Volunteer Opportunity: Proofreader(s) Needed for OLLI E-News
By Sheri Siesseger, E-News Weekly Editor
We are seeking one or two members to volunteer to proofread E-News. A proofreader’s job is to review all articles for spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, consistency, and clarity. We have, and will provide, guidelines that cover some issues that are specific to E-News.
During OLLI terms we publish weekly starting one week before classes begin, with occasional issues during the between-term periods. The proofreading commitment is typically a period of less than one hour per week. Editors send a draft version to the proofers no later than 6:00 on Wednesday evening (often earlier), and comments must be returned to the editor by 10:00 Thursday morning. Previous experience with proofreading or editing is useful but not required.
A bonus to proofreading E-News is that you will know what is happening at OLLI Mason several days before most other members! If you can help, please contact me via the OLLI E-News mailbox: ollienewseditor@gmail.com.
By Michael Mason, Family History/Genealogy Club Coordinator
Have you always wanted to know more about your family’s past but don’t have a clue about how to get started? Do you enjoy researching your family’s ancestors and discovering new facts about where they came from and what their lives were like? Do you have a fascinating story from your family’s history that you would like to share with others? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please attend the OLLI Family History/Genealogy Club virtual interest meeting on Monday, October 23, from 1:15-2:15. The Zoom link will be in your daily schedule email.
The plan for this new club is to meet every two weeks to discuss methods and techniques for researching family history and share stories about the rediscovered lives of ancestors. If you are interested in joining the club but cannot attend the interest meeting, please send an email to mcmason5@verizon.net to let me know of your interest. I hope to see or hear from you!
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 October 25 on the topic: Let’s Talk about the Baseball Playoffs!
Here we are at the end of October and about to enter into the World Series of 2023. Three of the teams with the best records in the regular season are out—Atlanta Braves, LA Dodgers, and the Orioles! How could this happen? Do you buy the argument that major league baseball expanded the playoffs in 2012 to increase revenue and this is the result? Do the Astros have an edge with their prior playoff experience? Or do the Phillies have the momentum this year? Do you plan to watch the World Series?
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some baseball discussion with Team Bloch on October 25.
On Friday, November 17, explore your creativity in a relaxed, non-threatening environment at Muse Paint Bar in Fairfax’s Mosaic District. We’ll meet from 2:30-5:00 to enjoy each other’s company, eat some tasty snacks, learn brushstroke tips from a professional artist, and create our own individual works of art.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or haven’t handled a brush since high school, you’ll enjoy painting an original landscape that you’ll take home at the end of the workshop. And who knows? You may want to add it to your holiday décor or use it as a gift.
The $50 fee includes instruction from a professional artist, your paint station, all supplies and smock usage, brownie snack treats and lemonade, and your finished canvas.
After the paint workshop, interested participants will gather at True Food Kitchen across the street for a 5:00 dinner. We’ll share our finished creations over our entrees. The cost of dinner is on your own.
Register by November 12 in the member portal: Party With Paint! Event 1204 (fall). This is a drive-on-your-own event. Free parking is available across the street in a parking garage. If you have questions, contact Marilyn Harriman at mlwharriman74@gmail.com.
sitting quiet
in the painted green rocker
on the screened-in porch,
from the trees comes
a woodpecker’s tapping,
while closer the shallow creek dribbles
where, as children we caught
minnows and crawdads,
only to dump the bucket
prisoners back into their shallow home
when Mama called us to lunch.
the gentle breeze lifts oak and maple leaves
in soft murmurs, matching the rise and fall
of the rocker as my head sinks against the chair
like the whisper of a falling parachute,
its back and forth like a metronome,
lulls me to dreamy slumbers
of times long ago.
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.
Malpaso Dance Company Fri, Oct 20, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, 45 minutes prior to curtain. Concert Hall Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Christian McBride
Sat, Oct 28, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, in the Center for the Arts, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Power and Passion of Beethoven
Sun, Oct 29, 7:00
A pre-performance “Young Artists Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6:00 to 6:30 in the main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
David Amoroso: Belleza Brutal
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Nov 4
Admission: Free.
ARTFactory’s Rooftop Productions: Kinky Boots
Fri, Oct 20, 7:30
Sat, Oct 21, 7:30
Sun, Oct 22, 2:00
Fri, Oct 27, 7:30
Sat, Oct 28, 7:30
Sun, Oct 29, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $25 senior.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Folk Echoes
Sat, Oct 21, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30.
Art of Life Charities: "Lifting Others Up" Gala
Sat, Oct 28, 6:00
Guests will be treated to a performance by American Idol finalist Aaron Kelly. Dinner, art auction, and more during an amazing evening that helps the community.
Tickets artoflifecharities.org/.
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 Oct 21
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Tue Oct 24
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 25
11:00 am
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Bridge Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Oct 26
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Oct 27
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Oct 28
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 31
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 1
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Spanish Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Nov 2
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 3
10:00 am
1:00 pm
Annual Town Hall Meeting
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, Tom Appich
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.
DebbyMossburgLedOLLI Walk & Talk Club Members on an Enjoyable Walk on the Pohick Trail, Springfield, with a Stop at Harvest Bakery and Café Afterward, October 6;
BobHeyer Photographer
By Michele Romano, Health and Safety Advisory Workgroup Chair
Yup. Now would be the perfect time to get those Covid and high dose flu vaccines. A good target date is no later than Halloween. It takes two weeks to build up immunity from vaccines and you want that protection going into the holidays.
*Spoiler Alert*—The vaccines will not prevent Covid or the flu. They are designed to protect you from getting seriously ill (hospitalization, death).
You can get both vaccines at the same time in different arms. If you have tested positive for Covid, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends waiting three months before getting the new Covid vaccine. See Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC for complete details.
It is not unusual to experience mild flu-like symptoms for a day or so after receiving any vaccine—often an indication that your body is mounting a strong immune response. If your symptoms are severe or you have any concerns, consult your healthcare provider immediately.
