Doug Stowell, National OLLI Instructor, Presented “Future Perfect” on October 19, Examining Ten of the Many Possible Topics on the Future Between Now and 2030
By John Nash, Veteran and E-News Editorial Team Member
OLLI is fortunate to have many members who have retired from or served in the various military branches. On Friday, November 11, OLLI will hold its annual Veterans Day program to honor the service of our veterans.
The OLLI Veterans Day program was begun several years ago by then OLLI member and Board representative, Martha Powers, to recognize the military service of so many OLLI members. After Martha’s good work, Jim Dunphy took over as coordinator until his death, continuing the outstanding programs of service recognition. For many years, two OLLI members from WWII—Chester Myslicki and Adrian Pelzner—were always saluted for their service. Chester passed away at the age of 100 shortly after being recognized and honored at the 2020 event.
This year’s program will include the traditional National Anthem and the rousing service songs. The featured guests will be representatives of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, often known as The Old Guard. Last year The Old Guard celebrated its 150th anniversary with many events and activities, culminating in a three-day event where the public was allowed access to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay personal respects. It was quite a moving event for those of us who attended.
If you haven’t signed up for this year’s program, there’s still time. Just contact the OLLI registrar. The program begins at 1:00 on Friday, November 11. It’s on Zoom, of course, for this year. Meeting codes will be provided in the emailed OLLI Daily Schedule notification.
Come join us in saluting our OLLI veterans, and all veterans, for their service to our country!
By Marilyn Harriman and Bob Heyer, OLLI Walk & Talk Co-Chairs
Thirteen Walk & Talk Club members experienced the joy of exploring part of the Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail on October 31. In addition to spotting a heron, walkers watched two horses grazing in their pasture and squirrels scampering for nuts among the fall leaves. Debby Mossburg led the group on a well-paved and maintained Fairfax County path from Prosperity Avenue up to King Arthur Road and then back again. Afterward, members met at the Cozy District Cafe for coffee, tea, cocoa, and lively conversation.
Future walks between fall and winter terms include an excursion at Wolf Trap Park in mid-November and a holiday walk at Meadowlark Gardens in December.
No walks are scheduled for November 7-11 and November 21-25.
The next outing, set for November 15 at 9:00, will be led by Bob Heyer. He’ll lead walkers on Wolf Trap Trail. The loop trail is 2.5 miles long and is considered an easy route, partly along a river and mainly through a forest. Participants will meet and park at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. Those interested in meeting for coffee or tea afterward will convene at Tyson’s Bagel Market, 8137 Leesburg Pike, Tyson’s Corner.
After the pandemic interruption, a highly-anticipated OLLI tradition lives again! Come and enjoy OLLI’s biggest in-person social event of the season; it offers a chance to dress up (a little) and socialize in person. The OLLI Annual Holiday Party will be on Thursday, December 1 from 11:30 to 2:30 at the Country Club of Fairfax, located at 5110 Ox Road in Fairfax. The event will begin at 11:30 as you gather over drinks (cash bar) and check‑in at the registration table. Entrées include pasta primavera, chicken piccata, and spinach salad with grilled chicken. The chicken and pasta entrées include rolls and salad; all meals include beverage and dessert. You can indicate your choice of entrée and pay the $50 when you register on the OLLI member portal. After lunch you will be entertained with a performance by the Tallwood Trio. A drawing for door prizes will follow. OLLI members are welcome to bring a guest; a $50 charge per person applies. Registration will end on Monday, November 14. To register for the party, click here.
Editor’s note: This announcement appeared in the last issue of E-News. It is repeated here to encourage participation.
Upcoming Mason Jazz Concerts
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A, Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Mason Jazz concerts coming soon offer lots of variety. The month kicks off with two concerts in the first half of November:
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra (MJO) – Salute to the Military
Saturday, November 12, 8:00, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $48, $41, $28, half price for youth through Grade 12 (click this link).
Join Jim Carroll, MJO's artistic director and virtuoso saxophonist, and vocalist Darden Purcell, Mason Director of Jazz Studies and Jazz Voice, for an unforgettable evening celebrating our military’s veterans, service members, and their families. Standards from the Jazz Age and eras of World Wars I and II will be featured. The event includes performances by vocalists Lisanne Lyons and Sara Jones.
This event is FREE for veterans and service members with ID. Up to two tickets each can be claimed in-person at the Hylton Center ticket office. George Mason University’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative proudly sponsor this performance.
Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Monday, November 14, 8:00, at the Center for the Arts. Tickets: $12 general public, $8 seniors, $5 students (click here).
