Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

OLLI E-News (Weekly Newsletter)

OLLI E-News June 27, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
The Dirty Knee Club Keeps Tallwood Landscaping Fresh
for Summer 2025

June 27, 2025


Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • For those planning to march in the 10:00 Independence Day parade on July 4, please email Marilyn Harriman (Walk & Talk co-chair) before July 2 so the planners can look for you and give you parking and meet-up details: [email protected].
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, July 4; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, July 1, at 6:00.

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From the Desk of the Executive Director


By Lisa Mariam, Executive Director

 

First Month

Dear Members,

What an incredible first month it’s been for me at OLLI Mason! Since joining on June 2, I’ve been truly energized by the spirit of this community—from the dedicated volunteers and staff, extraordinary curriculum, fascinating clubs, to the traditions that make OLLI Mason so special. I’ve also had the privilege of connecting with many of you. Hearing your stories and seeing the impact OLLI Mason is making has been inspiring.

As we begin the new term, I invite you to get even more involved—every member is encouraged to give their time, talents, and dollars. Our goal is 100% participation. There are so many ways to make a difference in our community, by volunteering for a committee to enhance our excellence, sharing your OLLI Mason experience with friends and neighbors, and contributing to the Friends of OLLI campaign. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].

All my best,
Lisa

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“America250” will be Celebrated on July 4,
2026, and You’re Invited to Participate

 
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Chair


In July 2026 the United States will celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You are invited to participate in this mission by presenting OLLI classes from now through July 2026 to enlighten our members via your expertise on this part of American history. As OLLI members, we are aware that there was more to the signing than “meets the eye.” This is where you come in. As a presenter for the Humanities and Social Sciences, you are encouraged to explore the Declaration through various lenses including (but not limited to) its philosophy as well as its multifaceted effect on society during that time period.

If you or a knowledgeable colleague can support OLLI’s mission of “lifelong learning” regarding the topic of the Declaration of Independence please consider this invitation.
Submission deadlines for 2026:
Winter 2026 /due by July 21, 2025
Spring 2026 /due by October 6, 2025
Summer 2026/ due by January 26, 2026

Note: Dr. Heather Dudley is currently teaching a three-session summer 2025 course 303Z The Declaration of Independence June 25–July 9. More courses like this are desirable!
 
Here is a link to the course submission form: https://olli.gmu.edu/olli-course-proposal-form/.
 








It’s time to head to the beach. Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? It is also your first line of defense against disease. Protect it so it can protect you. Sunscreens should be at least SPF 30, applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, then every 2 hours and after each time you go in the water. Sunscreen: Tips to wear it well | MD Anderson Cancer Center. Don’t forget the ears and, men, don’t forget the scalp.
                                                      
(From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup)

Mason Nutrition Study Asks for Your Help

 

By Abigail Suchoski, Trained Mason Nutrition Graduate Student


OLLI Mason has the opportunity to assist with a scientific research study through the GMU Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences. The research evaluates the presence of sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass, strength, and function with age, in older adults. Professor Stefanos Tyrovolas is the lead investigator of the study. The assessments will be performed by trained graduate students Abby Suchoski and Bri Schuh.

The full test will be completed in about 20 minutes and will be conducted at Tallwood over several weeks (or longer if needed). They are also able to travel to alternative locations for data collection. In addition, each participant will receive a $20 Amazon gift card for their efforts.

For more information, look for details in an OLLI E-Blast in the upcoming weeks. Please consider helping with this particularly important research. We need you. Thank you.
 
We hope that this will be the start of future collaborations.

Michele Romano, MD and Suresh Mohla, PhD
Co-chairs, Science, Technology & Health Committee
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation— July 9
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 July 9 is Intergenerational Households.

Do you live in an intergenerational household—parents, adult children, and grandchildren co-existing under one roof? Based on several recent articles, this seems to be a growing trend for a number of reasons. Sometimes it is financial—either the children or the grandparents need support. In other situations, the motivation is to provide care for grandparents or grand-children. Of course, there is always the possibility that this is an interesting and rewarding way to live. Is this a feasible option that you might consider? Try to envision your daily life in a multi-generational house with your family. We welcome you to share your thoughts with us.

No need (or option) to register for the conversation—just join in—all are welcome. Look for the Zoom link in the emailed daily schedule on the morning of our scheduled conversation. (Hint: it is always identical to the 24/7 Chat meeting ID/Passcode.)

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.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Hope Springs from the Heart
 
When uncertainty spins you around
and you can’t seem to find the ground
of your own being;
when you feel the talon-grip
of fear around your heart and 
night descends so the way
forward looks dark…
then, the one thing to do is
make an offering of your 
helplessness…
serve it up to that Eternal Presence
beyond yourself that knows the
uncharted path for you to take...
until you finally feel your heart reveal
a glimmer of hope beyond the
fear and hopelessness.
Nurture that hope so that
it glows and grows
like the Light that brightens
on a December morn
that slowly signals the 
songbird’s return whose 
harmony fills your heart 
when spring is reborn.

                      –Sophia Elberti

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, June 27 through July 7


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
(25-26 Season subscriptions to Great Performances now on sale)
 
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.
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)

Paul Anka in Concert
Sat, Jun 28, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $100, $80, $50.

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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). 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 28 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jun 30
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jul 1
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 2
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Jul 3
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jul 4   Holiday
Sat Jul 5 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jul 7
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jul 8
 
 		  2:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Caregivers Support Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jul 9
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Thu Jul 10
 		  3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jul 11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
Sat Jul 12 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 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.

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OLLI E-News June 13, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

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.

June 13, 2025


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • 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.

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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.

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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].

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The Great Gatsby is 100 Years Old!


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: 

OLLI Course Proposal Form

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Computer Club
3rd Saturday, June 21
Mastering Your New Mac
PHEV and Hybrid Battery Charge Level Monitor


By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair


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.

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Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation for June 25

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.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Creech                                                                       
 
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
      
                   – Jan Bohall

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Obituary: Sara Noblett Heyer

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.

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Mason Jazz Camp FREE Concerts 2025


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.

Mason Jazz Camp Faculty Showcase Mon, June 23, 3:30-4:30
Click here for information.

                

Juan Megna Tue, June 24, 3:30-4:30
Click here for information.

                

Alton Sencalar Wed, Jun 25, 3:30-4:30
Click here for information.

                

The US Navy Band Commodores Thu June 26, 3:30-4:30
Click here for information.

                

Student Showcase Fri, June 27, 2:00-4:00 (Note time)
Click here for information.

                

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, June 13 through June 27


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

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.

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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)

Ordway Ballet Recital
Fri, Jun 13, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30, $27 Adult; $25, $22 Senior.

Virginia Dance Center: Dancing with Emotion
Sat, Jun 14, 12:00 and 5:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.

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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). 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
Sat Jun 28 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 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.

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OLLI E-News May 30, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Dr. Peter Henriques, Mason Professor Emeritus of History, Expert on George Washington and Instructor of Many Popular OLLI Courses, Presented on George Washington and Slavery, May 14

May 30, 2025


Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents
Alerts and Notices
 
  • Registration for the summer term is underway. The summer catalog is available on the website. Be sure to check the canceled, changed, and added list on the website.
  • Board of Directors meeting Friday, June 6, at 10:00, in person at Tallwood in TA-1 and via Zoom. All members are welcome.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, June 13; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, June 10, at 6:00.
Wednesday Conversation Topic for June 11
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators

For the Team Bloch Conversation on June 11, our topic will be "The Great Gatsby at the 100th Year Anniversary."

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel was published by Scribners in April 1925, one hundred years ago. Did you know that it was not a commercial success at first? The first printing of 20,000 copies sold very slowly and the second printing had not yet sold out when Fitzgerald died in 1940 at age 44. What does the novel say about the times that we are living in today (if anything)?

We meet via Zoom every second Wednesday at 4:00 on the OLLI Chat Line. Any OLLI member is welcome to join us. The Zoom meeting link is found in the OLLI Daily Schedule on the mornings of our meetings.
 
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop
Fly Like a Bird
 
There is a relief in the photos of birds
a neighbor posts on our neighborhood blog.
I wonder,
         how do these fragile beings survive,
                  where are they flying to,
and my head, then even my body,
                  relaxes as I think
                  about flying with them
through openings in trees,
soaring in the sun,
fast flitting to shelter when it rains,
taking to the air quickly when
the ground becomes dangerous,
singing to other birds to let
them know what I see going on.
 
I cannot do that.
 
My mind can.
 
         – Betty Smith
 
Elizabeth (Betty) Smith was an active OLLI member since 2010, as well as the founder of the Memoir and More Writing Club. Although she moved to Colorado two years ago to be closer to a daughter, thanks to Zoom, Betty continued to participate in the OLLI Poetry Workshop. She was a creative and accomplished poet, as well as a willing resource for other writers. Betty passed away in September 2024. We honor her memory and her commitment to writing with one of her many beautiful poems.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 30 through June 14


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 the CFA ticket page link below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Pre-performance discussions will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Concert Hall, 45 minutes prior to curtain. As seating is limited, a livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby.

Fairfax Symphony Celebrates Zimmerman's 15th Anniversary
Elgar: Introduction and Allegro for Strings
Leshnoff: Concertante for 2 Violins and Orchestra (East Coast Premiere) with Chee-Yun and Kit Zimmerman, violin
Shostakovich: Symphony No.10
Sat, May 31, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion
Concert Hall
Admission: $65, $55, $40.

National Community Band Festival, Center for the Arts
Sat, Jun 7, Concert Hall:

  • City of Falls Church Concert Band, 3:00
  • Clarke County Community Band, 4:15
  • Main Street Community Band, 5:30
  • Arlington Concert Band, 6:45
  • Capital Wind Symphony, 8:00

 
Sun, Jun 8, Concert Hall:

  • Herndon Regional Wind Ensemble, 1:00
  • City of Fairfax Band, 2:15
  • Fairfax Wind Symphony, 3:00

Admission: $19 Adult, $14 senior (each day).

