April 17, 2 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum
Partner Program: “Get to Know Your Asheville Art Museum: Women of the Pacific Northwest” (in-person + online)
Join Asheville Art Museum associate curator Jessica Orzulak for an in-depth exploration of the artists and artworks in the exhibition Women of the Pacific Northwest. This exhibition highlights a group of female artists working in diverse media, from paintings to installation and video art, who explore connections to place, whether sociological, environmental or spiritual, in a region supportive of equality, ecology and enterprise. This lecture is open to all and will also provide valuable background for anyone who registers for the field trip to the exhibition on Saturday, April 25 (see below) or visits on their own time.
Join online via Zoom.
Friday, April 17, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program: “Death Café”
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville. If you have questions about meetings of Death Café at the Reuter Center, contact Karen Sanders at 828.778.8882.
Tuesday, April 21, 4:30 p.m. | STEAM Lecture Series
OLLI Program (in-person + online)
The STEAM Lecture Series presents interdisciplinary lectures with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. UNC Asheville faculty, OLLI members and scientists from our community present on a variety of topics. Programs are typically held on select Tuesdays throughout the year in room 230 and online via Zoom.
Join online via Zoom.
Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. | Asheville Museum of History
Partner Program: “Affrilachian Testimonies: An Intimate Portrait of Black Appalachian Communities” (in-person + online)
This talk showcases Affrilachia: Testimonies (University Press of Kentucky, 2024), the first photography book to honor rural Black communities of southern Appalachia. The event explores Black life, memory and place in Appalachia through photography, oral history and poetry, offering a layered and intimate portrait of Affrilachian communities. Cost: Free for OLLI and AMoH members, $10 general admission.
Register to attend, and learn more on the Asheville Museum of History’s website.
Wednesday, April 22, 4:30 p.m. | Alzheimer’s Association
Partner Program: “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia”
This presentation will take a deeper look at Alzheimer’s and dementia and explain some of the differences between various types. We will also look at Alzheimer’s in the brain and discuss what is happening and how it impacts the person living with the disease. We will discuss risk factors, stages and FDA-approved treatments. We’ll also discuss ongoing research and clinical trials as well as resources from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Thursday, April 23, 4:30 p.m.
OLLI Program: “First Annual OLLI Poetry Open Mic”
We will celebrate National Poetry Month at OLLI’s first annual poetry open mic. You may read your own writing or the work of one of your favorites; reservations to read are recommended but not required. Listeners are welcome.
For more information, email Victoria Bender.
Friday, April 24, 9 a.m.
CFS information session: “You Too Can Teach!” (in-person + online)
Are you interested in (or curious about) teaching a course at the College for Seniors? You may have never thought that you could be an OLLI instructor, but you too can teach! Our instructors run the gamut from retired teachers and professionals to those with deep knowledge of a certain topic. The common thread with all our instructors is passion for their subject matter and a desire to share it with peers. The process of becoming an instructor is not daunting. Current CFS instructors will introduce what teaching at OLLI is all about and demystify the process from having an idea for a course through creating a good proposal. All of your questions about teaching will be answered!
Register to attend in-person or online via Zoom.
Friday, April 24, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “What We Really Know About Crime, Policing and Community Safety: How to Navigate Confusing Statistics, Political Bias and Misinformation to Advocate for Smart Strategies” (in-person + online)
Crime in American communities is a fiercely debated issue, brought to a head by the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities. Opposing positions clash in our polarized environment. Polarization is driven by contested perceptions, opinions and priorities, and filtered by biased assumptions, statistical confusion and misinformation. We end up with highly skewed understandings, often feeding on fear of personal victimization or law enforcement overreach. Our discussion engages with what we actually know about crime, law enforcement and community safety. We highlight key takeaways from decades of research on crime and its causes, and the growing body of evidence on what works to make our communities safer.
Phyllis Betts draws from more than 20 years’ experience working directly with law enforcement, human services and grassroots community groups to design and evaluate local community safety strategies. We apply new insights to Asheville, inspiring us with better understanding and enabling us to be more productively engaged with community safety initiatives in our own city. We can do better, and you can be part of that!
