Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

OLLI E-News (Weekly Newsletter)

E-News-May-14-2021

by

OLLI E-News May 14, 2021
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Annual Meeting and Presentation of Board Candidates, May 7

May 14, 2021


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • OLLI Personal Computer User Group (OPCUG) meets via Zoom May 15 (tomorrow) at 1:00; details available at this link.
  • Voting continues in the Board of Directors election, which runs until May 21; you should have received a ballot in an email with subject “2021 OLLI Ballot for Board of Directors.”
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 21; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 18, at 6:00.

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Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary


By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President


In 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year.

May 14
A compilation of Learning in Retirement Institute (LRI) poetry was published in March 1996; printing was subsidized by LRI; booklets were sold at $2.50 each. Poems dated back to the first Poetry Workshop in spring 1991. Later, Poets of Tallwood was published in 2008 and Poets of OLLI in 2012.

Back to Top of Page
Summer Literature Course (F403) Book Change and Film Addition


By Shannon Morrow, Program Associate


There are two changes to Ellen Moody’s summer course, F403, Post-Colonialism and the Novel; the changes are reflected in the course registration in the member portal. One change substitutes a book of short stories, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's East into Upper East, for her older novel, A Backward Glance. The second change is the addition of a second film that the class will view: Mira Nair's 1993 The Namesake. Everything else stays the same:

F403 Post-Colonialism and the Novel
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 23–July 28
Instructor: Ellen Moody
Class limit: 40
In this course we will explore identity and gender politics, colonialism, emigration, and slavery in three books: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s East into Upper East, Caryl Philips’s Crossing the River, and Jane Mander’s The Story of a New Zealand River. We will look at how people are affected by history, law and custom, violence, cultures, economic and geographical circumstances, as well as the sheer need for survival. The class will see/discuss Mira Nair's 1993 film The Namesake & Jane Campion’s 1993 film, The Piano.
Ellen Moody taught in senior colleges until 2012 and for eight years at two OLLIs. She is a published scholar, with specialties in the 18th through 20th centuries, with a special love of historical and political novels.

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Reston Book Club
By Nancy Scheeler and Luci Martel,
Reston Book Club Coordinators
The Reston Book Club will meet via Zoom on Thursday, May 20, at 4:00. The selection will be The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante.
 
The book is a coming-of-age story—one at which Ferrante is a master. The novel’s main story tells of a teenage girl as she grapples with the discomfort of becoming a young woman and learning how to deal with adults and their myriad of “stories.” The book also focuses on the duality of Naples, its neighborhoods, and its residents. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A DATE CHANGE.

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OLLI ChatLine Topics for Next Week!


By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair


Talk with OLLI friends at any time on this 24-7 open ChatLine. Arrange a time to meet friends online or drop in for an organized discussion. We have scheduled a few specific times and topics for chats this week, including:
  • Monday, May 17, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Washington Capitals hockey. Love them, win or lose?
  • Wednesday, May 19, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Future classes. Your ideas and suggestions for OLLI classes to offer in our 2022 terms.
Look for links to this and any future ChatLine events in your inbox as part of the daily schedule email. Have feedback or an idea on a time/topic? Click here to email Doris Bloch.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

The Big Payoff*
 
My mom and her sisters did not watch
The Price is Right
They didn't need to
They had their own pricing game called
Shopping
The object – give grocers as little money as possible
 
Winnings included
massive bragging rights
Relishing double coupons redeemed on sale items
by crowing
They were practically giving it away!
was a guaranteed crowd pleaser
Getting a cashier to void a wrongly keyed price
deserved dramatic retellings
 
Strategies included poring over
store circulars
and charting where to go
 
  A & P meat
  Waldbaums produce
  Shop Rite paper products
 
Amateur mistakes
They never admitted
 
  Not demanding rain checks
  Not checking receipts
  Not using coupons before expiration
 
For all its joys and diversions
mom's game was junior league
compared to my Italian grandma’s
Her Brooklyn neighborhood
was full of mom-and-pop shops
with six kids she mastered the art of
Let's Make a Deal.
 
  The walk away
  The hard bargain
  The never back down
 
Being a pro, she didn't brag
She didn't need to
She has six eye-witnesses and me
keeping her legend alive
 
                        Susan Rexroad
 
*The Big Payoff was a 1950’s game show where my parents were contestants. They won their honeymoon, a week at Mount Airy Lodge in the Poconos, and their bedroom set.

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Obituary: Elizabeth Bolton

Elizabeth (Liz) Bolton, who joined OLLI in 2001 and was a member and lifelong learner for many years, died on April 15. A graduate of the University of Maine in 1959, she was a resident of Reston since its early days in 1969. An avid traveler, Liz took advantage of the Road Scholar program of educational travel for adults. A memorial in Maine will be planned for August. More information is available at this link.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 14 through May 31


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


 
Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at [email protected]. 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
 
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Mason School of Theater: Luther's Trumpet
Fri, May 28, 8:00
Virtual Event – Professional cast supported by Mason students
REGISTER
Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
 
No performances scheduled
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Manassas Ballet Theatre: Giselle
Fri, May 14, 7:30
Sat, May 15, 2:00
Sat, May 15, 7:30
Sun, May 16, 3:00
Sat, May 29, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40 to $70, Buy Tickets
 
Ordway Conservatory: Thumbelina
Thu, May 20, 7:15
Virtual Event: Hylton Center
Admission: Free

Seán Heely Celtic Band
Sat, May 29, 4:00
Admission: $25, Buy Tickets
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.
Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat May 15
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon May 17  4:30 pm ChatLine: Washington Capitals hockey
Tue May 18  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 19
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
ChatLine: Future classes
Thu May 20
 		  4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri May 21
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
 2:00 pm		 Craft & Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, Etc.
Cooking Club
Sat May 22 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Mon May 24
 
