WHAT’S
YOUR "HOME CAMPUS"?
From the executive
director
O NE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT ACCOMPANIES THE
GROWTH in
OLLI membership is how to efficiently distribute items such as new
nametags, Spiritwear orders, and other requested items. Many full OLLI
members now attend classes and activities at multiple locations --
Fairfax, Reston, and/or Loudoun. It would greatly help the OLLI staff
and leadership if we knew which location you consider your "home
campus," meaning the OLLI location that is most convenient for you or
the one at which you most frequently participate in activities.
There is now a
place for you to identify your
"home campus." On your computer, just log on to the OLLI Member Portal,
then go to the pull-down menu for "Membership." Select "Edit Personal
Info" and then click "Make changes to my information" at the top left.
In the "Home Campus" field, you can select Fairfax, Loudoun or Reston
(see above screen shot). Click "Save my changes," and you're done.
Your effort to provide this information will
help the OLLI staff and leadership to serve you more efficiently. Thank
you!
'TWAS A
JOLLI OLLI HOLLIDAY PARTY!
A good time was had by all
 By Carolyn Sanders, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
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2009
OLLI HOLIDAY PARTY (LENGTH 6:46)
Click play
button above
ONCE to watch
(double clicking opens the video on the YouTube site). Note:
The video is best viewed with a high-speed Internet connection; if you
experience delays while watching, pause the video to allow more of the
movie to download, after which you should be able to watch it without
any delays.
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ON
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, a ballroom at The
International Country Club in Fairfax was packed as neatly as a gift
box with festively dressed OLLI members from all three campuses who
were ready to party, and party we did.
The Hospitality Committee, chaired by Sandy
Driesslein, did its most
magnificent job ever of organizing the annual event. From advertising,
decorating, selecting menu, and choosing program components, those
ladies
outdid themselves once again, and we thank them (and Sandy's husband
Bill) for their time and
dedication to our enjoyment. I, for one, can hardly wait for next year!
Because everyone was having such a grand time
visiting
with one another and frequenting the cash bar, President Emmet
Fenlon had a bit of
a struggle getting everyone's attention. Sorry about that, Prez.
Before the delicious lunch, we were treated
to a delightful concert of traditional holiday tunes presented by the
OLLI Recorder Consort led by Mike McNamara. He did a great job of
getting folks to settle down and listen, and listen we did until the
"APPLAUSE / The End" poster was waved. Neat!
Another tradition was honored with George
Ewing's stirring rendition of 'Twas
the Night Before Christmas, Clement Moore's rhyming story from
our childhood. Isn't it amazing how well George has held onto his
memory?
Dessert, coffee and tea were available from a
buffet table at one end of the room. Dessert with no limit: how
well they know us! Now, how many times did you visit that table? Come
on, be honest! Bourbon Pecan Pie anyone?
Senior Ham, a.k.a. Charles Duggan, directed a
series of short, kinda funny skits for our further entertainment. He,
too, had a bit of a problem getting his OLLI Players to listen up and
cooperate, but we're a sorta wild bunch and know how to party (that's
another story). Thanks for your patience, Charles.
OLLI's illustrious executive director,
recorder-playing Thom Clement, got everyone's attention quickly when,
with Gordon Canyock's help, he began calling numbers for three door
prizes -- $50 Border's gift certificates. Congratulations to the
winners and to the persons sitting in the dotted chairs, one at each
table except mine, who got to take home the clever snowman
centerpieces. At my table, well, we worked it out, and no snowman was
harmed in the process.
For the grand finale, songstress Linda George
gathered the Singing for Fun group, and we were treated to more
traditional holiday music -- the perfect ending for a most wonderful
gathering. A good time was had by all.
And now, to
all, have a great holiday season. See you at OLLI in the New Year.
| Editor's note. To view some
excellent photos
taken by Dan Feighery of the OLLI Holiday Party, visit this Web page: http://tinyurl.com/yhh2nmg.
Click "slideshow" near the top right of the page for an automated show
of all the photos. You can
download any photo that you want by clicking on its thumbnail image to
open it and, at the bottom, selecting the desired size; then right
click the displayed photo and save it to your computer. Thanks to Dan
Feighery for his work! |
Back to top
FAREWELL AND
WELCOME
TO ANN YOUNGREN
Leaving the staff to join OLLI
Standing from left, Thom Clement, Eric
& Carol Henderson, Ann Youngren; photo by Dan Feighery.
