View the quick, at-a-glance, course calendar.
S26-0114P, Spring Kick-Off Social
January 14, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 125
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: LLI Members
Description: Come out to meet other LLI members, both NEW and returning.
Special Area for new members to learn about LLI.
Get help with the website and/or registration.
Enjoy some light refreshments.
Hear about some of the classes offered this Spring.
Chat with the coordinators for the 4 Clubs.
Members, please register.
GUESTS ARE WELCOME!
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Karla Anzzolin
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0115P, Basic Poetry Class
January 15, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm
Additional dates: Feb 19, Mar 26, Apr 23, May 7
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 25
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Alice K. Mergler and Dottie Ward-Wimmer
Description: These five sessions, facilitated by Alice Mergler and Dottie Ward-Wimmer, will take us into poetic foundations: the ABCs of what poetry is and how to begin planting your words like seeds that grow into rhythms, rhymes, stories, and wisdom. We will write and then read each other’s work, sometimes silently, sometimes aloud, before discussing it. Often hearing their work read aloud helps writers to understand and enhance their own unique style. Please bring writing materials, and join us to meet your inner poet.
Biography: Alice Mergler has enjoyed a rewarding teaching career, 24 years of it spent teaching English, History, and Drama in Prince William County. She has also enjoyed a lifetime of wonderful accomplishments in her eighty-five years, including rearing six sons with her beloved husband. She now enjoys being retired, advising the Poet Laureate Circle, marketing The Prince William County Arts Council, and teaching two LLI classes, Memoir Writing, and Poetry.
Alice also enjoys keeping up with her many grandchildren, getting 10,000 steps a day, and being a Spilled Inker, a Poetry Open Mic organization for which she just published a second poetry book.
Dottie Ward-Wimmer is a mom, grandmother, retired nurse and child therapist, who writes to celebrate life and the human spirit. At 83, she still treasures the wisdom of children and silence and the beauty of ordinary things. So far, she’s had ten poems and one short story published.
LLI Coordinator: Eileen Roach
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0119P, The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: Graves of His Family, Friends, and Foes
January 19, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 120
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Dr. Sharon Pajka
Description: “No! Even in the grave all is not lost.”
In an oral journey to the burial places of the people who lived in Edgar Allan Poe’s world, telling the stories of the individuals who supported, inspired, and challenged him, and even a few who attempted to foil his plans, Dr. Pajka will provide us with a fuller understanding of Poe’s life.
Poe is credited with originating the modern detective story, developing Gothic horror tales, and writing the precursor to science fiction. He considered himself a Virginian, and his family and many of his closest associates were southerners. Poe worked to elevate Southern literature and lived in the South for most of his life. He died in Baltimore, and made his final home in Richmond.
Dr. Pajka will have copies of her books for sale following the class:
The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: Graves of His Family, Friends and Foes (2023)
Women Writers Buried in Virginia (2021)
Haunted Virginia Cemeteries (2025)
$20 cash or $25 PayPal or Venmo.
Biography: Sharon Pajka, a professor of English at Gallaudet University, holds a Ph.D. in English education from the University of Virginia and a master’s in deaf education: secondary from Gallaudet University. She earned a certificate in public history from the University of Richmond. On the weekends, you can find her in the cemetery giving history tours or volunteering, as well as running River City Cemetarians. She is also the co-chair of the Virginia Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0120A, Women in the Bible
January 20, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Additional dates: February 17, March 24, April 21
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 40
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: The Rev. James Hughes
Description: This class is a continuation of the one Father Hughes led last fall. He will cover the historical, theological, and archeological components of old and new testament women. You may register for this class whether you attended the one held in the fall of 2025 or not. The class was very popular last fall, so you may want to give it a try.
Biography: The Rev. James Hughes holds bachelor’s degrees in both philosophy and the classics from St. Charles Seminary, Philadelphia. He holds master’s degrees in both biblical studies and systematic theology from Catholic University in Washington, D. C. He was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church in 1982. More recently he studied at the Virginia Theological Seminary, which led to being received as an Episcopal Priest in December of 2016. Father Hughes worked for the Library of Congress for 23 years in the Visitor Services Office. During this spring season he will be teaching his 19th class for LLI Manassas.
LLI Coordinator: Nancy Osborne
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0121A, The American Revolution: What You Did Not Learn in School-Part Two AND America’s 250th Anniversary
January 21, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 125
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Blane Ampthor
Description: Most Americans are familiar with key events from the American Revolution such as the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence; and Benedict Arnold’s betrayal. However, there are many fascinating details, personalities, and misconceptions about them that can alter our perception of the events. As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, Blane Ampthor’ s examination of these aspects will enhance your view of events that were key to our country’s founding.
Biography: Blane Ampthor is a retired federal employee with more that 36 years of service. He has had a lifelong interest in history and has read extensively on World War II, the American Revolution, and ocean liners. He has taught with several Lifelong Learning Institutes and has instructed with various organizations such as the Loudoun County Public Library system in Virginia, AARP. and seniors communities. He enjoys visiting sites related to his interests so he can gain a fuller understanding of events. Blane presented Part One of the talk on the American Revolution during the Fall of 2024, and he has also presented classes for Manassas LLI on ocean liners racing, the Indianapolis 500 race, and Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.
LLI Coordinator: Karen Waltman
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0121P, Lerner & Loewe – Creating Romance on Broadway
January 21, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 150
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Steven Abramowitz
Description: If Rodgers & Hammerstein were the “Kings of Broadway,” then Lerner & Loewe would be the “Princes of Broadway.” Together they created some of the most well-known Broadway musicals and movies during the “Golden Age” of Broadway musicals from the 1940s to the 1960s. Through the use of video clips, Steven Abramowitz will look at the careers of Lerner & Loewe and include a number of the memorable scenes and songs from their plays and movies. They will feature numbers from “Brigadoon,” “My Fair Lady,” “Gigi,” “Camelot,” and more, as well as interesting stories about some of the many actors and actresses appearing in the productions and movies generations have grown to love.
