The Faces of OLLI [#12]: Meet Paul Stone

 

[Photo credit:

 

 

The Faces OLLI [#12]: Meet Paul Stone

[by Alan Sturrock, blogger] 

 

   Prior to moving to Wilmington, Paul Stone lived and worked in Brattleboro, Vermont, where, post graduate school, he practiced dentistry for some forty five years. Paul and his wife Amelia began moving into the Wilmington area in 2012, wintering here but continuing to spend summers in Vermont. They have been North Carolina residents now for two years.

   His first experience with OLLI was in the Adult Scholars Program—a three/four day lecture series on the various facets of life here in Wilmington. Subsequent involvement with OLLI increased thereafter, and he has become an active member in OLLI now for well over ten years. He enjoys group-participatory classes: Friday Forum, Plato, & Great Decisions. He also enjoys many academic classes—he is taking The Imagination of Kafka, and recently led a discussion on Ho Chi Minh in a Friday Forum. He is also a contributing member of the Academic Planning Committee, and heads the group that puts together the LOOK lecture series.

     Paul was a dentist by vocation, but has  been an artist from a very young age—“when I got crayons on the living room rug..” he explains. Over the years, he has progressed through drawing, watercolor and oil painting. His current medium, collage, was the subject of another lecture he gave at OLLI.  His art has been featured in major galleries up and down the Eastern Seaboard, and he also has had art displayed in the US State Department embassies as far east as Tunisia and Cambodia.

   This year, Paul published his first novel, Convergence.

   It chronicles the pre-civil war voyage of two young men of different races through their early lives, living out the moral and political vagaries of the period. The book's sequel, now at the publisher, relates the adventures of the two characters on a two masted brig heading east to China.

   Looking ahead, Paul is interested in creating a discussion group centred on the topic of consciousness, its phenomenology and how it is experienced. Paul truly embodies the spirit of OLLI in his pursuit of lifelong learning. 

The Faces of OLLI [#11]: Meet Janet Stiegler*

 

 [Janet & Paul on an OLLI trip to France]

 

The Faces of OLLI [#11]: Meet Janet Stiegler

[by Janet Stiegler, Guest blogger*]

 

  

After earning my BA and MA in foreign languages from the State University of New York at Albany and studying abroad twice, I began a 32-year career at the CIA in Langley, VA. I started as an analyst, writing papers for U.S. policymakers, and later served in leadership roles as a manager and senior staff officer. My late husband, Paul, and I met in graduate school and went on to have fascinating careers at the Agency.

One of the reasons we chose to retire to the Wilmington area, besides the temperate climate and year-round cultural opportunities, was the presence of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the opportunity it offered for continued learning through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Early on, we enrolled in OLLI’s Adult Scholars Leadership Program—a fantastic introduction to the region that opened doors to its government, media, cultural institutions, healthcare  and nonprofits. 

Regarding OLLI courses that resonate, I naturally gravitate toward writing and communications classes (old habits die hard), but I’ve also ventured into environmental studies, political and cultural topics, and language courses. And then there are the unexpected offerings—mockumentary workshops, tango lessons, street photography—that nudge me out of my comfort zone and into new ways of seeing the world. Often it is the enthusiasm of the instructors that transforms a topic into something far more interesting than I anticipated.

I’m an active person who likes jogging, biking, swimming, pilates, and other aerobic and strength training classes.  But because I live in a planned community that offers these things, I don’t take many exercise classes at OLLI.  However, I have taken cooking and baking courses (pizza, bread, paella, kimbap) and participated in two international trips (France & Finland).  The laughter and shared learning with my OLLI colleagues are what make these experiences special.

Volunteering with various nonprofits–the Cape Fear Literacy Council, the Cape Fear River Watch, and OLLI at UNCW–has been a rewarding part of retirement. Early on, I found myself not just attending OLLI classes, but helping to shape or support them, either as part of the Language Forum planning committee, a host on the Tech Team for online learning, or a member of OLLI’s Advisory Council.  As a result, I now have greater insight to how the staff and volunteers bring these programs to life and a network of supportive friends. 

