Correction: In the March 19 E-News, in an article on fall-term course proposals, a link to the OLLI course proposal form did not work. To access the form, click here.
Reminder: There are three special musical events coming up in April at Mason’s Dewberry School of Music recommended by the Friends of Music at Mason. For details and an informative flyer, click this link.
The next Grab ‘n’ Gab virtual coffee will be Friday, April 16, 1:00 to 2:30. It will feature a 30th anniversary trivia game developed by the OLLI Players. Register for event 1102 at the member portal.
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.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published April 9. Submissions are due by 6:00, Tuesday, April 6.
From the Desk of the Executive Director Please Support Friends of OLLI and $30 for 30th Anniversary Fundraisers
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
Recently, the OLLI Board of Directors approved a resolution to raise funds during our 30th anniversary year. The $30 for the 30th campaign is intended to help offset increased costs of equipment for ongoing hybrid learning as explained in the following resolution:
“Since the beginning of COVID-19, OLLI members have not been able to attend in-person classes on any of its campuses. We transitioned to virtual learning via Zoom to allow continuity of program and other activities. Although members miss in-person classes and social gatherings, most have appreciated the addition of remote learning experiences via Zoom. They have enjoyed attending classes at all venues without having to travel to them. In addition, individuals residing in remote locations can attend classes, and some have become members. It is our intention to continue to provide virtual experiences as well as in-person classes, clubs and social events. This will allow for the evolution of our program to include not only in-person and Zoom learning, but also to step forward with hybrid classes. Hybrid classes will allow students to expand their learning opportunities by attending in person and also accessing instruction remotely.”
In order to achieve this goal, we need your help! Please give generously to the Friends of OLLI and especially to the $30 for 30-years campaign. Online donations are preferred. Click this link to Donate Today!
Farewell to Alice Slayton Clark and Welcome to Nancy Klein
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
Alice Slayton Clark, our beloved communications and program associate, is leaving OLLI after eight years to re-enter her career in foreign policy with a new job in international trade policy. A dedicated and innovative staffer, Alice’s contributions have enriched and expanded OLLI’s program two-fold, improved communications both internal and external, and supported partnerships across Mason and the wider community. We thank Alice for her many years of dedication to OLLI and wish her all the best. Alice’s last day is April 8. Nancy Klein will replace Alice. We welcome Nancy and look forward to a seamless transition over the coming weeks.
A bit about Nancy Klein: Originally from North Carolina, Nancy graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1996 with a degree in psychology. She spent five years serving at Fort Bragg, where she met her husband Marty. During that time, Nancy earned a master’s degree in health services administration. Nancy spent the majority of her Army life in the northern Virginia area, focusing on raising three children. Her true passion is volunteering. Nancy’s favorite volunteer activity is raising potential guide dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
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 2
LRI’s founders worked hard and successfully to get newspaper and television publicity. The January 1992 Board minutes reported that TV News Channel 8 would visit LRI, film an excerpt on the class on China, and broadcast it with a live six-minute segment featuring Kathryn Brooks. TV channel 25 would produce a one-hour panel of LRI representatives discussing the Institute with a call-in segment after the presentations.
Notes from the March 19 Board Meeting By Marguerite Johnson, SecretaryThe Board of Directors met March 19. President Paul Howard spoke about how the Audiovisual (AV) Support Committee is considering ways to make available a hybrid program for OLLI. He displayed a newly created OLLI web page named Hybrid Class Resources. Located on the AV Support Committee site under AV System Reference, it describes material being researched by the committee.Communications and Program Associate Alice Slayton Clark will be returning to her career in foreign policy after eight years of employment with OLLI. She was given an annual OLLI membership in recognition of her excellent service to the members. Nancy Klein, who has been serving as a site assistant, has been hired as her replacement.
Charles Silver displayed an impressive brochure sent by AARP to 500 residents in Northern Virginia describing five OLLI classes to be available free of charge this summer. Two of the classes will be available nationwide. Participants will be required to register for each class. Included prior to each class will be a slide with information about OLLI including how to become a member. Executive Director Jennifer Disano hopes this collaboration with AARP will attract new members.
Mason has given specifics about certain repairs at Tallwood which will begin April 1. The drop box on the office door has been sealed, and mail is now being forwarded to a post office box. Members are asked not to visit the Tallwood site while renovations are in progress.
Notice of Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Election By Marguerite Johnson, SecretaryThe annual membership meeting will be held via Zoom at 10:00 on Friday, May 7. The agenda for the meeting will include:
Reports from the OLLI president and executive director;
Brief speeches by the candidates for election to the Board and opportunity to ask questions of the candidates, moderated by the Nominating Committee chair;
Opportunity for general questions and answers.