Biography: Steve Abramowitz grew up in Queens, New York, and graduated from C.W Post College of Long Island University. For four years he served as an officer in the United States Navy on aircraft carriers and on a destroyer escort, where he was a navigator and intelligence officer. Following his time in the Navy, Steve and his wife settled in New York, where he worked in advertising and marketing for advertising agencies. For the last 16 years of his career, he worked in advertising sales for USA Today. Upon retiring in 2013, Steve found time to explore his love of musical theatre. Coupled with his love of history and writing, he began to develop presentations on the lives of many of Broadway’s greatest contributors including Lerner and Loewe. Steve and his wife moved to Bristow in December 2023.
LLI Coordinator: Jo Anne Renton
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0126P, Join the Line and Dance – CANCELLED 1/26 ONLY
January 26, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Additional dates: 2/16/2026
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, Gymnasium, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 45
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Ann Komelasky
Description: Ann Komelasky will briefly discuss the popularity of Line Dancing and then review the steps for the first dance. After we are comfortable with that dance, and after a rest break, she will review a second dance with us, and then a third-the same dances we learned in the December class. Ann will discuss the terminology of the different dance steps.
A second class is scheduled to learn new dances the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 16. If enough students wish to continue lessons, we can form a club that would meet once a month.
Biography: Ann Komelasky has been a member of LLI for over 15 years and is currently a member of the LLI Board of Directors and the Tech-Media committee. Prior to retirement, she worked as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the NOVA area. Her hobbies are golf, quilting, reading, gardening and line dancing. She is the mother of 3 and grandmother to 7.
Ann and her husband Mike have been line dancing for almost 18 years. She has always loved music and dance and finds this form of exercise to be great fun, while stimulating the mind.
LLI Coordinator: Karen Waltman
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0130P, Judge Jarvis Returns – RESCHEDULED
April 24, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm
Location: Prince William County Courthouse, 3d floor, Courtroom 5, 9311 Lee Avenue, Manassas, VA (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 150
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Judge William Jarvis
Description: Judge William Jarvis returns to continue his always popular discussions of topics currently at the forefront of the judicial system. High profile trials, policing practices, and other legal issues are always in the news. How should we look at these headlines? What do we need to know to understand them? Judge Jarvis answers these questions for us, speaking about what he thinks are the important issues, as well as those which you would like to know more about.
Biography: Honorable William Jarvis, Judge of the Circuit Court as of December 1, 2025, graduated from Old Dominion University in 1985 with bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and criminal justice. After graduate work at the University of Virginia, he attended George Mason University School of Law, graduating in 1991. He served as a prosecutor in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, from 1992 to 1998, and in Marion County, Florida, from 1998 to 2002. Upon returning to Virginia in 2002, he served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Prince William County until 2012, when he was elected to the bench. Throughout his career, he has taught search and seizure law as well as other topics to police, attorneys, and other judges.
LLI Coordinator: Craig Johnston
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0202A, The Benefits of Strength Training for Life’s Journey
February 2, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Zoom.
Maximum class size: 150
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Eric Levitan, founder and CEO of Vivo
Description: This zoom class will consist of a 60-minute webinar with Vivo founder and CEO, Eric Levitan .
Did you know we start losing muscle as early as age 30, and this loss accelerates after 60, impacting balance, mobility, bone density, and independence? The good news? Strength training can help reverse that trend.
Join us for a dynamic session on how building strength supports better health, sharper cognition, and improved quality of life as we age. You’ll learn science-backed strategies to get started safely (and stick with it!) — plus enjoy a short demonstration and time for Q and A.
Biography: Eric Levitan brings to Vivo more than 25 years of executive leadership in the technology sector. As he witnessed the decline of his parents’ health and quality of life as they got older, he realized he wanted a better understanding of the aging process to help them. That is why he started Vivo — to create awareness and a safe, engaging, and impactful program to guide older adults to a safer and healthier life.
Vivo is a live, virtual strength training program designed specifically for older adults. Our small-group classes are led by expert trainers who focus on building strength, balance, and confidence — all from the comfort of home. Backed by science and powered by community, Vivo helps seniors stay active, independent, and connected.
In the context of exercise, “VIVO” does not stand for an acronym; rather, it is derived from the Italian musical term meaning “lively, with life and vigorous.” It is a science-backed program that is NIH grant-funded.
LLI Coordinator: Kelly Espy, RN, MSN
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0202P, The History and Evolution of Classical Guitar Music
February 2, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 125
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Matt Trkula
Description: This program will explore the history and evolution of classical guitar music, including its various composers, performers, and teachers. Professor Trkula will introduce a standard repertoire of all different eras, show demonstrations of technique, and dive into the Spanish roots of the guitar in advance of Pablo Sainz Villega’s Spanish Nights performance. The presentation will be part concert, part lecture, with a question and answer session at the end.
Biography: Matt Trkula is a professor of classical guitar at George Mason University’s Sid and Reva Dewberry School of Music and the guitar director at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg, Virginia. He holds degrees from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and George Mason University. A student of Clare Callahan, Larry Snitzler, and Oscar Ghiglia, professor Trkula specializes in the Segovia style and classical guitar history and pedagogy.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0204P, Staying Out of the Dental Chair
February 4, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Dr. Kimberley Olsen
Description: In this forum, Gainesville dentist Dr. Kimberley Olsen will discuss common oral problems seniors face including dry mouth, tooth decay, and tooth loss. She will review potential tooth replacement options, such as fixed partial dentures, removable dentures, and implant options. Finally, she will provide an overview of preventative tips for a comfortable, functional, yet beautiful mouth for years to come–saving you time and money and keeping you out of the dental chair.
