Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

OLLI E-News (Weekly Newsletter)

ENews April 10, 2026

by

OLLI E-News April 10, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Suresh Mohla, Ph.D. and Endocrinologist, presented a highly informative analysis of recent/current research on the genetics of jumping genes and promising breakthroughs in clinical treatments

April 10, 2026


Editor of the Week: Deborah Kruesi
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Throughout the spring term, you may use this online form to add or drop classes, clubs, or other events.
  • Remember to check the catalog updates list on the website.
  • Note that one of the canceled Reston classes is available in Fairfax (802F).
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 17; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 14, at 6:00.


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Spread the Word: OLLI Mason’s Inaugural Ideas Festival!         


By Nancy Klein, Communications Associate


On May 8–9, 2026, we will host our very first OLLI Ideas Festival at Tallwood. This free, two-day open-house event is designed to inspire continued learning and connection for adults aged 50 and above, offering a glimpse into all that OLLI Mason has to offer.

The festival will feature over 20 classes, clubs, demonstrations, and activities covering a wide range of interests, from art and music to history and health. Walk and Talk will venture to the main campus for a public art tour, and the festival will close with a panel discussion, “Global Perspectives on Longevity,” on Saturday, May 9 at 3:00, featuring experts from George Mason University. You are welcome to stop by for one session, one day, or both days. Bring a picnic lunch or order lunch from food trucks on site.

We know how much you value the learning and camaraderie at OLLI Mason, and we encourage you to share this exciting news with friends, family, and anyone you know who might be interested in exploring new passions and connecting with others. Flyers are available at the main office. Visit the OLLI Mason Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OLLIMason/ or scan the QR code below for more information.
 

Let's make our first Ideas Festival a huge success by spreading the word far and wide!
For more information and to RSVP, visit olli.gmu.edu.

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Hexagon Presents Its 70th Not-To-Be-Missed Show: Lollapaloosers!


By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator


Are you a feeling a bit overwhelmed and tired out by the current political situation we find ourselves in today? Could you use an emotional lift and a few really good belly laughs? Then be sure to join OLLI's Theater Lovers Saturday, April 25 for the 3pm performance of Hexagon's Lollapalosers! at Atlas Theater in D.C. It will be an unforgettable afternoon of hilarious original music, songs, dance, and side-splitting skits aimed at skewering the current political goings on. It's non-partisan, of course. We will have an optional lunch in Shirlington where you can park your car, then Uber to the theater for convenience. We'll carpool. Tickets are $44.75 and can be purchased online at atlasarts.org. We welcome guests, so do your friends a favor and invite them to share a few laughs with you. Please email me at [email protected] to let me know you will be joining us.

Editor's Note: At the author's request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.



 






Modifying or eliminating these 5 risk factors at age 50 can add an additional 10 years to a person’s lifespan: (1) high blood pressure, (2) overweight or obesity, (3) diabetes, (4) smoking, (5) high cholesterol: Global Effect of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Lifetime Estimates | New England Journal of Medicine. It’s never too late to start.
From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup

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Computer Club
3rd Saturday, April 18
2026 Consumer Electronics Show
Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts

 
By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair


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, April 18, in person at Tallwood (TA-1) and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45 (Zoom link below).

2026 Consumer Electronics Show―Presented by Rob Pegoraro
Sights and Sounds: What's new in the world of Consumer Electronics and related technology?

Rob Pegoraro tries to make sense of computers, consumer electronics, telecom services, the Internet, software and other things that beep or blink through reporting, reviewing and analysis. You can find him at PCMag, Fast Company, Wirecutter, and many other outlets; from 1999 to 2011, he was the Washington Post’s tech columnist. He once received a single-word e-mail from Steve Jobs and may be the only person to have written for both Reader's Digest and Boing Boing.

Learn in 30: Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts―Presented by Frank Fota Want to move faster and work smarter in Windows 11? Join us for an interactive presentation by PATACS Director at Large Frank Fota, who will demonstrate the power of keyboard shortcuts. You’ll discover how simple key combinations can streamline your daily workflow, minimize mouse use, and boost productivity across common tasks—from window management and desktop navigation to file organization and system controls.

This guided session organizes essential shortcuts into practical, easy-to-learn categories, helping you build lasting muscle memory for effortless efficiency. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user in the making, you’ll leave with tools to make Windows 11 feel faster, smoother, and tailor-made for you.

See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2026 (and 2025, if you didn’t get around to paying earlier!)—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.

To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click:
https://olligmu-org.zoom.us/j/87181894687?pwd=jeej4aqXUEcbKuULWcx9ACtgISnrCF.1 to join the meeting and use passcode 468224. (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 871 8189 4687 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Passage of Time
 
I remember Mother when vexed saying,
Where does the time go?
No doubt she meant not only the hours
in the day, but the weeks, months, years
of our allotted time.
We cannot see times past
if we look over our shoulder.
Yesterday may be behind us,
but we can neither hear nor touch it.
At times we find it hard to remember
what worried us last week, last month,
last year.
Like a river, time flows on around us
reminding us that we can do better
at meeting our intentions.
Mother’s rhetorical question
haunts me still.
                  ̶ Jan Bohall

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances April 11 through April 20


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
the new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
https://dance.calendar.gmu.edu/
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many:
https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances 

For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links above) or visit the venue's box office.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website, Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Peppa Pig – My First Concert
Sat, Apr 11, 1:00 and 4:00
Family-friendly activities in the Center's main lobby start one hour prior to the performance, featuring an interactive instrument petting zoo with Mason Community Arts Academy faculty members.
Center for the Arts
Admission: $65, $56, $41.

Circa
Sun, Apr 12, 7:00
A pre-performance discussion with Circa Tour Director Nathan Boyle begins one hour prior to the performance.
Center for the Arts
Admission: $60, $52, $38.
Fairfax and Arlington Campuses Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
The Prescription is Home
Through April 18, 2026
Mason Exhibitions, Arlington Campus
 
Voices Held in Earth: Mary Bowron’s Silent Witnesses
Through April 24, 2026
School of Art & Design 1st Floor Lobby
Fairfax Campus
 
Living the Prescription
Through May 8, 2026
Founders Gallery, Arlington Campus
 
Paper as Politic
Gillespie Gallery, School of Art and Design
April 13 ̶ 23, 2026
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Apr 13, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.
 
Jazz Workshop Concert
Wed, Apr 15, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
 
Mason Bands Anniversary Concert: 55 Years of Mason Bands
Fri, Apr 17, 7:30
Center for the Arts
Admission: $24 Adult, $19 Senior.
 
George Mason School of Theater: Airness
Fri, Apr 17, 7:30
Sat, Apr 18, 2:00 and 7:30
Sun, Apr 19, 2:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A105, TheaterSpace
Admission: $19 Adult, $9 Senior.
 
Shawn Purcell Jazz Combos and Steel Pan Ensemble Concert
Mon, Apr 20, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: Free.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

American Festival Pops Orchestra: Celebrating America’s 250 Years!
Sat, Apr 11, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance with Bryan Kidd.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $56, $41.
 
The U.S. Army Concert Band
Fri, Apr 17, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Free.
 
