An Informative and Entertaining Two-Session Class on PDQ Bach, an Inspired Invention of Composer and Musician Peter Schickele, Was Presented byWalter Todenhoft in October 2023
New Year’s Resolution: Make a Difference at OLLI or Make New Friends at OLLI?
By Debby Mossburg, Outreach Committee Chair
Either way, you’ll want to join the OLLI Outreach Committee. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in one or more of the exciting initiatives we’re considering—from helping to update our publications and publicity materials, to planning and putting on a Senior Living Expo at one or more OLLI campuses, to reaching out to engage new members or brainstorming possible incentive programs for bringing them in. Or perhaps you have some ideas of your own you’d like to propose. Join our outgoing and enthusiastic team. Our next meeting will be via Zoom on Monday, January 8, at 4:00. Look for the link in your morning email and join us. If you have any questions or can’t join us on January 8, please contact debby.mossburg@verizon.net
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, January 20, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Cutting the Cord—Presented by Curator Geof Goodrum
Geof Goodrum will relate his experience with cable and satellite TV services and why he recently “cut the cord” and transitioned to using only Internet streaming services. His presentation will address his rationale, his criteria and evaluation of the services and options available, as well as how TV services are evolving. As Geof’s experience and choices are highly subjective, he seeks an active discussion with audience members about their experience “cutting the cord,” including questions from those who are considering doing the same.
Geof is a retired US Government scientist and technology enthusiast who has been active in computer user groups since 1984. He has been a user and advocate of the GNU/Linux operating system and Open Source software since 1994 with professional experience as a programmer, system administrator, network administrator, data engineer, system engineer and system architect.
Learn in 30: Extending the Life of Your Cell Phone Battery—Presented by John Krout
If you have owned a phone for two years plus, you likely realize that the phone battery has lost some of its original oomph. Some of the new phone features actually even reduce battery life. Phone makers, while packing yet more features into smart phones, have largely abandoned the replaceable battery. No longer is it easy to "recharge" a phone in a snap by replacing a nearly discharged battery with a fully charged spare. In this presentation, you will learn how to make simple changes in your smart phone use that will extend battery life.
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.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 389574 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 857 2717 9449 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation—January 10 and 17
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate Zoom discussions on January 10 and 17 at 4:00.
The topic for January 10: A Double-Header—Books as Holiday Gifts and When Do You Abandon a Book?
The first portion will be devoted to holiday gifts, both given and received—what books did you give as presents, what books did you receive, and what was the outcome? Were you pleased with your bookish gifts? How about the recipients? Bearing in mind that not everyone is a bookworm, was a book a favorite gift?
If that doesn't satisfy your book discussion cravings (LOL), then we will move on to the WaPO article in this week's Book World, where readers chimed in to answer the question "When do you stop reading a book which may have lost your interest?" Lots of different answers for the WaPO and probably lots of diversity for us OLLI members, too.
Then on January 17, our topic will be If you decided to run away, where would you go and why? This encompasses both literal and metaphorical running away!
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday, January 10 and plan on a conversation with Team Bloch.And please join us on January 17 as well, as we pack our imaginary suitcases.
Manny Pablo, an OLLI member for many years beginning in fall 2003, passed away on December 24 at his home in Springfield, VA. He received the BS in Physics from Georgetown University and the MS in Physics from The Catholic University of America. He had served as a Program Manager in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV). Manny was an active member and especially enjoyed participating in OLLI Players events and presentations; the zanier the event, the more fun he had and the more memorable it was.
As a participant in OLLI’s Poetry Workshop, he had at least one poem published in the OLLI E-News (clickhere). He also served on OLLI’s Board of Directors and as OLLI President. He will be greatly missed by his many OLLI friends. They will appreciate that in lieu of flowers or gifts, he would have them perform some random act of kindness and continue to live life with the same sparkle and joie de vivre that he did.
A celebration of Manny’s life is scheduled for today, Friday, January 5, at 11:00, at Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 10500 Zion Drive, Fairfax 22032. There will be a reception following in the hall at the church.
Barbara Lynne Gillis
Barbara Gillis, OLLI member from 2015 through 2019, passed away on December 17, 2023. She earned a BA in English from the College of Mary Washington and was a devoted Air Force wife for over 25 years, serving in leadership roles in Officer Wives Clubs and providing support to Air Force families.
An avid reader, Barbara sought out opportunities to learn about the world. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Daughters of the American Revolution. As a committed educator and enthusiastic learner, she also enjoyed classes at OLLI.
A graveside service to celebrate Barbara's life was held at the Fairfax cemetery on December 28. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Barbara's memory to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University (click here to donate).
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.
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 Jan 6
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 8
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy Club
Tue Jan 9
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Jan 10
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Jan 11
11:50 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Jan 12
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Jan 13
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 15
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Jan 16
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Zoom Information Session for OLLI Members
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Jan 17
10:00 am
10:30 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Jan 18
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Program Planning Committee
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 19
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
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: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. 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.