Biography: Dr. Kimberley A. Olsen is a top graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, ranked first in the nation. She received outstanding achievement awards in both clinical restorative dentistry and oral pathology and medicine, in addition to completing a residency at a Level 1 trauma center. This training provided extensive advanced training in oral surgery, dental implant placement, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. She continues to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in the field through continuing education courses, including cosmetic and esthetic dentistry and Invisalign. Additionally, she is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and Virginia Dental Society. She has been repeatedly recognized as America’s Top Dentist by the Consumers’ Research Council of America and has continually been recognized for her excellent care of her patients.
LLI Coordinator: Kelly Espy
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0205A, Discover AI in Everyday Life
February 5, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Dar al-Noor Islamic Community Center, 5404 Hoadly Rd., Manassas 20112 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Cherie Lejeune
Description: Learn how Artificial Intelligence is shaping daily routines, for personal use, work, and volunteer roles—and how you can make it work for you. In this friendly, hands-on session, we’ll explain AI in plain language, show practical uses from smart assistants to helpful apps, and let you try tools that can add convenience, creativity, and fun to everyday life.
Biography: Cherie Lejeune is a technology enthusiast with a passion for making complex ideas accessible and meaningful. She is deeply engaged in AI projects supporting low-income senior housing in the Washington, D.C. area and volunteers as the tech guru for the Shepherd Center of Northern Virginia, a seniors-helping-seniors nonprofit. Former President of the National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. (60 clubs) and founder/chair of Virtual Resources for the National Garden Club (all 50 states), Cherie brings the same creative energy to technology that shaped her earlier career as president of an international art start-up, global communications consultant, Today Show writer, founder of The America’s Cup Information Center (with four major world exhibitions), restaurant owner, and playwright of a surprise hit show.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0209P, Finding a Place for Everything: What to Do about All That Stuff
February 9, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Kelly Tait
Description: As seniors, we need to manage a lifetime’s accumulation of keepsakes, collections, documents, furnishings, books, photos, and more. Often we must downsize and declutter to move to a new home, and the task can seem overwhelming. Professional organizer Kelly Tait’s presentation will assist attendees in finding strategies and inspiration to simplify their living spaces and take greater control of their possessions. If you’ve wondered what to do with your extensive collection of scrapbooking materials, or if your children have told you they don’t want to take possession of all those Beanie Babies, please join us for this practical, encouraging session.
Biography: Bee Organized was founded in 2015 and today numbers more than 40 franchises across the US that help clients find achievable organizing solutions for a wide range of needs. Professional organizer Kelly Tait, owner of Bee Organized Northern Virginia, offers compassionate guidance and hands-on support for all areas of home and business organizing, including downsizing/rightsizing, decluttering, move management, packing/unpacking and more. She loves using her organizational talents to bring clarity, comfort, and meaningful change to her clients’ lives.
LLI Coordinator: Eileen Roach
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0211A, Crypto 101
February 11, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams St., Manassas Park, VA 20111 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 80
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Jorge Herrada and Laura Walker
Description: Two experts will explain cryptocurrency, including a discussion of crypto markets and investment scams to avoid.
Biography: Jorge Herrada is the Acting Director of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Office of Customer Education and Outreach (OCED), dwhich leads the agency’s anti-victimization education efforts. He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BS from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
Laura Walker is a Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI Washington’s Field Office. She oversees a squad of agents and professional staff who investigate bank fraud and money laundering matters and has 20 years of investigative experience at the FBI. SSA Walker graduated from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting and is a certified public accountant (CPA) and a certified fraud examiner (CFE).
LLI Coordinator: Ann Cain
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0211P, A Taste of Home
February 11, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: No Limit
Fee: $5/person paid in cash at the event.
Speaker/Host: Host: David Born, PWC Historic Programs Coordinator
Description: David Born, PWC Historic Programs Coordinator, will host this return trip to Ben Lomond Historic Site, where the focus will be on how the other half lived during the 18th and 19th centuries. The enslaved community struggled to hold on to customs and traditions of their homeland while laboring for their Masters in a new, unfamiliar world. The class will explore the house in a program called Every Day Full of Work, during which time the site staff will introduce the work performed by the enslaved in building Ben Lomond and living day to day on the farm. Then, in the slave quarter, you will learn about foods brought to this country from Africa and how these foods became part of southern cuisine. The presentation will include a cooking demonstration and tasting.
Biography: David Born has had an extensive history career beginning in 1987 in the Summer Living History Program at Petersburg National Battlefield. In 1992, he began a 13-year career with Virginia State Parks working at Sky Meadows State Parks in Fauquier County, Twin Lakes State Park in Nottoway County, and Sailors Creek Battlefield in Prince Edward County. He came to Prince William County in 2005 and is currently Historic Programs Coordinator at PWC sites including Ben Lomond. With his traveling trunks of historic artifacts, David presents programs on the Civil War and slavery in Virginia at community fairs and area schools. He also hosts senior groups and school field trips at county properties.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0212P, Battle of the Wabash
February 12, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Mike Devine, LTC USAF (Ret)
Description: The Battle of the Wabash, also known as St. Clair’s Defeat, is a little-known battle that occurred in November 1791 in what is today west-central Ohio. A force of some 1400 regular US Army and militia soldiers under the command of Major General Arthur St. Clair was attacked by a slightly smaller Indian coalition. In terms of the soldier death toll, the Wabash was the worst defeat ever inflicted upon the US Army and associated militia units by Native American forces. This presentation will describe how white American settlements in the Northwest Territory angered Indian tribes already living in the area, leading to violence between the two groups, and how that violence led to calls for the US Army to pacify the Indians. The creation of St. Clair’s force, its march north into the woods from Cincinnati, the battle itself, and the conflict’s aftermath will be detailed.
