Dr. Richard Demy, Low Brass Professor at Northern Virginia Community College, Demonstrates and Plays 19th-Century Instruments (Serpent, Ophicleide, and Euphonium) in Presentation at the Mason Faculty Club Series, September 30
Reminder: OLLI Board of Directors meeting will be held Friday, October 18, 10:00, at United Christian Parish in Reston. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Reminder: OLLI chili fall festival will be Friday, October 18, 12:30-2:00, at UCP in Reston, following the Board of Directors meeting. Register at this link.
The OLLI Thanksgiving Potluck will be held Friday, November 1 at 1:00 at Fairfax Lord of Life Church. Come celebrate our volunteers. See additional information and register for event 1106 at the member portal.
A preview of winter term courses, including some tasty brunch treats, will take place at United Christian Parish in the coffee room Thursday, November 7 at 11:05. No registration required.
There's still time to have your voice heard! The OLLI programming team is conducting another Idea Week Survey. Please complete the short survey to provide valuable input for the development of future OLLI classes and events. Here is the link.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, October 18; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, October 15, at 6:00.
The next meeting of the Outreach Committee is on Wednesday, October 23, from 1:30-2:30 in the Tallwood Annex. Please join us or let me know how you can help grow our wonderful program. Many sincere thanks to all who have been attending programs this fall and the Fairfax Fall Festival.
By Barbara Wilan, Loudoun Non-Fiction Book Club Coordinator
The next meeting of the Loudoun Non-Fiction Book Club will be Tuesday, October 22, at 2:15. We will be reading Stephen Hawking’s Brief Answers to the Big Questions. We will discuss chapters 1-2 and 6-9, including the topics:
Is there a God?
How did it all begin?
Is time travel possible?
Despite the title, the book is not daunting and is described by The New York Times as “lively and provocative.” The Times goes on to cite Hawking’s “good-natured humor” and “natural teacher’s gifts.”
Please join us for an equally “lively and provocative” discussion. There should be copies of the book at your local library.
Theater Lovers' Group to Take Arm-Chair Tour of Theater in London
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
Grab coffee and cookies and head to TA‑1 on Friday, October 25, at 10:00 for the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) meeting. OLLI's own Nancy Scheeler will transport us to London for a personal theater tour. Every OLLI member is invited.
Sunday, October 13: Ed Rader leads a group to see the 2:30 performance of G.B. Shaw's Candida, a comedy about love and marriage as only Shaw can portray it. Candida will be performed by an outstanding cast at The Undercroft Theatre, located in the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. (within walking distance of Metro at Mt. Vernon Square, Gallery Place, or Metro Center). Senior tickets are $40 at www.stageguild.org. For details, email edward.rader@gmail.com.
Sunday, October 20: TLG members and guests will see the 2:00 matinee of Trying at 1st Stage in Tysons. This comic and touching play explores the author's real‑life experience working for retired Judge Francis Biddle (F.D. Roosevelt’s attorney general and chief judge at the Nuremberg trials) at his home in D.C. from 1967-1968. Optional post-show dinner (at a group rate) at Founding Farmers. For details, email njreck@cs.com.
At the TLG September 27 meeting, Mack Miller spoke with us about the Friends of Theater at Mason (FOTM), which gives $2,500 scholarships to five deserving Mason theater students each year. FOTM members enjoy meeting the students and theater professors, attending staged readings (e.g, of Taylor Mac’s Hir), play readings of upcoming shows (e.g, Rags, Twelfth Night), and serving up a Chili Chowdown for the cast and crew on a tech day. For more information, email cmmiller10847@gmail.com.
Lauren Green's Graphic Record seen here depicts OLLI's July 24 class on Fusion Dancing as presented by Marilyn York on jazz, Tish Cordova on ballet, and Stephanie Dorrycott on modern dance. Stop by TA‑3 to view the complete exhibit that was created by Lea Edwards, OLLI member and Lauren's mother. You don't have to be a student of the class to be able to understand what it was about.
All OLLI members and guests are welcome to join TLG members on their theater adventures. To join TLG, go to OLLI's web site and add Theater Lovers' Group as you would a class.
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 19, at Tallwood. Join us at 12:30 for socializing in the Annex. Program activities begin at 1:00 in TA‑1.
Apple Products and Eco System Update, presented by Aaron Davis, Sr., systems engineer (No Zoom Session is available for this portion of our meeting, and it will not be recorded for later viewing.)
Aaron Davis from Apple will join us at our October meeting for an update on the latest Apple product releases and operating system updates. Expect to hear about the new iPhone 11 models, a new entry-level iPad, Apple Watch Series 5, new services from Apple like AppleTV+ and Apple Arcade, and the new iOS 13 and iPadOS operating system releases.
Experts Panel – Extended Q&A The opening forty minutes of our meeting will offer the chance to ask those questions that have been bugging you about your computer or other digital device. Please send questions in advance of the meeting to: spkrquestions@patacs.org.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG website. OPCUG dues of $5 for 2019 will be collected at this meeting.
Can't make the meeting in person? Dues-paid club members may attend via Zoom's cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45. Send a message to webinarhosts@patacs.org if you plan to attend in this way. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/519103813 (Meeting ID: 519 103 813).
