OLLI in Seacoast

The Seacoast makes use of two Granite State College campuses: 51 International Dr., Portsmouth, NH and 35-E Industrial Way, Rochester, NH. The Portsmouth campus primarily serves as the home for Seacoast OLLI volunteers and most classes.  When combined, nine classrooms provide the capacity for an average of 80 courses offered per year. Field trips may take place on hiking and cross-country trails in and around the greater Seacoast area and at local attractions such as the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Strawberry Banke, Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Isles of Shoals.

The Seacoast provides its membership affiliates with free, casual social events such as Mug and Muffins, lunch bunches and special interest hiking groups. Currently there are an average of 230 members living in the greater Seacoast area affiliated with the Seacoast site.

OLLI members are welcome to take courses at any of the four OLLI Sites.

News

Special Interest Groups

Handwork

The Seacoast SIG for Handwork meets the third Tuesday of every month at Granite State College, 51 International Dr., Portsmouth from 1:00-3:00 PM. All OLLI members who enjoy knitting, crocheting, wood carving, embroidery, quilting, jewelry-making or any other portable handcraft are encouraged to join this group. If you would like to be added to the email class reminder list, contact Beth Wagner at macbeth1912@icloud.com.

Hiking/Walking

This group is in search of a leader(s). The group has temporarily suspended activity. If you are interested in hiking/walking and would be willing to contact other like-minded individuals, please contact sandy_oneill@comcast.net.

Political Book Club

Seacoast OLLI has formed a political book club as a result of conversations that began in the Great Decisions class that has been offered over the past few years. The group generally meets on the third Monday of the month at 1:00pm at Granite State College, Portsmouth. The books discussed will focus on domestic politics and ideas. All opinions are valued and will be part of a respectful conversation. Books that have been read and discussed include:

  • How Democracies Die, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
  • A Higher Loyalty, by James Comey
  • Six Amendments How and Why We Should Change the Constitution, by John Paul Stevens

Next book for the February 24th meeting is

  • Healing American Democracy: Going Local, by Mike Hais, Doug Ross, and Marley Winograd. 

Contact John Russell at russelljohnt@comcast.net for more information.