Huntsville's past, present and future examined at UAH's OLLI speakers series

Huntsville, Ala. (October 14, 2013) - The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI ) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is celebrating 20 years of service through learning, leadership and community service with a speakers series. OLLI is offered through the Division of Professional Studies.

Huntsville: Past, Present and Future will presented on Friday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m., to 11:30 a.m., in the Wilson Hall Auditorium on the UAH campus. OLLI membership is $15 per year and non-members are invited to join. For more information, please call 256.824.6183 or visit: www.PCS.uah.edu/WeeklyBonus.

Join OLLI for an informative and enlightening discussion on Huntsville, from its establishment and into its future. Speakers will include Nancy Rohr, local historian and author; Tommy Battle, Mayor of Huntsville, and Dennis Madsen, city manager of urban and long range planning.

Rohr, a local historian and author will share scandalous short stories and talk about colorful characters including General Andy Jackson and his militia men that included Sam Houston and Davey Crocket, camping here at what is now Brahan's Spring on their way to The Battle at Horseshoe Bend; and mythical leader Captain Slick, and his company of slicks (vigilantes) taking speedy action to miscreants with a thrashing from a hickory rod or from a double barreled shotgun as they left Huntsville.

One of Rohr's long range historical projects is the UAH Frances Roberts Collection. Rohr has been working on the project for five years, and it will be complete within a few months. The collection will be housed at UAH's Louis Salmon Library. Frances Cabaniss Roberts was a founding faculty member of the university.

Mayor Battle will provide a fascinating update on Huntsville's present-day accomplishments and plans. Dennis Madsen will lead the audience into the future on how the city may progress over the next 25 years, anticipating how our landscape could change through various demographic, technological, and economic influences.

OLLI offers a unique opportunity for adults 50 and over to select from a wide variety of noncredit classes, discussions, social events, and travel specifically designed to fit their lifestyle and interests.

Other OLLI membership benefits include discounted membership in the UAH Louis Salmon Library and fitness center, weekly e-news, The OLLI Insider (10 issues each year), free Wednesday Bonus classes, invitations to on-campus cultural and athletic events, and DVD lending library-all included in your $15 membership fee.

The next OLLI Speakers Series seminar will be in January.