While we’ve all been enjoying summer – we are also looking forward to a fantastic fall semester! A few things of note:

37 compelling courses are planned, 28 of which are new. Choose from 16 in person, 14 virtual, and 7 hybrid classes. We are also welcoming 9 new instructors!

Printed Catalog – thanks to a generous donation from the Royer Fund, members will receive a fall catalog in the mail in early August (unless you opted out of this in a recent survey).

For the most up to date information about classes, including locations and if they are being recorded check the online catalog.

Fall Course Preview on Thursday, September 5 – hear from our instructors about their upcoming courses via Zoom.

Course Registration opens Monday, September 9 at 10:00 AM.

Open House and Campus Welcome on Thursday, September 19 – Learn about clubs, classes and events coming up. How-to workshops are also planned to answer any of your questions. Socialize with fellow members at GMU Mason Square!

Stay tuned for more information on our fall semester.

Encore Learning extends it’s deepest gratitude to Jack Royer for his establishment of the Royer Fund. The Royer Fund will support Encore Learning by funding the creation, printing and mailing of our course catalog for years to come.

Jack Royer’s recent gift to Encore Learning is but another example of how much he has supported Encore Learning’s mission of providing intellectual and social activities for seniors.

Jack has been part of Encore Learning from the beginning, when it was Arlington Learning in Retirement Institute. He helped create our organization. As both Instructor and many-times Class Aide, he supported our mission of learning. Jack also served as Vice President of the Board from 2005 to 2014, where he oversaw the scholarship funds that we support. Jack headed the task force that came up with the name Encore Learning – replacing our more-than-a-mouthful original name! Those who have been lucky enough to work with Jack describe his easy, unassuming manner, and how he is always ready to be of help. Thanks to Jack’s gift, we will have help in “getting the word out” about Encore Learning, a goal Jack believed in and practiced.

We truly thank Jack for all his contributions and continuing support!

Jack Royer is 3rd from the left and joined by several other founding members at Encore Learning’s 20th Anniversary celebration.

We are pleased to welcome Encore Learning member John Metzler to our Board of Directors as co-Chair of the Class Aides Committee. John writes:

As a new member of the Board, I hope to help Encore Learning (EL) continue to provide the rich resource of community and intellectual stimulation that EL has provided for me for nearly a decade. I am also looking forward to working with board members and staff, as I’m told that that you are known by the company you keep.

I am a native of Washington, D.C. and graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1965. After college and graduate school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I joined the Federal Government in 1972 for a career that embraced forefront physics and the use of “Big Science” as a tool of U.S. foreign policy. One of my career adventures included working on the international aspects of the Superconducting Super Collider, and then the Large Hadron Collider. That experience gave me enough chutzpah to give in 2018 a course at Encore Learning on the Large Hadron Collider. I retired in 2008 from the Federal government with a Distinguished Career Service award.

I keep busy with two grandchildren and friends, biking to Encore Learning classes, and involvement with civic and church activities. And I relish a really good conversation.

Thank you to John and all our Board Members for your service to Encore Learning!

Unfortunately, due to a power outage at the National Portrait Gallery, our tour of the new Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris 1900-1939 exhibition had to be cancelled right at the tour time. The Special Events committee is working on getting this tour rescheduled. A new tour date and registration will be included in upcoming special events emails should we be able to get a new tour date.

Encore Learning Presents

Encore Learning Presents has had American University Professor Dr. Allan Lichtman speak on several occasions, the most recent was in 2023 on the topic of predicting American Presidential elections. You can view a recording of this presentation on our Encore Learning YouTube channel. He has used his “13 Keys” model to predict every election since 1984. He has indicated that he plans to come out with his prediction for 2024 after the Democratic convention. Of course, the presidential contest has now been reset with Kamala Harris replacing President Biden on the Democratic ticket. Professor Lichtman has been discussing this development and other relevant topics in his twice weekly YouTube broadcasts. Several of the 13 Keys are still up in the air, but in general the model favors the Democratic party. To hear more insights, tune into Lichtman’s YouTube channel. – David Tate, Special Events

Coming Soon:

A Jew in Gaza

Coming up on August 12, A. J. “Alonzo” Wind will join us virtually to discuss his recently published book, A Jew in Gaza: Humanitarian Assistance, Hubris and Horrors, a narrative/memoir discussing the two years he lived in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories leading up to, during and after the 2023 Oct 7 attack. During this time, Wind was Mission Director for International Medical Corps leading a $10 million health and humanitarian assistance program.

