Board of Directors meeting, led by OLLI President Deborah Engleson and Executive Director Lisa Mariam, was held at Tallwood on June 6. Business included election of officers for the coming year.
OLLI Personal Computer User Group 3rd Saturday meeting is June 21, at 1:00, in person and via Zoom. See article below for Zoom link and other information.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, June 27. The regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, June 24, at 6:00.
From the Desk of the Executive Director Thank You for the Warm Welcome
By Lisa Mariam, Executive Director
I'm thrilled to join the OLLI GMU community as your new Executive Director. My role is to ensure that OLLI continues to evolve in productive and forward-looking ways. I'll be visiting many classes and clubs over the coming weeks (which I consider a major perk of the job!). If I haven't met you yet, please, introduce yourself. These first months I will be focused on listening, and I appreciate your feedback about your OLLI experience.
Celebrate with Your OLLI Friends on July 4th
By Marilyn Harriman, Diversions Chair, Walk & Talk Club Co-Chair
Come out and celebrate with your OLLI Friends on July 4th!
OLLI’s Walk & Talk Club will be participating in the Fairfax Fourth of July Parade for the third year in a row, as part of the George Mason University contingent, and we’d love to have you join us.
Last year, we marched behind the GMU Athletic Association, who included us in their cheers and songs as we walked. This event is a blast! It’s a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July, show your OLLI spirit, and get out into the fresh air.
Wearing red, white, and/or blue, we’ll march behind our OLLI Mason banner and wave to the crowds lined up along the parade route. The parade route is on flat city streets and is less than a mile long (.87 miles). Marchers move at a fairly relaxed pace.
The parade begins at 10:00, and our involvement ends before 11:00. Participants must be parked by 8:10 before the roads close.
We will gather at our designated place in the lineup and enjoy hanging out under shaded trees until the parade begins. After we exit the route, we head for our cars and meet up (optional) for lunch at PJ Skidoo’s on Fairfax Boulevard.
To join us, email me, Marilyn Harriman, Walk & Talk co-chair, before July 2 so we can look for you and give you parking and meet-up details: [email protected].
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Chairperson
Did you know that April 10th marked the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby? This novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald has endless possibilities for an OLLI Humanities course or two.
Here are some philosophical themes to consider for a presentation:
The American Dream…how has it changed/or has it?
The “green light” on the dock…a metaphor to explore.
Dangers of living in the “past” rather than the present.
What exactly is “the pursuit of happiness?”
The importance of being your true self.
The truth about “The Roaring Twenties.”
For this or any other course idea, please use the following document:
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, June 21, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
Mastering Your New Mac—Presented by Lorrin Garson
If you like learning a new computer system, you must thoroughly enjoy going to the dentist. It’s a painful and emotional experience and it takes weeks, if not months, to become comfortable with a new system—at least for most people. In any case, it’s easier than learning to use a computer for the first time! “Mastering Your New Mac” will provide basic information for those learning to use an iMac or MacBook.
Lorrin Garson had a long career in technical publishing of chemical information. His presentations to our computer groups are famous for their thorough research and clarity in explaining topics such as cryptography, encryption of personal data, cloud storage, and the origins of personal computers.
PHEV and Hybrid Battery Charge Level Monitor—Presented by John Krout
This presentation will enable you to extend the life of your hybrid battery, probably the most expensive battery you will own, and therefore the resale value of your hybrid vehicle. Pluggable Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), including both an electric motor, a large rechargeable battery, and a gasoline engine, are outselling the more expensive EVs in the United States.
You will learn how to use a zero-cost app and a low-cost On-Board Diagnostics (ODB) Bluetooth adapter to view the traction battery charge level as a percentage of the battery capacity whenever your vehicle is turned on. The app works with a variety of Hybrids and PHEVs from Toyota and associated brands. The app lists both the vehicle models and ODB Bluetooth adapters known to work with the app.
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. He also presents for national APCUG Wednesday Workshops and Saturday Safaris, and contributes articles to APCUG's library of shared newsletter content.
PC Clinic in the Annex
Get hands-on help with your computer and technology problems from PATACS experts. Bring in your computer, and we'll help you lose the 'blues' - system slowdowns, unwanted programs, virus and malware. We can help install new RAM, optical drives, hard disks, and software. Be sure to read the Clinic Rules – click link: Clinic Rules
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 on making payment.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 340191 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 895 2587 0071 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) conducts a casual, drop-in conversation on Zoom every second Wednesday at 4:00. Each session is on a different topic.
The topic for Team Bloch's Wednesday afternoon chat on June 25 is National Public Radio, the Public Broadcasting System, and our local affiliates WETA and WETA Classical. These systems are potentially being undermined by a projected loss of federal funding. How does that affect you? Are you a regular listener or viewer? If so, what are your favorites?
