The Friends of OLLI (FOLLI) campaign to raise funds for classroom equipment upgrades and scholarships for Mason students is now underway. To support FOLLI, click here .
The next edition of E-News will be published March 20. Submissions are due by 6:00 pm Tuesday, March 17.
OLLI President Bill Taylor opened the February 21 Board meeting by thanking Rosemary Lubinski for her leadership of our Spring 2020 Outreach Campaign. He thanked Toni Acton and the Membership Services Committee for surveys that help us learn what new members think of their OLLI experience. Bill thanked Governance Committee members Lillian Brooks, Peter Ansoff, and Janet Geffner for their work updating the Member Handbook. Bill announced that Stan Schretter will replace Beth Lambert on the Reston Program Committee and thanked Beth for her years of service.
Outreach Chair Rosemary Lubinski stated the need for volunteers to represent OLLI at retirement events in March as well as Farmers’ Markets in Loudoun and Reston. Please contact her at cdsrosie@buffalo.edu if you have questions or wish to volunteer.
Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported that total OLLI membership as of February 14 is 1,116 (annual 1,082 and introductory 34). She noted that Mason is hiring a professional architecture/engineering firm to conduct a study to determine all accessibility issues both internal and external to OLLI facilities. The study will provide a total cost estimate and recommended path forward.
Two resolutions were approved by the Board:
Resolution 022120-01: The Board resolves to change the Board Handbook [Section 2.d (6)] to the following: “The Nominating Committee and all other Board members will encourage members who meet the eligibility criteria to run for the Board and will actively solicit names and contact potential nominees should an insufficient number of members put themselves forward to make up the full slate.”
This change removes the requirement to present a slate of 9-12 candidates.
Resolution 022120-02: The Board resolves to recommend to the membership that Article IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws be changed to read “The Board of Directors shall consist of 15 members of the Institute, one-third of whom shall be elected each year to serve three-year terms.”
This change concerning the size of the Board of Directors will be voted on by the membership present at the May Annual Meeting per Article VIII-Miscellaneous Section 2. Amendments to the Bylaws.
Now Is the Time . . . to Run for the Board By Marianne Metz, 2020 Nominating Committee ChairOLLI Mason’s current bylaws provide that we have an 18-member Board of Directors, one third of whom shall be elected each year to serve three-year terms. So, we will soon vote for six Board members, and we need good candidates to run for those positions.Have you been contemplating running for the Board?
Perhaps you’ve been inspired by the personal stories told in the series “On Being a Board Member” that’s been running here in E-News.
As Vice President Paul Howard noted in his entry in this series, “Board service uses the skills acquired through our career and life experiences, and different viewpoints strengthen the possibility of success . . . Our Board weaves the fabric together, deciding on budget priorities, policies and future planning. OLLI needs your help to get us there!”
Indeed, we do. Now that you’ve signed up for spring classes, please consider stepping up your involvement in our OLLI.
Perhaps you have questions about exactly what Board service entails, or about how “campaign season” unfolds. If so, don’t hesitate to contact me (at mandsmetz@gmail.com) or any of the members of the Board Nominating Committee you may know: Ray Beery, Liz Bolton, Mary Kornreich, Norma Jean Reck, Charley Silver, Tom Urman, or Rita Way. We’d be happy to answer any questions.
But hurry! The “filing deadline” for candidates is next week!
Tallwood Book Club to Meet Wednesday By Betty Ellerbee, CoordinatorThe Tallwood Book Club will meet in TA-2 at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 11, to discuss Fascism by Madeleine Albright. The selection for our meeting April 8 is Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan. All OLLI members are welcome.
Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) March Picks: Something Fun for Everyone By Norma Jean Reck, TLG CoordinatorOn Saturday, March 14, at Theater J in DC, at 8:00, we begin the March fun by attending a performance of The Wanderers, an amusing drama about two couples and modern love. One couple embarks on an arranged marriage despite barely knowing each other. The other couple are celebrities engaged in a dangerous flirtatious correspondence despite being married to other people. This outing gets even better for TLG members and our guests because Linda Harber's daughter-in-law is one of the actors whom we will meet after the show. Linda will arrange an optional pre-theater dinner for those interested. Senior tickets ($64/person) include fees. Tickets for a group of ten are $55/person. If interested, please email Norma at njreck@cs.com ASAP, so we can determine the exact price. Guests are always welcome.On Sunday, March 15, at Mason's Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas at 2:00, we will see Prince William Little Theater (PWLT) perform Sister Act, a musical comedy filled with toe-tapping songs, show-stopping dance numbers, and a truly touching story about friendship. An aspiring actress witnesses something that lands her in witness protection, which lands her in a convent, where the outrageous fun begins. If you are interested in seeing Sister Act with TLG members and our guests, please contact Norma at njreck@cs.com ASAP. We will carpool.
On Sunday, March 22, we visit Old Town Hall in Fairfax City at 1:00 to see Shakespeare's hilarious Midsummer Night's Dream, being performed here by the American Shakespeare Center during its national tour. Who can forget the fun and folly that follows Puck's sprinkling of his magical juice on the four Athenian lovers who have fled to the forest? Tickets, $20, can be purchased online at www.Eventbrite.com. Please email Norma when you have purchased your tickets. We will go to a nearby restaurant for an optional après-show dinner. Free street and garage parking are nearby.
Need more information? Email njreck@cs.com. Invite a friend—need not be an OLLI member—and join us for some fun and friendship.