ANN YOUNGREN, THE
SITE ASSISTANT AT OLLI IN
RESTON for
the past four years, received her first two years of membership in OLLI
as a departing gift from Reston-area members and instructors. The
presentation was made at the OLLI Holiday Party on December 4 by OLLI
members Eric and Carol Henderson. They provided a thank you note that
read:
Dear Ann,
We have enjoyed your warm welcome and cheerful disposition and your
willingness to help with any request. We have been inspired by your
poise and fashion sense. We have taken for granted your strength,
agility and reliability. You have brightened the Lake Anne space for
four years and made us feel like a community. We value your friendship
and are pleased to help smooth your transition from staff person to
member and classmate. Many thanks from your grateful Lake Anne OLLI
members and instructors! |
Executive Director Thom Clement welcomed Ann
as a new member of OLLI and presented her with a plaque thanking her
for her service as a staff member. Ann expressed her appreciation with
the following words:
"It was a
gift beyond my wildest thoughts! I want to thank EACH ONE of you for
giving me such a moving tribute. I am thrilled and overwhelmed all at
once. These last four years have been marvelous for me, meeting you all
and getting to know you. So many friendly people with such wide
interests!"
|
Rod Zumbro
in Italy with his camcorder.
|
PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB MEETING
Thu, Dec 17; Topic: Videography
THE
OLLI PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
will meet this month on Thursday,
December 17, at
9:30 in TA-1.
Our speaker will be OLLI E-News
Editor Rod Zumbro, an experienced amateur videographer who has been
making family and travel movies for 17 years. Rod's presentation will
expose attendees to what is involved in
videography -- giving them a look at camcorder options, tips on
taking good video, and a
brief demonstration on how to make movies using video-editing
software.
Video is a powerful medium with emotional
appeal that is being
embraced by the public as never before: YouTube is now being watched
more than a billion times
each day! Given the explosion of popular interest in video
and video cameras, some still photographers are interested in exploring
video to complement their photography.
Photography and videography share many
characteristics, including the importance of composition, good lighting
and a
rock-steady camera; also, you can enhance video results after
initial recording just like you can improve digital photos. Options
for video abound: Many cell phones
and digital cameras can also take video, and camcorders
of all persuasions -- from low-cost, "grab and go"
pocket-size models to more expensive, full-featured compact models --
are widely
available.
All OLLI members are welcome to attend
meetings of the Photography Club.
For more information about the Photography
Club, contact Coordinator Dan Feighery.
Back to top
TRIP TALES NEEDED
|
Share your adventures with your OLLI
colleagues
A possible
spring-term Trip Tale.
AS
PLANNING PROCEEDS FOR THE SPRING TERM, longtime Trip Tales
Coordinator Virlinda Snyder is looking for OLLI members to share their
trips with their colleagues. Several members have volunteered already
but more are needed to fill out the eight-week spring term from March 22 - May 14,
2010.
Volunteers with a trip to share, please call
Virlinda Snyder or
contact Beth Davis
in the office by Friday, December 18, if possible ... or no later than
the first full week in January. Thank you!
|
THESPIANS'
HOLIDAY BRUNCH
One holiday party was not enough
|
Cast
of Oh My God, It's Another Play;
photo by Judy Canyock.
Click
here to view a slideshow of four cast photos by Gordon or Judy Canyock.
|
THE OLLI READERS' THEATER AND DRAMA CLUB
gathered at Tallwood on
Tuesday morning for
a festive holiday party! The tables were crowded with delicious food.
Of course, our parties are never complete without reading
a few plays. So everyone was cast in a comedy, and we all enjoyed
laughing at the satires selected by our producers, Gordon Canyock and
Susanne Zumbro. Sadly, we missed our director, Kathie West, who is
recovering from major surgery. Party planner Paulette Lichtman-Panzer
shared Kathie's holiday greeting to all
and said that Kathie hopes to be back "on stage" in the winter term.
PHOTO
OF THE
MONTH
Selected by the OLLI Photography Club
"Canyon de
Chelly" by Susan
Roose.
in
its original size and other sizes, see this
Web page. To see other photos by
members of the OLLI Photography Club, visit the club's Web site.
 OLLI
SPIRITWEAR
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DEPARTMENTS
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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:
Emmett Fenlon
- 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
(Note: 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
MASON ARTS AND
MUSIC
Upcoming Mason performances, Dec 11-20
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.
GMU Players Mainstage Series
Room
Service
Written
by John Murray and
Allen Boretz
Directed by Ken Elston
Fri-Sat, Dec 11-12, 8:00
Fri-Sun, Dec 11-13, 2:00
A
penniless theatrical producer must outwit a hotel efficiency expert who
is trying to evict him from his room while finding a backer for his new
play. The original play opened on Broadway in 1937 and ran for 500
performances. The movie of the same name starred the three Marx
Brothers, with Lucille Ball.
Admission: $8 senior/student, $12 other adults
TheaterSpace (Lower level of
Performing Arts Bldg, next to Black Box. From Level 2 of Parking Deck
take the bridge. Enter first door on left and follow hallway; go
through gray doors and down stairs.) |
George Winston
The
Winter Show
Fri, Dec 11, 8:00
George Winston calls his distinctive style "rural folk piano," with
influences of the music of the great rhythm and blues pianists of New
Orleans as well as his early years in Montana.
(Note:
please bring a donation of canned
food to the concert in support of a local Washington-area food bank.