You may listen in as a lurker or add to the discussion—up to you—but we encourage you to voice your thoughts; that way we all benefit and learn from each other.
The Zoom link is always found in the OLLI daily schedule email on the relevant morning. Log on and join us on June 25 or any future session.
I heard its kik-kik-kikkik above
ever-present traffic sounds
whatever it might be
but couldn’t quite identify the sound
large bird, big voice box
guessing a heron, no,
lacking water close by
then a fast rat-a-tat-tat
of sharp beak on wood
trusty Merlin
brought me the answer
a pileated woodpecker
within a dense stand of deciduous trees
well hidden from my view
on about his business
of drumming
to declare his territory
Sara “Sally” Noblett Heyer (formerly Sara Carey Noblett), OLLI member since 2020, passed away peacefully in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 22, 2025, after complications from a fall and recovery. Her husband of almost 61 years, Robert “Bob” Heyer, and sons John Heyer, Robin “Rob” Heyer, David Heyer, her sister Molly Stephens, and their families were tending her recovery process to the end. Sally was a most faithful, kind, and loving wife and “Mom” for all as we grew up, supporting many activities.
Sally was born on February 26, 1942, in Richmond, Virginia to Geroge W. Noblett Jr and Mary Penington Noblett and grew up in Kilmarnock, Virginia graduating high school from St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock in 1960. She then graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964, where she met Bob Heyer. They were married right after graduation and proceeded to Naval Flight training in Pensacola, Florida, Meridian, Mississippi, and Kingsville, Texas. From there they moved around for 20 years with Navy tours in Jacksonville, Florida, Monterey, California, Lemoore, California, Cubi Point, Philippines, and Northern Virginia before Bob retired. Sally was the heart of our family, always a devoted wife, and mother, raising the three boys through many activities while Bob was flying with Navy cruises and temporary duties. He retired from the Navy in 1984; they remained in Burke, Virginia, and Fairfax Station, Virginia as the boys grew up. Sally did volunteer work in schools the boys attended and supported many soccer functions and band gigs. With a love for reading, Sally enjoyed working for a few years at the Crown Book store.
She is survived by husband Bob, sons John (wife Tricia and son Gavin), Robin (wife Kerry), David (son Jack and daughter Dalton) and sister Molly Stephens (sons Jeb and Harper, and daughters Brent and Grace) of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina.
A service and burial will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Burke, Virginia, on Sunday, June 15, at 3:00, with a reception afterward. More information is available at this link.
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Mason Jazz Camp, coming up in two weeks, features FREE concerts during June 23-28! All concerts are free and open to the public. No tickets or camp registration are required. Just show up and enjoy the concert! All performances are at the Center for the Arts.
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.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall (25-26 Season subscriptions to Great Performances now on sale)
Mason Summer Band Camp Final Concert 2025
Fri, Jun 20, 3:00
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
Mason Jazz Camp Faculty Showcase Mon, Jun 23, 3:30-4:30
The Mason Jazz Camp faculty perform a special showcase to open the camp! Click here for more information.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
Juan Megna Tue, Jun 24, 3:30-4:30
Drummer and Percussionist. Click here for more information.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
Alton Sencalar Wed, Jun 25, 3:30-4:30
American trombonist, composer, and educator. Click here for more information.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
The US Navy Band Commodores Thu Jun 26, 3:30-4:30
The Navy's premier jazz ensemble. Click here for more information.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
Mason Jazz Camp - Student Showcase 2025
Fri, Jun 27, 2:00
Mason Jazz camp student showcase to conclude the week-long camp! Click here for more information.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: Free and Open to the Public.
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. 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 Jun 14
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jun 16
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Poetry Reading Club – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jun 17
10:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
How to Zoom – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jun 18
10:30 am
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
4:00 pm
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists Club – online
Spanish Club
Thu Jun 19
11:50 am
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jun 20
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Jun 21
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jun 23
10:00 am
10:00 am
4:00 pm
Board Game Club – online
Bridge Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jun 24
2:00 pm
2:00 pm
4:30 pm
Caregivers Support Group – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jun 25
12:00 noon
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Jun 26
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jun 27
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
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.
OLLI’s Walk & Talk Club will be participating in the Fairfax Fourth of July Parade for the third year in a row, as part of the George Mason University contingent, and we’d love to have you join us.
Sara “Sally” Noblett Heyer (formerly Sara Carey Noblett), OLLI member since 2020, passed away peacefully in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 22, 2025, after complications from a fall and recovery. Her husband of almost 61 years, Robert “Bob” Heyer, and sons John Heyer, Robin “Rob” Heyer, David Heyer, her sister Molly Stephens, and their families were tending her recovery process to the end. Sally was a most faithful, kind, and loving wife and “Mom” for all as we grew up, supporting many activities.
