For two years now, we’ve become accustomed to Zoom classes. We’ve learned to appreciate all their advantages, especially the chance to continue with OLLI program in spite of Covid restrictions. As always, OLLI programmers have done a fabulous job of providing a wide array of courses.
But now we can return to real classrooms and actual in-person courses. Once again, we see familiar faces, recognizable even despite masks. And no more annoying health form to fill out each time we come to campus. It is wonderful to chat with friends and greet students who are new to OLLI. I spoke with a member who was delighted to come to the campus for the first time, though she had joined OLLI over a year ago.
Coming back in person is a joyful experience. In the first two weeks, I’ve had the chance to attend a literature class with one of our favorite Mason professors and to have actual discussions. Amazing; that hasn’t happened in two years. In the Music Sampler class, also a favorite of OLLI students, I’ve heard a live concert and also had a class learning how to play the ukulele—a real one in my hands. What fun!
If you haven’t yet taken the opportunity to return to the classroom, you may discover some challenges. You’ll probably have to search for real shoes, as fuzzy slippers probably will not match the outfit you found in the back of your closet. You may discover a wardrobe you haven’t worn in a couple of years. Will you remember the route to campus, or will you take a wrong turn once or twice? Better allow a little extra time.
But you’ll be glad you made the effort. Have a look at in-person classes coming up. It’s easy to sign up online for additional courses. And in-person courses are easy to find—just look for those without a “Z” in the course number. Check the weekly Communicator for the list of cancelled or rescheduled classes. Then join us for a real classroom experience. Pure joy!
OLLI Board of Directors Election Voting Starts in Three Weeks
Bob Heyer, Board Member and Election Committee Chair
Voting starts May 6 in the election for five positions on the OLLI Board for the next three years. Here are the candidates for the Board.
To read the bios of the candidates, go to the OLLI website at olli.gmu.edu, then click on Board of Directors Candidates. On Friday, May 6, the candidates will be at the Zoom OLLI annual membership meeting at 10:00. They will introduce themselves and take questions. The election will begin at noon on May 6.
If you need more information, please contact our OLLI Election Committee Chairman, Bob Heyer ([email protected]) for details.
By Nancy Scheeler and Luci Martel, Reston Book Club Coordinators
The Reston Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 21, at 4:00, via Zoom. The selection will be: The Promise by Damon Galgut, winner of the 2022 Booker Prize.
The Promise is a menacing and funny portrait of present-day descendants of Dutch settlers who are desperately holding onto their farm and status in post-apartheid South Africa. The novel explores inheritance, legacy, colonialism, apartheid, and questions about who belongs.
The ultimate question that the novel pursues is: “Is justice—true justice—possible in this world; if so then what might it look like?”
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A, Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Among the great Mason jazz concerts coming up in April is the following one (with two shows) next week. Mark your calendars! Darden Purcell & Shawn Purcell LIVE at BLUES ALLEY
Wednesday, April 20, 8:00 and 10:00 shows
Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave, Washington DC 20007 https://www.bluesalley.com/
Darden Purcell and Shawn Purcell return LIVE to Blues Alley for their first show in two years at Washington DC's most historic jazz club, Blues Alley. Joining them will be Eric Harper (bass), Kevin McDonald (drums), and special guests from Mason jazz studies!
The April 2022 Photo of the Month theme was Macro/Close-Up. We selected Susan Van Hemel's photo "Tiger on Zinnia" 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
Dr. Barry Berkey, long-time OLLI member, passed away quietly in his sleep April 12. He first joined OLLI in the fall of 1998 and taught the Life Story writing class.
Dr. Berkey was formerly associated with the George Mason University English Department. In recent years the department gave an annual prize, the Dr. Barry Berkey Personal Essay Award, to an English major in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences based on a short personal essay.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Monday, April 18, at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042. Please join Velma and family for the memorial service, followed immediately by a reception. The funeral home is located adjacent to King David Memorial Gardens (see map).
Current vaccination policy for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center is summarized as follows:
Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result will be needed through May 1. Beginning May 2, audience members will not be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result for most events except when required by the event organizer or artist. If proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result is required for a specific event, it will be indicated on the webpage with event details. Face coverings continue to be required at all events.
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.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Maria Schneider
Sat, Apr 16, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $46, $39, $28.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with Simone Dinnerstein
Sat, Apr 23, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $65, $55, $40.
Mason School of Theater: In a Sentimental Mood, The Music of Duke Ellington
Fri, Apr 15, 8:00
Sat, Apr 16, 2:00 and 8:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A105, Theater Space
Admission: $20, $10 seniors.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates; also, check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for event information.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week 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 16
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Tue Apr 19
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 20
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Bridge Club
Thu Apr 21
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 22
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat Apr 23
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Apr 26
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 27
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Apr 28
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 29
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
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, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: [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. An Amazon Smile Link appears here. When you shop using the Smile link designating OLLI as your charitable choice, we'll receive a 0.5 % donation, based on the value of your purchase.
Obituary: Dr. Barry Berkey
