- Loudoun club interest meeting, Tuesday, October 31, 2:15 in Loudoun Room 209. Share your support and interest for Loudoun clubs (e.g., book club, classical music group, recipe exchange).
- Annual OLLI Townhall meeting, Friday, November 3, at Tallwood. Refreshments at 9:30; meeting at 10:00. All OLLI members are encouraged to attend.
- OLLI's annual holiday party, Friday, December 1, noon to 3:00 at International Country Club, 13200 Le e Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. Fee: $38; register for Event 1107. Click on party icon at left; choose chicken or pasta lunch entrée.
The Board of Directors met October 20, 2017, at the Reston Community Center, Lake Anne.
Board President Ray Beery opened the meeting with an announcement that Bill Taylor is the new chair for strategic planning. The existing strategic plan, “Pathways to the Future” is available on line. Ray also announced that Kathie West has accepted the position of Loudoun coordinator.
Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported that as of October 13, OLLI total membership is 1,177 (annual membership is 1109 and term membership is 68). Jennifer stressed the need for all of us to continue recruiting new members since “word-of-mouth” is the best marketing tool. Our marketing push this summer was successful and she will continue advertising at Cinema Arts, libraries, list-serves, and other avenues.
Fairfax Lord of Life Lutheran Church has informed OLLI that they will be reserving some spaces for staff and pre-school parking. Please watch for new signage in the parking lots. Watch for new programs in the winter and spring terms at Reston Hunters Woods and Lake Anne. Remember to use your parking pass at the Signal Hill location.
Development Committee Chair Lesley Bubenhofer announced the committee’s plan for an ambitious fund-raising year. Look for members selling raffles at our different venues and take a chance at winning one year of paid dues.
Under new business, the Board approved a resolution awarding a one-year OLLI-Mason membership to Gloria Sussman for the year 2018 and disposed of four resolutions for commitment of Friends of OLLI funds, rejecting one (scholarships and grants) and approving three others (Mason student scholarships, donation to Fall for the Book, and publication costs for OLLI Ink.)
arper’s Ferry is a lovely place most any time and on October 20 nine members of the OLLI Photo Club took advantage of a beautiful day to photograph the sites there.
Each month, the photo club has a field trip where OLLI members can join others in photographing some local sites. Field trips are scheduled the third Friday of each month, usually carpooling from Tallwood or meeting at a specified location. While there, attendees roam around the location and take pictures of whatever catches their eye. George Bradshaw, photo club member, sets up a special section on the OLLI Photo Club website where pictures can be posted, seen, and evaluated. “This is a great way for anyone interested in photography to improve their skills while visiting some of the local areas,” said Angie Talaber, photo club coordinator.
The OLLI Photo Club meets at 9:30 on the second Friday of each month and features a speaker on some aspect of photography. In past meetings, professional photographers have shared their photography “secrets,” explainedd their cameras and software applications, discussed their workflow procedures, and showed examples of their work. In addition to the featured speakers, club members submit and choose a Photo of the Month which appears in the OLLI E-News.
On the fourth Friday of each month, club members meet at noon at Tallwood to discuss photography problems they may be experiencing and share solutions to technical questions.
“We welcome any OLLI member to join us whether an accomplished photographer or one who is just interested in or starting out in the wonderful hobby of photography,” said Angie.
Here are some pictures taken by OLLI members. You can learn more about the photo club on the OLLI website under CLUBS/GROUPS. (Photographs by: George Bradshaw, Ed Marion, John Nash.)
There will be a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) drug disposal event this Saturday, October 28 (tomorrow!). Drop off unused or expired medications at one of the Fairfax County Police District stations below:
- Fair Oaks District Station, 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
- Franconia District Station, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria
- West Springfield District Station, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield.
Only pills or liquids are accepted; no pressurized containers or needle. Safe disposal of unused medications prevents drug abuse and misuse, accidental poisoning, and protects the environment. Disposal is free, convenient, confidential, and safe.