Biography: Mike Devine was commissioned via the Air Force ROTC program at St. Michael’s College in Vermont and received a master’s degree in engineering physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He served for over 24 years, primarily in science and acquisition billets and also as an Air Force ROTC instructor. He completed his military career in 2003 teaching test and evaluation and systems engineering at the Defense Acquisition University at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After his military retirement, he worked for some 16 years as a Department of Defense support contractor, first for the Missile Defense Agency and later for the F-35 program, retiring full time in 2019. He has been interested in military history since he was six years old.
LLI Coordinator: Mike Ahern
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0223A, Wildlife Photography in Canada – REVISED DATE
March 31, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 70
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Louise Noyes
Description: In this, her fifth presentation for LLI, Louise will share photographs she took on two spectacular trips to Canada in 2025. The first trip was to Newfoundland in July. It was the peak migratory season for seabirds and mammals converging in the northwest Atlantic Ocean to take advantage of the fish crowding into the coastal region to spawn. The second trip was to Hudson’s Bay in November. That’s when polar bears gather along the coast waiting for the Bay to freeze over so they can go out on the ice to hunt for food. Arctic Fox and other species follow the bears to devour any leftovers from the hunt. Will it be a prime opportunity for photography or will climate change alter behaviors? Join us and find out!
Biography: Louise Noyes spent her early years in Seattle, Washington and in the foothills of the Cascade Range. A graduate of the University of Washington, she spent 36 years in positions of increasing responsibility in the Intelligence Community, responsible for economic analyses of China and Russia and for politico-military issues in the Middle East. Along the way, she picked up a business degree, post-graduate studies in economics, and some proficiency in German, Russian, and Chinese. Her husband of 47 years passed away in mid-2019. And now she’s very busy trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up.
LLI Coordinator: Karen Waltman
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0226P, Exploring Ireland: The Emerald Isle
February 26, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Donald McAndrews
Description: Since 2015 Don McAndrews has traveled to Ireland every year, sometimes twice a year, except for the two COVID years. The countryside is truly beautiful and the terrain is diverse and spectacular. Dublin is a wonderful city offering something for everyone. The Irish Sea (the water between England and Ireland) provides lovely beaches and beautiful vistas. South County Dublin has a curious island barely off shore and a tall hill overlooking it, from which you can see the coast of Wales on a clear day. Southwest of Dublin are the beautiful Wicklow mountains and stunning lakes. Farming is abundant all over the island. Wexford to the south is home of the world’s oldest lighthouse in continuous use. The Wild Atlantic Coast in the west has spectacular views from tall cliffs pounded by waves. Galway in the west has a section dating back to Roman times in contrast to its high-tech companies. Belfast to the north is where the Titanic was built and much of the Game of Thrones was filmed. And in the center of it all are structures constructed before the Egyptian Pyramids. Join Don for a tour!
Biography: Don McAndrews, originally from Iowa, has lived just south of Manassas for 40 years with his wife of 56 years. He has traveled widely from Estonia to Hawaii and Canada to Panama City.
LLI Coordinator: Karen Waltman
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0302A, Civil War Baptism of Fire: First Battle of Bull Run
March 2, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 150
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Gene Schmiel
Description: In the summer of 1861, both North and South brimmed with confidence that a single, glorious victory would end the conflict before it truly began. That decisive clash, everyone believed, would unfold at Manassas. As a result, every soldier worth his salt—and one remarkable woman—rushed to take part in what they imagined would be the war’s grand finale.
Among those who faced combat for the first time at First Bull Run on July 21, 1861 were names that would soon echo through history: Jefferson Davis, William Tecumseh Sherman, “Stonewall” Jackson, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Johnston, J.E.B. Stuart, George Custer, and many others whose courage proved just as vital, though history often overlooks them.
Gene Schmiel will examine not only the famed leaders but also the lesser-known figures who found their footing—and their destiny—on that fateful field. Copies of Gene’s book, Civil War Baptism of Fire: First Battle of Bull Run, will be available for purchase.
Biography: Gene Schmiel is a retired U.S. Department of State foreign service officer who was also an assistant professor of history at St. Francis University in Pennsylvania. He holds a Ph.D. in history from The Ohio State University and has written over 30 books about the Civil War and related topics. His first, Citizen-General: Jacob Dolson Cox and the Civil War Era, was published in 2014 by Ohio University Press. A companion book, My Dearest Lilla: Civil War Letters Home by General Jacob D. Cox, was published in 2023. He co-authored the first biography of General Irvin McDowell, Searching for Irvin McDowell: The Civil War’s Forgotten General, also in 2023. Dr. Schmiel is a native Ohioan who lives in Gainesville, Virginia, on the border of the Manassas battlefield. He has spoken to LLI previously on a variety of topics.
LLI Coordinator: David Pace
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0302P, The Golden Era at The Washington Post
March 2, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 125
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Bob Levey, retired Washington Post journalist
Description: Retired Washington Post journalist Bob Levey will tell all about being the first reporter hired by the legendary editor, Ben Bradlee. Then about sitting between Woodward and Bernstein during Watergate. Then about his first-name-basis friendship with Katharine Graham. Then about the turmoil at today’s Post, and finally, a bit about his book, Larry Felder, Candidate.
Signed copies of Mr. Levey’s book will be available for sale after the class for $20. Cash, checks and all major credit cards will be accepted.
Biography: Bob Levey is a prize-winning journalist who has covered the Washington scene since the Johnson Administration.
For 23 years, he wrote a daily column, “Bob Levey’s Washington,” for The Washington Post. The column looked at all aspects of life in the nation’s capital and won major awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Washington Journalism Review. Currently he writes a monthly column for Senior Beacon Newspapers. Earlier in his 36-year career at The Post, Bob Levey covered Presidential politics, Congress, local news, and sports.
