Homer, etc., January 6: A small group coordinated by Jan Bohall enjoys reading and analyzing traditional and contemporary classics
from which members read aloud during weekly meetings
First of all, I want to wish all OLLI members and their families a happy and healthy new year. As expected, 2022 was another vibrant year for OLLI. I have only been president for the last six months, but I quickly discovered that there is a lot to do to keep OLLI running. I continue to meet with various committee chairs and attend OLLI functions. The Board members are all worker bees and always have something to show or tell me. I have also worked closely with Executive Director Jennifer Disano on various projects and found some ways we hope we can bring in more members and more funding for OLLI. I especially enjoyed our meeting with the George Mason Provost and staff to discuss creative ways to enhance our partnership with the university. I learned what it takes to utilize technology to bring our programming to members.
As you know, in January and February there will be Zoom classes only. Last year there were multiple cancellations due to the winter weather, so the administrative staff decided to close the campus for the two-month period and only offer Zoom classes for the winter session. We will evaluate whether we should continue that practice as we make plans for winter 2024. Also, don’t forget that most classes are recorded, and you can access past classes by using the code found on the OLLI Mason daily schedule.
When the spring classes begin, it is my sincere hope that members will return to class in person even though many classes will still be in hybrid format. You have heard me say that one of OLLI’s greatest assets is the ability to socialize and meet new friends. This is why I press for members who can do so to enjoy our wonderful classes with friends instead of their computer.
I stopped making resolutions many years ago because I found that I never follow them. However, I do like to think back over the year and pick three positive and three negative events that I believe had the greatest impact on our country. For the negative, I picked: (1) the war in in Ukraine, (2) the Dobbs decision, and (3) the attempted insurrection/coup at the US Capitol. For the positive events, I picked: (1) the January 6th Commission, (2) COVID vaccines and Paxlovid prevent most COVID deaths, and (3) finally, publication of Trump’s tax returns tells us more about the IRS than Trump. What are your threes? I challenge members to send your threes to ollienewseditor@gmail.com so we can publish what you select.
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers' Group Coordinator
"While the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theatre are known to many, look a little deeper at DC's theater community and you will find an abundance of creativity. Are you a fan of commedia dell'arte? DC has a theater for that. Nerd culture? DC's got that, too. Whatever gets your creative juices flowing, chances are there are artists in the region exploring it through theater," according to Nicole Hertvik, editor and publisher of DC Theater Arts. This publicationis the region's most comprehensive source of local theater news, which covers the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia area, Baltimore, and New York City.
Nicole goes on to say, “Washington, D.C. is known as the nation's political capital, but fewer people are aware that it is also a theater capital. With over 70 professional theaters and dozens of community theaters, a robust economy, and residents who support the arts, the DC region is one of the nation's most vibrant theater communities.”
All OLLI members are invited to join Nicole on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:30, when she speaks with OLLI's Theater Lovers' Group via Zoom. You will find the link for the Theater Lovers' Group listed in OLLI's daily schedule email. Join fellow theater lovers from the comfort of your home to learn more about the local theater scene, what DC theaters do right, and why the region should be considered a national theater arts model. You will also learn more about DC Theater Arts online newsletter and can ask Nicole about what's new on Broadway, too.
Nicole is a contributing writer to DC Theater Arts, DCist, District Fray Magazine, American Theatre Magazine, and more. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Cincinnati, and a master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. Nicole studied journalism at Georgetown University, was a 2019 Fellow in the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's National Critics Institute, and a 2022 Fellow in the CUNY Newmark Journalism School's Entrepreneurial Journalism program. Prior to her work at DC Theater Arts, she had a career in international education. She lives in Maryland with her three daughters, two bunnies, and one very patient husband.
The OLLI Walk & Talk Club ventured out to Burke Lake Park on January 3 for our first walk of the new year. It was a lovely winter day, with sun peeks and a high temperature that hit 70 in the afternoon. The lake was down two feet in water level, so repairs and improvements to the park could be made over the winter months. We saw lake bottom silt in many areas around the land edges. And yet a week earlier, just after Christmas, people were ice skating on the lake in some areas.
