Dr. Lee De Cola Analyzed Six Series of Data Starting 1950 and Before, Seeking Patterns (e.g., Growth Acceleration) that May Offer Insight into Climate Change and Other Challenges; Winter Term 2022
What are OLLI Program Planning Groups
and What do they Do?
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co‑chair
I'm so happy you asked! The OLLI program planning groups are OLLI member volunteers responsible for reviewing and selecting course proposals each quarter. There are ten program planning groups, each responsible for a specific topic. You will find them listed in the Table of Contents of each OLLI catalog. The members meet regularly to brainstorm ideas for course presentations, discuss possible presenters, create courses, and contact instructors for possible future classes. In addition, each program planning group reviews course proposals submitted independently by interested persons who desire to share their expertise. Courses are discussed and confirmed by program associates who keep track of classes and determine their scheduling.
Who can join a Program Planning Group? Anyone interested in supporting a particular course topic may join a program planning group. We rely on personal and professional contacts and on the ability to encourage people to present courses at OLLI. Program planning group members often work together to create, support, or present a class. Program planning groups are currently meeting via Zoom.
Keep in mind that no presenter receives monetary compensation for teaching at OLLI Mason. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each of our instructors.
For information regarding joining the Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group, contact: Camille Hodges [email protected] or Peggy O’Brien [email protected].
By Dan Feighery, Photography Club Member, and Edward Marion, Photography Club Co-Coordinator
On June 22, three OLLI Photography Club members installed an extensive display of Senior Olympics photographs taken by club members at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington. Shown in the photo at the left is facility manager Teresa Taylor with Photography Club coordinators Ed Marion and John Olsen in front of one of two arrays of photographs mounted at the center.
Why do we find sports photography so appealing? It's the anticipation of capturing that single fleeting moment in the action when a bat connects with a ball, or while a person soars through the air performing the running long jump, and in recording their determination to succeed in the heat of the action.
The OLLI Photography Club welcomes persons who either have an interest in sports, or who desire to improve and build upon their photography skills, to join us when we photograph upcoming Northern Virginia Senior Olympics events scheduled between September 10 - 24. If you would like to join us, contact Photography Club coordinators John Olsen ([email protected]) or Ed Marion ([email protected]). Additional information can be found at the club’s website https://olli.gmu.edu/photography-club-overview/ and the information site for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics https://nvso.us/.
Club Outreach Part 2: On June 28, one of us (Ed Marion) and club member George Bradshaw installed an exhibit of more Senior Olympics photos taken by the Photography Club at Oak Marr Recreation Center in Oakton (illustration below). Special thanks to Megan Baker, Oak Marr manager, for graciously supporting us.
The Tallwood Book Club will hold its July Zoom meeting on July 8 at 2:30. The July book for discussion is Susan, Nina, Linda and Cokie by Janet Napoli.
The August selection is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi.
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
Dr. Spencer Crew is looking for a few OLLI members to work with his “History of the Family” fall course. Those of us who experienced intergenerational dialogue with his students in previous years found it personally rewarding.
This collaboration would require at least two meetings with two students assigned to you by Dr. Crew. If you are interested in sharing your life stories with university students during the fall 2022 (September-December) term, please contact him at the following e-mail address: [email protected]. He will respond to you with details about the class.
"…Looking at a dogwood does not make you a blossom. Nor can a bridge of sighs span an ocean of despair. For that, you need oars." Devon Balwit
Over a million Americans
Have died of a mysterious virus
In the past two years—
more than died in the tragedy of
World War II.
Many elderly have been walled
Off from their children and grandchildren
Losing the loving touch of
Those they love.
Perhaps one in four has a friend
Or relative who was sick or has passed
And millions face depression.
It is not the young and vigorous
Who are gone, but the sick
And the old are most vulnerable.
The people of color in tough neighborhoods
Those America forgot
And who have borne the brunt of poverty
And homelessness.
A bridge of sighs cannot span an ocean of despair.
Rather we must put our faith in a
Renewed commitment to become
The people that we could be.
We can attack poverty, loneliness, and inequality
And restore a sense of purpose as a nation
So that more, not just the few, can
Share the American dream.
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. 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 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 Jul 2
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 4
Holiday
OLLI Office Closed
Tue Jul 5
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Thu Jul 7
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 8
9:15 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
2:30 pm
Recorder Consort
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Jul 9
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 11
10:00 am
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Tue Jul 12
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 13
2:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Jul 14
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 15
9:15 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
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.
photo at the left is facility manager Teresa Taylor with Photography Club coordinators Ed Marion and John Olsen in front of one of two arrays of photographs mounted at the center.
through the air performing the running long jump, and in recording their determination to succeed in the heat of the action.
in sports, or who desire to improve and build upon their photography skills, to join us when we photograph upcoming Northern Virginia Senior Olympics events scheduled between September 10 - 24. If you would like to join us, contact Photography Club coordinators John Olsen (
