UD OLLI members Norine and Dan Bilharz of Rehoboth are longtime participants in OLLI’s Lewes-based English Country Dance class and more, and were enthusiastic OLLI Summer Selections ‘super attendees’ last year.
The community is being invited to register for summer offerings at the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), UD’s social and learning cooperative for adults ages 50 or older. Registration is available until May 22, and then reopens June 8.
OLLI “Summer Selections” classes and activities take place June 22 through July 25 in Dover, Lewes, Wilmington and online, covering topics from nature and culture to history, cooking and exercise. Summer classes provide an opportunity for new and returning participants to become acquainted with OLLI offerings in an abbreviated session.
Delaware residence or past OLLI participation is not required, and the usual 50-plus age guideline is waived for adults of any age to participate in OLLI summer classes.
Longtime OLLI participants from Rehoboth Beach, Dan and Norine Bilharz, maximized their enjoyment of Summer Selections last year by signing up for as many day trips and special events as possible, choosing a variety of programs across OLLI’s Delaware locations.
Over the course of OLLI’s Summer Selections 2025 program, they traveled 750 miles throughout the state for classes including Culinary Conversation with Chef Alex Neaton in Dover, Food & Wine Tasting in Wilmington, Favorite Movies on the Big Screen at the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes and Historic Old New Castle Walking Tour, as well as in other subjects like history, travel, music and literature, including some online offerings.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Dan Bilharz.
The two had nothing but high praise for every program and instructor involved.
“We’ve been amazed at how informative the presenters are and how passionate they are,” said Norine Bilharz. “We’re lucky to have them sharing their passion with us.”
The trips also enabled the couple to meet OLLI classmates who had previously only been faces on the screen during online classes.
Pittsburgh natives, the Bilharzes spent their careers in Harrisburg, where Dan Bilharz worked in the information technology industry and Norine Bilharz was a registered nurse. In 2013, they retired and moved to Rehoboth Beach and joined OLLI. Dan Bilharz teaches English Country Dance at OLLI in Lewes. Norine Bilharz also participates in English country dancing and assists with an OLLI crocheting class in Lewes. They take UD OLLI classes year-round and haven’t missed a semester in 10 years.
“As energetic students, instructors, travelers and dancers, Norine and Dan display a true passion for learning, exemplifying the OLLI motto, ‘Curiosity Never Retires,’” organizers said.
This summer, the more than 80 OLLI Summer Selections offerings include:
· Historic New Castle Walking Tour
· Day at Delaware Public Archives
· Wine Tasting
· Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs
· Culinary Conversation with Chef Alex Neaton
· Orphan Train Movement
· Family History
· Physiology of Aging
· Stained Glass
· Favorite Movies
· Novel Writing
· Caregiving
· Diamond Jewelry Appraisal
· Shroud of Turin
· S.S. United States: Final Voyage
· Jewish New Orleans
· Elder Law
· And many more
OLLI is a learning cooperative for adults 50 or older to socialize and take classes together with no grades or exams. Unlimited session participation for the five-week summer program costs $125, or $20 for individual special events on a space-available basis. Some courses and special events may require additional fees.
Partial scholarships are available. For complete course listings or to register, visit http://www.olli.udel.edu/summer/.