 		  8:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am		 Gentle Yoga Club
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Club
Tue May 25
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:30 pm		 Annex Art
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed May 26
 		 10:30 am
 4:00 pm		 Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu May 27
 
 		 11:50 am
12:15 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Special Events Program Planning Group
Tai Chi Club
Fri May 28
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Craft and Conversation
Homer, Etc.
Photography Club
Sat May 29 10:30 am Tai Chi Club

Back to Top of Page
About OLLI E-News

Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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E-News-May-14-2021

by

OLLI E-News May 14, 2021
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Annual Meeting and Presentation of Board Candidates, May 7

May 14, 2021


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • OLLI Personal Computer User Group (OPCUG) meets via Zoom May 15 (tomorrow) at 1:00; details available at this link.
  • Voting continues in the Board of Directors election, which runs until May 21; you should have received a ballot in an email with subject “2021 OLLI Ballot for Board of Directors.”
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 21; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 18, at 6:00.

Back to Top of Page
Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary


By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President


In 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year.

May 14
A compilation of Learning in Retirement Institute (LRI) poetry was published in March 1996; printing was subsidized by LRI; booklets were sold at $2.50 each. Poems dated back to the first Poetry Workshop in spring 1991. Later, Poets of Tallwood was published in 2008 and Poets of OLLI in 2012.

Back to Top of Page
Summer Literature Course (F403) Book Change and Film Addition


By Shannon Morrow, Program Associate


There are two changes to Ellen Moody’s summer course, F403, Post-Colonialism and the Novel; the changes are reflected in the course registration in the member portal. One change substitutes a book of short stories, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's East into Upper East, for her older novel, A Backward Glance. The second change is the addition of a second film that the class will view: Mira Nair's 1993 The Namesake. Everything else stays the same:

F403 Post-Colonialism and the Novel
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 23–July 28
Instructor: Ellen Moody
Class limit: 40
In this course we will explore identity and gender politics, colonialism, emigration, and slavery in three books: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala’s East into Upper East, Caryl Philips’s Crossing the River, and Jane Mander’s The Story of a New Zealand River. We will look at how people are affected by history, law and custom, violence, cultures, economic and geographical circumstances, as well as the sheer need for survival. The class will see/discuss Mira Nair's 1993 film The Namesake & Jane Campion’s 1993 film, The Piano.
Ellen Moody taught in senior colleges until 2012 and for eight years at two OLLIs. She is a published scholar, with specialties in the 18th through 20th centuries, with a special love of historical and political novels.

Back to Top of Page
Reston Book Club
By Nancy Scheeler and Luci Martel,
Reston Book Club Coordinators
The Reston Book Club will meet via Zoom on Thursday, May 20, at 4:00. The selection will be The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante.
 
The book is a coming-of-age story—one at which Ferrante is a master. The novel’s main story tells of a teenage girl as she grapples with the discomfort of becoming a young woman and learning how to deal with adults and their myriad of “stories.” The book also focuses on the duality of Naples, its neighborhoods, and its residents. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A DATE CHANGE.

Back to Top of Page
OLLI ChatLine Topics for Next Week!


By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair


Talk with OLLI friends at any time on this 24-7 open ChatLine. Arrange a time to meet friends online or drop in for an organized discussion. We have scheduled a few specific times and topics for chats this week, including:
  • Monday, May 17, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Washington Capitals hockey. Love them, win or lose?
  • Wednesday, May 19, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Future classes. Your ideas and suggestions for OLLI classes to offer in our 2022 terms.
Look for links to this and any future ChatLine events in your inbox as part of the daily schedule email. Have feedback or an idea on a time/topic? Click here to email Doris Bloch.

Back to Top of Page
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

The Big Payoff*
 
My mom and her sisters did not watch
The Price is Right
They didn't need to
They had their own pricing game called
Shopping
The object – give grocers as little money as possible
 
Winnings included
massive bragging rights
Relishing double coupons redeemed on sale items
by crowing
They were practically giving it away!
was a guaranteed crowd pleaser
Getting a cashier to void a wrongly keyed price
deserved dramatic retellings
 
Strategies included poring over
store circulars
and charting where to go
 
  A & P meat
  Waldbaums produce
  Shop Rite paper products
 
Amateur mistakes
They never admitted
 
  Not demanding rain checks
  Not checking receipts
  Not using coupons before expiration
 
For all its joys and diversions
mom's game was junior league
compared to my Italian grandma’s
Her Brooklyn neighborhood
was full of mom-and-pop shops
with six kids she mastered the art of
Let's Make a Deal.
 
  The walk away
  The hard bargain
  The never back down
 
Being a pro, she didn't brag
She didn't need to
She has six eye-witnesses and me
keeping her legend alive
 
                        Susan Rexroad
 
*The Big Payoff was a 1950’s game show where my parents were contestants. They won their honeymoon, a week at Mount Airy Lodge in the Poconos, and their bedroom set.

Back to Top of Page
Obituary: Elizabeth Bolton

Elizabeth (Liz) Bolton, who joined OLLI in 2001 and was a member and lifelong learner for many years, died on April 15. A graduate of the University of Maine in 1959, she was a resident of Reston since its early days in 1969. An avid traveler, Liz took advantage of the Road Scholar program of educational travel for adults. A memorial in Maine will be planned for August. More information is available at this link.

