OLLI President's Message July 7 OLLI at Fourth of July Parade in Fairfax
By Lillian Brooks, President
Marilyn Harriman and Bob Heyer organized the OLLI Mason “Walk & Talk” club to march in the City of Fairfax Fourth of July Parade. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate Independence Day in style. The “Walk & Talk” members are pictured at right with Mason President Gregory Washington and his wife Nicole Washington. Below are some additional photos by George Bradshaw. What a fun day for all!
Theater Lovers' Group to Visit Contemporary American Theater Festival – You are Welcome to Join Us
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group (TLG)
Where else can you see the newest plays in a state's oldest capital? Only at the renowned Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF), which is held annually during the month of July at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, a stone's throw from Fairfax. TLG members and our guests will carpool to CATF on Thursday, July 27, to see two shows; then we'll overnight at the Clarion Inn in Harpers Ferry. On Friday, July 28, the group will catch another show followed by a discussion before heading home. Needless to say, we will do some fine dining at some of the interesting local restaurants and enjoy the charming ambience of a quaint town devoted to the arts.
The group price for each ticket is $49; for three shows it is $147/person. The group rate at the Clarion Inn is about $133/person. The Clarion is within a few miles of CATF and offers comfortable amenities plus a hot breakfast.
The plays we will see are all premieres: Overview Effect and either Spiritus or Redeemed on Friday (your choice) and Your Name Means Dream on Saturday, followed by a discussion.
If you have any questions or are interested in joining our group, please email Norma at njreck@cs.com ASAP. Guests are always welcome.
On Friday, June 30, TLG held its first in-person meeting since Covid-19 kept us sequestered in our homes. We had a lovely lunch at Hamrock's in Fairfax and a brief meeting about TLG, CATF, American Shakespeare Center (ASC) trip scheduled for October 21, and suggestions for TLG activities. Thanks to Jean Tatalias for the photos of the group shown below.
Mark your calendars: The July TLG meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19. The TLG meeting will feature a speaker from ASC, which is always informative and fascinating. Stay tuned.
The Computer Club (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) will meet with its partner, the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS) on Saturday, July 15, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Scientists Are Human – Presented by Lorrin Garson
There is a common perception that scientists are somehow different than "normal" people, perhaps a bit quirky or strange. We will look at fourteen scientists—all chemists and educators. All are, or were, accomplished scientists, including five Nobel Prize winners, and two are undeniably stinkers. With one exception, all are known to the presenter, and some are friends.
Lorrin Garson had a long career in technical publishing of chemical information. His presentations to our computer groups are famous for their thorough research and clarity in explaining topics such as cryptography, encryption of personal data, cloud storage, and the origins of personal computers.
Learn in 30: Surge Protection and Faulty AC Wiring – Presented by John Krout
If your 3-wire Alternating Current (AC) receptacle lacks a connection to ground, a problem that cannot be seen, then surge protection will not work, and the surge protection warranty is void. In this presentation, find out why that invisible problem is so common, and how you can use an inexpensive device to determine whether the 3‑wire AC sockets for your computers, HDTVs, smart phone and tablet chargers, and other electronics are properly wired.
John Krout is a frequent presenter at our meetings on a wide range of computer, technology, and photography topics. He has authored many articles for the PATACS Posts newsletter.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 425219 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 838 7155 8407 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method) or dial in – 301-715-8592.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on July 12 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Reading Non‑Fiction."
What non-fiction has caught your eye in the last 12 months? Are you a poetry fan? A biography addict? History nut? Do you like to read about world-wide political affairs? Dramas? So many genres, so little time. Are you a broad generalist or a focused specialist? Do you comb the book reviews in the newspapers or online to get recommendations? Or do you solicit suggestions from friends? Get inspiration from OLLI instructors? Ask your local library for ideas? All of the above?
We would love to hear from you and to share your ideas with others in our conversational hour.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
Member Achievement:
Jacqueline Davey, Poetry Winner 2023
By Carolyn F. Wyatt, Board Member and Poetry Writing Instructor
Congratulations to OLLI member Jacqueline Davey who is among the adult winners of the Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) 2023 contest in honor of National Poetry Month.
In her keynote address, current Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra remarked: “In “Tomato Plants” by Jacqueline Davey, the poet transports us through our senses. The poet writes, ‘Drawn by / spiky spades of leaves / and downy stems / I drink deeply of / their bitter spiced aroma / enriched by the sun.’ The poet goes on to describe the way this scent is reminiscent of a grandfather whom the poet barely knew. The rich imagery and skillful use of alliteration form a poem that the reader can truly empathize with.”
All the winning poems are available on the FCPL website at this link.
If you would like to receive notifications about some of the FCPL spotlight adult events, send a message to LibAdultEvents@fairfaxcounty.gov. You will receive 1–2 monthly emails.
