We are so excited about the upcoming spring semester! Spring 2026 offers our members 42 compelling courses, including 32 brand new offerings. Our 42 courses include 24 in-person, 13 virtual, and 5 hybrid courses. We also plan to record 16 classes this Spring.

Browse the catalog here. If you’d like an easy way to see all the courses by day, check out the calendar view. All of our listings clearly state whether a class is virtual, in-person, hybrid or being recorded.

Thank you to the Academic Programs Committee for all their work arranging these wonderful courses!

Please join us for the Spring Course Preview on Thursday, January 29 at 9:30 AM on Zoom.

Please note: Due to weather conditions we will no longer have the option to view the course preview in person at GMU. The course preview will be available on Zoom only and there is no need to register.

Course registration begins at 10:00 AM Monday, February 2. 

Know that you can register anytime after 10:00 AM on February 2 but some courses do fill-up early. Login before registration is open and make sure your username and password are ready to go.

Course Schedule Date Change!

5076 – Reading War and Peace: Part 1 with Professor John Pfordresher, will now meet starting 3/11 – 4/8. All other course details are the same.

Please always visit the course website for the most up to date information on our classes.

With both in-person and virtual courses being offered, we encourage you to select which format you feel is most comfortable and beneficial for you.

Be ready for registration on Monday, February 2 at 10:00 AM.  

• Be sure you can login to your Member Account, and that your username and password are working. Ask to reset your password if you are not able to login. Login to your account here:  https://encorelearning.asapconnected.com/MyAccount
• Check that your membership is up to date. The member expiration date is on that screen below your contact information. If your membership expires before your class ends, then you will need to renew your membership.
• If you need to renew your membership or join, click here:  https://encorelearning.asapconnected.com/#Memberships

Doing this ahead of time will help make your registration go smoothly!

Spring is a season of renewal, and what better way to embrace it than by diving into Encore Learning’s Spring 2026 term? With an incredible lineup of courses—including 32 brand-new offerings and 16 debut instructors—this term promises to be as enriching as it is exciting. Whether you prefer in-person learning, virtual engagement, or the flexibility of hybrid options, there’s something for everyone. Plus, 16 courses will be recorded, giving you the freedom to learn on your schedule.

We are fortunate that we can offer our members several courses in the popular subject matters that include Shakespeare, AI, diplomacy, and local history. Lynn Ray, our Membership Committee Chair, has written articles on these themes that we are happy to share. Please visit and share these links:

https://encorelearning.net/shakespeare/

https://encorelearning.net/diplomacy/

https://encorelearning.net/arlingtons-past/

https://encorelearning.net/ai-made-simple/

The Spring 2026 semester boasts 16 new Encore Learning instructors. Highlighted below are just a few of our wonderful new instructors.

Nicholas Reynolds will share his in-depth knowledge of Ernest Hemingway in his course Ernest Hemingway and the Spanish Civil War. Learn how the Spanish Civil War changed Hemingway’s life and work.

Greg Mertz will explore the landscape in central Virginia during the early stages of the civil war in his course Civil War Shifting Tides: Strategy Changes in 1862 in Central Virginia.

Japanese poetry is more than haikus. Come learn about the beauty of this art form with Kathleen Decker as she explores Writing Japanese Poetry in English: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka & More. 

Tessa Klein Harber will deepen your appreciation of theater in her Creative Age: Classic vs. Contemporary Plays course, through guided group readings and lively discussion and analysis

What is biosecurity and why should it be on your radar? Kimberly Ma will share her knowledge of this important field in Biosecurity 101: History, Policy and Global Risks.

Fall 2025 Class Aides met for coffee and discussion at Lubber Run Community Center on January 25th.

Thank you to all our volunteer Class Aides!

Encore Learning Special Events – Lots Going On in 2026!

2026 promises to be an exciting year as we all celebrate our country’s 250th birthday. Several of our events tie to our heritage:

• February 4 (rescheduled from 1/28) tour of historic Octagon House (this tour sold out but we are planning to have a second tour, probably in April).

• February 23 in-person presentation by much-appreciated instructor Dan Sherman of the popular “Hamilton: The Man and the Musical.” Update: this event will be at Arlington Central Library!

• March 31 tour of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) building and museum. 

We kicked off the year with a sobering tour of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) museum near Pentagon City Mall. While not a large museum, it recognizes the many lives, almost all young, lost to fentanyl, and the DEA agents who lost their lives in the line of duty, describes the differences among drugs and provides the human stories behind drug addiction. 

-Photo courtesy Tom Kilfoyle

On January 20th a lucky group of members toured the beautiful National Academy of Science Building. The building’s architecture is a unique fusion of classical elements and “irregular” forms and celebrates the history and significance of science.

-Photo courtesy Jan Burchard

Other noteworthy special events coming up include:

Rescheduled due to inclement weather: Documentary film screening, From Rails to Trails, about the 60-year history of the movement to convert abandoned railway lines into public paths for walking and biking. The film will be shown at GMU on Monday, February 2, followed by remarks by the author of the book that led to the film and co-founder of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, Peter Harnik. 

