Remember, when you register for 2022 winter term, you must register for clubs. This allows OLLI to maintain current club rosters and ensures that you receive emails about your club's activities and events.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, December 10; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, December 7, at 6:00.
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held virtually November 19, 2021.
OLLI President Paul Howard reported the ramp construction is a little behind schedule, but it will be completed by the time spring term starts and members return to Tallwood campus. He also noted that the OLLI Zoom Help subcommittee would welcome additional volunteers, particularly those with Apple computer/device expertise.
Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported that finances are in good shape, but it is still important to reach out to recruit new members. She reported that currently the total membership is 1026 (1003 annual, 18 introductory and 5 lifetime members).
Jennifer also confirmed that all individuals visiting OLLI campuses will be subject to COVID prevention rules. In‑person programs require several health and safety protocols to ensure we are making our best effort to prevent the spread of COVID‑19 and its variants. Health and safety protocols are on the OLLI website. Rules are subject to change and will be updated as needed.
Two resolutions were approved by the Board.
Resolution 211119-01. Resolved, the OLLI Board of Directors approves the transfer of Friends of OLLI (FOLLI) account contributions and expenditures to the OLLI operating budget. This transfer will be effective with the 2022 OLLI budget. All FOLLI contributions not expended or allocated by the end of 2021 will be transferred to the OLLI reserve account.
Resolution 211119-02. Resolved, the OLLI Board of Directors approves the 2020 OLLI audit.
I hope you enjoyed the Meet the Artists (MTA) concerts via livestream. Five times as many OLLI members "attended" these concerts virtually than trekked to Reston pre‑COVID. Being at the Reston CenterStage in person is a more satisfying experience than watching livestream, and I hope you will find your way to Reston for the Spring 2022 series.
Have you ever thought you would like to be the producer of concerts, find performers you would like to hear, maybe even introduce them to the audience? Here’s your chance to be a Sol Hurok or a Rudolph Bing! Yes, you too can be in show business! OLLI needs a new coordinator for this marvelous concert series. Alas, I cannot continue in this role because of declining vision and mobility issues.
The duties include sending and responding to emails to schedule performers for the six concerts each fall and spring, coordinating with OLLI and Reston Community Center staffs for catalog entries, and serving as emcee or recruiting someone for that role. (My thanks again to Marianne Metz for serving so smoothly as the emcee. Her experience at the Kennedy Center and with her internet radio program is showing!)
The MTA concerts for spring 2022 have been scheduled, and have been submitted to the catalogs for OLLI and for the Reston Community Center. For each of the fall 2022 and spring 2023 concerts, four of the six events are annual "repeats," needing only coordination of the dates. The other two per season will very likely be filled by contacting artists who have performed for MTA before, and I can provide a long list of names and contact information. Also, other artists who perform pro bono concerts can be found by monitoring venues such as the Emerson Avenue Salonlines, Shenandoah Conservatory, and retirement communities such as Greenspring and Ashby Ponds.
Please consider serving as the coordinator for this important OLLI class, which Rosemary McDonald originated twelve years ago and which has been presented at the Reston Community Center for the past decade. Reading and composing emails for coordination have become difficult for me because of declining eyesight, but I will be happy to provide many resources and as much assistance as needed to the next coordinator.
If you are interested in helping continue this OLLI cultural offering, or if you know someone who might be, please contact me at ktatali2@gmu.edu, or call me at 703-281-6099.
Looking for a way to use your personal and professional skills to help OLLI? The Outreach Committee needs you! An Outreach Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 2, at 3:00.
We welcome anyone interested in helping us to spread the word about this amazing learning community, but we especially need people with any of the following:
Marketing and/or advertising experience
Graphic arts and/or video production experience
Social media savvy
An interest in increasing the diversity of our membership
A background in journalism and/or a love of writing
An enthusiasm for spreading the word about OLLI.
Many of the benefits we enjoy as OLLI members are only possible with a robust membership, but our membership numbers have been in decline since 2016. Joining our Outreach Committee is one way to help reverse the trend and improve your OLLI. Please contact debby.mossburg@verizon.net if you want to be part of the solution. To join the meeting, click here. The link and other information will also appear in the OLLI daily schedule email. Thanks!
By Brenda Bloch-Young, Economics and Finance Program Planning Group Co-chair
We have a unique opportunity with a special speaker for this event. Marc Rubinstein, author of the Net Interest newsletter, and based in London, has agreed to share his thoughts on the banking industry and financial technology (fintech). The event will be on December 13 at 10:00.
Here are some words from Marc about his topic:
"When I launched Net Interest in May 2020, I never really grasped the power of the internet. I had spent over 20 years in public markets, first in equity research and then as a partner of one of Europe’s premier hedge-fund firms, analysing and investing in financial services firms throughout. At peak, my team and I managed $4 billion of assets in the sector, which we deployed, long and short, around the world. Although I’ve given up managing other people’s money, I maintain a keen interest, particularly in fintech, and thought it would be fun to write down what I was thinking about each week.
Over 60 issues later, we are at more than 23,000 subscribers. Readers include CEOs and CFOs of some of the biggest financial institutions in the world, founders of some of the most exciting startups, and investors at some of the highest performing funds across venture and public markets."
We hope you will join us for this special session on December 13 at 10:00.
Share Your Expertise as an OLLI Instructor in 2022
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co-chair
OLLI is looking for instructors willing to teach a few classes:
Examining the Biden Administration’s Domestic and Foreign Policy Agenda/2021-2024
Democracy vs. Authoritarianism in the USA and Abroad
Is America in Decline? Empirical Indicators and Implications for Present and Future Generations.
