Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews August 15, 2025

by

OLLI E-News August 15, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
The Bomb, July 28: In a thought-provoking class, Tom Manteuffel reviewed the history and resources devoted in the world to development of thermonuclear weapons that can never be used.

August 15, 2025


Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents
Alerts and Notices
  • Reminder: the OLLI Personal Computer User Group will meet in person at Tallwood, Saturday August 16 (tomorrow), and via Zoom. The Zoom session starts at 12:45.
  • Fall-term registration begins August 19 and continues throughout the term.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, August 29; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, August 26, at 6:00.
 
Celebrating the End of Summer
By Michele Romano and Suresh Mohla
Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group Co-Chairs
 
The Labor Day holiday will soon be behind us, and it will be time to move on. What better way to celebrate than to attend the Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group meeting on Tuesday, September 2, at 10:00. It will only be one hour, and Zoom only, so you can still be there even if you have not left the beach yet. Please join us even if you are not on the committee. And if you would like to be, please consider this a formal invitation.

We will be getting an update on OLLI programming past, present, and future from Shannon, our lead program associate. We need your ideas, insights, and comments (positive or not so positive) on what type of classes you would like to see moving forward. We’re a fun group. Come play with us.

Look for the link in the OLLI daily schedule that morning.

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Share the Wisdom of Your Family Stories with Mason Students


By Camille Hodges, Board Member and Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co-Chair


In the fall of 2025, Dr. Spencer Crew will be offering his Honors Family History Class at Mason and is asking OLLI members to participate by partnering with Mason students. Some OLLI members have had this experience in previous years and highly recommend this meaningful dialogue. Interactions may be done in person or virtually and usually begin in October.

Honors 240: The History of the American Family
NATURE OF THE COURSE AND ITS OBJECTIVES: The definition of family and of the responsibilities of each of its members has evolved over the years. Often economic circumstances, political views, wars and the evolving social beliefs of the society cause these changes. This course will focus on the way the American family has changed since colonial days. We will start with the Puritans and conclude with an examination of views of the family in society today. In the process we will study how the responsibilities of women, children, and men have evolved and why.

In addition, we will learn how oral history can aid in researching family history. One of the requirements will include interviewing older citizens and providing a document of the interview. They will then have it to keep and share with others if they wish.

If you are interested, please contact Dr. Crew at: [email protected] to express your interest and get details.
 
OLLI Wine Trip, October 24



By Bernard Oppel, Wine Trip Coordinator



After a three-year hiatus, the OLLI Wine Trip returns with a spectacular adventure on Friday, October 24. Relax on the chartered bus as we visit Slater Run and Fox Meadow wineries and enjoy a delicious plated lunch at the renowned Field and Main restaurant in Marshall, VA.

Check the announcement for Special Event course 1003E on page 25 of the fall OLLI catalog. Space is limited to 24 participants (plus the trip coordinator). These trips fill up early and require payment with your fall registration, so don’t delay signing up
Photo of the Month
The August 2025 Photo of the Month theme was Open. We selected Cookie (Ellen) Hilert's photo "Iguana," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.
        -- By John Olsen and Edward Marion, Photography Club Co-Coordinators

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Wednesday Conversation Topic for August 20

 

      By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co-Moderators 



Topic for August 20: How have our food preferences changed as we age? Or HAVE they even changed? Some people find that their taste buds can become less sensitive and less numerous. This may affect their sense of taste. Others, over time, may become less interested in cooking or in trying exotic cuisines. This may be true of those of us who live alone and don't often share meals with others. There are some members of our demographic who live in a place where the meals are prepared and provided for residents—how might that affect our eating habits? Finally, and realistically, there are medical conditions and prescribed medications that affect our sense of taste and/or our dietary regimes—low-salt, low-protein diets for example. So, the question of the day is: how have any of these factors affected your eating habits?

This topic was suggested by an OLLI member who often participates in our biweekly conversations.

Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) conducts OLLI members' social conversations on Zoom every second Wednesday at 4:00. The team members have been moderating these sessions for the last three years. The next date is August 20, and any OLLI member may join us to contribute or just to listen in. The Zoom link is always in the OLLI daily schedule.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

grey mourning doves
shake heads joined at the beak
prelude to romance
    bouncy bobbleheads
    remind me of you

        –Susan Bennett

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Obituary: Robert Alexander Persell

Long-time member Robert “Bob” Persell, who joined OLLI in spring term 2002, died on August 4 in Herndon, VA. He graduated from University of Virginia on a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship in 1961 and was commissioned as a Navalofficer. After a distinguished Navy career, he retired in 1985, Bob joined NASA’s prestigious Senior Executive learning and development team. During an 11-year career at NASA, he served as a key member of a strategic planning initiative at Goddard Space Center.

At OLLI, Bob enjoyed taking classes and teaching, especially in the area of the Civil War. To honor Bob's memory, a service will be held at Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, VA on Saturday, August 16 at 10:30. The funeral will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) in Bob's name at www.apdaparkinson.org.

More information is available at this link.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
No Performances Scheduled 


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


There are no performances scheduled for the next two weeks; OLLI is on summer break.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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.

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other 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. 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 16
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Aug 18
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News?
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Aug 19
 
 		  2:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Caregivers Support Group – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Aug 20
 
 
 		 10:30 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Aug 21
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri Aug 22
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Maj Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Aug 23 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Aug 25
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News?
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Aug 26
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Aug 27
 		 10:30 am
12:00 noon		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Thu Aug 28
 
 
 		 10:00 am
11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Art and Music Program Planning Group
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Aug 29
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Aug 30 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus

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.
Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.

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OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

4210 Roberts Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384
Email: [email protected]

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