This Was Their Lives (OLLI)

Here’s a fact: OLLI students love history — all kinds of
history. The concept for the “This Was Their Lives” course
was created by the late Ron Cohen, a student and history
buff. These glimpses into the lives of both famous and
lesser-known historical figures, who left their marks on
communities, society, and in some cases the world, reflect
Ron's belief in the importance of discovery, lifelong learning,
and engagement. For fall 2025, we present the stories of
a Sarasota pioneer, a writer, a TV icon, a movie star, and
a chef. Enjoy!

Sept. 29: Leonard Reid a Sarasota Pioneer
with Vickie Oldham
Discover the remarkable life and legacy of Leonard Reid,
one of the earliest African-American settlers in Sarasota.
Reid was connected to some of the most prominent figures
in the city’s history, including John Hamilton Gillespie,
Sarasota's first mayor, and land developer Owen Burns.
His one-story Frame Vernacular home stands as a lasting
example of the architectural style commonly found in
Sarasota's African-American neighborhoods. Join us for
an engaging session as we learn about Reid’s role in the
founding of Overtown, Sarasota’s first Black community,
and highlight his humanitarian accomplishments.

Oct. 6: Emily Dickinson with Teresa Carson
Despite the fact that Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) published
only 10 poems and one letter in her lifetime, she is regarded
as one of the most important, most beloved, and most
visionary American poets. Approximately 1,789 lyric poems
and 1,304 letters of hers are extant and yet Emily herself
remains, to a large degree, an enigma to us. Books, plays,
movies, television series, and popular culture often present
myths and legends about her life and loves as facts.
Unfortunately, those myths and legends do a disservice to
her genius by simplifying her complexity. We will appreciate
her complexity by examining facets of it through a mix of
straight biography, letters, and poems.

Oct. 13: A ’60s Radical Creative: Mr. Rogers
with Nancy Cusack
Notes on creativity from the life of Fred Rogers, professional
musician, Florida snowbird, and TV icon. As a sickly, bullied
child, one might not have foreseen “Fat Freddy” becoming
a highly unconventional, totally uncool, and a fearlessly
controversial media powerhouse. Clues to his radical nature
were however evident early in his life at Rollins College in
Winter Park. Join us to learn more.

Oct. 20: Charlie Chaplin with Jeffrey Sherman
Few people in the movie industry can be credited with
so many innovations, so much trailblazing, so much
entertainment, and so much controversy, yet Charlie
Chaplin was all those things — and more. Best known for
his iconic “Little Tramp” character, Chaplin brought comedy
and pathos to the screen in the first quarter of the 20th
century in ways never imagined. A true pioneer, Chaplin's
influences are still felt in contemporary filmmaking.
This lecture will celebrate the life and accomplishments
of this legendary comedian.

Oct. 27: Julia Child with Bonnie Garvey Spadafora
Julia Child was a pioneering chef, author, and television
personality who brought French cuisine to the American
public. Her 1961 successful debut cookbook, Mastering
the Art of French Cooking, and her television program,
“The French Chef,” which premiered in 1963, made her a
national star. Her energy, enthusiasm, and non-flappable
attitude as she demonstrated recipes endeared her to
many … but did you know in addition to being a chef,
Julia was a spy? Let's find out more about Julia's known
and unknown past.