First Hybrid Special Event Ever

Fixing Social Security for the Long Run

On August 26, Dr. Jim Grefer will discuss what he believes to be the root causes of Social Security’s financial troubles. He has constructed potential solutions, that while controversial, are designed to fix the problem for the long-term.

You can attend this event either online or in-person at George Mason University Van Metre Hall in Arlington. All are welcome to Encore Learning Presents, if you wish to attend in-person please register in advance.

Legal Expert Chuck Rosenberg on Current Activities Affecting Us

On September 16, NBC and MSNBC Legal Analyst (and former US Attorney and senior FBI official) Chuck Rosenberg will join us again virtually to discuss current legal issues. Bring your questions; he prefers a Q&A format. Please note the earlier start time for this event (2:30 PM). This Special Event will not be recorded.

We hope you can join us for these presentations!

We are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of roles:

• Distributing catalogs or flyers at community locations, even your doctor’s office
• Promoting Encore Learning at community events and locations by hosting tables or sharing information
• Developing strategies to diversify our membership and ensure we are inclusive
• Planning academic courses or Special Events
• Joining a newly forming Public Relations/Marketing committee
• Greeting guests at our Open House on September 19

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

Save the date: On September 19, Encore Learning will host an Open House at Mason Square at George Mason University in Arlington, with a wide variety of events. Among them will be club information tables, so that you can talk with the leaders of each club and determine if that club is right for you. Some clubs will also share short presentations. For more details and to register, please visit the events page on our website or click here. We hope to see you there!

Please email the Encore Learning office if you are interested in joining any of our clubs or would like more information. You can also visit our Clubs page on our website.

Global Lunch Club

We are happy to announce that we have a member volunteer willing to coordinate this club. Further details coming soon. Please contact the office to join. Bon Appetit!

Cinema Club

The Cinema Club has been busy, seeing movies such as Ghostlight, Ezra, The Fall Guy, and Wicked Little Lies. We’ve been going to the Cinema Arts Theater in Fairfax–a bit of a drive for most of us, but few theaters offer early morning movies these days. Groups average 12 people, but July’s movie, Ghostlight, saw 16 of us gathered. (Was it the movie or the new Chinese restaurant–Chef Yan–that we visited afterward?). Our next meeting is planned for Wednesday, August 21. Film to be determined when showtimes are announced. -Dru Dowdy and Caroline Wooden

Travel Club

On July 19th, Sue Weiss gave a presentation on Albania. Sue spent several years there recently while serving in the Peace Corp. The presentation was unique in that it covered several years of living in Albania whereas most of the club’s presentations are about a 2 – 3 week vacation to a country. –Photo of the Albanian Alps courtesy of Sue Weiss.

On August 16 at 3:30 PM, Bill Mugg will talk about his recent visit to Northern Italy. This trip was to the Lake District in Northern Italy (pictured above), focusing on the mountain-ringed lakes of Lombardi as well as the gastronomic heartland of Emilia-Romagna. Time was also spent in the provinces of Lombardi, Emilia-Romagna and the Veneto. It was oriented around hiking and walking along lakeshore trails and through ancient vineyards where local delicacies were sampled throughout the nine day trip. Please contact the office if you’d like to join the Travel Club – we hope to see you virtually! -Charlie Hallahan

Mindfulness Club

Almost every Wednesday of the year, at Noon, the Encore Learning Mindfulness Club meets for discussion, about 20 minutes of guided meditation, and general sociability. Participants come as schedules allow or as the need for a quiet or contemplative period arises. The meditation period is not exotic; we generally take about 10 minutes to get centered in the moment, and the rest of the meditation period exploring what arises in the insight tradition. We often discuss resources (online, published, in person) which are available, usually at minimal expense.

If you wish to be added to our email group which gives meeting access information, please contact the Encore Learning office.

-Dwight Rodgers, Coordinator

Nonfiction Book Club

The Encore Learning Nonfiction Book Club will meet next on September 9 at Arlington Central Library Bluemont Room. The meeting will begin at 1:30 PM and end no later than 3:00 PM. We will be discussing Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s urgent mission to bring healing to homeless people (by Tracy Kidder).  All Encore Learning members are welcome to attend. Those interested in joining the book club should let the office know, and we will add you to the mailing list.

