Pre-register by Wednesday for a chance to win a grand prize valued at $1,000-plus

“Celebrate Community Connections” is the theme for Friday’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) open house, and with the bevy of offerings on hand, attendees will certainly be able to make a lot of those connections.

The free, open-to-the-public gathering in Stevenson Union at Southern Oregon University will not only showcase more than 100 fall course offerings and offer a chance to mingle with instructors, there will be dozens of exhibits of SOU programs and presentations by community nonprofit partners — plus the chance to enter free drawings and win a variety of door prizes.

If all that sounds like it may take a little fortification to work through, there will be a variety of free treats and beverages served up by the likes of Fountain Plaza, Horton Plaza, The Springs at Anna Maria, The Springs at Veranda Park, and Twin Creeks.   

An estimated 600-plus attendees will be given free tickets they can drop in boxes to win prizes they most prefer, including such prizes as tickets, gift certificates, wine, a quilt and other merchandise.

Those who preregister by Wednesday, July 20, and attend will be eligible to win a grand prize “health and well-being” bundle that includes a portable power station and memberships in OLLI, Ashland At Home and Mercy Flights — and more. To preregister, click on this link.

Attendees will also be able to pick up the OLLI Fall Catalog.

Open house sponsors include AARP Oregon, Asante, Ashland.news, and Rogue Valley Manor.

The seventh annual open house runs from 1 to 4 p.m Friday, July 22, in Stevenson Union at SOU at 1118 Siskiyou Blvd. in Ashland. Free parking is available in SOU Lot 36 on South Mountain Avenue.

OLLI at SOU is a member-run organization that has provided Rogue Valley adults, primarily aged 50-plus, with stimulating courses and social connections for almost 30 years. OLLI members may make unlimited selection from an average of 100 courses and co-curricular activities offered in person and online in each of three terms and attend social events, all for a one-time $150 annual membership fee and no per-course tuition. Scholarships are available. OLLI also provides free public lectures.

For more information, go to inside.sou.edu/olli  or call 541-552-6048.

Source: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute news release. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.