Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews January 2, 2026

by

OLLI E-News January 2, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
 Irmgard Scherer, Associate Professor of Philosophy Emerita at Loyola University of Maryland and Philosophy Instructor, presented Freedom vs. Determinism, 2025 fall term, at Tallwood. 

January 2, 2026


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Registration for winter term is under way and continuing through the term ending on February 13.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, January 16; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, January 13, at 6:00.

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OLLI in the News


By Paul L. Howard, OLLI Member and Former OLLI President


Virginia Humanities, the state humanities council, founded in 1974, is one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. The council has a strategic priority to increase community access and participation in the humanities across the state.

As part of their strategic priority, in partnership with George Mason University and Fairfax County Public Library, the council interviewed OLLI Executive Director Lisa Mariam about the role of lifelong learning in a healthy democracy, how the 250th anniversary shaped our programming, and why expanding access to history remains central to OLLI’s mission. OLLI has received a VA250 Grant from VA250, the American Revolution 250 Commission. The interview was published on December 15, 2025. You can read about the interview at the following link:
https://virginiahumanities.org/2025/12/revolutionary-ideas-abound-at-olli-mason/.

Thanks to Gabe Goldberg, one of my colleagues at the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), for forwarding the link to me.

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Looking for Leaders for Hiking, Kayaking, Biking, and Outdoor Adventures!


By Susan Job, Program Associate


Do you love the outdoors and want to help others experience it too? We’re looking for volunteers interested in leading active and adventurous outings for our OLLI community. Many members have expressed interest in athletic hikes and excursions.
We’d like to introduce activities such as:
  • Hiking (3+ miles, varying difficulty)
  • Kayaking
  • Biking
  • Other outdoor adventures!
If you’re passionate about the outdoors and would like to lead or help organize these activities, especially as the spring term is approaching, we’d love to hear from you! Your involvement can help us offer challenging and rewarding experiences. Interested? Contact Susan Job at [email protected] to learn more about how to start a club or offer excursions for our OLLI members.

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Wishing all our OLLI members, staff, friends, and family a wonderful Holiday Season and the happiest of New Years. Best enjoyed on full screen (Right-click on the link below and open in a new window. If you can't right-click, try copying the link [long-press on Mac trackpads] and pasting it into a new tab.)  
AULD LANG SYNE by Sissel - YouTube.
From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup

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Science, Technology, & Health Program Planning Group Meeting, January 8
By Michele Romano and Suresh Mohla,
Co-Chairs
Welcome in the new year in style…with a meeting of the Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group.

When? Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Where? Zoom only.
How long? One hour.
Why? Why not.

Even if you are not an official member of the group, we would love to have you. See who we are and what we have planned for upcoming sessions. Throw in any thoughts, suggestions and ideas you have. We would love to hear them. We need your input. The link for the meeting will be in the OLLI Daily Schedule email the morning of the 8th.

See you there!

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Something More to Celebrate in 2026


By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Chair


“The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists” was proposed by the UN General Assembly in 2022 as “IYRP 2026.” Part of its vision statement recognizes the economic, environmental and social importance of rangelands, and pastoralists as their custodians worldwide, as well as the group commitment to conserving biodiversity.

If you have or a colleague has expertise in this area, please consider teaching a course at OLLI that relates to this important United Nations Resolution.

Here is a link to the course proposal form for your convenience:
https://olli.gmu.edu/OLLI-course-proposal-form/. Thank you!

Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the previous issue of
E-News. It is repeated here to encourage your participation in IYRP 2026, The United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

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New French Conversation and Happy Hour Club


By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-Chair


A new club for OLLI, French Conversation and Happy Hour, will meet January 9 at 4:00 on Zoom! Mental hygiene experts tell us that using our brains in new ways will aid in staving off intellectual decline and OLLI is all for that! The practice of a foreign language is ideal to keep us on our toes.
 