Which brings us to the new RSV vaccine. The CDC recommends that adults age 60 and over MAY receive the RSV vaccine, using Shared Clinical Decision-Making (SCDM) between you and your health care provider. Not everyone over age 60 needs the vaccine. The CDC notes that “even though it is acceptable” to give the RSV vaccine on the same day as other vaccines, patients may experience increased side effects. The CDC also found some studies showing a weakened immune response when the flu and RSV vaccines were given on the same day. Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Vaccine for Adults | CDC is a good place to start doing your homework. Take the time to click on each question. Some are meant for providers, but all are worthwhile. This is a new vaccine. Do not take anything for granted.
Please check both websites often. These recommendations can change on a dime as new research comes in. And, they often do. LIVE LONG AND PROSPER
By Doris Bloch, Support Group/Chat Line Coordinator
OLLI is launching a support group! It is intended to support those OLLI members who are caregivers for any family member and friend who is exhibiting symptoms of dementia, although certainly open to any interested OLLI member. In this effort, we have strong backing and cooperation with the George Mason University's School of Social Work (SSW), which has provided us with a facilitator! Thank you, Mason SSW.
You need not be a full-time caregiver or even a current caregiver to contribute your experiences and emotions to this group. You can share or lurk, as you wish!
Right now, this is a project in its infancy, and we look forward to hearing from you about what you would like. It is envisioned that we will convene the support group one afternoon every second week, that it will be on Zoom, and initially take over an hour of the open 24/7 Chat Line. The group’s focus will not be on educational materials, as OLLI has offered substantial course work on those aspects, but rather on the emotional and possibly the practical side of caregiving. If there is enough interest, the group will in the future morph into a club/ongoing activity, which will give us an email list of registrants where we can email notices and links, if so desired.
Our plan is to have our first meeting by the beginning of November. Please contact Doris Bloch (dbloch50@hotmail.com) or Nancy Klein (nklein@gmu.edu) if you are interested in participating in the group, or if you have suggestions or questions.
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
A senior Mason film student, Panah Esfandiar Neshati, is casting for a role in a short film that he is directing, shooting October 20 and 21, 2023. The role is a Sergeant Parsons (male 40 - 70), an arrogant and reckless officer at the epicenter of a police brutality case. No monetary compensation. Meals will be served, and film credit given. To schedule an audition, email Panah at pneshati@gmu.edu. Feel free to pass the word to any interested friends.
Upcoming Theater Events
On Wednesday, November 1, the Theater Lovers' Group will go to see the 8:00 performance of Mel Brooks' musical Young Frankenstein at the Little Theater of Alexandria, located at 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA. It is a musical comedy (based on the 1974 film) and was nominated for three Tony Awards. Gay Alper has arranged for an optional pre-show dinner at 6:00 at Trattoria da Franco, which is walking distance to the theater. On-street parking should be available.
Tickets: A group rate is possible, so if you are interested in a fun, musical night out with fellow theater lovers, please email me at nreck@cs.com ASAP.
On Sunday, December 10, the Theater Lovers' Group will go to the 2:00 matinee performance of Quilters at the 1st Stage Theater, located at 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons, VA 22102. Quilters, a musical, is set on the frontier and is about the women telling their stories of their life on the frontier through the making of their patchwork quilts. The $35 tickets are now selling. Once they are sold, the tickets will be $55. We will go to Joon for optional dinner after the show. If you are interested in joining us, please email me at njreck@cs.com ASAP.
Remember that guests are always welcome!
P.S. Remember to sign up for our armchair Broadway theatrical adventure scheduled for Monday, November 13, from 1:00 to 2:30—Museum of Broadway. Victoria Cairl will come to us live via Zoom from the museum to walk us through the new, fantastic, interactive Museum of Broadway. You don't want to miss it.
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, October 21, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Time and Time Measurement—Presented by Lorrin Garson
Time controls our lives: e.g., when to get up, go to work, have lunch, plan birthdays, celebrate holidays, plant corn. These are the simple things. Time defines the length of a meter and our foot, yard, and mile. Time determines exactly where on earth we are located. "What is the time" is easy to answer—10:42. But "what is time"—is surprisingly complex and difficult to explain.
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.
Learn in 30: Vinyl LPs and Slinkies—Presented by John Krout
This presentation will explain the surprising way that vinyl can be affected by a phonograph pickup needle during playback, and how careful use will avoid damage. Typical frequent LP playback during college, when the presenter accumulated more than 250 LPs, can cause serious and permanent damage. You will learn about how that happens and how to avoid it.
John Krout is a frequent presenter at our meetings on a wide range of computer, technology and photography topics, and author of 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 206627 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 860 6157 6830 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).
Playing board games can reduce stress, boost brain power, and protect against dementia. Do you like playing board games? Would you like to learn and play new games with your fellow OLLI members? If you answered yes to either question, please attend the OLLI Board Game Club interest meeting on October 17 from 1:15-2:15 in the Annex at the Tallwood Campus. The plan for this group would be to meet every two weeks at the Tallwood campus to play board games. If you are interested in joining this group but cannot attend the interest meeting, please send an email to timharwarth@yahoo.com and let him know that you would like to join this group. We hope to see you there!
Second Call: Do You Live in a 55+ Community? We Need Your Expertise!
By Debby Mossburg, Board Member and Outreach Committee Chair
This fall, the hybrid class Moving on Up is exploring a variety of options for senior living. We have a wonderful range of presenters from communities with a number of price points and levels of support. However, we have a huge gap when it comes to established 55+ communities where homes are primarily available only through resale. Thank you to all who answered my first request for participants, but we’d love to have a few more members willing to share their experience.
We are looking for people who own or rent a cottage, RV, single family home, duplex, four-plex, townhome, or condo in a 55+ community. So far, we have residents from Heritage Hunt, The Atrium, Hiddenbrooke, and Regency in Ashburn, but we’d love to have more communities represented.
Would you be willing to sit on a panel to share your insights about this lifestyle choice during our final class on November 6 at 2:15? We will have both in-person (Tallwood) and Zoom seats available for the panel. Please email debby.mossburg@verizon.net if you think this is something you might be willing to do. Thanks in advance!