Reston Campus Ends Winter Term with a Bagel Brunch
By Stan Schretter, Reston Coordinator
Reston's Anita Lasansky arranged a scrumptious bagel brunch to wish goodbye to the winter term. Approximately 25 attendees heard from OLLI President Bill Taylor. They also thanked Beth Lambert as she leaves her position as Reston coordinator, and welcomed me as I assume that position.
By definition, one meat and three veggies.
For Blues’ a small portion of fish, plus
rice, eggplant, grilled peppers.
Mediterranean and colorful.
2) Red Plate Special
By definition, one meat and three sort-of-vegetables.
For Reds’ a large portion of very rare T-bone after shrimp appetizer,
plus butter-smothered baked spud,
creamed spinach, chocolate mousse (extra)
Morton’s, Keto style.
Pick your own only from one of these two.
Absolutely no substitutes, ever!
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
The King's Singers: Love Songs
Fri, Mar 6, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Russian National Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
Sat, Mar 7, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Admission: $56, $48, $34.
Russian National Ballet: Cinderella
Sun, Mar 8, 2:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Admission: $56, $48, $34.
Shen Yun (Classical Chinese Dance)
Tue, Mar 10, 7:30
Wed, Mar 11, 2:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $80 to $180.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven at 250
Sat, Mar 14, 8:00
Concert Hall
Hear the stories behind the music with music director Christopher Zimmerman and special guests before the concert at 7:00.
Admission: $25 to $65.
The Chieftains:The Irish Goodbye
Thu, Mar 19, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Admission: $75, $60, $45.
Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano
Sat, Mar 21, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins on Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Gallery Exhibition: Mel Parada and Kate Fitzpatrick
Mar 10 - Apr 11
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
The Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue‑Sat, 10:00-6:00.
Admission: Free.
Russian National Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
Fri, Mar 6, 8:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins in Merchant Hall one hour prior to the performance.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: American Idols
Sat, Mar 7, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 Adults; $16 seniors.
MILOS: The Voice of the Guitar
Sun, Mar 8, 4:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins in Merchant Hall one hour prior to the performance.
Admission $48, $41, $29.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Les Sylphides and More
Fri, Mar 13 and Sat, Mar 14, 7:30
Sun, Mar 15, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $70, $60, $50, $40, $30.
Prince William Little Theatre: Sister Act
Fri, Mar 13, 8:00
Sat, Mar 14, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Mar 15, 2:00
Thu, Mar 19 to Sat, Mar 21, 8:00
Sun, Mar 22, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adults; $20 seniors and children over 12.
Manassas Chorale: One Voice, Many Voices
Sat, Mar 21, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20, $18.
Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano
Sun, Mar 22, 2:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins in Merchant Hall one hour prior to the performance.
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
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).
Sat Mar 7
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-2
Mon Mar 9
9:30am
10:00am
What’s in the Daily News?–TA-1
OLLI Players–TA-3
Tue Mar 10
9:30am
11:00am
11:30am
Annex Art–Annex
Spanish Club–TA-2
Ethnic Eats Club–Aldeerah Saudi Cuisine, Vienna
Wed Mar 11
10:00am
10:00am
10:30am
Bridge Club–TA-3
Tallwood Book Club–TA-2
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–TA-1
Fri Mar 13
9:15am
9:30am
9:30am
11:00am
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Photography Club–TA-1
Craft and Conversation Group–Annex
Homer, etc.–Annex
Sat Mar 14
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-2
Mon Mar 16
9:30am
10:00am
10:00am
What’s in the Daily News?–TA-1
OLLI Players–TA-2 Reston Program Planning Group–Room 1 RCC
Tue Mar 17
9:30am
10:00am
Annex Art–Annex Loudoun Program Planning Group–Room 208
Wed Mar 18
10:00am
10:00am
10:30am
1:00pm
Bridge Club–TA-3
Mah Jongg Club–Annex
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–TA-1
Audiovisual Committee Meeting–TA-1
Fri Mar 20
9:15am
9:30am
10:00am
11:00am
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation Group–Annex Board of Directors Meeting–TA-1
Homer, etc.–Annex
Sat Mar 21
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.
By Marianne Metz, 2020 Nominating Committee ChairOLLI Mason’s current bylaws provide that we have an 18-member Board of Directors, one third of whom shall be elected each year to serve three-year terms. So, we will soon vote for six Board members, and we need good candidates to run for those positions.Have you been contemplating running for the Board?
By Betty Ellerbee, CoordinatorThe Tallwood Book Club will meet in TA-2 at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 11, to discuss Fascism by Madeleine Albright. The selection for our meeting April 8 is Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan. All OLLI members are welcome.
By Norma Jean Reck, TLG CoordinatorOn Saturday, March 14, at Theater J in DC, at 8:00, we begin the March fun by attending a performance of The Wanderers, an amusing drama about two couples and modern love. One couple embarks on an arranged marriage despite barely knowing each other. The other couple are celebrities engaged in a dangerous flirtatious correspondence despite being married to other people. This outing gets even better for TLG members and our guests because Linda Harber's daughter-in-law is one of the actors whom we will meet after the show. Linda will arrange an optional pre-theater dinner for those interested. Senior tickets ($64/person) include fees. Tickets for a group of ten are $55/person. If interested, please email Norma at 
goodbye to the winter term. Approximately 25 attendees heard from OLLI President Bill Taylor. They also thanked Beth Lambert as she leaves her position as Reston coordinator, and welcomed me as I assume that position.