Back to Top of Page
Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 14 through May 31


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


 
Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at [email protected]. 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
 
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Mason School of Theater: Luther's Trumpet
Fri, May 28, 8:00
Virtual Event – Professional cast supported by Mason students
REGISTER
Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
 
No performances scheduled
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Manassas Ballet Theatre: Giselle
Fri, May 14, 7:30
Sat, May 15, 2:00
Sat, May 15, 7:30
Sun, May 16, 3:00
Sat, May 29, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40 to $70, Buy Tickets
 
Ordway Conservatory: Thumbelina
Thu, May 20, 7:15
Virtual Event: Hylton Center
Admission: Free

Seán Heely Celtic Band
Sat, May 29, 4:00
Admission: $25, Buy Tickets
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.
Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat May 15
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon May 17  4:30 pm ChatLine: Washington Capitals hockey
Tue May 18  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 19
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
ChatLine: Future classes
Thu May 20
 		  4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri May 21
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
 2:00 pm		 Craft & Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, Etc.
Cooking Club
Sat May 22 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Mon May 24
 
 		  8:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am		 Gentle Yoga Club
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Club
Tue May 25
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:30 pm		 Annex Art
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed May 26
 		 10:30 am
 4:00 pm		 Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu May 27
 
 		 11:50 am
12:15 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Special Events Program Planning Group
Tai Chi Club
Fri May 28
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Craft and Conversation
Homer, Etc.
Photography Club
Sat May 29 10:30 am Tai Chi Club

Back to Top of Page
About OLLI E-News

Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

Back to Top of Page

E-News-May-7-2021

by

OLLI E-News May 7, 2021
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
 
Dr. Ann Phillips, US Institute of Peace, Presents Class on Armenia and Azerbaijan for Course on World Hotspots in 2021, April 28

May 7, 2021


Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices


Today is the first day of voting in the Board of Directors election, which runs until May 21; detailed information is available at this link.

The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 14; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 11, at 6:00.

Back to Top of Page
Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary


By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President


In 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year.

May 7
The first location for Learning in Retirement Institute was Mason’s Commerce II Building (staff would move into the hallway during class time) at 4085 University Drive, with no charge to OLLI for use of this space. Later other sites in Fairfax City were offered free, including City Hall, the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program, the Gold’s Gym Building, and the Juvenile Justice Courthouse of Fairfax County.

Kudos to OLLI Program Planning Chairs



 By Kathryn Russell, Program Committee Co-chair   


We’re all probably browsing the beautiful summer catalog now, deciding which courses to sign up for, lamenting that we have to choose between so many attractive offerings. As you turn the pages, I hope you’ll pause at the beginning of each subject area section to note the names of OLLI’s program planning co-chairs. These are the dedicated volunteers who labor tirelessly year-round to develop courses.

You’ll also find some new co-chairs’ names, OLLI members whose enthusiasm and special interests have prompted them to join the exciting planning process. When we asked them to tell a little about their backgrounds and interests, these are their responses in their own words:

Dorothy Gudgel:  Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages:
 “I first joined OLLI in the fall of 2018 when I retired as an adult education English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher with the Fairfax County Public Schools. An avid reader and lifelong lover of literature, my heroes have always been writers, dating back to my college days. . . I am very happy to assist with Literature Planning committee in Reston!” 

Linda Harber:  Art and Music:
“I joined OLLI in 2018 after retiring from George Mason University as their VP of Human Resources, Payroll and Faculty/Staff Life. We used to promote OLLI at our annual Retirement Benefits Fair. . . I have always loved music, arts and theater. . . and was so happy to get back to them in retirement. OLLI and Friends of Music at Mason (FOMM) have brought these back to me.”

Christine Narbut:  Art and Music:
 “. . .I joined OLLI because of the variety of class offerings, including water-color classes. . . I had recently retired from the Fairfax County Health Department. . . and found in OLLI an incredible variety of challenging educational programs. As a registered nurse and educator, I am excited to be a member of the OLLI community and participate in the health, talents, and education that the OLLI community offers its members.”

Notice also that some other names have been added to our co-chairs lists fairly recently:
  • Marvin Singer: Economics and Finance
  • Mark Dodge and Michele Romano: Science, Technology, and Health
  • Linda Bergman: Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages.
We’re so grateful to our program chairs for their ongoing efforts to produce an engaging, robust program. And we invite all OLLI members to join the planning process. These groups meet several times a year on Zoom. Watch for announcements in E-News, Connections email, and daily schedules. You are cordially invited to tune in, find out how your program is made, and participate in the process.

Computer Club

3rd Saturday, May 15 via Zoom
Offline Maps for Android Devices
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, May 15 via Zoom. Program activities begin at 1:00.

Offline Maps for Android Devices – Presented by John Krout. All map apps for portable devices depend on two data sources: GPS signals from satellites, and map images from cell towers.
Have you ever visited an area where cell phone service is spotty or simply not available? There are many such places in the US, including popular national parks. That condition makes it difficult to use apps such as Google Maps or Waze to navigate. Those apps depend on downloading maps via cell towers; they stop displaying maps when cell towers are not accessible.

John’s demo will show you how two Android map apps can use offline maps, meaning maps stored on the phone or tablet. These maps work fine when cell tower service is either not available, low bandwidth, or when demand exceeds supply, meaning a crowd is overtaxing the one and only nearby cell tower. It turns out that downloadable offline maps for the entire US, Canada and western Europe are available online for free.

A frequent OPCUG meeting presenter, John also is the author of many of the articles on the PATACS Zoom reference page, and many PATACS Posts newsletter offerings.

See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 for 2021—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.

Attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 1:00. Please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 794756, or enter meeting ID 948 9296 8399 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode.

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Photography Club

John Olsen and Edward Marion,
Photography Club Coordinators
Local Wildlife Photographer to Speak
at the OLLI Photo Club

Sometimes, our passion for something manifests itself in many ways, and occasionally, that which we become passionate about begins to define us.

At the next OLLI Photo Club meeting on Friday, May 14, attendees will see and hear how one man’s early interests and hobby turned into his passion to educate others about the beauty and importance of our natural environment.

Robert D’Souza, an electrical engineer who has taught that subject for many years in the Fairfax County Public Schools, will discuss his passion for wildlife photography and how he traveled extensively in all seven continents to record his important images, which he uses in teaching about environmental issues.