On October 6 a band of OLLI members visited Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria. Our guided walking tour was led by Catherine Weinraub, who has researched the history of the cemetery as well as the backgrounds of many of the cemetery's current "residents." It was interesting to hear tales about some of the movers and shakers of the past and their influence on area history. Perhaps most unique was a step into the underground vault that is on the property, where the accompanying photo was taken.
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.
Fri, Oct 20, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, 45 minutes prior to curtain. Concert Hall Admission: $48, $41, $29.
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 Oct 14
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 17
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 18
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Oct 19
1:15 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Science, Technology, & Health Program Planning Group
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 20
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Oct 21
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Tue Oct 24
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 25
11:00 am
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Bridge Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Oct 26
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Oct 27
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
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, Tom Appich
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.
Dr. Stephen Ruth, Mason Professor of Public Policy,
Examines Artificial Intelligence in his 2023 Fall-term Course:
Artificial Intelligence: Blessing or Curse? September 18-October 2
You’re Invited to a Party!
By Marilyn Harriman, Diversions Chair
Hosts Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby (aka Marilyn & Tony Harriman) and the Diversions Team, invite you to a Halloween party at Tallwood Campus on Friday, October 13, 3:00-5:00, for a rousing good time.
Refreshments, including savory and sweet snacks, and assorted non-alcoholic beverages, will be served. Guests are encouraged (but not required) to dress in costume. Three cash gift card prizes will be awarded to the best in Halloween costumes, with awards determined by your fellow guests.
As you enjoy the company of your OLLI friends, a caricature artist will be available to draw your portrait. Each guest will be given a lottery ticket, and those chosen from a hat will be invited to a five-minute sitting. Caricature participants will take home their portraiture.
Other entertainment includes:
An opportunity for a selfie snapshot with a celebrity, including George Washington, Audrey Hepburn, and Elvis
Pumpkin decorating in the Annex
Pinata whacking for a chance at a candy stash
Karaoke music sing-along
Bring a friend or spouse!
If you haven’t yet signed up, register for Event #1101 by October 11 in the member portal. Admittance is free (no cost). The event will be held in TA-1, the Annex, and TA-3.
Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group Meeting October 19 By Michele Romano, Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group Co-Chair
Save the date: October 19—You are invited. If you have an interest in the fields of Science, Technology, and Health (STH), there will be an OLLI STH Program Planning Group meeting on Thursday, 10/19, from 1:15-2:15, via ZOOM only. Look for the link in your OLLI Daily Schedule email. Let us know if you have any suggestions or requests for classes. If you would be willing to teach or know of other possible instructors, we would love to have you attend even more.
Please join us for the meeting and consider joining the group. It is as simple as adding your name to the list. There is no pressure to be any more involved than you want to be. We need your advice and your input. Just email Mary Kornreich, co-chair, (mkornreich2@gmail.com), or Michele Romano (tufax2@gmail.com).
We look forward to seeing you (virtually) at the meeting.
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 October 11. The topic for Wednesday, October 11: What Brings You Joy?
Many of us OLLI members are retired and one of the pluses of that is that we often have more time to engage in activities that bring us joy! Some folks like to walk, or paint, or garden, or read, or write their memoirs, or exercise, or listen to music, or cook, or do crafts, or golf, or volunteer. The list goes on.
What do you do to enjoy the so-called leisure time that we are privileged to have? A few weeks ago, we talked about having a bucket list and actually changing that to a life list—things that get us out of bed in the morning with enthusiasm to accomplish those activities. Plan to share those with us this Wednesday.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch on October 11.
This past weekend, supporters of Mason and members of the community had an opportunity to see and hear Renée Elise Goldsberry in concert at the Center for the Arts. Goldsberry won an Emmy as a central character in Hamilton, the block-buster musical. Her performance was part of the annual Arts by George! program that raises scholarship money by highlighting student performances from the various departments of the Mason College of Visual and Performing Arts. If you missed the event—and especially the concert—you missed one of the major presentations at Mason.
Arts by George! is just one example of the rich artistic presentations offered at Mason. In addition to professional performances offered at the Center for the Arts, there are many student and faculty presentations in drama, dance, and music that often rival those in major venues like the Kennedy Center. For example, coming up the last of October is the student presentation of 9 to 5—The Musical, based on the hit movie of the same name, and the annual Jazz for Justice, a traditional “big-band sound” on October 14 that raises money for legal support.
We in this area are fortunate to have so many opportunities to enjoy such presentations, often for free or nominal cost. Reminders of many presentations are shown in E-News where Shelly Gerston lists performances at both Mason Fairfax and Manassas campuses. Periodic articles by Norma Jean Reck, chair of the OLLI Theater Lovers Group, highlight local and distant performances, often organizing groups to attend them. OLLI and community residents can also register to receive monthly newsletters from the School of Music advising of future student and faculty performances, again many of which are free or a nominal cost.
So, start developing your “Arts Calendar” if you haven't already done so. You'll enjoy one of the major benefits of living in our area. The Arts are alive...and waiting for you!
Calmness could have been the name of this anonymous small oil painting,
the cow not only distant but
Indistinct, her grazing form belonging
To the field, blending with the rough
Grass along the stream and that hazy
Light descending through great oaks.
It might be good, I thought, to
spend an afternoon within its frame,
Seated on a low rock over to one side,
Inconspicuous and almost out of sight,
Or standing on the other side of the stream, a figure in brown, unnoticed
By the cow, belonging and blending in,
Also anonymous.
—Caroline McNeil
Eric Henderson peacefully passed away on September 26, at the age of 89. He had been an OLLI a member for many years beginning in 2001 and a founder and familiar pillar of the Tallwood Trio. He was born and grew up in Bridgeport, Ohio, moved to the D.C. area in 1962, and lived in Reston, VA for 45 years.
A life-long lover of music, Eric played jazz bass with several Potomac River Jazz Club bands and with the Tallwood Trio, a group he helped form, and one that played occasionally at Vinson Hall, the retirement community where he and his wife of 64 years lived. As a certified wine specialist, at OLLI he taught wine courses and led trips to wineries, among many other activities.A celebration of life in Eric’s honor will be held at a later date to be announced.
