Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews May 15, 2026

by

OLLI E-News May 15, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
 
A large turnout of first-time visitors was welcomed to Tallwood on May 8-9 for a well-received OLLI Ideas Festival and Open House.

May 15, 2026


Editor of the Week: David Gundry 
Table of Contents
Alerts & Notices
 
  • Computer Club meeting on Saturday, May 16 (tomorrow), at 1:00. Check daily schedule for information.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 29; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 26, at 6:00.






It’s time to get outdoors. Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body and your first line of defense? Protect it so it can protect you. Sunscreens should be at least SPF 30, applied 30 minutes before sun exposure then every hour as well as after every time you come out of the water. Don’t forget the ears. Men, don’t forget the scalp. UV Protection | UT MD Anderson.
From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup

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Save the Date: LLT Program Planning Group to Meet June 8 at 1:00



 By Patricia Bangs, LLT Program Planning Group Co-Chair



The Literature, Language, Theater, and Writing (LLT) Program Planning Group will meet Monday, June 8 at 1:00 via Zoom to plan our winter 2026 term and beyond.

OLLI-Mason members are invited to attend and bring ideas for literature, theater, writing, or language programs, as well as possible resources. This could include individuals you may know who might want to teach or any other thoughts on this popular OLLI program area.

The meeting Zoom link is below. We will send out a reminder, and the meeting will also appear in the June 8 Daily Schedule.

Topic: Literature, Theater, Writing and Languages Program Planning Meeting

Time: June 8, 2026 1:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)

To Join Zoom Meeting: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/96031467316

Meeting ID: 960 3146 7316

Thanks to all who can come. See you on June 8.
-- Pat Bangs, [email protected]
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop


Small Talk

What do you do?
I raise inklings.
Is there a market for them?
Yep.
Do they make good pets?
Depends on the owner.
What do you mean?
Well, inklings can be needy. Some owners like needy. Some don’t.
Sounds intriguing.
I don’t raise intriguings. But I would say they could be like inklings if you’re the right kind of owner.
Do you think I could be the right kind of owner?
I don’t have an inkling.
Didn’t you say you raise them?
I do. But I don’t try to match them with suitable owners.
Why not?
I haven’t a clue.
                                
                          ‒Ed Sadtler

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National Community Band Concert



 By Linda Harber, Co-President, Friends of Music at Mason



Here is information for the upcoming National Community Band Concert at the George Mason University Center for the Arts, presented by the Fairfax Wind Symphony and Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music. I think OLLI members will enjoy the concerts, many of which are held during the daytime.
Obituary: Kathrina (Kathie) K. West

Kathie West, who first joined OLLI in fall 2005, died on May 6, 2026. To her many friends at OLLI, she will be remembered and loved as founder of OLLI Players for seniors, and for her enthusiastic participation in countless roles in that group. She was also active in her local community as a member of the Potomac Green Playmakers.

A great storyteller, she wowed her family and friends with playful drama and wit. Kathie was an inspiration to many students at Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield, VA, and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA, directing fall plays and spring musicals over many years.

A Celebration of Life for Kathie will be held May 20, 2026, at Demaine Life Celebration Center in Sterling (45511 E Severn Way, Sterling, VA 20166). Visitation will begin at 11:00, with services immediately following.

In honor of Kathie’s courageous journey, the family welcomes flowers or memorial donations to https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate/.

More information is available at the following link:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/sterling-va/kathrina-west-12875645.


Here’s a tribute written by OLLI member Wendy Campbell:
 
  Kathie West joined OLLI in 2005 shortly after retiring as a drama instructor at Thomas Jefferson High School. Because she sparkled, she rapidly became a central figure at OLLI, running classes in theater and serving on the Board of Directors. Everybody knew Kathie and loved her energy and the joy she took in life, the universe, and everything.

    

She created and ran the OLLI Players, reaching out and performing for retirement communities throughout northern Virginia. She was instrumental in turning out numerous Murder Mystery performances which many of us participated in, both as performers and audience. She helped to run the second year of Grandcamp. She was a friend to everyone who knew her. Kathie passed peacefully in her sleep on May 6th after fighting liver cancer for only a month. Well loved, deeply missed, always remembered. She was my friend. 
Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances May 8 through May 25


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites for performances, talks etc. For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468.
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.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

No performances
 
Fairfax and Arlington Campuses Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/) 
 
Pulp Translations: Paperworks from George Mason MFA Alumni
Through June 26, 2026
Fenwick Gallery
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)

Manassas Ballet Theatre: Don Quixote
Fri, May 15, 7:30 
Sat, May 16, 3:00 and 7:30
Sun, May 17, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $81, $71, $60, $50, $40.

Somers Voice: Raisin—The Musical
Sat, May 16, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, May 17, 3:00
Sat, May 23, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, May 24, 3:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $45.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: America at 250, A Musical Mosaic
Sun, May 24, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30 Adult, $27 Senior.    


VISUAL ARTS 

Kevin Jones: Reflections in Black and White
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Through June 20, 10:00

Pulp Translations: Paperworks from George Mason MFA Alumni
Through June 26, 2026
Fenwick Gallery
Fairfax 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 May 16
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer Club
Mon May 18
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue May 19
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed May 20
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu May 21
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri May 22
 
 
 
 
 		  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 May 23 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon 25 May   OLLI Closed Memorial Day
Tue 26 May
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed 27 May
 
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
OLLI Artists Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Thu 28 May
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 Large Program Planning Group Meeting
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri 29 May
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 1:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
1776 Trivia Party
Sat 30 May 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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