Ordway Ballet: The Wizard of Oz
Sat, Apr 18, 1:00 and 5:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $41, $38, $35 Adult; $39, $36, $32 Senior.
 
TheaterWorks USA: Click, Clack, Moo
Sun, Apr 19, 1:00 and 4:00
(4:00 performance is sensory-friendly.)
Merchant Hall
Admission: $24.


VISUAL ARTS 

Fountain of Truth
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Through April 11, 2026
 
Kevin Jones: Reflections in Black and White
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Tue, April 14 ̶ June 20, 10:00
 
Offerings to the Potomac: Acknowledging Indigenous Place
Through May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information).

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week. 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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.
 
Sat Apr 11 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 13
 		  9:20 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 14
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 15
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
OLLI Artists Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Apr 16
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 17
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Game On: Talking Sports Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 18
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
OLLI Personal Computer User Group
Mon Apr 20
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 21
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 22
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Apr 23
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 24
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc.
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
French Conversation and Happy Hour – online
Sat Apr 25 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: Chloe DiStaso, David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash,
Paul Van Hemel
 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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: [email protected].
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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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ENews April 3, 2026

by

OLLI E-News April 3, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

A Large Group Attended an Interesting and Informative Presentation on the Decline of the Washington Post by Bob Levey, Long-Time Former Columnist at the Newspaper, at Tallwood, March 23

April 3, 2026


Editor of the Week: David Gundry 
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Throughout the spring term, you may use this online form to add or drop classes, clubs, or other events.
  • Remember to check the catalog updates list on the website.
  • Note that one of the canceled Reston classes (812R) is available in Fairfax (802F).
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 10; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 7, at 6:00.









 

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OLLI Needs YOUR Help!


By Toni Acton, Members Services Committee Chair and Board Member



The Member Services Committee has two volunteer opportunities which are a wonderful way to make a difference at OLLI.
  • Volunteer in the Office – Assist members who stop by the office, answer the telephone, and be a “jack of all trades” to the staff. Three-hour shifts and no weekly commitment required.
  • Follow Up with New Members – E-mail and/or phone new members at the end of the term to find out if they have had a positive experience during their first term at OLLI.
If either of these positions is of interest to you and you’d like more information, contact Toni Acton, Chair, Member Services Committee at [email protected]. Thanks!
 
Spread the Word: OLLI Mason’s Inaugural Ideas Festival!


By Nancy Klein, Communications Associate



On May 8–9, 2026, we will host our very first OLLI Ideas Festival at Tallwood. This free, two-day open house event is designed to inspire continued learning and connection for adults aged 50 and above, offering a glimpse into all that OLLI Mason has to offer.

The festival will feature over 20 classes, clubs, demonstrations, and activities covering a wide range of interests, from art and music to history and health. Walk and Talk will venture to the main campus for a public art tour, and the festival will close with a panel discussion, “Global Perspectives on Longevity,” on Saturday, May 9 at 3:00, featuring experts from George Mason University. You are welcome to stop by for one session, one day, or both days. Bring a picnic lunch or order lunch from food trucks on site.

We know how much you value the learning and camaraderie at OLLI Mason, and we encourage you to share this exciting news with friends, family, and anyone you know who might be interested in exploring new passions and connecting with others. Flyers are available at the main office. Visit the OLLI Mason Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/OLLIMason/).



Let's make our first Ideas Festival a huge success by spreading the word far and wide!
For more information and to RSVP, visit olli.gmu.edu.
Tallwood Book Club


By Elizabeth Ellerbee, Tallwood Book Club Coordinator



The Tallwood Book club will meet at 2:30 on Friday, April 10th on Zoom.

Discussion will focus on The Briar Club by Kate Quinn.
New Excursion Added! Tour of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond



By Gay Alper, Trip Coordinator



Thursday, May 21, 2026
Bus trip (1207E Spring 2026 Virginia Holocaust Museum - Richmond VA)
Coordinator: Gay Alper
Limit: 30
Fee: $87, includes bus, driver tip, and museum admission

Note: You must register for the excursion by April 30; click this link for the member portal to register.

The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 from the Fairfax Swimming Pool parking lot (4200 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA)― approximate travel time 1 1/2 hours.

On arrival we will visit the Dimensions in Testimony theater and hear the story of a Holocaust survivor. Participants can ask questions to her “hologram” which is a pre-recorded video interview, made to look 3D.

We will break for lunch in a room at the museum. Participants must pre-order and pre-pay online at the designated restaurant’s website for lunch which will be delivered to the lunchroom from a nearby restaurant. (Registrants will be contacted with details by the coordinator prior to the excursion.)

We will then view a short video and meet Rena Berlin, currently a museum docent.

Rena Berlin taught our OLLI winter-term class, 'Learning About the Holocaust in Today’s World, Part One,' followed by Part 2 for spring term. Rena or a second docent will lead us on a tour of the museum.

The bus will depart the museum at approximately 3:30.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in last week’s issue of E-News but did not list the registration information that appears here.
Obituary:
In Loving Memory of Theodore "Ted" Parker
November 24, 1938 - March 8, 2025

Long-time member Ted Parker, 87, of Oakton, VA, who joined OLLI in the fall of 2005, passed away March 8, 2026. Born in the Bronx and raised in New Hampshire, Ted was a graduate of Assumption College and a doctoral student at Boston College. He served with honor as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Ted taught at schools in Holden and Hingham, MA, prior to joining the Massachusetts State Department of Education. Part of Ted's distinguished 40-year career in education included 24 years with the U.S. Department of Education, from 1976 until his retirement in 2000 as the assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In retirement, Ted remained an active and valued member of his community, taking classes and serving as a highly respected moderator for the Great Decisions program at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He found great fulfillment in fostering thoughtful, meaningful discussions on current events and global affairs.

Ted was a steady source of strength for his family and a respected voice in his community. His curiosity, leadership, and kindness will live through the family he cherished and the many students, Scouts, and friends he inspired throughout his life.
Services will be held at Vale United Methodist Church, 11528 Vale Road, Oakton, VA 22124, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00, followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to mailto:[email protected].
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Ted’s honor to the following organizations:
  • OLLI at George Mason University: Supporting the fund to continue the mission of lifelong learning. Go to https://olli.gmu.edu, then click on Donate.
  • Boy Scouts of America (Now - Scouting America), National Capital Area Council. Supporting the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.
Theater Lovers to Attend Performance of Washington's Only Original, Political, Satirical, Musical, Comedy Revue


By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator



This award-winning, all volunteer, nonpartisan theater group has been delivering original songs, music, and laughter based on the local, national, international political and social issues to the DMV for the past 70 years. It also has donated all its proceeds to local charities, which amounts to $4 million for that same time period. 

This unique theatrical organization is called Hexagon. On Saturday, April 25 at its 3pm matinee at The Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1333 H Street, NE in Washington, D.C., they will perform their 2026 show - Lollapalposers! It will feature original songs, comedy and slapstick. There will not be a dull moment. We will carpool and grab a bite (TBD). Please email me [email protected] if interested. You don't want to miss this one and a half hour of pure fun.
Tickets (including Historic Preservation fees) are $44.75. Go to hexagon.org to purchase your ticket.

Editor's Note: At the author's request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.