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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 Chorale: Princesses and Pirates
Fri, May 30, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25, $23.

Virginia National Ballet Spring Recital
Sat, May 31, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35.

Boyle School of Irish Dance
Sun, Jun 1, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $18.

Showcase Dance Recital
Sat, Jun 7, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30.

Axial Dance: The Most Magical Recital on Earth
Sun, Jun 8, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $15.

Powerworx Dance: Power of Dance
Sun, Jun 8, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.

Manassas Ballet Theatre Recital
Thu, Jun 12, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20.

Ordway Ballet Recital
Fri, Jun 13, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30, $27 Adult; $25, $22 Senior.

Virginia Dance Center: Dancing with Emotion
Sat, Jun 14, 12:00 and 5:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.

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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). 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., 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 31 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jun 2
 
 
 
 
 		  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 3
 
 
 		 10:00 am
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Large Program Planning Meeting
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jun 4
 
 
 		 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 – online
Thu Jun 5
 
 
 		 10:00 am
11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Facilities Lunch
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jun 6
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Jun 7 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Jun 9
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News?
Board Game Club – online
Bridge Club
Poetry Writing Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Jun 10
 
 		  2:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Caregivers Support Group – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Jun 11
 
 		 10:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Thu Jun 12
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Jun 13
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
Sat Jun 14 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 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.

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OLLI E-News May 16, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Karen Wheeless described how recordings that were distributed to deployed WWII military through the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) during a 1940s
27-month strike by musicians preserved thousands of classic performances on VDiscs; May 9

May 16, 2025


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • OLLI Personal Computer User Group 3rd Saturday meeting is May 17 (tomorrow), at 1:00, in person and via Zoom; check today's OLLI daily schedule email for link and other information.
  • Registration for the summer term begins May 20 and continues through the term. The summer catalog is available on the website. Be sure to check the canceled, changed, and added list on the website.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 30; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 27, at 6:00.

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The Story of Black Fairfax


By Camille Hodges, Board Member and E-News Staff Writer
 

The story of Black Fairfax has long been untold. The free Black population of Fairfax Court House dates to at least the 1820s. After the Civil War, newly freed Black citizens expanded the hamlet of Jermantown dramatically. Additional segregated neighborhoods, including School Street, which overlapped today's George Mason University, and Ilda, off Guinea Road, grew and thrived. In the second half of the nineteenth century, residents built schools, churches, and a cemetery. These families persevered under Jim Crow in the early twentieth century.
 
Etta Willson, Rita Colbert, Linneall Naylor, Rondia Prescott, and Jenee Lindner, authors of Black Communities of Fairfax: A History, discussed their book in presentations for OLLI Mason at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim in Fairfax on April 7 and 14 as part of a three-part series.
 
Save the Date: LLT Program Planning Group to Meet May 27


By Patrica Bangs, LLT Program Planning Group Co-Coordinator


What: Literature, Languages/Writing, and Theater (LLT) Program Planning Group Meeting
When: Tuesday, May 27, 10:00-11:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Via Zoom (see link below)

OLLI members, we need your thoughts and ideas. Whether you enjoy the classics or spy novels, sci-fi or memoirs, want to read poetry, learn a language, explore playwrights and the world of theater, or hone your writing skills, the LLT Program Planning Group would love to hear from you.

Please join us for our quarterly all-campus program planning group meeting for literature, languages/writing, and theater program planning May 27 at 10:00 via Zoom.

We will be reviewing past terms and planning for the winter 2026 term and beyond. All OLLI members can contribute to this excellent programming. Bring ideas for literature, theater, writing, or language programs, and possible instructor resources. And, of course, if you or anyone you know would like to join our group, here is your opportunity to see the process in action. Spread the word. See you on May 27.

The meeting Zoom link from Shannon Morrow, our staff program associate, is below. The link will also be available on the emailed daily schedule. If you would like to be added to our LLT mailing list for a reminder, please email Pat Bangs at: [email protected].
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://gmu.zoom.us/j/99712233280
 
Meeting ID: 997 1223 3280
One tap mobile
+12678310333,,99712233280# US (Philadelphia)
+13017158592,,99712233280# US (Washington DC)
 
Dial by your location
        +1 267 831 0333 US (Philadelphia)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Find your local number: https://gmu.zoom.us/u/ac7ZFZ2Ho1








It’s heating up out there. If the HEAT INDEX is in the Caution Zone or above, consider limiting or avoiding time outdoors. Remember to check not only the time you leave but the time you plan to return. Many weather apps will report this hourly.
             
                                                      
(From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup)
June Theater Picks: Something New and Something Old


By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator



Something New! Murder by the Numbers
A murder mystery dinner with yummy BBQ, a help-yourself beer wall, and a chance to be in the show is what awaits you when you join the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) on Saturday, June 7 for the StageCoach Theatre Company's performance of the newly minted Murder by the Numbers at Ono Offshore in Chantilly. This original murder mystery takes place in Las Vegas in the 1960s. Author Wayne Kerr is on stage talking about his recently published book, a thriller, dealing with chance, intrigue, and betrayal. His fans are more interested in murder than autographs. A publicity stunt or real life? You will have to be there to find out. Tickets, which are $61.25/person, include the dinner and show but not refreshments. Tickets sell out fast and can be purchased online at stagecoachtc.com. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 and the show starts at 6:45.

Something Old: The Piano Lesson
A winner of Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Piano Lesson is a play written by American playwright August Wilson in 1987, the fourth in his Pittsburgh Cycle. At the center of discussion is the family's heirloom piano that is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor showing the faces of the great grandfather's wife and son during enslavement. Bernice and her brother Boy Willie grapple with their differing views of the piano (with its own story) and questions about their lives. What do you do with a legacy? How do you put it to best use? TLG will attend the 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, June 14 at 1st Stage. There are still some $25 tickets left. Phone 703-854-1856 to get yours. There will be a Meet the Cast talk back after the show, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. Remember that guests are always welcome.

Editor's Note: At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.
Program Update for Computer Club Meeting May 17


By Paul Howard, OPCUG Program Chair


The Computer Club (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) 3rd Saturday meeting May 17 presentation by Rob Pegoraro has an updated description. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.

2025 In Tech: What Fresh Hell Is This? Presented by Rob Pegoraro
Yes, so many things seem kind of terrible right now. Between Trump's tariffs and his crusade against environmental-protection policies, even a tablet or a TV purchase isn't what it used to be. I'll talk about what's going on right now, what you can do about it (spoiler alert: sometimes nothing), and what's actually getting better in the tech universe.

Biographical information for Rob Pegoraro can be found in the Computer Club meeting announcement in the May 9 E-News issue: click here.

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Photo of the Month
The May 2025 Photo of the Month theme was close-ups. We selected Cookie (Ellen) Hilert's photo "Duckling: Pond at Burke Center" which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.
        -- By John Olsen and Edward Marion, Photography Club Co-Coordinators

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

MY BROTHER, MY FRIEND
 
you birthed your own demons
in the teen years, a horrific accident
self-medicated with alcohol
the garage now your private bar
 
kept a job, brought home the bacon,
never a DUI. But when you
menaced your wife, that final straw
woke you to action
 
thirty years hence, no longer lost to me
reborn sans alcohol, easy to forget
the dark days, the shovel attack
a story now relived with laughter
 
a new person, full of epiphanies
more alike than different, we
no longer rivals
but siblings-and-friends
our twilight years upon us,
time together our treasure to stow
 
                        –Margie Wildblood

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 16 through May 31


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

No performances

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)

ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical
Fri, May 16, 7:00
Sat, May 17, 7:00
Sun, May 18, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 Senior.
 
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.
 
Northern Virginia Ballet: Peter and the Wolf plus Paquita
Sat, May 24, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35 Adult, $30 Senior.
 
Manassas Chorale: Princesses and Pirates
Fri, May 30, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25, $23.
 
Virginia National Ballet: Spring Recital
Sat, May 31, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35.

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

Back to Top of Page
 
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). 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., 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 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
Sat May 24 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon May 26 11:00 am Poetry Reading Club – online
Tue May 27
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
 
 2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Meeting
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed May 28
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Games Club – online
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu May 29
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri May 30
 
 
 
 		  9:00 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Walk & Talk Club
Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat May 31 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 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.

Back to Top of Page
 
OLLI E-News May 9 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
OLLI Annual Business Meeting with Farewell for Jennifer Disano, Followed by Picnic; Tallwood, May 2

May 9, 2025


Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • 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.

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From the Desk of the Executive Director 
  

By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director



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.

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Computer Club
3rd Saturday, May 17
Tech Journalist Rob Pegoraro
Google Gmail Web Interface


By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair


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.

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Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation— May 14
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.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Sands

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.

                       – Jacqueline Davey

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Obituary

Elizabeth (Betty) Smith


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

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 9 through May 18


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

No Performances
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

School of Music Honors Recital 2025
Sat, May 10, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

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.

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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). 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
Wed May 14
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 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
Sat May 24 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 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.

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OLLI E-News May 2, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Tom Shoop, former Fairfax County History Commissioner, discussed his book, A Place Called Ilda, on race and resilience in 19th and 20th-century Fairfax, Virginia, near Little River Turnpike and Guinea Road; April 21, Historic Blenheim

May 2, 2025


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • You will receive (or may have already received) an email with a link allowing you to cast your ballot for the Board election between May 2 and May 16. If you do not receive this email today, contact the OLLI office at [email protected].
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 9; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, May 6, at 6:00.

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Celebrate Spring with New Course Ideas!


