UPDATE
A VERY GOOD HOLLI-PARTY IT WAS A BLAST—JUST ASK ANY of the 140 members, staff, and guests who were in attendance! The International Country Club was festively decorated, the food luscious, and the staff very attentive to the needs of each of us.
   Music by OLLI’s very own Recorder Group, led by Robert McLean, greeted us as we arrived and visited with one another before President Pat Carroll called us to something resembling order, and lunch was served. The music is always a treat, and this year was simply super. Thanks to all of you players.
   As dessert was served, George Ewing took the mike and regaled us with his favorite poem, "Dangerous Dan McGrew." Good job!
   The annual raffle gave time for some very ordinary looking folks to head out to the restrooms for costume changes and "ordinary" gave way to "extraordinary" very quickly as the OLLI Players—a.k.a. the Readers’ Theater group and Drama Club—transported us to Dulles Airport where the Christmas Eve special flight to Rome had been delayed. Directed by the venerable Kathie West, with a very able assist by Karen Hauser, this story included everything from an imminent birth attended by a traveling veterinarian to a wedding of long-lost sweethearts to cremains awaiting blessing by the Pope. Disgruntled spouses, a jilted girlfriend, an incorrigible grown child and her long-suffering parents, a clever con-artist, a hippie turned preacher, an art critic and many other characters joined in the fun. The players, all of whom developed their own acts, wish to remind you, their faithful audience, that is what it was, an act—well most of it was, especially the cleaning lady.
   Seasonal songs led by Palmer McGrew and a troupe of real singers closed the annual event on a high note.
   A standing ovation is due to Sandy Driesslein and her Hospitality Committee for such excellent planning, lovely centerpieces, beautiful programs and nametags. Hooray!!

GETTING A BIGGER BANG FROM YOUR OLLI CONTRIBUTION

By John Woods, Development Committee chair
SEVERAL OLLI MEMBERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED to Friend of OLLI this year had their former employers contribute matching grants.
     This is great for OLLI as often these matching grants will double the overall contribution. So, if any of you have former or current employers who provide charitable matching grants, please take advantage of this.
     A few points:

• Here is the Mason Website related to matching grants for more information-- http://supportingmason.gmu.edu/waystogive/matching.html.      • Check with your company to find out exactly the procedure you and OLLI need to follow to activate the matching grant. In some cases your contribution will have to be made to the Mason Foundation, which will then notify your company to activate the grant. In other cases you can contribute directly to OLLI and we can contact the company.      • When you make this type of contribution to OLLI, please let Karen Nash and me know so that we can monitor the matching grant.

     Our annual Friends of OLLI campaign is beginning to bring in contributions, which we greatly appreciate. However, the Friends of OLLI account is at a critically low level. We hope more of you will help us so that we will be able to strengthen our programs and facilities. Thanks for your help.

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH

By Elizabeth Crawford, OLLI E-News staff writer

Read, on behalf of OLLI members, to Dick at his reception

By Carol Henderson, Board member

For Dick Chobot First Executive Director Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University

When we met Dick, his name didn't flow. Was it “Chaw-Butt”? No, it’s “Show-Beaux”! He brought wide experience, a Ph.D.; Did history, poli sci, philosophy. In education, he'd staffed and he'd taught, And in the nonprofits, he'd done all he ought. Blue collared, adjuncted, and consulted, too. And so came to OLLI to be challenged anew. He opened his door and brought everyone in, Added his chatter to social room din. He took right away to the social room groove; Ate more cookies than his Mary would approve. He assembled great staff, a fine fine array— Madeline, Bill, two Anns, Karen and Rae. Re-layed out the office for the good of the staff; Led his great team on our behalf. Strengthened our program, Fridays and more; Taught courses himself while minding the store. The program soon grew from good to fine, And registration is now online. Volunteers are an asset, he often said; And he thanked them for all they contributed. Saw membership grow and Loudoun begin, Urged us to hold on and make it a win. Stayed under budget with Gordon, Pat and Don; Handbook and bylaws he advised us upon. For pool lot and affiliation, he'd hew New agreements to see us through. Insurance and audits, he knows the biz; Assessments and surveys, he’s a whiz. Upgraded A/V and padded our chairs; Got defibrillators because he cares Not just for our minds, but our tushes and hearts; He knows where intellectual stimulation starts. Appreciated the Mason maintenance bunch, Thanked them all, had them to lunch. Endeared himself to Osher and GMU; Brought movie days and clinics for flu.

[continued from left-hand column] Had lots of ideas, many that worked; Others just simmered, some of them perked. We found he'd start things we'd never try; He found that some things the Board wouldn't buy. He learned that we need lots of spaces to park, But we didn't much like to drive after dark. Overnight trip results were mixed. TA-3 was closed, shored up and fixed. TA-3 survived but Tallwood House fell; Are we there for years yet? Who can tell? From Tallwood to Smallwood to UBRC, A challenge--facilities continue to be. The OLLI environment he did scan, And recommended OLLI have a plan. To bring some order to the Board He tried, and at least moved us toward Efficiency with calendar consent. Talked us up wherever he went. Spread OLLI's name far and wide; Wrote us up in Retirement Living Guide. Represented us well and raised our fame; In Osher, aging and more he spread our name. Brought OLLI more visibility In county, state, and community. At Osher meetings, respect he earned, As he shared with others what he learned. He worked with Charles and Debbie and Pat, Tried hard to gauge the Board's thermostat. Sometimes a temper, always a wit, His love for OLLI will never quit. Wise on staying creative as you age; He'll be an asset on any stage. A talented man whose praises we've sung; We know he'll stay "Forever Young"! He's helped us more than we can tell; We thank him so much and wish him well.

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.

Canadian Brass A Canadian Brass Christmas The brass quintet is heading into its 36th performance season, giving nearly 100 concerts a year. The program ranges from Bach to Glenn Miller and includes festive Hanukkah and Christmas music. Fri, Dec 14, at 8:00 Admission: $50, $42, $25 Family friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult Concert Hall Come early at 7:15 for an artistic discussion in the Grand Tier Lobby.

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and the Capitol Bones Big Band A Stan Kenton Christmas Inspired by Stan Kenton’s Merry Christmas (1961), the concert features top jazz musicians from the D.C. area and includes Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas Time is Here; Bob Wells and Mel Torme’s The Christmas Song; Greensleeves; and Big Bad Drummin’ Dude. Sat, Dec 15, at 8:00 Admission: $40, $32, $20 Family friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult Concert Hall Come early at 7:15 for an artistic discussion in the Grand Tier Lobby.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops—A Selection of Holiday Favorites The concert features the Reston Chorale and the W.T. Woodson High School Select Vocal Ensemble. Sun, Dec 16, at 3:00 Admission: $55, $45, $25 Concert Hall William Hudson, Music Director