We walked some new paths along the water’s edge, which members who have lived in Fairfax County for 40 years had never walked before. We also covered many picnic areas, volleyball, and disc golf areas, and the Burke village with the mini-golf course, ice cream parlor, merry-go-round, pavilions, and railroad station. We couldn’t resist taking time out to climb one of the kids’ jungle gyms for pictures and ride the slide down! And later at the railroad station was another picture opportunity before walking back through the Burke Lake disc golf course to the cars.
Next was to visit the Burke Center Chesapeake Bagel Bakery for munchies, coffee, and continued conversations. We had a successful day and welcomed a new club walker to the group.
Upcoming OLLI Walk & Talk Outings
By Marilyn Harriman, OLLI Walk & Talk Co-Chair
Weather permitting, the OLLI Walk & Talk Club will meet two more times this month: Wednesday, January 18, at 2:00 (please note afternoon time) at King Arthur Road in Annandale and Monday, January 24, at 9:00 at Fred Crabtree Park Trail in Herndon.
On Wednesday, January 18, Debby Mossburg will guide club members in exploring 60 minutes more of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail.We will meet on King Arthur Road, at 2:00. The easiest way to reach King Arthur Road is from the Little River Turnpike.
On Little River Turnpike, there is a stoplight at Duncan Drive. Make an immediate left after turning north, follow the service road one block, and make a right onto King Arthur. Parking is available on both sides of the street. A visual map of where to park will be sent to those who sign up for this walk.
Afterward, those who would like a hot beverage and continued conversation will meet at Breeze Bakery Café, 4125 Hummer Road, Annandale.
On Monday, January 23, leader Carol Esteki will show us the 2.4 miles of the Fred Crabtree Park Trail in Herndon.Those who sign up will start at 9:00.Parking is available at the site: 2801 Fox Mill Road, Herndon. Afterward, those who would like a hot beverage and continued conversation will meet at Le (Vingt Trois) 23 Cafe, 311 Sunset Park Drive, Herndon.
Walkers are asked to sign up for each walk with one of the club co-chairs, Marilyn or Bob. New walkers are always welcome and must register first with the club through the OLLI member portal.
ALL walkers are asked to bring their cell phones with them on the outings and let the co-chairs know if they are running late or have a change in plans while on the trail.
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, January 21, via Zoom. Program activities begin at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Electric Vehicles: Concepts and Comparisons – Presented by Geof Goodrum
Major automakers are playing catch-up with Tesla Inc. in the manufacture and marketing of electric vehicles (EVs). This presentation will review basic EV concepts and terminology, some differences between Tesla and non-Tesla EVs, near and long-term EV considerations, and a demonstration of useful mobile apps for EV drivers. There will also be an opportunity for open discussion and questions.
Geof Goodrum is a retired physical earth scientist, technology enthusiast and early adopter. Geof’s vehicle history includes a 2002 Honda Insight (1st Generation Gas-Electric Hybrid) and a 2019 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). He recently completed road trips in his 2022 Kia EV6 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, and cross-country trips.
Learn in 30:Bluetooth and Pairing – Presented by John Krout
This presentation provides you with the fundamental knowledge to use your smart phone or tablet together with Bluetooth devices. You will find answers to questions such as these: Why is Bluetooth useful? What does pairing accomplish? Step-by-step examples of pairing using both an Android phone and an iPhone are included. If Bluetooth is a mystery to you, you will be enlightened by this presentation.
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.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 085407 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 860 4783 3447 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method) or dial in – 301-715-8592.
By Karen Schneider and Joann Sokol,
Reston Book Club Coordinators
The Reston Book Club will meet via Zoom 2:15-3:40 on Thursday, January 26. The winter 2023 book choice is Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner, the 1984 Booker Prize winner.
In this novel, which not only won Brookner the Booker Prize but established her international reputation, she tells the story of Edith Hope, who writes romance novels under a pseudonym. After jilting someone at the altar in London, she goes on a sabbatical to a Swiss hotel to take stock of her life and do some writing. Instead, she ends up absorbed in the lives of her fellow guests and attracts an unwanted suitor. The choice before Edith is either safety or passion; and it is unclear which path she will chose until the very end. The discussion will be led by Luci Martel.