A Workshop Like No Other! By Michelle Blandburg, Member of OLLI Players and Board of DirectorsDuring the sunny afternoon of October 2, Tallwood was graced with the joyous music of LADAMA. This multi-national group, the first chosen for Mason’s new Artist-in-Residence program, honored OLLI by conducting a workshop. Although seriously titled “Workshop on Afro-Indigenous Traditions and Culture,” the class was a mini-festival of music, song, and movement. LADAMA is an award-winning all-female quartet whose members hail from South and North America: Lara Klaus (Brazil), Daniela Serna (Columbia), Maria Fernanda Gonzalez (Venezuela), and Sara Lucas (USA) (Photo by Dave Talaber). Their educational program utilizes the language, history, music, instruments, and dance of their homes. During their time at Mason, they have also conducted workshops at local schools to teach the variety and complexity of Afro-indigenous cultures throughout peoples of the African Diaspora. Playing traditional instruments, the group led OLLI members to happily sing and dance (Photo by George Addison).If you weren’t lucky enough to attend this unique workshop, enjoy LADAMA at www.ladamaproject.org. Under the expert guidance of programming manager Adrienne Bryant Godwin, future participants in the Artist-in-Residence program will include the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company (January 2020) and Maria Schneider (April 2020). Find more information at https://cfa.gmu.edu/about/mason-artists-residence. To view more photos from this workshop event, click here.
Stories of a Hollywood Actress By Eleanor Pascale, OLLI MemberOur very own Thelma Weiner shared some interesting stories of her days as a Hollywood actress and performing in musical theater. Thelma appeared in the movies, Murder at 1600 (a secretary), First Monday in October (senator’s wife), Avalon (Aunt Mollie), an episode of Homicide, and countless television commercials. At the age of 16, Thelma was awarded a scholarship to study under a vocal instructor at the Julliard School in New York; she is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. (Event Photos by Eleanor Pascale; more photos at this link)
Patio GardenSpirit eroded and faltering,
I seek the soothing balm of color
blooming in my patio garden.
The pinks of the mandevilla’s fluted blossoms
with a dollop of yellow glowing at the center
that radiates calm; apricot begonias
preening in a ceramic pot.;
dense orange puffs of marigold;
the vibrant shades of red, peach, lilac,
hot pink and white of New Guinea impatiens;
deep burgundy leaves of coleus with accents
of the same yellow-green as sweet potato vines.Peace reigns here; emphatic annuals
co-exist with quiet, understated perennials.
I am reminded of the oath we all swear
to the same sustaining sun. It reassures me
that the harmony I long for is no farther
than outside my back door.Sandy Myles
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 Centerticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
Virginia Opera: Tosca
Sat, Oct 12, 8:00 and Sun, Oct 13, 2:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins 45 minutes prior to the performance on Monson Grand Tier.
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
L.A. Theatre Works: SEVEN
Fri, Oct 18, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins 45 minutes prior to the performance. Post-performance cocktails and conversations in the lobby with members of the cast.
Admission: $44, $37, $26.
Cirque Mei
Sat, Oct 19, 2:00 and 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Mistresses and Masterpieces
Sun, Oct 20, 7:00
Concert Hall
The Young Artists Musicale begins at 6:00 in the main lobby.
Admission: $44, $37, $26.
Gallery Exhibit: Lory Ivey Alexander
Continues through Oct 26
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
The Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00-6:00.
Admission: Free.
Prince William Little Theatre: Judgment at Nuremberg
Fri, Oct 11 and Sat, Oct 12, 8:00
Sun, Oct 13, 2:00
Fri, Oct 18 and Sat, Oct 19, 8:00
Sun, Oct 20, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adults; $17 seniors.
Manassas Chorale: Broadway's Best
Sat, Oct 12, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20, $18.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Jazz in Motion
Fri, Oct 18, and Sat, Oct 19, 7:30
Sun, Oct 20, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $70, $60, $50, $40, $30.
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, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Mon Oct 14
2:00pm
Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group Meeting–TA-2
Wed Oct 16
1:00pm
1:30pm
1:45pm
1:45pm
Audiovisual Committee Meeting–TBD
Mah Jongg Club–Annex
Bridge Club–TA-3
Spanish Club–TA-2
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation Group–Annex Board of Directors Meeting–Room 113 UCP
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Homer, etc.–Annex
Cooking Club–Home of Toni Acton
Chili Fall Festival–Room 113-115 UCP
Sat Oct 19
10:30am
1:00pm
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Personal Computer User Group–TA-1
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.
as presented by Marilyn York on jazz, Tish Cordova on ballet, and Stephanie Dorrycott on modern dance. Stop by TA‑3 to view the complete exhibit that was created by Lea Edwards, OLLI member and Lauren's mother. You don't have to be a student of the class to be able to understand what it was about.
By Michelle Blandburg, Member of OLLI Players and Board of DirectorsDuring the sunny afternoon of October 2, Tallwood was graced with the joyous music of LADAMA. This multi-national group, the first chosen for Mason’s new Artist-in-Residence program, honored OLLI by conducting a workshop. Although seriously titled “Workshop on Afro-Indigenous Traditions and 
Culture,” the class was a mini-festival of music, song, and movement. LADAMA is an award-winning all-female quartet whose members hail from South and North America: Lara Klaus (Brazil), Daniela Serna (Columbia), Maria Fernanda Gonzalez (Venezuela), and Sara Lucas (USA) (Photo by Dave Talaber). Their educational program utilizes the language, history, music, instruments, and dance of their homes. During their time at Mason, they have also conducted workshops at local schools to teach the variety and complexity of Afro-indigenous cultures throughout peoples of the African Diaspora. Playing traditional instruments, the group led OLLI members to happily sing and dance (Photo by George Addison).
If you weren’t lucky enough to attend this unique workshop, enjoy LADAMA at 
By Eleanor Pascale, OLLI MemberOur very own Thelma Weiner shared some interesting stories of her days as a Hollywood actress and performing in musical theater. Thelma appeared in the movies, Murder at 1600 (a secretary), First Monday in October (senator’s wife), Avalon (Aunt Mollie), an episode of Homicide, and countless television commercials. At the age of 16, Thelma was awarded a scholarship to study under a vocal instructor at the Julliard School in New York; she is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. (Event Photos by Eleanor Pascale; more photos at 
