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OLLI
E-News #19-09 of May 15, 2009
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| Banner image above:
Executive Chef Thom Clement (right) with able-bodied staff helpers
(left to right) Maria Buczek, Beth Davis, Jocelyn Hanly [intern],
Karen
Nash and Bill Walsh. |
FAREWELL MESSAGE
From the president
 By Pat Carroll, President
THE
SPRING TERM HAS CLOSED and
my six years on the board and two years as president have also come to
an end. The election of new directors was completed today. The new
board members will be announced in OLLI
E-News next week.
I want to thank all of the members of OLLI at
all three locations, some who attend at more than one location and some
only one. We are still one big family of senior learners. This has been
a great experience for me. I want to thank the volunteers and board
members with whom I have served over the past years and the officers
over the past two years. It has been a pleasure for me to work with
such great people.
I would especially like to thank Thom Clement,
our executive director, and the excellent staff that he has assembled.
They all work well as a team and make the job of the president as easy
and painless as possible. Whoever is elected the next president will be
fortunate to have such a great ED and staff to work with.
We are finishing this last 12 months having
given $13,000 in scholarships to Mason students, renegotiated the Osher
endowment so that we get a minimum five percent distribution every
year, and completed a record-breaking silent auction last Friday in
conjunction with our annual meeting and picnic.
I look forward to more years of record growth
in both members and the quality of an already superb program.
Thank you all again for allowing me to serve
you over these past years.
ARE YOU READY TO
TRY ONLINE
REGISTRATION?
From the executive
director
WHEN
YOU REGISTER FOR THE SUMMER TERM (anytime between Wed, May 20, and Wed,
Jun 3), I hope you'll consider joining the 56
percent of OLLI members who are
already using the Member Portal for online registration. We have worked
with software developer Ken McLean to implement quite a few member
suggestions that will make it even simpler for you to register online
from the convenience of your home. Of course, you still have the option
to submit a paper registration form at any time prior to the close of
registration on Wed, Jun 3.
Here are some of the improvements to our
system:
- Every page of the Registration System is
clearly labeled and gives step-by-step directions whenever possible.
- You can now sort by column heading by
clicking on that column. For
example, if you only want to take classes on Tuesdays, you can sort by
Day and see all of the classes on that day.
- You can see course descriptions from the
Registration Page by clicking on the Details button rather than having
to leave the Registration Page to find a description of a course.
- You can prioritize your class
selections all at once on the My Schedule page. This means you will not
have to wait for the system to process after each selection of a
course, which will make registering much faster for you.
- You can view and print your schedule in a
Calendar View prior to submitting your registration to see if you are
happy with your weekly schedule.
- After registration is closed and class
assignments have been made, you will be able to check your My Schedule
page to see the classes for which you have been confirmed and those for
which you have been waitlisted.
- The biggest change is that you will
receive an email confirmation
rather than a confirmation letter in the U.S. mail. This
will save OLLI of at least $500 per term in postal costs not to mention
the savings of the many staff and volunteer hours it takes to assemble
the approximately 850 confirmation letters that go out each term. Of course, we will be using the email
address for you that is in our master database, so please log into the
Member Portal and verify your personal information (select Edit
Personal Info at the Membership menu).
If you are ready to "take the plunge" and register by computer,
step-by-step instructions are on page 28 of the summer catalog. You may
also get personalized assistance from OLLI Registrar Maria Buczek from
10:00 until noon on Thu, May 21, at Reston, on Wed, May 27, at Loudoun, and on Fri, May 29, at Tallwood.
PROGRAM CORNER
Summer Preview #2: Reston and Loudoun
 By Kathryn Russell, Program Committee Chair
BY NOW YOU'RE PROBABLY THUMBING THROUGH
the paper version of the summer catalog
or scrolling
online through the dozens of choices. I'm sure you've noticed the
smooth blending of listings at all three OLLI sites in the course
description section. Though many OLLI students find it more convenient
to attend classes at only one location, lots of us are discovering that
it's not so difficult to navigate the roads in order to enjoy courses
at other sites. The summer term may be the ideal time to do a little
"crossing over" from one site to another. Starting times are later,
providing adequate time to arrive punctually at a location where you
don't normally attend. And you'll travel fewer times because many
summer courses are one-time events.
Reston.
One of Reston's most exciting offerings will
feature the well-known Greater Reston Arts Center in a class and tour
of exhibits (R106). Then look to Reston to hone your knowledge of
finance in Mike May's "Navigating the Financial Quagmire" (R206) and in
"Financial Crisis: Where Do We Go from Here?" (R207) by Cindy Fox and
Katherine Hurley. You can also examine comparative perspectives in
religion in two courses offered by Steven Goldman, "Faith, Works, Law,
and Grace" (R604) and "Is the New Testament Anti-Semitic?" (R605). Or
revisit a classic in Jane Catron's The
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (R409). You'll be impressed with
the wide range of topics at Reston.