OLLI member Paul Murad died January 24, 2022; he was 78. A resident of Vienna since 1984, he had worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency for many years. Previously, he had worked at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center and, after two years in the Army, he earned his master’s degree in aeronautical engineering and astrodynamics at New York University in 1968. For more detail on his life, click this link.
A memorial service honoring the life of Paul Armand Murad will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 18 at 3:00 (please arrive by 2:00). After the ceremony, there will be a reception at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) starting at 4:15. Information to know for visiting Arlington National Cemetery is available at this link. For specific information about JBM-HH base access, click here.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
ARTfactory's Pied Piper Theatre: Disney's Descendants: The Musical
Fri, Jul 7, 7:00
Sat, Jul 8, 2:00 and 7:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 senior and under 17.
Prince William Little Theatre and Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Oliver
Fri, Jul 14, 8:00
Sat, Jul 15, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Jul 16, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35, $30, $25.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc., bolded below. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Jul 8
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 10
9:30 am
10:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Tue Jul 11
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 12
11:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Jul 13
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 14
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Jul 15
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jul 17
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jul 18
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 19
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Jul 20
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 21
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
Michael R. Heib, Mason Research Professor at Center for Excellence in C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) and Cyber, Describes Research on Drones as First Responders to Traffic Accidents, June 22
In the last three years, Zoom has made a huge difference in all our lives and especially with our OLLI program.
Three years ago, we published an E-News article that enumerated all the ways that online participation in OLLI courses was desirable! Lots of members told us that they hated Zoom and they never wanted to go online. Instructors said that they would not teach online. Nevertheless, due to the pandemic we were forced to cancel all our in-person classes.
Times change, and the tables have turned. Now it seems that online access is so popular that we have a majority of members using and preferring that mode of class attendance.
The pandemic is not 100% over, but OLLI’s policies have pivoted to accommodate safety measures to keep us apart in the classroom space. We have vaccines and medications to protect us from Covid and boost our immunity. For the most part, recently we have adapted to a reasonable amount of risk-taking, some more than others. And social isolation brings its own physical and mental challenges.
Our instructors have told us that they want to see more faces: faces on the Zoom screen, but more importantly, faces in the classroom. It is disheartening to prepare for an 85‑minute class (and devote many hours in preparation ahead of class) and then see fewer than 10 people in the lecture room.
Why should I come to class? Well, for starters, there is a social aspect to OLLI that is absent in the online experience. How can we make friends or be friends when we can’t even see your face? It is hard to make friends with “Laptop3” in the right-hand corner of thescreen 😉. The classroom is where we meet face to face to share our questions and views, where we might agree or disagree, where we meet with others who have similar interests. There is more to OLLI than a lecture utility. Get to know the staff, the physical layout, the coffee room. Get to know your instructors! By the way, the annuals planted in the Tallwood gardens are spectacular right now and worth a trip to see.
Zoom has its benefits, but let’s also recall how much fun it is to return to togetherness in the classroom. It adds a whole new dimension to OLLI membership!
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on July 5 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Classical Music and Its Resurgence."
Did you know that there has been a recent resurgence of interest in classical music? Are you a regular listener?
It seems that younger generations discovered classical music during the pandemic. The movie Tar is credited with driving Mahler's 5th to the top of Spotify's playlists last fall. Classical music has become so popular that Apple has created a separate iPhone App just for this genre. Have you tried it? If you are a fan, do you listen to specific composers or prefer themed playlists? Or do you stick with classical radio stations?
A few online resources of interest are available at this link. WQXR (NYC) runs a podcast on classical music that is also good.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
As a creature of constant awe
I dare to turn my gaze
to the wonder of stars
to the beauty of a sticky web
to my cat as it rips its prey
As a creature of constant awe
I kiss my lover with open eyes
and plunge into freezing ponds
yet dread the growing apathy
from a dear, old friend
As a creature of constant awe
I marvel at the enormity
of a planet bursting with life
yet tremble to the piercing laughter
of a small child’s joy
Slipping through wonder worlds,
I look away yet cling tight
with slippery fingers to lust and life,
unsure if my inner creature
dare close its many, many eyes
Kay Menchel, OLLI member since 2021 and long-time OLLI instructor in literature courses, died June 28.
Richard Crawford writes:
It is with a heavy heart that we share the tragic news that our beloved teacher and friend Kay Menchel passed away on June 28 after her fierce battle with cancer. Kay had been a 12‑year instructor here at OLLI. Her courses covered a wide range of literary expression, including Victorian and classic novels, Jewish writers, poetry, and graphic novels. And her discussions covered much more than the written words. She would go into detailed explorations of the working conditions of children in factories in the 1800s, or the customs and mores that shaped a Victorian lady’s day-to-day life. In her recent class on “Keep the Home Fires Burning” we learned personal stories from diaries and news clippings of how families fared in Britain during World War II.
