Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. at Sally Mazzarella Park in Rhinebeck (across from pool)
No experience or equipment needed.
Now at Bard LLI
In MAY, 2026: Pickleball Wednesdays: Save the Date!
Spring has arrived, and that means it’s time to get back on the court! I’d like to personally invite you to join our LLI Pickleball group at the beautiful Red Hook outdoor courts. Whether you are a seasoned player or have always wanted to try the game, now is the perfect time to join us. We are starting our fourth year of play, bringing together a fun, social group of LLI folks with a common interest.
Now on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m on May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24.
Open play, all levels at Red Hook Rec Park. Contact [email protected] for more information.
JUNE, 2024: Updated COVID Vaccination Policy:
LLI’s policy regarding COVID-19 is aligned with Bard’s which can be viewed here.
Out of consideration for others, we ask that no one attend class or any other LLI event if you are feeling unwell, including dealing with a persistent cough or the sniffles.
Looking Ahead:
LLI is always looking for volunteers to serve as Session Managers for our Thursday virtual classes and Class Managers for our Friday in-person classes. Click here to learn about being a Session Manager. We provide training and guarantee you will love the new friends you gain and the new skills you learn. Information on all current volunteer opportunities at LLI is here.
Need tech help as an LLI member? Email [email protected] for help (including getting LLI.bard.edu email addresses). DO NOT contact the Bard help desk, which is only for Bard students and faculty.
News + Notes

LLIcense to Learn
by Chuck Mishaan
Introduction
I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure of being a Bard LLI presenter for over 10 years. I’m frequently asked why I continue to maintain a heavy schedule of teaching at Bard and other Hudson Valley LLIs.

Anne Sunners: From Cookie Lady to LLI President
by Deborah Lanser
Anne Sunners was the third president of LLI and later head of the Curriculum Committee.
Introduction
About 25 years ago, a friend warned Anne Sunners to apply to Bard LLI quickly as there might be a waiting list.

Meet the 2025 Candidates for Council
by Mary McClellan
Introduction
March marks the Council Election period for Bard LLI members. Voting will start on March 9 and end on March 16. The term of office for each position will commence on July 1, 2025,

Spring’s Learning Adventures
by Deborah Lanser
Introduction
Get ready to start planning your spring class schedule when the catalog comes out on Wednesday, February 19. Once again, the Curriculum Committee has ensured we will be spoiled for choice. Are you interested in gardening,

The Fairy Tale Experience
by Patty Kane Horrigan
Introduction
Patty Kane Horrigan has been presenting courses on fairy tales at Bard LLI since 2015 and will be with us again this spring. Currently, she writes essays on fairy tales for Substack, which you can find at PattyKaneHorrigan.substack.com.

We Can Build It, but Will They Come?
by Felice Gelman
Introduction
In the 25 years since the founding of LLI, hundreds of people have participated in classes, presented classes, and joined in the management of the endeavor. When you consider that just four women gave birth to this organization,

Pilot Pre-Registration For Spring ’25
by Mary McClellan
Introduction
Feedback for LLI courses and programs is overall positive. Our membership generally expresses appreciation for the quality of our presenters and the caliber of their course content. The most frequently cited area of dissatisfaction with LLI has been the difficulty many members have experienced when trying to register for courses.

Perspectives From My First Fall at LLI
by Anne Botsford
Introduction
The music of The Orchestra Now (TŌN) first drew me to Bard, which is only 45 minutes from Poughkeepsie, where I live. I’d previously traveled by train for two hours to NYC for my essential music,

Profiles of Our Founders: Sylvia Erber
by Felice Gelman
Introduction
Twenty-five years ago, four women, members of a Red Hook Library book group—Sylvia Erber, Sara Hardman, Carol Lee, and Josette Lee—agreed that the area needed affordable high-quality education for seniors. The Marist College Center for Life Time Study had a years-long waiting list.
Upcoming Events
Our current 2026 calendar is now available here. You can also find it from the top navigation bar under News + Events and then select Annual Calendar on the left side of the wide, dropdown menu.
Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter
If you are not already receiving our monthly newsletter, you can subscribe by filling out the form below. Current LLI members and presenters are already on our list.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you use the form and receive a Confirmation in your email, you MUST click on the Confirmation link in the email to complete the subscription process. Thanks for signing up!
In case of emergency on campus
Should there be a serious emergency – medical, fire, etc. – call TWO numbers in the order below.
First call: 9-1-1
For Dutchess County Emergency Services. It is available 24/7.
Second call: (845) 758-7777 or from emergency call boxes: 7777
For Bard College Emergency Medical Services (a trained campus emergency response team).
Bard EMS is always to be called second. While the service provides the fastest response, it follows the college academic schedule and is therefore not always available.
Welcome to Bard LLI
This site will show you what is going on at Bard LLI. This site changes often, so we hope you will visit regularly.



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