 
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Kaleidoscopic Em 
…homage to a nine-year-old girl

Like a kaleidoscope, her brilliant fractal gems radiate bright hues—

shifting and changing depending on circumstance or mood.

At first a bit defiant, but then warm and exuberant as comfort grows;

a smile and hug from her signaling you might be an ally she’d like to know.

A perfect intricate combination of wonder, wit, and will…

an inquisitive mind and keen self-possession that is genuinely real.

Her presence so full of promise, unfolding in her own unique way,

making tomorrows brighter that such a young heroine exists today.

                           –Sophia Elberti

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances April 4 through April 13


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc. For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
The new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many: https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Peppa Pig – My First Concert
Sat, Apr 11, 1:00 and 4:00
A family-friendly activities in the Center's main lobby starting one hour prior to the performance, featuring an interactive instrument petting zoo with Mason Community Arts Academy faculty members.
Center for the Arts
Admission: $65, $56, $41.

Circa
Sun, Apr 12, 7:00
A pre-performance discussion with Circa Tour Director Nathan Boyle begins one hour prior to the performance.
Center for the Arts
Admission: $60, $52, $38.
Fairfax Campus Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
The Prescription is Home 
Through April 18, 2026
Mason Exhibitions, Arlington Campus

Living the Prescription
Through May 8, 2026
Founders Gallery, Arlington Campus
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Wade Beach Jazz Combos and Braddock Road Brass Band Concert (Spring 2026)
Mon, Apr 6, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

Mason Jazz Monday, Steel Pan Ensemble    
Mon, Apr 6, 12:30
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A327C
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Apr 13, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Aquila Theatre: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sat, Apr 4, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $48, $35.

American Festival Pops Orchestra: Celebrating America’s 250 Years!
Sat, Apr 11, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance with Bryan Kidd.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $56, $41


VISUAL ARTS 

Fountain of Truth
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Through April 11, 2026

Offerings to the Potomac: Acknowledging Indigenous Place
Through May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

Back to Top of Page
Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information).

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week. 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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.

 
Sat Apr 4 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 6
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News?
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 7
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 8
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Thu Apr 9
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 10
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 2:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
French Club and Happy Hour Club – online
Sat Apr 11 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 13
 		  9:20 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 14
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 15
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
OLLI Artists Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Apr 16
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 17
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Game On: Talking Sports Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 18
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
OLLI Personal Computer User Group

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: Chloe DiStaso, David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash,
Paul Van Hemel
 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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: [email protected].
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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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ENews March 27, 2026

by

OLLI E-News March 27, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

A Large Group of Members Enjoyed the Spring Term Kick-Off Coffee at Tallwood, March 19, 2026

March 27, 2026


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Spring term 2026 is under way and ends May 15.
  • Remember to check the catalog updates list on the OLLI website.
  • Note that two of the canceled Reston classes (808R and 812R) are available in Fairfax (801F and 802F).
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 3; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 31, at 6:00.
Board of Directors Election 2026


By Robert Heyer, Nominating Committee Chair


The OLLI Board of Directors consists of 15 members who address many issues to keep OLLI vibrant and provide value to members through of classes, clubs, and many activities. Each year 5 candidates are elected for a 3-year term on the Board. Candidates are identified by an OLLI Nomination Committee consisting of two Board members and three OLLI members. This year the committee consists of Bob Heyer (Chair) and Toni Acton who are current Board members, plus Doris Bloch, Kathryn McGeehan, and Tom McDonald, who are OLLI members.

This year the Board of Directors tasked the Nomination Committee with guidance to locate five potential OLLI members who have experience in:
  • Business development including fund raising
  • Marketing
  • Legal affairs, particularly with non-profit organizations
  • Financial management of non-profit organizations
The committee has recommended to the Board the following candidates who have demonstrated one or more of these skills. Their resumes are available on the OLLI website.

If you are an OLLI member who has experience in one or more of these areas and you would like to be on the ballot, you are required to obtain signatures from at least 5% of the OLLI membership and submit a request to the committee by April 15.

Voting by the OLLI membership will begin after the OLLI annual business meeting on May 1st and continue for 2 weeks.

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OLLI Volunteers for Library Event?


By Lisa Mariam, Executive Director


Every year, the Fairfax County Public Library hosts a Fix-It Clinic. People who are skilled in various types of repairs are invited to help customers at no charge. In the past, these included jewelry and bike repair, fabric mending, and knife sharpening.

Are you interested in being part of this event as “fixers?” If you scroll down the Fix-It Clinic page (when you click on the link in the previous paragraph), you will see the list of participating branches and the volunteers (or fixers) needed at each location.

Thank you.
 

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The leading cause of death in America is still heart disease. Roughly 703,000 people died of this in 2024. Symptoms of a heart attack are different in men and women: Heart Attack Warning Signs. Be aware. Seek help immediately and work with your doctor to prevent heart disease.
From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup

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New Excursion Added! Tour of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond


By Gay Alper, Trip Coordinator


A new excursion has been added for May. Details are below:
When: Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 9:00
What: Bus trip for a tour of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond
Coordinator: Gay Alper
Limit: 30
Fee: $87, includes bus, driver tip, and museum admission
Note: You must register for the excursion by April 30.

The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 from the Fairfax Swimming Pool parking lot (4200 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA)―approximate travel time 1 1/2 hours.

On arrival we will visit the Dimensions in Testimony theater and hear the story of a Holocaust survivor. Participants can ask questions to her “hologram” which is a pre-recorded video interview, made to look 3D.

We will break for lunch in a room at the museum. Participants must pre-order and pre-pay online at the designated restaurant’s website for lunch, which will be delivered to the lunchroom from a nearby restaurant. (Registrants will be contacted with details by the coordinator prior to the excursion.)

We will then view a short video and meet Rena Berlin, currently a museum docent. Rena Berlin taught our OLLI winter-term class, 'Learning About the Holocaust in Today’s World, Part One,' followed by Part 2 for spring term. Rena or another docent will lead us on a tour of the museum.

The bus will depart the museum at approximately 3:30 for the return to Tallwood.

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Hiking Club News!


By Kathy Rones, Hiking Club Coordinator


The newly-formed OLLI Hiking Club invites all interested OLLI members to join us on a 3.5-mile hike from Riverbend Park in Great Falls, VA to Great Falls Park and the overlook of the Falls and back, on Wednesday, April 22, starting at 10:00. The trail along the Potomac is generally flat and it is an easy ambling walk with a few sections of walking through rocks. I have included photos so you can see the terrain in those few spots.

If you would like to join this hike, please send an email to [email protected]. We can self-drive or carpool.

Looking ahead, we are planning to hike the Stony Man trail in Shenandoah national Park in early May.

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Photo of the Month
 


The March 2026 Photo of the Month theme was Portraiture. We selected John Olsen's compelling photo of a fellow member of the Photography Club, Robert Kelberg, which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.

               -- By John Olsen and Lynne Cline, Photography Club Coordinators

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History Club


By Doug Snoeyenbos, History Club Coordinator


The History Club will meet on Wednesday, April 1, at 4:00, on Zoom. The presenter will be David Timko on Ancient Sparta. Depictions of ancient Sparta have become increasingly prominent in Western popular culture, and Sparta is now typically portrayed in a favorable light. This is in contrast to the late 20th Century, when Sparta was not regarded so favorably, and Sparta’s traditional enemy, Athens was pointed to as an ancient analog to the United States. This month’s talk will explore the reality of ancient Sparta and try to peel away the layers of myth that obscure that reality.
 