Join Dr. Darden Purcell, the Mason Jazz Voice studio, and Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble for an evening of swinging standards, Brazilian repertoire, and classic hits from the Great American Songbook! Special guests are Falls Church High School Jazzguars, directed by Mason alumnus, Dr. C.J. Redden‑Liotta!
Smart Music for Older Adults: Research Volunteer Opportunity!
By Emily Ihara, PhD, Chair, Mason Department of Social Work
Are you interested in how personalized music creates physiological reactions?
George Mason University is looking for adults ages 60+ to participate in a research study called “Smart Music for Older Adults” (IRB #1904914) to explore the usage of wearable sensors in interventions using music. The aim of the research is to test wearable technology for a personalized music intervention for older adults. Participants will volunteer for about 60 minutes at a location with convenient parking, where they will listen to music while wearing a smartwatch (provided). Participants will get to listen to their favorite songs and then be interviewed by a member of the research team. The device will collect physiological measures such as heart rate and skin conductance and the research team will observe and video record reactions. After completion of the session, participants will be invited to participate in a 60-minute focus group to discuss their thoughts about wearable sensors. The total time to participate in this study will be no longer than 2 hours 30 minutes.
If you or someone you know would be interested in participating, please contact Dr. Emily Ihara, professor in the Department of Social Work, at gerorsch@gmu.edu or eihara@gmu.edu (703-993-2023) with the subject line "Smart Music.”
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the E-News July 15. It is repeated here to complete recruitment of participants by Thanksgiving; only a few more people are needed. Your help is encouraged. Thank you.
In her island studio, the artist rearranges paintings
moving a large seascape aside to hang a work
that looks out a window to the seaside landscape
She explains to me that with the coming of fall
she feels the need for this different perspective
****
The view beyond the bleached shells on my sill
hydrangeas faded into watery burgundy
marsh grasses brushed with feathers of rusty browns
goldenrods layered thick with bright yellow
turtles ink black against charcoal rocks
In the distance
the ocean absorbs the sky
into a deeper shade of blue
than yesterday
For the first time in months
I close my window against the chill
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.
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.
Nrityagram Dance Ensemble
Sat, Nov 5, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Sun, Nov 6, 7:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Virginia Opera: The Pirates of Penzance
Sat, Nov 12, 8:00
Sun, Nov 13, 2:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Gallery Exhibit: Bennie Herron: Zero and One
Through Nov 6
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Gallery Exhibit: Elizabeth Hall: Viriditas
Nov 8 – Jan 8
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Beauty in Tragedy and Hope
Sat, Nov 5, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adult $20, senior $15.
Matinee Idylls: A Taste of Opera by Virginia Opera
Wed, Nov 9, lunch, 12:30; performance, 1:30
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Lunch, concert, and dessert reception: $60,
Concert and dessert reception only: $35.
The United States Army Band Pershing's Own
Thu, Nov 10, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Free but reserve at this link.
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 (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 Nov 5
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 7
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Nov 8
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 9
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Thu Nov 10
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 11
9:15 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Photography Club
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Veterans Day Celebration
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Nov 12
10:30 am
12:00 noon
Tai Chi Club Board of Directors Retreat
Mon Nov 14
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Nov 15
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 16
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
6:00 pm
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Nov 17
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 18
9:15 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
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.
OLLI is fortunate to have many members who have retired from or served in the various military branches. On Friday, November 11, OLLI will hold its annual Veterans Day program to honor the service of our veterans.
Thirteen Walk & Talk Club members experienced the joy of exploring part of the Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail on October 31. In addition to spotting a heron, walkers watched two horses grazing in their pasture and squirrels scampering for nuts among the fall leaves. Debby Mossburg led the group on a well-paved and maintained Fairfax County path from Prosperity Avenue up to King Arthur Road and then back again. Afterward, members met at the Cozy District Cafe for coffee, tea, cocoa, and lively conversation.
Fairfax, located at 5110 Ox Road in Fairfax. The event will begin at 11:30 as you gather over drinks (cash bar) and check‑in at the registration table. Entrées include pasta primavera, chicken piccata, and spinach salad with grilled chicken. The chicken and pasta entrées include rolls and salad; all meals include beverage and dessert. You can indicate your choice of entrée and pay the $50 when you register on the OLLI member portal. After lunch you will be entertained with a performance by the Tallwood Trio. A drawing for door prizes will follow. OLLI members are welcome to bring a guest; a $50 charge per person applies. Registration will end on Monday, November 14. To register for the party, 
Mason Jazz Vocal Night 