By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Chairperson
 
As spring blossoms with promises of new life, we hope your thoughts have blossomed into new ideas to share with OLLI members. If you are personally hesitant to share, perhaps you know someone whose expertise in the areas of the humanities and social sciences would benefit our OLLI members. We value your willingness to contribute your expertise.
 
Here are some topics for consideration:
  • History of the Fairfax County Courthouse
  • “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope”...and other dilemmas of older adulthood
  • Why are there so many versions of Cinderella? Or The Psychology Behind Folk Tales
  • The “Rosetta Stone” of Understanding Human Behavior
  • Your ideas?
 
Here is the course proposal link and due date schedule:
 
OLLI Course Proposal Form

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History Club Meeting Wednesday, May 7


By Doug Snoeyenbos, History Club Coordinator


The History Club will meet in person at 4:00 on Wednesday afternoon, May 7, on the west side of Parking Lot K on the George Mason campus We'll be taking a tour of the redoubt at Farr’s Cross Roads, an important Civil War site. A map of the campus that includes Lot K (west side is to the left on the map) is linked here Fairfax Campus Map.
 
We will meet at the Farr's Cross Roads historical marker (illustrated at the right) with experienced presenters from the Bull Run Civil War Roundtable. They will explain the historical significance of the site, and then take us on a short walk of about 100 yards on a well-groomed trail to the site of the actual redoubt. 

All are welcome; you don’t have to be a History Club member to attend, enjoy the great outdoors, and what should be a very interesting walk and talk.

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Theater for the Merry Month of May - You Are Invited


By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers' Group


Friday, May 9 Speaker - Be Sure to Zoom in at 1 p.m.
Which of these types of theater do you enjoy the most? Murder mystery dinner theater or stage productions? Magic shows or comedy shows? You get it all with the amazing Stagecoach Theatre Company of Ashburn. This gem of a theater company does it all with something for everyone from five to adult; even gives classes if you want to brush up on your theater skills.
 
Stagecoach Theatre's owner and co-founder Jerri Wiseman will speak via Zoom with the Theater Lovers' Group on Friday, May 9 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. All OLLI members are invited to attend this fabulous event. Just look for the Zoom link under Theater Lovers' Group in the E-News Daily Schedule.
 
Saturday, May 18 Attend Matinee of Jesus Christ Superstar
Andrew Lloyd Weber's first production for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar, ran for about a decade in London, which made it the longest running show there before being eventually overtaken by Cats. It is loosely based on the Gospels but focuses on the psychological and personal conflicts between characters, particularly Judas's dissatisfaction with Jesus' direction. It will be performed at Workhouse Arts Center W3 Theater. Military and senior tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at workhousearts.org. Optional dinner after the show.

Editor's Note: At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Because I Was Never Taught the Names of Fruits
 
I walk into
the corner market
a blank slate
yearning for lawsuit fruit
a prairie of cherries
a crack pot apricot
with avocado bravado
 
I search for unflappable apples
parts of speech peaches
say a prayer to Santa Banana
wearing a passionfruit swimsuit
wondering how did I land
on this pomegranate planet
just another glum plum
 
                    –Susan Bennett

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, May 3 through May 18


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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.

Back to Top of Page

 
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Pre-performance discussions will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Concert Hall, 45 minutes prior to curtain. As seating is limited, a livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby.

Virginia Opera: Loving v. Virginia
Sat, May 3, 7:30
Sun, May 4, 2:00
Pre-performance discussion
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.

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Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

George Mason School of Theater: 12 Angry Jurors
Fri, May 2, 8:00
Sat, May 3, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, May 4, 2:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A105, TheaterSpace
Admission: $20 Adult, $10 Senior.
 
George Mason School of Dance: Dance Innovations
Fri, May 2, 2:00 and 7:00
Sat, May 3, 7:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $20 Adult, $12 Senior.
 
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert: Concerto Competition Winners
Mon, May 5, 8:00
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.
 
School of Dance: May Studio Series
Tue, May 6, 6:00 and 8:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A301, Dance Performance Studio
Admission: $17.
 
School of Music Honors Recital 2025
Sat, May 10, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Fantasies
Sat, May 3, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30.
 
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 and 7:30
Sun, May 11, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $75; $65; $55; $45.

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For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

Back to Top of Page

 
 
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). 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 May 3 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon May 5
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue May 6
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed May 7
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club – online
Bridge Club
History Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu May 8
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri May 9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Dance Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Theater Lovers’ Group
Classic Literature Club – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
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
Wed May 14
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 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

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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 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.

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OLLI E-News April 25, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
The OLLI Mason Board of Directors met in TA-1 at Tallwood, Friday, April 18

April 25, 2025


Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

 
  • Note: Event times for May 2 have changed; the Annual Business Meeting will now be from 11:00-12:00, and the Tallwood Garden Party and Picnic will now be from 12:30–2:30
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, May 2; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 29, at 6:00.

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Want to know how long you are going to live? Check out Lifespan Calculator – Test Your Life Expectancy || NM. We can’t change our gene pool, but we can modify our lifestyle. Healthy Habits Linked to a Longer, Happier Life - Scripps Health. There are also many other good online tools.
                                                      
(From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup)
History Club Meeting Wednesday, May 7


By Doug Snoeyenbos, History Club Coordinator



The History Club will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, May 7, at 4:00. Bull Run Civil War Roundtable members Jim Lewis and Brian McEnany will repeat the "Beyond the Battlefield" lecture that they have previously presented to OLLI classes.
Tallwood Book Club


By Betty Ellerbee, Tallwood Book Club Coordinator



The Tallwood Book Club meets on Zoom on the second Friday of each month from 2:30 to 4:00.

Books to be discussed at upcoming meetings are as follows:
May        Gilead by Marilynne Robinson;
June       Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel;
July        River of the Gods by Candice Millard.
Late April 2025 Mason Jazz Concerts


By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice



Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, and we hope OLLI members will attend and enjoy them. Listed below are two upcoming events at the end of April. Please join us!

Mason Jazz Ensemble at Blues Alley: Tuesday, Apr 29, 7:00
Washington DC historic Jazz club, Blues Alley

Tickets: $27 plus $7 fee; for more details, click this link.


The Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Carroll, performs at Blues Alley as part of the Big Band Jam educational week!

International Jazz Day: Wednesday, Apr 30, 8:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Tickets: $19 each; click this link.

Share the vibrancy and vitality of jazz music with Mason Jazz students and faculty on April 30! George Mason University, Jazz Studies, celebrates International Jazz Day with performances by the Mason Jazz Ensemble (Jim Carroll) and The Jazz Workshop (John Kocur).
 
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation—April 30
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
As there was a wide-spread Zoom outage during our previous Wednesday Conversations with Team Bloch, we are repeating the topic for our next session on April 30.

Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) conducts a casual, drop-in conversation on Zoom every second week on Wednesday's at 4:00. Each session is on a different topic.

The topic for Team Bloch's Wednesday afternoon chat on April 30 is "What are Your Fears?" This could be a very personal subject and may differ for everyone; on the other hand, there are certain universal fears we probably all encounter as we age. Team Bloch suggests a few: running out of money, being alone, losing independence, just to start the discussion ball rolling. A related topic (possibly more productive) is "How Do You Face Your Fears?" We all have different ways of coping with difficulty—and each situation likely requires a different approach.

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 Daily Schedule on the relevant morning. Log on and join us on April 30 or any future session.
 
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Unseasonable Enchantment

Outside my window the towering maple tree
Holds a profusion of gold leaves –
The final step
Before releasing them
And leaving behind
Naked limbs
Like brown bones.  

But now, the magnificent glowing leaves
Thrash wildly in the warm, smoky wind --  
Without pause --
Like dancers in a final frenzy
Of abandon.

Shutting my eyes,
I raise my hands to join this celebration
And dissolve into roiling waves of an unseen ocean;
The energy of the atmosphere
Expressed in an unexpected October occurrence.

I am a child again
In instinctive, resplendent harmony
With raging nature.
                                       –Nancy Coffey

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 25 through May 5


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 the CFA ticket page link below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket page or 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 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.

Back to Top of Page
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Pre-performance discussions will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Concert Hall, 45 minutes prior to curtain. As seating is limited, a livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby.

Virginia Opera: Loving v. Virginia
Sat, May 3, 7:30
Sun, May 4, 2:00
Pre-performance discussion
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason Opera
Fri, Apr 25, 8:00
Sat, Apr 26, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Apr 27, 3:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.

George Mason School of Theater: 12 Angry Jurors
Thu, May 1, 8:00
Fri, May 2, 8:00
Sat, May 3, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, May 4, 2:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A105, TheaterSpace
Admission: $20 Adult, $10 Senior.

George Mason School of Dance: Dance Innovations
Fri, May 2, 2:00 and 7:00
Sat, May 3, 7:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $20 Adult, $12 Senior.

Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert: Concerto Competition Winners
Mon, May 5, 8:00
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Hylton Performing Arts Center 15th Anniversary Gala
Sat, Apr 26, 6:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Admission: Individual Tickets $350 ($210 Benefit).
For more HyltonCenter.org/galas information, Click here.

Virginia National Ballet: Bohemian Rhapsody
Sun, Apr 27, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50.

International Jazz Day 2025
Wed, Apr 30, 8:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Fantasies
Sat, May 3, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30.

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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). 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., 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 Apr 26 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 28
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 29
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 30
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Dabbling Artists Club
Memoir and More Writers Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu May 1
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats – online
Fri May 2
 
 		 11:00 am
12:00 noon
12:30 pm		 Annual Business Meeting (Note Time)
Chair Yoga and More – online
Garden Party & Picnic
Sat May 3 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon May 5
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue May 6
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed May 7
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club – online
Bridge Club
History Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu May 8
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri May 9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Dance Club
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Theater Lovers’ Group
Classic Literature Club – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
Sat May 10 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 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.