David Timko has a master’s degree in Ancient History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and studied for his PhD. He is recently retired after 22 years with the federal government as an analyst, and resides in Northern Virginia.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Swedish Death Cleaning
 
Swedish Death Cleaning, that sounds fun!
Declutter now before life’s done!  
 
So, what’s first to be ejected
from the mountains I’ve collected?
 
Kids grown, long out the door
don’t need baby teeth anymore
 
Still … they’d make a cute collage
add teething rings and decoupage
 
Perhaps oust popsicle-stick people, I’ve three.
Wait! Could they be hung on the Christmas tree?
 
Are twist ties clogging the junk drawer?
They’ve hundreds of uses – maybe more!
 
Tax filings, receipts, bank statements spanning years
All proof to show we’re not in arrears
 
Recycling, regifting – the death cleaner’s friends
Don’t regift the gifter – you’ll be making amends
 
Is every saved card a true treasure
to savor in a coming year’s leisure?
 
How much of what’s not tossed
is kept to cushion a painful loss?                        
 
Can saying loved ones’ names be enough
to carry what’s dear without all the stuff?
 
              –Susan Rexroad

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Obituary: Katherine Rowan

OLLI member and retired Mason Professor Emerita
Dr. Katherine Rowan, wife of OLLI member Bob Baker, died at home on February 27. Kathy received her bachelor’s degree in English in 1975 and her PhD from the University of Illinois. She served with distinction as a member of the Mason Department of Communication for 20 years, where she retired in 2020.

At Mason, Kathy’s highly received teaching shaped skills in public relations, science communication, and crisis communication for many students who will miss her welcome challenges. She also contributed research that addressed climate change, environmental policy, and infectious disease preparedness, and published articles in leading scientific publications, earning the respect of her colleagues. She was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. At OLLI, her professional and personal achievements received well-deserved recognition among the membership.

A private funeral was held on March 11 at Fairfax Memorial Park. The Mason Communication Department is working with her family to plan a campus Celebration of Life, with details to be announced. Her legacy will endure in the memories of the students she mentored, the colleagues she supported, and the community she helped build.
Mason Jazz Events in April


By Darden Purcell, D.M.A.  Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice


Mason welcomes OLLI members and guests to our spring jazz events. There are several exciting events coming up that you won’t want to miss! One event coming up this month, announced in the last issue of E-News, is the Big Band Showdown March 30 at 8:00, in the Center for the Arts (click here for more information).

Addressed immediately below are three other events of interest in early April. Two more events in the last couple of weeks in April will be announced in a subsequent issue of E-News.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jazz Combos | Braddock Road Brass Band
(Directors, Wade Beach and Graham Breedlove)
 
Monday, April 6, at 8:00
Harris Theatre | Free and open to the public

Join us for an evening of music from Bud Powell, Hank Mobley, Weather Report, Casiopeia, The Messthetics, Snarky Puppy, Freddie Hubbard, Stevie Wonder, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and more!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mason Jazz Vocal Night 
(Directors, Dr. Darden Purcell and Dr. CJ Redden-Liotta)
 
Monday, April 13 at 8:00 
Center for the Arts
Join Darden Purcell, the Jazz Voice Studio, and the DOWNBEAT award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble for an unforgettable evening featuring swinging jazz standards, Latin American songs, contemporary classics, and beloved hits from the Great American Songbook. Special guests include the Falls Church High School Jazzguars (directed by Dr. CJ Redden-Liotta) and George Mason alumni vocal supergroup BLOOM!
 


Tickets: $19 General Public, $14 Senior, $9 Student | Prices include fees.
TICKETS:  https://cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/mason-jazz-vocal-night-spring-2026

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jazz Workshop
(Director, John Kocur) 
Wednesday, April 15 at 8:00 
Harris Theatre | Free and open to the public 
 
In their spring 2026 concert, the Jazz Workshop highlights the depth and breadth of jazz compositions and arrangements. Listeners will enjoy arrangements of jazz standards by Billy May, Bob Florence, and Bill Fulton. Mark Taylor and Mike Kamuf provide updated arrangements of original compositions by jazz greats Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard. The group will also perform contemporary compositions by Jim Cifelli, Richie Iacona, and Brandon Woody. Directed by Prof. John Kocur, the Jazz Workshop explores the intersection of improvisation and composition in an innovative large jazz ensemble.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances March 27 through May 15


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
the new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many: https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances. For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links above) or visit the venue's box office.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website, Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey
Sun, Mar 29, 5:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $95, $75, $64, $54, $44.
Fairfax Campus Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
The Prescription is Home
Through April 18, 2026
Mason Exhibitions, Arlington Campus

Living the Prescription
Through May 8, 2026
Founders Gallery, Arlington Campus
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

George Mason School of Theater: Pipeline
Fri, Mar 27, 7:30
Sat, Mar 28, 2:00 and 7:30
Sun, Mar 29, 2:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $40 Adult, $19 Senior.

2026 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
Fri, Mar 27, 2:00 and 8:00
Sat, Mar 28, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $35 Adult, $19 Senior.

Jazz Big Band Showdown
Mon, Mar 30, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

International Week 2026 Dance Competition
Thu, Apr 2, 7:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $5.

Wade Beach Jazz Combos and Braddock Road Brass Band Concert (Spring 2026)
Mon, Apr 6, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
 
Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Apr 13, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Music of Joy and Peace
Sun, Mar 29, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Mozart, Saint-Georges, and Beethoven: Masters in Motion
Sun, Mar 29, 3:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $27 Senior.

Chorale Broadway Showcase: Bright Lights, Big City: Broadway Beginnings and NYC Dreams
Fri, Mar 27, 8:00
Sat, Mar 28, 2:00
Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

Aquila Theatre: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sat, Apr 4, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $48, $35.

VISUAL ARTS
Fountain of Truth
Through April 11, 2026
Hylton Performing Arts Center

Offerings to the Potomac:
Acknowledging Indigenous Place
Through May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information).

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week. 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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.
 
Sat Mar 28 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Mar 30
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 31
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
OLLI Artists Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
History Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Apr 2
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 3
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Game On: Talking Sports Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 4 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 6
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News?
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 7
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 8
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Thu Apr 9
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 10
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 2:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
French Club and Happy Hour Club – online
Sat Apr 11 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: Chloe DiStaso, David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash,
Paul Van Hemel
 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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: [email protected].
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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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ENews March 13, 2026

by

OLLI E-News March 13. 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Mason School of Dance Distinguished Service Professor Linda Garner Miller Introduced Some Dance Students for a Preview of the 2026 Gala Concert Scheduled March 27 and 28, Center for the Arts Concert Hall.
Admission: Adult $35, Senior $19, Student $19

March 13, 2026


Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Spring term 2026 begins March 23 and ends May 15.
  • The Computer Club 3rd Saturday meeting will be on March 21 at 1:00. The Zoom session opens at 12:45 (see article below).
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 27; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 24, at 6:00.