“I plan to show some of my photographs to emphasize our fascinating world, which for me, never ceases to create a sense of wonder. I hope this inspires one to travel after we’re free to do so again, and discover - and photograph - the marvels of our magnificent planet,” said D’Souza.

Plan to join the next Photo Club gathering at 9:30, Friday, May 14 – on Zoom, of course. The OLLI Daily Schedule will provide information on how to connect.

And remember, the OLLI Photo Club is a free benefit of your membership. It is a wonderful way to improve your photography skills or just see what other OLLI members are accomplishing with their cameras and smart phones.

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Coffee Klatch on May 14 - What’s Next After the Pandemic?

  

  By Toni Acton, Member Services Committee Chair


Join your OLLI friends at the Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch on Friday, May 14, from 10:00 to 11:30 for a bit of online socializing and a lively discussion of OLLI after the pandemic. In-person vs. Zoom classes? Should we continue recording classes? Should vaccinations be required for in-person classes? Register for Event #1104 via the member portal or contact the registrar at [email protected].

OLLI ChatLine Topics for Upcoming Week

 

By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair


Talk with OLLI friends at any time on this 24-7 open ChatLine. Arrange a time to meet friends online or drop in for an organized discussion. We have scheduled a few specific times and topics for chats this week, including:  
  • Monday, May 10, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Cicadas. Love them, hate them? Any memories from 17 years ago to share? Any yummy recipes to share for the red-eyed invaders? Or other socially redeeming attributes to offer? How do they affect your outdoor experiences? Your gardening? Your sleep? 
  • Wednesday, May 12, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Social Networks. We had an interesting class on social networks a week or two ago. It would be interesting to hear what kinds of social networks your membership at OLLI have generated. Have they endured? Changed? If you attended or viewed the presentation, was it relevant to you? (An aside: the chatline is yet another approach to developing and fostering social networks that OLLI is trying out here.) Your thoughts are appreciated.
Look for links to this and any future ChatLine events in your inbox as part of the daily schedule email. Have feedback or an idea on a time/topic? Click here to email Doris Bloch.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Three Apples: Transformed the World

Luscious, golden, scintillating
Mysterious, tantalizing
The forbidden fruit of knowledge
A bite led to Adam’s bondage

Sitting beneath the leafy boughs
Newton awakens from a drowse
An apple falls down with a thud
Nascent notions bloom from the bud

For enlightenment and insight
Steve Jobs' Apple shines a bright light
Newton’s apple, forbidden bite
A symbol of brilliant foresight
                – Chitra Mohla

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 7 through May 17


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


 
Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at [email protected]. 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Mason School of Theater: Luther's Trumpet
Fri, May 28, 8:00
Virtual Event – Professional cast supported by Mason students
REGISTER
Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason School of Dance: Black Voices Screening
Fri, May 7, 7:30
Virtual Event
REGISTER
 
A Song of Freedom: Featuring world premieres by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton and Michael W. Nickens
Sat, May 8, 8:00
Virtual Event
REGISTER
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Manassas Ballet Theatre: Giselle
Fri, May 14, 7:30
Sat, May 15, 2:00
Sat, May 15, 7:30
Sun, May 16, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40 to $70, Buy Tickets.
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.
Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat May 8 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Mon May 10  4:30 pm ChatLine: Cicadas
Tue May 11  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 12
 		  4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Spanish Club
ChatLine: Social Networks
Thu May 13  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Fri May 14
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Craft & Conversation
Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch
Classic Literature Club
Homer, Etc.
Tallwood Book Club
Sat May 15
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Tue May 18  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 19  4:00 pm Mah Jongg Club
Thu May 20
 		  2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Memoir and More Writing Group
Tai Chi Club
Fri May 21
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
 2:00 pm		 Craft & Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, Etc.
Cooking Club
Sat May 22 10:30 am Tai Chi Club

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About OLLI E-News

Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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E-News-April-30-2021

by

OLLI E-News April 30, 2021
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
April 6 Class on Literature and Society in Victorian England, One of Eight by Kay Menchel, English Literature Instructor

April 30, 2021

Editor of the Week: Sheri Siesseger
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Annual membership meeting and first day of voting in Board of Directors election, Friday, May 7; detailed information is available at this link.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 7; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 4, at 6:00.

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From the Desk of the Executive Director–Research Study Participation Opportunity


By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director

 

Amy Adams, executive director of Mason’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation, is offering an opportunity for OLLI members to participate in a series of surveys to support COVID-19 research in Virginia. Her previous interactions with members led her to expect us to enjoy this fun research study.

The Mason Institutional Review Board has approved the following subject and description of the study:

Subject: COVID-19 Impact Study for Residents of Virginia

Description: COVID-19 has touched all of us in different ways. COVIDsmart is a digital health study led by George Mason University, Eastern Virginia Medical School – Sentara Healthcare Analytics and Delivery Science Institute (HADSI), and Vibrent Health. The study is looking for individuals to share feedback about their experiences with COVID-19 in order to help public health leaders better respond to the pandemic and future public health crises.

You can participate in COVIDsmart by completing surveys on your computer or mobile device from wherever you are. Your data is securely collected. All answers are privacy-protected. It will take about 25-35 minutes to complete the initial set of surveys, and you can expect to contribute around 45 to 60 minutes each month.

By taking this survey, you will be automatically entered to win a $50.00 gift card. There will be 20 drawings a month for eight months. An extra entry is earned with each survey finished. There will also be four drawings for a $500.00 gift card for anyone who completes the entire study. Participants will be eligible to win one (1) $50.00 monthly gift card and one (1) $500.00 grand prize gift card.

Join the study or learn more here: https://www.covidsmartstudy.org/.