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OLLI E-News April 18, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Nicholas Reynolds Presents the Story of World War II and the Rise of American Intelligence, March 26

April 18, 2025


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • OLLI Personal Computer User Group 3rd Saturday meeting is April 19 (tomorrow) in person and via Zoom; check the OLLI daily schedule email for link and other information.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 25; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 22, at 6:00.

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From the Desk of the Executive Director


By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director


Dear OLLI Friends,

As I wrap up my 12 years with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, I want to take a moment to reflect and share my gratitude for the journey we’ve taken together. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this community, and I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished side by side.

When I joined OLLI in 2013, I saw the incredible potential of our organization—and with your support, that potential became reality. Together, we doubled OLLI program offerings, expanded our reach, and welcomed an ever-growing number of Mason professors into our classrooms. We also built strong partnerships with respected organizations and subject matter experts from across the DC metro area—and the world, enriching our courses with timely, thought-provoking content. We created new opportunities for learning, for connection, and for growth.

What makes OLLI truly special is the strength and richness of its member community. Around 50% of our classes are taught by OLLI members themselves—bringing their own talents, passions, and expertise into the classroom. This peer-to-peer learning model, where members take classes, teach classes, recruit new instructors, and generously share their knowledge, is what makes OLLI unique. It’s a living, breathing example of lifelong learning at its finest. Add to that the extraordinary efforts of volunteers who serve on committees, lead initiatives, and support every corner of the organization, and you have the foundation of a place that is not only educational—but also deeply human. Working in an organization with such a soul-satisfying mission has been more than a job—it’s been a joy.

The challenges of the pandemic could have slowed us down, but instead, they brought out the best in us. We moved our entire catalog online in a matter of weeks, kept our members engaged and connected, and later invested in hybrid technology to offer even more flexibility. Our community not only stayed together—we became stronger, more resilient, and more creative than ever.

Financially, we’ve made great strides as well. Thanks to thoughtful planning, generous support, and new partnerships, we’ve maintained our stability, expanded our impact, and continued to invest in the future. From supporting student scholarships to launching travel programs, we’ve been able to dream big—and follow through.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff I’ve had the privilege of working with. Your talent, dedication, and care have been the heartbeat of this organization. It’s been a joy to lead alongside you, and I’m so proud of the workplace culture we’ve built together—respectful, collaborative, and kind.

To our volunteers: thank you. You bring OLLI to life. Whether in classrooms, on committees, at events, or behind the scenes, your contributions have shaped every success we’ve had. And to our wonderful instructors—thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion. You’ve enriched lives in ways both big and small, and your impact will be felt for years to come.

To the Board, thank you for your steady guidance and your trust. Your vision and leadership have made so much possible, and I’m truly grateful for your partnership over the years. Although I’m stepping away from this role, I leave with full confidence in OLLI’s bright future. We’ve built something meaningful together—a welcoming, inspiring place to learn and grow at every stage of life. I will carry the memories, the friendships, and the lessons from this experience with me always.

With appreciation,
Jennifer L. Disano

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Upcoming Theater Lovers' Outing: Decision Height


By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group


Do you know who the WASPs were who served during World War II? Do you know what 'decision height' means in aviation?
 
Join the Theater Lover's' Group on Sunday, April 27, to see the 2pm matinee performance of Decision Height at the Vienna Community Center by the Vienna Theatre Company to find out. You will be intrigued by this 'unforgettable story of bravery, sacrifice, and sisterhood, shining a light on a courageous group of unrecognized heroes.' The story unfolds around Virginia who, during WWII, leaves home to become a Woman Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) and her amazing journey. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased at viennava.gov/webtrac. Optional dinner after the show at a nearby restaurant. Email [email protected] to join us for dinner and show.

Editor’s Note: At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.

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Photo of the Month
                 

The April 2025 Photo of the Month theme was Symmetry and Repetition. We selected John Olsen's photo "TheVessel," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.

                -- By John Olsen and Ed Marion, Photography Club Coordinators

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Rhetorical Question?
 
Does demure
my word of the day
mean grace
on any stage
in any play?
Should it lure
us towards humility
respect for others
not just those
who relate to us?
Or should we
as many do these days
and have through the ages
not bother
but just “adjust”
rescind grace               
blow demure away
as so much chaff in the wind
and stick with the tried and true
of me first, then maybe
                             maybe you?

                                   –Ed Sadtler

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Later April 2025 Mason Jazz Concerts



By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice


Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, and we hope OLLI members will attend and enjoy them. Listed below are two upcoming events in late April. Please join us!

Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at Blues Alley: Monday,
Apr 21, 7:00 and 9:30 Shows
Washington, DC, historic Jazz club: Blues Alley
Tickets: $25 plus $7 fee
For more details: Click this link.
The Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Darden Purcell, performs at Blues Alley, as part of the Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition Educational Week!


Jazz Combos/Steel Pan Ensemble: Wednesday, Apr 23, 8:00
Center for the Arts
For more details: Click this link.
Combo 338/Combo 217, directed by Wade Beach, and the Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Victor Provost, perform their spring 2025 concert! Free and open to the public.

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 23 through April 27


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

No performances
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason Jazz Combos
Wed, Apr 23, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.

Mason Wind Symphony
Thu, Apr 24, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

Mason Opera
Fri, Apr 25, 8:00
Sat, Apr 26, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Apr 27, 3:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Hylton Performing Arts Center 15th Anniversary Gala
Sat, Apr 26, 6:00
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Admission: Individual Tickets $350 ($210 Benefit).
For more HyltonCenter.org/galas information, Click here.

Virginia National Ballet: Bohemian Rhapsody
Sun, Apr 27, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50. 

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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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Opportunities to Join the OLLI E‑News Editorial Team


By Paul Van Hemel, E‑News Chief Editor


If you love OLLI and are interested in an easy way to contribute a volunteer effort to the organization, here’s an opportunity to do so by becoming a member of the E‑News editorial team. By serving one day every four or five weeks as Editor of the Week, you can have a positive impact on OLLI and enjoy a pleasant journalistic experience. We have openings for a couple of new editors.

E‑News is one of several OLLI publications that is created using MailChimp software. We will teach you what you need to know to put together an E-News issue. You don’t have to generate content, which generally is submitted by OLLI-member coordinators for committees, clubs, and activities. If you are interested and have questions or would like to know more, please contact me at [email protected]. Thanks!

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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). 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 Apr 19
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Apr 21
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 22
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 23
 
 
 
 		 12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm
 4:00 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club – online
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Apr 24
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 25
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 1:00 pm
 2:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dance Party
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 26 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 28
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 29
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 30
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Dabbling Artists Club
Memoir and More Writers Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu May 1
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats – online
Fri May 2
 
 
 		 10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
12:30 pm		 Annual Meeting
Annual Business Meeting
Chair Yoga and More – online
Garden Party & Picnic
Sat May 3 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 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.

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OLLI E-News April 11, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
A March 26 class with instructor Bunnie Jordan, quilter, quilt appraiser, and author, highlighted the history of quilts of Virginia, with actual quilts shared for close examination

April 11, 2025


Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

- Reminder: Mason Jazz Vocal Night: Monday, Apr 14, 8:00; Center for the Arts, Tickets – Click this link.
- Reminder: Jazz Combos/Braddock Road Brass Band: Tuesday, Apr 15, 8:00; Center for the Arts, Free – click here.
- The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 18; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 15, at 6:00.

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OLLI President's Message - April 11

By Deborah Engleson, President



Program Ideas Wanted

We know that OLLI has many experienced and talented members. Share your expertise with the rest of us! We offer a great many classes each term and are always looking for new program ideas.

Do you have a unique interest you could share with OLLI students? Did you do something in your formerly employed or volunteer life that you are still passionate about? Do you have a friend who would make a great instructor? Did you see a class at another OLLI that you would like to have here? Or perhaps you have been in a class that gave you an idea for a course. Let’s spread the wealth and add some new ideas to OLLI programs.

Program planning chairs would love to hear from you. They are listed at the beginning of each subject section of the catalog. You can always contact Kathryn Russell, Program Committee co-chair, with your ideas.  Let's make it happen for an exciting OLLI program!

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Notice of Annual Meeting and Board of
Directors Election

 

By Robert “Bob" Heyer, Secretary, Board of Directors


The annual membership meeting will be held in classroom TA-1 on the Fairfax (Tallwood) Campus and on Zoom on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00. The agenda for the meeting will include:
- Reports from the OLLI President and Executive Director
- Introduction of the 2025 board candidates
- Opportunity for questions and answers.

The Zoom link is: https://olligmu-
org.zoom.us/j/83055802123?pwd=bnG0TC5b19b2y8jczrtOgLltt8
CpAB.1
Meeting ID: 830 5580 2123
Passcode: 188 267
Dial-in: 301-715-8592

The election for the Board of Directors will take place from noon, Friday, May 2, through noon on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Election Procedure - How to Vote for BOD Candidates. You may vote for up to five candidates for the five vacant positions on the Board of Directors. Their photos and bios are easily accessible on the candidate page of the OLLI website at this link.

Recognizing the accuracy, convenience, and efficiency of electronic balloting, the bylaws allow for electronic transmission. You will receive an email on May 2, 2025, containing a link, allowing you to cast your ballot electronically. The subject line will read: 2025 OLLI Ballot for Board of Directors. The link will remain active until you cast your ballot or until noon on Friday, May 16.  Remember to check your spam and junk folders for this email; if you do not receive this email on May 2 contact the OLLI office at [email protected].
 
If you have questions about the election process, please contact Norma Reck, the nominating committee chair, at [email protected].







The solution to pollution is dilution. We all know that hand washing decreases the spread of germs but when and for how long? Click on About Handwashing | Clean Hands | CDC for the answers. The sweet spot is 20 seconds (just hum Happy Birthday twice).
                                                      
(From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup)
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation—April 16
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 April 16 is “What are Your Fears?” This could be a very personal subject and may differ for everyone; on the other hand, there are certain universal fears we probably all encounter as we age. Team Bloch suggests a few: running out of money, being alone, losing independence, just to start the discussion ball rolling. A related topic (possibly more productive) is “How Do You Face Your Fears?” We all have different ways of coping with difficulty – and each situation likely requires a different approach.

