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In the Pink
After many months of anticipation, I went to see the “Barbie” movie at a preview screening last week. I could NOT wait to see it. When I played with my Barbie dolls as a kid, I loved to dress them in different outfits and create scenarios for them. So, as an adult, just the idea of the movie filled me with nostalgia. My movie companion was an equally crazed friend who wasn’t even allowed to play with Barbies when she was young. (Incidentally, she has made up for lost time by collecting vintage Barbies and accessories). Prior to the film’s release, I thought long and hard about what I would wear to the movie. Thankfully, I own a lot of pink clothing. The movie has spurned a run on pink. The set reportedly required so much of a particular shade of pink paint that there was a worldwide shortage of that paint color. If you have recently been to a store, watched television, surfed the internet, or even just left your house, you may have been inundated with movie clips and Barbie-themed merchandise. The logarithms that govern my life have me seeing the world through rose-colored Barbie glasses, officially licensed, of course. I thought that I was far more excited about it than anyone my age should be. Then I saw that I wasn’t alone. Why are women, especially—young and old—so excited to get dolled up for a movie about a doll? Going to the movies is a form of escapism, no doubt, and the ‘Barbie’ movie invites us into the fantastical "Barbie Land” with its lavish, colorful scenery. It reminds us that playfulness and imagination are not just for children. Our nostalgia isn’t just for Barbie, but for the time when the “Real World” didn’t loom quite so large in our lives.
Stay safe and healthy,
Tracy Jacobs
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Effective August 1, Osher at Towson University will have a new mailing address. If you are sending any correspondence to Osher, please use this address:
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Towson University
401 Washingon Avenue
3rd Floor
Towson, MD 21204
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Preview of Fall Courses—Online—Monday, August 7 at 2 p.m.
Hear from the instructors themselves as they tell you about the courses they will be teaching this fall. The Preview will be available starting at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 7. You can watch it any time after that.
Fall 2023 At-A-Glance Schedule
We are looking forward to seeing you this fall! The full online catalog will be available on August 4. View Osher Fall 2023 At-A-Glance Schedule (PDF)
Fall Registration—Begins Tuesday, August 8
Fall semester registration will begin on Tuesday, August 8. We will send out information about registration beforehand so keep an eye on your inboxes.
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The 2023–2024 Osher membership year has just started. Make sure to renew or join before fall registration begins so that you will be set to register for fall courses. The membership cycle 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.
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Researchers from Towson University are conducting a study to test the effectiveness of a prevention intervention for community dwelling older adults. This intervention is designed for older adults who have experienced mild changes in memory, thinking, problem solving, or mood but continue to be engaged in out of home activities.
Participation involves screening assessments, 4 sessions related to community mobility strategies and skills, and is tailored to you and your individual needs. Wednesday mornings in July/August, 10–11:30 a.m., in Towson, MD.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE COMPENSATED $100 AT PROGRAM COMPLETION
Do you or someone you know:
- Experience cognitive changes (such as memory or problem solving changes) which impact participation in community activities?
- Live at home? (do not need to drive)
You may be eligible, contact us!
For more information on how you or a loved one can participate in this study, contact Kendra Heatwole Shank, PhD, OTR/L at 410-704-4437 or email tuSPARClab@gmail.com
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January 26–February 1, 2024
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
Price: $2,795 per person*
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.
*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
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Support Osher at Towson University. Your tax-deductible contribution helps to provide a rich experience for our members and a vibrant, affordable program for years to come.
Donate online through the link below. If you prefer to donate by check, please make check payable to “Towson University Foundation, Inc.” and note Osher fund in the memo line. Mail to: Towson University Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 17165, Baltimore, MD 21297-0219.
If you would like to honor a friend or loved one with a donation in their memory, please consider supporting Osher at Towson University with a gift to the Osher Excellence Fund.
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