Anyone interested in starting the new year by brushing up their French conversational skills and stimulating their brain cells is most welcome to join OLLI members in launching this new group. The first meeting will be held on Friday, January 9 at 4:00 and the zoom link will be in the emailed Daily Schedule for that date. The purpose of the meeting will be to make introductions, confirm the level(s) of proficiency found among the participants (basic or advanced beginner knowledge is fine, but the majority of conversation is likely to be in French), set a few goals for the group, and determine how/when/what will be discussed in any future meetings. (Most of the introductory meeting will not be conducted in French.)
 
Note that, because the group's meeting time is on a Friday at 4:00, French Happy Hour is encouraged – giving participants an instant theme for discussion. Nothing better than imbibing a beverage from France and a French-style snack and describing the pleasure while we meet.

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Photo of the Month


The December 2025 Photo of the Month theme was Open. We selected John Olsen's photo "Sunrise," taken at Lake St. John, 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 Lynne Cline, Photography Club Coordinators

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

tell me…

that is the universe at its most profound depth
and calm your soul to the absence
when the sky beckons in the darkest clearest of nights
if you can reach beyond the sounds of this world
 
the owl’s silent passage at dusk
the drip of raindrops falling on ferns
if you can hear the quiver of the hummingbird’s wings
if you can hear the ocean’s current in a shell

can you hear the stars?
then, tell me,
  

                                                                                  –Jacqueline Davey

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Obituary: Richard Owen (Dick) Cheadle

Long-time OLLI member, instructor, and tour guide Dick Cheadle of Burke, Virginia, died December 3; he first joined OLLI in fall of 2005. He was a graduate of the University of Delaware, majoring in history and English.

Dick loved his more than 20 years at OLLI. An avid interest in history led him to teach OLLI classes in history. He led trips to national parks, founded the conversational Spanish club, learned Italian, and shared his love of singing. OLLI friends will remember his spirit and sense of humor.

Cards can be sent to Brenda Cheadle, 8919 Prince Caspian Ct., Burke, VA 22015. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial services will occur at a future date.

More information is available at this link.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances January 9 through January 25


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
The new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/
and if you miss a live performance, there is a pay-per-view for many: https://cfa.gmu.edu/events/paid-digital-performances. 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 above) or visit the venue's box office.

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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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

US Navy Concert Band
Fri, Jan 9, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.
 
US Navy Band Commodores
Sat, Jan 10, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.
Fairfax Campus Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
None currently at the Fairfax campus
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

No Performances

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Jason Isbell Solo Tour 2026
Thu, Jan 15, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $175, $150, $125, $100, $50.
 
Pied Piper Theatre - Grease
Fri, Jan 16, 7:00
Sat, Jan 17, 7:00
Sun, Jan 18, 2:00
Fri, Jan 23, 7:00
Sat, Jan 24, 7:00
Sun, Jan 25, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $24 Senior.
 
Dreams of Dance Recital
Sat, Jan 17, 1:30 and 5:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $32.


Visual Arts: OFFERINGS TO THE POTOMAC
ACKNOWLEDGING INDIGENOUS PLACE
February 24 - May 15, 2026
Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery, Manassas Campus

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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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.
 
Sat Jan 3 10:30 am Tai Chi Club - online
Mon Jan 5
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club – online
Chair Yoga and More - online
Tue Jan 6
 
 
 		 10:00 am
 2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 History Program Planning Group – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club - online
Wed Jan 7
 
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 2:00 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
Thu Jan 8




 		 10:00 am

11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning – online
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club - online
Fri Jan 9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club – TBD
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
French Conversation/Happy Hour - online
Sat Jan 10 10:30 am Tai Chi Club - online
Mon Jan 12
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Writing Club – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More - online
Tue Jan 13
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Caregivers Support Group – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club - online
Wed Jan 14
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Spanish Page Turner Club - online
Thu Jan 15
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club - online
Fri Jan 16
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More - online
Sat Jan 17
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group

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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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, Chitra Mohla, 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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AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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Phone: (703) 503-3384
Email: [email protected]

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