In 1999 Bob Levey was named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine in recognition of his community service through his column and as a hands-on volunteer.
In 2000, Washington Post Books published ‘Washington Album: A Pictorial History of the Nation’s Capital,’ a 200-page illustrated history of the local city. Levey co-authored the book with his wife, Jane F. Levey, a historian. Levey is the author of three other books, one a collection of columns, another a look at local Washington, the third his novel, LARRY FELDER, CANDIDATE.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0304A, Urology Health for Adults: Practical Strategies for Wellness
March 4, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 70
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Katie Riley, PA
Description: Join UVA Health’s Katie Riley, PA for an informative session on important urologic health topics that impact older adults. This talk will cover common concerns and practical strategies to maintain urinary health as we age. You’ll learn about:
Overactive bladder and leakage
UTIs after menopause
Pelvic Organ prolapse
Prostate health
Bladder cancer awareness
This session is designed to empower you with knowledge and resources to support your health and well-being. Bring your questions for an engaging discussion!
Biography: Katie Riley is a Haymarket-based Physician Assistant specializing in Urology and providing compassionate care for adults. Highly rated by her patients, Riley is known for her approachable style and commitment to patient education. Her passion for healthcare began in childhood. Raised by a nurse and a high school English teacher, Riley spent hours flipping through her mother’s nursing journals and imagining the world of patient care. Her father’s emphasis on engaging discussions over lectures shaped her philosophy: healthcare should be collaborative.
LLI Coordinator: Kelly Espy
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0305P, The Venice Plays: Shakespeare’s Global Stories
March 5, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Christina Romanelli, PhD
Description: “The Merchant of Venice” and “Othello: The Moor of Venice” provide a glimpse into a global early modern period that is often overlooked by lovers of the bard from cozy Stratford-Upon-Avon. Shakespeare set as many of his plays in Italy as he did in England, and this was not an accident. In Shakespeare’s time, Italy, not yet a unified country, was a geographical center of many important trade routes and diverse societies. In contrast, England, with its multiple exclusion acts, must have felt provincial and isolated for a man who loved dramatic stories. Dr. Romanelli’s talk will discuss first Othello and Portia’s suitors as creations born from changing understandings of Africa, and the law in “The Merchant of Venice” as a character that devolves from valuing the lively market its diversity brings to viewing outsiders as less than human. Dr. Romanelli will also share pictures of Venice from a recent study abroad program to show the beautiful city where these plays are set in part.
Biography: Currently an Associate Professor of English at NOVA Manassas, Tina Romanelli earned her PhD in early modern English literature in 2014 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her dissertation focused on the thematic echoes of the apocryphal Harrowing of Hell in the works of Spenser, Marlowe, Shakespeare, and Cavendish. For the last decade, Tina has split her time between teaching and student support, directing a Student Success Center and contributing to the International College Learning Center Association’s conferences and serving on the executive board of the Southeastern College Learning Center Association.
LLI Coordinator: Eileen Roach
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0309P, Writing Workshop
March 9, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm
Additional dates: March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church
Maximum class size: 20
Fee: None
Speaker/Host:
Description: A rotation of seasoned writers will lead the weekly sessions. Participants will receive inspiration, ideas, examples, and prompts from various sources and will have in-class time to write and share their writing. Each class will include time to learn from, write with, and listen to fellow writers. Our guide for the spring semester will be Writing About Your Life by William Zinsser.
Biography:
LLI Coordinator: Elizabeth Crawford
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0311A, Tour of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building at George Mason University
March 11, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Life Sciences & Engineering Building, George Mason University, 10930 George Mason Cir, Manassas (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 20, with a wait list.
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Dr. Leigh McCue
Description: Dr. Leigh McCue will lead this tour of the Mechanical Engineering spaces of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, showcasing educational laboratories designed to enable learning in aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, robotics, materials characterization, thermo-fluid systems, sustainable energy, and prototyping.
You will receive information about parking shortly before the date to register.
Biography: Dr. Leigh McCue is chair of Mason’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Her particular research interests are in maritime robotics, nonlinear and chaotic vessel dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics, coupled with an emphasis on nurturing the future STEM workforce.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0312A, The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies
March 12, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 150
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Paul Severance
Description: Although the official historical record confirms that John Wilkes Booth and a small group of accomplices assassinated Abraham Lincoln and attempted to kill other top government officials, numerous alternative—and often fascinating—conspiracy theories have surfaced and gained varying degrees of acceptance over the past 160 years. Almost immediately after the event, various theories began to circulate, evolving over time to implicate organizations such as the Roman Catholic Church and Pope Pius IX, the U.S. War Department and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, the Confederate government, and certain disaffected factions within Northern society who allegedly despised Lincoln’s wartime leadership and decisions as President and Commander-in-Chief. These theories have persisted into the modern era and remain subjects of considerable intrigue. This presentation will seek to explore these major conspiracy theories, tracing their origins and examining the purported evidence behind the seven principal theories linked to Lincoln’s assassination.
Biography: Dr. Paul Severance is a distinguished historian and educator with a career spanning more than three decades. Dr. Severance served as Professor of Strategy and Professor of Military Science at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at Fort Lesley J. McNair from 1993 until his retirement in 2018.
Since 2013, Dr. Severance has devoted his expertise to public history, serving as a volunteer historian at Gettysburg and at Fort McNair, where he has guided more than five hundred tours, seminars, and lectures in the historic courtroom of the Lincoln Assassination Conspirators Trial. His work has focused on Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the pursuit and capture of the conspirators, their trial and verdicts, and the evolution of conspiracy theories that followed.
Dr. Severance is also a faculty member of the Blue-Gray Education Society and is widely recognized as an authority on the American Civil War, with particular expertise in the campaigns of Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Peninsula, and the Seven Days. He holds degrees from Northeastern University, the Florida Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech, where he earned his doctorate.