The Tallwood Book Club meets on the second Friday of every month (e.g., today) at 2:30. For winter term, the meetings are via Zoom; the Zoom link appears in the daily schedule email. The January book to be discussed is The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante.
Our February selection is The Children Act by Ian McEwan.
OLLI writers—beginners and experienced—take note: OLLI Ink is now accepting submissions, including poems, fiction, personal essays, and memoirs, for its 2023 edition.
Now moving into its 13th 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 workshops.
How to Submit: Please send your entries and/or any questions to Caroline McNeil at caromcneil@gmail.com.
Guidelines:
Poems – limit number of lines to 30
Prose – limit number of words to 2,500, single-spaced.
Contributions are welcome starting now through the end of February.
A six-month-old gray tiger-stripe
named Rascal. Adopted, but returned.
We vowed to never send you back.
Daddy chauffeured you home.
You chewed through your cardboard carrier,
played jungle gym in a moving car.
We gave you a name better suited to
your adventurous spirit, as you
discovered the touch on-touch off lamp
on the dresser at 3 a.m.
Always seeking the highest spot,
hiding in silk plants atop kitchen cabinets.
When your precious Daddy-pal passed on,
you assumed his male role to comfort me.
Snuggled your palm-sized head
In my hair to warm your cold wet nose,
bathed my ears with sandpaper tongue.
My best buddy, my loyal listener,
a watcher of squirrels, conqueror of dust balls,
slayer of insects, inspector of closed doors,
master of 8 p.m. bedtimes, daylight or standard.
Strict boss of house staff, grading my duty list –
litter scooped, meals served, water refreshed,
allotted number of night and morning treats.
And now you too are gone.
I miss your cuddles, your multi-syllabic meows.
With any noise I rush to see what you’re into.
Your forlorn look when I leave for a while,
your metronomic purring in my ear at my return.
I miss stroking your neck, scratching your ears,
brushing your fur, your many contorted
sleep positions, your soft, cream-colored belly,
our affectionate head-butts
at the top of the stairs.
Judy Baxter, OLLI member since 2007, passed away on December 31, 2022. A memorial service will be held January 13 at 1:00, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, located at 2709 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton.
The service will also be live-streamed on the church’s webpage: https://uucf.org.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket page or the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
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 web page 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.
US Navy Concert Band Fri, Jan 13, 8:00 Concert Hall Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets required.
US Navy Concert Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble Sat, Jan 14, 8:00 Concert Hall Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets required.
Shen Yun Sat, Jan 21, 2:00 and 7:30 Sun, Jan 22, 2:00 Concert Hall Admission: $200, $175, $140, $115, $100, $90.
Melina's Dance Company: Time Warp Winter Showcase Thu, Jan 26, 6:00 Concert Hall Admission: $15.
The Acting Company: The Three Musketeers Sat, Jan 28, 8:00 Concert Hall A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain. Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Silkroad Ensemble: Uplifted Voices Sun, Jan 29, 8:00 Concert Hall A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain. The artists will participate in a post-performance discussion from the stage. Admission: $55, $47, $33.
11th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition Through Feb 18 Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery Admission: Free.
ARTFactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: Big Fish Sat, Jan 28, 2:00 and 7:00 Sun, Jan 29, 3:00 Merchant Hall Admission: $20 Adult, $16 senior.
Please note: For winter term 2023, OLLI clubs and scheduled activities are meeting online. Accordingly, the course or event numbers for such events and activities (except clubs) meeting only online show the identification "Z" (for Zoom). 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 Jan 14
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 16
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Jan 17
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Zoom Information Session for members
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jan 18
10:00 am
10:30 am
Mah Jongg Club
Investment Forum
Thu Jan 19
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 20
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc. Program Planning Groups
Sat Jan 21
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jan 23
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Jan 24
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jan 25
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Jan 26
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 27
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
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.
onal theater arts model. You will also learn more about 