Contact the study team Monday through Friday, 9:00–5:00 EST.
Phone: 757-446-7991
Email: [email protected]

Thank you.
The COVIDsmart Research Team

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Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary


By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President


In 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year.

April 30
Founding member Audrey Markham-Sullivan reminds us that having the George Mason University president’s wife (Joanne Johnson) teach a class on literature led to the university giving our institute space at Tallwood.

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Election Procedure: How to Vote for Board of Directors Candidates


By Rita Way, Nominating Committee Chair
 

There are eight candidates for the five vacant positions on the Board of Directors. Their photos and bios are easily accessible on the candidate page of our OLLI website at this link.

Recognizing the accuracy, convenience, and efficiency of electronic balloting, the bylaws allow for electronic transmission. Because of the current pandemic crisis, members are able to use only this method of voting. You will receive a link by email on May 7, 2021, by noon to cast your ballot. The link will remain active until you have cast your ballot or until noon on Friday, May 21. If you do not receive an email on May 7, contact the OLLI office ([email protected]).
 
If you have questions about the election process, contact Rita Way at [email protected].
OLLI Ink Invites You to Browse
By Caroline McNeil, OLLI Ink Editor
Like any magazine that invites page turning, OLLI’s annual literary journal has something new and engaging at every turn—and the turning takes just a click of your mouse. Now online as a “flip-doc,” OLLI Ink 2021 is accessible via this link.
 
With pieces as short as haikus and as long as memoirs and stories, the writing comes from a wide spectrum of OLLI members, including, but not limited to, those in the writing workshops. This year, photos from OLLI’s Photography Club also engage the reader and reward browsing.
 
So, browse to find out what it would be like to be stuck alone at night on a flooded road during the monsoon season in India; to lobby Members of Congress in person at the Capitol Building; to trace your father’s experience in the Battle of the Bulge; to take your family dog to live in Ghana.
 
Turn the page to discover a Corona Rap (“yes, jack, we were bushwhacked…”) a ballad about the five-string banjo; a poem in support of semicolons;;;;;; another about stardust (yes, real stardust) in our everyday lives; a poem about the ancient Chinese Magic Square; poems contemplating current events and a white man’s angst; a poem in the form of a French Huitain.
 
Keep turning and you’ll come across stories—about an invisibility potion; playing basketball at age 81; a family argument overheard; the mystery of a neighbor’s disappearance . . . and more.
 
Happy browsing!
History Club Meeting Announcement


By Elizabeth Lambert, History Club Coordinator


The last meeting of the History Club until next fall will take place on Wednesday, May 5 at 4:00. Our speaker will be Peter Ansoff, and his subject is intriguingly titled “A Flag That Never Was: The Origins of the ‘First Navy Jack.’” Peter says that the flag, with its stretched-out rattlesnake and 13 red and white stripes, is a familiar image in American history books, and the Navy has flown it since 1976 to commemorate its heritage. However, as we shall learn, the flag appears to be an accidental invention by 19th century historians. As OLLI members know, Peter’s presentations are always full of interesting facts that hinge on unexpected twists and turns. As usual, we will meet by way of Zoom, and you won’t want to miss this presentation.
Tallwood Book Club


By Betty Ellerbee, Tallwood Book Club Coordinator


The Tallwood Book Club will be discussing these selections during May and June. The Zoom meeting time remains 2:30 to 4:00 on second Fridays of each month.
 
May 14: The Devil's Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea
June 11: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
 
Questions? Contact Betty Ellerbee at [email protected].
OLLI ChatLine Scheduled Topics
By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair
Talk with OLLI friends at any time on this 24-7 open ChatLine. Arrange a time to meet friends online or drop in for an organized discussion. We have scheduled a few specific times and topics for chats this week, including:
  • Monday, May 3, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Mystery authors, books, TV series. Share your favorite genres, and characters. 
  • Wednesday, May 5, 4:30-5:30—Topic: OLLI Clubs. Do you know about our 25 clubs? Some are ongoing in virtual mode; a few are on hiatus. Do you belong to any? Support any? Have suggestions for improving them or adding new ones? Do you want your club to return to the classroom—perhaps as a pilot in our gradual return to face-to-face interaction? Your thoughts are appreciated.
Look for links to this and any future ChatLine events in your inbox as part of the daily schedule email. Have feedback or an idea on a time/topic? Click here to email Doris Bloch. 
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Grow Up, Already!
 

Dennis the Menace is always five.

Full of tricks: will he survive?

Jeremy in “Zits” is sixteen—

Never a man, just a teen.


Will Dennis break a vase, or Margaret’s heart?

Whom will he tease, deceive, or outsmart?

Will Jeremy ever clean his room,

Be nice to his mom, or become a groom?
 

These boys are captured at just one age

We’ll never see them at a later stage.

I, for one, would like to take a peek, then,

to see their future life as grown men.

                                             Joan Lunsford

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Obituary: Phyllis Furdell

Phyllis Furdell, member since 2009, died on December 22, 2020. Her employment field was urban policy; she co-authored a book on how city governments could address unemployment issues. A pastel artist, her paintings reflected her love of cities and her background in urban issues. At OLLI, she enjoyed studying art as well as philosophy and science.

