Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews July 11 2025

by

OLLI E-News July 11, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Bob Levey, retired columnist for The Washington Post, treated a large OLLI audience to a fascinating discussion of his years during the golden era at the newspaper, July 1

July 11, 2025


Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Board of Directors Meeting, July 18 at 10:00, via Zoom and in person at Tallwood. All members welcome.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, July 18; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, July 15, at 6:00.

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“America250” will be Celebrated on July 4, 2026, and You’re Invited to Participate


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

 

In July 2026 the United States will celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You are invited to participate in this mission by presenting OLLI classes from now through July 2026 to enlighten our members via your expertise on this part of American history. 

 

As OLLI members, we are aware that there was more to the signing than “meets the eye.” This is where you come in. As a presenter for the Humanities and Social Sciences you are encouraged to explore the Declaration through various lenses including (but not limited to) its philosophy as well as its multifaceted effect on society during that time period.

 

If you or a knowledgeable colleague can support OLLI’s mission of lifelong learning regarding the topic of the “Declaration of Independence” please consider this invitation.

 

Submission deadlines for 2026:

 






Note: Dr. Heather Dudley taught a three-session summer 2025 course 303Z “The Declaration of Independence” June 25–July 9. More courses like this are desirable!

 

Here is a link to the course submission form:

 

  https://olli.gmu.edu/olli-course-proposal-form/.

 

Editor’s Note: This article appeared in a previous issue of E-News. It is repeated here to encourage your participation in “America250” during the coming year. Thanks.

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 It’s time to DRAIN. THE. SWAMP. Mosquitoes transmit numerous diseases. They breed in stagnant, standing water (swamps, ditches, water buckets, birdbaths, etc.). Take the time to check your property. And you thought this was going to be political.   
(From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup)
Are You a Spanish Speaker? Experienced in Teaching the Language?


By Patricia Bangs, Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Co-Chair


If you are a fluent Spanish speaker and/or experienced in teaching the language, the Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages (LLT) Program Planning Group would love you to join our language programming. We are looking for courses at any level from travel and conversational Spanish to traditional beginner and intermediate classes. Or, if you know of anyone who might be interested in offering Spanish classes, please let us know. Contact LLT co-chair Pat Bangs at [email protected].

And, for the many OLLI members who may be missing their Spanish language practice, you might want to consider one of the senior perks offered by George Mason University—the opportunity to audit courses through the university’s senior citizen waiver program. Virginia residents 60 years or older are entitled to audit up to three academic credit courses per semester and pay no tuition or fees (except for material). For details on the process, see Senior Citizen Waiver Program – Office of the University Registrar George Mason University.
Computer Club
3rd Saturday, July 19
Old and New Nuclear Power Technology
How to Contribute Graphics to Wikipedia

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

Old and New Nuclear-Power Technology—Presented by John Krout
Learn how nuclear energy becomes electricity. Learn how the two primary types of nuclear power reactors heat water for steam turbines to produce electricity, and the common cause of each of the three big nuclear-power reactor failures: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Daiichi.

In the 1950s, the engineer at Oak Ridge National Lab who held a key patent for one of the two primary types of solid-fuel nuclear-power reactors also built and tested the first liquid-fuel reactors. That experience led him to conclude that the liquid-fuel approach was both far more economical and safer than conventional solid-fuel reactors.

Learn about two companies aiming to build and sell small liquid-fuel reactors. Learn why liquid-fuel reactors are far safer than traditional solid-fuel reactors, and produce far less waste than traditional solid-fuel reactors.

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.

How to Contribute Graphics to Wikipedia—Presented by Lee De Cola
“For over 20 years I have been a Wikipedia editor, making editorial corrections, adding datagraphics, and even creating new articles. This presentation will demonstrate how you can contribute an original graphic to a Wikipedia article.”

Lee De Cola, PhD (University of Ibadan), is a retired U.S. Geological Survey scientist who studies environmental change in space and time.

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 earlier!)—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details for making payment.

To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click https://olligmu-org.zoom.us/j/86376591329?pwd=MwC2qGgzIOa6nG7TZItKb9jGycuJWG.1 to join the meeting and use passcode 218440 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 863 7659 1329 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Days of Yore

Faded brown teddy bear
Sitting forlorn on the shelf
Worn patch on the back
Stitch to hold the arms in place
Testament to countless cuddles

Silent listener, always near
Absorbing worries and calming fears
Holder of secrets 
Tales of playground triumphs
Scraped knees
Whispered wishes 

The day a tiny tooth began to sway
A silent nod from button eye
I see your growth, your changing way
A milestone reached

                 – Chitra Mohla

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, July 11 through July 20


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
(25-26 Season subscriptions to Great Performances now on sale)
 
No performances
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: Hairspray, The Broadway Musical
Fri, Jul 11, 8:00
Sat, Jul 12, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jul 13, 2:00
Fri, Jul 18, 8:00
Sat, Jul 19, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jul 20, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $24 Senior.
 
Arif Lohar Live: Pakistani Singer
Sat, Jul 12, 8:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $150; $100; $75; $50.

Onyx Youth Orchestra & Onyx Philharmonic
Wed, Jul 16, 6:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35 Adult, $25 Senior.

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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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Obituary: Sandra S. Kilburn

Sandra Kilburn of Fairfax, who joined OLLI in the fall term of 2005, died June 28, 2025. Born February 6, 1944, Sandra earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii. Her career as a pediatric physical therapist spanned more than 30 years. She was also a long-time member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) and served in mentorship and leadership for young women for many years.

A Celebration of Life honoring Sandra will take place in the near future. In lieu of flowers, you are requested to consider a donation in her honor to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tri Delta Foundation, PEO Foundation's Star Scholarship Award, or Oldies But Goodies (OBG) Cocker Spaniel Rescue. More information is available at this link.
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). 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. 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 Jul 12 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jul 14
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jul 15
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 16
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Jul 17
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jul 18
 
 
 		  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 Jul 19
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jul 21
 
 
 		  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 22
 
 		  2:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Caregivers Support Group – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 23
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Jul 24
 
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats – online
Fri Jul 25
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Jul 26 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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AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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Email: [email protected]

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