Eric’s wife Carol sent the following message, noting that “OLLI was such a big part of both our lives. Eric passed away on September 26, 2023. It was peaceful and I was with him. He had been in hospice care for just three weeks. But he had been essentially bedridden in the skilled nursing portion of our retirement community since February, after a couple of medical emergencies. While he had multiple physical problems, he was mentally alert, made his own decision to go into hospice, and I think he was ready. We had recently celebrated our 64th wedding anniversary. He was 89 and had a good long life.”
More information and several photos are 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 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.
Virginia Opera: Siegfried
Sat, Oct 7, 7:30
Sun, Oct 8, 2:00
BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE: learn about the context, music, and production you are about to see and hear. A pre-performance discussion featuring Virginia Opera Resident Scholar, Joshua Borths, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
AFTER THE SUNDAY PERFORMANCE: Joshua Borths will lead a post-performance discussion with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
David Amoroso: Belleza Brutal
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Nov 4
Admission: Free.
Prince William Little Theatre: The Westing Game
Fri, Oct 6, 8:00
Sat, Oct 7, 8:00
Sun, Oct 8, 2:00
Friday, Oct 13 at 8:00
Saturday, Oct 14 at 2:00
Saturday, Oct 14 at 8:00
Sunday, Oct 15 at 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult; $20 senior, student (ID required), and military; $18 group (eight or more); $15 youth (12 and under).
KC Dance Center: Kollywood Night 2023
Sat, Oct 7, 5:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.
GFour Productions: Menopause The Musical 2—Cruising Through ‘The Change’®
Sun, Oct 8, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $50, $45.
Coco in Concert
Fri, Oct 13, 7:00 A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance. Merchant Hall Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Manassas Chorale: The Places We’ll Go! Sat, Oct 14, 4:00
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 Oct 7
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 10
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 11
11:00 am
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Tallwood Book Club
Bridge Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Oct 12
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 13
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Halloween Party
Sat Oct 14
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 17
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 18
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Oct 19
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 20
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
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, Tom Appich
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.
The Executive Committee of the Board Presents Executive Director Jennifer Disano with a Plaque Recognizing Her Ten Years of Leadership at OLLI Mason, September15 (Photo by Mike Emery)
As I reflect on the past ten years, my heart is full of gratitude for the remarkable journey we've undertaken together at OLLI Mason.
When I first assumed the role of Executive Director, my vision for OLLI was to preserve the essential role it played in our members' lives. Little did I anticipate the transformative changes that awaited us. With your unwavering support, the dedication of our incredible volunteers, and the competence of our staff, we've achieved far more than I could ever have imagined.
Our decade long journey has been a testament to expansion, innovation, and adaptability. Not only have we sustained membership through time and trial, but we've also doubled our programs and tripled our staff. Thanks to technology like Zoom and the implementation of hybrid classrooms, our reach now extends beyond geographical boundaries, allowing us to connect and engage our members with teachers near and around the globe.
Amidst the challenges and changes of the past 10 years, one of our most significant achievements has been the consistent quality and subsequent expansion of OLLI course offerings. This accomplishment is owed to the hard work of our dedicated curriculum committee volunteers, the unwavering support of our staff, and, of course, our incredible OLLI volunteer teachers.
While the impact of our collective efforts defies perfect quantification, one thing is undeniable: we've changed lives for the better. Our influence extends not only to our members but also to our teachers and the broader community. We've cultivated connections, ignited intellectual growth, and enriched countless lives.
Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism and excitement for the future. Our journey continues to evolve and unfold. Together, we will confront new challenges, embrace fresh opportunities, and uphold the spirit of lifelong learning.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia—Treatment Hope for the Future?
By Jane Harrison, Health and Safety Advisory Workgroup Member
Much has been written about Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia, but overall treatment options are discouraging. In June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Leqembi. In July, results of a clinical trial of Donanemab led to expectation that the drug will be approved by the end of the year. Both drugs have shown to provide for a slightly slower decline in cognitive function in those with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. While some see these drugs as a milestone in the treatment of the disease that has been untreatable to date, the results are negligible.
It is helpful to look at some of the basic clinical trial results of these drugs and compare the possible efficacies. Both target the reduction of amyloid in the brain.
The Leqembi trial slowed cognitive decline by 27% over eighteen months—a five‑month delay in progression. The Donanemab trial was conducted differently, and the numbers were slightly better, but almost 37% experienced brain swelling or bleeding.
Many experts agree that amyloid reduction is just part of the problem and that a cocktail of anti-inflammatory and anti-tau agents will be needed to effectively see real strides in treatment. Some feel that within five years there will be a combination of therapies, much like cancer treatment, which will improve the outlook. However, hope may be tempered by such factors as cost ($26,500 per year; not including infusion), insurance coverage, availability of qualified treatment centers, and, in the case of Leqembi, necessity of treatment for life. Treatment with Donanemab does have an end point. Efficacy is clearly the factor now, but is it the frontier of the future?
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 October 4. The topic for Wednesday, October 4: New Genres in Literature, including autofiction (help us all to understand what it is).
Apparently, there are new novels being written that incorporate or supplant unreliable narrators. Is an author obligated to be honest with their characters? How do these new genres blur the distinction between fiction and non-fiction? Why that is happening and how to read around that is the question of the day.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch on October 4.
Bring your rabbit’s foot and join your OLLI friends on Friday, October 13, 3:00-5:00 at the Tallwood campus for our second annual Halloween party. Refreshments, including snacks, candy, and beverages, will be served.
Enjoy a range of entertainment:
Visit a professional caricature artist for a five‑minute personal portrait made just for you!
Take a selfie with a celebrity, including George Washington, Audrey Hepburn, and Elvis.
Decorate a pumpkin in the Annex.
Whack a pinata for a chance at a candy stash.
Wear a costume and compete for prizes.
Sing along with rockin’ karaoke music.
Bring a friend or spouse!
If you haven’t yet signed up, register for Event #1101 by October 11 in the member portal. Admittance is free (no cost). The event will be held in TA‑1, the Annex, and TA‑3.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
A whole year of Wednesday Conversations with Team Bloch has gone by. We started our weekly sessions on September 13, 2022, and we have continued every week until now with only a very few interruptions. Our topics vary with each session, with some on the light side and some more serious and/or educational. We average about eight participants per session but have had as many as 16 join us. Popular topics have included:
What Are You Reading?