Currently, Dr. Severance continues to share his scholarship as an instructor with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the College of William & Mary and the Lifelong Learning Society at Christopher Newport University, lecturing on the nature of war, forms of warfare, military history, and military geography.
LLI Coordinator: David Pace
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0312P, Clergywomen Today: Three Diverse Perspectives
March 12, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 125
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Facilitators: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney & Nancy Osborne
Description: The 1970s marked a transformative period for American women, particularly in religious leadership. This era saw the ordination of the first female Lutheran pastor (1970), Reform rabbi (1972), and Episcopal priest (1974), breaking longstanding gender barriers in faith communities. In this panel discussion with Pastor Katie, Rabbi Lizz, and Mother Philene, we will examine their religious backgrounds, motivations for entering the ministry, challenges encountered, current issues in their roles, and perspectives on how their experiences as women may differ from those of their male counterparts.
This promises to be an engaging and insightful conversation on the evolving role of women in religious leadership today.
Biography: Rev. Kathryn L. Pocalyko is the Senior Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Manassas, making history as the first woman to hold this position. Prior to her current role, she served congregations in New York City, Richmond, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland, bringing her passion for Lutheran worship and music to diverse communities. Fluent in Spanish, Pastor Katie is dedicated to fostering intergenerational relationships and actively engaging with the local community. Raised in Fairfax County, she is honored to serve in her hometown area—a calling she never anticipated, but now embraces wholeheartedly.
Elizabeth (Lizz) Goldstein, originally from Branford, CT, was inspired to pursue the rabbinate in 2004. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hampshire College in genocide studies, a Master’s in Jewish Studies from Gratz College, and was ordained by the Academy of Jewish Religion in 2016. Rabbi Goldstein serves the Ner Shalom community in Northern Virginia and resides in Vienna with her family. She is actively engaged in Tikkun Olam initiatives, was a Global Justice Fellow with American Jewish World Service, and is a member of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Her work is dedicated to advancing social justice through Jewish values and history.
Mother Philene M. Ware Dunn is one of two supply priests at Trinity Episcopal Church in Manassas. She graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, Mother Philene also enjoys serving the Spanish-speaking community. On a personal note, she and her husband, Paul, met on a blind date and decided to marry just eight days later, after their third date. Over forty-three years later, they have four grown children and three grandchildren. Despite this, they are not yet empty-nesters, as they currently share their home with four lively “COVID kitties.”
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0317P, Annaburg Historic House Tour
March 17, 2026, 01:30 pm to 02:30 pm
Location: Annaburg Historic Home Guided Tour, 9201 Maple Street, Manassas 20111 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 20. Due to the limited number of attendees, please only register if you are fairly certain you can attend.
Fee: $3 in cash at the door
Speaker/Host: Manassas Museum Staff
Description: Take a trip to the past with this historic house tour. Recently renovated and open to the public, Annaburg served many purposes throughout the years. Originally built in 1892, the then 2,000-acre property was once a central feature and the pride of Manassas. It hosted the annual Piedmont Dairy Festival and Fourth of July fireworks, and welcomed the community in the winter to ice skate on the estate’s pond. Today, the house sits on 3.65 acres and is one of the City of Manassas’s newest parks. A member of the Manassas museum staff will guide our tour and introduce us to the rich and varied history of the house and its many residents through the years.
NOTE: The house has three levels including a steep staircase. A wheelchair ramp leads to the front porch and provides access to the first floor of the house, but once inside there are only stairs to access each floor.
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Desiree Wolfe
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0319P, Space Art from the National Air and Space Museum
March 19, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams St., Manassas Park, VA 20111 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Carolyn Russo
Description: (This class was re-scheduled from our Fall 2025 Program)
Did you know that the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has an art collection? Curator Carolyn Russo will present the history of space exploration seen in this collection from the late nineteenth century to the present. She will introduce Étienne Léopold Trouvelot’s late 1800s astronomical observations, Chesley Bonestell’s “scientific” space art illustrations for Collier’s, Norman Rockwell’s paintings for Look magazine at NASA, and the work of other artists including Robert Rauschenberg and Alma Thomas. She will also consider works from these artists and others as agents of public persuasion, documentation, and reflection of a national space program.
Biography: Carolyn Russo is a museum specialist and curator of the art collection at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. She is leading the renovation and development of new art exhibits for the museum’s Flight and the Arts Center, to reopen in 2026. Carolyn has curated numerous art exhibitions and authored four books, most recently a book on American artist Robert Rauschenberg, which was published by Smithsonian Books in October 2025. Prior to her appointment as art curator, she held the position of staff photographer at the museum. She has a bachelor’s fine art degree in photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston and a master’s degree in art history from American University in Washington, D.C.
LLI Coordinator: Mike Ahern
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0323A, Preserve Your Memories NOW!
March 23, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: RELIC Center: Central Library; 8601 Mathis Avenue Manassas, VA 20110–5270 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 20
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: RELIC Supervisor Mary Kitiyakara
Description: Old family photos, slides, Super 8 reels, VHS tapes, and other cherished media no longer have to gather dust. RELIC’s new Digital Preservation Lab at Central Library has the solution. Much like the makerspaces, the Digital Preservation Lab provides free-to-use equipment to digitize and share precious family memories. The equipment was specially selected to be user-friendly and minimize the need for complicated software. Patrons will also have the full Adobe Creative Cloud available if they are interested in further editing their raw materials. The session will include an overview of RELIC resources and a live demonstration of the equipment. Enrollment is limited to 20 people, so please only register if you are fairly certain you can attend.
Biography: N/A
LLI Coordinator: Desiree Wolfe
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0330A, The Search For The Smallest Thing, Part 2:
March 30, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Additional dates: April 6, April 13, April 20
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 70
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Mark Dodge
Description: For thousands of years, people have wondered what the Universe is made of and if there is a “smallest thing” from which everything else is made. Today, we call this area of science “Particle Physics.”