You are invited to attend a memorial service for her to be held on Tuesday, May 18, at 2:00, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA. The service will take place in the church's Memorial Garden where Phyllis' remains will be buried, and everyone is welcome to say a few words during the service. A friend is assembling a remembrance booklet with photos and other items (e.g., examples of her art and poems, articles about her); if you would like to contribute something, send it as soon as possible to [email protected]. Further information is available at this link.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 30  through May 10


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
 

Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at [email protected]. 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

No Performances
Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
 
International Jazz Day
Fri, Apr 30, 8:00
www.youtube.com/channel/UCGcK838C5wFwlXMgknxPr6A/videos or https://cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/international-jazz-day
 
Mason School of Theater: Runaways
Fri, Apr 30, 8:00
Sat, May 1, 2:00
Sat, May 1, 8:00
A. Linwood Holton Jr. Plaza, Fairfax Campus, Mason Pond Area
TICKETS for Fri, April 30, 8:00
TICKETS for Sat, May 1, 2:00
TICKETS for Sat, May 1, 8:00

Strings Chamber Ensemble Concert
Tue, May 4, 6:00
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
 
Mason School of Dance: Black Voices Screening
Fri, May 7, 7:30
Virtual Event
REGISTER
 
A Song of Freedom: Featuring world premieres by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton and Michael W. Nickens
Sat, May 8, 8:00
Virtual Event
REGISTER
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Music International Grand Prix
Sat, May 1, 2:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center

Asaph Dance Ensemble: Reflections to Revival
Sun, May 2, 3:00
Virtual Event
Buy Tickets $60

Hylton Center Celebration of the Arts Alliance
Thu, May 6, 7:00
Virtual Event
REGISTER
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat May 1 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Mon May 3  4:30 pm ChatLine: Mystery Authors, Books, TV Series
Tue May 4  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 5
 
 
 		  4:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 Mah Jongg Club
History Club
ChatLine: OLLI Clubs
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu May 6  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Fri May 7 10:00 am Virtual Annual Business Meeting
Sat May 8 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Tue May 11  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 12
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Memoir and More Writing Group
Spanish Club
Thu May 13  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Fri May 14
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Craft & Conversation
Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch
Classic Literature Club
Homer, Etc.
Tallwood Book Club
Sat May 15
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club
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 Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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E-News-April-23-2021

by

OLLI E-News April 23, 2021
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Toni Acton Hosts Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch,
with OLLI Players, April 16

April 23, 2021

Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • The OLLI Ink literary journal is available on the OLLI website; for access, click here.
  • Annual membership meeting and first day of voting in Board of Directors election, Friday, May 7; detailed information is available at this link.
  • Note: A brief obituary for OLLI member Waverly “Corky” Rainey was published in the April 2 E-News (here). More information, including details on a funeral service May 4 at 10:30 at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax, VA, is now available in an external obituary at the Washington Post.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 30; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 27, at 6:00.

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From the Desk of the Executive Director–Fairfax Volunteer Service Awards


By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director


On April 20, OLLI Program Co-chair Kathryn Russell (pictured at right) received an honorable mention award at the Fairfax Volunteer Service award ceremony. Her commendation recognized her service as follows:

"With her positive leadership, OLLI’s extensive programming team works in unity, ensuring balance, quality and abundance across all sites and subjects. Adept in serving preferences, she introduced new teaching concepts like study groups and inter-disciplinary courses. Importantly, she led her team to quickly pivot to online learning spring 2020 when pandemic conditions threatened to shutter OLLI, safeguarding a critical lifeline for older Americans in Northern Virginia."

The award ceremony also acknowledged OLLI Mason’s member volunteers as a group, noting that:

“Hundreds of member volunteers donate thousands of hours each year serving on the Board of Directors, leading programming and administrative committees, and teaching in OLLI classrooms. They set policy, budgets, and goals; they keep the campus and facilities (beautifully) landscaped, safe, and updated with state-of-the-art technology; they design newsletters, manage the website, edit publications, and author literary journals; they provide outreach to attract new members and in-reach to develop community amongst members; they program first-rate curriculum and recruit outstanding teachers. They do this all on their own, for free, with the support of a small part-time paid staff.”

See these citations at this link. It is a pleasure to acknowledge our members' ongoing contributions; thanks to all of you whose volunteer efforts make OLLI great!

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Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary


By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President


In 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year.

April 23
April 8 was the opening date for the first term of classes at Learning in Retirement Institute (LRI), in spring 1991, when 13 classes and three forums (the early name for special events) were offered to 96 members, who paid annual dues of $200.

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Summary Report of OLLI Board Meeting April 16


By Marguerite Johnson, Secretary





President Paul Howard opened the meeting recognizing and thanking departing Board members. Michelle Blandburg and Bill Taylor are completing two terms and Lillian Brooks, Marguerite Johnson, and Diane Stanley are completing one term.

He also recognized and thanked Pat Carroll, Rosemary Lubinski, Marianne Metz, and Bill Taylor for their years of service as committee chairs. There are now openings for the University Liaison, Historian, and chairs of the outreach and strategic planning committees. Please get in touch with Paul if you have an interest in any of these critical committees.

Debbie Engelson, Terri Feldmayer, and Dave Talaber were thanked for volunteering on the Ollizoomhelp member assistance team and for helping members with Zoom and their devices. Nick Wenri has joined the team, which needs help in the Apple ecosystem, particularly in the Mac arena.

President Paul Howard and Executive Director Jennifer Disano met at Tallwood with the Mason design team on April 12th. They reviewed the designs for the ramp between upper and lower levels, improved stairwells, and redesigned kitchen cabinetry. There remain maintenance and repair items to be discussed. The design team has not yet released a timeline for completion of all items. Members are requested not to visit Tallwood until all construction is completed.

Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported that OLLI has a total of 1,053 members, of which 1,041 are full members and 12 are introductory members.

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Notice of OLLI Annual Business Meeting


By Rita Way, Board Member and Nominating Committee Chair


The Annual OLLI Business Meeting is quickly approaching. We want to remind and invite all members to register and attend. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about programming and operations, as well as hearing from the candidates for the Board of Directors.

The meeting will be held virtually on Friday, May 7, at 10:00. Please register for Event 1103 if you plan on attending.

Hope to see many of you there.