Travel
Games to Play on Your Phone, and
The Village Support Movement.
Team Bloch members (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) have had a lot of fun with these sessions, meeting new people and befriending the regulars, learning about what members think about the topics, and just generally enjoying the weekly social camaraderie. We invite you to join us any Wednesday afternoon from 4:00-5:00 and share our journey!
The History Club will meet on Wednesday, October 4. We will hear a presentation on Arlington House by Jerry MacLaughlin, National Park Service volunteer.
Arlington House (photo courtesy of Jerry MacLaughlin) has been a witness to momentous events in our nation’s history, from the capture of the city of Washington in the War of 1812, to Colonel Robert E. Lee’s decision to resign his commission in the U.S. Army, and to the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery. This talk will provide an overview of these momentous events, and how the inhabitants of Arlington House, both enslaved and free, affected these events.
The Dirty Knee Club (DKC) is starting the process of making a new book about the landscaping at Tallwood. We are gathering photos and stories about OLLI and how the grounds are used. We will be using the first book, created by Valerie Braybrooke, to guide us.
We have a Google page where people can send their pictures. Here is a link to the site:
The DKC is looking for information about and pictures of the following:
The Plum tree installation event and article
Pictures or diagrams of the handicapped ramp construction
Any pictures of groups or individuals enjoying the outdoor settings such as the breezeway, Solomon's loop, or the patio terrace
The history of the cottage
Information about the amazing Mason crew who have helped improve the grounds so much in the past few years. Drainage, rocks, stump gardens, . . .
The effects of Covid on OLLI. The restrictions and the lack of in-person use. The number of people on campus before and after Covid.
Any contributions that the Photography Club wants to share.
Anything else that might be interesting in this book.
All members are encouraged to send information/pictures. If you have questions or suggestions, please send me an email at skberman77@gmail.com. Thank you!
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Board Member/Humanities and Social Sciences, Current Events Program Planning Group Co-Chair
OLLI invites you to share your expertise on topics that reflect your knowledge in any area. Currently, OLLI members have expressed the desire to have classes on the following topics:
“Agree to Disagree” Respectfully
Cultural linguistics
Comparing Education in America with Other Countries
Historical Pros and Cons of Vaccinations
OR:
Your topic of expertise.
If you have an interest in teaching OLLI courses via (Zoom/hybrid or in-person), have questions or ideas of your own, please contact any of the following HSS/CE committee chairpersons or Program Associates:
By Linda H. Harber, Friends of Music at Mason President
I hope my OLLI friends will be able to join us at the Friends of Music at Mason’s upcoming Oktoberfest Musicale at the Woodlands. Enjoy a delicious meal of German-style food (with vegetarian options available) and a special live concert from talented Mason Music students—playing music from German composers. Get into the mood with big pretzels with mustard and beer (or wine) with your delicious meal. Part of your ticket cost will go to Mason music scholarships. If you attended our first Musicale Soiree in the spring, you will enjoy another amazing evening with Friends of Music at Mason and the talented Mason music students.
Looking forward to seeing you on October 20. Tickets are going fast and there is limited seating available.
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.
Renée Elise Goldsberry in Concert (Part of Arts by George!)
Sat, Sep 30, 8:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $100, $75, $50.
Virginia Opera: Siegfried
Sat, Oct 7, 7:30
Sun, Oct 8, 2:00
BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE: learn about the context, music, and production you are about to see and hear. A pre-performance discussion featuring Virginia Opera Resident Scholar, Joshua Borths, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
AFTER THE SUNDAY PERFORMANCE: Joshua Borths will lead a post-performance discussion with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
David Amoroso: Belleza Brutal
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Nov 4
Admission: Free.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Glorious Impromptus of Chopin and Schubert
Sun, Oct 1, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Prince William Little Theatre: The Westing Game
Fri, Oct 6, 8:00
Sat, Oct 7, 8:00
Sun, Oct 8, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult; $20 senior, student (ID Required), and military; $18 group (eight or more); $15 youth (12 and under).
KC Dance Center: Kollywood Night 2023
Sat, Oct 7, 5:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.
GFour Productions: Menopause The Musical 2—Cruising Through ‘The Change’®
Sun, Oct 8, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $50, $45.
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 Sep 30
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 3
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 4
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Spanish Club
Thu Oct 5
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 6
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Oct 7
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 10
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 11
11:00 am
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Tallwood Book Club
Bridge Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Oct 12
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 13
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Halloween Party
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, Tom Appich
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.
From the Desk of the Executive Director Fall Greetings
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
As the leaves transform into a breathtaking display of autumnal colors and the air takes on a refreshing crispness, it's time to embark on a new chapter of lifelong learning with OLLI Mason. Welcome to the fall term! This season isn't just about nature's change; it's an opportunity for us, our community of learners, to immerse ourselves in the world of knowledge and reap its myriad rewards.
Lifelong learning knows no age limit, and that's precisely what makes OLLI Mason such a treasure. Whether you've spent years as a dedicated scholar or you're new to the realm of continued education, the journey ahead holds a wealth of wonders.
The beauty of lifelong learning lies in the intellectual adventure it offers. It's akin to an ever-unfolding story—the more chapters you explore, the more captivating it becomes. Our courses are designed to keep your minds agile, inquisitive, and forever engaged.
OLLI Mason is more than just classes—it's a vibrant community of kindred spirits. As you engage in classes, workshops, and social gatherings, you'll form friendships that inspire and endure, creating bonds that are especially precious.
And remember, you can also become an instructor, sharing your wisdom with future generations of lifelong learners, leaving a meaningful legacy.
So, let's embark on this fall term together, celebrating the beauty of lifelong learning. OLLI Mason is your trusted companion on this journey, offering a diverse tapestry of courses and experiences that will ignite your curiosity and passion for knowledge.
Team Bloch Wednesday Conversations—Topic for September 27
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 September 27. The topic for Wednesday, September 27: What is Charisma?
