World War II Historian Jim Lewis Provides a Fascinating Account of a Little-Known Japanese Effort to Develop and Deploy Large Submarine (!) Aircraft Carriers in Attack on the US Mainland in WWII, June 20.
If you compare OLLI offerings to those at other lifelong learning programs in our region and around the country, you will be hard-pressed to find a more affordable and robust program. When you think about VALUE, consider that a weekend trip out of town with dinner and a show might cost you the same amount as a full year of membership to OLLI or more. That’s two days versus a full year of awesome programming, social engagement, and intellectual enrichment. This summer we are asking all members to make an extra effort to tell a friend about your OLLI. Bring a friend to OLLI for a visit, pick up a catalog to share at your next meet up and spread the word about OLLI. Encourage friends to join, so they too can enjoy this fabulous affordable and valuable program. At $425, it’s money well spent!
Remember, OLLI offers two ways to pay and financial assistance is available for those in need.
1. The traditional annual payment of the membership dues is $425 due at the time of your membership renewal or joining OLLI. 2. The monthly installment payment plan which allows you to spread out the annual membership dues in 12 equal payments of $35.41, beginning the first month of the term. Use this form to apply for the monthly installment option. At this time, OLLI is only able to offer this plan in conjunction with a credit or debit card. Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards are accepted. If you choose the option for monthly payments, please thoroughly read payment conditions and sign the agreement before submitting to the OLLI main office in person or via US mail.
Financial Assistance is Available
The Board of Directors of OLLI at Mason encourages members to become full members and renew membership annually. Members or potential members who are experiencing a financial hardship should use this application to request assistance.
You bet it’s worth it! Think about this: The average cup of coffee costs $1.59 (and that’s not fancy Starbucks brand). So, at $425 a year you can attend OLLI for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day. Plus, at OLLI you get coffee and cookies for free. What a deal!
Dupont Mansions Give OLLI Members a Glimpse of a Past Era
By Rita Way, Tour Event Co-coordinator
At the turn of the 20th century, Dupont Circle and its grand avenues became a “place of wealth and fashion” — the center for great mansions and American castles. Only a few of those homes have survived today, among which are the Heurich House and the Anderson House.
On Friday, June 23, 39 OLLI members stepped back in time and toured both of these historic houses. Displayed in the period splendor, each house was toured under the guidance of a very knowledgeable docent who made the setting and era come alive. The docent for the Anderson House was Dan Sherman, one of OLLI’s most popular instructors. Dan loves to give these tours, reinforcing his great appreciation of American history.
With the help of my co-coordinator, Doris Weisman, the attendees were divided into two groups: in the morning, one half toured the Heurich House and the other half toured the Anderson House. After a leisurely lunch, the groups alternated houses.
The Anderson House was the winter home of American diplomat Larz Anderson III. It has 50 rooms and cost $740,000 in 1905. The house is now a museum, library and headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati.
The Heurich House, now a museum, was built from 1892-1894 by Christian Heurich, a landowner and self-made businessman who owned the Heurich Brewing Company, the largest non-government employer in the District at that time. With most of its original furnishings, the Heurich House reflects the life and times of that era.
It was a very enjoyable day of seeing some grand structures, learning about the past, and enjoying each other’s camaraderie. (Photos by Toni Acton.)
OLLI Instructors Receive Awards for
Mason Faculty Excellence
By Alice Slayton Clark, Communications and Program Associate
At the George Mason University 2017 commencement ceremony, Mason professors Cynthia Lum and Wendi Manuel-Scott were two of six Mason professors recognized for faculty excellence. Dr. Lum was awarded the 2017 Earle C. Williams Medal for Excellence in Social Impact for her commitment to improving quality of life at home and abroad through community service. Dr. Manuel-Scott was provided the 2017 Alcalde Family Medal for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion for her work to advance these values at Mason and beyond. Bestowing these awards, George Mason University President Angel Cabrera boasted that these professors “represent the ideals of higher education and embody the vision of our institution.”
Most members recognize the names of Dr. Lum and Dr. Manuel-Scott because both have offered popular classes at OLLI Mason. Dr. Lum is well regarded for her numerous classes at both Fairfax and Loudoun campuses on contemporary issues in criminology, good policing, crime theory and prevention, and evidence-based policing. She even gave a presentation on the life journey of her father, from poor orphan after WWII to successful US immigrant involved in the highly successful Apollo and Space Shuttle programs.
Dr. Manuel-Scott contributed to OLLI’s “Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle,” a series designed by the National Endowment for Humanities to revisit the history of civil rights in America and reflect on the ideals of freedom and equality that have helped bridge deep racial and cultural divides.
OLLI is fortunate that these Mason professors grace our classrooms. Keep an eye on future catalogs as we hope to have more offerings from these exemplary professionals.
By Marianne Metz, Co-chair of the Art and Music Program Planning Group
Last week’s E-News listed upcoming program planning meetings, unfortunately omitting the one for Art and Music. But we need you! If you are interested in art, architecture, photography, music and/or dance, please join us in planning classes in these areas. You’ll meet friends who share your interests and get the satisfaction that comes from building a great program. We need your ideas for new classes and your contacts who might teach them. The Art and Music Program Planning Group meeting is Tuesday, July 11, 1:30, at Tallwood.