Kay was a constant source of sharp wit and unflagging vitality. She had a passion for good writing in any form and frequently joked that her pile of books ‘to read’ grew by three for every one she read. During the challenging months of COVID, she graciously led us through some of the longest novels—between sessions—to keep us reading, laughing, and connected with each other. In other words, she kept us sane. She was generous with her humor, time, and compassion. We at OLLI join with her husband Marc and children Hannah and Cameron in mourning her loss.
There will be a memorial service on Monday, July 3, at 11:00, at the Adams‑Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170. The family ask that guests leave the first three rows free for close family.
Doris James
Long-time OLLI member (since 2001) Doris James died on June 20 after a battle with cancer. Born in 1931, she graduated from Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio, where she received a teaching certificate in 1952. She spent a year in Denver and then returned to Ohio State University to begin a master’s program and was recruited to work for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington DC. She was highly respected for her leadership role at work. In 1976, she received her Master of Science degree in Library Science from Catholic University, Washington DC.
Services will be held at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6509 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA 22015 as follows: July 1, 10:00 Saturday – visitation; 11:00 – services with reception immediately following. More information is available atthis link.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
ARTfactory's Pied Piper Theatre: Disney's Descendants: The Musical
Fri, Jul 7, 7:00
Sat, Jul 8, 2:00 and 7:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 senior and under 17.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc.. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Jul 1
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 3
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jul 4
10:00 am
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 5
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Jul 6
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 7
9:30 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Sat Jul 8
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 10
9:30 am
10:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Tue Jul 11
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 12
11:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Jul 13
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 14
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tallwood Book Club
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
Doni Nolan, Mason Greenhouse and Gardens Program Manager and PhD Student in Biology, Introduces Sustainable Food Production Course with Tour of President’s Park Greenhouse, June 12
Summer arrives and brings with it sunny days, outdoor fun, and mosquitoes. Enjoying the outdoors without the annoyance of itchy mosquito bites and the risk of a mosquito-borne disease is possible with a few simple steps.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne disease found in Fairfax County. Each year about three to five cases are diagnosed in residents of Fairfax County.
Approximately 80 percent of people (about four out of five) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back.
About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis.
Mosquitoes can breed in a container as small as a bottle-cap. The most effective way to control mosquitoes in your yard is to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Anything that collects and holds water for at least a week can be a potential breeding site.
Even if you get rid of most of their breeding ground, mosquitoes can still find you. Here are some tips to Fight the Bite:
Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch is Right Around the Corner!
By Toni Acton, Member Services Committee Chair and Board Member
Are you new to OLLI and hoping to meet other members this summer? Have you been a member for years and want to catch up with old friends? If so, then join your fellow OLLI members at the Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch on Friday, June 30 at 10:00 at Tallwood. All members — new and continuing — are welcome to enjoy the pastry, casual conversation, and camaraderie. Register for event 1101 via the member portal or contact the registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu. Hope to see you on Friday, June 30!
Theater Lovers' Group Planning Lunch and Meeting for June 30
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
Calling all OLLI theater lovers! Come and join members of OLLI's Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) on Friday, June 30, for a delicious luncheon at 11:30 at Hamrock's, followed by a brief planning meeting. All OLLI members are welcome to join us for our first in-person meeting since the pandemic. What a great (and delicious) way to meet other OLLI theater lovers, have your questions about TLG answered, and share your thoughts about theater programs, classes, and events.
We will begin planning for the upcoming 2023-24 theater season. We'll be taking suggestions for theater outings, programs, classes, and trips. Just a cursory review of what some of the theaters are offering in their upcoming season promises that the 2023-24 theater season will be a blockbuster. What a wealth of fabulous choices!
If you want to join us for the luncheon meeting, please email me at njreck@cs.com no later than Wednesday, June 28, so that I can make reservations for the group.
Hamrock's is located at 3950 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. There is free parking at the restaurant and across the street.
Questions? Email me at njreck@cs.com. Hope to see you there.
Embrace the Future: Study on the Power of Bonding between Seniors and Robotic Companions!
By Sarah-Seval Aydin, M.Sc. Psychology, Mason Research Assistant
In an era where technology is revolutionizing the way we live, it's time to explore the incredible possibilities it offers to enhance the lives of our beloved elderly population. We are thrilled to present our groundbreaking research on the transformative effects of oxytocin in fostering short-term bonding between seniors and the charming robotic companion, Aibo.
I am Sarah, and I am part of an amazing neuroscience research team at George Mason University led by Associate Professor Frank Krueger. We are particularly interested in investigating the potential for emotional connection between humans and non-human creatures, like the robotic dog Aibo, within the realm of elderly care.
We strongly believe that our research can positively impact the well-being and quality of life of the elderly. It goes beyond just science; it's a testament to our dedication to empowering and enriching the lives of our senior community. By fostering companionship, emotional well-being, and addressing loneliness, we aim to enhance cognitive abilities and promote a healthier, happier lifestyle for older adults.
