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SPRING 2016
The Log
T he L o g
Special Meeting 1:00 p.m.. March 25 Room 208 Humanities Bldg.
On the first day of our Spring classes, there will be a special meeting to discuss opportunities for you to volunteer
in much-needed ways. Odyssey is a self-directed program at USA and will be only as good as we make it. Our
committees need to be re-organized and re-energized. Play a part in bringing new vitality to Odyssey. We need
help with the social hour, membership, publicity and curriculum. Come a half-hour early on the first day of Spring
term. Bring your ideas, your enthusiasm, and your readiness to volunteer!
Rose Johnson sends a book recommendation: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. “This very
readable book is ostensibly the story of an aging gentleman, estranged from his wife and himself, who takes off to
save a business friend/ associate he has not seen for thirty years by walking the length of Britain. Harold’s gentle
and inquisitive manner opens him up to many varied kinds of people on his trek. And we learn there are many
deeper layers and life experiences to this man. Joyce makes us cherish and care for this traveler and surprises us at
the story’s end with the tragedies many live with, yet persevere with hope and graciousness. You won’t regret
reading this book.”
Carolyn Lewis suggests a special treat within our reach: “Bellingrath Gardens and Home, my second home, is one
of the top recommendations for travelers to Mobile. It is one of the most visited Gardens in the United States. I call
it my second home because I go there about once a week just to stroll and to enjoy the well-maintained floral displays and natural beauty. Every season I get to enjoy a special floral event, such as Azaleas, Rose Bloom Out, Cascading Mum Display or the famous Magic Christmas in Lights. There is always something in bloom at Bellingrath
Gardens and Home. They will celebrate their eightieth anniversary this year.”
Mary Rodning checked for us about the current exhibit in the Mary and Charles Rodning Art Gallery on the third
floor of the Marx USA campus library. The Azalea City Quilters will be showing their very creative, colorful, and
well-stitched quilts until April 30. There are also display cases with an exhibit from the Porch Creek Indians. Use
your parking pass and park below the library and use the side entrance that faces the Humanities building. You
will be at the central desk with someone to direct you to the Gallery. (There will be more about the Marx USA library in the next issue of The Log.)
Ron Walker sends a tribute for Yvonne Kalen, who died on January 26 at the age of 97: “Yvonne was a former
member of Odyssey and had been President from 2006-2007. She had been a very productive member of the Curriculum committee and had created many courses from the diverse contacts she had in the community. These are
lines from a poem she wrote in an Odyssey class that was published in Whatever Remembers Us –
Whether I travel north, east, or west,
The minute I open my mouth to speak,
I’m greeted with “Oh, you’re from the South.
I just love to hear you people talk.”
I want to say “we people are your people,”
But I’m polite and say “how kind.”
SPRING 2016
Odyssey USA is a learning in retirement program sponsored by the University of South Alabama
Board of Directors
President
Ron Feuerlein
Vice President
Mary Frances Hallet
Treasurer
Rose Johnson
Secretary
Carolyn Casteel
Directors
Naomi Turner
David Shelton
Andrea Pennington
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!!!
We are pleased to announce an alliance with Somerby of Mobile to provide more classes
for our members. These classes will take place at Somerby and will be open and free to
both Odyssey members and Somerby residents. These classes are being coordinated by
Hal Alexander and Marcy Matherne . Somerby is located on Somerby Drive off Cody Road
between Airport Blvd. and Grelott Rd.
Class: Mindful Exercise - Instructor: Frank Hurley
Dates: Tuesdays, March 29—May 17, 10—11:30 a.m. (8 weeks)
Location: Somerby Room
“Mindful exercise” is a physical exercise practiced with a heightened awareness of body
movements and breathing that supports each of these movements. Exercises are practiced more slowly than in typical workouts. In addition to the physical benefits of slow exercise, mindful exercise also provides the opportunity for strengthening the mental skills of
focus and sustained attention. Specific exercises are included in each of the four essential
components of physical well-being: strength training, stretching, balance, and aerobics.
Membership/Publicity
Michael and Lady Lester
Curriculum
Ron Walker/Hal Alexander
Log Editor
Margaret Gordon
Social
Donnie Barnett
Telephone
Jane Harding
Class: Modern Bridge - Instructor: Micky Groggel
Dates: 12-session course begins Tuesday, March 29, 2—3:30 PM
Location: Card room at Somerby
“Modern Bridge” is a great way to keep the mind sharp and to meet new people. In this
course you will learn to play the game of bridge or better your skills. You will learn the
rules, regulations, and convention of bridge. The instruction will guide you through the
analysis of the deal, play of the hand strategies, opening bids, defensive bidding, take out
doubles and passing big offensive hands, pre-emptive hands, leads, and so much more.
