By Norma Jean Reck,
Chairperson, Nominating Committee
Members of OLLI's Nominating Committee have begun identifying candidates for the Board of Directors and verifying that they are interested in being a candidate for Director. All qualified OLLI members interested in being a candidate must notify the Nominating Committee of your interest by emailing Chairperson Norma Jean Reck at [email protected] no later than Friday, March 7. The qualifications for being a Director can be found in Section B of Appendix A. Director Nomination and Election Procedures of OLLI's Policies and Procedures Manual, which you can find online at olli.gmu.edu, under Documents on the Main Menu.
Photography Club: Award-winning Photographer to Speak
By John Nash, Photography Club Member
Bill Mugg, a local photographer who has garnered many awards, will speak on macro photography at the February 14 OLLI Photography Club (OPC) meeting. In addition to macro photography—or the art of photographing small—Mugg, an accomplished wildlife photographer, will talk about some of his other photographic adventures, including his trip to Brazil's amazing Pantanal area. His photos can be viewed on his website at this link. Mugg, a former Navy officer, resides in Vienna.
Ed Marion, one of the coordinators of the OPC, encourages all members of OLLI to attend this presentation, noting “It's not often that we get speakers of this quality with this broad of a photographic background who can explain his photographic journey and answer questions.”
The OPC meeting begins at 9:30 in person at Tallwood or on Zoom (Zoom codes are available each day in the OLLI daily schedule email.)
The OLLI Photography Club meets twice a month at Tallwood or by Zoom: the second Friday of each month is for photo competitions and presentations, while the fourth Friday is for review and discussion of OPC galleries. All members of OLLI are invited to attend either in person or by Zoom. It's part of your OLLI membership!
By Margie Wildblood and Sophia Elberti, OLLI Ink Co-Editors
OLLI writers—beginners and experienced—take note: OLLI Ink is now accepting submissions, including poems, fiction, personal essays, and memoirs, for its 2025 edition.
Now moving into its 15th year, OLLI Ink is a well-established publication whose contributors come from a wide spectrum of OLLI members, including, but not limited to, those enrolled in writing classes and workshops.
How to Submit: Please send your entries and any questions to both Margie Wildwood at [email protected] and Sophia Elberti at [email protected].
Guidelines:
Poems – please limit number of lines to 30.
Prose – please single space and indent the first sentence of each paragraph; limit number of words to 2,500.
Contributions are welcome through the end of March.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in a recent issue. It is repeated here to encourage submissions to OLLI Ink.
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, February 15, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
History of Unix—Presented by Lorrin Garson
Unix is a family of multitasking, multi-user computer operating systems that come from the original AT&T Unix. Initially it was intended to be used within the Bell System itself, but it was licensed to outside parties in the late 1970s, which resulted in numerous variants, such as University of California at Berkeley (BSD), Microsoft (Xenix), Sun Microsystems (SunOS/Solaris), IBM (AIX) and others. Arguably, it is the most influential operating system to date.
Lorrin Garson had a long career in technical publishing of chemical information. His previous presentation topics included cryptography, encryption of personal data, cloud storage, and the origins of personal computers.
Learn in 30: KVM Switches & Computer Speakers—Presented by John Krout
A KVM switch is a valuable accessory when you have more than one computer on a desk or table. A keyboard, video monitor, and mouse (KVM) are connected to the switch, and computers are connected also. The KVM switch allows the user to choose a computer to connect to those three desktop peripherals. This can make a huge difference in an apartment or townhouse where space is limited, or whenever a budget prevents purchasing multiple monitors.
The presenter connected his computer speakers to the KVM switch so that those, too, were used by each one of the three computers. In this presentation, you will see a modern KVM switch, the unusual cables to connect the KVM switch to computers, and how to connect a typical analog 3.5mm diameter cylindrical audio plug for speakers to a USB port. His KVM switch has become a KVMS switch.