Join the April 24 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Friday, April 24, 3 p.m.
OLLI Inclusion Committee Program: Julian Price Documentary Screening
This documentary film recounts the life and work of Julian Price, whose philanthropic efforts were essential to the revitalization of downtown Asheville and the making of this vibrant city as we know it today. The screening will be followed by a moderated conversation with a special guest from the film, sharing their friendship with Price, their insight into why he was so effective then and how some of what we have learned from him could be helpful today.
Registration is requested.
Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m.
OLLI Program: Field Trip to the Asheville Art Museum: Women of the Pacific Northwest
OLLI members will see the special exhibition Women of the Pacific Northwest, which highlights female artists working in diverse media who explore connections to place, whether sociological, environmental or spiritual, in a region supportive of equality, ecology and enterprise. These artists are among today’s pioneers, interpreting universality through personal observation and inventing poetic, transcendent works that inspire greater understanding and connect us to one another and to the world around us. Cost (includes guided tour and discussion; does not include transportation or parking): $15.
Space is limited; registration is required. To register, log into our online registration system through April 23.
May
Friday, May 1
Last day to submit a course proposal for fall 2026
Visit the Forms page to access the CFS Fall 2026 Course Proposal form.
Friday, May 1, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “Advance Directives: Update Yours Now – Don’t Wait!” (in-person + online)
An advance directive is a crucial legal tool that allows you to make decisions about your healthcare in advance, ensuring your wishes are honored even if you are unable to speak for yourself. The presenters will clarify your options and guide you through the process of creating or updating these essential documents. Take control of your future healthcare decisions and provide peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones.
Karen Sanders has more than 40 years of nursing experience. A board certified advanced holistic RN patient advocate, Karen is a frequent lecturer at OLLI, heads up the Fab Friday Healthcare Education Series and is passionate about helping others.
Jan Nickerson is a former business executive dedicated to enabling people to make informed decisions. When she isn’t knitting in an OLLI class, Jan is arranging speakers and topics about aging well for her CCRC, OLLI and Blue Ridge Center for Lifelong Learning.
Join the May 1 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Sunday, May 3, 3 p.m. | Asheville Senior Chorus
Partner Program: “Laurel Canyon Echoes”
Step into the sun-dappled hills above Los Angeles, where a generation of songwriters changed American music forever. “Laurel Canyon Echoes” brings the warm close-harmony sound of the late 1960s and 1970s to the choral stage—The Mamas & the Papas, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds and The Eagles—from “California Dreamin’” to “Teach Your Children” and “Desperado.” With iconic melodies, heartfelt storytelling and a touch of rock-and-folk groove, the Asheville Senior Chorus invites you to relive the soundtrack of a remarkable era: tender, hopeful and unforgettable.
Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m. | World Affairs Council
Partner Program
The World Affairs Council (WAC) organizes fascinating lectures and discussions that aim to advance international awareness and foster Western North Carolina’s global ties. These lectures are sponsored by the WNC chapter of the World Affairs Council, OLLI at UNC Asheville and UNC Asheville Department of Political Science.
Join online via Zoom.
Wednesday, May 6, 7 p.m. | WNC Sierra Club
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The WNC Sierra Club is active in educating leaders, the public and the media about environmental issues at the local, state and federal level in order to promote environmental leadership. Sierra Club – WENOCA holds events in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102) and online via Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month from 7-9 p.m.
Join online via Zoom, and read more on the WNC Sierra Club’s website.
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m. | Astronomy Club of Asheville
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The Astronomy Club of Asheville is dedicated to helping people of all ages understand and enjoy astronomy at all levels of interest. OLLI members may attend club meetings featuring an interesting lineup of speakers, as well as stargazes, with club members on hand to advise and assist them in the basics of astronomy and the techniques of observing celestial phenomena. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m. in the Manheimer Room (102) and online via Zoom.
Join online via Zoom, and read more on the Astronomy Club of Asheville’s website.