This could be you! Please contact one of the following OLLI program coordinators if you are interested: Shannon Kim Morrow, Program Associate—smorrow4@gmu.edu Nancy Klein, Communications and Program Associate— nklein4@gmu.edu.
OR complete the course proposal form available at this link.
We encourage multiple sessions, if possible. Thank you!
Save the Date: Help Plan OLLI Mason Programs, Thursday, December 2, 10:00
By Pat Bangs, Literature, Language, and Theater Program Planning Group Co-chair
All OLLI Mason members are invited to our all-campus program planning group meeting for literature, language, and theater program planning. Mark your calendars and set aside some time on Thursday, December 2 from 10:00-11:30 via Zoom to share in the planning of these popular topics.
Is there a favorite author or playwright you want to know more about? Want to dabble in new writing workshops or suggest a new language to offer? Know any local teacher resources or—thanks to Zoom—instructors farther afield? Maybe you just want to see how the program-planning process works. Don’t miss this opportunity to offer your thoughts and suggestions as we plan programs for our summer 2022 term and beyond.
Also, learn about the planning for our return to in-person teaching on all campuses in our spring term, with Zoom and hybrid options available to instructors and members. And, of course, if you, or anyone you know, would like to join our committee, here is your opportunity to see the process in action.
See you December 2 at 10:00. Click this Zoom link to join the meeting. The Zoom link and other information will also appear in the OLLI Daily Schedule email for December 2. If you can’t make it and want to share program ideas, feel free to contact me by email at Pbangs68@gmail.com.
Thanks so much for your interest and contributions.
Correction for the Winter 2022 Catalog: F407 Retelling Traditional Tales . . .
By Ellen Moody, Instructor
I changed one of my books and, accordingly, altered the description of the course, F407 Retelling Traditional History & Tales from an Alternative Point of View. The catalog, however, contains the previous book and so is written differently. I also now suggest an outside movie to watch.
Wednesdays, 11:50-1:15, Jan. 26-Feb. 16
Four sessions
Instructor: Ellen Moody
Class limit: 45
We will read two books which retell stories and history from perhaps unexpected and often unvoiced points of views. In War in Val D'Orcia, An Italian War Diary, 1943-44, Irish Origo (a British-Italian biographer and memoir-writer, and literary Officer of the Order of the British Empire) retells the story of World War Two from the point of view of a woman taking charge of her estates during the war. Then, Cassandra & Four Essays by Christa Wolf (a respected East German author who won numerous German literary-political prizes) tells the story of Troy from Cassandra’s point of view, no longer a nutcase but an insightful prophet. The book was written after the war was over and after a trip the author took to Greece. The immediate context for both is World War Two, but Cassandra also allegorizes the story of the two Germanies after the war and the European campaign for nuclear disarmament.
I will be recommending two movies: two episodes from 1979 BBC serial Danger UXB (about landmines); an acclaimed film about the GDR’s Stasi, The Lives of Others (available on Amazon prime)—the heroine’s story is partly based on the life of Christa Wolf.
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Co-chair
Sign up for OLLI Course #977 in the winter 2022 course catalog and get the answer to this question and more. You will find this class listed in the “Special Events” section (page 23). Three distinguished Mason professors discuss their research on this topic on Friday, February 18 from 2:00-3:30 and show how ethical behavior is essential when using technology. Share this critical information with your friends, associates, and young people in your social circle.
The November 2021 Photo of the Month theme was Water. The vote for the winning photo was tied between Edward Marion’s photo “Resistance is Futile” shown below, and which may also be viewed at this page,
and Robert Kelberg’s photo “Bandon Beach” shown below, and which may also be viewed at this link.
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
When I hear that melody, I know
I will never be free of visions
Of you and me, sitting by the sea
Sweet, dulcet sounds of the piano
We talked till the moon slipped into the sea
Soft sea breezes lulled us into a dream
Time of serene joy, bliss and happiness
But, nothing in this world is enduring
Even euphoric joy weakens moments later
Merging into one’s usual state of mind
Like ripples in the water made by a pebble
Gradually merge into the smooth, still surface
I dream of the future and reflect on the past
- Chitra Mohla
*Music Box Dancer: An instrumental piano piece by Canadian musician Frank Mills. Mills wrote and recorded Music Box Dancer in 1974.
As Mason’s campuses reopen, programs are offered at both Fairfax and Manassas campuses, along with virtual events. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is required for all audience members. 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 send an email to Brianna Schoen atbschoen@gmu.edu. 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.
Gallery Exhibition: Zia Palmer -Women of the Same Blood
Tue, Nov 16 through Sun, Jan 9
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker
Fri, Nov 26, 2:00 and 6:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45.
Northern Virginia Ballet & Academy of Russian Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sat, Nov 27, 2:00 and 6:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Sun, Nov 28, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Mason Dance Innovations Concert
Fri, Dec 3, 8:00
Sat, Dec 4, 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $15 adults; $10 seniors.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Color and Light
Sat, Dec 4, 3:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 adults; $16 seniors.
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
Sun, Dec 5, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $55, $40.
Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised 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 Nov 27
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 29
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Club
Tue Nov 30
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 1
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Dec 2
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Meeting
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 3
9:30 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Sat Dec 4
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Dec 6
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Dec 7
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 8
10:30 am
2:00 pm
Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Dec 9
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 10
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
2:00 pm
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Tallwood Book Club
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
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, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, 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.
Many of the benefits we enjoy as OLLI members are only possible with a robust membership, but our membership numbers have been in decline since 2016. Joining our Outreach Committee is one way to help reverse the trend and improve your OLLI. Please contact 
