The OLLI office will be closed for summer break from July 29-August 13. This will affect any in-person activities that might otherwise be held at Tallwood during the period.
Fourteen members of the OLLI Board met in person in TA‑1 and via Zoom on Friday, July 21, with 13 guest members. President Lillian Brooks called the meeting to order at 10:00.
President Brooks and Executive Director Jennifer Disano recently attended the OLLI Southern Region Workshop and shared key takeaways from the conference. They learned that many of the OLLIs have classes in person, charge for each class, are run by volunteers, and that some have over 1,500 members. Additionally, OLLIs have found that retaining members is very important and developing friendships through in-person classes and social events is key!
Lillian also pointed out that when OLLI members pass away, we will follow our OLLI Policy and Procedures, and support and assist the family as appropriate.
Other initiatives are currently in the works:
We continue to work with retirement communities to provide a few classes for a fee to entice new members.
The Health and Safety Advisory group is continuing to update protocols for Covid and other threats. People attending classes are expected to understand and meet the protocols as they evolve. Please do not come to events if you are not feeling well.
The Diversions Committee is planning many in‑person celebrations and events. The Burke Lake picnic and miniature golf event is back on!
The Website Ad Hoc Committee has identified and implemented some updates to the OLLI website and has identified some potential long‑term changes to consider.
OLLI is working with Mason to update our classrooms to augment audio for those who have difficulty hearing.
Members who identify and bring new members to OLLI should be rewarded. Details for implementing this idea are being defined.
OLLI expects to develop a trip to the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial with a docent.
OLLI will continue its working relationship with AARP.
The Board of Directors will have an offsite retreat on Friday, September 7 to work on some difficult OLLI problems needing solutions for “the new tomorrow!”
August may be a time when OLLI classes are on pause, but we can still get together for camaraderie and fun just a few miles from the Tallwood campus. Come out and enjoy a picnic lunch and a round of mini golf with your OLLI friends at Burke Lake Park on Friday, August 25, as the summer winds down. This is the perfect time of year when the trees whisper in the breeze, and we can relax in the shade with friends.
To join in the merriment, register before August 24 and bring a picnic lunch. Then participate in a friendly game of mini golf. The $15 registration fee includes sheltered picnic space rental and admission to the golf course. The event coordinator will provide lemonade and soft drinks; Burke Lake Park will provide your golf club and golf ball.
Parking is free, and directions to the picnic location will be emailed to each registrant.
To register, log into your member portal and find course 1203 Summer 2023 Burke Lake Picnic & Mini Golf (just typing 1203 in the search box should bring it up). Add the event to your cart and secure your spot by paying $15. Be sure to check out of your cart!
What Does the HSS/CE Program Planning Group Do? How Do I Provide Input?
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Board Member and HSS/CE Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
WHAT? The Humanities/Social Sciences (HSS) and Current Events (CE) group assesses written proposals offering courses based on the interests of OLLI members. The group considers a wide range of subjects including topics suggested by members of the committee, community input, and professors who initiate a course. All presenters volunteer their time and expertise. Many are current or former Mason faculty members as well as faculty from other institutions of higher learning outside of the geographic area of Fairfax County.
WHY? The HSS and CE groups were combined a few years ago. The rationale was that many topics overlapped, and one committee was more efficient. The social sciences include sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology, political science, history, geography, law, philosophy, criminology, politics, and cultural studies. Current events are always on the menu.
HOW? If you wish to suggest a course topic, how can you make suggestions to the HSS/CE Program Planning Group?
Join us at our next Zoom meeting: Tuesday, September 5 at 10:00. The link will be posted in the OLLI daily schedule email.
Volunteer to join the HSS/CE Program Planning Group (Check OLLI E‑News or the calendar for group meeting dates/times).
Volunteer to present a course; the OLLI course proposal form is available at this link.
Contact one of the OLLI program associates or HSS/CE Planning Group chairs if you have ideas:
There will be a meeting on Tuesday, August 8, at Mellow Mushroom, 14335 Newbrook Drive, Chantilly, at 7:00, to determine interest in a new OLLI Trivia Club. We propose to meet every Tuesday evening at Mellow Mushroom, from 7:00 to about 9:00.
I am the coordinator, along with my husband Bob. If you have questions, contact me at dianeesingleton@gmail.com or by phone at 361-648-0007. My vision for this club is for OLLI members to get out a bit in the evening and to have fun competing as a team. We hope you will join us!
By Nancy Klein, Communications and Program Associate
Ever wondered how to find more information about OLLI Mason clubs, other than what is listed in term catalogs? Visit the website (https://ollidev2.earthcare.com/) and scroll down to the ‘Clubs & Activities’ link below the images on the home page.
Click on the ‘Clubs and Activities’ link. Another webpage will open (https://ollidev2.earthcare.com/olli-clubs-and-interest-groups/). On that page there are instructions at the top which include this sentence: ‘The clubs highlighted in green have postings that you can access by clicking the club name.’ For example, if you are interested in finding out more about the Theater Lovers' Group, you can click on the name, which is highlighted in green, as shown below. You can also click on the coordinator’s name, also highlighted in green, to send an email message if you want more details or have questions about the club. Theater Lovers' Group Coordinator: Norma Jean Reck
OLLI Mason has 24 clubs and an AV Support Committee. Many clubs have virtual or hybrid meetings, so you don’t have to be local to enjoy the camaraderie!
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Board Member/Humanities and Social Sciences, Current Events Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are many benefits to intergenerational wisdom sharing: “Sharing wisdom has positive effects on younger persons, including assistance with the development of life skills, exposure to new relationships and opportunities, and help with overcoming obstacles and barriers.”
We at OLLI Mason are fortunate to have the opportunity to connect with youth while sharing our life stories. This will be accomplished via a course taught by Dr. Spencer Crew, Robinson professor of history. Dr. Crew is currently seeking OLLI members to collaborate with students for the Fall 2023 honors class: “History of the Family.” Many OLLI members have participated in this collaboration and can attest to the value of the experience.
Please contact Dr. Crew directly at srcrew@gmu.edu if you are interested in participating in this
excellent opportunity. The fall semester start date is August 21, 2023.
Beethoven's 10th*....?
By Brenda Bloch-Young, Economics and Finance Program Planning Group Chair and Weekly Conversations Co‑Moderator
While the Wednesday Weekly Conversations take a break, here's something to think about. Classical music aficionados know that Beethoven didn't write a 10th symphony. Yet, for the 250th anniversary of his birth, German composers used notes left by Beethoven and artificial intelligence (AI) to finish the piece. It was performed in Bonn in 2021. Most are aware that his symphonies are very different, and yet, in this piece we hear familiar melodies.
The view from the kitchen
shows us what we head into in this new realm.
Colonoscopy today,
Mohs surgery in a few days,
Some other new surprise,
in another few days.
Note: Performances at all venues will resume in September
By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
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 Jul 29
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 31
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Aug 1
9:30 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Walk & Talk Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Aug 2
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Thu Aug 3
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Aug 4
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Aug 5
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Aug 7
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Aug 8
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Aug 9
2:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Aug 10
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Aug 11
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
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, 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.