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OLLI ChatLine


By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair


Talk with OLLI friends at any time on this 24-7 open ChatLine. Arrange a time to meet friends online or drop in for an organized discussion. We have scheduled a few specific times and topics for chats this week, including:
  • Monday, April 26, 4:30-5:30 Topic: Hybrid Cars, Electric Cars, Self-Driving Cars: your thoughts, pro and con. Should I buy an electric car? Or should I wait for improvements in range, price, reliability? Etc.
  • Wednesday, April 28, 4:30-5:30 Topic: OLLI Class Recordings. Have you accessed them? Are they easy to use? Are they helpful? Should we continue to record and post them even after we return to some classroom participation? How might they be improved? Etc.
Look for links to this and any future ChatLine events in your inbox as part of the daily schedule email. Have feedback or an idea on a time/topic? Click here to email Doris Bloch.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

A Covid Conversation

I’ve got my shots now,
  You’ve got yours too.
Isn’t that great, friend?
  Think of all we can do.

Now we can shake hands,
  Well, not so much,
Our right elbows are
  All we can touch.

Can we go to a ball game,
  Cheer our home team?
No, ‘cause the pitcher
Forgot his vaccine.

Can we go to the beach?
  And work on our tan?
No, ‘cause the Governor
  Hasn’t lifted that ban.

Well, can we just sit
  On this bench and abide?
Only if the bench
  Is at least six feet wide.

You’ve got your vaccine,
  What more can you ask?
Frankly I’d like,
  To rip off this mask.

I’m tired of lock down,
  I’m fed up with Zoom,
I want to rub elbows
  In a loud, crowded room.

I want to travel,
  See gay “Paree,”
Maybe visit Times Square
  Next New Year’s Eve.

I’ve had enough!
  It’s time that we send
These COVID restrictions
  To a well-deserved end.

Still too soon,
  There’s a variant around.
We must stay patient,
  With our ear to the ground.

Hoping to hear
  With faint clarity,
The oncoming hooves of
  Herd immunity.   

OK, I hear you,
I know what you mean,
But if I wait much longer,
I’m going to turn green!

           -- Jim Kelly

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 23 through May 3


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
 

Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at [email protected]. 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

No performances
Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Sibbi Bernhardsson Masterclass, violin
Fri, April 23, 12:30
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
 
Pete Folliard Masterclass, euphonium
Mon, April 26, 12:30
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
 
New Sound Collective, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Symphony Chamber Concert
Mon, April 26, 8:00
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
 
Mason Wind Symphony Concert
Tue, April 27, 8:00
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
 
Dr. Jessica Warren, oboe masterclass
Thu, April 29, 12:00
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
Please email Prof. Foster for Zoom access information.
 
Trumpet Studio Recital
Thu, April 29, 8:00
Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
 
International Jazz Day
Fri, Apr 30, 8:00
www.youtube.com/channel/UCGcK838C5wFwlXMgknxPr6A/videos or https://cfa.calendar.gmu.edu/international-jazz-day
 
Mason School of Theater: Runaways
Fri, Apr 30, 8:00
Sat, May 1, 2:00
Sat, May 1, 8:00
A. Linwood Holton Jr. Plaza, Fairfax Campus, Mason Pond Area
TICKETS for Fri, April 30, 8:00
TICKETS for Sat, May 1, 2:00
TICKETS for Sat, May 1, 8:00
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Mason Opera - Acts of Love and Marriage
Sat, Apr 24, 8:00
Sun, Apr 25, 3:00
TICKETS for April 24
TICKETS for April 25
 
Asaph Dance Ensemble: Reflections to Revival
Sun, May 2, 3:00
Virtual Event
Buy Tickets $60
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat Apr 24 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Mon Apr 26  4:30 pm ChatLine: Hybrid/Electric/Self-Driving Cars
Tue Apr 27  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 28
 		  4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Spanish Club
ChatLine: OLLI Class Recordings
Thu Apr 29
 		  4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 30
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am		 Craft & Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Sat May 1 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Tue May 4  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed May 5
 
 		  4:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 6:00 pm		 Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu May 6  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Fri May 7 10:00 am Virtual Annual Business Meeting
Sat May 8 10:30 am Tai Chi Club

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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 Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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E-News-April-16-2021

by

 
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Christian Godart, Docent at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Presents Women in Aviation, March 31 

April 16, 2021

Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Reminder: The OLLI Personal Computer User Group (OPCUG) meets Saturday, April 17 (tomorrow), at 1:00; click here to join the webinar and use passcode 093811.
  • Spring-term registration continues on a space-available basis (click here). A few spring-term courses have been added, changed, or canceled since catalog production; click here for a full list.
  • Annual membership meeting and first day of voting in Board of Directors election, Friday, May 7; detailed information is available at this link.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 23; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 20, at 6:00
Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former PresidentIn 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year.April 16In February 1993, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution “That…Commonwealth’s institutions of higher education be encouraged to support the establishment of Learning in Retirement Institutes and organizations.” The resolution was introduced by Delegate Ken Plum in the House and by co-sponsor Senator Joseph Gartlan in the Senate.