You may listen in as a lurker or join the discussion – it's up to you. However, we encourage you to voice your thoughts so that way we all may benefit and learn from each other.

The zoom link is always found in the email with the daily schedule on the relevant morning. Log on and join us on April 16 or any future session.
Computer Club
3rd Saturday, April 19
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – An Overview
Windows Narrator and Text to Speech


By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair


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, April 19, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
 
Artificial Intelligence – An Overview—Presented by Rob Truman
What is AI and how can I use it today? First, we will examine how Google and Microsoft are incorporating chatbot technology within their own applications (Gemini and Copilot). There will follow an examination of chatbots as a whole and where the technology is currently headed in the field of AI search. There will also be a brief overview of other AI technology such as deep fakes, voice cloning, and robotics, with a look at the good and bad of AI.
Rob is a member of Computer Booters of Sun Lakes Computer Club and serves on their Board of Directors as their web director. He has over 40 years of experience in information technology and Internet-related fields. He is a retired U.S. Navy chief electronics technician and has worked as a technical support professional for Microsoft over the years. Rob holds a Master of Arts degree in adult education and a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology (BSIT). He is a staunch proponent of lifelong learning and runs a website/blog called GeezerTek which focuses on helping the senior community with their technology needs. Rob also volunteers and teaches adult education technology classes through his local community college and their lifelong learning program: New Adventures in Learning.
 
Intro to Windows Narrator and Text-to-Speech—Presented by John Krout
Windows Narrator is a text-to-speech feature that has been included in Windows starting in Windows 2000. As of Windows 10, the audio quality is quite good in English. Why might Windows Narrator be useful to you? If you do not feel happy about recording your own voice, you can instead use Windows Narrator to record a voice reading your script. This can be useful when you want to record a custom text tone as a gift for your relatives and friends. This can also be useful to narrate a slide deck presentation for your user group or other organization.
 
John Krout is a frequent presenter at our meetings and for APCUG on a wide range of computer, technology and photography topics, and author of many articles for the PATACS Posts newsletter.
 
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.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Little Things
Weeks ago I lost
a single black glove,
a driving glove amortized
by years of use.
Last week I lost
a leather glove also black
and ended up with a pair.
It made me happy.
As happy as the day
you brought me flowers
for no reason.

– Carolyn Wyatt

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 11 through April 16


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall

No performances
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Chorale Broadway Showcase 2025:
A Choral Tribute to Disney Magic
Fri, Apr 11, 8:00
Sat, Apr 12, 2:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.

Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Apr 14, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

Mason Symphonic Band
Wed, Apr 16, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.
 

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

No performances

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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). 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 Apr 12 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 14
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 15
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Dabbling Artists Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 17
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 18
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 19
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Apr 21
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 22
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 23
 
 
 
 		 12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm
 4:00 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club – online
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Apr 24
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 All the News
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 25
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 1:00 pm
 2:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dance Party
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 26 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 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.

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OLLI E-News April 4, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
OLLI Excursion to 62nd Annual Woodlawn Needlework Show, Early March 2025;
See Article Below

April 4, 2025


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 11; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 8, at 6:00.

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Notes from the Nominating Committee on Nominations by Petition


By Norma Jean Reck, Chairperson, Nominating Committee


In addition to the Director candidates identified by the Nominating Committee for the 2025 Board of Directors elections, OLLI’s Bylaws allow for additional nominations by petition. The guidelines for petition nominations are set out on pages 31 and 32 of OLLI’s Policies and Procedures Manual (P&P Manual), Appendix A. Director Nomination and Election Process. You can find OLLI’s P&P Manual by going online to OLLI’s website at olli.gmu.edu.

Who can file a nomination petition to run for Director for OLLI’s 2025 Board of Directors?
Any qualified OLLI member can file a nomination petition to run for Director. The required qualifications are addressed on page 31 in the P&P Manual, Appendix A. Qualifications for a Director.

What is required in filing a nomination petition?
  1. The petitioner must get the signatures of 45 OLLI members, along with their contact information, i.e., email address and phone number.
  2. The petitioner must provide a candidate statement of no more than 400 words, which is to include biographical information, work experience and expertise, and OLLI involvement.
  3. The petitioner must present the 45 signatures and candidate statement to the Nominating Committee by emailing them to Chairperson Norma Jean Reck at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
When is the deadline to submit a nomination petition?
The deadline for submitting the requisite signatures and statement is Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

When will the election be held?
Staff will conduct the online election beginning at noon on Friday, May 2, 2025, and ending at noon on Friday, May 16, 2025.

When will the elected Directors be announced?
The newly elected Directors will be announced in the afternoon on Friday, May 16, 2025.

If you have any questions or need more information, please email me at [email protected].

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A Visit to Woodlawn


By Carolyn Kramer, Excursions Committee Trip Coordinator


In early March, a group of OLLI members enjoyed a between-term excursion to the 62nd annual Woodlawn Needlework Show (see photos above).  After a lunch hosted by Nelly's Needlers, the group had ample time to explore the eight rooms of the mansion where nearly 600 projects were on display. The exhibits included stunning examples of counted cross stitch, crewel, needlepoint, smocking, and more.  A number of attendees were treated to an excellent mid-afternoon guided and narrated tour that provided much fascinating information about the history of the mansion, the various needling techniques, and fibers. In all, it was a fine way to spend a day with OLLI acquaintances in a creative and historic setting.

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You’re Invited to a Dance Party

By Marilyn Harriman, Diversions Chair
 
It’s time to put on your dancing shoes! Come dressed in your favorite retro threads, or come as you are in 2025 and enjoy the sounds of the 1950s, ’60s, and ‘70s at our dance party on April 25 from 1:00-3:00. TA-1 at Tallwood will be transformed into a dance hall with all the familiar accessories—a wall to stand against, chairs for chatting with friends, a dance area, and a snack table.
 
D.J. Captain Dave will spin the platters while we reminisce, listen, and, if you’d like, dance to the tunes we rocked and strolled to when we were a bit younger.
 
The Diversions Committee will provide refreshments—party food like you used to eat—and drink—liquid thirst quenchers.
 
If you haven’t registered yet and want to join the party, register through your member portal for event #1102F. There is no cost, but we need to know how many are coming to plan for the food and drinks.

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Don't Miss Seeing 'The Tempest' at Mason with OLLI's Theater Lovers' This Saturday


By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers' Group


OLLI's Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) will attend the 2pm matinee performance of Mason's School of Theater's 'The Tempest' this Saturday, April 5. Senior tickets are $15. Purchase tickets by phoning 703-993-8888 (Harris Theater) or by going online to [email protected]. Optional dinner at Oh George after the show. Email me at [email protected] to sign up with TLG.

Adapted and directed by Rick Davis, Dean of Visual and Performing Arts, The Tempest is set in an alternative universe of virtual reality. Prospero, Duke of Milan who has been banished with his daughter to a remote island, uses magic to shipwreck his malevolent brother and his accomplices to exact revenge on them. In the end, Prospero weighs his need for revenge against a quest for peace.

It will be a riveting and memorable musical performance.

Editor’s Note: At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Morning Wish

Waking up at dawn
Moonbeams on the lawn
Peace and tranquility
A world with stability

On a distant shore
Shattered by war
Life, art, culture
Destroyed

Humbly I pray
For a peaceful way
To restore the day
With laughter and joy

A new dawn of peace
               –Chitra Mohla

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Early April 2025 Mason Jazz Concerts


By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice



Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, and we hope OLLI members will attend and enjoy them. Listed below are three upcoming events in early-to-mid April. Later ones will be announced in subsequent issues of E-News. Please join us!

Jazz Workshop: Wednesday, Apr 9, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required
For more details, click this link.

The Jazz Workshop explores the intersection of improvisation and composition in a medium-size jazz ensemble. Come experience a taste of 21st-century jazz by the next generation of jazz musicians in the “Changing of the Guard.”

Mason Jazz Vocal Night: Monday, Apr 14, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Tickets: Click this link.

Join Dr. Darden Purcell, the Mason Jazz Voice Studio, and the DOWNBEAT award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble for an evening of swinging standards, Latin American songs, and classic hits from the Great American Songbook. Featuring our rhythm section of Paul Bratcher (piano), Nareg Boghosian (guitar), Ponenya Min (bass), Clay Cottis (drums) and Raven Wilson (percussion)!

Jazz Combos/Braddock Road Brass Band: Tuesday, Apr 15
Center for the Arts
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required
For more details, click this link.

Combo Italia/Combo 336 (directed by Dr. Shawn Purcell) and the Braddock Road Brass Band (directed by Graham Breedlove) perform their spring 2025 concert!






 

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, April 4 through April 14


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Pre-performance discussions will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Concert Hall, 45 minutes prior to curtain. As seating is limited, a livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby.

Cirque Mechanics: Pedal Punk Acrobatics
Sat, Apr 5, 2:00 and 8:00
Pre-performance discussion.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.

Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey
Sun, Apr 6, 1:00 and 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15.
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

The Tempest
Fri, Apr 4, 7:30
Sat, Apr 5, 2:00 and 7:30
Sun, Apr 6, 2:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 Senior.

School of Music Jazz Workshop
Wed, Apr 9, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
 
Chorale Broadway Showcase 2025: A Choral Tribute to Disney Magic
Fri, Apr 11, 8:00
Sat, Apr 12, 2:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.
 
Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Apr 14, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Illuminare, Songs of Light and Life
Sat, Apr 5, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35, $30, $25 Adult; $30, $25, $20 Senior.

