Winter term is rolling along beautifully. With over 1,680 Osher members enrolled, our numbers are up 14% and we’ve broken our Winter 2025 previous record, which is fabulous. People ages 50 and better want to gather together, continue learning, and keep their curious minds active and happy. And it’s a beautiful sight to see in our classrooms and hallways!
If you haven’t registered yet, we still have space available in new classes and special events starting this month and next. Please read below for some highlights, including our very special Utah Symphony Finishing Touches preview lecture, an extraordinary class learning about the wisdom of horses, a way to cook for one or two just in time for Valentine’s Day, a date night outing to Pioneer Theater, and much more!
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Start your morning off right with this special behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing concerts to the stage. Oboist, Luca de la Florin, will present a half-hour preview lecture about the music in the February 20 Finishing Touches Rehearsal of the Utah Symphony. Concertmaster Madeline Adkins takes center stage for John Adams’ Violin Concerto, a pulse-pounding fusion of rhythmic vitality and expressive harmonies. An audience favorite for a reason, Adkins’ virtuosity and magnetic stage presence make her the perfect match for this electrifying showcase.
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Finishing Touches gives our audience the opportunity to observe working rehearsals. Selections from the program will be rehearsed at the discretion of the conductor. Separate tickets are required to attend the actual rehearsal held at 10:00 am-12:30 pm and can be purchased from the Utah Symphony Ticket Office, 801-533-6683. They can also be purchased immediately after the class in the half hour before the rehearsal begins.
Friday February 20 at 9:00 am
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This transformative class explores the profound art of connecting with horses through presence, breath, and mutual understanding. Far beyond traditional horsemanship, this experience invites participants to develop a deep, intuitive relationship with these magnificent beings without the barrier of riding. Class members will each be interacting and connecting with horses (not riding them). Class takes place at Blue Sky Ranch 45 minutes outside of Salt Lake City and registered class members will be notified of exact location one week before class begins.
Friday February 27 at 10:00 am
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This two-session course explores the life and works of George Orwell, a pivotal 20th-century writer known for his sharp critiques of totalitarianism, class inequality, and political corruption. First, we will delve into Orwell's life, from his upbringing in British India to his formative experiences in Burma, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II. We will connect these moments, which shaped his political views and literary voice, to his early works, such as Down and Out in Paris and London and The Road to Wigan Pier.
The second session shifts focus to Orwell's most iconic works, Animal Farm and 1984. We will explore their themes of power, propaganda, and societal control, discussing their relevance to modern political and digital landscapes. The second session also examines Orwell's influential essays, including Politics and the English Language, and his enduring legacy as a writer and thinker. Through discussions and reflections, you will gain a deeper understanding of Orwell's contributions to literature and his resonance in contemporary times.
Monday February 2 at 11:30 am
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When movement is comfortable, life is more enjoyable, and you feel more like you would like to feel. The key is to move more efficiently with the least amount of effort to achieve the effect you desire. The Feldenkrais Method® engages brain plasticity through gentle, intelligent, and intriguing movement sequences. People report that they have reduced pain and more flexibility in movement, and more freedom in how they think about themselves.
Wednesday February 11 at 1:30 pm
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Cooking and baking can become more challenging once the kids are gone. You end up making too much, eating the same thing over and over to get rid of the leftovers, or throwing away food that's spoiled. And there is nothing worse than finishing up dried-out baked goods from a "regular" batch. In this two-session demo class, you will learn some scaled-down recipes that are perfect for two. If you are happily single (like the instructor), you are also welcome; there will be good information for you, too. Because "life is short, so eat dessert first," the first week will cover small-batch sweets. The second week will focus on an easy, savory meal for two. We will provide the recipes, along with tips for grocery shopping and reducing recipes for one or two people. We will also present some food storage ideas and strategies to reduce food waste. Come into the kitchen (virtually), bring your questions, and let's have some fun!
Friday February 13 at 1:30 pm
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Historical novels tell stories about a time and a place and the people who live there, requiring authors to do extensive research to reflect the history accurately. Using The Owl was a Baker's Daughter by Grace Tiffany as the focus, we will look at the 17th Century English Civil War, focusing on the conflict between Charles I's Royalists and Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads to provide context for the novel. We will then spend a second hour discussing the novel as literature. Readers and history buffs welcome! Please read The Owl was a Baker's Daughter before class.
Friday February 27 at 11:30 am
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Join us for the February session! The book this month will be Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. The Booker Bookers will read Booker Prize winners in monthly meetings from September 2025 through May 2026. Each session will feature a rotating discussion leader from among Osher members. The reading list is curated by Osher volunteer Lee Ann Troutman, featuring titles available at both the Anderson Foothill branch of the city library system and the Granite County Library. Come join the Booker Bookers!
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Please note: This event is offered as a series and you'll need to register separately for any sessions you'd like to attend.