CHARISMA (dictionary definitions):
a spiritual power or personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people; OR
the special virtue of an office, function, position, etc., that confers or is thought to confer on the person holding it an unusual ability for leadership, worthiness of veneration, or the like.
Is charisma a positive thing? Or does it lead to unfortunate consequences? Is charisma needed for effective leadership? What gives someone charisma? Is it a physical attribute? An emotional intensity? Or a certain over-powering self-confidence? How widespread is it in the population at large? Do only men have charisma?
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch on September 27.
Please join us Friday October 6th for a very special economics session—War, Wine, and Taxes: The Political Economy of Anglo-French Trade, 1689-1900.
Many of you will remember Professor John Nye from his years presenting in the Economics Potpourri series each fall term. Or you may remember his energized explanation of the origins of the assembly line in February. He has agreed to return to present this research from his latest book, War, Wine, and Taxes. Tariffs have left a mark on French winemaking and British pubs that still survive today. He will explain the complex ways in which special interests and ideology affect policy decisions. It will definitely be a memorable event! Please refer to your catalog or the OLLI website for more information on F204/F204Z.
Theater Lovers' Group Offers Theater Potpourri
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group (TLG) Coordinator, with Jane Hassell and Gay Alper
TLG to See One of Broadway's Biggest Hits
On Sunday, October 15 at 2:00, TLG will go the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church to see the Providence Players perform Deathtrap. In this mystery thriller Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway hits, is struggling to overcome a “dry” spell. A possible change in his fortunes occurs when he receives a remarkable script from a student that he realizes is a potential hit. Sidney’s plan is to offer help to the student in exchange for co-credit. But is that really his plan? Suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with such an abundance of thrills and laughter that audiences will be enthralled until the final startling moments of the play. To purchase $18 senior tickets and to select your seats, please go to http://www.providenceplayers.org. Then email Norma (njreck@cs.com) that you will be attending Deathtrap and going to dinner with TLG. Remember that guests are always welcome.
TLG to See Mel Brooks's Musical Comedy
Gay Alper is changing it up a little on Wednesday, November 1, when she takes TLG to The Little Theater of Alexandria for a pre-show dinner and then to see Mel Brooks's musical Young Frankenstein. Stay tuned for details which will include a group rate on the tickets.
Broadway Comes to TLG
Save the date: Monday, November 13 at 1:00 via Zoom. Be there!
Victoria Cairl, Museum of Broadway rep, will come to us via Zoom from the newly opened Museum of Broadway at 145 West 45th Street, New York City. It's the only place in the world to rediscover Broadway—its history, its monumental moments, what it takes to create a Broadway show, and more. It's where the magic happens. Stay tuned for details.
By Michele Romano, Board Member and Health and Safety Advisory Workgroup Chair
Fall and winter respiratory season arrives, and you get sick. How do you know whether it’s Covid or one of the more than 200 viruses that cause the common cold? The only way is to take a Covid test. But which one? Based on your health and your risk to close contacts, testing may be indicated. There are 30 tests with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization for at-home use. None have received full FDA approval.
The tests fall into 2 categories. The molecular/PCR tests are more accurate but also more complicated. The sample usually must be mailed to a lab, and results aren’t back for two-three days. The antigen tests are less accurate, but you’ll see your results in 15-30 minutes. See Understanding At-Home Covid Test Accuracy (verywellhealth.com) for a more detailed discussion.
There are many factors that can affect the accuracy of the results. See At-Home Covid-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions | FDA for guidelines on who should test, when to test, and how often to test. Other factors include time since exposure, duration of symptoms, type of specimen, and complexity of the test. If you were exposed to Covid but are asymptomatic, you have a greater chance of getting a false negative test result. “Pilot error” is the biggest problem. Take the time to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. And don’t forget to check the expiration dates. The FDA has extended the expiration dates for certain tests. The new dates can also be found on the above FDA FAQ website link.
What about cost and all these new variants? When the Covid emergency was declared over, the distribution of free over-the-counter test kits ended. The median cost for a molecular/PCR test is $120. The median cost for antigen tests varies, with some available for around $10-15 from sources like Amazon and Walmart. However, the resumption of the free tests-by-mail program of the government has just been announced. The website for the program, covidtests.gov, will begin accepting orders on Monday. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the existing tests remain effective in detecting the new BA.2.86 and XBB.1.5 variants.
Remember, whether you have taken a Covid test or not, if you are sick, please stay home and enjoy all OLLI has to offer on Zoom.
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Board Member/Humanities and Social Sciences, Current Events Program Planning Group Co Chair
OLLI invites you to share your expertise on topics that reflect your knowledge in any area. Currently, OLLI members have expressed the desire to have classes on the following topics:
“Agree to Disagree” Respectfully
Cultural Linguistics
Comparing Education in America with Other Countries
Historical Pros and Cons of Vaccinations
Of course, we are always happy to have a course based upon a topic of your choice.
If you have an interest in teaching OLLI courses (via Zoom/hybrid or in-person), have questions or ideas of your own, please contact any of the following HSS/CE committee chairpersons or program associates:
The September 2023 Photo of the Month theme was Street Photography. We selected George Bradshaw's photo "An Earlier Era," 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
There once was a woman in Golden
Who never could quite get a hold on
When to water her plants
So she did it by chance
And the plants responded by foldin’.
OLLI member and instructor David Heymsfeld died at his home in Reston on September 15, 2023. He was born January 2, 1938, in New York City. A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, David was a public servant, spending much of his career on Capitol Hill. Ultimately, he was chief of staff for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
A lifelong learner, David presented courses on history at OLLI, and served as a volunteer guide for the Newseum. He was scheduled to teach a course on the Supreme Court from Warren to Roberts this fall term.
His funeral service was held on September 18, with interment at Fairfax Memorial Park. More 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 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 Sep 23
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Sep 26
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Sep 27
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Sep 28
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Sep 29
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Sep 30
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Oct 3
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 4
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Spanish Club
Thu Oct 5
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 6
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
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, Tom Appich
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.