We invite you to be part of this extraordinary venture. Through your participation, you will not only contribute to the advancement of science but also be part of a movement that revolutionizes the way we perceive human-robot interaction.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on June 28 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Farmers’ Markets."
Do you support your local farmers' market? Are there specific items you prefer to buy at these markets? If yes, what do you often buy? If not, are you able to explain why? Do you think they are more expensive or priced right for the quality? Do you shop there for the thrill of exploration? What other item would you support at the market if it were available? My local farmers' market has branched out to offer jewelry, children's books, and imported knick-knacks – hardly farm-based. So, is the farmers' market phenomenon legitimate? Or do they play a valuable role in our local communities?
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Jun 24
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jun 26
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jun 27
9:00 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jun 28
11:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Jun 29
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Jun 30
9:30 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Jul 1
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 3
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jul 4
10:00 am
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 5
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
Reminder: Mason Jazz Camp is June 19-23. Click here for details from the June 2 issue of E-News. Click this link for news on the artists and associated free concerts.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, June 23; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, June 20, at 6:00.
The last year as OLLI President has been a busy one. Our classes and instructors remain at the highest level, and the staff and OLLI volunteers work hard to keep it that way. But sometimes it seems like we are still climbing out of COVID and I wonder when the long-term effects of that terrible time will ever end. One of the impacts on all the OLLI programs across the country has been the drastic drop in membership. We are doing better than most, but we still lost 200 members in the last few years. As you already know, if this trend keeps up, it will have a dramatic impact on our sustainability as we look to the future. It calls for help from each one of us to step up our efforts to bring in new OLLI members.
One of the initiatives that we revived in the last year is travel. It was our hope that exciting travel opportunities, domestically and internationally, would help us recruit and retain members. We thought that this would be a great opportunity for OLLI members to travel with friends and experience a fun and educational adventure together. We set up a domestic trip to California and the surrounding areas and a trip to Iceland. Iceland was one of my favorite trips, but I never got to see the Northern Lights. This trip in December would make it more likely than not that there would be an opportunity to see the Northern Lights. The California trip consists of many other discoveries that most of us who have been there may not have experienced.
The response so far for Iceland is growing, but we hope to have more members sign up for that wonderful trip soon. This is the reason I feel that we needed some feedback from the members on how we can enhance this program. I think we do need to bring back the travel committee to find ways to encourage OLLI friends to talk to their other OLLI friends and plan to go together on these excursions. They would be trips that you, the membership, select. Please take this short survey so that we can get your feedback on this topic. I am also looking for volunteers to be part of the travel committee. Please consider serving on the committee and let me or Jennifer know of your interest.
We thank Marilyn Harriman (Nominating Committee Chair) and her committee for identifying eight sterling candidates for the Board election. And we thank the OLLI membership for achieving a HIGH of 43% voting to elect five new members to the OLLI Board of Directors (BoD) to represent us. There are now 15 members on the Board, each serving a three-year term beginning in June of the year of their election. The Board meets on the third Friday of each month (except May, June, and December), in person and on Zoom, for all the members to listen in and hear what issues are being addressed. Comments and suggestions are appreciated at the end of each meeting, in person or on Zoom.
The new BoD met at Tallwood (TA-1) at 10:00 on June 2 in person and on Zoom. There were 13 of 15 Board members and eight guests attending.
BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING
- Term ending 2024: Toni Acton, Dick Crawford, Camille Hodges, Debby Mossburg (Zack Teich, absent) - Term ending 2025: Lillian Brooks, Marilyn Harriman, Bonnie Nelson, Michele Romano, Carolyn Wyatt - Term ending 2026: Peter Ansoff, Debbie Engleson, Bob Heyer, Harry Johnson (Emily Roudebush, absent) - Executive Director: Jennifer Disano - Meeting Assistant: Mike Emery
The meeting was called to order by Marilyn Harriman for the sole agenda item of BoD officer elections. Elections were conducted with the following results: Lillian Brooks (President), Dick Crawford (Vice President), Bob Heyer (Secretary), and Debbie Engleson (Treasurer).
Lillian Brooks indicated that she expects to implement committees to address “OLLI Travel” and “Underserved Communities” over this Board year.
Members of the BoD will be involved in the following meetings: - Finance Committee – June 7 - New BoD Member Orientation – June 15 - Next BoD Meeting – July 21 - BoD Retreat at Tallwood – September 7 - Fall Kickoff Coffee – September 14
With no further comments from the Board members or public, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
OLLI Weekly Conversations Continue –June 21, 2023
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations Series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on June 21 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Indiana Jones.”
The "last" Indiana Jones movie is due for release this month. Are you an Indiana Jones fan? Will you mourn the end of the series? Would you like to see Harrison Ford act in another epic, or who would you pick as a likely successor if Hollywood decides to extend the series?