Loudoun.
Loudoun's program planners, too, have put
together an enticing array of summer offerings you won't want to
resist. Notice that we have Mason Prof. Janette Muir returning to
Loudoun with "The Evolving Role of First Ladies" (L314). History fans
will also want to explore two author/historians’ courses: Marc
Leepson's "Chronicles of American History"” (L313) and Andrew
Jampoler's "An American Maritime Adventure off Siberia" (L315). Or find
out—finally—what is meant by "organic" in Ellen Polishuk's class,
"Eating Locally: What is Organic?" (L812).
Summer is a great time to be a little
adventurous by exploring courses at an OLLI site that's not so familiar
to you. You'll make new friends and be welcomed by students who share
your enthusiasm for learning.
OLLI PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
About the recent and upcoming
meetings
 
By Stan Schretter and Dan Feighery, OLLI members
Guest speaker
on zoo
photography, Don Johnson. Photo by Stan Schretter.
The next
Photography Club meeting
on Fri, May 22, will feature Assistant
Professor Sue Wrbican of Mason's School of
Art & Visual Technology. She will discuss The Frozen Car Project, a
public/interactive project to engage passers-by in dialog about the
automobile industry, as well as other collaborative ventures and her
documentary portraiture.
OLLI members are welcome at our Photography
Club
meetings.
MAY 8 EVENTS AT TALLWOOD
Collage by Dan Feighery; photos by Anita
Ohlhausen, Bob
Persell, Don Allen and Ernestine Meyer.
To view the collage in its original size, click
here.
A WONDERFUL BLEND
OF PARTICIPATION
Annual meeting and picnic
 By Elizabeth Crawford, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
Slideshow
of scenes from
the
outdoor festivities
after the annual meeting.
Photos
by Gordon Canyock, Anne Chaloux, Dick Hart and Anita Ohlhausen.
as "a
wonderful blend of participation in the business of our organization,
fund raising, and fellowship—a chance to catch up with old friends and
make new ones." There was a full house for the Annual Meeting in TA-1.
Thom and Vice President Emmett Fenlon gave a "State of the
Institute" address that included information about the great extent to
which Mason supports OLLI (e.g., our facilities and the many professors
who
teach at Tallwood). Plans for Mason's University-Based
Retirement Community are on indefinite hold because of the current
economic conditions, so OLLI will remain at Tallwood
for the foreseeable future. Following short speeches by the Board
candidates, the discussion included ideas on how to increase membership
retention and to find more members to teach and serve on
committees/resource groups.
After the meeting the crowd
moved outside for lunch. Membership Committee Chair Debbie Halverson
said she had arranged the good weather as one of her many services to
keep the membership happy. The Recorder Consort entertained us as we
gathered around tables and lined up for hot dogs and hamburgers cooked
by Head Honcho (according to his apron) Thom Clement. Choosing from the
table laden with salads and some 50 desserts was rather like
choosing courses out of a new OLLI catalog.
While waiting for results of the Silent
Auction, some members remained outside to chat while others went back
to TA-1 to enjoy several Rogers and Hammerstein, Gershwin, and Lerner
and Lowe songs performed by OLLI member and instructor Linda George. As
Linda sang so well, it was "a beautiful morning" and "a beautiful day."
"STATE OF THE INSTITUTE" ADDRESS
OLLI update presented at the meeting
IF YOU MISSED THE
ANNUAL MEETING, you can still view the "State of the
Institute" address given by Vice President Emmett Fenlon and Executive
Director Thom Clement at the beginning of the meeting. To view this
colorful, informative, 11-slide presentation, click here (pdf).
Back
to top
SHAKEN NOT STIRRED
Report on the Silent Auction
Slideshow
of Silent
Auction scenes;
photos
by Gordon Canyock and Anne Chaloux.
like a good
James Bond martini, "Shaken not Stirred." A total of $5,782 was donated
to Friends of OLLI by a shakeup of items, volunteers and a new number
system for bidding. Nothing was stirred to create complacency or
boredom.
The items ranged from a Texas Getaway to
handmade jewelry, dinners, museum gatherings, Dirty Knee Club
makeovers, poems, paintings, photos, an exercise bike, dolls, and much
more. This year many outside organizations -- Trader Joe's, Cox Farms,
Wegmans, photo studios and many more -- donated items. The setup was
stylishly done with white tablecloths and homemade stars.
Bidding was slow at first but picked up
quickly as members saw the abundance of items up for bid. At 1:30 when
the auction closed its doors, we had to politely escort people out.