2/9 Zoom presentation by Georgetown Law Professor and notable author Stephen Vladeck about the War Powers Resolution and its implications for actions taken or being considered by the federal government.

2/17, Tour of the Wilbur J. Cohen Building with its iconic New Deal-era murals.

2/19 Tour of the photography exhibit at the McLean Arts Center featuring the work of award-winning photojournalist Bernie Boston, and a second exhibit PhotoGenesis 2 by artists using photography as inspiration and often in unexpected ways. 

3/18 virtual tour of the National Cryptology Museum, presenting the history of cryptology (the study of secret codes and ciphers), dramatic moments in cryptology and the people who devoted their lives to it.

To register for our Special Events, please visit the Events page on our website.

Thanks to Special Events committee members, Jan Burchard, Tom Underwood, Nancy Kilpatrick and Tom Kilfoyle, for their creativity in uncovering hidden gems to tour and speakers for our “Encore Learning Presents” Monday speaker series.

Want to join the fun of identifying compelling special events for our members? Join our fun, energized committee. Contact Louise Kenny at LKenny1208@gmail.com.   -Louise Kenny, Special Events Chair

We are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of roles:

• Posting our events in public calendars (such as ArlNow, the Beacon, NextDoor, Positive Aging, etc.).
• Developing strategies to diversify our membership and ensure we are inclusive.
• Planning academic courses or Special Events.
• Class Aides for the Spring Semester.
• Joining a forming Public Relations/Marketing committee.

If any of these opportunities are of interest to you, please visit our Volunteer page or send an email to info@encorelearning.net.

The Encore Learning Nominating Committee has been formed and will be seeking nominations for certain board positions for next year. The position of IT Chair or IT Co-Chairs will be an open position. If you or someone you know has an IT background and would like to get more engaged with Encore Learning, please consider this opportunity.

Please email the Encore Learning office if you are interested in joining any of our clubs or would like more information. You may also visit our Clubs page on our website for details and a full list of our clubs.

Please note: Clubs are maintained by Encore Learning as a benefit to our members. If you’re not a member or have let your membership lapse, please go to our membership page for how to join or renew. Thank you!

New Club – Improv Club

The Improv Club keeps the joy going when classes aren’t in session, meeting a few times per month during the off-season. Our gatherings are all about connecting, collaborating, and creating through fun improv games and activities. We typically meet from 10:00–11:30 AM at Mason’s Arlington campus on the second and fourth Fridays of the month, with adjustments around holidays. Everyone is welcome! No experience needed! Just bring an open mind and a willingness to play. Club coordinators are Steve Pilloff and another volunteer to be determined. Feel free to join us!-Steve Pilloff, Coordinator

Bridge Club

The Encore Learning Bridge Club met on January 9th for our annual Happy New Year celebration. Twenty three people attended the luncheon, with 20 staying for our Bridge game afterwards. We met again this year at Goodwin House-Bailey’s Crossroads in their Top of the West room. Sharon Bisdee and Joan Carter, co-chairs of the club, provided the food and drinks, with Barbara Sakamoto and Janice Jensen serving as liaisons from Goodwin House. 

This was a great start to a new year of Bridge. We’ve decided to try a new format and time for our games throughout 2026. For the rest of the year, instead of starting at noon, having lunch and then playing Bridge, we’ll be starting at 1:00 with the hosts providing dessert, drinks and snacks. We’re hoping that it will be easier for people to volunteer to host when they don’t have to provide a lunch. 

If any Bridge player is interested in joining our club, please contact the Encore Learning Office and staff will put you in touch with Sharon and Joan. 

-Joan Carter and Sharon Bisdee, photo courtesy of Lee Cooper

Chamber Music Club

The Chamber Music Club meets every first and second Friday of the month, at noon, from October through May, to hear chamber concerts sponsored by the Friday Morning Music Club, a venerable institution dating to 1886.

The musicians are superb and the programming diverse and interesting.

The February concerts are on February 6 and February 13.

The venue is St. George’s Episcopal Church, 915 N. Oakland St., adjacent to the Virginia Square Metro station. For those who drive, the church has a small parking lot. On-street parking is available as well. Please contact the office if you wish to join.

– Rhoda Ritzenberg, Coordinator

Cinema Club

The Encore Learning Cinema Club meets monthly to see a current film, usually at Cinema Arts Theater in Fairfax. Recent movies have included Blue Moon, Rental Family, Roofman, and most recently Is This Thing On? We talk about the movie over lunch at a nearby restaurant, and the discussions are usually interesting and animated. The number of attendees range from 8 to about 15. Join us for a movie and a discussion over lunch nearby. Our next meeting dates are February 20 and March 19. –Caroline Wooden and Dru Dowdy

Global Lunch Club

The Global Lunch Club meets once per month to enjoy the area’s great international cuisine. Twenty to thirty members come together at a local restaurant for a social and culinary adventure. Details for each meeting are sent by email each month. We try new global restaurants, as well as old favorites. Suggestions welcome! Photos are from the December and January meetings.

