By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co‑chair
Ever wonder who those wonderful people are that “Allow” you to log in and “Admit” you to your OLLI Zoom classes? This technologically-astute group is equipped with a myriad of skill categories needed to support successful Zoom interaction. Each of them has been providing us with the ability to log in to see and hear our OLLI presenters since the coronavirus forced everyone to change their “in-person” habit of attending. They did not skip a beat. In addition to their own duties, they also provide guidance to presenters unfamiliar with the newly required technology for “Zoom only” as well as hybrid classes. Some of them were part of the tech support group even before Covid.
We are grateful for this tech-savvy group consisting of: Meg Przybylski, Mike Emery, Brenton Abrams, Irina Irchai, Richard Hoback, Nick Wenri, Bill Walsh, and Julija Pivo (who recently left the OLLI family due to her acceptance of a Fulbright Study Award). Be sure to thank them as you log off or leave your next OLLI class and commend them for remaining calm during challenging presentation quirks.
By Barbara Wilan, Loudoun-Reston Program Planning Group Co-chair
Please join us for our first live program planning meeting in over two years! Bring your coffee or another drink to enjoy with doughnuts and bring your programming ideas. Here are the details for this hybrid meeting:
Date and Time: July 19, 10:00-11:45 Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Mason-in-Loudoun, Room 209.
Mason-in-Loudoun is located at 21335 Signal Hill Plaza, Sterling, VA 20164, diagonally across Rte. 7 from the Potomac Run Shopping Center.
This will be a hybrid meeting so that those who cannot meet in person may view the meeting on Zoom.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 10:00, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 010203 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 827 2377 4249 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode. You may instead dial in at 301-715-8592.
What are OLLI Program Planning Groups and What do they Do?
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co‑chair
So happy you asked! OLLI program planning groups are OLLI member volunteers responsible for reviewing and selecting course proposals each quarter. There are ten program planning groups, each responsible for a specific topic. You will find them listed in the Table of Contents of each OLLI catalog. The members meet regularly to brainstorm ideas for course presentations, discuss possible presenters, create courses, and contact instructors for possible future classes. In addition, each program planning group reviews course proposals submitted independently by interested persons who desire to share their expertise. Courses are discussed and confirmed by program associates who keep track of classes and determine their scheduling.
Who can join a Program Planning Group? Anyone interested in supporting a particular course topic may join a program planning group. We rely on personal and professional contacts and on the ability to encourage people to present courses at OLLI. Program planning group members often work together to create, support, or present a class. Program planning groups are currently meeting via Zoom.
Keep in mind that no presenter receives monetary compensation for teaching at OLLI Mason. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each of our instructors.
For information regarding joining the Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group, contact: Camille Hodges mimihodges4@gmail.com or Peggy O’Brien mazob@live.com.
For other OLLI program planning group information contact staff program associates: smorrow4@gmu.edu or nklein4@gmu.edu. Thank you.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the last issue of E-News; it is repeated here to encourage members to participate in program planning.
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co‑chair
Dr. Spencer Crew is looking for a few OLLI members to work with his “History of the Family” fall course. Those of us who experienced intergenerational dialogue with his students in previous years found it personally rewarding.
This collaboration would require at least two meetings with two students assigned to you by Dr. Crew. If you are interested in sharing your life stories with university students during the fall 2022 (September-December) term, please contact him at the following e-mail address: srcrew@gmu.edu. He will respond to you with details about the class.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the last issue of E-News; it is repeated here to encourage members to enjoy participation.
3rd Saturday, July 16 In Person and Via Zoom Impact of Technology on Civil War Intelligence:
From Aerial Reconnaissance to Cryptology Learn in 30: Make a Mix Tape with Audacity
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, July 16, in person and via Zoom. You must observe OLLI/GMU Health protocols (see this link). Program activities begin at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Impact of Technology on Civil War Intelligence: From Aerial Reconnaissance to Cryptology – Presented by Jim Anderson
At the outset of the Civil War, neither side had any organized intelligence structure. The two warring governments quickly recognized the importance of creating effective intelligence capabilities. The efforts included tradecraft techniques such as disguise, deception, and covert surveillance. The two sides also experimented with technologies (e.g., telegraphy, cryptology, and aerial reconnaissance). We will examine the various technical means used by Washington and Richmond to exploit tactical and strategic information to influence events on the battlefield.
Jim Anderson spent 3 years as an Air Force Officer and 27 years with the CIA, which included six overseas tours in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East. Since 2009, he has spoken frequently at OLLI on Civil War and American Frontier topics.
Learn in 30: Make a Mix Tape with Audacity – Presented by John Krout
Learn how to create audio segues, where the end of a song overlaps the beginning of the next song, for a seamless "mix tape" audio result. You will see and hear how to do this using the free Audacity software for Windows/Mac/Linux and your personal music collection.
John Krout is a regular presenter at our meetings a prolific author of articles appearing in the PATACS Posts newsletter.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 816743 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 823 0941 3026 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode.
Declutter, the magazine article shrieks
accosting seniors at least once a week;
give it away, get rid of it, the authors advise
don't leave your offspring a nasty surprise;
vow to clean up this week, month or year
excuses won't make your junk disappear
Let yourself know that enough is enough,
you simply don't need to be hoarding this stuff.
Okay, I get it, now I can see
that those articles are intended for me;
I'm ready to begin the job;
and prove to you that I'm no slob.
I first tackle my crowded kitchen,
three stuffed drawers that I've been itchin'
to organize; before a minute is up I mutter,
"What in heavens name is that...an avocado cutter?"
Three fancy gifted garlic presses
are the kinds of things that create messes,
a pineapple ringer, a honey dipper,
a melon baller, a kale and herb stripper,
turkey forks, a crooked egg slicer,
corn ear holders, a potato ricer
broken tea cozies, graters big and small,
wine bottle stoppers, maybe two dozen in all,
brushes for basting
spoons made for tasting
seven colorful tongs
a miniature dinner gong
barbecue skewers, both steel and bamboo
a cracked glass juicer held together with glue
decorative cutters for vegetable trays
relics from long-gone party days.
Two wasted hours have gone down the tubes
pawing through junk I no longer use
now piled so precariously close to the sink
I can't even pour me a much-needed drink
I must find a cardboard box I can fill
and store on a shelf labeled "DONATIONS GOODWILL." – Sandy Myles
Current vaccination policy for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center is summarized as follows:
Audience members are not currently required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result for most events except when required by the event organizer or artist. If proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result is required for a specific event, it will be indicated on the webpage with event details. Face coverings continue to be required at all events.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of 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. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
ARTfactory and Pied Piper Theatre: Disney’s Moana JR
Fri, Jul 15, 7:00
Sat, Jul 16, 2:00 and 7:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $12.
Prince William Little Theater and Manassas Symphony Orchestra: The Sound of Music Fri, Jul 15, 7:00
Sat, Jul 16, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adult, $30; senior and military, $24; child $19.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates; also, check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for event information.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week 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 Jul 9
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 11
10:00 am
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Tue Jul 12
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 13
2:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Jul 14
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 15
9:15 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
Sat Jul 16
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jul 18
10:00 am
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Tue Jul 19
10:00 am
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston/Loudoun Program Planning Group
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Thu Jul 21
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jul 22
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
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, Sheri Siesseger, Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
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: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. 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. Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:ollidev.earthcare.com/” without the quotes. An Amazon Smile Link appears here. When you shop using the Smile link designating OLLI as your charitable choice, we'll receive a 0.5 % donation, based on the value of your purchase.