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
New Book: Grandma Sylvia’s Guide to the Stock Market
By Sylvia Auton, Director of Staff Development, Fairfax County Public Schools, Retired
At one time, people believed the sun revolved around the earth. Now we know better. At one time, people believed that successfully investing in the stock market required talent, training, and considerable time. Now some of us know better. If we invest simply—set and forget with low expenses—the market can make us millionaires (if we start young enough) or grow our assets at any age. This is due to the revolution in thinking about investing, just as the Copernican revolution changed our thinking about the sun and earth.
For years, I never wanted to invest—just put my money under the mattress. Then my husband died; I had to learn. My book is about my stories and others, some from OLLI. It’s about my learning to invest simply, overcoming fears and anxieties. It’s about feeling joy and comfort in understanding the market, learning about today’s knowledge, and finding fun things about investing. It’s a journey of discovery, a memoir, and a how-to guide for simple investing. I’m not a financial advisor, nor do I give financial advice, but I write what I believe is a great way to invest, based on some of the best thinking in the field.
The June 2023 Photo of the Month theme was Abstracts. We selected Ed Marion's photo "Ripple Reflections" which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website. -- By John Olsen and Edward Marion, Photography Club Co-Coordinators
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Jun 17
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jun 19
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Jun 20
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jun 21
9:30 am
4:00 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Spanish Club
Thu Jun 22
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jun 23
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Jun 24
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jun 26
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jun 27
9:00 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jun 28
11:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Jun 29
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Jun 30
9:30 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
Reminder: The literature, theater, writing, and language (LLT) program planning group will meet on Tuesday, June 6, at 10:00 via Zoom. See article below for Zoom link. All members welcome.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, June 16; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, June 13, at 6:00.
Literature, Theater, and Writing/ Languages Program Planning Group to Meet June 6
By Patricia Bangs, LLT Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
What: LLT Program Planning Group meeting
Mark your calendars for our semi-annual all-campus program planning group meeting for OLLI's Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages (LLT) program on Tuesday, June 6 at 10:00 via Zoom.
We will be reviewing past terms and looking forward to planning for the 2024 winter term and beyond. All OLLI members can contribute to the excellent programming offered to our membership. Bring ideas for literature, theater, or writing/languages programs, as well as instructor resources.
Join Via Zoom: At this link, Meeting ID: 998 5301 2947
Congratulations, New Members of the Board of Directors
By Marilyn Harriman, OLLI Board 2023 Nominating Committee Chair
Congratulations to our five newly-elected Board of Directors Members: Peter Ansoff, Debbie Engleson, Bob Heyer, Harry Johnson, and Emily Roudebush (see photos at the top of this issue). Each serves a three-year term of office, which ends June 2026.
Two of the five, Peter Ansoff and Bob Heyer, begin their second elected three-year term today. With the selections, we say goodbye and a big Thank You to four outgoing Board members: Mel Russell, Gloria Loew, David Osterman, and Paul Howard. Each served as an officer during service on the Board.
This year’s election brought out the largest percentage of voters our OLLI office administrator can recall, with 43% of our members voting.
As I complete my responsibilities as Nominating Committee chair, I want to recognize the Nominating Committee members. They helped make this year’s election successful: Toni Acton, Steve Effros, Al Smuzynski, and Doris Weisman. Their efforts to revitalize candidate criteria and recruit stellar candidates for our post-pandemic world enhanced this year’s nominating process.
At today’s Board meeting, the new board of 15 will elect a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer for the 2023-2024 year. All OLLI members are invited and encouraged to attend Board meetings, either in person or on Zoom. Meetings are generally held on the third Friday of July, September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. A special Board meeting to elect officers is held on the first Friday in June.
Don’t miss out on enjoying the camaraderie of OLLI friends and the emerging signs of summer at Burke Lake Park June 9, 11:30 – 2:30. Bring your picnic basket lunch and share conversation with new and old acquaintances.
Lemonade and soft drinks will be provided. Afterward, we’ll play a friendly round of putt putt golf just steps from our picnic area. The $15 fee pays for the picnic shelter rental and your golf game (golf clubs and ball included in fee).
Reservations and payment in advance are required for this event. To join in the fun, register through our registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu or call 703-503-3384.
You can also always register online through the member portal: Event #1206. Reservations must be made by the end of the business day on Monday, June 5, and the $15 fee (credit card) is due at the time of registration.
Directions to the park, the picnic area parking, and putt putt golf course will be sent to all registrants prior to the event.
