OLLI is delighted to feature the following article by Jessica Clark, Mason University Libraries Development & Communications Officer, about a program the libraries did with OLLI members.On Tuesday, October 24, the University Libraries hosted a special “Talking to History” event, featuring veterans looking back on their experiences during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
This event, which was recorded to become part of the Libraries’ Oral History Program, was funded by the special project grant the Libraries received from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Ray Beery, Garrett Cochran, and Bob Persell, three OLLI members who were veterans of the Cuban Missile Crisis, participated in a panel discussion moderated by Martin J. Sherwin, also a veteran and University Professor of History at Mason. A fourth OLLI member, Eric Henderson, will record a separate remembrance to be added to the collection.
The Libraries’ Oral History Program (OHP) records and preserves oral histories documenting personal perspectives about moments of historical importance, communities in the Northern Virginia region, and the history of George Mason University. Established in 1999, the OHP has conducted over 200 interviews and continues to add to the collections, which are housed in the Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center.
The Libraries are honored to be the repository of these veterans’ memories of this pivotal moment in U.S. history during October 1962. They have a range of experience among them—Air Force intelligence officer, Air Force captain, junior officer on a destroyer, and CIA agents—and the audience of 45 enjoyed hearing their stories and remembrances as well as their reflections on what this event meant historically and what parallels may be drawn for our current international relations climate.
After the panel discussion, attendees visited the Special Collections Research Center to view Cuban missile crisis-related items on display, including photographs, publications, and official correspondence, such as a telegraph from October 26, 1962, regarding the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba and the photographs, negatives, and contact sheets from Oliver Atkins, a prominent photographer who worked for the Saturday Evening Post.
Thank You to Our OLLI Veterans By Martha Powers, Event Coordinator and Board MemberOn Friday, November 10, we honored OLLI’s veterans with a salute by the Fairfax County Police, an original poem by OLLI member Mike Mc Namara, recognition of all veterans present, and a screening of the PBS documentary “Fly Girls.” MCs included Martha Powers, Jim Dunphy, and Dave Talaber. Sixteen OLLI-member veterans attended; the photos below capture the spirit of the event.
By Jim Dunphy, Lost and Found Coordinator and Member Services Committee
The OLLI lost and found box, located in the Social Room, is now full to overflowing. Think you might have lost something? You need to check the box soonest, for with the term ending, we will be donating any remaining items to Goodwill on December 13.
Last checked there were clothing, notebooks, cups, and a whole lot of other things. So check your closets before checking the lost and found box before it all goes away!
The November 2017 Photo of the Month theme was "Have Fun With It." We selected George Bradshaw's photo "Mother Earth, Washington Harbour," which may also be viewed at at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.
-- By Angela Talaber, Photography Club Coordinator
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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop
Post-Labor-Day Pantoum
Caroline McNeil
September’s here, the end of summer’s here,
post-season at the lake.
True, waves still lap the shore and sparkle near
the dock and still they softly break
along the shore, post-season at the lake.
But the drifting dragon flies
are gone, and though the waves still softly break,
no fireflies remain to hypnotize.
September’s here, and the drifting dragon flies,
have gone the way of summer ease,
and fireflies no longer hypnotize,
no longer catch the evening’s breeze.
But we can catch the last of summer’s ease,
can let these days flow through us.
Like the trees that filter evening’s breeze,
we filter days, which never were more glorious
than these, when waves still sparkle near,
when the end of summer’s here.
The pantoum is a verse form of Malay origin, with rhyme and line repetitions
William Borghesani, former long-time OLLI member, died on October 25, 2017. A member from 2004 to 2017, he was interested in current events and enjoyed various outdoor activities. Memorial services will be held for him on November 18, 2017, at 1:00 at Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, Virginia 22015. More information is available at this link.
Performances, November 17 through December 4 By 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 CFAticket pageor the Hyltonticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
Doug Varone and Dancers
Sat, Nov 18, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company.
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.Concurso de Tinku(Bolivian folkloric dance)
Sun, Nov 19, 4:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $20.Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas
Sat, Nov 25, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.Virginia Opera: The Girl of the Golden West
Sat, Dec 2, 8:00
Sun, Dec 3, 2:00
Pre-performance discussion: Dr. Glenn Winter.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $90, $54.
The Pillowman
Thu, Nov 16−Sat, Nov 18, 8:00
Sat, Nov 18, 2017, and Sun, Nov 19, 2:00
TheaterSpace
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $10.National Jazz Workshop All-Star Jazz Orchestra
Sun, Nov 19, 3:00
deLaski 3001
Admission: Free.Hurricane Relief Concert
Sun, Nov 19, 6:30
deLaski 3001
Admission: Advance, $5; at door, $7.Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Nov 20, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $8.Jazz Combos Concert
Wed, Nov 29, 8:00
deLaski 3001
Admission: Free.Mason Opera: Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel
Fri, Dec 1, 8:00
Sat, Dec 2, 3:00
Harris Theatre
Sun, Dec 3, 2:00 and 5:00
Old Town Hall, Fairfax
Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $8.Jazz Combos/Latin American Ensemble Concert
Wed, Nov 29, 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.
Nobuntu
Fri, Nov 17, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $46, $39, $28.
Youth Orchestras of Prince William
Sun, Nov 19, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $12.
Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker
Fri, Nov 24, 2:00 and 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $35; seniors, $30.
Northern Virginia Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sat, Nov 25, 2:00 and 6:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $35; seniors, $25.
Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas
Sun, Nov 26, 2:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
InTune Music Studios: Winter Recital
Sin, Nov 26, 1:00 and 4:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors, $5.
Paul Anka
Fri, Dec 1, 9:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $100, $80, $60.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Silver Passport
Sat, Dec 2, 4:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $16.
Asaph Dance Ensemble: Clara’s Christmas
Sun, Dec 3, 3:30 and 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $30; seniors, $20.
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 Nov 18
10:30am
1:00pm
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Computer Club–TA-1
Mon Nov 27
10:00am
What’s in the Daily News–TA-1
Tue Nov 28
9:30am
10:00am
Annex Art–Annex
Spanish Club–TA-2
We Nov 29
10:00am
10:30am
Bridge Club–TA-3
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–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
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, 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.
On Tuesday, October 24, the University Libraries hosted a special “Talking to History” event, featuring veterans looking back on their experiences during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
rt of the Libraries’ Oral History Program, was funded by the special project grant the Libraries received from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Ray Beery, Garrett Cochran, and Bob Persell, three OLLI members who were veterans of the Cuban Missile Crisis, participated in a panel discussion moderated by Martin J. Sherwin, also a veteran and University Professor of History at Mason. A fourth OLLI member, Eric Henderson, will record a separate remembrance to be added to the collection.
The Libraries are honored to be the repository of these veterans’ memories of this pivotal moment in U.S. history during October 1962. They have a range of experience among them—Air Force intelligence officer, Air Force captain, junior officer on a destroyer, and CIA agents—and the audience of 45 enjoyed hearing their stories and remembrances as well as their reflections on what this event meant historically and what parallels may be drawn for our current international relations climate.