Notice: You received this newsletter because either you are a current OLLI member or you have been provided a courtesy copy. If you are an OLLI member who did not renew your membership, you can continue to receive our newsletter by emailing the office at olli@gmu.eduwith your request. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you'd like to receive it each week, please email the office and ask to be added to the courtesy-copy list.
Copyright 2023 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone 703-503-3384, Fax 703-503-2832
Do You Live in a 55+ Community? We Need Your Expertise!
By Debby Mossburg, Outreach Committee Chair
This fall, the hybrid class Moving on Up (F902/F902Z) will explore a variety of options for senior living. We have a wonderful range of presenters from communities with a number of price points and levels of support. However, we have a huge gap when it comes to established 55+ communities where homes are primarily available only through resale.
We are looking for people who own or rent a cottage, RV, single-family home, duplex, four-plex, townhome, or condo in a 55-plus community. Would you be willing to sit on a panel to share your insights about this lifestyle choice during our final class on November 6 at 2:15? We will have both in-person (Tallwood) and Zoom seats available for the panel. Please email debby.mossburg@verizon.net if you think this is something you might be willing to do. Thanks in advance!
We all know there are many ways to facilitate successful aging. One way is keeping our brains healthy, and new research indicates that a key to protecting the brain and maintaining cognition is to volunteer. Please read the following articles and consider volunteering at OLLI.
There are many ways you can volunteer your time. OLLI needs you! Thank you.
Editor’s note: This article appeared in a recent issue of OLLI ENews; it is repeated here to encourage all members to reap the benefits of volunteering at OLLI.
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Board Member/Humanities and Social Sciences, Current Events Program Planning Group Co Chair
OLLI invites you to share your expertise on topics that reflect your knowledge in any area. Currently, OLLI members have expressed the desire to have classes on the following topics:
“Agree to Disagree” Respectfully
Cultural linguistics
Comparing Education in America with Other Countries
Historical Pros and Cons of Vaccinations
OR:
Your topic of expertise.
If you have an interest in teaching OLLI courses via (Zoom/hybrid or in-person), have questions or ideas of your own, please contact any of the following HSS/CE committee chairpersons or Program Associates:
With social activities back on campus, this year’s OLLI Fall Kick-Off Coffee, September 14, will also feature an activities fair. Scheduled for 10:00-11:30 in the Social Room Annex at Tallwood campus, the event will let you come at 10:00, give you time to talk with your friends and check out the clubs, social events, and local and international trips available through June 2024.
The OLLI administrative staff and the Diversions Committee will provide delicious refreshments. Hot coffee and tea will be available in the Social Room, and cold beverages and baked goods will be available in TA-1 and the Annex classroom, where the main event will be held.
This is a wonderful opportunity for all those who have missed seeing their friends in person since spring term to catch up with each other. For our new members, what an excellent opportunity to get to know other OLLI members, both old and new.
You will also have an opportunity to learn about changes in OLLI operations, facilities, and programming, presented by our executive director and the president of OLLI-Mason, with plenty of time for questions. We’ll even have a tour of the Tallwood facilities for our new members, including the Dirty Knee Club’s flower gardens and the infamous “potty barn.”
Please join us on September 14! Register for event 1201 via the member portal or contact the registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu.
The Diversions Committee is excited to announce two additional events for this fall term. Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of contemplative walking in nature, will be held with a certified guide on the Tallwood Campus on Saturday, September 30, from 10:00-12:00 noon. The outdoor experience has been shown to decrease stress-related hormones and lower blood pressure. Our guide, Ana Leilani Ka'ahanui, will teach techniques for deep breathing and body-mind awareness, keeping the mind in the present as we explore the outdoors. To learn more about the event, log into member portal and enter F817 in the search box.
Why not end the fall term with some creativity? On Friday, November 17, 2:30-5:00, you can party with paint and socialize with your OLLI friends at the same time. At the end of a two-and-a-half-hour workshop, you’ll take home a fall landscape painting you design individually. We’ll meet at Muse Paint Bar in the Mosaic District, Fairfax, and get instruction from a professional artist who will show us tips and techniques to craft an original work of art. The outing cost of $50 includes instruction, all supplies, brownie snacks, and liquid refreshments. To learn more about this event and register, log into the member portal and enter 1204 in the search box.
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, September 16, at 1:00, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
American Secrets: Virtual Tour—Presented by Jennifer Wilcox
Experience the National Cryptologic Museum from your chair! This virtual tour introduces you to the secret of secrets. Beginning with invisible ink and hidden messages of the American Revolution through the first super computers and everything in between, the tour will take you through the history of American cryptology. This live presentation highlights the history, technology, and people bringing the secret world of secrets to you.
Jennifer Wilcox has been the Director of Education at the National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic Museum since 1999. Her research and presentations cover topics including women in American cryptology, Native American code talkers, as well as the popular Enigma story.
Learn in 30: A Home Router Security Issue; Diagnose and Fix It—Presented by John Krout
This presentation involves a feature of Linksys and perhaps other brands of home routers. Each router provides a set of administrative Web pages enabling you to customize the router. The presenter found out by accident that his Linksys router also makes those admin Web pages available from outside the home network, i.e., from anywhere on the Internet. The router makers may believe that this is a valuable feature. However, the default login credentials for those administrative Web pages are publicly known and posted on Web sites for many brands of home routers. Anyone who knows the IP address of your router can log in and change your router's behavior, including its password, without your knowledge.
Learn: how to determine your router's Internet IP address, how that IP address can be found by a bad apple, and what you can change in your router's administrative Web pages to prevent easy access by others on the outside.
John Krout is a frequent presenter at our meetings on a wide range of computer, technology and photography topics, and author of 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 206627 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 860 6157 6830 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).
By Joanne Fitzgerald, Crafts and Conversation Member
Arts, crafts, and other creative activities have many benefits, particularly for those of us who are retired. Crafts keep the mind active and help prevent anxiety. They also grant a sense of accomplishment and achievement.
Crafts allow us to make keepsakes, apparel, and artwork for gifts or to give to those in need. Crafting can take many forms—it doesn’t just have to be knitting and crochet, but can include painting—even paint by numbers—mosaics, mixed media, journaling and scrapbooking, card-making, coloring, collage, calligraphy, jewelry making, and woodworking. If you can dream it, you can make it.