The Computer Club (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) will meet with its partner, the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), and with Washington Apple Pi, on Saturday, June 17, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Amateur Radio Ballooning – Presented by Martin Rothfield W6MRR Martin will discuss amateur radio High Altitude Balloons (HABs) and pico balloons. The two types are different in construction, flight characteristics, and duration. The HABs are made from latex and rise until bursting at very high altitude. After a HAB bursts, a parachute is used to safely recover the payload. Pico balloons are made of plastic and do not stretch. They float at a lower altitude for very long duration flights. Because HABs can carry significant weight and travel for a short time, they are typically battery powered. Because of weight constraints and long exposure to cold, pico balloons can't use batteries. Worldwide GPS position reporting is done with several standard amateur radio systems.
The National Weather Service (NWS) launches a large number of radiosondes balloons to collect weather data. Chasing after the radiosondes is a hobby as well. The NWS tracks our pico balloons to verify their predictions. Amateur radio ballooning is a great way to learn about the atmosphere and to experiment with new technologies. It is also a lot of fun!
Martin Rothfield W6MRR got his FCC amateur extra radio license in 2010 to participate in MakeMagazine's "Hackerspaces in Space" competition with HacDC (a hackerspace in DC). HacDC lost, but he continued launching countless high altitude and pico balloons with a number of organizations. Payloads have included many cameras, a crossband repeater, a Geiger counter, and devices for environmental and biological sampling. He got started in the industry designing chips for signal processors and has worked in design of satellites, meteor burst communications (MBC), avionics, and secure communications. W6MRR received Electrical Engineering (EE) degrees from the University of Maryland and Tufts.
What’s New with Tech? – Presented by Rob Pegoraro Rob will bring us up to date with the latest in the technology realm, from attending trade shows, exhibitions, equipment introductions and journalism assignments across the nation and around the world.
Rob Pegararo was the Washington Post’s Personal Tech columnist from 1999 to 2011, and now free-lances for a variety of publications, web sites, and other on-line media.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 425219 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 838 7155 8407 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method) or dial in – 301-715-8592.
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversations – June 7 and June 14
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate Zoom discussions at 4:00 on June 7 (topic "Climate Change" and June 14 (topic “Airline Preferences").
June 7: Weather is short-term; climate is long-term. What do we know about climate change, both from our information sources and from our own local, personal observations? And how will it affect our futures and the futures of the next generation(s)? Can we as individuals do anything meaningful to make a difference?
June 14: Continuing with travel topics: Is having status with a particular airline (e.g., frequent flyer status) important to you? Do you choose based on a credit card membership program? Is the food better on one airline or the other? Do you consider alliances when booking flights (e.g., Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam)? Do you use sites like Kayak to search for the best options to your desired destination? What is your opinion on the Southwest boarding process? Are there specific airlines that you avoid? Or are you always content to let someone else make those decisions (a tour operator, your travel companions)? Everyone has different approaches, and it is interesting to learn about other techniques and preferences.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
Mason Jazz Camp and Associated Free Concerts in June
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting the Mason Jazz Camp June 19–23. Part of this camp is offering concerts each afternoon in the Center for the Arts (CFA) at Mason; the time is 3:30‑4:30 June 19-22 and 2:00‑4:00 on June 23. The concerts are FREE and open to the public (no tickets or camp registration needed) with FREE Parking in Lot K. We hope you will join us for these outstanding events listed briefly below. Click here to read three pages with more detailed information on the Mason Jazz Camp 2023 artists.
Mon Jun 19, 3:30:The US Army Blues – The Army Blues is the premier jazz ensemble of the US Army. Tue Jun 20, 3:30: Mike Kamuf Little Big Band – This jazz ensemble brings together eight talented musicians from the Washington DC/Baltimore region performing original compositions and arrangements by Mike Kamuf, as well as jazz standards and selections from the Great American Songbook.
Wed Jun 21, 3:30:Warren Wolf – The Mason Jazz Camp presents our special guest artist, Mack Avenue recording artist, vibraphonist, drummer, and pianist, Warren Wolf! Thu Jun 22, 3:30:Faculty Showcase – The Mason Jazz Camp faculty perform a special showcase! Artists include performers on various instruments, as well as voice.
Fri Jun 23, 2:00 (note time):Student Showcase – Participants in the Mason Jazz camp perform a student showcase to conclude the week-long camp!
We met distributing food to immigrants. You, an immigrant
now a citizen, wanted to help. I invited you in, wanted you
to feel included, told you so numerous times.
You became too included. People sought your advice, asked you
to do things I used to do. We’d bantered, joked, and teased until
I took offense, thought you were disrespecting, being too familiar.
Used harsh tones responding to that tease. Spitting out words like a wood chopper pulverizing live branches into blurry strands
of miscommunication. I was shocked by my reaction.
A void appeared, like a floating red tide, now needing attention.
Girding myself, I apologized for my harsh words asking we no
longer tease. First, you were silent then said, “No problem.”