Mountain Stage hosted by Kathy Mattea: Contemporary Folk, Blues, Country, and More
Sun, Apr 6, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $70, $55, $40.

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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). 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 Apr 5 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 7
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 8
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 9
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Thu Apr 10
 
 		  1:00 pm
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 11
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
Sat Apr 12 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 14
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 15
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 16
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Dabbling Artists Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 17
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 18
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 19
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group

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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 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.

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OLLI E-News March 28, 2028
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Spring Term Kick-Off Coffee March 20, with Activities Fair Allowing Members to Explore OLLI Clubs and Activities

March 28, 2025


Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents
Alerts & Notices
  • Spring term is under way; registration continues.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, April 4; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, April 1, at 6:00.

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Meet the Candidates for OLLI’s 2025 Board of Directors Upcoming Election


By Norma Jean Reck, Chairperson, Nominating Committee



At the March 21 meeting of the OLLI Board of Directors (BOD), I presented the names of the five OLLI members that the Nominating Committee has identified and verified to be candidates for Director for the 2025 BOD elections. They are: Tim Harwarth, John McAndrew, Ann McNeish, Michele Romano, and Steve Rose, whose photos and biographical statements are provided below; the photos and biographical statements also appear on the OLLI website at this link. Kudos to Edward Marion for taking candidate photos on March 14.

Tim Harwarth: I earned a BA from the University of Minnesota in Political Science. I also served in the U.S. Army Reserve while I was in college in Minnesota. I moved to the Washington area and earned an MA degree at George Washington University in National Defense Policy. While working on my master’s degree, I also worked full time on Capitol Hill for a Senator from my home state of Minnesota. After I received my MA, I worked for a contractor supporting the Air Force and Office of the Secretary of Defense, primarily in congressional affairs and staff roles.

My federal government and intelligence community career began at the Defense Intelligence Agency where I was staff officer for six years. I served a short rotational assignment at the Pentagon in the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence office. I then transferred to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) where I worked for the functional management and the intelligence production directorates for three years. Next, I accepted a position at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) where I was the action officer for producing the intelligence community’s justification books for submission to Congress. After working at ODNI for two years, I transferred back to NGA serving in chief of staff and career service manager roles. I retired from NGA in March 2023 after 27 years of federal service.

I joined OLLI after I retired in March 2023. I greatly enjoyed the classes at OLLI, especially the history classes, as history has always been an interest of mine. Another interest is board gaming. I have been playing various types of board games most of my life. To pass on some of my knowledge, I taught an OLLI class, Introduction to Modern Board Gaming. I followed up the class by creating the Board Gaming Club at OLLI. We get together in person every other week and meet virtually the other weeks. I enjoy teaching my fellow OLLI club members some of the games in my personal collection. I believe that I have been successful in passing my love of board games to other members of the club. I believe that I will bring new perspectives and ideas to the OLLI Board of Directors. I am a people person and a great communicator. I hope to use these abilities to continue to make OLLI a great place to be.

John McAndrew: I earned a BA from Hampton University and an MEd in curriculum and instruction/middle education from George Mason University. In addition, I achieved National Board Certification in social studies/history for early adolescence. My teaching experience includes 24 years as a middle school classroom teacher of social studies (history, civics, economics, and geography) for grades 6 and 8; a year as a K-6 social studies curriculum support teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools; and a few summers as an adjunct professor with the GMU Fast Train Program for Teaching Elementary Social Studies. Following retirement, I volunteered (3 years) with the Virginia Literacy Program, tutoring adult English with the Woodson Adult Center. I worked for the FCPS Department of Human Resources Colleague Assistance Program by supporting K-12 FCPS teachers.

As a committee co-chair of the Humanities/Social Sciences/Current Events Committee, my responsibilities include extensive use of written and verbal communication. These are written electronic invitations to course presenters from universities such as GMU, University of Richmond, Old Dominion University, Fairfax County Public Library, and community members. These communication venues demand professional expertise with e-mail, e-mail attachments, websites, and follow-up letters of thanks and appreciation to presenters. I consistently write committee meeting invitations and meeting minutes and submit articles to OLLI E-News. My responsibilities include collaborating with members electronically, in person, and via phone to brainstorm topics and ideas, construct courses, and determine presenters. Making courses relevant to our members is a major goal of program planners; however, our objectives are not only to provide excellent programming but also to ensure that topics reflect the multicultural landscape of Fairfax County. I have also acted as the temporary chairperson of the Outreach Committee and as a Mason University Board of Directors member.

I have been a member of OLLI since 2014, a member of the Humanities and Social Sciences Program Planning Group since 2019, and am currently serving as co-chairperson of the Humanities/Social Sciences/Current Events committee. My vision for fine-tuning this committee is ongoing. As the current co-chair of the newly formed OLLI Diversity Committee, I have been involved with its construction, goal setting, and objectives. Board membership would allow me to help fine-tune the construction of this committee and support other programming from the perspectives of problem-solving, oversight, accountability, and adherence to OLLI Mason’s strategic plan.

Ann McNeish: As a member of OLLI since fall of 2019, I witnessed the change brought about by COVID, as OLLI adapted to meet those challenges. Last year I was excited to work with other members on two major projects: help redesign the OLLI homepage and create marketing videos featuring OLLI members, both intended to help attract new members to our OLLI community. The videos were completed last fall and are posted to the OLLI website. They can also be used in presentations to community groups as part of OLLI’s ongoing marketing efforts. The new OLLI homepage was recently launched, and a training session was held to familiarize members with the changes and ensure they could still easily find information. These experiences were deeply rewarding, being able to use my knowledge and experience in marketing and communications to help an organization that I value so deeply.

As a native of Nashville, Tenn., I graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in finance. After two years with the Securities and Exchange Commission, I spent 20 years with the trade association for mutual funds, conducting industry and market research and developing and executing communications strategies related to research findings. Communications included monthly reports, press releases and ongoing dialogue with members of the press, and conference speeches for members, consumers, regulators, members of Congress, and international counterparts in the investments field. I then spent 15 years with Bank of America, supporting executives for wealth management, investment banking, the consumer bank and the Chief Financial Officer, planning and executing communications for customers, regulators, shareholder and Board of Director presentations, and earnings reports.

After retiring, I volunteered for two years in Pinehurst, N.C., at a free medical clinic established to provide baseline health care for adults in the community without employer-sponsored health care but unable to qualify for Medicaid. I worked at the front desk checking patients in for appointments, scheduling follow-ups, and dispensing prescriptions. After returning to Northern Virginia, I volunteered during COVID for BritePaths in Fairfax, helping distribute the daily allocation of grants to families needing assistance with rent or utilities.

Michele Romano: Education and Work Experience: I am a retired physician and associate clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health with 30 years of experience in family medicine in Fairfax, Va. I was also a registered nurse for 12 years before going to medical school and opened the first critical care unit in a civilian hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970. Very cool but you grow up fast. I attended medical school at VCU in Richmond, Va., and then established a private practice, growing to five     providers and 13 ancillary personnel. I learned leadership, management, teaching, financial skills, and people skills over those 30 years and was still able to do what I loved best…treat my amazing patients.
 
Volunteer Experience: I have served on the VCU Board of Directors, the VCU Health System Board, the Inova Fair Oaks Medical Executive Committee, and chaired the Department of Family Medicine. I presently serve on the board of the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (a billion-dollar foundation that serves as the philanthropic arm for the VCU Health System). I chair their Personnel and Compensation Committee and am a member of their Strategic Planning Task Force, Communications Committee, and Executive Committee.
 
OLLI: I have been a member since 2015. I am presently a member of the OLLI Board, chair the Healthcare Advisory Committee, co-chair the Science, Technology, and Health Committee, and am an OLLI instructor. I hope that my past experience with medical and nonprofit boards contributes to OLLI’s mission. I am continuously amazed at all the great work our members do to make OLLI Mason such a robust and awesome organization. I will continue to always be cognizant that we spend our members’ money wisely. I will always ask questions and follow best practices as much as possible. As Board members, we are fiduciaries. We work for you. Our members really are the mission.
 
OLLI Mason has the most intelligent, interesting, engaged group of people I have ever known. It would be my great honor and pleasure to serve a second term on the OLLI Board. Thank you.

Stephen J. Rose: I earned a BA in business/decision science from George Mason University and an MS in information management from Marymount University. In addition, I earned certifications in project management, and agile software development. I am currently taking a George Mason class on non-profit organization law, governance, and ethics. My career started in computer operations with the U.S. Navy and progressed to software development in both application and operating systems. These activities led me to developing a business unit that provided consulting services to various U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies. My management experience includes managing technical consulting and software development teams (over 50 staff personnel), proposal development, staff management, profit and loss responsibilities and marketing solutions to both government and commercial customers. I also supported worldwide software integration and deployment projects for various customers.

At OLLI I served as the subcommittee leader in developing a pricing model for use with commercial business customers. I am a member of the finance committee and a member of the web-development group that is upgrading our current web site. I was a member of the 2024 Nominating Committee. I am currently providing OLLI support in investigating the potential for a new registration software system to meet our evolving needs.

I have been a member of OLLI since 2019 and have been a frequent attendee at OLLI Board meetings. I believe that my business experience can be a valuable addition to the OLLI Board in the areas of financial management, business development, and operational management.




 
Executive Director Search Update March 28


By Emily Roudebush, OLLI Vice President


The Board is happy to report that we've received more than 70 applications for our Executive Director position, many from highly qualified candidates. The Search Committee met last week with our partners at AMorrison Consulting to plan out the rest of the process. This week, AMorrison began reviewing all of the submissions, narrowing down the candidate options, and conducting initial screening interviews and background checks for the top 12 candidates. The top 4-5 will then have Zoom interviews with the Search Committee, and after discussing the results, they'll select the top two candidates for live, in-person interviews at Tallwood. Once those are completed, the Search Committee will recommend the top candidate to the OLLI Board of Directors for approval and hiring.