Be a part of the fun, social game where competition is friendly and the play is of good
standard.
Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: _______________________
Important: Call Alma at 460-7200 or email aplatt@southalabama.edu to register
for classes at Somerby and for classes on the USA campus.
Email address: ___________________________________________________
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Session
Religions of the world
Port of Mobile
The Story of your Life
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Session
Earth Sciences
Alabama Collections
Sports in Mobile
To register: By phone - 460-7200
or e-mail Alma Platt at aplatt@southalabama.edu
by mail - Odyssey USA,
555 University Blvd N , AHE 232
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
I would like to volunteer to bring cookies for a coffee break on: ________________________
Dr. Charles Guest,
Interim Dean
School of
Continuing Education
Dr. Josh Duplantis,
Director
Center for Continuing
Education and Conference
Services
The University of South Alabama does not discriminate in its student and employment
practices in violation of any applicable laws. The University of South Alabama is an Equal
Opportunity/Equal Access educational institution.
The Log
WINTER TERM DATES:
Spring Term Dates: March 25 – May 13
Class Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
MARCH 25-MAY 13
C L A S S T I M E - 3 : 0 0 – 4 : 0 0 P. M .
Refreshments served between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m.
Refreshments served between 2:30-3:00 PM
Religions of the World
Instructors: various
Coordinator: Jean Golden
March 25
Rattan Singh will discuss Sikhism
April 1
Harry Miller will discuss Confucianism
April 8
Cory Wormell will discuss Wiccan
April 15
Kara Tyson will discuss Zoroastrianism
April 22
Brenda Beverly will discuss Bahaism
April 29
Satish Mulekar will discuss Hinduism
May 6
May 13
Earth Science
Instructors: various
Coordinator: Ron Walker
This course will deal mainly with global warming and meteorology with presentations by Earth Science faculty from USA and
UNO.
March 25
Sam Stutsman – Technology in the Study of Climate
April 1
Diana Sturm – Earth’s Climate Through Geologic History
Eric Loomis will discuss Jainism
April 8
Dan Harrington – Global Warming
Sivaporn Nimityorgskul will discuss Buddhism
April 15
Dan Harrington – Global Warming
April 22
Steven Schultze – Climate Change Since 1880 to Today: What it Means and How We Know
April 29
Carol Sawyer – Climate in the Mountains
May 6
Keith Blackwell - El Nino and Global Hurricane Activity
May 13
Glenn Sebastian – Deserts
Port of Mobile
Instructors: various
Coordinator: Hal Alexander
This class will provide an in-depth view of the port of Mobile. Representatives will give a general overview and cover such topics as port security, history, economic resiliency, Austal USA
and the Navy Ship program, energy transfer port, workforce development and the Interstate 10
bridge over the Mobile River.
Alabama Collections
Instructors: various
Coordinator: Hal Alexander
In this class we will look at some significant Alabama collections. Tom McGehee will present
The Story of Your Life in Your Own Words
the Bellingrath collecton. Cart Blackwell will discuss a collection of ante-bellum locally-made
Facilitator: Margaret Gordon
furniture. We will also view a collection of Mobile coin silver. These and several more fine
Family Search, a genealogical website, has published an essay entitled “52 questions in 52
weeks: Writing Your Life Story Has Never Been Easier” to encourage people to begin writing
about their own life and times. Each participant in this class will receive a copy, and we will take
inspiration from a few of these questions to help jog our memories and to use as “prompts” for
recording some of our memories. We will work in small groups to “re-collect” in collaboration
and help each other spark memories and get started. This will be less about the process of writing and more about developing a story relating the unique places we have been and paths we
have taken.
accumulations will give us an appreciation of the depth of collecting activity in Alabama.
Sports in Mobile
Instructors: various
Coordinator: Ginger Hudson
Are you one of the avid sports fans in our area? If so, you will enjoy this series of lectures by
local athletes, coaches, administrators, and a long-time sports commentator. They will discuss
various sports and sports history. These talks should answer many questions on performance,
strategy, training, attitude, and terminology.