It will take time not to see you as a threat
but the outsider, now insider,
doing what we both want to do –
distribute food to immigrant families.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
Creative and Performing Arts Center: FENCES
Fri, Jun 2, 7:00
Sat, Jun 3, 3:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jun 4, 3:00
Fri, Jun 9, 7:00
Sat, Jun 10, 3:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $17 senior.
Manassas Chorale: From Sea to Shining Sea
Fri, Jun 2, 7:30
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $25 Adult, $23 senior.
Showcase Dance Studio: Raise the Barre
Sun, Jun 11, 11:00 and 4:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Coppéliaand MORE!
Thu, Jun 15, 7:30
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
Virginia Dance Center: Dancing Upon a Dream
Sat, Jun 17 at 12:00 and 5:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $22.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Jun 3
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jun 5
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Jun 6
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jun 7
10:30 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Investment Forum
Spanish Club
Weekly Conversations: Doris and Brenda (Team Bloch)
Thu Jun 8
11:50 am
12:15 pm
4:30 pm
All the News
Excursions Committee Meeting
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jun 9
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Burke Lake Picnic and Mini-Golf
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Jun 10
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jun 12
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Jun 13
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jun 14
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Investment Forum
Memoire and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Weekly Conversations: Doris and Brenda (Team Bloch)
Thu Jun 15
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jun 16
9:30 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
OLLI Lifetime Member Ken Plum kicked off the 2023 Cinco de Mayo picnic on May 5 in a ribbon-cutting to dedicate a decorative plum tree planted at Tallwood; members enjoyed foods of Mexico and festive activities to celebrate the day
Registration for the summer term has begun. Members may register throughout the term at the member portal. Many classes continue to have space available. Visit this page for changes to the summer catalog. Summer term begins June 20.
The spring term survey is available at this link. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback.
Reminder: Computer Club 3rd Saturday meeting, 1:00, May 20 (tomorrow), in person in TA‑1 at Tallwood and via Zoom (Zoom session usually begins about 12:45).
Reminder: The literature, theater, writing, and language program planning group will meet on Tuesday, June 6, at 10:00 via Zoom. Check the OLLI daily schedule email on June 6 for the Zoom link. All members welcome.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, June 2; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 30, at 6:00.
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers' Group
Note date change: The May meeting of the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) will be held via Zoom on Monday, May 22, at 11:00 instead of Wednesday, May 24, to accommodate the speaker, Peggy McKowen, Artistic Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF). Find the link in the OLLI daily schedule on Monday, May 22 under Theater Lovers' Group.
All OLLI members are invited to join TLG members Monday, May 22 at 11:00 when Peggy will meet with us via Zoom from Shepherdstown, WV, to talk with us about CATF and this summer's plays. CATF, as a lot of you already know, aims to produce and develop new American plays. The festival is held during the month of July and features six plays in rotating repertory. This unique theatrical experience, attended by people from around the world, is situated on the banks of the Potomac just 70 miles north of DC. TLG is planning to attend. Details to follow.
On Saturday, June 10, TLG members are headed to NextStop Theater in Herndon, VA, to see the 2:00 matinee of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights. Tickets are $44 per person, OLLI group rate. We will go to A Taste of the World restaurant, right around the corner from NextStop, for an optional dinner. To purchase tickets, go online to nextstop.com or phone 703-481-5930. Be sure to tell them you are with OLLI to get the discount.
Planning ahead: The June TLG meeting will be an opportunity for members to finally meet in person. We are planning the meeting as a luncheon at a convenient restaurant. The agenda will include planning for plays you want to see (Sweeney Todd has already been suggested); plans for going to CATF this July; a trip to American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA, in October; and any other suggestions you may have for events and speakers.
Reminder: You must rejoin TLG when you register for your summer classes. You can join TLG anytime by going online or by email to OLLI Registrar ollireg@gmu.edu.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on May 24 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Loneliness."
The surgeon general recently stated that "loneliness poses a greater threat than smoking." Do you believe this is true? Loneliness as a toxic threat? Research shows that Americans, who have become less engaged with worship houses, community organizations, and even their own family members in recent decades, have steadily reported an increase in feelings of loneliness. Is OLLI helpful to you in overcoming this threat? What other strategies have you adopted?
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
The Tallwood Book Club will hold its June and July meetings via Zoom on its regularly scheduled 2nd Friday of the month at 2:30. On June 9, we will be discussing The Known World by Edward Jones. On July 14, we will be discussing Chasing History by Carl Bernstein.
There will be no meeting in August, and we plan to meet in person at the Tallwood campus during September, October, November, and December on 2nd Wednesdays. Our September choice is The Dead Are Arising by Les Payne, which is a biography of Malcolm X.
By Linda H. Harber, Friends of Music at Mason President
Please join the Friends of Music at Mason (FOMM) on Friday, June 9 from 6:30-9:00 at the Woodlands Retirement Community. This event includes a private concert by talented Mason music students and a delicious dinner. Details on how to register are in the illustrated flyer. Seating is limited, so please sign up today.
