LIRA

02/21/2023

The Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA) invites all retirees to join their Spring semester classes (some live, Zoom or hybrid.)

A sample of Spring classes.

1. The US Constitution, based on material from the National Constitution Center. 2. Our Immune System & how it works. 3. Groton Hill Music Center, tour this new incredible teaching and performance facility. 4. Police Reform, presented by Ed Cronin - Former MA Police Chief & International Police advisor & author. 5. What, Why & How of EV’s; benefits, brands, selection resources and rebates/incentives. 6. Waste Management Recycling Center tour, 2 billion pounds in, sorted & sold. 7. Heroes & Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature 8. The Peloponnesian War, UML Assistant Professor Jane Sancinito covers the lead up to the messy end. 9. The Old Manse Tour, built 1770 overlooking the North Bridge. 10. Critical Issues in K-12 Public Schools. Curriculum, national models of school effectiveness & more. 11. That THINK You Do, Author Joseph Carrabis shares 60 ways to be happy. 12. Exploring the Universe, an overview of the Universe, Our Solar System, Stars & Citizen science projects. 13. The Politics of the United Kingdom, UML Emeritus Professor John Wooding; politics, history, culture, parties & the UK constitution. 14. A Greek Odyssey, historical & current context of its history, photos & experiences as a Fulbright Fellow. 15. A Three-Week Course on Frankenstein by UML Professor Bridget Marshall 16. Searching the Exoplanetary Atmospheres for Clues by UML Professor Emeritus Bob Gamache 15. Great Decisions discussion group topics; Energy Geopolitics, War Crimes, China & the US, Economic Warfare. 16. Book discussion group; The Age of Innocence, The Revolutionary, Clara, and the Sun. 17. Film discussion group; Dances with Wolves, Chariots of Fire, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 18. 150 years of Bridal Fashion – tour at the Nashua Historical Society. 19. UML South Campus Art tour; paintings, sculpture, mosaics & the artist who made them.

Detailed descriptions, schedules, and information to join LIRA www.UML.edu/LIRA/ Some classes begin March 6th. Half year membership fee is only $$75 or $125/couple. You can take as many classes as you wish. For questions email [email protected] (LIRA members will receive the zoom links via email.)

LIRA is a multi-faceted educational program for the retired and semi-retired, for which there are neither educational nor age requirements. LIRA's philosophy is to provide, at a modest cost, college-level learning experiences for all its members, regardless of previous educational background.

02/18/2023

Some great LIRA courses to be announced later this week. Here are a few hints for class topics.

12/22/2022

** Free classes for Retirees! **

The Learning in Retirement Association’s winter Intersession classes are free for all retirees. Attend a class on Zoom, or in-person.

A sample of classes; 1. Online Gambling: The facts behind the fiction. 2. Construction & Development of the Fusion Tokamak reactor in Devens, MA. 3. Book Appraisals by Kim & Bev Rudeen – collectors/dealer/book lovers for 40 years. 4. Professor Nelson Eby talks about Geoscience & Critical Minerals for green technology. 5. Stories from Antietam, one of the most consequential battles of the Civil War. 6. Her Majesty’s A Pretty Nice Girl – a talk by Professor Emeritus John Wooding on the British monarchy. 7. Sancho & Clarchies: Black Men of Letters & Music in the 18th & 19th centuries. 8. Island Lore-Shipwrecks – a view from New England history, art & photography. 9. Richard Hollman, a Ph.D. Physicist talks about his turn to writing science fiction including a sci-fi trilogy. There are more LIRA classes including book and film discussion groups.

Classes start on Jan 4, 2023.

For the complete list of classes, descriptions with dates and times: www.uml.edu/LIRA then click on Course Schedules.

Guests, to receive the links for the Zoom classes, email your full name and email address to [email protected]. (LIRA members will receive the links by email). Feel free to share this post with others.

11/15/2022

30 LIRA member in class and 24 on Zoom were treated to a great presentation by Professor Robert Forrant on "Irish Immigration and Labor in Lowell before the Civil War."

10/19/2022

LIRA's first group of two visiting the new Lowell Justice Center. Great tour and discussion of the courtrooms, types of cases, security, law library & free services on some civil matters. Oh, and the view from the 7th floor was fantastic. (No photos allowed inside)

08/29/2022

The Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA) invites all retirees to join their Fall semester classes (some live, Zoom or hybrid.)

