Adult Learners Institute of Chelsea, Michigan


Home Fall Courses Winter/Spring Courses Fall Instructors Winter/Spring Instructors Gallery Committees Press Directions Contact Us Calendar	Fall 2009 Instructors Bill Ballagh has worked for State Farm for 21 years as an Underwriter and Supervisor, and has spent the last 15 as an agent. He has served the Chelsea community since 1996 and was recently recognized with the Small Business Leadership Award by the Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Chelsea Senior Center Board for the last 3 years as well as the Olivet College Insurance Board and the Stockbridge Community Outreach. He will present Insurance 101. Charles Ballard who will be presenting Michigan's Economic Future, has been on the Economics faculty at Michigan State University since 1983 and, in 2007, he became Director of the State Survey. He has also served as a consultant with the US Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Treasury. His books include Michigan at the Millennium and Michigan’s Economic Future. Tom Collier graduated from West Point in 1952 and earned a Master’s degree in History at Duke. Retiring from the Army in 1972, he was Command Historian of US European Command until moving to Ann Arbor, with his wife Vivian, in 1978. He lectured at both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan for the next 20 years. Now happily retired himself, he still enjoys teaching retirees. His course is Uncertain Beginnings: America's Entrance into WWII. Bob Collins recently retired after 40 years as a Biographylogy professor at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biographylogy from Eastern Michigan University. His studies took him to seven different states and to Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Belize. With his wife, Carolyn, Bob has traveled to all 50 states and 6 continents. These travels have included hiking, tent camping, snorkeling, and travel on everything from schooners to helicopters. They will present Indochina Travelogue . Chrisa Craig holds a Masters in Painting and an Ed.D from New York University. She returned to Michigan after 30 years as a Professor of Art at The College of New Jersey. Her lifelong interest and involvement with the arts of traditional cultures inform both her imagery and concepts. Her course is An Introduction to Traditional African Figure Sculpture. Andy Ingallis Executive Director of Instruction for the Chelsea School District and has been in that role for 2 years. Mike Kapolka has been the Assistant Principal at Chelsea High School since 2007. Their presentation is Education in the 21st Century. Marsha Daigle-Williamson has been teaching in the English Department of the MBA program at Spring Arbor University for over 20 years. She contributes articles to encyclopedia and reference books on literature and history and has translated books from Italian and French to English. Her course is C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Yael Dolev is the founder of Dolev LLC Food Coach, with over 25 years of experience in agriculture and conservation. She was part of a team that developed tomato species, worked in projects in the Department of Herbs and Spices, and was editor of a professional Food and Hospitality magazine. Yael is also a creative chef who invents easy-to-make, tasty recipes. Her course is Spice Up Your Eating Mediterranean Style. Esther Hurwitz is a poet and writer who was once voted “Ms Underappreciated” at a regional poetry slam. She has appeared in venues throughout the Midwest and on public radio, and her poems have appeared in many places including Exquisite Corpse, The Huron River Review and the Ann Arbor (W)rites anthology. Esther currently co-hosts a monthly poetry series, Writers Reading, at Sweetwaters, in downtown Ann Arbor. Her course is Writing Poetry. Marge Gockel has been a docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois, for 30 years, is former Board Member for the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, and received the Trust’s Annual Volunteer of the Year Award in 2005. Her course is Frank Lloyd Wright: His Ideas/His Legacy. Jeremy Lopatin owns and operates Arbor Teas, an on-line retailer of organic loose leaf teas, based in Ann Arbor. Jeremy’s enthusiasm for tea is a product of both his passion for all things culinary, as well as his fascination with tea’s deep historical and cultural roots. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability in both conducting business and growing food, which is reflected in all aspects of Arbor Teas’ operation. His course is An Afternoon of Tea Appreciation. David Mastie retired several years ago as an earth science teacher in the Ann Arbor Schools, but hasn’t lost his non-stop energy and enthusiasm. His talks are particularly memorable for drawing in surprising connections from art, geography and historical events to the topic at hand. His course is Pocket Full of Change. Bob Miller worked as a missionary teacher/pastor in Ethiopia from 1960 to 1974 when the revolution forced many Americans to leave. He currently manages a tree farm and is the Freedom Township historian. His course is A Journey Through Ethiopia. Nancy Booth Nilsson returns to continue Journeys Through Western Civilization. She earned her graduate degree in Art History from the University of Michigan and has been teaching the arts and humanities for nearly 40 years. Nancy has traveled widely in Europe, including Italy, France, England, Greece, and Crete. Angelo Angelocci is a retired professor from Eastern Michigan University and was responsible for dramatic and musical productions. He moved to Western Washington State University and performed in Three Penny Opera and Little Mary Sunshine. Upon returning to Michigan, he became involved in producing, directing and performing in musicals produced by the Dexter Community Players; Oklahoma, Pippin, Oliver and Hello Dolly. Bob Southgate is retired from the Plymouth-Canton School District where he taught English, speech and drama and later became Director of Counseling and Guidance. He is a member and Past Chair of Council and Curriculum at Elderwise in Ann Arbor. *Chris Lenehan* is happy to reside in Chelsea with her husband, Peter, their three children and multiple pets. Chris enjoys the arts—especially music and dance. She loves to sing, play the cello, and serve on the Board of the Chelsea Chamber Players. Their course is Exploring Musical Theater. Patricia Price has been studying herb lore for over 20 years. She is especially interested in culinary and medicinal uses of herbs through the centuries. She has been a public speaker for most of her life and has published a set of herb cards with recipes for home use. Her course is Herbs: Medicine of the Ancients. Charlie Taylor has 25 years experience studying medicines for diseases such as epilepsy, pain, anxiety and bi-polar disorder. From 1982-2007 he worked with Parke-Davis and then with Pfizer in Ann Arbor. He has written scientific journal papers and presented at research forums in neuroscience. Charlie previously worked as an NIH postdoctoral fellow, received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and BS degree from the University of Texas. He has lived in Chelsea for 25 years with his wife and three children. His course is Microscopes and Cells . Susan Conley Weeks is Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Siena Heights University and is a recent arrival in Chelsea. To give students a window into religious values inherent in popular culture, Susan created a very popular film course. Prior to teaching at Siena, Susan taught in the Master of Divinity Program at the University of Notre Dame. Her course is Flicks From India. Judy Williston has taught children, university students and professionals for more than 40 years. Although she is still giving presentations at national conferences, her major hobby is genealogy; hence the interest in gravestones and her travels in Devon and Cornwall, England, where her Colonial family comes from. Her course is Some Famous Last Words. Grace Shackman is a history columnist for the Ann Arbor Observer, the Community Observer, and the Old West Side News She is the author of four books: Ann Arbor in the 19th Century, Ann Arbor in the 20th Century, Ann Arbor Observed, and Webster: A Time, A Place, A People. From 1986-88 she was a staff writer for the Chelsea Standard/Dexter Leader. Grace served 8 years as a Washtenaw County Commissioner. She has been teaching local history at Washtenaw Community College for the past 8 years. After leading us on tours of Western/Eastern Washtenaw County, this time Grace will teach Exploring Washtenaw County: Ann Arbor.
Who We Are Based in Chelsea, Michigan, the Adult Learners Institute (ALI) provides a diverse selection of quality community-based learning experiences and camaraderie for adults in western Washtenaw County. ALI is a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), a group of 320 similar organizations. We conduct our programs in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College. Fall Courses ~ Winter/Spring Courses ~ Fall Instructors ~ Winter/Spring Instructors Gallery ~ Committees ~ Press ~ Directions ~ Contact Us ~ Calendar ~ Home

