Highlights of the September Board of Directors Meeting
By Gloria Loew, Secretary
The Board of Directors met on September 16 at Tallwood. President Lillian Brooks noted the in-person fall 2022 coffee klatch held on September 15 to welcome new members. It was a huge success, with more than 40 people attending. People were happy to be back together in person and the room was LOUD! Lillian also announced a retreat for Board members and committee chairs to work toward implementing the new OLLI Strategic Plan; the retreat will be held on November 12.
Michele Romano, chair of the Health Advisory Work Group, reported that the group is focusing on helping OLLI members feel better about coming to campus and participating in person. The group is planning activities and providing communication to keep us informed about COVID. They say that we are safer on the OLLI campus than we can be anywhere else because we are all vaxxed. OLLI members are encouraged to make personal decisions about wearing masks.
Debby Mossburg, chair of the Outreach Committee, noted that the committee is working aggressively and innovatively to increase our membership. They are distributing fliers and catalogs, writing articles for publication in community newspapers, and speaking to organizations that are helping their soon-to-be retirees find new activities.
Paul Howard, chair of the Ad-Hoc Website Committee, stated that the committee is working to make our website more attractive to potential members and more functional for current members.
Toni Acton described efforts by the Welcome Engagement Team to actively welcome new members.
Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported that our current membership is just under 1000 and we are working hard to increase that number. She also noted that Mason facilities staff continue to spruce up Tallwood. They recently fixed TA‑2 after a tree limb came through the roof. Jennifer also described that our programming volunteers are working to beef up our Reston and Loudon classes.
Treasurer David Osterman presented the treasurer’s report, after which resolutions under new business were tabled until the next meeting. This allowed time for the Board members and guests to attend a pizza party lunch at noon.
By Jane Harrison, Healthcare Advisory Workgroup Member
Beginning fall term 2022, it is helpful to assess the state of COVID vaccinations in the US. Although never intended to eradicate the disease, vaccines remain highly effective in lowering fatalities and reducing hospitalizations. Now that federal, state, and local government, business, and institutions no longer mandate restrictions, individuals must now protect themselves and the general public.
In brief, being “fully vaccinated” by government definition typically means that you have received the original two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or one of Johnson and Johnson. The Pfizer and Moderna products are mRNA vaccines, which function as protein information carriers to prompt the body to make specific proteins. They instruct cells to produce the spike protein found on the coronavirus. In turn, this protein prompts the body to make an immune response. In July, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approved Novavax, a more traditional vaccine that contains no genetic material. This vaccine is very similar to protein-based influenza vaccine and may encourage those who have resisted the newer mRNA technology to be more likely to get vaccinated. About 68% of Americans are now vaccinated, and 85% of Fairfax County residents 18 and older, and 77% total of county residents are fully vaccinated.
Cold weather favors Coronavirus and Influenza. Experts expect a moderate resurgence this fall, with a “possible fall wave” in early December. The updated bivalent booster from Pfizer and Moderna (the first vaccine to be updated since the original in 2020), is meant to target Omicron BA-4, BA-5. Dr. Fauci of the NIAID states that if the variant remains BA-5, a major surge is not expected. Some experts feel that side effects may be fewer also, since the dose is lower. The recommendation is to wait approximately two months from your last vaccination or coronavirus infection to get the new booster. OLLI will continue to closely monitor and adjust regulations for in-person attendance as needed.
The bivalent booster is now available. To find a vaccine site, go to vaccinate.virginia.govor call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) Mondays through Fridays to schedule an appointment.
OLLI members are encouraged to keep all their vaccinations up to date, including for pneumonia, hepatitis, and herpes zoster (shingles). You can also receive the new coronavirus booster and the flu shot at the same time. It’s important to remember that both take about two weeks to become fully effective. Vaccination becomes even more important as we age to prevent serious complications of disease; talk to your health care provider about your vaccination status.
For questions or comments, please contact Michele Romano, Chair, Health Advisory Workgroup at [email protected].
Wednesday Conversations with Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch,
Co-Moderators
Everyone is invited to join our Wednesday Conversation series. The Wednesday Conversations allow OLLI Members to chat at a dedicated time, day, and on a topic specific to each week. The goal is to entertain, educate, and socialize within our community of lifelong learners and it promises to be a lot of fun. Certainly, the first one of the series, held on September 14, was great. The topic was "Word Games," and we came up with quite a number; they will be the subject of a future E-News article so that everyone can share in the list.
The second Wednesday Conversation was held on September 21: The Royals (QEII, King Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, spouses, offspring, the future line of succession, the future of the Commonwealth, and the Corgis).
Future dates and planned topics include:
September 28: What's for Dinner? How have your shopping and eating habits changed since the pandemic? Do you think that you will revert back to earlier habits? Are you cooking more or cooking less? Ordering out? Signing up for home delivery of ready-prepared foods or those meal delivery packages? And what about all those sourdough starters?