Crafting can also help build community. Joining OLLI’s Crafts and Conversation club gives you an outlet for sharing those crafting accomplishments. We love to share our current projects and our favorite crafting books and resources. We also share information on places to donate our crafts. The conversations are not always only about crafts—we share information on local events, places to eat, and things to do. Why not consider joining us for a couple of Crafts and Conversation sessions to meet some of your fellow OLLI members? Come make new friends!
The Tallwood Book Club will be discussing the following books this fall:
September: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
October: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
November: Circe by Madeline Miller
December: Chesapeake Requiem by Earl Swift.
We have been scheduled to meet at Tallwood on the second Wednesday, September 13 at 10:00. If the weather permits, we will use the outdoor seating at Tallwood at that time.
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group, with Jane Hassell and Jean Tatalias
The Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) 2023-2024 theater season offers many fabulous events. Each event includes an optional dinner that provides theater goers with the opportunity for socialization with other theater lovers. The following events are sure to please you (click on this link for a detailed description of the season and events in this article.
Sunday, September 24 at 2:00: Hitchcock's The 39 Steps TLG will attend a matinee performance of The 39 Steps at NextStop Theatre in Herndon, followed by an optional supper at a nearby restaurant. Contact Norma Reck (njreck@cs.com) to obtain tickets at the OLLI group rate of $36 plus $2.00 fee, and don't delay—NextStop is a small intimate theater (114 seats).
Sunday, October 15: Deathtrap by Ira Levin
We will go to see the Providence Players perform one of the biggest hits ever on Broadway. Details TBA.
Saturday, October 21: Performances of two Shakespearian Plays (Much Ado about Nothing and Hamlet) in the Blackfriars Theater at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia Be sure to sign up for the TLG October 21 trip to Staunton. The OLLI course number is 1003 (register at the member portal). We will also have a get-acquainted coffee at Tallwood on Friday, September 15 at 10:00 for those signing up. With the OLLI discount, each play is $48. We also have a limited number of rooms available at a discounted rate of $135 plus taxes at the Best Western Staunton, for those who want to stay over on Saturday night. For questions, call Jean Tatalias at 571-447-7977. Or email Jean at jtatalias@gmail.com.
Remember to Register for the Theater Lovers' Group
Remember that each term you must register for clubs again. If you don't, your name will be removed from the membership list and you will not receive any emails, etc. If you would like to know more about TLG activities, go to page 32 of your fall 2023 catalog for a description of activities. If you would like to join TLG, go online and register for it as you would for a class. Everyone, as well as guests, is welcome.
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversations—September 13 and 20
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 September 13 at 4:00 and one on September 20 at 4:00 as well.
The topic for Wednesday September 13 conversation with Team Bloch will be Frauds and Scams. Those of us of a certain age are said to be particularly vulnerable to fraudsters, something that we want to discuss with as many members as possible. There are as many avenues for fraud as imaginable—surely you have received many an email offer of credit or survey reward gift cards. Perhaps you have gotten the dreaded phone call from a “family member in trouble” who needs money right away? No need to confess to or share any past personal experiences of your own; just chime in and add whatever you feel comfortable with. We will provide you with some supporting resources—knowledge is half the battle.
The topic for Wednesday September 20 conversation with Team Bloch will be What’s On Your Bucket List and What Is On Your Chuck-It List? Some of us hope to accomplish certain things in our remaining years; some of us have become more realistic about the list of desired accomplishments as we review them. Where do you sit on this list-making/list-paring spectrum? Love to hear your thoughts!
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch on both days.
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., 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 Sep 9
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Sep 11
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Program Planning Meeting
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Sep 12
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Sep 13
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Tallwood Book Club
Staff Pre-Term Meeting
Investment Forum
Mah Jongg Club
Thu Sep 14
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Kick-Off Coffee
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Sep 15
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Dirty Knee Club Scrapbook Meeting
Sat Sep 16
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Tue Sep 19
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Sep 20
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Spanish Club
Thu Sep 21
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Sep 22
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
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, Tom Appich
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.
![](http://ollidev2.earthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Walk-and-Talk-at-Pohick-Trail-Oct.-2023.png")
, and the annual Jazz for Justice, a traditional “big-band sound” on October 14 that raises money for legal support.
Eric Henderson peacefully passed away on September 26, at the age of 89. He had been an OLLI a member for many years beginning in 2001 and a founder and familiar pillar of the Tallwood Trio. He was born and grew up in Bridgeport, Ohio, moved to the D.C. area in 1962, and lived in Reston, VA for 45 years.
Bring your rabbit’s foot and join your OLLI friends on Friday, October 13, 3:00-5:00 at the Tallwood campus for our second annual Halloween party. Refreshments, including snacks, candy, and beverages, will be served.
Arlington House (photo courtesy of Jerry MacLaughlin) has been a witness to momentous events in our nation’s history, from the capture of the city of Washington in the War of 1812, to Colonel Robert E. Lee’s decision to resign his commission in the U.S. Army, and to the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery. This talk will provide an overview of these momentous events, and how the inhabitants of Arlington House, both enslaved and free, affected these events.
Campus on Saturday, September 30, from 10:00-12:00 noon. The outdoor experience has been shown to decrease stress-related hormones and lower blood pressure. Our guide, Ana Leilani Ka'ahanui, will teach techniques for deep breathing and body-mind awareness, keeping the mind in the present as we explore the outdoors. To learn more about the event, log into 
at the same time. At the end of a two-and-a-half-hour workshop, you’ll take home a fall landscape painting you design individually. We’ll meet at Muse Paint Bar in the Mosaic District, Fairfax, and get instruction from a professional artist who will show us tips and techniques to craft an original work of art. The outing cost of $50 includes instruction, all supplies, brownie snacks, and liquid refreshments. To learn more about this event and register, log into the 
TLG will attend a matinee performance of The 39 Steps at NextStop Theatre in Herndon, followed by an optional supper at a nearby restaurant. Contact Norma Reck (
Be sure to sign up for the TLG October 21 trip to Staunton. The OLLI course number is 1003 (register at the