St. Johnsbury OLLI

with WindRose

St. Patrick’s Day offers an opportunity to explore the much richer traditions of Celtic music. Through our varied musical pieces, you will be introduced to both familiar and lesser-known songs that expand this musical genre well beyond the shores of the Emerald Isle. We’ll also be able to share a little of our trips to the British Isles and other regions that celebrate this musical heritage. This quartet features the lush vocals of Becky Canedy, Pat Webster, Sandi Breen and popular “Eye on the Sky” weatherman Mark Breen. 

with Timothy McKay – Retired Natural Resource Conservationist  

The increasing frequency of damaging floods in Vermont has focused concern on how and why floods occur and how we can mitigate or prevent damage. Local conservationist Tim McKay will review the history of flooding, particularly in the Northeast Kingdom, and look at how local rainfall patterns, topography, land use, roads and development patterns affect flooding and damage. What did we learn from the 2023 and 2024 floods? What can we do in anticipation of future floods? Tim lives in Peacham with his wife Betsy. 

with Cheryl Casey, Ph.D. – Scholar and Public Speaker in Media, Culture & Communication 

From oral culture to the digital age, human survival has depended on the ability to control the production, storage, and distribution of information. Those in power have forever been battling for control over people’s information diets. Today, the amount of information out there is just too overwhelming, making it easier for information producers–human and artificial alike–to distract, discombobulate, deceive, and generally exhaust us into unprecedented levels of confusion about even basic facts and current events. Society needs information. Citizens need good information to make good decisions. This presentation identifies key differences in types of information, basic skills for evaluating information, and the implications of taking back our information agency from those who would spin us into the information void. In addition to her media interests Cheryl also serves as president of the Waterbury, VT Historical Society. 

with Hank Kaestner

This presentation will open your eyes to learn about vanilla, one of the world’s most popular flavors. Originally grown by the Totonac Indigenous People in Mexico; Mexico’s 300-year monopoly; and current production in Madagascar. From the hand pollination of the orchid flower to the 4 month long curing process, vanilla is a complicated flavoring. Hank Kaestner, now retired, was formerly Director of Spice procurement at McCormick and Company. He visited all of the vanilla producing countries during his career and was known in the trade as “The King of Vanilla.” 

with Peter Schweigert – Chairman of the Caledonia Food Cooperative  

This talk will cover the history of the Caledonia Food Cooperative, a start-up grocery cooperative, from its incorporation in 2019 through its current development work, and will situate the Caledonia Food Cooperative in the broader history of cooperatives. After a career teaching film studies and art history in college Peter moved to St Johnsbury in 2019 and has been a grant writer for Clean Economy Works. 

with Rob Mermin – Founder of Circus Smirkus

Rob Mermin, long-time OLLI speaker, will entertain and educate us in his talk, The Parkinson’s Pantomime Project. Most of us know Rob as the founder of the award-winning company, Circus Smirkus. When Rob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, he became committed to learning about the disease and developing methods for coping with a movement disorder. Applying the principles of pantomime—visualization, body language, nonverbal communication, articulation of gesture, and creative use of imagery and space—Rob has developed techniques of intentional movement, adapting this awareness to help others cope with the symptoms of Parkinson’s in daily activity. He will share his insights and demonstrate fun ways —including juggling, magic tricks, circus games—to make positive shifts for those living with PD! 

with Rachel Kane – Horticulturist, Summersweet Garden Nursery 

One of the delights of gardening is sharing your plants with others, and this will be a hands-on presentation to show you how simple plant propagation can be. We’ll cover how to make cuttings of stems and roots, what kinds of soils and tools to use, and how to do basic plant division. Be prepared to get your hands dirty! Participants will each receive a plant to take home. Rachel has been operating a perennial and herb nursery in the Northeast Kingdom for over 40 years. 

with Andrea Thibaudeau – ERYT500 & Certified Ayurveda Health Coach 

In this Chair Yoga Class I am excited to share effective tools for regulating the nervous system to create a quick shift in energy and clarity. Through breathing practices and gentle rhythmic movement students will become more aware of subtle energy and learn how to harness it for better health. I will share an easy morning routine that can be incorporated into a daily practice. Andrea has 24 years of full-time yoga teaching experience.