Photos courtesy of Carolyn Francis and Jan Rothstein.

Mindfulness Club

The Club continues to meet weekly, Wednesdays from Noon to 1:00, by Zoom for about 20 minutes of meditation, plus topical discussion and social connection. We welcome persons new to mindfulness practice and meditation as well as persons with long experience. Our Club meetings draw from Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Insight Meditation sources, and our meditations are designed to bring participants into the current moment as observers of themselves and their surroundings.

Our group is a come-as-you-wish; we send a reminder of the meetings as well as some mindfulness information most weeks by email but there is no commitment to attend Zoom sessions. If you want to be added to the Club email list, contact the Encore Learning office with your request.

–Dwight Rodgers, Club Coordinator

Nonfiction Book Club

The Encore Learning Nonfiction Book Club had a most interesting discussion of the Demon of Unrest at our January 12 meeting. We were pleased to see the larger-than-usual turnout as a number of new members attended.

Our next book is The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. “In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, Michael Finkel gives us one of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of our times, a riveting story of art, theft, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.” (from Amazon). We’ll discuss this book at our next meeting on March 9 in the Arlington Central library. All are welcome. Notify the office if you’re interested and we’ll add you to our mailing list – Ed Rader and Pat Chatten, co-coordinators. Photo from the January meeting courtesy Ed Rader.

Travel Club

Judy Ballard led off 2026 with her presentation on January 16 of her recent trip to Northern Italy. 40 people attended the Zoom session. Our February presentation, on the 20th, will be given by a first-time presenter (at least for the Travel Club), Iolaire McFadden.

The McFadden’s will talk about their independent trip to Norway in the summer of 2024. They will discuss settling on an itinerary based on tour package routes, booking transportation using sightseeing ferries, flights, buses, and trains, what they enjoyed the most, and what they missed once they learned the lay of the land on the ground.

The Encore Learning Travel Club meets once a month, usually on the 3rd Friday of the month at 3:30 PM on Zoom. To become a member of the club and receive the club announcements, send an email to the office. We hope to see you virtually on Zoom! -Charlie Hallahan, co-Coordinator. Photos courtesy of Iolaire McFadden.

An invitation from our partners at George Mason University – Mason Square:

Join us for the opening reception on January 31 for a new exhibit “Prescription is HOME: A Manifesto.” A new immersive visual arts exhibition by artist and social practitioner Melani N. Douglass (pictured) that will be on view from January 23 through April 18. 

Blending visual art, participatory installation, and community-centered programming, the exhibition reimagines the home as a site of healing, cultural preservation, and collective transformation.

• Opening Reception on Saturday, January 31
• Time: 1-4 p.m. 
• Where: Mason Exhibitions, Arlington (3601 Fairfax Drive)
• Free event.

The new year brings much excitement and so much to consider. We hope you have savored the spring course offerings and debated with others how to spend your days in March, April and May. When you watch the Course Preview you will understand why we are so delighted with the offerings. It’s also quite illuminating to see the contrast from young graduate students to professors who have taught for four decades and for courses to span such a range of subjects. The offerings are made possible by so many volunteers who have coordinated courses, edited the catalog, distributed the catalog, will teach and be class aides.

We are excited to offer a few more scholarships for recently retired federal employees. With donations through the Arlington Community Foundation Nonprofit Wish Catalog we are offering 12 scholarships and at this point there are four scholarships still open. If you have a friend who recently retired from the government, let them know they can become a member and take a class for free! There is a limited supply and eligible applicants should submit their application now at:

https://encorelearning.net/membership/retired-federal-employees/

Staff have been brainstorming about how we can make it easier for you to find important information. We receive many last minute calls and emails from members asking for information that is already available to them on their course webpages or online catalog. We aspire to make everyone more knowledgeable about the information that is at your fingertips so you don’t need to look through all of your emails. If you have thoughts about how we can communicate important information better, please share that with us.

We wish you success in registering for your top choice classes and look forward to seeing you at one of the fabulous free Special Events in February.

~ Lora 

Lora Pollari-Welbes

Executive Director

During December 2025, we welcomed new members Margaret New and David Uhly and look forward to having them become active participants in Encore Learning. Please introduce yourself to them if you meet them in a class, club or event. Thank you to Cathy McCormick for referring friends who became members of Encore Learning! Spread the word and please refer friends and family to Encore Learning. If you’d like to bring Encore Learning into your community (residential building or neighborhood) to share information about membership, let us know.

Encore Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Any donation is a charitable contribution deductible from income tax to the full extent permitted by law. Members, friends and organizations wishing to support Encore Learning may direct contributions to our General Fund to support our sustainability or to the Arthur W. Gosling Youth Scholarship Fund. If you wish to designate a charitable gift in someone’s honor or memory, please email us indicating how the gift should be recognized. If you would like to discuss tax benefits of charitable giving and charitable remainder trusts, please view our Donate page or contact the office.

We hope you enjoyed this edition of The Inside Scoop. If you would like to submit an article or share some photos of members participating in Encore Learning activities, please email us at info@encorelearning.net.

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