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Join Your Friends at the OLLI Kick-Off Coffee

 

By Toni Acton, Board Member and Member Services Committee Chair


What better way to start the spring term than to attend the Kick-Off Coffee on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 at Tallwood? Celebrate old friendships and make new ones with refreshments and lively conversations! 

New members will have the opportunity to engage with our Executive Director Lisa Mariam and OLLI President Debbie Engleson, and learn more about OLLI and the many things that we offer. A question-and-answer period and a tour of the campus will follow the presentations. Register for event 1203F at the member portal or contact the registrar at [email protected].

OLLI Artists Club



By Christine Narbut, OLLI Artists Club Coordinator        


The spring session of watercolor painting classes will start March 24 at 2:15. We will start with some beginning skills and build on these over the 8 weekly sessions. There is currently a waiting list for this class.

Consider joining the OLLI Artists Club which meets every other week. The next meeting is Wednesday, March 18 at 10:00 in the Annex or on Zoom, and we will continue to meet during the spring class session on Wednesdays every other week from 1:30 to 3:30 in the Annex or on Zoom. The OLLI Artists Club supports all visual arts and will be displaying OLLI members’ creations in the Annex social area. Plans for the first group of OLLI art creations will begin this week. Please sign up for the OLLI Artists Club to receive information about upcoming art news. Below are two watercolor paintings by OLLI members.

BIG BAND SHOWDOWN

 

By Darden Purcell, D.M.A. Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice


If you like music that roars over you like a well-synchronized machine, then get ready to enjoy this concert! There is one jazz concert this month that all OLLI folks will enjoy! Below is the information.

WHAT: BIG BAND SHOWDOWN 
WHEN: Monday, Mar 30, 2026, at 8:00
WHO: Directors, Jim Carroll, John Kocur, and Matt Niess
WHERE: Center for the Arts
TICKETS: https://cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/jazz-big-band-showdown-spring-2026

The BIG BAND SHOWDOWN will take place on Monday, March 30, at 8:00, in the Center for the Arts! Three bands will be showcased in an electrifying evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era!

The evening will feature the Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Carroll; the Jazz Workshop, directed by John Kocur; and the Shenandoah University Studio Big Band, directed by Dr. Matt Niess.

Join us for a high-energy concert that showcases the powerful brass, blazing saxophone sections, driving rhythm sections, and other dynamic jazz performances you won’t want to miss!

OPC Photo 101

By John Nash, E-News editor

 

What can your camera do for you? Are you a little intimidated by a big digital single-lens reflex (DSLR)? Maybe you're tired of your photos looking – well, ordinary? How can you do more than “point and shoot” with these fantastic cellphone cameras?

Almost 50 OLLI members signed up for the OLLI Photo Club's first introductory class on digital photography. The three-session class, offered at Tallwood and on Zoom, began with George Bradshaw showing the basic operations of a digital camera, and explaining how the backbone of a good photograph is the management of light using the “exposure triangle” of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Concluding the first session, Lynn Cline, OPC co-chair, explained some rules for taking or improving photographs.

The second session highlighted several OPC photographers who showed some of their pictures, explaining the camera settings and thought process behind each photograph. Attendees had an opportunity to ask questions about the pictures.

The final session continued with OPC photographers showing and explaining their photographs. Ed Marion showed “the next step” with illustrations of how photographs can be altered through post-processing. The last half of the session was devoted to a summary of cell phone photography by Jo Leir, a guest presenter, which generated lots of questions, even after the class ended.

John Olsen, OPC co-chair, pointed out that this is the first time OPC has presented a class in photography and showcased some of the outstanding photographers in the club. “We received a lot of good feedback on the program.” John also pointed out that participating in the OPC is an excellent way to improve photography skills. “Membership in the OPC is free. It's a benefit of OLLI membership.”
Computer Club
3rd Saturday, March 21
Butt, Neck, Eyes… Oh My! Surviving Screen Time
Using AI to Process Email Responses
 
By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair



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, March 21, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45 (Zoom link below).
 
Butt, Neck, Eyes… Oh My! Surviving Screen Time―Presented by Judy Taylour
In today’s increasingly digital world, our bodies are paying the price for the long hours we spend in front of screens. While technology keeps us connected, productive, and occasionally entertained by cat videos, it can also leave our bodies feeling like they’ve run a marathon—without ever leaving the chair.
 
This presentation examines the physical toll of modern tech habits. We’ll explore some all-too-familiar conditions, including Butt Syndrome from marathon sitting sessions, Tech Neck from constantly looking down at phones, Mouse Shoulder and Tech Back caused by awkward computer setups, digital eye strain from staring at glowing screens, and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) from clicking, tapping, and scrolling our way through the day.
 
Along the way, we’ll talk about why these problems happen, how to recognize the warning signs before your body files a formal complaint, and simple ways to fix them—without giving up your favorite gadgets. Expect practical tips, a few laughs, and easy adjustments that can help you sit, click, and scroll a little more comfortably. Because technology should make life easier… not turn us into hunched-over screen zombies.
 
Judy Taylour, President, Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) Computer Club, Member, APCUG Speakers Bureau Judy has been a dedicated member of the SCV Computer Club for 38 years, serving as president. Her involvement reflects her passion for technology and community engagement.
 
Using AI to Process Email Responses―Presented by Lou Coglianese
 
Ever have a long email chain with responses from several people? You can use AI, in this case Gemini, to pull out the relevant information and create a document in the format you need.

Lou Coglianese is a retired IT professional. His career included senior researcher roles at IBM as well as enterprise architect roles at Capital One. He is a regular contributor to OLLI Mason.    

See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2026 (and 2025, if you didn’t get around to paying earlier!)—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.

To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click    

  https://olligmu-org.zoom.us/j/87181894687?pwd=jeej4aqXUEcbKuULWcx9ACtgISnrCF.1

to join the meeting and use passcode 468224. (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 871 8189 4687 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop


Baby Magic
 
I learned lust at five
from Romper Room
on our first boxy TV
 
I wanted Baby Magic
 
Blond and pink
she cried tears
blinked and smiled
round arms akimbo
just like a real baby
 
I needed Baby Magic
 
I talked about nothing
else for months,
ignoring Grandma’s
lovingly stitched
Raggedy Ann and Andy
 
I yearned for Baby Magic
 
Christmas came
as did a big blue box.
That day, I waved
my secret wand
to make Baby Magic blink
and smile and cry
 
The next day friends
called out – come watch
Captain Kangaroo.
On the shaggy orange rug
Baby Magic laid face down
 
At five I had learned
the power of
wanting versus having –
because I found
Baby Magic wasn’t
                –Valerie Horton

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances March 13 through March 30


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
the new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many: https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances. For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links above) or visit the venue's box office.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website, Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: Mozart and Friends—Beethoven, Haydn, and Clementi
Sun, Mar 15, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.

Danú
Fri, Mar 20, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion with Danú co-founder Benny McCarthy begins one hour prior to the performance. Also enjoy a performance in the lobby by Legacy Irish Dance
leading up to Danú's concert.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.

Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens
Sun, Mar 22, 7:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $91, $76, $60.

Artists in Conversation: Silkroad Resonance Circle
(Community Jam)
Mon, Mar 23, 7:00
Sherwood Center
Admission: Free but registration required: Click here.

