I have been at Tallwood the past week to continue updating some of OLLI’s computers for application in the hybrid class process. By noon on July 19, a team of six Mason carpenters had created a forest of 6 x 6 vertical timber posts for the new ramp (see accompanying photo). This was notable given that only the concrete piers were visible just the prior afternoon.
On July 17, we had the first hybrid trial with an audience other than the Audiovisual Support Committee team. It went well, providing us with a number of lessons learned as we continue our learning curve toward solutions for our ultimate return to campus.
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held July 16, 2021.
OLLI President Paul Howard reported that renovations and construction of a ramp at Tallwood are progressing. Since early May the Audiovisual/Tech Support committee, with the assistance of members of the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), has been holding ongoing sessions to install equipment that will allow OLLI to go hybrid when members return to class. The first live trial was Saturday, July 17th. Paul reviewed a preliminary analysis of some possible options for Zoom/hybrid/in-person operations when that return becomes feasible.
Executive director Jennifer Disano reported that OLLI membership enrollment met expectations for summer and she looks forward to a surge in membership for the fall term. Jennifer has been working with the Development Committee to find ways to apply for grants. They would be used to help with the changes in technology to improve delivery of classes to our members.
Jennifer has been attending ongoing meetings with the dean, directors, and other administrators at Mason, and with government entities in Fairfax, Reston, and Loudoun. She has been collaborating with AARP to present classes this summer.
Currently there are 1,038 annual members (among whom are 109 at the promotional rate). Total membership is 1,046, which includes the 1,038 annual members and 8 members at the introductory rate.
Three resolutions were unanimously approved by the Board.
Resolution, 210716-01: The Board now requires that all contracts $10,000 and above must be signed by the executive director and a member of the Executive Committee. Resolution, 210716-02: The Board approves the transfer of two designated contributions totaling $22,750 from the Reserve Account to the Capital Technology Fund. The first designated contribution of $15,000 is from a grant from the OSHER Foundation. The second designated contribution of $7,750 is from an OLLI member. Resolution, 210716-03; The Board approves official signers (board officers and executive director) to establish a credit card through Capitol One Bank for use by executive director and staff.
Hot, stale, dusty attic vaults
Cobwebbed window treatments
Wooden boxes, cedar trunks hiding
artifacts stashed for future discovery
Rusty hinges creak, scrape
Belching dust eddies into the air
Hesitant to liberate valuables
entombed for preservation.
Vintage oilcloths, cracked, stained
Threadbare muslin aprons with
Faded rick-rack trim. Frayed napkins
Dotted with coffee stains, grape jam
Used day-in, day-out by chapped
Worn, loving hands – the heart of
Home in the kitchen.
Cleansed in mountain rainwater
Dried in fresh, pure sunshine
Ironed crisp, a safety pin, peppermint,
or twisty tie dropped in apron pocket.
Pounds of beans, potatoes, flour –
Food for eight. Through the years
Whittled down to two, one, then none.
Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s Fairfax campus is shut down, online entertainment and events at the Hylton Center continue for us to access and enjoy(https://hylton.calendar.gmu.edu/). 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 send an email to Brianna Schoen atbschoen@gmu.edu. 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.
All Mason Arts & Music events are postponed until September.
Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.
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.
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
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, Roz Stark, 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. Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/” without the quotes.
I have been at Tallwood the past week to continue updating some of OLLI’s computers for application in the hybrid class process. By noon on July 19, a team of six Mason carpenters had created a forest of 6 x 6 vertical timber posts for the new ramp (see accompanying photo). This was notable given that only the concrete piers were visible just the prior afternoon.