There were bidding strategies that seemed to work for many. Program
Associate Beth Davis carefully watched the bidding on the Texas
Getaway, and at the last minute she entered the winning bid.
The volunteers that helped were many, adding
to the joy of camaraderie had by all. In summary, the 2009 Silent
Auction was like a good martini with a dash of sun and fun added in.
VIVA! VIENNA! FESTIVAL
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Another Holiday! Another OLLI staffing
need.
THE
FANTASTICALLY SUCCESSFUL SILENT AUCTION IS OVER,
and once again there is another event that needs staffing. The "Viva!
Vienna! Festival" is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. OLLI will have
an information booth there, and we need volunteers.
Help, please! The booth will be open Sun, May
24, and Mon, May 25, from 10:00 to 6:00 both days. The schedule is for
two people to fill two-hour shifts with the first shift starting at
10:00 (10:00-noon, noon-2:00, 2:00-4:00, and 4:00-6:00).
Please email Carole Richard at ccarole@cox.net if you can help. |
VIRGINIA SENIOR
GAMES
Members Ave Tombes and Palmer McGrew win
medals
Left, Ave Tombes in the 200-meter run;
photo by Ave's son
Tom.
Right, Palmer McGrew with his
swimming medals; photo by Palmer's wife Ceda.
in
Richmond at the Virginia Senior Games. Ave Tombes and Palmer McGrew
both won medals for performances in their age groups: Ave in track
events and Palmer in swimming events.
Congratulations to Ave and Palmer for
their medal-winning achievements listed below!
- Ave Tombes--
- Silver
medal for second place in the 50-meter run.
- Silver
medal for second place in the 100-meter run.
- Bronze
medal for third place in the 200-meter run.
- Palmer
McGrew--
- Bronze
medal for third place
in the 200-meter freestyle.
- Bronze
medal for third place in the 100-meter backstroke.
Editor's
note. If you would like to participate in senior games just for
fun or to see how you can do compared with other seniors of about the
same age,
you should consider competing in the local Northern Virginia Senior
Olympics scheduled for Sep 12-24, 2009. You can participate in
numerous athletic and non-athletic events ... and you have four months now to get ready!
2008 OLLI Senior Olympians
are shown in this article
from last year.
Back to top
KEY CONTACT
INFORMATION
How to contact OLLI
HERE
IS A READY REFERENCE on how to contact OLLI. For email
addresses and phone numbers not listed below, please consult the online
Membership Directory (log in to Member
Portal).
- President:
Pat Carroll
- Executive
Director: Thom
Clement, phone 703-503-7866
- OLLI Office, phone
703-503-3384
- Tallwood
Administrator/OLLI Registrar: Maria
Buczek, phone 703-503-3384
- Board
members: See Organization page
(to send an email to the entire Board, send it to the office or the OLLI
E-News editor, and your
message will be forwarded to all members of the Board)
- Committee
chairs, resource-group chairs: See Organization
page
- Suggestions: Online
suggestion box
- Letters to
the editor or letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit
(etiquette
matters): OLLI
E-News Editor Rod Zumbro,
phone
703-569-2750
Back
to top
 EYE ON RESTON An update on Reston matters
Hunter
Mill District
Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (second from left) with
OLLI members (left to right) Al Roe, Dave Edwards and Bob Simon.
AS
PART OF A FOUR-WEEK SERIES entitled "Reston: How It Began,
Where It’s Going," Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins spoke
to members of OLLI on May 7 in Reston. Supervisor Hudgins emphasized
the importance of a "sense of place" that has been notable in Reston
since its beginnings in 1964.
She noted that the development of Reston has
been a model for the rest of Fairfax County and is watched by planners
across the country. In addition to providing information about the
county’s "50+ Action Plan," Supervisor Hudgins updated the audience on
the issues related to planning the extension of Metro through Reston
and on to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County.
Submitted by Executive Director Thom Clement.
Back
to top
MASON ARTS AND
MUSIC
Upcoming Mason performances, May 15-24
By Jan Bohall, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
FOR
TICKETS,
call
1-888-945-2468 (phone orders are handled by tickets.com)
or visit the Center for the Arts Box Office, Tue-Sat, 10:00-6:00. More
info on tickets at the CFA tickets page.
Korean Studies Center Performance
A Gayageum Recital
By Sun
Rim Kim
Sun, May 17, 5:00
Ms.
Kim, a member of the Korean
National Orchestra, will perform two solo pieces on the gayageum, a
25-string traditional Korean musical instrument, and then will be
accompanied by the Bravura Quartet. The presentation is sponsored by
the Mason Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.