We anticipate this process will be concluded by the end of April, and the Board will continue providing updates as the search progresses.




Caring for someone in physical or mental decline? The very first thing you need to do is TAKE. CARE. OF. YOU. 1/3 of caregivers will die before the victim of the disease. You are no good to anyone if you can’t breathe. Learn about resources in your area (AARP, Fairfax Area Commission on Aging, etc.). Join a support group. OLLI has one.
                                                      
(From the Healthcare Advisory Workgroup)
Tallwood Book Club


By Betty Ellerbee, Tallwood Book Club Coordinator



The Tallwood Book Club will discuss these books in its next three meetings on second Fridays at 2:30 on Zoom.
        
            *April:    Easy Beauty by Chloe Cooper Jones
         
             May:      Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
         
             June:     Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel

*This is a change from the previous posting in the OLLI News.
 

History Club Meeting April 2



By Doug Snoeyenbos, History Club Coordinator




The History Club will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 2, at 4:00.  Blane Ampthor will present on The Great Atlantic Speed Race: The Era of the Great Ocean Liners. Ocean linerswere the vital link between Europe and North America during two world wars and enabled the largest migration in human history. Several competed to be the fastest across the world’s most dangerous ocean, garnering business, prestige, and fame. This is the story of those magnificent machines and some of the people who made them what they were.

Blane is a retired federal employee with a lifelong interest in history. He has read extensively on World War II, the American Revolution, and ocean liners. He has taught several OLLI classes and instructed with the Loudon County Public Library, AARP, and senior communities. He enjoys visiting sites related to his interests so that he can gain a fuller understanding of events.






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Photo of the Month

                                                    
 

The March 2025 Photo of the Month theme was Self-Portrait. We selected George Bradshaw's photo " BradshawG_SelfPortrait," which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website.

  -- By John Olsen and Ed Marion, Photography Club Coordinators

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Consider Speaking in a Fall 2025 Trip Tales Class



By Shannon Morrow, Lead Program Associate




Do you like to travel? Do you like to share your travel stories with others? Share those stories with OLLI members! Consider speaking in one session of the 8-session Trip Tales series that are offered in spring and fall terms. We are now planning for fall term (Sep 22–Nov 14) with Trip Tales given on Mondays at 2:15-3:40. You may present virtually, in-person, or hybrid.

If interested, please contact [email protected]. Or click this link and complete the form to participate. If you have a suggestion for any course, you may use these two links also.

Thank you for supporting the OLLI program!

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What You Didn’t Know or Have Forgotten About OLLI



By Toni Acton, Chair, Member Services Committee

 

As we start a new term, here are some facts about OLLI that new members may be unaware of, and current members may have forgotten!
  • The Social Room at Tallwood has coffee, tea, and snacks, as well as a lending library. It’s a great place to hang out before classes and chat with other members.
  • When not in use, the Annex is a great place to have lunch or something to drink between back-to-back classes. Consider sitting outside at the picnic tables when the weather is nice.
  • If you are signed up for a class or other event and will not be able to attend, please drop the class through the link on the OLLI Home Page or by calling the Registrar. There is frequently a waiting list, and this will allow someone to take your place.
  • If you’re on a Zoom call, please turn off your camera and mute your microphone if you’re involved in another activity (e.g., eating, walking into another room).
  • Please include your name in our Membership Directory. The only people who have access to the Directory are OLLI members. If another member is trying to get in touch with you, they can’t unless you’re listed in the Directory.
  • OLLI is more than just classes—check out the 28 clubs listed at the back of the catalog. And don’t forget there are many opportunities to volunteer at OLLI. 
Spring 2025 Mason Jazz Concerts



By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice



Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, and we hope OLLI members will attend and enjoy them. Listed below are two upcoming events in late March and early April. Later ones will be announced in subsequent issues of E-News. Please join us!

Big Band Showdown: Monday Mar 31, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Tickets: $15 General Public, $10 Seniors, $5 Students
For more details, click this link.

Join the Mason Jazz Ensemble (director Jim Carroll) and special guests, the Blues Alley Jazz Youth Orchestra (director Michael Bowie) and the Liberty University Jazz Ensemble (director Joseph Henson) for an evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era!

Jazz Workshop: Wednesday Apr 9, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required
For more details, click this link.

The Jazz Workshop explores the intersection of improvisation and composition in a medium-size jazz ensemble. Come experience a taste of 21st-century jazz by the next generation of jazz musicians in the “Changing of the Guard.”
Team Bloch's Topic for April 2
 
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's at 4:00. Each session is on a different topic.

The topic for Team Bloch's Wednesday afternoon chat on April 2 is "If you could write your autobiography, what chapter would be the most important one?" Could be an intriguing topic to discuss.

The zoom link is always found in the email with the daily schedule on the relevant morning. Log on and join us on April 2 or any future session.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

 

             LEARNING SPANISH

I’m learning Spanish with Duo Lingo on my Mac

I take lessons each day; they keep me on track.

I get rewards—pictures of jewels and such—

Which makes it easy to enjoy it so much.


Uno, dos, tres,… ocho, nueve, diez

I don’t have a teacher to obey what she says.

But I learn plenty from each exercise:

Dialogues help to make my score rise.


Little stories with funny situations

Cute characters, silly quotations;

Matching games with Spanish and English words—

I’m having fun, but learning, too—how absurd!

                                                        –Joan Lunsford

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, March 28 through April 6


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 the CFA ticket page link below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Pre-performance discussions will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Concert Hall, 45 minutes prior to curtain. As seating is limited, a livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby.

Les Arts Florissants: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300
Sun, Mar 30, 4:00
Pre-performance discussion.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.

Cirque Mechanics: Pedal Punk Acrobatics
Sat, Apr 5, 2:00 and 8:00
Pre-performance discussion.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.

Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey
Sun, Apr 6, 1:00 and 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15.
Mason Student and Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
Fri, Mar 28, 8:00
Sat, Mar 29, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 Senior.

Jazz Big Band Showdown Spring 2025
Mon, Mar 31, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

The Tempest
Thu, Apr 3, 7:30
Fri, Apr 4, 7:30
Sat, Apr 5, 2:00 and 7:30
Sun, Apr 6, 2:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

A Year With Frog and Toad (a Musical)
Sat, Mar 29, 11:00 and 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.

Alison Brown: Bluegrass, Folk, and Jazz
Sat, Mar 29, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Illuminare, Songs of Light and Life
Sat, Apr 5, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35, $30, $25 Adult; $30, $25, $20 Senior.

Mountain Stage hosted by Kathy Mattea: Contemporary Folk, Blues, Country, and More
Sun, Apr 6, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $70, $55, $40.

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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). 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. 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 Mar 29 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Mar 31
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 1
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Dabbling Artists Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
History Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 3
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 1:00 pm
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 All the News
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats – online
Fri Apr 4
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation
Mah Jongg Club
Dance Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Apr 5 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 7
 
 		  9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Apr 8
 
 
 		  1:00 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 9
 
 
 
 		 11:50 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm		 Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Thu Apr 10
 
 		  1:00 pm
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 11
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 2:30 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Tallwood Book Club – online
Sat Apr 12 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 Editor: David Gundry

Weekly Editor Team: Thomas Appich, 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.

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OLLI E-News March 14, 2025
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
A March 3 class with instructor Dr. Linda Miller and six amazing students from the Mason School of Dance previewed a March 28 & 29 Mason dance gala; it promises to be a wonderful show.

March 14, 2025


Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • The OLLI Personal Computer User Group meets March 15 (tomorrow) at 1:00 in person at Tallwood and via Zoom (Zoom session opens at 12:45). See article below.
  • Spring registration continues. See new Zoom offering: 202Z Navigating the Obstacles in Estate Planning and Administration, 3 sessions, 9:40, Mar 27-Apr 10.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 28; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 25, at 6:00.

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OLLI Executive Director Search Update


By Emily Roudebush, OLLI Vice President


The OLLI Board of Directors is pleased to report that we have received more than 70 resumes for the OLLI Executive Director position! The submission window closes today, March 14th, and we're very happy with the response. Our nonprofit executive-search firm, AMorrison Consulting, LLC, is now reviewing the submissions to prioritize them in terms of compatibility with our job description and requirements. Next week, the search committee will meet to set timelines for the review and selection process and begin reviewing the resumes. Once we know what we're working with, we'll be able to start interviewing the top candidates, with the aim of making our final recommendation to the full Board of Directors for approval at the end of April.

If you have any questions, please contact our President, Debbie Engleson.

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OLLI's Newly Redesigned Website Has Launched


By Dennis VanLangen, Member of OLLI Website Team Volunteers


The OLLI Website Team, with assistance from a web designer and developer from Earthcare Technologies, Inc., has deployed OLLI's newly redesigned website. The website has a new look and feel and includes enhancements to more effectively market to non-members all the benefits that an OLLI membership provides. It shows new images, videos, and testimonials from our current and former members. It has separate sections with resource links to help members and teachers find pertinent information.

You may access the website here. Note: If the new website is not accessible through this link, please try again later.

You have two sources of support to help you get accustomed to the new website and get help using it:
  • You may report issues and problems to the OLLI Website Help Team by emailing the help desk at [email protected]. The help desk team also welcomes your suggestions for further improvements.
  • We have arranged a training session for OLLI members to explore and learn about the new website. The website team will hold this session via Zoom on Thursday, March 20, starting at 1:00. You don’t need to register for this class. Watch for other OLLI communications to alert you to this training session. OLLI staff will include the Zoom link for this session in the OLLI Mason Daily Schedule on the morning of March 20. See you there!

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WANTED: Poetry and Prose for OLLI Ink 2025
By Margie Wildblood and Sophia Elberti,
OLLI Ink Co-Editors
OLLI writers—beginners and experienced—take note: OLLI Ink is now accepting submissions, including poems, fiction, personal essays, and memoirs, for its 2025 edition.