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Presentation to Mason’s School of Music By Michelle Calhoun Blandburg, Member of OLLI Board and Friends of Music at Mason The Friends of Music at Mason Newsletter for April 2021 includes the third installment of my series on Erroll Garner and my father Eddie Calhoun. My father was the bassist of the Erroll Garner Trio for more than 10 years. The article is different because it includes my father's own words and recollections verbatim taken from his unpublished memoir Big-Time Sharecroppers. Following the article, there is also information about the lecture I will be presenting (via Zoom) about Erroll and Daddy to George Mason's School of Music on Monday, April 26, 2021, from 12:30 to 1:30. To see the article and its following information on the lecture, click here. If you are interested in seeing my lecture, please email Dr. Darden Purcell at [email protected]. Dr. Purcell will provide you with Zoom access information. Please feel free to share this message with any jazz lovers who might be interested. All are welcome! I hope you enjoy my efforts to share this history and to honor both Erroll Garner and my father Eddie Calhoun!
Reston Book Club Meeting By Nancy Scheeler and Luci Martel, Reston Book Club CoordinatorsThe Reston Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 29, 4:00, via Zoom. The selection will be Moonglow by Michael Chabon. It unfolds as the deathbed confession of a man to his grandson and chronicles the life of Chabon’s grandfather, a World War II soldier, engineer, and rock enthusiast, who marries a troubled Jewish survivor from France and lives a challenging, wandering life in postwar America.
OLLI ChatLine Specific Topics and Times By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair Talk with OLLI friends at any time on this 24-7 open ChatLine. Arrange a time to meet friends online or drop in for an organized discussion. We have organized a few specific times and topics for chats this week including:
  • Monday, April 19, 4:30-5:30—Your thoughts on returning to the classroom vs. staying on Zoom. How would you like to see OLLI's classes delivered post-pandemic? Contribute feedback on your preferences or suggestions for the transition
  • Wednesday, April 21, 4:30-5:30—Do you think that George Mason University should change its name to disassociate with Mason's plantation history? What are your thoughts on changes to the local history names associated with the Confederate cause? Jefferson Davis Highway? John Mosby Highway? Robert E. Lee High School?
Look for links to this and any future ChatLine events in your inbox as part of the Daily Schedule email. Have feedback or an idea on a time/topic? Click here to email Doris Bloch.

Photo of the Month
Streaking Fast RacerThe April 2021 Photo of the Month theme was Motion. We selected Edward Marion's photo "Streaking Fast Racer," 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 Ed Marion, Photography Club Coordinators

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Wistfulness I used to dream that I could fly just think myself into the air escape Earth’s gravity as easily as a bird, a bat, a butterfly. I’d be amazed to find myself away up there above the house, the town, the state near to the stratosphere tween light and dark so high the air was thin a place where quiet reigned and all was possible. Then I’d hear a harsh voice speak: You don’t belong in this exalted realm. Suddenly I’d crash to earth not float but plunge and wake.

                                        Carolyn F. Wyatt             

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Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, A recent OLLI Communicator led me to the frivolous suggestion that someone should do some research and perhaps write a story for the OLLI E-News. Every time I see the following classroom tips, I think there must have been some interesting incidents which prompted these repeated warnings: Zoom Classroom Tips Always Remember... Remain muted when not speaking. Dress appropriately; you may be on camera. Avoid distracting activities while attending class. I'd write the story myself, but I don't know what behavior prompts those reminders and I'd resort to my imagination to describe my classmates interacting lasciviously with their video turned on or shouting "Hogwash!" while unmuted during an authoritative philosophical lecture. Don't let my mind wander to the possibilities of what might have been an example of failure to dress appropriately. Besides, I'm too busy to investigate because I enrolled in too many classes. And "no homework" is a myth. Nothing truly disruptive has occurred in any of the classes I have been taking. That's why I am amused that someone apparently thinks the repeated reminders are needed, and then I try to imagine what could have happened to necessitate the original warnings. My imagination is overactive and a bit warped.      -- Ms. I. M. Bemused Dear Ms. Bemused: We may resemble your “overactive and warped” imagination—what’s wrong with that? Some of us have lived with that for years! We have seen the problem of people not muting themselves after asking a question or making a comment. And, of course, there is the perennial problem of off-topic comments, and those haven’t anything to do with Zoom. There seem to be remarkably few instances of bad behavior in Zoom sessions—just occasional instances of unmuted distracting noises, almost always quickly corrected. There have been unmuted ringing phones (sometimes belonging to the instructor!), conversations with people not in the class, barking dogs, etc. In these cases, the OLLI site assistant usually mutes everyone. Thankfully, we haven’t seen instances of inappropriate dress. We wonder if the continued reminders in the communicator might be just that—“continued reminders” and filler! Perhaps the authors of the Communicator can enlighten us if there have been problems. Thank you for your letter. The Editorial Team

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 16  through April 26
By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
 
Virtual Performances Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at [email protected]. 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues The Barclay Brass A. Linwood Holton, Jr. Plaza, Mason Pond Area Sun, Apr 18, 3:00 TICKETS
Mason Student & Faculty Performances (see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals) GMU Tuba Euphonium Chamber Ensembles: Concert in the Park Sat, April 17, 11:00 Olney Park Shelter located at 1840 Olney Road, Falls Church Registration information will be posted at music.gmu.edu. Horn Day (Virtual) Sun, April 18, 10:30 Registration will be posted at music.gmu.edu. Sibbi Bernhardsson Masterclass, violin Fri, April 23, 12:30 Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu. Pete Folliard Masterclass, euphonium Mon, April 26, 12:30 Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu. New Sound Collective, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Symphony Chamber Concert Mon, April 26, 8:00 Information will be posted at music.gmu.edu.
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus) Hylton at Home Story Corner: What a Wonderful World Sat, Apr 17, 10:15am Hylton Center Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Asaph Dance Ensemble Thu, Apr 22, 7:15 Hylton Center Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Mason Opera - Acts of Love and Marriage Sat, Apr 24, 8:00 Sun, Apr 25, 3:00 TICKETS for April 24 TICKETS for April 25
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Apr 17 10:30 am 1:00 pm Tai Chi Club Personal Computer User Group
Tue Apr 20  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 21  4:00 pm Mah Jongg Club
Thu Apr 22  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 23    9:30 am 11:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 noon Craft & Conversation Classic Literature Club Homer, etc. Photography Club
Sat Apr 24 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Tue Apr 27  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 28  4:00 pm Spanish Club Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Apr 29  4:00 pm 4:30 pm Reston Book Club Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 30    9:30 am 11:00 am 11:00 am Craft & Conversation Classic Literature Club Homer, etc.
Sat May 1 10:30 am Tai Chi Club

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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 Editor: David Gundry Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel  Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, Jane Hassell 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. Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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