All OLLI members are invited to attend the Theater Lovers' Group meeting on Friday, October 27, from 10:00 to 11:30 in TA1. Join us to help us plan the 2017-2018 TLG activities. Bring your suggestions and ideas; we welcome your input.
All OLLI members and their guests are welcome to join TLG members in their first outing on Sunday, October 29, at 4:00 to see The Gondoliers at the Center for the Arts Concert Hall. The cost is $15, senior rate.
The TLG plans include forming a Playreaders Group and a Reston TLG, as well as attending a diversity of plays throughout our area, such as in Reston and at the Kennedy Center. Trips include going to New York City, Cape Cod and Fredericksburg.
There are many fantastic shows being offered this season, so come join us and let us know which ones you prefer.
If you have questions, please email Norma Jean Reck at njreck@cs.com.
Overcoming stage fright is a challenge many of us face, and an accomplished pianist and performer like Dr. Linda Apple Monson was no exception. Dr. Monson, Director of the School of Music, spoke to OLLI members attending the October 24 Music Sampler, relating her experience with “stage fright” and how she overcame it. “I was petrified and in tears at my freshman recital, thinking about my possibility of failure,” said Dr. Monson. Her teacher helped her understand that her performance was not about herself and her fear of failure but about her ability to share her gift of music with others. “When I changed that perspective, it changed the rest of my life in performing,” she said, noting that, “It’s simply a ‘joyous anticipation’ when I get such an opportunity to share music.”
Dr. Monson also explained and gave examples of how one learns complicated pieces of music. Auditory, visual, tactile, and structural senses are among the ways musicians learn music. Estrella Hong, a doctoral student of Dr. Monson, concluded the program with a beautiful and complicated piece of music that illustrated the points in Dr. Monson’s talk.
The Music Sampler is one of the best programs offered by OLLI. Coordinated by Dr. Kathryn Hearden, professor of vocal studies, the Music Sampler each week presents students and faculty in performance, affording OLLI members some outstanding musical performances.
The next program will be Tuesday, October 31, at 9:30 in the sanctuary of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Dr. Anna Balakerskaia, along with some of her students, will present a piano program. There is plenty of space so this is an event you don’t want to miss! (Photo by George Bradshaw.)
The History Club will meet Wednesday, November 1, at 2:15 in TA-1. Almuth Payne will hold a question and answer session about Nazi and post-war Germany, including socialist East Germany (the DDR). As a child, she lived in Berlin at the end of WWII, so she has first-hand knowledge of this period.
Almuth frequently finds herself answering questions about the US occupation, life in East Germany, and the Holocaust. If you have such questions, or simply want to hear a personal account of Nazi and post-war Germany, as well as life behind the Berlin wall, plan to attend the History Club meeting next Wednesday. All OLLI members are welcome to attend our meetings.
Somewhere in distant galaxies
In a dance of lightless death
Over a billion years ago
Two massive black holes collided
Each many times larger than the mass of the sun,
Releasing more energy than all the stars combined.
Two instruments, a thousand miles apart,
Sat in silence for decades
Waiting in hope for an event never recorded.
Each had a powerful laser light enclosed in a vacuum
That could detect a shudder
Smaller than an atom.
Finally, on September 14, 2015, at 5:51 a.m.
Seven seconds apart,
They both detected a whisper (or perhaps a shudder)
From outer space.
It was predicted by Albert Einstein
A hundred years ago,
But never proven.
A thousand scientists checked the results.
They agreed that we have felt
Invisible gravitational waves
Generated from the edge of time and space.
Perhaps soon, instruments more sensitive still
Will allow us to hear
The song sung in the human heart.
Performances, October 27 through November 6By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff WriterFor tickets for either Center for the Arts (CFA) or Hylton, 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 Hyltonticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
Derek Hughes (Comedian/Magician)
Thu, Nov 2, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $20.The Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin: China Soul
Fri, Nov 3 and Sat, Nov 4, 8:00
Sat, Nov 4, 2:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.Michael Burgos: The Eulogy
Fri, Nov 3, 8:00
TheaterSpace
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $10.Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: A French Musical Feast!
