OLLI E-News (Weekly Newsletter)

May 21, 2021

• Alerts & Notices
• Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary
• OLLI ChatLine Topic for Next Week
• Photo of the Month
• Poet's Corner
• Obituary: Richard Pelszynski
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

• The E-News that was distributed last week showed an incorrect date at the top for the date of the issue; the correct date was May 14, 2021.
• Voting in the Board of Directors election ends at noon today, May 21; you should have received a ballot in an email with subject “2021 OLLI Ballot for Board of Directors.”
• Priority registration for the summer term begins May 24 and continues through June 1. The online catalog is available at this link.
• The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, June 4; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, June 1, at 6:00.

By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President

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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 one specific time and topic for a chat this week:

• Monday, May 24, 4:30-5:30—Topic: Genealogy. Do you know where your ancestors were born?

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Photo of the Month

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May 14, 2021

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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By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President

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By Nancy Scheeler and Luci Martel, Reston Book Club Coordinators

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By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair

• 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.

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May 14, 2021

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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By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President

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By Nancy Scheeler and Luci Martel, Reston Book Club Coordinators

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By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair

• 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.

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May 7, 2021

• Alerts & Notices
• Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary
• Kudos to OLLI Program Planning Chairs
• Computer Club
• Photography Club
• Coffee Klatch on May 14 - What’s Next After the Pandemic?
• OLLI ChatLine Topics for Upcoming Week
• Poet's Corner
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

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.

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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.

Computer Club

3rd Saturday, May 15 via Zoom
Offline Maps for Android Devices

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.

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Photography Club

John Olsen and Edward Marion, Photography Club Coordinators

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

 

• 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.

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April 30, 2021

• Alerts & Notices
• From the Desk of the Executive Director
• Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary
• Election Procedure: How to Vote for Board of Directors Candidates
• OLLI Ink Invites You to Browse
• History Club Meeting Announcement
• Tallwood Book Club
• OLLI ChatLine Scheduled Topics
• Poet's Corner
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

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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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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By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President

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By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-chair

• 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.

Meetings & Clubs

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April 23, 2021

• Alerts & Notices
• From the Desk of the Executive Director
• Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary
• Summary Report of OLLI Board Meeting April 16
• Notice of OLLI Annual Business Meeting
• OLLI ChatLine
• Poet's Corner
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

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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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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By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President

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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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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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• 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.

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Meetings & Clubs

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