Now moving into its 15th year, OLLI Ink is a well-established publication whose contributors come from a wide spectrum of OLLI members, including, but not limited to, those enrolled in writing classes and workshops.

How to Submit: Please send your entries and any questions to either Margie Wildblood at [email protected] and/or Sophia Elberti at [email protected].

Guidelines:
  • Poems – please limit number of lines to 30.
  • Prose – please single space and indent the first sentence of each paragraph; limit number of words to 2,500.
Contributions are welcome through the end of March.
 
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in a recent issue. It is repeated here to encourage submissions to OLLI Ink.
Calling All OLLI Members!


By Dean Salpini, Outreach Committee Chair


Looking for a way to spread the word about OLLI's great programs? Know a group of friends or colleagues who might like OLLI’s programs? Excel at public speaking or giving a presentation? Live in a large complex that OLLI programs would appeal to? Know teachers who would like to deliver a class to our members? Then we could use your talents in the Outreach Committee! Below you'll find a few of the things we do as part of the Outreach Committee:
  • Develop and update content for OLLI publicity materials
  • Distribute catalogs, brochures and flyers to community centers, libraries, retirement communities, condo associations, and large apartment complexes
  • Promote OLLI through local senior-focused events and neighborhood newsletters
  • Present information on OLLI programs at US Government retirement seminars, senior communities, and volunteer fairs aimed at continuing education
  • Target underrepresented parts of the community through specific information sessions
  • Analyze our membership data for program and demographic trends to ensure we provide for all of our members' needs
  • Promote a collaborative, interesting, and supportive environment for members to have fun
If this seems like something you’d enjoy being a part of, please contact Dean Salpini at [email protected] or 571-407-4272. Thanks.
Start the Spring Term with Coffee with Your Friends!


By Toni Acton, Member Services Chair


Join your friends at the OLLI spring Kick-off Coffee and Activities Fair on March 20 at 10:00 at Tallwood. Before the official program begins, check out the many clubs and volunteer opportunities we have at OLLI—there’s a lot more to OLLI than just classes! Hear from our Executive Director, Board President, and Program Planning Chair to find out what’s new and exciting this spring, with plenty of time for questions. And, of course, indulge in the great refreshments provided by our wonderful Diversions Committee.

Please join us on March 20! Register for Event 1204F via the member portal or contact the registrar at [email protected].

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Computer Club
Saturday, March 15
Custom Text Tones For Your Smartphone
Learn in 30: 3D Scanning Technology


By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair


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, March 15, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
 
Custom Text Tones for Your Smartphone—Presented by John Krout
Custom text tones that announce the name of the text sender are easy to create, install and apply to text senders. The custom tones let you know who sent a text, so you can decide whether or not to look at the text immediately.
 
In this presentation, you will learn how to record a text sender's name in a digital audio file using your smartphone, how to name that digital audio file using the name of the text sender, how to install that digital audio file on your smartphone, and how to assign that digital audio file as the text tone for that text sender. You will also learn how to assign a silent text tone as your default, so unwanted texts from strangers do not distract you.
 
You can also record your own name and nickname as text tones in digital audio files. These make great digital gifts for your relatives and friends to use on their smartphones.
 
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.
 
Learn in 30: 3D Scanning Technology—Presented by Roger Fujii
3D scanning technology has improved greatly over the years. This Learn in 30 will cover the technologies involved in getting 3D data, and various use cases that one might have.

Roger Fujii has helped OLLI with technology challenges for its email and LAN systems since 2006 and has been a PATACS stalwart since the ‘80s.
 
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 last year!)—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.

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Team Bloch's Topic for March 19
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Team Bloch hosts a conversation every second Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 on Zoom. Our goal is to foster social interaction, camaraderie, and a good discussion. All are welcome, no need to sign up in advance (actually, there IS no sign up!), and no commitments; just an interest in meeting informally with others.

The topic for March 19 is Losing Treasured Items.

We all lose or misplace items from time to time. These items might be critical like keys or a wallet, yet often the item might represent a special memory or a gift from a dear friend. Maybe the item is broken and no longer functional? Many of us are likely to remember losing a favorite toy or stuffed animal in our childhood.

How do you feel when you have truly lost a treasured item? At this stage of our lives, we have often dealt with many losses. Is it easier now or more difficult? Do you find yourself willing to accept the loss and move on?

Feel free to join us at 4:00 on March 19; we look forward to talking with you.
 
Theater Lovers’ Group to Attend a Play


By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group



Synetic Theater to Perform The Immigrant.

Your theater experience is not complete until you have seen The Synetic Theater group perform. Can you imagine theater without words? On Sunday,  March 16, TLG will attend the 3 p.m. matinee performance of The Immigrant at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington. We will have lunch at Ruthie's All Day at 1 p.m., thanks to Gay Alper. The play is The Synetic Theater's interpretation of the silent movie of the same name, which is a comedy about the immigrants who arrived in New York at the turn of the 20th century - their trials, tribulations, and high hopes for their new life in America.

We are looking into a group rate for tickets that start at $35. Stay tuned. Please email me at [email protected] to reserve tickets. Feel free to invite a guest or two.

Editor’s Note: At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.
Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Earthling

This body is made of earth and gold,
Sky and stars, rivers and oceans,
Masquerading as muscle and bone.
(Taken from The Radiance Sutras, translated by Lorin Roche)
 
Sometimes I feel like an anthropologist from another galaxy,
sent here to study strange Earth customs.
I observe, but do not comprehend its foreign ways.
 
To make sense of this world, I go to my spot…
the one down by the lake under the black gum tree.
There I lay my tired back upon the Earth
until I feel the electromagnetic pulse 
of her heartbeat entraining with mine.
 
I then look up through the red-flame leaves 
of the black gum, lacing their patterns 
against the Cerulean blue sky.
I then notice the small bird’s nest 
cradled in its uppermost branches.
 
Like the fledglings that once inhabited 
this home, I am newborn once again,
wonder-filled, beholding nature reveal herself to me…
my feet planted on terra firma and 
my soul at home in the heavens.

                                                           –Sophia Elberti
Obituary: Dr. Jack Arthur Underhill

Dr. Jack Underhill, OLLI member since fall 1998, died on March 1, 2025. Born in Healdsburg, California, he completed a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of California at Berkeley in 1954. He enlisted in the US Army, attending the Army Language School at Monterey to study Russian. He was deployed to West Germany, where he served in military intelligence.
 
After his discharge from the Army, Jack got a master’s degree from Columbia University. He pursued a career in the federal government, eventually securing a job at the Office of Emergency Planning in Washington, DC. He served as a research analyst in community planning for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He earned a second master’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD in Public Policy at George Mason University. He retired from federal service in 1997.
 
At OLLI, Dr. Underhill served on the Board of Directors and was an active member until his death. A devoted member of the poets of OLLI, he wrote hundreds of poems, several of which were published in the OLLI E-News.
 
There will be a memorial service at 2:00 on Saturday, March 15 (tomorrow), at Annandale Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. More information is available at this link.

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Opportunities to Join the OLLI E‑News Editorial Team


By Paul Van Hemel, E‑News Chief Editor


If you love OLLI and are interested in an easy way to contribute a volunteer effort to the organization, here’s an opportunity to do so by becoming a member of the E‑News editorial team. By serving one day every four or five weeks as Editor of the Week, you can have a positive impact on OLLI and enjoy a pleasant journalistic experience. We have openings for a couple of new editors.

E‑News is one of several OLLI publications that is created using MailChimp software. We will teach you what you need to know to put together an E-News issue. You don’t have to generate content, which generally is submitted by OLLI-member coordinators for committees, clubs, and activities. If you are interested and have questions or would like to know more, please contact me at [email protected]. Thanks!

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, March 14 through March 31


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


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 page or 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 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

Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Pre-performance discussions will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Concert Hall, 45 minutes prior to curtain. As seating is limited, a livestream will also be available on screens in the main lobby.

Cherish the Ladies (a Musical Group)
Sat Mar 15, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
 
Rhythm India
Sat, Mar 22, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
 
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Humor in Music
Sun, Mar 23, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
 
Les Arts Florissants: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300
Sun, Mar 30, 4:00
Pre-performance discussion.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36. 
Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
Fri, Mar 28, 8:00
Sat, Mar 29, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 Senior.
 
Jazz Big Band Showdown Spring 2025
Mon, Mar 31, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15 Adult, $10 Senior.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Jigjam: Irish Bluegrass
Fri, Mar 14, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
 
Prince William Little Theatre: The Secret Garden, The Musical
Fri, Mar 14, 8:00
Sat, Mar 15, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Mar 16, 2:00
Fri, Mar 21, 8:00
Sat, Mar 22, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Mar 23, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult; $25 Senior, Student, Military; $20 Youth.
 
Manassas Chorale: Come to the Music
Sat, Mar 15, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25, $23.
 
Chloé Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies LIVE
Sat, Mar 22, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
 
Ordway Ballet: Mary Poppins
Sun, Mar 23, 1:00 and 5:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $32, $29, $26 Adult, $30, $27, $24 Senior.
 
A Year With Frog and Toad (a Musical)
Sat, Mar 29, 11:00 and 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
 
Alison Brown
Sat, Mar 29, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.

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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). 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 Mar 15
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Mar 17
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 18
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 19
 
 
 
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Dabbling Artists Club – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Mar 20
 

 		 10:00 am
11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 OLLI Kick-Off Coffee and Activities Fair
All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 21
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Mar 22 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Mar 24
 		  4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Mar 25
 
 		  2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 26
 
 
 
 		 12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 1:45 pm
 4:00 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Games Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Thu Mar 27
 
 		  3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 28
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm		 Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Mar 29 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 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.

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AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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