Each spring and fall term, OLLI offers an 8-week SAGE lecture series featuring a diverse and engaging set of speakers who explore contemporary issues and evolving cultural activities.
Spring 2026
March 17 – May 5
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
In person: UMS Portland Campus, Wishcamper room 133.
Online: Via Zoom. A link will be emailed to registered attendees the Monday before each lecture.
$15 per lecture. Register online or cash-only payments at the door. Membership not required.
Registration now open!
Jody Olsen
Building Trust Across Continents: What We Learn From the Peace Corps
Peace Corps’ 64 years of service in 142 countries succeeds by asking Americans to integrate into host country communities through trust and respect. Jody Olsen, former director of the Peace Corps, discusses how this model can be applied here at home to renew connections within our community.
Will Everitt
Protecting the Environmental Health of Casco Bay
The Friends of Casco Bay’s mission is to improve and protect the environmental health of Casco Bay. Join Will Everitt, Executive Director of Friends of Casco Bay, to talk about how we act as the eyes, ears, and voice of the Bay. Our most important work includes reducing pollution and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Travis Lazarczyk
Why Has Portland Become So Successful with Its Minor League Sports Teams?
Travis Lazarczyk, sportswriter and columnist for the Portland Press Herald, will moderate a panel discussion with representatives from the Portland Sea Dogs (baseball), Maine Mariners (hockey), the Maine Celtics (basketball), and the Hearts of Pine (soccer).
Jule Selbo
Finding Your Creative Life Through Words
Jule Selbo, award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and novelist, will be interviewed by novelist Richard Cass to share their “secret” approaches to living a creative life through words. Knowing that some people use paint, others photography, or food, or crafts, or their own certain approach to life – Jule and Richard will discuss why and how expressing inner thoughts and the ways we see life is important.
Betsy Biemann
Building a Maine Economy That Works for Everyone
Betsy Biemann, Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., shares how CEI works to grow a just, vibrant and climate-resilient future for people and communities in Maine and rural regions nationally by advising entrepreneurs, investing in their small businesses, and championing policies that strengthen communities and support inclusive, economic prosperity.
SAGE+ Presents:
Reimagining Shakespeare After 400 Years
Katelyn Manfre
Thursday, April 23, 6 p.m. – Wishcamper Center, Room 133 or online via Zoom
Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday! What inspires contemporary theatrical companies to perform Shakespeare’s plays? Why do we still find them fascinating? Delve behind the scenes of the creative process and explore Shakespeare through a contemporary lens with Katelyn Manfre, board member of Portland’s Fenix Theatre Company which has been producing free Shakespeare in the Park for 18 summers. This summer Fenix will perform Henry IV, Part One. Portland’s Fenix Theatre Company presents this special lecture with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Free & open to the public.
To register, call the OLLI office at (207) 780-4406. Seats are limited.
Thank you to the Program Planning Committee that planned our Spring 2026 season!