Brookings OLLI partnered with First Bank & Trust and Medary Acres Greenhouse to bring reduced activity fees or added benefits for three different classes so far this spring semester.

The OLLI members appreciated a reduced activity fee for the specialty gourmet farm-to-table lunch at the Craft Chophouse and Lounge prepared by Jesse Davis, owner and chef. The first course was a mild Mexican spiced Street Corn Chowder Soup featuring a citrus-enhanced creamy corn base and potatoes. The main entrée was a deep-fried encrusted fresh Atlantic cod served on a toasted bun with spinach leaves and tomato slice along with a remoulade sauce on the side. The lemon cheesecake, using fresh lemon curd, for dessert topped off the delicious meal to complete satisfaction.

Another reduced activity fee class was taught by Laurie Carruthers, of Red Head Green Thumb, in the fine floral art of Kokedama (moss ball), a Japanese planting style. The class followed Laurie’s instructions of placing a moist soil ball on a layer of dried moss with a small plant inserted into the top of the ball. The moss was gathered around the ball and plant then tightly wrapped with fishing line to secure the soil and plant roots beneath the moss. It was then finished by wrapping twine around the ball for an artistic touch. Each Kokedama plant was either nestled on rocks in a plate or supported with a hanger.

The Medary Acres Greenhouse Tour took the OLLI members behind the scenes of this more than 70-year-old family run business. Sarah Alfano, owner and manager, along with plant specialists, Vikki Schaack and Linda Whitaker dished the dirt and dug up many details on how the greenhouse is run. The members were shown the arrangement of the aisles, plant types, soil mixtures, ordering process, container planters, hanging plants, how to group plants, decorating with plants, how to pot, fertilizing, deadheading, arrival of new types of plants and so much more.

At the end of the tour, the OLLI members were each treated with a $10 Medary Acres Greenhouse gift certificate, jointly provided by Medary Acres Greenhouse and First Bank and Trust. In addition, one lucky door prize winner, Ann Eichinger, received a Medary Acres Greenhouse canvas tote bag filled with a container of South Dakota wildflower seeds and two 4½-inch plant certificates.

The OLLI members are very thankful for the financial support of 1st Bank and Trust and Medary Acres Greenhouse. This collaboration has greatly enhanced the OLLI experience in the classroom and on tours.