By Christine Narbut, Watercolor Painting Instructor
This past spring, a new Introduction to Watercolor Painting class took place in room TA‑1 at OLLI Fairfax. This class was offered in person and through Zoom. Color mixing and the use of brushes and washes to create exciting paintings were some of the techniques demonstrated.
This fall, the watercolor class will continue to build on the skills from the spring class; the fall class will review some of the skills and techniques shared in the spring class. Consider this class if you always wanted to try watercolor painting.
In addition, artists join together during the term with others at Dabbling Artists and between terms at Annex Art. This fall, Dabbling Artists will be in person; between terms, Annex Art will be Zoom only. See the fall catalog for more information.
Below are some paintings from class participants in the spring term.
By Carolyn Kramer, Special Events Program Planning Group Member
Over the years, many OLLI members have ventured out on a variety of OLLI day trips. If you are among those participants, you are aware of the opportunities that these excursions provide for experiencing and learning about the destinations and for forming new friendships.
For example, this spring, three trips were enjoyed by those who joined in on the jaunts to several Virginia destinations:
In March we traveled to Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County for a spectacular and enlightening tour led by an archaeologist/historian/staff member at this birthplace of Robert E. Lee.
In April we ventured to Locust Grove to tour the tiny Fort Germanna Visitor Center which documents the history and settlement of that area by German settlers in the 1700s. This stop also included an introduction to the site’s archaeology center. That afternoon we toured Belmont, the Falmouth County home and studio of artists Gari and Corinne Melchers.
Then in June, between terms, we went west to Rosemont Manor in Berryville to learn about the property's history, followed by a three-course tea and a self-guided tour of the mansion’s rooms, each named for a well-known person who stayed there.
(Photos by Phyllis Krochmal, Dottie Lamb, Ann Smith)
If you have not yet tried an OLLI trip, you are encouraged to look into the new offerings for this fall. Look toward the back of your OLLI catalog. You just might find something that whets your curiosity!
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, August 20, in person and via Zoom. You must observe OLLI/GMU Health protocols (see this link). Program activities begin at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Streaming Audio Using VLC (Video LAN Client) – Presented by John Krout
This presentation covers four related topics: 1. How to prepare a Windows computer firewall to enable VLC to receive incoming requests to listen to an audio stream. 2. How to prepare, save, and update a VLC playlist. 3. How to stream a playlist of songs using VLC (This is needed because the VLC streaming interface will play only one file at a time, even though it allows the user to specify multiple files to be played). 4. How to use a music player application such as VLC or VirtualRadio to receive streaming audio from a computer on a home network. In a prior Learn in 30, Internet Radio on the Road – Safely, John demonstrated adding a station to VirtualRadio. For this meeting, he will demonstrate the capability for the audience present in Tallwood TA‑1 by streaming a VLC playlist from his laptop. Bring along your smart phone with VLC or VirtualRadio installed to listen!
John Krout is a regular presenter at our meetings, and a prolific author of articles appearing in the PATACS Posts newsletter.
Learn in 30: Introduction to Advanced Mousing: Windows Context Menus – Presented by Gabe Goldberg
Though PC mice have two main buttons, people mostly use the left one. In fact, Microsoft quotes research showing that 75% of Windows users don't use the right button at all. But almost everywhere in Windows, right-clicking displays a shortcut menu, also called a context menu, displaying actions and options available in the "context" of the object clicked. These handy actions/options can greatly improve productivity. Don't ignore powerful right-click!
Gabe Goldberg had a career as an IT professional and as a writer for AARP and other publications. He presents to groups across multiple states in his role as regional representative for APCUG (Association for Personal Computer User Groups).
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 for 2022—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 816743 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 823 0941 3026 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode.
William David Brewster of Oak Hill, VA, member from summer 2008 to 2018, died on July 15. At OLLI, Bill was a long-time participant in the Tom Crooker Investment Forum.
Bill was drafted into the Army in 1967. He subsequently attended the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant; he served in that capacity and in the Army Chemical Corps until leaving the service as a first lieutenant in 1968.
Bill married Linda Brady in June 1968. He subsequently received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fordham University. He worked in the chemical industry and later in digital telecommunications.
After moving to Oak Hill, VA, Bill belonged to the Tau Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (Herndon, VA). His brothers and sisters from the Tau Fraternity will host a Franciscan wake on August 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 at Adams-Green Funeral Home at 721 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170.
A memorial mass will be held from 11:00 to noon on August 12, at St. Joseph Catholic Church located at 750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170. Interment will be immediately thereafter at Chestnut Grove Cemetery at 831 Dranesville Road, Herndon, VA 20170. All are Welcome!
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 6
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Aug 8
9:30 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Mah Jongg Club
Tue Aug 9
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Aug 10
2:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Aug 11
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Aug 12
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:30 am
2:30 pm
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Cooking Club
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Aug 13
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Aug 15
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Poetry Club
Tue Aug 16
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Aug 17
10:30 am
Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Thu Aug 18
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Meeting
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Aug 19
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.
William David Brewster of Oak Hill, VA, member from summer 2008 to 2018, died on July 15. At OLLI, Bill was a long-time participant in the Tom Crooker Investment Forum.
