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, May 16, via Zoom. Program activities begin at 1:00.History of Computers: How We Got Here—Part 2, presented by Lorrin Garson; starts at 1:20. The technology of modern computers goes back to the early 19th century with most of the advancements occurring in our lifetime. You will learn how weaving, mathematics, the telephone and cryptology played important roles and how the basic laws of chemistry and physics apply. Contributors to the development of computers include mathematical geniuses and hippies, aristocrats and the poverty stricken, men and women, party animals, and withdrawn neurotics. No one person or group invented the computer. Our computers are the creation of many interesting people and several disparate technologies.
Lorrin Garson had a long career in technical publishing of chemical information. His presentations to our computer groups are famous for their thorough research and clarity in explaining topics such as cryptography, encryption of personal data, cloud storage, and the origins of personal computers.
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
This recipe was found in one of my cookbooks.
1 portion of tolerance
1 level head filled with patience
1 heaping tablespoon of humor
1 cup running over with friendliness
Cover with neighborliness,
Keep on the stove 24 hours a day.
Renew ingredients frequently.
For some of the humor and friendliness ingredients, I offer gorgeous singing in an interpretation of Nessun dorma from Turandot, sent by Eileen Duggan: click here.
OLLI Calendar Shows Daily Classes and Zoom Codes By John Nash, E-News Writer
The OLLI staff has done a magnificent job in transitioning us to using Zoom for our OLLI classes. And this good staff work includes modifying the OLLI Calendar to show daily classes and their Zoom codes. Having the calendar readily available without going through the OLLI portal can save you time in verifying classes, Zoom sign-in codes, and even finding new classes that are being offered.
To access the OLLI calendar, visit the OLLI website: ollidev2.earthcare.com. At the bottom right of the home page, you’ll find the OLLI calendar. Click into the calendar to view desired dates and classes. Add this page to your Favorites list or copy the URL and paste it in a personal email to send to yourself. Either way, you’ll have the calendar readily available to confirm your Zoom classes and sign-in codes.
14 Days and it’ll be done,
That’s what they said when all this begun.
Now I hear August on the evening news,
Next they’ll cancel my Christmas cruise!
COVID has changed the way we live,
The grammar of our narrative.
Our bright, social cornucopia,
Has faded to a grey dystopia.
Streets where traffic ran amok,
Now just an occasional FedEx truck.
Buying groceries? Lines are outrageous!
And the guy beside me, looks contagious.
So I stay at home, just get deliveries,
For entertainment, I read murder mysteries.
Mostly I just sit, sometimes with a Guinness,
But so much sitting, has its consequences.
So I called my primary, said I was not fine,
“No problem,” she retorted, “I diagnose on-line.
With a high-resolution camera, linked to your trusty cell,
I can see with clarity, why you are not well.”
But the camera shut down quickly, when on my android,
I told her of my problem – a painful hemorrhoid!
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, they are still producing online entertainment which we can access and enjoy. 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 at bschoen@gmu.edu. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website Mason Arts at Home which has a calendar of on-line events.
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, with direct web links added when available. 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 (online), meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below).
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, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Roz Stark,
Jane Hassell
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
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.
e to your Favorites list or copy the URL and paste it in a personal email to send to yourself. Either way, you’ll have the calendar readily available to confirm your Zoom classes and sign-in codes.