Sun, Nov 5, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $42, $36, $25.
Mason's Schools of Music and Theater: The Gondoliers
Thu, Oct 26 - Sat, Oct 28, 8:00
Sat, Oct 28, 2:00
Sun, Oct 29, 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults, $30; seniors, $15.Mason Fall Choral Invitational Concert
Sun, Nov 5, 3:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $8.Percussion Ensemble Concert
Sun, Nov 5, 8:00
deLaski 3001
Admission: Free.
Gallery Exhibit: War and Recovery Works by Martin J. Cervantez
Oct 24 - Dec 2
The Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thu, 10:00 - 8:00 and two hours before performances.
For more information, visit https://cvpa.gmu.edu/gands.
Gallery receptions are open only to Friends of the Hylton Center. Contact Jacque Connor at 703-993-7150 or jconnor8@gmu.edu for more information.
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Prince William Little Theatre: The Diary of Anne Frank
Fri, Oct 27, and Sat, Oct 28, 8:00
Sun, Oct 29, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $17.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Silver Celebration
Sat, Oct 28, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $16.
Mason's Travel Travel opportunities of interest
to OLLI Members
By Rita Rowand, Mason Cultural Tours Manager
I recently escorted a group to southern France and northern Italy (see pictures below). In addition to visits to some spectacular locations, the 16 travelers enjoyed wine tasting in Provence, France, and a cooking class in Genoa, Italy.
March 2018 opportunities for travel with Mason Cultural Tours include a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos; a tour of Thailand; an eleven-day tour of China (only $2795 with air), and visits to castles in Southern Germany with Achim Loch.
Trips sponsored by Mason Cultural Tours are open to others in the community. In the past, OLLI members have participated in and enjoyed various trips, including a trip this past spring to Portugal. All Mason trips and more can be found at http://studyabroad.gmu.edu/; select the "Cultural Tours" button. You also may contact Rita at rrowand1@gmu.edu.
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 to check any time for the latest information, please view the latest forecast of upcoming 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, kickoff coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Sat Oct 28
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Wed Nov 1
1:30pm
1:45pm
1:45pm
2:15pm
Mah Jongg Club–TA-2
Bridge Club–TA-3 Special Event Committee–Annex
History Club–TA-1
Fri Nov 3
10:00am
Annual Town Hall Meeting–TA-1
Sat Nov 4
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Wed Nov 8
1:30pm
1:45pm
1:45pm
Tallwood Book Club–TA-1
Bridge Club–TA-3
Spanish Club–TA-2
Thu Nov 9
2:15pm
Reston Book Club–UCP
Fri Nov 10
9:15am
9:30am
9:30am
11:00am
11:00am
1:00pm
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Annex
Photography Club–TA-1
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Homer, etc.–Annex
Chess Club–Annex
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Technical Editor: Irene Osterman
Associate Editor: Sheri Siesseger
Weekly Editor Team: Jean Boltz, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Polly Johnsen, Shirley Springfloat
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 – 6:00 Tuesday for that week's issue (6:00 Monday 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.
October 20 nine members of the OLLI Photo Club took advantage of a beautiful day to photograph the sites there.
OLLI members can join others in photographing some local sites. Field trips are scheduled the third Friday of each month, usually carpooling from Tallwood or meeting at a specified location. While there, attendees roam around the location and take pictures of whatever catches their eye. George Bradshaw, photo club member, sets up a special section on the OLLI Photo Club website where pictures can be posted, seen, and evaluated. “This is a great way for anyone interested in photography to improve their skills while v
of photography. In past meetings, professional photographers have shared their photography “secrets,” explainedd their cameras and software applications, discussed their workflow procedures, and showed examples of their work. In addition to the featured speakers, club members submit and choose a Photo of the Month which appears in the OLLI E-News.
s, the 16 travelers enjoyed wine tasting in Provence, France, and a cooking class in Genoa, Italy.