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Long-time member Ted Parker, 87, of Oakton, VA, who joined OLLI in the fall of 2005, passed away March 8, 2026. Born in the Bronx and raised in New Hampshire, Ted was a graduate of Assumption College and a doctoral student at Boston College. He served with honor as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves.
back, on Wednesday, April 22, starting at 10:00. The trail along the Potomac is generally flat and it is an easy ambling walk with a few sections of walking through rocks. I have included photos so you can see the terrain in those few spots.
The History Club will meet on Wednesday, April 1, at 4:00, on Zoom. The presenter will be David Timko on Ancient Sparta. Depictions of ancient Sparta have become increasingly prominent in Western popular culture, and Sparta is now typically portrayed in a favorable light. This is in contrast to the late 20th Century, when Sparta was not regarded so favorably, and Sparta’s traditional enemy, Athens was pointed to as an ancient analog to the United States. This month’s talk will explore the reality of ancient Sparta and try to peel away the layers of myth that obscure that reality.
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Mason Jazz Vocal Night 
Jazz Workshop
hrough post-processing. The last half of the session was devoted to a summary of cell phone photography by Jo Leir, a guest presenter, which generated lots of questions, even after the class ended.
Civil War raiders. In the spring of 1862, Union special operatives went behind the confederate lines and stole a locomotive, seeking to sabotage the Confederates’ vital single-track rail line between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Although the raid was ultimately unsuccessful, the raiders were awarded the newly-created Medal of Honor.
Former OLLI member William Ron Campbell, Jr., who joined OLLI in 2004, died on
and smooth instructional delivery for in-person, hybrid, and online programs. Kip’s first day was February 2. He worked previously as an elementary-level classroom teacher in Fairfax County. Kip is an active member at Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, assisting with audio mixing for the Sunday livestream and The Good Shepherd Players' upcoming production of Something Rotten. Kip holds a BA in communication from Hope College.
community building to support members and programs to the role of Operations Manager. She’s starting remotely on February 17 and her first day in the office will be on March 2. A lifelong learner, her international study and travel experiences continue to shape her belief in curiosity, cultural exchange, and learning across the lifespan. An active member of her community, Rachel volunteers with organizations including Meals on Wheels, the Little Theatre of Alexandria, and her local school district. She serves on the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities and champions inclusion and accessibility in all spaces.
recent Master’s graduate in computer science from George Mason University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering. She has worked in software engineering, research, and applied AI. Shriya enjoys working in collaborative learning environments and has a strong interest in using technology to make learning more accessible. Outside of work, she enjoys attending idea-driven talks and events, going on hikes and urban walks, and engaging in conversations around technology, creativity, and learning.
Our presenter will be author Chuck Mauro, and his presentation will be titled A Southern Spy in Northern Virginia: The Civil War Album of Laura Ratcliffe. Laura lived in Herndon and provided information to the Confederates. The album, also used as a guestbook, was given to her by the dashing Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart. Stuart also wrote four poems for Laura to help cement her allegiance to the Confederate cause. Chuck will show how Laura’s story illustrates the competing considerations that were felt by many Southern sympathizers living in contested or Union-controlled territory.
On Sunday, February 15, TLG will attend the 3pm matinee performance of Once on this Island, performed by the City of Fairfax Theater Community at Katherine Johnson Middle School, located at 3801 Jermantown Road in Fairfax. Tickets are $31.60 and can be purchased online at 
Members arriving at OLLI Mason on January 20 for the first day of term were greeted by an unexpected burst of color and creativity. The entrance and porch have been transformed by a joyful act of yarn bombing. The columns are 
covered in cheerful knitted and crocheted panels with words of positivity, turning the familiar posts into vibrant works of fiber art. Other fiber surprises are sprinkled throughout the entrance area and porch.
Yarn bombing, a form of street art that uses knitted or crocheted pieces to decorate public spaces, has been embraced for the warmth and whimsy it brings to everyday surroundings. At OLLI Mason, the installation serves as a reminder of the creativity and community spirit that make the institute special.
The installation will be in place at least through the end of the month. More photos of Yarn Bomb OLLI Mason, courtesy of Paul Howard, are available at the following link (or better yet, come see it for yourself): 
Starting now, you can pick up guest passes at the main office. Guest passes (see figure for the guest pass front and back) will also be included in your spring term catalog. Let’s grow our circle of lifelong learners together.
It’s that time again! OLLI Ink 2026 is now accepting prose, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and essays for our literary magazine. We want to publish the OLLI Ink issue by the beginning of April for Poetry Month.
Welcome in the new year in style…with a meeting of the Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group.
