Note: This delivery of E-News is the official copy. You may have received an issue Wednesday night which was sent from the OLLI office in error before the final review and scheduling of delivery. This copy is not very different from that one.
Priority registration for fall 2022 is under way, continuing until August 24. The term begins September 19.
Remember that you must register for your clubs each term when registering.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, September 2; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, August 30, at 6:00.
After 16 years of performing, OLLI Players is hanging up its hat. We started as a drama club in 2006 and then went to channel 10. We then started road performances from Haymarket to Alexandria and Loudoun and in between. We performed for the Fairfax Board of Supervisors and were also asked to do scam skits for TV. We performed at libraries, nursing homes, senior centers, memory care homes, independent and assisted living centers, and of course OLLI. We are listed in Northwest Senior Theatre in Oregon and have performed for them in Washington, DC.
In the 16 years, we have written five Murder Mysteries, an Octoberfest Play, two Christmas programs, and a Veterans Day play. We have performed at 35 venues and performed over 70 different pieces of theatre. We have become a family that has changed over the years, and we have lost some beloved members. We kept on going and getting new members all the time. Each member has their own special offering, and it was fun.
From the 16 years, we still have three original members with us, Sandy Lisiewski, Manny Pablo, and me. We laughed and cried and yelled and screamed but the show went on. So, without further ado, the OLLI Players bring the curtain down. Thanks for the memories.
You follow the news every day, right? Of course. On your phone, computer, TV, radio, print news, or wherever. And you have reactions, opinions, emotions, professional insights, and questions about the news you’d like to share, don’t you? Of course. OLLI has just the thing for you. It’s called What’s in the Daily News? (WIDN) Club.
Join us online every Monday morning at 9:30, year-round, for the WIDN Club. The class participants have immense professional expertise in a wide range of areas, including journalism, world affairs, economics, education, politics, the military, law, medicine, and many more areas. The discussion is always lively, respectful, and informative, and everyone gets an equal chance to speak. The group carries on the discussion via email throughout the week, and even has its own Friday afternoon happy hour!
Come and join us this fall—make some new friends—and speak your mind! You can find the WIDN Club listing on page 38 of OLLI’s fall 2022 Catalog.
By Marilyn Harriman, Social Activities Chairperson, and Dick Crawford, Health Advisory Workgroup
As OLLI starts the new calendar year, the Social Activities Program Planning Group is looking forward to hosting social events, either stand-alone or activities in conjunction with clubs and committees.
Social events and food are important to our OLLI experience and we are excited to be getting back together!
The OLLI Health Advisory Workgroup has met and is advising event organizers about food and beverages served on campus.
It is possible to enjoy safe communal dining while practicing social distancing and best practices regarding the handling of food.
There is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. The virus that causes COVID-19 is one that causes respiratory illnesses and is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food.
I think we all know it is much more likely that an infected person will spread the virus through person-to-person transmission rather than contaminated food or food packaging material.
The workgroup advises the following practices:
Food and drink will be served with no direct contact with the food or beverage when served.
Snacks such as cookies and pretzels will be pre-packaged, wrapped in plastic, or available using proper utensils, containers.
Homemade goods may be self-serve as long as proper utensils are available (e.g., spatulas, tongs, spoons, toothpicks), or in individual containers, such as brownies in paper cupcake liners.
Coffee, hot tea, cold beverages can be served in break rooms and classrooms.
Volunteers wearing plastic gloves may serve foods such as pizza.
Health Advisory Workgroup members who are in committees and clubs will serve as resources for food advisory questions and guidelines.
As OLLI restarts social activities on campus, these guidelines will apply to three upcoming events:
OLLI Fall Kick-Off Coffee at Tallwood, September 15, 10-11:30
Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch at Tallwood, October 14, 10-11:30
Halloween Party at Tallwood, October date, time to be announced.
The Social Activities Program Planning Group is looking to expand opportunities for food at future OLLI events. As COVID conditions remain in flux, the Health Advisory Workgroup will review guidelines as part of planning for the future.
Look for news of additional social events on E‑News as well as in the catalog.
Bon Appétit!
If you have questions or comments, please contact Michele Romano, Chair, Health Advisory Workgroup, [email protected].
Current vaccination policy for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center is summarized as follows:
Audience members are not currently 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.
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 sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
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. (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 Aug 20
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Aug 22
9:30 am
10:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Tue Aug 23
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Aug 24
10:30 am
2:00 pm
6:00 pm
Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Aug 25
11:30 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Program Planning Committee Meeting
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Aug 26
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat Aug 27
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Aug 29
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Poetry Club
Tue Aug 30
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Aug 31
10:30 am
Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Thu Sep 1
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Sep 2
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
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
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.