A sample of offered Fall classes; 1. Talk by Jonathan Lemire (Politico, MSNBC, AP) on his new book “THE BIG LIE” 2. Lighthouses & the People Who Kept Them 3. Unlocking the Hidden History of DNA, 4. Hands on Art Class 5. The Election of 2022 – A shift in power? 6. The Most Influential Characters of Literature 7. Tour of the new Lowell Justice Center 8. Articles of Confederation – Stronger than a Rope of Sand 9. UMass Rist Center for Sustainability & Energy research overview, 10. New Refugees & Immigrants in Lowell 11. America & the Global Economy 12. Native Americans in Colonial New England 13. Professor led Tour of the Oak Hill Conservation 14. Critical Issues in K-12 Public Schools 15. Great Decisions discussion group as well as Book and Film discussion groups.

Additional classes, detailed descriptions, schedules, and information to join LIRA www.UML.edu/LIRA/ Classes begin Sept 12. Yearly membership fee is only $125 or $200/couple. You can take as many classes as you wish. For questions email [email protected]

UMass Lowell, a midsized public research university located north of Boston, offers full- and part-time students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs online and on campus.

06/09/2022

Join LIRA on July 14th at 10 AM for a visit to the Peabody Ess*x Museum in Salem, MA. The $20 fee includes admission and a 1 hour guided tour.

The tenth largest museum and one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the US, PEM has 840,000 works of historical and cultural art covering maritime, American, Asian, African, and Oceanic,

To reserve a place, send a check for $20 per person by June 30th made out to LIRA, Inc. to Bob Hanlon, 198 Littleton Road, Unit 3103, Chelmsford, MA. 01824.

06/07/2022

LIRA folks enjoyed a guided tour of the Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA as part of the spring intersession classes/outings. We learned a lot about various native plants and even how glaciers created this hilly land.

05/06/2022

Free classes for Retirees!

The Learning in Retirement Association’s summer Intersession classes are free for all retirees. Attend a class on Zoom, or in-person, or join us on a trip to a museum or The Garden in the Woods.

A quick list of offerings; 1. Excursion to Garden in the Woods. 2. Jack Kerouac - From Lowell to the World. 3. Uniforms of the American Expedition Force in WWI. 4. Mixology with the staff of Warp and Weft. 5. Darkness in Distress - light pollution. 6. Trip to The Charles River Museum of Industry. 7. Bus trip to the Peabody Ess*x Museum. 8. Moods, Emotions, and Aging: Hormones and the Mind-Body. 9. Visions of the Shakers - history of this Utopian sect. 10. Book and Film Discussion groups.

For more detailed class/trip descriptions with dates and times for these events: www.uml.edu/LIRA then click on Course Schedules.

Guests, to receive the links for the Zoom classes, email your full name with code FB1 to [email protected]. (LIRA members will receive the links by email). Feel free to share this post with others.

02/22/2022

The Learning in Retirement Association (LIRA) invites all retirees to join their Spring semester classes (via Zoom).

A quick sample of the Spring classes; 1. The Irish Identity: Independence, History and Literature. 2. Introducing the James Webb Space Telescope. 3. Beauport: A Dream Realized. 4. The Pandemic Global Economy: Supply Chains, Inflation and Politics. 5. The Sum of us – the social & economic impact of racism. 6. Memory? What memory! 7. The Business of Sports. 8. Great Decisions - America's largest discussion program on world affairs. 9. Perennial Gardening. 10. The Walls Trembled – the worst industrial accident in Massachusetts history. 11. A Central Banker talks about inflation and answers your questions. 12. Snapshots of Ancient Rome. 13. Getting Started with Your Family Story. 14. The history of the English Music Hall. Also, Book and Movie discussion groups.

Additional classes, detailed descriptions, schedules, and information to join LIRA - www.UML.edu/LIRA/ Classes begin March 7th.

If you are not a member, half year membership fee is only $75 or $125/couple and you can take as many classes as you wish. For questions email [email protected]

Feel free to share this post with others. LIRA is a partnership project with the Offices of Community Relations and Alumni Relations at UMass Lowell.