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, research led to major new understandings of the way atoms work. In the process, hundreds of new subatomic particles were found. But the way in which these particles behave is often very strange.
This course is the story of these discoveries and understandings, which led to the development of quantum physics and the standard model of particle physics. We’ll meet lots of interesting people and explore their experiments and see how the current understanding of what the smallest thing is began to develop.
Biography: Mark Dodge received his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of California Berkeley and earned his master’s degree in engineering physics from the University of Virginia. He worked as an engineering scientist at IBM and then became a high school physics teacher, teaching for 24 years. He has been educating LLI members on various scientific subjects for the past six years.
LLI Coordinator: Jo Anne Renton
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0401A, Hylton Performing Arts Center: Behind the Scenes
April 1, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 30
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Marit Majeske, Mark Ormesher, Kevin Douglas Smith
Description: Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring performances to life on stage? Join Hylton Center staff members for a deep dive into the Hylton Performing Arts Center including an overview of its history and programs. After an introductory presentation we’ll take a tour of the building including the backstage and support areas as well as the technical elements we use to bring performances to life. Join us for an opportunity to see the stage from a different perspective.
Biography: Marit Majeske became the Education Coordinator of the Hylton Performing Arts Center upon the opening of the Hylton Center’s Education and Rehearsal Wing in December 2019. This full-time role expands on the work she began in October 2016 when she became the Interim Education Coordinator in addition to her role as Front of House Manager, a role she assumed when the Hylton Center opened in May 2010. Prior to joining the staff at the Hylton Center, Marit worked as an Assistant House Manager at Ford’s Theater and a volunteer intern with the Performing Arts for Everyone and Kennedy Center Friends offices at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Marit holds a B.A. in Music and Broadcast Journalism from Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC) and an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University. Marit received the Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Emerging Leader Award in August 2014. She also completed the Leadership Prince William Signature Program in 2023 and is an active participant in Educators’ Neighborhood, a professional learning community that is a project of the Fred Rogers Institute.
Mark Ormesher has been an Audio Engineer and AV technician at the Hylton Center since 2011. Originally raised in the UK, he started his career as a young performer, and a member of Actors Equity Junior in the UK. He studied theater at Robinson High School in Fairfax, then went on to study Theater and Sign Language in VVCC Annandale. Before transferring to George Mason as a student, he was scooped up into the professional arm of the CVPA, working as Technical Director for Acting For Young People; where he helped develop shows, classes, and the online presence of the company. Now reaching his 15th hear at the Hylton, Mark has worked on a large percentage of the shows in that time, in his own words, he is a “Head of the Nerds,” ie: the guy you want to be around when your computer decides it’s had enough!
Kevin Douglas Smith has been the Technical Director at the Hylton Performing Arts Center since its opening in May 2010. Previously, he was the Master Carpenter/Flyman at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Kevin was also the Production Carpenter for the Washington Ballet. Kevin has a BFA in Technical Theater from Virginia Commonwealth University.
LLI Coordinator: Valerie Kenyon Gaffney
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0401P, Remembering Jane Goodall
April 1, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, Sanctuary, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 120
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Linda Berdine
Description: The news of Jane Goodall’s passing at age 91 reverberated around the world on October
1, 2025. Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace,
was a remarkable example of courage and conviction, working tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness about threats to wildlife, promote conservation, and inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals, and the natural world. Jane was a world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, and humanitarian. She was known around the world for her 65-year study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. However, in the latter part of her life she expanded her focus and became a global advocate for human rights, animal welfare, environmental protection, and many other crucial issues.
Jane’s impact was never confined to science or conservation. She touched lives. She reminded us— constantly, gently, fiercely — that every individual can make a difference. She lit sparks of hope across generations and across the globe. Jane’s light continues to shine — in the forests, in the classrooms, in the hearts of those she inspired.
Biography: Linda Berdine has a 40+-year track record of success in diverse leadership roles
within the U.S House of Representatives, corporate, and non-profit organizations.
She was most recently the founder and CEO of an information technology
consulting and services firm that supported environmental, conservation, and
animal rescue clients.
Linda traveled with Jane Goodall criss-crossing the United States, Africa, and
Europe supporting Jane’s mission of empowering world-wide stewards of planet
earth. She works to support the work of Dr. Goodall engaging the next generation
in order to make the planet a better place for generations to come. Linda met Jane
33 years ago. She knows the two Janes; the personal and the icon. She had the
distinct honor of planning and leading Jane’s funeral at the Washington National
Cathedral on November 12th, 2025.
LLI Coordinator: Ann Cain
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0402A, Morocco: Working Modern Magic on an Ancient World
April 2, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Hylton Performing Arts Center
10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 125
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Joyce Johnston
Description: Morocco offers shining beaches, lush gardens, exquisite architecture, and a modern Islamic state, side by side with ancient marketplaces and donkey carts on interstate highways. How did this grow out of 1800 years of violence, foreign domination and betrayal after betrayal after betrayal? Once it seemed that the only way to preserve Morocco’s sophisticated culture was to export it to the Moorish Kingdom in Medieval Spain, where its advancements in medicine, hygiene, agriculture and architecture became a model for the rest of Europe. Then came eviction, chaos, infighting, and finally a French protectorate that yielded real independence only in 1956. Since then, education and legal rights have moved steadily forward, but the social price has been veiled in secrecy. Joyce Johnston will guide us through the open question: what is really going on now in this supposedly most moderate of Islamic states?
