You should have received an email with a link allowing you to cast your ballot for the Board election between now and May 16. If you did not receive this email, contact the OLLI office at [email protected].
Board of Directors meeting via Zoom and in-person at Tallwood, Friday, May 16. All OLLI members are welcome.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 16; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 13, at 6:00.
OLLI Mason Appoints Lisa Mariam as New Executive Director
OLLI Mason is pleased to announce the appointment of seasoned nonprofit leader Lisa Mariam as its new executive director, effective June 2, 2025. Selected from over 70 applicants after an extensive national search, Mariam will step in as I step down to pursue collaboration with George Mason University’s Watershed Lit Radio Literary Podcast at UpstartCrow.org and serve as a consultant for nonprofits. I will provide transition support during Mariam’s first week to ensure a smooth handover.
Welcoming Lisa Mariam
Lisa said, “I am deeply honored and energized to join OLLI Mason as its next Executive Director. OLLI Mason is renowned for its diverse classes—from arts to investing—along with clubs, events, and travel opportunities for older adults. It fosters vibrant longevity through mental, social, and physical engagement. I’m excited to work with the Board, staff, and community partners to build on OLLI’s legacy, ensuring it remains a premier center for lifelong learning in Northern Virginia and a national model for holistic programming.”
Mariam brings extensive experience from her current role managing the Challenge America Program at the National Endowment for the Arts, administering grants to underrepresented communities. Previously, as senior director of grants and services at ArtsFairfax, she launched the Arts for Life initiative, expanded the grants program, and forged public-private partnerships. Her career began at the National Gallery of Art, organizing travel exhibits. Mariam is also an active volunteer, serving on the Fairfax Master Arts Plan Task Force, Fairfax 50+ Plan, and the Board of the McLean Community Center.
OLLI President Debbie Engleson, who led the search committee, said “Lisa’s strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and alignment with OLLI’s mission make her the ideal choice to lead us forward. Her community connections and expertise in growing membership and partnerships will guide OLLI into its next chapter.”
We are thrilled to welcome Lisa Mariam as our new Executive Director. Her leadership and passion for community engagement will advance OLLI’s commitment to lifelong learning.
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, May 17, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
Tech Update – What’s New—Presented by Rob Pegoraro
Rob Pegoraro writes about interesting problems and possibilities in computers, gadgets, apps, services, telecom, and other things that beep or blink. He’s covered such developments as the evolution of the cell phone from 1G to 5G, the fall and rise of Apple, Google’s growth from obscure Yahoo rival to verb status, and the transformation of social media from CompuServe forums to Facebook’s billions of users. Pegoraro has met most of the founders of the internet and once received a single-word email reply from Steve Jobs.
A D.C.-based journalist, Rob Pegoraro was the Washington Post personal-tech columnist from 1999 to 2011. He has contributed to USA Today, Discovery News, PCMag, Boing Boing, Ars Technica, and other publications. Incessant interlocutor on Twitter, occasional radio/TV/podcast guest. Also: dad, husband, cook, gardener, cyclist, etc.
Google Mail Web Interface—Presented by Geof Goodrum
Geof Goodrum will provide a live tour of the Google Mail (Gmail) web interface and the many settings and features available to make managing your email easier, including how to create and use labels, filters, and templates.
Geof is a retired U.S. government scientist and technology enthusiast who has been active in computer user groups since 1984. He has been a user and advocate of the GNU (GNU’s Not Unix)/Linux operating system and open source software since 1994 with professional experience as a programmer, system administrator, network administrator, data engineer, system engineer and system architect. Geof also enjoys hiking and completed a thru hike of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in 2018.
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 8681 36 20 720 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 week on Wednesday at 4:00. Each session is on a different topic.
The topic for Team Bloch's Wednesday afternoon chat on May 14 is "Book Recommendations." This is a popular and oft-repeated topic that everyone seems to enjoy discussing and sharing suggestions. What book(s) have you read in the last six months that you would recommend to others and why?
You may listen in as a lurker or add to the discussion—it's 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 Daily Schedule on the relevant morning. Log on and join us on May 14 or any future session.
If I were to fill an hourglass
I would gather the sands
from all the beaches
I have walked at dawn.
Windblown through my hair
nestled between my toes
captured in seashell treasures
or folded within the wet hem
of a child’s pants.
And these sands
would mark my time
until they dwindle
to a single grain.
Word has reached OLLI that a longtime and highly regarded OLLI member, Betty Smith, has died in Colorado. Betty joined OLLI in 2010 and was an active participant in the literature program. As a retired newspaper and book editor, she was a sterling resource for us in questions of grammar, syntax, and nuances of tone. She moderated a memoir class for OLLI for many years, and edited OLLI Ink, our annual literary journal, until 2019. Betty moved to Colorado in 2023 to be near one of her two daughters and grandchildren. She died on September 6, 2024.
Remembrances:
"Always honest, ever modest, an accomplished poet and editor, Betty helped many with their writing. I was lucky enough to be one of them. I miss her mightily.” Ed Sadtler
“Betty was a cherished companion in the wise reading of ancient works of Greek literature.” Donna Osthaus
“Betty was a stalwart part of the Poetry Workshop and we remember her well: her keen eye for nature, her take on Middle English language, her sense of humor, and her firm sense of what was right.” Jan Bohall
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.
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: The Lightning Thief –
The Percy Jackson Musical
Fri, May 9, 7:00
Sat, May 10, 7:00
Sun, May 11, 2:00
Fri, May 16, 7:00
Sat, May 17, 7:00
Sun, May 18, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 Senior.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: The Sleeping Beauty
Fri, May 9, 7:30
Sat, May 10, 3:00 & 7:30
Sun, May 11, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $75; $65; $55; $45.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Armed Forces Day Celebration
Sat, May 17, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
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, but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). 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 May 10
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon May 12
9:30 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue May 13
2:00 pm
3:45 pm
4:30 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Dabbling Artists Club
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writers Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu May 15
11:50 am
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri May 16
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
2:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat May 17
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer Club
Mon May 19
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Writing Club – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue May 20
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed May 21
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
4:00 pm
Board Games Club – online
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists
Spanish Club
Thu May 22
10:00 am
11:50 am
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
Humanities Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Meeting
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri May 23
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
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.
ed from over 70 applicants after an extensive national search, Mariam will step in as I step down to pursue collaboration with George Mason University’s Watershed Lit Radio Literary Podcast at 
discussing and sharing suggestions. What book(s) have you read in the last six months that you would recommend to others and why?