–Ed Rader, Club co-Coordinator

Kayak Club

The Kayak Club has been in full swing since the season started in mid-April. Although the weather has been very hot, the breezes on the water have provided a bit of relief. It has been lovely to see all of the young water fowl following their parents – we have seen baby Mergansers, Wood Ducks, Mallards and Canada Geese. Overhead we have also seen Ospreys hunting for lunch and my favorite, Great Blue Herons!!

After our paddle we usually go out to lunch to relax and get to know each other better. It’s sometimes hard to talk when you are paddling, and there are helicopters and airplanes flying above you.

Hopefully we will be able to go out for the entire Kayaking season, which ends in October. If you are interested in joining our group, please sign up through the Encore Learning office staff.  -Janice Yeadon and Diana Warmann

Tech Hobbyist Club

The Tech-Hobbyist Club will resume its monthly tech seminars in September. Barry Ginsberg will talk about the technology of batteries: How they work, types of batteries and why they fail. How come you need to replace your cell phone battery every 2-3 years, but an EV battery lasts 10-15 years? Tune in on September 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM to learn about batteries. All Encore Learning members are invited.

Link (you may need to double click):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87045265665?pwd=RDVCcjJMeFNYb1V2bkRrMVVKZHdaZz09

Meeting ID: 870 4526 5665

Passcode: tech

Through August 23: “A Closer Look: Conflicted Art From Ukraine.” Mason Exhibitions, Arlington

This special exhibit presents artistic responses to war in Ukraine through the works of 13 contemporary Ukrainian artists from the frontline. Through photography, video, painting, sculpture, and installation, these artists explore critical issues on the fault lines of conflict. Their works initiate a dialogue between viewers and the profound realities of conflict. Learn more here. – Image: Air Raid, 2023, Watercolor on paper, Natalia Amirova

You can sign-up to receive emails about events at Mason Square here:

https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1982445/1812289/

Local Author, Attorney, and Encore Learning Instructor John Wasowicz has published his seventh legal mystery. Spite House is Book 7 of his Old Town mystery series. Spite House has taken residency at MADE IN ALX and is available at https://www.madeinalx.com/product/spite-house/4208.

We welcome news from our instructors, please share any new publications or links with us at info@encorelearning.net.

This edition of Encore Learning’s eNews brings some wonderful information to your inbox that may bring you some relief during this hot summer. We can look forward to fall with some fantastic Special Events, new clubs and 37 courses. I’ve viewed a few of the instructor videos that will be shared at the course preview on September 5 and I know you will be delighted with the robust offering of courses.

In an effort to improve your class experience and be responsive to member requests we are offering more recorded courses, more hybrid courses, and an improved method of viewing course materials. We are excited to host the Open House on September 19 to bring members and potential members together to learn about making the most of their membership. Our continued efforts to keep Encore Learning current, reliable and vibrant allows us to continually expand the opportunities available to our members.

This coming year we continue our partnership with Goodwin Living. We will be visiting all three facilities in the coming weeks and welcome even more members to join us. Thank you to the Goodwin Living Foundation for their generous support to connect the Goodwin Living community with Encore Learning.

Hopefully you have received your course catalog, brought to you by the Royer Foundation and the labor of many volunteers and staff. If you did not receive it in the mail, feel free to check on your membership status by emailing us at info@encorelearning.net. Know that we update the online catalog almost every day so check for new information about the fall semester.

We hope that we are not a hidden gem in Arlington, but a bright star that you can pass along and share with your friends.

~ Lora 

Lora Pollari-Welbes

Executive Director

Please make a note of these important dates for the upcoming fall semester:

• Fall Course Preview – Thursday, September 5 at 9:30 AM virtual
• Fall Course Registration – Monday, September 9 at 10:00 AM
• Member/Club Open House – Thursday, September 19 at Mason. New this year: featuring workshop sessions on topics to help you get the most out of your membership and learn about new club possibilities.
• Classes begin – September 30

During June 2024, we welcomed the following new members: Julia Durand, Barbara Miller, and Mary Reichhardt.

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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