Empty Bowls (a fund raiser for the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund)
Wed, Mar 25, 7:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $50.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey
Sun, Mar 29, 5:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $95, $75, $64, $54, $44.
Fairfax Campus Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
The Prescription is Home
Through April 18, 2026
Mason Exhibitions, Arlington Campus

The Art of Silence: a Sculpture + ASL Collaboration
Through March 27, 2026
Fenwick Gallery, Fairfax Campus

Living the Prescription
Through May 8, 2026
Founders Gallery, Arlington Campus
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Faculty Artist Series: Caroline Steiger (horn) and
Friends
Sat, Mar 14, 7:00
Harris Theater
Admission: Free.

George Mason School of Theater: Pipeline
Thu, Mar 26, 7:30
Fri, Mar 27, 7:30
Sat, Mar 28, 2:00 and 7:30
Sun, Mar 29, 2:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $40 Adult, $19 Senior.

2026 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
Fri, Mar 27, 2:00 and 8:00
Sat, Mar 28, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $35 Adult, $19 Senior.

Jazz Big Band Showdown
Mon, Mar 30, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Manassas Ballet Theatre: Les Sylphides and More!
Fri, Mar 13, 7:30
Sat, Mar 14, 7:30
Sun, Mar 15, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $81, $71, $60, $50.

Prince William Little Theatre: Head Over Heels
Fri, Mar 13, 8:00
Sat, Mar 14, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Mar 15, 2:00
Fri, Mar 20, 8:00
Sat, Mar 21, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Mar 22, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $35 Adult, $29 Senior.

Virginia National Ballet: Swan Lake
Fri, Mar 20, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50; $40; $35; $30.

Manassas Chorale: Gathered As One
Sat, Mar 21, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40.

Matinee Idylls, Marjory Serrano-Coyer and Hsin-Yi
Chen: Serenade from the Americas: A Musical Voyage for Violin and Piano
Wed, Mar 25, Lunch 12:30, Concert 1:30
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Admission: Lunch, concert, and dessert reception: $81
Concert and dessert reception only: $50.

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Music of Joy and Peace
Sun, Mar 29, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, Mozart, Saint-Georges, and Beethoven: Masters in Motion
Sun, Mar 29, 3:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $27 Senior.

Chorale Broadway Showcase: Bright Lights, Big City: Broadway Beginnings and NYC Dreams
Fri, Mar 27, 8:00
Sat, Mar 28, 2:00
Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

Visual Arts: Offerings to the Potomac: Acknowledging Indigenous Place
Through May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

 

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information).

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week. 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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.
 
Sat Mar 14 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Mar 16
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 17
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 18
 
 
 
 
  
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
OLLI Artists Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Mar 19
 
 
 		 10:00 am
11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Spring Kick-Off Coffee
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 20
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Mar 21
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group – online
Mon Mar 23
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 24
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 25
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Mar 26
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 27
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc.
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
French Conversation and Happy Hour – online
Sat Mar 28 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: Chloe DiStaso, David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash,
Paul Van Hemel
 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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: [email protected].
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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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ENews February 27, 2026

by

OLLI E-News February 27, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Board of Directors Meeting, Tallwood and Hybrid, February 20
 

February 27, 2026


Editor of the Week: Chitra Mohla
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • You should have received a spring catalog. Spring 2026 registration began February 17 and continues throughout the term (which begins March 23 and ends May 15).
     
  • On March 1, the Hylton Center presents the Washington National Opera (WNO) Orchestra with the Cafritz Young Artists in Favorite Operatic Moments. OLLI Mason members get 50% off two tickets (use coupon code WNOCF50 when selecting seats).
     
  • Due to an unexpected scheduling change the March 5 theatrical concert Matters of the Heart by three-time Tony Award winner Patti Lupone at George Mason University’s Center of the Arts will be rescheduled. Ticket buyers will be contacted directly by the ticket office with additional information. OLLI Mason members can purchase discounted tickets. (Price: $65; regularly $85-$105, Discount Code OLLI).
     
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 13; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 10, at 6:00. 

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Literature, Language, Theater, and Writing (LLT) 
Program Planning Group Meets March 5


By Patricia Bangs, LLT Program Planning Group Co-Chair


The Literature, Language, Theater, and Writing (LLT) Program Planning Group will meet Thursday, March 5 at 10:00 via Zoom to plan our fall 2026 term and beyond.

OLLI Mason members are invited to attend and bring ideas for literature, theater, writing, or language programs, as well as possible resources. This could include individuals you may know who might want to teach or any other thoughts on this popular OLLI program area. In the fall 2026 term, we also seek programs that would celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation.

The meeting Zoom link is https://gmu.zoom.us/j/95425987068. It will also appear in the March 5 Daily Schedule.

Thanks to all who can come. See you on March 5.
History Club

 
By Doug Snoeyenbos, History Club Coordinator


The History Club will meet via Zoom at 4:00 on Wednesday, March 4. 

Jim Anderson has graciously agreed to present on The Great Locomotive Chase, a thrilling tale of bold Civil War raiders. In the spring of 1862, Union special operatives went behind the confederate lines and stole a locomotive, seeking to sabotage the Confederates’ vital single-track rail line between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Although the raid was ultimately unsuccessful, the raiders were awarded the newly-created Medal of Honor.

Jim Anderson is a historian and lecturer, and a 30-year veteran of the CIA. He has led tours of Civil War battlefields, and lectured for OLLI, the Cosmos Club, and several local Civil War Roundtables.

PATACS Donation to OLLI Mason Fund



By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair
Former President of OLLI and President, PATACS

Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society’s (PATACS) relationship with OLLI is demonstrably a long-term, mutually beneficial association. Chuck Roberts, Bill Walsh and Paul Howard began that partnership in February of 2007, teaching two sessions on computer security in three OLLI classes offered in conjunction with Vee Johnson of Fairfax County's Consumer Affairs organization.

This relationship has continued with PATACS members Roger Fujii, Mel Mikosinski, John Krout, and others who have joined OLLI's AV Support Committee, helping OLLI with a variety of technical challenges, including email issues consulting, computer configuration and repair, researching and implementing videoconferencing, LAN/router and WiFi installation for OLLI, and most recently, the implementation of hybrid classrooms.

PATACS members Bill Walsh and Nick Wenri were referred to OLLI, were employed in staff positions as site assistants, and have continued to take fill-in slots as needed.

This January marked the beginning of the eighteenth year of PATACS' joint meetings with OPCUG, offering more than twenty presentations and two troubleshooting clinics a year to attendees of both organizations. Annual attendance at these meetings has been around 500 people per year (488 in 2025). Currently 14 of PATACS' 70 members are also OLLI members (as of February 2026). Several other PATACS members were formerly OLLI members.

Today (February 21), we're pleased to present a check for $500 to the OLLI Mason Fund in appreciation for this partnership, financial support of which now totals $6050, as well as equipment donations of $358.

In keeping with the suggestion made at the 2015 ceremony by OLLI's then Development Committee chair, Lesley Bubenhofer, PATACS requests that the “OLLI Mason Fund” use this donation for support of AV equipment, hybrid technology including Zoom, and facility requirements for the classroom used for OPCUG/PATACS joint meetings.

