Lemonade Recipe

One of the most important aspects of the Osher program is the sense of community it brings to participants. Although we have received amazing feedback on classs offered over the past few semesters, something has felt a bit off. You might feel that way too. I can’t pretend that the sense of community hasn’t been hugely impacted by a couple of major factors: the pandemic and losing our previous campus space. Thankfully, more and more people are now feeling comfortable returning to in-person classes, even as we continue to offer online classes. Throughout the past 3+ years, we have made lemonade out of proverbial lemons. We have been holding in-person classes in two great facilities and we’ve had online courses and lectures as a new feature of the curriculum. Yet, as social animals, even the introverts among us crave socialization. At the beginning of the pandemic when we were all homebound, I realized that even the smallest of small talk felt huge and meaningful. Going to the supermarket became a big event that I couldn’t wait for. I talked to the person ringing up my groceries as if she was a dear friend, albeit separated from me by plexiglass. We are back to a more “normal” way of life, but I don’t take these interactions for granted. Seeing your fellow Osher members in-person during class has taken on more significance than before. We are still working on perfecting our lemonade recipe as we try to find ways for members to connect in and out of the classroom. Without a dedicated gathering place to call our own, we need to be more creative than ever. Being social with other Osher members is something that we all miss tremendously. I feel it too. A key ingredient for developing a new sense of community will come from our members. What are your ideas and will you volunteer to help? Let’s come up with a new lemonade recipe that quenches our thirst for fun and connection.

Stay safe and healthy,

Tracy Jacobs

We are coming to the end of our 2022–2023 membership year, so please consider renewing your Osher membership (or joining Osher) this month so that you will be all set for the new membership cycle which runs July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024.

To renew or join for the 2023–2024 membership cycle, please CLICK HERE and follow the instructions to pay securely online with a credit card.

Please note: if you are a TURFA, Supporting Member, or Edenwald Member, we will send you a different link to renew/join.* If you prefer to pay by check, please download the 2023–2024 membership form to print out. Return the completed form with check made payable to Towson University. Our mailing address is Osher at Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252-1000.

Osher at Towson University is a dynamic membership organization. Osher at Towson University members can:

• Enroll in thought-provoking and stimulating semester courses that cover a wide range of topics in subject areas including literature, history, science, the arts, and more! Fall and spring semesters offer both online and in-person classes.
• Register for intriguing individual lectures offered at various times throughout the year.
• Participate in book groups and shared interest groups.
• Receive priority registration for day trips, workshops, and special lecture series.
• Receive discounted registration for the SPARK program.
• Use the Towson University Cook Library and its online databases.
• Receive discounts at the Towson University Store and at various TU cultural and athletic events.

We understand that everyone is feeling the pinch of higher costs in just about every facet of life. Osher is not immune to the effects of rising prices and as a result we are adjusting our pricing for both membership and tuition so that we can continue to deliver the best quality programming to our members while remaining affordable.

Please note the new pricing for membership and tuition below:

Membership:
Individual Membership: $60
Charter Memberships: no change

Tuition:
One 4-week Course: $70
Two 4-week Courses or One 8-wk Courses: $140
Unlimited Courses per Semester: $200

Thank you for your participation in Osher at Towson University programming! We are looking forward to a great 2023–2024 academic year with you!

We’re excited about the upcoming Osher Summer Series. The lecture series starts on June 14 and is open to both Osher members and non-Osher members.

The schedule includes one online-only lecture with the remaining in-person lectures taking place at Edenwald Senior Living in Towson, MD. Each lecture will be approximately 90 minutes, including Q&A. Lecture seating is first-come, first-served. All registrants will receive the Zoom link to attend the July 12 lecture online.

Registration for the Osher 2023 Summer Series is a flat rate of $50 per person for the entire series.

January 26–February 1, 2024
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Join fellow Osher students, TU alumni, and TU Retired Faculty members on a trip to Mexico!

Witness a spectacular natural phenomenon unlike any other: hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies at their overwintering grounds in the mountains of southern Mexico. Stand amid the fir-covered mountains and witness this awe-inspiring spectacle firsthand as the Monarchs flutter, dip, and swoop overhead. With three full days at sanctuaries within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, you will have the opportunity to see Monarchs in staggering quantities: on the roosts in the early morning, in flight at midday, feeding on wildflowers, and watering at streams—so many at once that you hear the humming of their delicate wings and sense them as they touch down on your shoulders or hats. On this unforgettable learning adventure, you’ll also spend time in the colonial town of Angangueo and the massive ancient Teotihuacán complex, exploring Mexico's rich history and culture. Join our small group experience, led by experienced naturalists and local guides.

Price: $2,795 per person*

*Includes: Activities and meals mentioned in itinerary, all tips, bottled water or water refill station during transfers, carbon offset, full-time guide, and private transportation and driver.

This trip is sponsored by the TU Alumni Association in partnership with Osher at Towson University and the Towson University Retired Faculty Association