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Winter/Spring Instructors

Fall 2009 Instructors

Bill Ballagh has worked for State Farm for 21 years as an Underwriter and Supervisor, and has spent the last 15 as an agent. He has served the Chelsea community since 1996 and was recently recognized with the Small Business Leadership Award by the Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Chelsea Senior Center Board for the last 3 years as well as the Olivet College Insurance Board and the Stockbridge Community Outreach. He will present Insurance 101.

Charles Ballard who will be presenting Michigan's Economic Future, has been on the Economics faculty at Michigan State University since 1983 and, in 2007, he became Director of the State Survey. He has also served as a consultant with the US Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Treasury. His books include Michigan at the Millennium and Michigan’s Economic Future.

Tom Collier graduated from West Point in 1952 and earned a Master’s degree in History at Duke. Retiring from the Army in 1972, he was Command Historian of US European Command until moving to Ann Arbor, with his wife Vivian, in 1978. He lectured at both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan for the next 20 years. Now happily retired himself, he still enjoys teaching retirees. His course is Uncertain Beginnings: America's Entrance into WWII.

Bob Collins recently retired after 40 years as a Biographylogy professor at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biographylogy from Eastern Michigan University. His studies took him to seven different states and to Bermuda, Costa Rica, and Belize. With his wife, Carolyn, Bob has traveled to all 50 states and 6 continents. These travels have included hiking, tent camping, snorkeling, and travel on everything from schooners to helicopters. They will present Indochina Travelogue .

Chrisa Craig holds a Masters in Painting and an Ed.D from New York University. She returned to Michigan after 30 years as a Professor of Art at The College of New Jersey. Her lifelong interest and involvement with the arts of traditional cultures inform both her imagery and concepts. Her course is An Introduction to Traditional African Figure Sculpture.

Andy Ingallis Executive Director of Instruction for the Chelsea School District and has been in that role for 2 years. Mike Kapolka has been the Assistant Principal at Chelsea High School since 2007. Their presentation is Education in the 21st Century.

Marsha Daigle-Williamson has been teaching in the English Department of the MBA program at Spring Arbor University for over 20 years. She contributes articles to encyclopedia and reference books on literature and history and has translated books from Italian and French to English. Her course is C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

Yael Dolev is the founder of Dolev LLC Food Coach, with over 25 years of experience in agriculture and conservation. She was part of a team that developed tomato species, worked in projects in the Department of Herbs and Spices, and was editor of a professional Food and Hospitality magazine. Yael is also a creative chef who invents easy-to-make, tasty recipes. Her course is Spice Up Your Eating Mediterranean Style.