By Debby Mossburg, Board Member and Outreach Committee Chair
OLLI is planning a class this fall featuring a number of senior housing options at several price points and levels of service. If you think your community would be a good candidate for us to feature, please contact debby.mossburg@verizon.net. Thank you!
The May 2023 Photo of the Month theme was Flowers. We selected Rosemary Lubinski's photo "Water Lilies at Biltmore," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.
-- By John Olsen and Ed Marion, Photography Club Coordinators
Robert Hunter Coffin, Jr.
Robert Coffin, LTC US Army (Ret.), gardener, culinary educator, gourmet, food critic, and more died on May 8. A native of Hubbardston, MA, Bob graduated from UMass Amherst and received his master’s degree from Ohio University. He presented numerous popular courses memorable to OLLI members for introducing them to varieties of cheeses, peppers, tomatoes, wines, and other delights. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, May 20, at the Blue and Gray VFW Post #8469, 5703 Vogue Road, Fairfax Station, VA. Click here for further information.
David J. Lynch
Retired US Army Colonel David Lynch, who was a long-time OLLI member, died on May 9. He was a resident of Springfield, VA. There will be a visitation at 1:00 today (May 19) at Nativity Catholic Church, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA, followed by a funeral mass at 2:00. He will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Further information is available at this link.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFAticket pageor the Hylton Centerticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
Sat, May 20, 7:00
Sun, May 21, 2:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adult, $16 senior. Manassas Ballet Theatre: Swan Lake
Fri, May 19, 7:30
Sat, May 20, 3:00 and 7:30
Sun, May 21, 3:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $55, $45, $35, $25.
Company 360: ACROSS
Sun, May 28, 2:00 and 7:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $30 Adult, $20 senior.
Creative and Performing Arts Center: FENCES
Fri, Jun 2, 7:00
Sat, Jun 3, 3:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jun 4, 3:00
Fri, Jun 9, 7:00
Sat, Jun 10, 3:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $17 senior.
Manassas Chorale: From Sea to Shining Sea
Fri, Jun 2, 7:30
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Admission: $25 Adult, $23 senior.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc., bolded below. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat May 20
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon May 22
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Tue May 23
9:30 am
4:30 am
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed May 24
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Walk & Talk Club
Investment Forum
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Thu May 25
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:00 pm
4:30 am
Loudon and Reston Program Planning Group Meeting
All the News
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri May 26
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat May 27
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon May 29
11:00 am
Poetry Writing Club
Tue May 30
9:30 am
10:00 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art Program Planning Committee Meeting
Tai Chi Club
Wed May 31
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
Bridge Club
Walk & Talk Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Jun 1
11:50 am
12:00 noon
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
All the News
Luncheon for Mason Facilities
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Jun 2
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
Marilyn Harriman and Bob Heyer organized the OLLI Mason “Walk & Talk” club to march in the City of Fairfax Fourth of July Parade. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate Independence Day in style. The “Walk & Talk” members are pictured at right with Mason President Gregory Washington and his wife Nicole Washington. Below are some additional photos by George Bradshaw. What a fun day for all!
t:
we revived in the last year is travel. It was our hope that exciting travel opportunities, domestically and internationally, would help us recruit and retain members. We thought that this would be a great opportunity for OLLI members to travel with friends and experience a fun and educational adventure together. We set up a domestic trip to 
more members sign up for that wonderful trip soon. This is the reason I feel that we needed some feedback from the members on how we can enhance this program. I think we do need to bring back the travel committee to find ways to encourage OLLI friends to talk to their other OLLI friends and plan to go together on these excursions. They would be trips that you, the membership, select. Please take this short 
ck Crawford (Vice President), Bob Heyer (Secretary), and Debbie Engleson (Treasurer).
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Don’t miss out on enjoying the camaraderie of OLLI friends and the emerging signs of summer at Burke Lake Park June 9, 11:30 – 2:30. Bring your picnic basket lunch and share conversation with new and old acquaintances.
Martin will discuss amateur radio High Altitude Balloons (HABs) and pico balloons. The two types are different in construction, flight characteristics, and duration. The HABs are made from latex and rise until bursting at very high altitude. After a HAB bursts, a parachute is used to safely recover the payload. Pico balloons are made of plastic and do not stretch. They float at a lower altitude for very long duration flights. Because HABs can carry significant weight and travel for a short time, they are typically battery powered. Because of weight constraints and long exposure to cold, pico balloons can't use batteries. Worldwide GPS position reporting is done with several standard amateur radio systems.
Rob will bring us up to date with the latest in the technology realm, from attending trade shows, exhibitions, equipment introductions and journalism assignments across the nation and around the world.
tickets or camp registration needed) with FREE Parking in Lot K. 
from the Great American Songbook.
various instruments, as well as voice.