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Friday February 6 at 1:00 pm
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| Osher Special Events are brought to you in part by ZAP!
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative team, themes, and creative choices behind the production TEN BRAVE SECONDS before seeing a Preview Performance of it that night! Pioneer Theatre Company's class is only offered to Osher members. Refreshments provided.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 28
Thursday January 29 at 6:30 pm
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Join us for a behind-the-scenes experience at Sir Walter Candy Co. Guests will meet the owners, hear the story behind their craft, and enjoy a guided tour through the facility where all the chocolates and candies are made. The event includes a chocolate tasting, plus fun optional treats like decorated popcorn, strawberries, waffles, and more. As part of the special fee, attendees will receive $10 in store credit along with a 10% discount on purchases made that day.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 29 - Thursday!
Tuesday, February 3 at 2:00 pm
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Do you love attending Osher Special Events each term? Are you curious about how we select and organize our many varied fun events and who is responsible for planning them? This single-session free class will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of how Osher staff and volunteers run this very special and unique aspect of our program. Volunteerism is the foundation of Osher and especially of Special Events. We've slowly been gearing up after Covid changed the way events were done in 2020. We're getting back to more in-person meetings at familiar venues and exploring new places too. Come learn how it's done and maybe even plan a new special event yourself for your fellow Osher members or share your ideas for fun places for Osher to visit.
Wednesday February 25 at 10:00 am
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Lunch & Learn lectures are wonderful opportunities to experience a sampling of what the Osher program offers, firsthand and for FREE! These lectures open to the general public, as part of our service to the community. If you have a friend who might be interested in Osher, please encourage them to attend and give us a “test drive”.
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We also host an in-person Watch Party each term at our building at 540 Arapeen Drive, broadcasting the six Zoom sessions live, from 12 to 1 pm for those who would like the option to gather in person and watch the Zoom Event together. Grab your brown bag lunch, invite a friend, and join us--online or in person at the Watch Party--to enjoy these informative, interesting, engaging and free lectures.
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Our huge thanks to longtime Osher volunteer Sandy Clark, who donates her time and energy to creating these six sessions each term for fellow Osher members. Thank you, Sandy!
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Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Prevention, and Management
By Sarah Zou, MPH, RDN, CDCES, Clinical Dietitian, University of Utah
This presentation serves as an introduction to type 2 diabetes, including a review of the underlying physiological cause, risk factors, prevention strategies, and lifestyle management.
Wednesday January 28 at 12:00 pm
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A Sad Farewell to One of Our Own
Osher instructor Gordon Jones passed away on January 8 at the age of 83. He taught literature classes at Osher, The Matter of Britain (King Arthur) and The Matter of France (Charlemagne). His most recent class was The Matter of Rome, which explored how (mostly) French literature dealt with the great Greek and Roman epics, The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid, and heroes, Alexander, Caesar, Troilus, Sir Orfeo, and others. Thank you, Gordon, and you will be missed!
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Read more about Gordon here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/deseretnews/name/gordon-jones-obituary?id=60505120
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The winningest head coach in Utah women's basketball history, Elaine Elliott, will be permanently recognized in the Jon M. Huntsman Center on February 14, 2026, with a banner raised to the rafters in her honor. Elliott's banner celebrations will take place over the duration of that weekend; but the banner unveiling will take place at halftime of the matchup against Cincinnati.
A little bit more about Coach Elliott: She amassed an all-time record of 582-234 as head coach of the Utes from 1982-2010, will be immortalized with a banner displaying "582" for her number of wins. She is not only the winningest coach in program history, but also the winningest head coach in Mountain West Conference women's basketball history. She was named the John Wooden National Coach of the Year in 2001, as well as the WBCA District Coach of the Year five times. Under Elliott's guidance, the Utes claimed 15 conference championship titles and made 14 NCAA appearances, including Utah's only appearance in the Elite Eight in 2006. She also made it to the Sweet 16 in 2001 and 2006.
Let's cheer on the Utah Women's Basketball as they play Cincinnati and cheer even louder when Coach Elliott's banner is raised! The Lady Utes recently beat the then #8 ranked and undefeated TCU team in overtime. Enjoy discounted tickets for Osher members, thanks to Special Events volunteer Angie Matinkhah! An order processing fee will be assessed on each order.
Saturday February 14 at 5:00 pm
Buy Discounted Tickets Here: https://utahutes.evenue.net/promotions/EEF
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Stay Connected by Joining Us on Social Media
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The Osher Instagram and Facebook pages are a great way to stay connected. We highlight the accomplishments of Osher instructors and members. Special Events are updated, posted, and featured here too. Please like us to stay up to date and share with your friends who would enjoy all that Osher has to offer!
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| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
801-581-6461 | osher@utah.edu
osher.utah.edu
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Continuing Education at the University of Utah | 540 Arapeen Dr Rm 210 | Salt Lake City, UT 84108 US
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