If you can’t make the meeting but have suggestions, please contact:
Inside OLLI-Mason Understanding the OLLI Budget Part Two: Payroll By Paul Howard, Board Member and OLLI Finance Committee MemberEd. Note: This is part two of a series of six articles on the OLLI budget, prepared by the Finance Committee to provide insight into the OLLI budget process for E‑News readers.This figure shows major categories of OLLI expenses projected for this year.
The largest portion of the OLLI budget, Staff Payroll and Taxes, is allocated $342,000 for 2017. Executive Director Jennifer Disano is our only full-time employee. All positions are without benefits. Eleven hourly employees coordinate our programs and special events, pay our bills, provide classroom assistance to our instructors, manage membership and classroom assignments, keep us informed, and perform a vast array of tasks that keep the 'ship of OLLI' on course. Mason students are employed in several roles, and a few other folks serve on an 'as needed' basis. More information about our employee team is available on the organization page of our website in the Management and Staff section at: https://olli.gmu.edu/our-organization/.Future parts of this series on the OLLI budget will address other major expenses, proceeding clockwise around the chart. The next part will address equipment expenses, followed in the subsequent issue by facilities expenses, then general and administrative expenses, and culminating with a discussion of expenses for program, publications, and committee budgets.
Finally, noted on the chart at the top of this article, the budget allocates about half of one percent - $3000, for the OLLI Reserve Fund – money set aside to meet future contingencies. In the event of positive results from operations – we spend less than we take in – the Finance Committee, in conjunction with the executive director, will recommend to the Board that the surplus be applied to the Reserve Fund, be used for a special project, or be used to supplement the next year's revenue line.
The living is easy in the summertime at OLLI. With more than a dozen multiple week courses and a variety of one time lectures there is much to enjoy.
Did you enjoy the Caesar Salad? Are you taking a nostalgic look back at the hilarious sitcoms from the 70s? Maybe you are taking in one of our film series or discovering more about music, art or even taking a turn at singing. There are always lots of readers at OLLI, well-served by everything from Macbeth to Uncle Tom's Cabin with a variety of book discussions and a Literary Potpourri thrown in.
Whatever you are enjoying at OLLI this summer, bring a friend or neighbor to take a look during the rest of the term. Check in with office assistants at Tallwood or site assistants at Reston and Loudoun who can tell you if any classes have space/class size restrictions. Most are wide open so come in and enjoy.
On 26 June, a stalwart band of OLLI seniors defied the cancellation of the bus and carpooled our way to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico. We were met by Nelson Quick, a retired Army Vietnam veteran who led us on a three-hour tour of the highlights of the museum’s memorabilia…highlights only, because much had to be skipped over in the time allotted. Later, we were able to revisit parts of the museum at our leisure after having lunch at the tavern or cafeteria.
Opened in 2006, the museum is currently 120,000 square feet of space featuring a unique design to symbolize the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. The museum will add an additional 80,000 square feet of space in the coming years, including an I-Max theater, an art gallery and more display space. The most memorable moment for me was viewing the original flag from Iwo Jima.
Parking and admission are free with easy access off I-95 (Exit 150). I encourage everyone who has not been to this inspiring museum to put it on their “to do” list. (Photo by Angie Talaber.)
he will see
no more touchdowns,
turnovers or timeouts
or need cold beer from the fridge
Sunday afternoons will not be
sacrosanct, other programs
watched instead
stuffed Monkey will sit
in his favorite chair,
cheering in his place,
a Patriots or Red Sox cap
partially hiding Monkey's face
an empty beer bottle will stand
on the small table to the right
it will not need to be replaced
tonight or any night
no more touchdowns,
turnovers or time-outs left,
no more games for him,
but you'll hear cheering in the
stands louder than the rest,
he'll be there with his lucky caps
to give them one last test
Performances June 30 through July 10 By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff WriterFor tickets for either Center for the Arts (CFA) or Hylton, call 1-888-945-2468, 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 Hyltonticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
National Jazz Workshop Student Showcase
Fri, Jun 30, 2:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.
Chun In Kwon Band: 30th Anniversary US Tour
Sat, Jul 8, 7:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $150, $100, $80.
Gallery Exhibit: Sacred Feminine
Jun 6 - Jul 15
The Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thu, 10:00 - 8:00 and two hours before performances.
For more information, visit https://cvpa.gmu.edu/gands.
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office, with direct web links added when available. The list is accurate as of mid-week but to check anytime for the latest information, please view the latest forecast of upcoming 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, kickoff coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Fri Jun 30
9:30am
10:00am
11:00am
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Annex
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Mon Jul 3
10:00am
10:00am
Bridge Club–TA-3
What’s in the Daily News, cont’d–TA-1
Wed Jul 5
1:45pm
Special Event Committee–Annex
Fri Jul 7
9:15am
9:30am
11:00am
1:00pm
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Annex
Homer, etc. –Annex
Dr. Who Club–TA-3
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Technical Editor: Irene Osterman
Associate Editor: Sheri Siesseger
Weekly Editor Team: Jean Boltz, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere, Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Polly Johnsen, Shirley Springfloat
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
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 – 6:00 Tuesday for that week's issue (6:00 Monday 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.
erican castles. Only a few of those homes have survived today, among which are the Heurich House and the Anderson House.
The Anderson House was the winter home of American diplomat Larz Anderson III. It has 50 rooms and cost $740,000 in 1905. The house is now a museum, library and headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati.
ry and more display space. The most memorable moment for me was viewing the original flag from Iwo Jima. 
