Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews July 24, 2026

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OLLI E-News July 24, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Board of Directors Meeting at Tallwood, July 17

July 24, 2026


Editor of the Week: Deborah Kruesi 
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.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, July 31; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, July 28, at 6:00.
  • Look for your fall term catalog in the mail.  If you do not receive a catalog by the end of July, please contact the OLLI Mason office.
  • OLLI Mason will be closed for summer break during the first two weeks in August.

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"Got Course Ideas?” … Join the HSS/CE  

   
     By Camille Hodges, HSS/CE Planning Team Chair



OLLI is known for its great course ideas. In case you were unaware… many of these ideas come directly from you! We at OLLI need to know what courses/topics strongly reflect your interest and/or your desire to know more about. Also, let us know of any topics you would be willing to teach at OLLI. Our members are our strength when it comes to course proposals.

Check out the current catalog and decide which category might best support your area of expertise. Also, if you have personal contact with people who would be great OLLI instructors, please invite them to present as well.

The Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) team is committed to inviting presentations that support many areas including psychology, politics, cultural interests, inter- and intrapersonal interactions, human culture, ethics, and cultural awareness. Our team meets virtually three or four times per year and communicates continuously. 

To join the HSS/CE programming team, here’s the link: [email protected].

Got course ideas?  Here’s the link:
https://olli.gmu.edu/olli-course-proposal-form/.

Editor’s Note: This article appeared in an earlier E-News edition. It is repeated here to encourage member participation in program planning for HSS/CE.

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Pardon Our Mist

 
     By John McAndrew, Board Member and Dirty Knee Club Member


Have you come to class and been showered upon, almost tripped over a hose, or found yourself on an extremely wet sidewalk? Well, sorry about that, it’s the work of the Dirty Knee Club (DKC), also known as the Landscaping Committee, here at OLLI. We are OLLI members working to keep our flower gardens alive and well during this extremely hot summer. So far, so good.
 
There are six DKC members, and we could use three more people. We are an active, fun, kind bunch who enjoy making things nicer. We water the gardens in pairs; it’s more fun doing things together. We also have call-up meetings where the whole club gets together to make improvements or just have lunch, depending on the time of the year. If you are interested, please contact John McAndrew at 703-508-7088 (call or text).
 
BTW - We try to water in the morning because the water evaporates more slowly and helps mitigate pesky conditions like powdery mildew and fungus. Besides, it’s easier on the DKC members negotiating the intense heat. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding. Please take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the landscape surrounding your campus.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

There is a silo in Centreville, Virginia at the intersection of Machen Road and Centrewood Drive.
 

THE ABANDONED SILO
 
The silent silo sits by the road
 
In the sprawling town of Centreville.
 
Once part of a huge farm,
 
Now a subdivision’s charm.
 
 
Someone decided to leave it—
 
An odd relic of the past.
 
Once storing corn and grain,
 
Now what does it contain?
 
 
Memories of bygone years.
 
Tumbles in its silo head
 
Cows, goats, pigs, and a horse
 
All gone, but without remorse.

                               ‒Joan Lunsford

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At this time, there are no performances scheduled for Arts & Music at Mason.
 
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. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members.
 
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
Mon Jul 27
 
 
 
 
 		  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 28
 		  2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 29
 
 		 11:50 am
11:50 am
12:00 noon		 Investment Forum
Literary Roundtable – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Thu Jul 30
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jul 31
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Aug 1 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Aug 3

 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Board Game Club – online
Poetry Reading Club - online
Chair Yoga and More - online
Tue Aug 4
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Aug 5
 
 		 12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Aug 6
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Aug 7
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Aug 8 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 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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