October 5: Travel – Where have you been recently? Where have you been dreaming of going? What precautions are you taking? Share any horror stories or good experiences with us – we love to hear them. Cancelled trips? Lost luggage? Quarantine stays in foreign surroundings? Tour group feedback? We can all learn lessons from your tales – good, bad, indifferent.
October 12: Mystery Novels, Movies and TV Shows: What are you reading? Watching? Recommendations welcomed. Should OLLI provide a class on mysteries? Is anyone here currently writing a novel? Please share with us.
All of these start at 4:00. Note that they are extensions of our Chat line zoom using the same meeting ID and password, but at specific times/days and on specific topics. Look for the meeting ID and topics on the Daily Schedule email.
If you like to bake or prepare easy-to-make appetizers, come share your skills with OLLI by becoming a member of the Hospitality Committee. This committee is in charge of serving, providing food, and decorating for five events during the year.
We provide finger foods for members' kick-off coffees and meetings. We also plan the holiday luncheon in December and assist with the annual picnic in May. These events introduce new members to OLLI, welcome back current members, provide updates on happenings at OLLI Mason and, best of all, foster socializing with friends.
To join, please contact me at [email protected]. We would love to have you!
(Photos by Paul Van Hemel)
Special Invitation: Join OLLI’s Theater Lovers for Two Upcoming Theater Events
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
Little Women, a Musical: This Saturday, September 24, the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) will attend the 2:00 matinee performance of Little Women, a musical, at NextStop Theatre in Herndon, Virginia. Little Women is "candid, humble, charming, and a great addition to other adaptations like it," according to Broadway World Washington, D.C. "Sure to please any fan of this classic story."
Tickets are $40/person (group rate) and can be charged to your credit card by phoning Nora at 703-298-0667; she will seat our group together. You MUST tell Nora that you are with OLLI's Theater Group to get the group rate. Your guests (who do not have to be OLLI members) can also get the $40 group rate. There are only a few spaces left, so phone Nora ASAP.
NextStop Theatre is a professional company, located at 269 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon, Virginia. There is plenty of free and convenient parking. If you want to carpool, email me at [email protected] to let me know.
We will have an optional post-theater dinner at A Taste of the World restaurant, just steps away from the theater. If you would like to join us, please email me so I can make the reservations.
Masks are required. NextStop has rigorous covid protocols in place.
Ford's Theatre and the Lincoln Assassination: On Wednesday, September 28, from 4:00 to 5:30, TLG will hold its club meeting virtually. Jake Flack, Deputy Director of Education, Ford's Theatre, will present a unique program about Ford's Theatre and the Lincoln assassination. During his presentation, he will answer questions such as: What was Washington, D.C. like for President Lincoln? Who are some of the people that the President met and knew? Flack will give us a close-up look at historical and contemporary images, using maps, photography, and illustrations. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
You are invited to join us for this not-to-be-missed theatrical program from the comfort of your own home.
Mark your calendar: Wednesday, September 28 from 4:00 to 5:30. Look for the Zoom link in OLLI's Daily News email.
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 Sep 24
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Sep 26
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Sep 27
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Sep 28
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Sep 29
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Sep 30
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Sat Oct 1
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Oct 3
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Oct 4
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Oct 5
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
History Club
Thu Oct 6
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Oct 7
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
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.
If you like to bake or prepare easy-to-make appetizers, come share your skills with OLLI by becoming a member of the Hospitality Committee. This committee is in charge of serving, providing food, and decorating for five events during the year.
Little Women, a Musical: This Saturday, September 24, the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) will attend the 2:00 matinee performance of Little Women, a musical, at NextStop Theatre in Herndon, Virginia. Little Women is "candid, humble, charming, and a great addition to other adaptations like it," according to Broadway World Washington, D.C. "Sure to please any fan of this classic story."
Tickets are $40/person (group rate) and can be charged to your credit card by phoning Nora at 703-298-0667; she will seat our group together. You MUST tell Nora that you are with OLLI's Theater Group to get the group rate. Your guests (who do not have to be OLLI members) can also get the $40 group rate. There are only a few spaces left, so phone Nora ASAP.
Ford's Theatre and the Lincoln Assassination: On Wednesday, September 28, from 4:00 to 5:30, TLG will hold its club meeting virtually. Jake Flack, Deputy Director of Education, Ford's Theatre, will present a unique program about Ford's Theatre and the Lincoln assassination. During his presentation, he will answer questions such as: What was Washington, D.C. like for President Lincoln? Who are some of the people that the President met and knew? Flack will give us a close-up look at historical and contemporary images, using maps, photography, and illustrations. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