To attend the meeting, click the following link: Zoom webinar. The webinar ID is 856 9666 5494; the passcode is 010 263. You may dial in instead at 301-715-8592.
The vote for Board of Directors will take place from noon, Friday, May 7, through noon on Friday, May 21.
Election Procedure - How to Vote for BOD Candidates
There are eight candidates for five vacant positions on the Board of Directors. For access to their bios on the candidate page of the OLLI website, click here.
Recognizing the accuracy, convenience, and efficiency of electronic balloting, the bylaws allow for electronic transmission. Because of the current pandemic, members must use this method of voting. You will receive a link by email on May 7, 2021 by noon to cast your ballot. The subject line will read: 2021 OLLI Ballot for Board of Directors. The link will remain active until you cast your ballot or until noon on Friday, May 21. If you do not receive this email on May 7 contact the OLLI office, olli@gmu.edu.
If you have questions about the election process, contact Nominating Committee Chair Rita Way at ritaway27@gmail.com.
History Club Topic is Forgotten Founders By Elizabeth Lambert, History Club CoordinatorThe next meeting of the History Club will take place on Wednesday, April 7, at 4:00. Our speaker will be Heather Dudley discussing the role that Gouverneur Morris played in the writing of the Constitution.According to Heather, Morris was one of the “Forgotten Founders.” These are the men who played important roles in our nation’s founding, but only those who study the Revolutionary era have ever heard of them. We all know Washington, Jefferson, and, of recent musical fame, Hamilton, but there are others whose contributions to the new government have gone unnoticed. Among Morris’ talents: “he loved to talk, he was a great dancer (with only one leg), he was a flirt, and he wrote the Constitution.”
Heather intends to give future presentations on other forgotten founders. All OLLI members and their guests are welcome to attend History Club meetings. You won’t want to miss this one.
OLLI's Computer Club—the OLLI PC User Group or OPCUG—has been holding joint meetings with the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS) since January 2009, with the third-Saturday sessions drawing 500 to 600 attendees annually. On March 20, Roger Fujii, PATACS' treasurer, presented a check for $500 to Angie Talaber, chair of OLLI's Development Committee. PATACS contributions to OLLI since 2010 total $3,250. Three flat-panel monitors for use at the joint meetings and PC clinic sessions were also donated to OPCUG. Ms. Talaber remarked, “OLLI is indeed fortunate to have a group of dedicated and skilled friends such as yourselves.”
On behalf of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, I would like to thank PATACS for its generosity in being an OLLI benefactor for another year. We appreciate the ongoing support during this period of uncertainty and technological challenges.
This donation will be instrumental in helping OLLI adapt to the “new normal” where hybrid classes and distance learning have already replaced the traditional teaching environment.
By John Olsen and Edward Marion,
Photography Club Coordinators
Frank Van Riper will be the guest speaker at the meeting of the Photography Club on Friday April 9 at 9:30. He will discuss his latest book Recovered Memory: New York & Paris 1960-1980, about his experiences doing street photography in both places. The book has had rave reviews in both the New York Times and the Washington Post; its list cost is $45 plus shipping and handling, but it may be obtained at a discount price (e.g., check here). You can email Frank for signed and inscribed copies: GVR@GVRphoto.com). More information about the book is available at this link.
Travelers Wanted By Tom Hady, Trip Tales CoordinatorThe COVID-19 pandemic has left fall- and spring-term Trip Tales series in trouble! Since no one has been able to travel, we are running out of speakers for next fall term, September-November 2021.If you took a trip in the past or have one planned soon and would like to tell about it and show some pictures, now is the time to volunteer. We want to hear about your experiences and see some pictures, but high-level photo skills are not needed. We meet on Monday afternoons, and the current plan is for on-line classes in the fall. If you can join us, contact Tom Hady at tfhady1@gmail.com. But don’t delay—the fall term catalog is already being planned. Thanks!
Criminology Webinar Available via Eventbrite By Paul Westcott, OLLI MemberLike many of you, I have enjoyed several OLLI courses on criminology over the past several years presented or organized by Dr. Cynthia Lum, professor of criminology, law and society at Mason. In one of the courses, there was information provided for a related presentation available through Eventbrite. Since then, I have viewed several other interesting Eventbrite webinars on criminology topics. The most recent of these webinars was held in March entitled “Wrongful Convictions: the Psychology of Human Error in Criminal Justice” with Mark Godsey and Laurese Glover. A recording of this webinar is available at this link.This Eventbrite webinar is not intended to compete with OLLI, but to complement the many wonderful learning opportunities we all have through OLLI.
In chipmunk years this house has spanned five chipmunk generations
(Ten years, per lifetime, Siri says, and yes, I Googled, too.)
I’m older than the house, in age, but we match up quite well.