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Photo of the Month



The January 2026 Photo of the Month theme was Open. We selected Bob Kelberg's photo "Wine Glass at Portuguese Hotel," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.

               -- By John Olsen and Lynne Cline, Photography Club Coordinators

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Member Achievement

 
New Book: Passages: Life of Challenge and Service
 


 By Dell Pendergrast, Senior Foreign Service Officer, Retired



Passages: Life of Challenge and Service, was published September 29, 2025. It is a memoir of stories and reflections about Dell Pendergrast's journey from origins in the Midwest to a Foreign Service career centered on Eastern Europe and its evolution to independence from Moscow.  After retirement from the government, Dell was director of a private scholarship program for young Americans in Ireland followed by
30 performances on stage with community theaters across the Washington D.C. area.

The book is available on Amazon at this link.

Dell is also a regular contributor to OLLI Ink and an active member of the Writer's Workshop.  

About the Author

Dell Pendergrast grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from Northwestern University in 1963. He received a Master's degree in Mass Communication Research from Boston University and entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1965. In a 32-year career Dell served in six overseas posts―Belgrade, Zagreb, Saigon, Warsaw, Brussels, and Ottawa―along with Washington DC positions. After retirement as a senior foreign service officer, he joined the non-profit US-Ireland Alliance directing the George Mitchell Scholarships for six years. Dell married Tula Rembe in 1963, and they had two sons, Mark and Kevin.
 
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

How It Starts

soft, slight
like a baby’s hiccup
a raindrop flicked a window pane
the sound was tentative, maybe incidental, perhaps imaginary 
so I listened
 
Silence
 
the furnace kicked in with a swoosh
like a white-capped wave
kissing the welcoming sand
then, a cluster of erratic taps
syncopation in the dark, moonless night
 
a streak of lightning
threw ungainly shadows
against my 3:20 a.m. bedroom wall
an explosion of thunder shook the house
as an orchestra of nimbus clouds
elegantly started to perform
Beethoven’s Ninth
on my humble roof
 
   - Nancy Coffey

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Obituary: William Ronald Campbell

Former OLLI member William Ron Campbell, Jr., who joined OLLI in 2004, died on
February 3,  2026, at the age of 86. Ron graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1961 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps beginning a distinguished military career, culminating in his retirement with the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1982. He also received a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Ron’s distinguished military career began with duty in Okinawa, Japan, and included assignments at Quantico, Virginia; Pascagoula, Mississippi where he served as the assistant air operations officer on the USS Tarawa; Coronado, California where he was assigned as the flight operations officer on the USS Tarawa, and Kailua, Hawaii, as the Commanding Officer of HMM-262 at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station in Hawaii until his retirement in 1982.

After his military duty, Ron worked in various management contracting roles until retirement in 2003. At OLLI, he enjoyed classes on history and singing for fun.

A funeral service was held on February 20, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, VA. Donations may be made in Ron’s memory to The Church of the Good Shepherd or Young Marines. More information is available at this link.
 
For the Love of Music


By Linda H. Harber, Friends of Music at Mason Co-President



For all music lovers, please mark your calendars for this upcoming Friends of Music at Mason (FOMM) Evening in Amalfi on April 18th. You reserve a ticket which costs $85 and covers a lovely dinner and a donation to Mason Music student scholarships. For more information, please email me. After the dinner event, the group will move to the music room, where there will be live music fitting with the evening’s theme.

Anyone can be a Friend of Music at Mason with any size gift (attending this event makes you a friend).  Our wonderful students also appreciate having a supportive audience for their concerts and recitals.

Also, please check the Dewberry School of Music program calendar to see the wonderful concerts and recitals coming this semester. The Sunday Faculty Concert series has already started and all of those programs are free! And there are so many other exciting programs and recitals−jazz, symphony, band, choral, opera−so many types of music to love!

Hope to see you there!


 
Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances February 28 through March 22


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
the new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many: https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances. For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links above) or visit the venue's box office.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website, Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Vaughn Wiester
Sat, Feb 28, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $48, $35.
 
Mnozil Brass
Sun, Mar 1, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart
Thu, Mar 5*, 7:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $105, $85, $64. 
*Due to an unexpected scheduling change the March 5 performance will be rescheduled.
Ticket buyers will be contacted directly by the ticket office with additional information.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with Demarre McGill
Sat, Mar 7, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $75, $64, $54.
 
Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: Mozart and Friends—Beethoven, Haydn, and Clementi
Sun, Mar 15, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.
Fairfax Campus Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
The Prescription is Home
Through April 18, 2026
Mason Exhibitions, Arlington Campus
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Music Faculty Artist Series Recitals in Harris Theatre
Sun Mar 1, 7:00, Music Across Borders with Laura Kaufman Mowry (flute)
Harris Theater
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
 
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert: Concerto Competition Winners
Mon, Mar 2, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.
 
University Singers Concert: Finding Home
Tue, Mar 3, 8:00
Harris Theater
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.
 

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Pablo Sainz-Villegas
Sat, Feb 28, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $48, $35.
 
Washington National Opera Orchestra Featuring the Cafritz Young Artists
Sun, Mar 1, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $71, $60, $45.
 
Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats
Sat, Mar 7, 11:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $24.
 
Nicole Zuraitis
Sat, Mar 7, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $35.
 
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Sonic America with Melanie Young, harp
Sat, Mar 7, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35.
 
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All Stars
Sun, Mar 8, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $56, $41.
 
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Les Sylphides and More!
Fri, Mar 13, 7:30
Sat, Mar 14, 7:30
Sun, Mar 15, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $81, $71, $60, $50.
 
Prince William Little Theatre: Head Over Heels
Fri, Mar 13, 8:00
Sat, Mar 14, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Mar 15, 2:00
Fri, Mar 20, 8:00
Sat, Mar 21, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Mar 22, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $35 Adult, $29 Senior.
 
Visual Arts: OFFERINGS TO THE POTOMAC
ACKNOWLEDGING INDIGENOUS PLACE
February 24 - May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information).

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week. 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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.

 
Sat Feb 28 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Mar 2
 
 		 9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 3
 
 		 2:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 4
 
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
History Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Mar 5

 
 		 11:50 am
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri Mar 6
 
 
 		 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Mar 7 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Mar 9
 
 
 		 9:30 am
9:30 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Writing Club – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 10
 
 		 2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 11
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Thu Mar 12
 
 
 		 11:30 am
11:50 am
3:00 pm
4:30 pm		 Eat, Drink, and Be Irish
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
2:30 pm
4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
French Conversation and Happy Hour – online
Sat Mar 14 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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: [email protected].
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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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ENews February 13, 2026

by

OLLI E-News February 13, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Brad Wallach and Jim Bever gave an informative talk on the
unfortunate demise of the US Agency for International Development
(USAID), Tallwood, February 9

February 13, 2026


Editor of the Week: Deborah Kruesi 
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • On Monday, February 16th OLLI Mason will be open only for make-up classes. Happy President's Day!
  • You should have received a spring catalog. Spring 2026 registration begins February 17 and continues throughout the term (which begins March 23 and ends May 15).
  • OLLI Mason guest passes are now available in the main office and as an insert in the spring catalog. Please help us encourage others to try the program.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, February 27; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, February 24, at 6:00.