Mr. Winston will also be donating a portion of the artist's proceeds
from his CD sales to the food bank.)
Admission: $42, $34, $21
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half-price with an adult. (Note change from "age 12 and under" last
season.)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III. |
Mason Dance Company
December
Concert
Fri-Sat, Dec 11-12, 8:00
Part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the modern dance
company will present seven dances, including two created by George
Mason faculty members.
Admission: $10 senior/student, $15 other adults, $7 groups of 10 or more
Harris Theater
Canadian Brass
A
Canadian Brass Christmas
Sat, Dec 12, 8:00
Now
in its 38th season, this brass quintet returns to George Mason with a
holiday program featuring classical music, traditional carols, Hanukkah
songs and jazzy renditions of popular seasonal songs.
Admission: $48, $40, $24
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half-price with an adult. (Note change from "age 12 and under" last
season.)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
|
GMU Holiday Concert
With GMU
Symphony
Orchestra and Choruses
Sun, Dec 13, 7:00
The Symphony Orchestra, directed by Prof. Anthony Maiello, Chamber
Orchestra, Choruses and Organ will perform a variety of holiday
favorites, interspersed with seasonal poetry selections recited by
actors from the Theater Department.
Admission: $15 senior/student, $20 other adults
Concert Hall |
Natalie MacMaster
Christmas
in Cape Breton
Fri, Dec 18, 8:00
This virtuoso fiddler brings holiday traditions from her native Cape
Breton to this spirited Christmas show. Having first picked up a violin
at age nine, she delights audiences with her "fiddling fireworks and
ferocious step dancing," and will mingle Celtic melodies with
classic carols.
Admission: $46, $38, $23
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half price with an adult. (Note change from "age 12 and under" last
season.)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
|
Rockapella
A
Rockapella Holiday
Sat, Dec 19, 2:00 and 8:00
A
five-man a cappella group
that seems much larger, the performers sing with humor, style and
artistry. They are known for their "vocal percussion" and a winning
combination of soul, rock, R&B and jazz. They appear regularly on
television and radio.
Admission: $42, $34, $21
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half price with an adult. (Note change from "age 12 and under" last
season.)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
|
MASON HIGHLIGHTS
Other Mason events
 By Helen Ackerman, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
- Cinema
Series: The Invention of Lying.
Star of the English version of The
Office, Ricky Gervais lives in a world where nobody lies—until
he does. Fri, Dec 11, at 6:00 and 9:00, Sat, Dec 12, at 6:00 and 9:00,
Sun, Dec 13, at 3:00 and 6:00. Johnson Center, Cinema. Mason students
w/ID, free; Mason faculty and staff w/ID, $1; general public, $3.
- Guitar
Recital:
Faiza Alam. Sat, Dec 12, at 12:00. Harris Theater. Free.
- Piano
Recital:
Victoria Park. Sat, Dec 12, 4:00. Harris Theater. Free.
- Viola
Recital:
Katara Wright. Mon, Dec 14, 6:00. Harris Theater. Free.
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COMING
ATTRACTIONS
Upcoming non-class events at OLLI
THE FOLLOWING LIST
covering
the
next month is extracted for your
convenience from the master calendar maintained by the office, with
direct Web links added when available. 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 Dec
11, 2009
10am Recorder Consort -
TA-2
11am
Homer Group - Social Room Annex
Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:30pm
OLLI Personal
Computer User Group
Mon Dec
14,
2009
Winter Registration Begins
10am
Online Registration Assistance - Tallwood Office
Tue Dec 15, 2009
10am
Online Registration Assistance - Lake Anne
10:30am
Knitting and Needlework
Club - Lake Anne Coffee Shop
Wed
Dec 16,
2009 10am
Investment Forum - TA-1
10am Bridge Club -
TA-3
10am
Online Registration Assistance - Loudoun Campus
Thu Dec 17, 2009
9:30am Photography
Club - TA-1
1:30pm Online
Registration Assistance - Tallwood
Fri Dec 18, 2009
10am Recorder Consort - TA-2
11am Homer Group -
Social Room Annex
Mon Dec
21,
2009
OLLI Office
Closed until Jan 4, 2010
Tue Jan 5, 2010 10:30am
Knitting and Needlework
Club - Lake Anne Coffee Shop
Wed Jan
6,
2010
Winter
Registration Ends
10am
Bridge
Club - TA-3
10am
LA
Cycling Club - Lake Anne
Fri Jan 8, 2010 10am
Drama Club - TA-3
10am
Recorder
Consort - TA-2
11am
Homer
Group - Social Room Annex
|
About OLLI E-News and the
member/volunteers who
produce it
Rod
Zumbro
Editor |
John West
Deputy
Editor |
Barbara Kyriakakis
Associate
Editor |
|
|
Review Team: Gordon Canyock,
Michael Coyne, Barbara Kyriakakis, John West, Susanne Zumbro
Database
Manager: Barbara
Kyriakakis; Photo
Editor: Michael Coyne
|
- 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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