Admission: Free, no tickets required
Harris Theater
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Other Mason events
 By Helen Ackerman, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
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- Mercatus
Center
Lunch Lecture Series – "Democratizing Natural Resource
Governance in Africa: Searching for Institutional Change." Presented by
Fred Nelson, Director of Maliasili Initiatives Ltd. Wed, May 20, 12:30
to 2:00, Mason's Arlington Campus, Hazel Hall, Mercatus Center Board
Room.
- Farmers’
Market – Locally grown
fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats and poultry, and local
foods from bread and cheese to salsa and sausage. Continues every Wed
from now through Oct 28, 11:30 to 3:30, Johnson Center, North Plaza.
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Non-class events at OLLI for the next two
weeks
THE
FOLLOWING LIST covering the
next two weeks is extracted for your
convenience from the master calendar maintained by the office (see Upcoming
Non-Class Events to view the real-time OLLI online calendar used by
the office). Note: Board,
committee, resource-group and 'membership-type' meetings/events below
are highlighted
in bold. OLLI members are
welcome at all Board, committee and resource-group meetings (except
during executive sessions).
Fri May
15 Spring Term Ends
10am Recorder Consort - TA-2
10am Drama Club - TA-3
10am Planning Committee Meeting - TA-1
10am Special Event 965 - Riding
with the Grey Ghost - Bus Trip
11am Homer Group - Social
Room Annex
Tue May 19
9:30am F303 - Local Railroads - Make-up
Class Pt. 1 - TA-3
10am Teacher Feedback Session - TA-2
11am
Knitting and Needlework
Club - Lake Anne
11am Fiction Writer's Club -
King's Park Library
11:30am F303 - Local
Railroads - Make-up Class Pt. 2 - TA-3
Wed May 20
Summer Registration Begins
7:45am Special
Event 966 - Madison, Montpelier, Palladio and More - Bus Trip
10am Bridge Club - TA-3
10am Genealogy Club -
TA-2
1pm OLLI-Loudoun
Membership Meeting -
Loudoun RM 232
Thu May 21 10am Online
Registration Help Session - Lake Anne
Fri May 22 9:30am Photography
Club - TA-1
10am Recorder Consort
- TA-2
10am Drama Club - TA-3
10:30am Classic Fiction Book
Club - Cascades Library
11am Homer Group -
Social Room Annex
Mon May 25 Memorial Day - OLLI Office Closed
Tue May
26 11am
Knitting and Needlework
Club - Lake Anne
Wed
May
27 10am Bridge Club -
TA-3
10am Online Registration
Help Session - Loudoun
Fri May 29 Let's Eat Out - Time
and Location to be Announced
10am Recorder Consort - TA-2
10am Drama Club - TA-3
10am Online Registration
Help Session - Annex
11am Homer Group -
Social Room Annex
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About OLLI E-News and the
member-volunteers who
produce it
Rod
Zumbro
Editor |
John West
Deputy
Editor |
Barbara Kyriakakis
Associate
Editor |
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Review Team: Gordon Canyock,
Michael Coyne, Barbara Kyriakakis, John West, Susanne Zumbro
Database
Manager: Barbara
Kyriakakis; Photo
Editor: Michael Coyne
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- About
this newsletter. OLLI's
weekly newsletter, OLLI E-News,
is emailed to current
OLLI
members with email addresses on Fridays. When classes are in
session, printed copies of this newsletter are distributed in
classrooms. Comments,
suggestions or complaints? Please contact Editor Rod
Zumbro or Communications Committee Chair Gordon
Canyock.
- Submissions. We
encourage members
to submit news items, articles and photos for this newsletter. The deadline
to
the editor is 7:00 pm Wed (7:00 pm Mon for letters to the editor
for which an
OLLI response is appropriate) for that
week's issue; submissions earlier in
the week are strongly encouraged and greatly appreciated. Please
limit
articles to about 250 words. Submit material via email to Editor Rod
Zumbro
(email rzumbro@gmu.edu).
- Read the latest
issue early. The
new weekly issue of OLLI E-News
is posted to the OLLI Web site Thursday evening. Read it by visiting http://www.olli.gmu.edu/pubs.htm#enews,
where you will find a list of the last 12
issues; click the latest issue listed.
- Viewing or searching past
issues. Your options for finding items in past issues of OLLI E-News include viewing the last 12
issues; searching the content of
ALL issues for any word or words; and searching our
archive of all past issues by date or issue number.
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Updated: May 15, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at
George Mason University. Materials in this publication subject to
OLLI-Mason copyright may be reproduced for noncommercial educational
purposes as long as credit is given to OLLI-Mason.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George
Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384; Email: olli@gmu.edu;
Fax: (703) 503-2832
Original site design and construction by OLLI-Mason member Rod Zumbro. |
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