Bluffton University’s Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), an educational program for retirees, is offering 10 courses on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays this spring, beginning March 23.

Each course costs $50; the cost to take three or more is $100. Registration and, if applicable, course fees are due at the time of registration; the deadline is March 20. Most classes will meet in the ILR classroom, located in Shultz Hall of Riley Court on campus.

To register or for more information, contact JP Schumacher, ILR director, at 419-358-3346 or [email protected].

Spring courses include:

It’s All Greek to Me (an introduction to the Greek language)
Mondays, March 23-April 27, 9-10:30 a.m.

Art that Changed the World
Mondays, March 23-April 27, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
The class will cover some 15,000 years, with familiar examples that will emphasize historic turning points within each artistic period and, in many cases, can be considered important masterworks of Western art.

Preserving Culture through Life History Narratives and Stories
Mondays, March 23-April 27, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
Class members will study descriptive life history events of 22 professional storytellers from the Cincinnati area.

Books in Review
Wednesdays, March 25-April 29, 9-10:30 a.m.

How They Do It: Comparisons of Sexual Life Cycles among Animals
Wednesdays, March 25-April 29, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
This class will look at mating behaviors and parenting in reptiles and birds.

How Does Your Garden Grow?
Wednesdays, March 25-April 29, 1:30-3 p.m. (field trips may last longer)
Two field trips are part of the class, which has a $15 materials fee for in-class gardening projects.

Musicals to Remember
Thursdays, March 26-April 30, 9 a.m. to noon

Three courses will be offered beginning Thursday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. Participants may choose from:

Introduction to Watercolor Painting
Thursdays through April 30, 1:30-3 p.m.
Watercolor paper, paints and brushes will be provided, at a cost of $15. The number of students is limited to 15; the class will meet in The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center classroom, adjacent to the ILR classroom.

Bread Baking
Thursdays through April 30, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Maximum class size is eight students; the location is the kitchen of Bluffton’s First Mennonite Church.

Biking the Trails
The first session will be in the ILR classroom. Rides will begin in Bluffton, then move on to such destinations as Hillside Winery in Gilboa, Sycamore Lake Wine Co. near Columbus Grove and the Lima and North Baltimore bicycle trails.