The Osher Life Long Learning Institute (University of Delaware at Lewes and Ocean View) announced the lineup of over 40 new courses for the June session, which lasts for four weeks, although some courses are held for less than that. Every class is an opportunity to learn something new and reconnect with old friends or meet new ones.
There are, for example, two operas: Carmen and Manon Lascaut, a three week course on poetry, one on short stories by James Joyce, a presentation on the U.S. Foreign Service, painting in oils, making fabric jewelry, gardening, landscaping, and English Country Dancing. This is just a small sample.
For the full list of courses, see the June 2017 Course Catalog, which is also available at local libraries and the school location, or visit the website: lifelonglearning.udel.edu/lewes.
Also consider sharing your enthusiasm as an instructor. No teaching experience needed.
The application form is included in the June 2017 Course Catalog and is also available online on their website. Gift certificates are available. Give the gift of experiences that will enrich lives by introducing a friend or neighbor to OLLI, a treasure here in Lewes and Ocean View.
Phil Fretz
A movement afoot in the U.S. Congress would terminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the only federal entity devoted exclusively to improving the administration of American elections. Given lingering controversies surrounding our elections, abolishing this bi-partisan agency makes no sense.
The EAC works to improve our nation’s election systems by offering assistance to states on a voluntary, non-regulatory basis. Forty-seven states depend on the agency’s oversight of the federal voting system certification program, which sets standards for maintaining and upgrading voting machines across the country. Local election officials also rely on the EAC to provide best practices on voting and election administration, including accessibility to the polls for more than 37 million voters with disabilities.
While questions about the accuracy and conduct of elections discourage voter turnout, the EAC bolsters confidence in elections by providing state and local officials with tools to safeguard the system. Unfortunately, this positive, uncontroversial, bipartisan agency draws little attention and could be dismantled without much notice or objection. Passage of The Election Commission Assistance Termination Act would be both irrational and irresponsible. We need to hold our members of Congress accountable.
Jane Lord, President—League of Women Voters of Sussex County