John Krout is a frequent presenter at our meetings on a wide range of computer, technology and photography topics, and author of many articles for the PATACS Posts newsletter.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2025 (and 2024, if you didn’t get around to paying last year!)—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 952879 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 8124 5733 563 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
Creative Cauldron Opens with Steel Magnolias in its New Home
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
Creative Cauldron is starting the new year in its lovely new home at 127 East Broad Street, Falls Church, with the beloved classic Steel Magnolias. A comedy-drama, Steel Magnolias was written as a tribute to the playwright's sister. It takes place in Truvy's in-home beauty salon in a fictional northwestern Louisiana parish where the friends meet to bond and help each other cope.
Please join the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) on Sunday, February 16 to see the 2pm matinee performance. Discount tickets are $40, with a group of ten people. To date, we need five people. They have reserved a 1st tier section for OLLI, so when you phone 703-436-9948 for tickets, be sure to tell them you are with OLLI to get the discount and be seated with the TLG attendees. Free garage parking is available next to the theater (and Whole Foods). We will have lunch at a close by restaurant at 12 noon.
TLG has a variety of theater events coming up you won't want to miss: The Immigrant, The Secret Garden, Jesus Christ Superstar, Decision Height, and much more. To receive all TLG emails, join the Theater Lovers' Group by signing up online or phoning the Registrar at 703--503-3384, ext. 221.
Editor’s note: At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.
Making and eating potato soup
remains one of the more satisfying activities
as cold days unfold to colder.
I can see Mother now standing
at our old wood stove stirring
somehow I don’t remember her doing
the requisite peeling and dicing
of potatoes and onion, the only real work
of the project. But oh, the joy
of the result. She never blended the chunks
so we could press them to the roofs of our mouths
for full flavor and texture…comfort food
in every sense.
– Jan Bohall
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
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 linkto 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.
Versa-Style Street Dance Company: Rooted Rhythms
Sat, Feb 15, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier III 45 minutes prior to curtain.
A post-performance open session with members of Versa-Style Street Dance Company will take place in the Center’s main lobby. High-energy, low-pressure—all styles welcome. Come get down with us at this celebratory afterparty, DJed by Diyanna Monet!
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
The Acting Company: August Wilson’s Two Trains Running
Sun, Feb 16, 7:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier III 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Faculty Artist Series: Spheres Project
Sun, Feb 16, 3:00
Performers include:
June Huang and Suyuan Carrasco, violin
Alyssa Cabassa, viola
Gerald Fowkes, cello
Taylor Fleshman, harp
Thomas J. Wible, flute
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Elena Moon Park & Friends
Sat, Feb 8, 11:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $15.
Dylan Triplett: Blues and Soul
Sat, Feb 8, 5:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
Robinson Secondary Gala Concert with Vienna Choral Society
Sun, Feb 9, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 Senior.
Virginia National Ballet: Snow White
Fri, Feb 14, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55.
The Acting Company: The Comedy of Errors
Sat, Feb 15, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
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). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
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 Feb 8
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Feb 10
9:30 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Feb 11
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Feb 12
11:50 am
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Thu Feb 13
11:50 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
All the News
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Feb 14
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
2:00 pm
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Feb 15
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 17
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Writing Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Feb 18
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Feb 19
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists Club – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Feb 20
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Feb 21
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
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, Tom 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.
the art of photographing small—Mugg, an accomplished wildlife photographer, will talk about some of his other photographic adventures, including his trip to Brazil's amazing Pantanal area. His photos can be viewed on his website at 
The OPC meeting begins at 9:30 in person at Tallwood or on Zoom (Zoom codes are available each day in the OLLI daily schedule email.)
poems, fiction, personal essays, and memoirs, for its 2025 edition.
was written as a tribute to the playwright's sister. It takes place in Truvy's in-home beauty salon in a fictional northwestern Louisiana parish where the friends meet to bond and help each other cope. 