It’s hard to imagine what more OLLI could offer; each term seems to outdo the last.  That said, the ever-popular “behind the scenes” tours—of places like the airport or the port—tend to fill up instantly, and I’d like to be able to join one in the future. I’ve even wondered what a behind-the-scenes look at a place like Costco might reveal. How do they manage that kind of volume so seamlessly? And what do they do to create such a consistently dedicated workforce? If that ever appears in the catalog, I’ll be ready to go on registration day.

The Faces of OLLI [#10]: OLLI Japan: Where the Ordinary becomes Extraordinary

 

[Susan, Suzanne & Kirtsen on recent Japan Trip]

 

 

OLLI Japan: Where the Ordinary becomes Extraordinary

By Suzanne Micallef [Guest Blogger]

                     

 

“so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens”

 

William Carlos Williams

 

According to literary critics, in this imagist poem, Williams uses simple language and unique structure to highlight a red wheelbarrow "glazed with rain water" next to white chickens, suggesting that profound significance can be found in everyday, often overlooked, scenes in life.

 

    About 33 years ago Kirsten Atkinson and I met at Wesley Preschool where our sons were enrolled in the same pre-school class.  We were both involved in the classroom as Kirsten shared her love for music as she played guitar and bells, and I shared my love for art as I created arts and crafts projects for the class.  As a result, not only did our sons become friends, but so did we.   Each week Kirsten and I and our boys would visit Burger King at Monkey Junction.  The boys would get snacks and play on the jungle gym, while Kirsten and I would get sodas and play Scrabble.  It was such a rich and stimulating friendship which led to our bonding over so many experiences in our lives.  As our boys entered first grade, their schools changed, and we lost touch.  In November, 2025, we were both signed up to travel to Japan with OLLI.  At the information meeting one week before the trip, we serendipitously sat next to one another unknowingly - mind you 33 years had passed since we last had seen one another.  So turning to meet our group members, we recognized one another -and just like that – time dissolved!   We could not believe it!  We embraced, so grateful to reconnect, and so happy to be traveling together!  In fact in the middle of our bonding, Amy Keith walked by beaming and so delighted by our rekindled friendship. 

 

    Needless to say, the trip was magnificent and we were inseparable.  This is a story of parallel lives as we initially met at a time in our paths where we navigated similar waters of life of pre-school children, new babies to be on the way, and the need for meaningful friendship.  Life, or OLLI or Burger King -have it your way! -  intervened and our parallel life paths converged yet again.  Time seemed to be our friend.  Not only was our friendship renewed, but we found our individual life journeys to echo a similar chord of lessons and enriched reconnection. 

 The Japan trip was a divine experience for each of us, not only because of the immersion into such a beautiful landscape and culture of respect and beauty, but also because of the community and friendship encouraged by Susan Williams.  We three women bonded on that trip,  and we call ourselves the “Sake Sisters”.  We also earned nick names, as Kirsten is K,  I am Q and Susan is J.  Each of us wears a ring – it is a 100 Japanese yen coin made into a ring designed by a local jeweler, and my friend, Sara Westermark.    Was it OLLI?  Was it Fate?  All I know is that Kirsten and I are forever changed and grateful for the chance to re-connect, and the fact that OLLI served as a catalyst for our next chapter is all the more special.

 

   We cannot wait to travel together again, and going with OLLI was incredible.  Great hotels, forest bathing, cultural immersion, so much laughter and joy and just loving life!

 

Scenes from Japan 2025 – Suzanne Micallef

 

Leaves float

Politely surrendering

Of one accord

 

 

The carp transcends

up the waterfall

down the waterfall

in tireless

acceptance

  

----------------

  

Waterfalls.  Quiet beauty.

Brilliant yellows of Gingko,

Varied scarlets of Red Maple,

 Soothing greens of Bamboo.

A vibrant dance,

intensified by the blue sky.

We are bathed in sacred reverence.

In peaceful isolation, as we are called

To partake in our sacred pilgrimage,

In our Japan.

 

Grounding Quiet.

Black obsidian

Red Jasper

We heed your call.