Esther Hurwitz is a poet and writer who was once voted “Ms Underappreciated” at a regional poetry slam. She has appeared in venues throughout the Midwest and on public radio, and her poems have appeared in many places including Exquisite Corpse, The Huron River Review and the Ann Arbor (W)rites anthology. Esther currently co-hosts a monthly poetry series, Writers Reading, at Sweetwaters, in downtown Ann Arbor. Her course is Writing Poetry.

Marge Gockel has been a docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois, for 30 years, is former Board Member for the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, and received the Trust’s Annual Volunteer of the Year Award in 2005. Her course is Frank Lloyd Wright: His Ideas/His Legacy.

Jeremy Lopatin owns and operates Arbor Teas, an on-line retailer of organic loose leaf teas, based in Ann Arbor. Jeremy’s enthusiasm for tea is a product of both his passion for all things culinary, as well as his fascination with tea’s deep historical and cultural roots. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability in both conducting business and growing food, which is reflected in all aspects of Arbor Teas’ operation. His course is An Afternoon of Tea Appreciation.

David Mastie retired several years ago as an earth science teacher in the Ann Arbor Schools, but hasn’t lost his non-stop energy and enthusiasm. His talks are particularly memorable for drawing in surprising connections from art, geography and historical events to the topic at hand. His course is Pocket Full of Change.

Bob Miller worked as a missionary teacher/pastor in Ethiopia from 1960 to 1974 when the revolution forced many Americans to leave. He currently manages a tree farm and is the Freedom Township historian. His course is A Journey Through Ethiopia.

Nancy Nilsson Nancy Booth Nilsson returns to continue Journeys Through Western Civilization. She earned her graduate degree in Art History from the University of Michigan and has been teaching the arts and humanities for nearly 40 years. Nancy has traveled widely in Europe, including Italy, France, England, Greece, and Crete.

Angelo Angelocci

Angelo Angelocci is a retired professor from Eastern Michigan University and was responsible for dramatic and musical productions. He moved to Western Washington State University and performed in Three Penny Opera and Little Mary Sunshine. Upon returning to Michigan, he became involved in producing, directing and performing in musicals produced by the Dexter Community Players; Oklahoma, Pippin, Oliver and Hello Dolly. Bob Southgate is retired from the Plymouth-Canton School District where he taught English, speech and drama and later became Director of Counseling and Guidance. He is a member and Past Chair of Council and Curriculum at Elderwise in Ann Arbor. Chris Lenehan is happy to reside in Chelsea with her husband, Peter, their three children and multiple pets. Chris enjoys the arts—especially music and dance. She loves to sing, play the cello, and serve on the Board of the Chelsea Chamber Players. Their course is Exploring Musical Theater.

Patricia Price has been studying herb lore for over 20 years. She is especially interested in culinary and medicinal uses of herbs through the centuries. She has been a public speaker for most of her life and has published a set of herb cards with recipes for home use. Her course is Herbs: Medicine of the Ancients.

Charlie Taylor has 25 years experience studying medicines for diseases such as epilepsy, pain, anxiety and bi-polar disorder. From 1982-2007 he worked with Parke-Davis and then with Pfizer in Ann Arbor. He has written scientific journal papers and presented at research forums in neuroscience. Charlie previously worked as an NIH postdoctoral fellow, received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and BS degree from the University of Texas. He has lived in Chelsea for 25 years with his wife and three children. His course is Microscopes and Cells .

Susan Conley Weeks is Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Siena Heights University and is a recent arrival in Chelsea. To give students a window into religious values inherent in popular culture, Susan created a very popular film course. Prior to teaching at Siena, Susan taught in the Master of Divinity Program at the University of Notre Dame. Her course is Flicks From India.

Judy Williston has taught children, university students and professionals for more than 40 years. Although she is still giving presentations at national conferences, her major hobby is genealogy; hence the interest in gravestones and her travels in Devon and Cornwall, England, where her Colonial family comes from. Her course is Some Famous Last Words.

Grace Shackman is a history columnist for the Ann Arbor Observer, the Community Observer, and the Old West Side News She is the author of four books: Ann Arbor in the 19th Century, Ann Arbor in the 20th Century, Ann Arbor Observed, and Webster: A Time, A Place, A People. From 1986-88 she was a staff writer for the Chelsea Standard/Dexter Leader. Grace served 8 years as a Washtenaw County Commissioner. She has been teaching local history at Washtenaw Community College for the past 8 years. After leading us on tours of Western/Eastern Washtenaw County, this time Grace will teach Exploring Washtenaw County: Ann Arbor.

Who We Are

Based in Chelsea, Michigan, the Adult Learners Institute (ALI) provides a diverse selection of quality community-based learning experiences and camaraderie for adults in western Washtenaw County. ALI is a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), a group of 320 similar organizations. We conduct our programs in cooperation with Washtenaw Community College.