A sag in well-worn places, a fade of age apparent
Remind us both the bloom of youth is just a memory.
The plumbing could work better both for me and for the house-
We both could use a spruce up here and there.
Yet we have aged in place quite well
And can honestly admit
The neighborhood would miss us if we vanished overnight.
House has new water heater, leak under sink is fixed;
For me, I’m stepping up and out in new red microfiber.
More chipmunk generations are to come
And we are lookin’ good!
Corky Rainey, who joined OLLI in 2011, lost a year-long battle with cancer on March 24. He was a long-time member of the Tom Crooker Investment Forum. He will be missed by his friends at OLLI.
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 atbschoen@gmu.edu. Also, the Center for the Arts has a websiteMason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances. Information can also be found atCFA ticket purchase pageor theHylton ticket purchase page.
Mason Student & Faculty Performances (seemusic.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
Percussion Masterclass with Pablo Rieppi, Mason Alumnus
(BM Performance '92)
Wed, Apr 7, 12:30
Contact Prof. John Kilkenny at jkilken1@gmu.edu for Zoom access
Mason Dance Company: Spring New Dances
Center for the Arts
Fri, Apr 9 and Sat, Apr 10, 8:00 Tickets for Friday Tickets for Saturday
Mason School of Theater: Are you There?
Fri, Apr 9, 8:00 Register
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 3
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Apr 6
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 7
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Apr 8
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 9
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Craft & Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Apr 10
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Apr 13
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 14
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Spanish Club
Thu Apr 15
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 16
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
Craft & Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch
Cooking Club
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Roz Stark
Marian Drohan, Jane Hassell
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. 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.
after eight years to re-enter her career in foreign policy with a new job in international trade policy. A dedicated and innovative staffer, Alice’s contributions have enriched and expanded OLLI’s program two-fold, improved communications both internal and external, and supported partnerships across Mason and the wider community. We thank Alice for her many years of dedication to OLLI and 
wish her all the best. Alice’s last day is April 8. Nancy Klein will replace Alice. We welcome Nancy and look forward to a seamless transition over the coming weeks.
By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President
By Marguerite Johnson, SecretaryThe Board of Directors met March 19. President Paul Howard spoke about how the Audiovisual (AV) Support Committee is considering ways to make available a hybrid program for OLLI. He displayed a newly created OLLI web page named Hybrid Class Resources. Located on the AV Support Committee site under AV System Reference, it describes material being researched by the committee.Communications and Program Associate Alice Slayton Clark will be returning to her career in foreign policy after eight years of employment with OLLI. She was given an annual OLLI membership in recognition of her excellent service to the members. Nancy Klein, who has been serving as a site assistant, has been hired as her replacement.
By Elizabeth Lambert, History Club CoordinatorThe next meeting of the History Club will take place on Wednesday, April 7, at 4:00. Our speaker will be Heather Dudley discussing the role that Gouverneur Morris played in the writing of the Constitution.According to Heather, Morris was one of the “Forgotten Founders.” These are the men who played important roles in our nation’s founding, but only those who study the Revolutionary era have ever heard of them. We all know Washington, Jefferson, and, of recent musical fame, Hamilton, but there are others whose contributions to the new government have gone unnoticed. Among Morris’ talents: “he loved to talk, he was a great dancer (with only one leg), he was a flirt, and he wrote the Constitution.”
since January 2009, with the third-Saturday sessions drawing 500 to 600 attendees annually. On March 20, Roger Fujii, PATACS' treasurer, presented a check for $500 to Angie Talaber, chair of OLLI's Development Committee. PATACS contributions to OLLI since 2010 total $3,250. Three flat-panel monitors for use at the 
joint meetings and PC clinic sessions were also donated to OPCUG. Ms. Talaber remarked, “OLLI is indeed fortunate to have a group of dedicated and skilled friends such as yourselves.”
By Tom Hady, Trip Tales CoordinatorThe COVID-19 pandemic has left fall- and spring-term Trip Tales series in trouble! Since no one has been able to travel, we are running out of speakers for next fall term, September-November 2021.If you took a trip in the past or have one planned soon and would like to tell about it and show some pictures, now is the time to volunteer. We want to hear about your experiences and see some pictures, but high-level photo skills are not needed. We meet on Monday afternoons, and the current plan is for on-line classes in the fall. If you can join us, contact Tom Hady at 
By Paul Westcott, OLLI MemberLike many of you, I have enjoyed several OLLI courses on criminology over the past several years presented or organized by Dr. Cynthia Lum, professor of criminology, law and society at Mason. In one of the courses, there was information provided for a related presentation available through Eventbrite. Since then, I have viewed several other interesting Eventbrite webinars on criminology topics. The most recent of these webinars was held in March entitled “