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OLLI President's Message February 13
Member Survey Reminder



   By Deborah Engleson, President


We recently sent everyone an email link to our questionnaire about OLLI Mason programs. If you've already responded, thank you!  If you haven’t yet responded, there’s still time. Your candid feedback will help us keep making your OLLI experience better and better.

Click here for questionnaire (if you have not yet responded).

Please share your thoughts by Monday, February 23. Thank You!

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Tens and Twenties                         
 
In the far-left lane catch the red light  
       Begin watching tall thin young man
               Carrying a sign
                     “Mental illness affects us all
                              Can you help?”
        Hope light changes soon
 
Pretend not to see him hobbling on spindly deformed legs  
        Do see his intent blue eyes
                 Imagine smell of his tattered clothes
        Why won’t this light change
 
Starts his second pass      Looks tired
       Face and legs raw from August sun  
       His cracking lips must hurt     Wish I had water
 
Seems not asking for himself but for mental health
         Damn light will never change
         Here he comes
                 Give a few dollars
                 Can’t only have tens and twenties
                 Where are the fives and ones
 
Light finally changes      Grab for a ten     Get a twenty instead
Car in back starts honking      Hold your horses    
 
Give him a twenty and vow to avoid this corner
                           or
Come back from time to time 
        See how he’s doing
                 With fives and ones and water
 
        –Bill Sinclair                  

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Computer Club
3rd Saturday, February 21
Transitioning from Windows to Linux
Additional Program to be Announced


By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair

 

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, February 21, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45 (Zoom Link below).
 
Transitioning from Windows end-of-life to Linux—Presented by Tom Gutnick
The title really sums it up! My Windows laptop was being obsoleted by Microsoft, but it’s been a good, solid device for over ten years, and I preferred repurposing it rather than shelling out for a new system. I’ll discuss which flavor of Linux I chose and why, and walk through the steps I took to accomplish the migration. My successful experience may give others the confidence to do the same.

Tom Gutnick has worked in the computer industry for most of his adult life. He started out as a programmer, has managed software development projects and data centers, and has worked as a system performance analyst and cybersecurity analyst. Now, as proprietor of Sunny Banana IT Consulting, he helps small businesses and home offices that don't have their own IT departments harness appropriate technology. He also teaches personal technology at Arlington Community Learning and information technology at Northern Virginia Community College.

See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2026 (and 2025, if you didn’t get around to paying earlier!)—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.

To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click:

          82693376813?pwd=TqPi3cvOv0Ab0OFhTty1LuahESE2Jb.1

to join the meeting and use passcode 626307. (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces), or enter meeting ID 826 9337 68813 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
Obituary: Richard Thomas Bulova

Former OLLI member Richard Thomas “Dick” Bulova, a longtime resident of Fairfax, VA, and Tampa, FL, died on December 29 in Tampa at the age of 87. He first joined OLLI in the spring of 1996 and was a member as late as 2016.

Born in 1938, Dick grew up in Syracuse, NY. Following service in the Army, he graduated as a physics major from Syracuse University in 1962 and received an ROTC commission in the infantry. After completing a second active-duty tour, he moved to the Washington, DC area. As a Department of the Army project engineer in research and development, he specialized in night vision and countersurveillance. He saw service in Viet Nam. Remaining active in the Army Reserves, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed to the Army Acquisition Corps and retired as a GS-14 in 1994.

Dick was an eager volunteer of his skills and experience (e.g., serving as a high-school physics teacher’s aide, guest lecturer, and science fair judge). He was a member of the American Legion, as well as of several Learning in Retirement programs, including OLLI. He wintered in Tampa for many years before making it his permanent residence with his second wife, Ann-Lis Wiberg.

Previously Dick was married for 31 years to Sharon Bulova, former Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. He is survived by two children – David Bulova of Fairfax, VA and Karin Johansson of Seattle, WA – and five grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to gather to remember him. A memorial will be held at 10:30 on February 21 at the Holy Spirit Old Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, FL. The funeral will be at 11:00 on April 13 at the historic St. Mary of Sorrows church in Fairfax Station, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in his memory to the charity organization “Doctors Without Borders.”

More information is available at this link.
Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances February 13 through March 3


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites listing performances, talks etc. For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
The new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many: https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances
 
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Virginia Opera: Intelligence
Sat, Feb 14, 7:30
Sun, Feb 15, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $116, $76, $45.          
 
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Vaughn Wiester
Sat, Feb 28, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $48, $35.
 
Mnozil Brass
Sun, Mar 1, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.
Fairfax Campus Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
The Mirage of Ancient Egypt: Exploring Ancient Egypt’s Legacy in Popular Culture
Through February 13, 2026
Fenwick Gallery
 
The Prescription is Home
Through April 18, 2026
Mason Exhibitions, Arlington Campus
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason Jazz Festival
Sat, Feb 14, 10:00 to 8:30
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
 
Music Faculty Artist Series Recitals in Harris Theatre
Sun, Feb 15, 3:00, Taylor Fleshman (harp), strings, and clarinet
Sun, Feb 15, 7:00, Eunae Ko Han (collaborative piano) and Friends
Sun, Feb 22, 3:00, Christopher Jewell (bassoon) and Friends
Sun, Feb 22, 7:00, Caroline Steiger (horn) and Friends
Sun, Mar 1, 7:00, Music Across Borders with Laura Kaufman Mowry (flute)
Admission: Free
 
Pathos Trio Residency: Pathos Trio Performance
Mon, Feb 16, 8:00
deLaski Performing Arts Bldg, 3001
Admission: Free.
 
Mason Bands Concert: Dope
Tue, Feb 24, 7:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.
 
Mason Jazz Ensemble with Special Guest Vaughn Wiester
Thu, Feb 26, 8:00
Harris Theater
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.
 
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert: Concerto Competition Winners
Mon, Mar 2, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.
 
University Singers Concert: Finding Home
Tue, Mar 3, 8:00
Harris Theater
Admission: $19 Adult, $14 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

DRUM TAO: THE BEST
Sat, Feb 14, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $56, $41.
 
Secrets of Space
Sun, Feb 15, 1:00 and 4:00
A family-friendly craft activity will take place in the Jacquemin Family Foundation Hall prior to this performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $24.
 
Soles of Duende
Sat, Feb 21, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $53, $46, $34.
 
Pablo Sainz-Villegas
Sat, Feb 28, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $48, $35.
 
Washington National Opera Orchestra Featuring the Cafritz Young Artists
Sun, Mar 1, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $71, $60, $45.


Visual Arts: OFFERINGS TO THE POTOMAC
ACKNOWLEDGING INDIGENOUS PLACE
February 24 - May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information).

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week. 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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.
 
Sat Feb 14 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Feb 16
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Writing Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Feb 17
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Feb 18
 
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists Club – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Feb 19
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Feb 20
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:45 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Feb 21
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 23
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Feb 24
 
 
 		 10:00 am
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Board Blizzard Game Bash
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Feb 25
 
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Hiking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Spanish Page Turner Book Club – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Feb 26
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Feb 27
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
French Conversation and Happy Hour – online
Sat Feb 28 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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: [email protected].
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:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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