Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews July 10, 2026

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OLLI E-News July 10, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

 

 

Suresh Mohla, Ph.D. endocrinologist, is teaching a course on the history of cancer treatment in America in the last 250 years, including recent research on immunotherapy, cancer vaccines, and personalized cancer treatments, summer 2026.

July 10, 2026


Editor of the Week: David Gundry 
Table of Contents
Alerts & Notices
 
  • Note: Member parking is available in the Fairfax Swimming Pool parking lot. If you park there, use only the half of the lot closest to Tallwood.
  • Throughout the term, please use this online form to add or drop classes, clubs or other events. (Link is also available in the Daily Schedule email.)
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, July 17; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, July 14, at 6:00.
How Can You Support Mason Students in Fall 2026? Act as an “Elder”



By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) Planning Group Chair 


Over the past several years OLLI members have served as elder mentors for undergrads in Dr. Spencer Crew’s course, “History of the Family” (HONORS 240-001). This fall, the course will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30-11:45. Although the class starts on August 25th, your participation will not begin until October/November, and you will not be required to attend in person.

The objective of your participation in this class is to share an impactful part of your personal life history via interviews with one or two Mason students. And, yes, many OLLI members with remarkable life experiences have shared their stories with Mason undergrads over the past few years. You may interact with your assigned students virtually or in person. Some have also video-taped their interviews to share via an OLLI presentation. This project has proven to be a cathartic experience for everyone involved and it can be the same for you as well.

Note that you will not be required to share your information publicly outside of the class should you choose not to, but the students will certainly internalize it.

Please contact Dr. Crew to sign up or ask questions: [email protected].
Computer Club
3rd Saturday, July 18
Italian Inventions
AI Prompts: Recipes for Success
 
By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair


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, July 18, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.

Italian Inventions―Presented by Leti Labell

Italy is often associated with art, architecture, and cuisine. But many people are not aware of the scientific contributions of Italians. Italy’s long history of innovation has left a profound mark on global technology, from ancient engineering to modern electronics. Italian inventors have shaped communications, energy, medicine, and everyday life in ways that still influence the world today. Italians have made major contributions to electronics, communication systems, computing theory, microprocessors and telecommunications. Italy's technological legacy continues to shape the world's technological landscape. This presentation will focus on Italian inventions that have had a profound impact on the sciences of Communications and Information Technology.

Leti Labell is an OPCUG and PATACS member with a lifelong love of computers. She has an MS in computer science and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Project Management Professional (PMP). She teaches Italian language to beginners, and she teaches a class (in English) about all things Italian.

Learn in 30: AI Prompts: Recipes for Success―Presented by Frank Fota

We have all grown accustomed to internet searches. Most of these searches are informational, meaning they seek an answer to a specific question or research a topic. Others are navigational, used to find a specific website or landing page. Some searches are transactional, aiming to buy a product or complete a task, while others are commercial, comparing products or reading reviews before a future purchase.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) operates differently. Instead of standard searches, AI uses "prompts." Prompts are specific instructions given to AI; clear instructions lead to high-quality results. In this presentation, Frank will share practical "recipes" you can use to prompt AI and consistently achieve great results.

Frank has over 30 years of experience building, troubleshooting, and repairing computers. He volunteers with Educate Africa, a Stafford, Virginia-based nonprofit, refurbishing computers for schools in Ethiopia. As a semi-retired health physicist, he possesses extensive expertise in radiation safety policies and procedures.; Frank retired from the U.S. Army Medical Department as a lieutenant colonel. He currently works as a contract part-time technical writer for Fluke Health Solutions, a subsidiary of the Fortive Corporation.

For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2026 (and 2025, if you didn’t get around to paying earlier!)—please be prepared to pay the nominal dues in person at the meeting.

To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click:
https://olligmu-org.zoom.us/j/84681940279?pwd=4ynpoGpnoaxYvTYLRu2Nm9pNJdWPFc.1 to join the meeting and use passcode 437356. (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 846 8194 0279 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

John Prine Lullaby 

If by chance, I should find myself at risk, of falling from this jagged cliff, I look below and I look above, I’m surrounded by your boundless love.
—John Prine, “Boundless Love”

Recently, after contemplating the state of the world—Oh grievous error!
I turned on John Prine and heard his soothing lullaby—
perfect antidote for things too big for me to fix.
His plaintive voice and simple lyrics help me roll the world
into a ball and bounce it on down the road 
to the tune of “Boundless Love.”

Making me ponder the question…
Where would we be without Prine and the
other troubadours, poets…the truth-sayers?

And a deeper question yet…
Where might we go because of them?

                  ‒Sophia Elberti

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances July 10 through July 20


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/.

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.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

No Performances
Fairfax and Arlington Campuses Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
Flare: Finding a Sense of Place in the Chronically Ill
Body
Mason Exhibitions
Arlington
Through August 1
 
Pulp Fictions: The stories we tell about paper / the stories paper tells us about ourselves
Through August 14
Special Collections Research Center, Fenwick Library
 
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)

Prince William Little Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Fri, Jul 10, 8:00
Sat, Jul 11, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jul 12, 2:00
Fri, Jul 17, 8:00
Sat, Jul 18, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jul 19, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $35 Adult, $29 Senior, $25 Student, Military, Child.

Magic of Motown
Sat, Jul 18, 8:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $84, $74, $64, $54, $44, $40, $34.

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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 Jul 11 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jul 13
 
 
 
 
 		  9:15 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 OLLI Artists Club
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jul 14
 		  2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 15
 
 
 		 11:50 am
11:50 am
12:00 noon
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Literary Roundtable – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Jul 16
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jul 17
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Game On: Talking Sports
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Jul 18
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jul 20
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jul 21
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 22
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Jul 23
 
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri Jul 24
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
French Conversation and Happy Hour – online
Sat Jul 25 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
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: Chloe DiStaso, David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash,
Paul Van Hemel
 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, 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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Notice: You received this newsletter because either you are a current OLLI member or you have been provided a courtesy copy. If you are an OLLI member who did not renew your membership, you can continue to receive our newsletter by emailing the office at [email protected] with your request. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you'd like to receive it each week, please email the office and ask to be added to the courtesy-copy list.

Copyright 2026 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone 703-503-3384, Fax 703-503-2832


 






OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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

Copyright ©2026 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. All Rights Reserved.

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OLLI Mason is a nonprofit, equal opportunity 501(c)(3) organization
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