Friday, May 8, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “Why The World’s Religions Still Matter” (in-person + online)
Religion has long been used to justify the best and worst of human behaviors. Conversations about religion often lead to lively discussions. Join Dr. Garlock as she shares both recent research and thought-provoking ideas about how religion continues to play an important role in one’s identity, how we interact with our neighbors and how we care for the earth.
Rev. Vicki Garlock, Ph.D. is founder of World Religions 4 Kids and Education Director for Religion Matters. She has a doctorate in psychology and served as a full-time psychology professor at Warren Wilson for over a decade before becoming the curriculum specialist at Jubilee! Community Church. As well as publishing many articles on religion, Dr. Garlock has written two award winning children’s books on the world’s religions. Recently, Dr. Garlock earned a Guinness world record for the “Most Places of Worship Visited in One Month.”
Join the May 8 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Sunday, May 10, 5:30 p.m. | Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Assocation
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association (CNPA) was founded in 1992 to promote nature photography in the Carolinas, to help conserve and preserve the diverse natural ecosystems in the Carolinas and to educate others interested in nature and wildlife photography. The CNPA-Asheville Region’s goal is to develop a community that will preserve, celebrate and create a sense of appreciation for the beauty of nature through photography. Activities in the Asheville region include monthly meetings, photo outings, seminars, workshops, exhibits, photo contests and image critiques. Meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month at 5:30-8 p.m. in room 206 and online via Zoom.
For more information, visit the CNPA-Asheville Region’s website.
Tuesday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. | STEAM Lecture Series
OLLI Program (in-person + online)
The STEAM Lecture Series presents interdisciplinary lectures with a focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. UNC Asheville faculty, OLLI members and scientists from our community present on a variety of topics. Programs are typically held on select Tuesdays throughout the year in room 230 and online via Zoom from 4:30-6 p.m.
Join online via Zoom.
Wednesday, May 13, 5 p.m.
OLLI program: “Welcome to Improv”
Do you love the Upright Citizens Brigade or “An Evening at the Improv”? Join us for an improvisational comedy show hosted by participants in Bob Sack’s spring 2026 course, Introduction to Improv, for an hour of unscripted laughs.
Friday, May 15
Last day of CFS spring 2026 classes
Friday, May 15, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Fridays: “Alpha Gal Syndrome – a Commonly Overlooked Emerging Health Threat ” (in-person + online)
Simply, Alpha Gal Syndrome (AGS) is a severe allergy to red meat triggered by a tick bite. Alpha gal is a sugar molecule found in the saliva of the lone star tick; it is also found in many red meats. Some people have a heightened immune response triggered by this tick’s bite, which, if followed by a meal containing red meat, can rapidly advance to anaphylactic shock. CDC estimated in 2023 there may have been up to 450,000 US cases of this allergy; however, most carriers are unaware of their exposure until later becoming ill after dining on red meat. Most cases are not diagnosed because health professionals do not seek confirming test given awareness of the disorder is so low. NC’s housing and climate change patterns combine to increasingly expose a disproportionate share of the population to infected ticks. Older adults and others with overactive immune responses are especially susceptible.
Kenneth W. Zamkoff holds an graduate degree in public health from Harvard and a medical degree from UPenn and earned board certifications in: internal medicine, hematology, and oncology. He has an active license in NC and served in the National Health Service Corps. His most recent academic appointment was as professor of medicine at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Join the May 15 Fab Friday online via Zoom.
Friday, May 15, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program: “Death Café”
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville. If you have questions about meetings of Death Café at the Reuter Center, contact Karen Sanders at 828.778.8882.
Friday, May 30, 2:30 p.m. | Council on Aging of Buncombe County
Partner Program: “Introduction to Medicare: Understanding the Puzzle”
In workshops presented by the Council on Aging in Buncombe County in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Insurance Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, learn how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties and ways to save money. Anyone who is ready to join Medicare or is a caregiver or family member helping older adults with the Medicare insurance may want to attend this informative session.
To register, visit the Council on Aging of Buncombe County’s website or call 828.277.8288.