Biography: Perhaps the greatest pleasure of semi-retirement after 37 years in public education has been the opportunity for Joyce Johnston to travel to diverse parts of the world with husband Craig. A particularly intriguing journey was a 2024 visit to Morocco, following up on time in Spain that produced presentations to both LLI-Manassas and OLLI on “The Glories and the Mysteries of the Moors in Spain.” The current presentation, “Working Modern Magic on an Ancient World,” combines the Moors’ turbulent origin story in Morocco with the cultural beauties they brought with them into the 21st century.
LLI Coordinator: Craig Johnston
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0408P, Positive Vibes Only
April 8, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Dr. Jennifer Hansen
Description: Join Dr. Jennifer Hansen for an hour of positivity! How do we experience despair and frustration AND find joy each day? This session will explore the concepts of intentional positivity, emotional resilience, and post traumatic growth. Be warned…this is not a sunshine and roses positivity lecture. This is a real and raw look at how we encounter and tackle hard things in all aspects of life, how to be prepared for the unexpected, and how Dr. Hansen developed her version of Positive Vibes Only (PVO) through the cancer journey of her late husband.
Outcomes:
(1) Consider how a shift to a Positive Vibes Only (PVO) mindset might impact your personal and professional life.
(2) Examine the concepts of intentional positivity, emotional resilience, and post traumatic growth.
(3) Learn more about preventative medical care and emergency planning.
Biography: Dr. Jennifer Hansen is a former speech-language pathologist and current Special Education Supervisor for Loudoun County Public Schools with 27 years of experience in public education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Virginia and a Master of Education from the University of Georgia, both in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Hansen also holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 at the age of 51, they embarked on a journey they never anticipated, and chose to tackle it head on with intentional positivity. Now as a widow raising two teens, Dr. Hansen has further developed their family mantra into a presentation that will leave you with practical tools you need to find joy and purpose in your own path.
LLI Coordinator: Karen Waltman
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0415P, LLI Tours the North Pacific Rim
April 15, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 100
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: David and Mary Pace
Description: Join David and Mary Pace on a captivating voyage along the North Pacific Rim—an unforgettable journey that began in the bustling heart of Tokyo and swept across some of the planet’s most remote and breathtaking landscapes. From sacred Shinto shrines and a preserved historical village in Sapporo, to the stark beauty of Siberia and a haunting Soviet-era prison camp, their path led across the Bering Sea to the wild Aleutian Islands and deep into Alaska’s untamed wilderness.
Along the way, they explored the volcanic majesty of the Kamchatka Peninsula, stood at the site of a little-known WWII Japanese attack on American soil, and visited a sea lion rookery alive with sound and motion. They encountered Kodiak Island—home to more than 3,500 massive Alaska brown bears—and spotted whales breaching icy waters, marveled at towering glaciers, and fed a flock of bald eagles.
The voyage concluded with a spectacular cruise through the Inside Passage to the rugged coasts and quiet splendors of southwestern Canada.
In this class, you’ll retrace their epic adventure and relive its exotic sights, sounds, and stories. Come aboard, shipmate—your seat on this incredible journey awaits.
![Bears](https://lli-manassas.org/wp-content/uploads/3-Pac-Rim.jpg")
![Eagles](https://lli-manassas.org/wp-content/uploads/4-Pac-Rim.jpg")
Biography: David and Mary Pace are avid world travelers, having explored 82 countries and every continent except Antarctica. Their passion for travel was sparked during David’s three-year assignment in Germany with the U.S. Air Force.
Mary holds a bachelor’s degree in art from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia. David earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in astronomy from San Diego State University.
A retired U.S. Air Force officer and meteorologist, David is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society. His career has included roles in the private sector and at the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to their professional accomplishments, both David and Mary have appeared as advertising models for Richfield Living. David has also worked as a background extra in various films and television shows.
David served for several years as the webmaster for LLI-Manassas and currently manages the organization’s website.
LLI Coordinator: David Pace
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0416P, Police Canine Demonstration
April 16, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Location: Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams St., Manassas Park, VA 20111.
Outside weather permitting. Please bring chair. (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 50
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Sgt. Sergeant Brian Sproule
Description: Come and meet Sergeant Brian Sproule with K9 Brody and two additional officers and canines if they are available. The list of the areas in which canines assist modern day police departments is impressive. Canine teams work regular uniform patrol city wide and respond to a variety of calls such as: burglaries, building searches, article searches, suspect/victim tracking, lost individuals, area and building searches for suspects, narcotics, explosives, and officer-safety assists. Canine officers may also assist on other police calls, but they try to stay available for calls where their dogs may be deployed. Sgt. Sproule will share information about the canines of the Manassas Park Police Department, their training, workday, and of course life after hours at home with their handlers.
Biography: The canine officers for Manassas Park are; Officer Stinnett with K9 Tigger, Officer Crites with K9 Knox and Sgt. Sproule with K9 Brody.
LLI Coordinator: Desiree Wolfe
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0422A, Annual Membership Business Meeting and Luncheon
April 22, 2026, 10:45 am to 01:30 pm
Location: Regency Clubhouse, 15351 Championship Drive, Haymarket, Virginia 20169 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 120
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: LLI President, Ann Cain
Description: Sign-in begins at 10:45 a.m.
The business meeting starts at 11:15 a.m.
Hear ‘the state of LLI Manassas’
Vote for new LLI officers and board members.
Watch an entertaining video of LLI members at classes and on trips.
The complimentary luncheon (for registered members only) begins at 12:00 p.m.
The last day to sign up or cancel is April 1st.
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Karla Anzzolin
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0506A, The Historical Development of Clifton, VA – A Walking Tour
May 6, 2026, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Clifton VA, The meeting place will be described in the class Reminder a week before the class. (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 30
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: Mr. Charles Rusnak
Description: Join us for Charles Rusnak’s presentation on Historic Clifton, as he leads us through the town’s evolution from its beginnings as a humble farming village and plantation, through the turbulence of the Civil War, and onward to its present role as a peaceful oasis within the metropolitan Washington area.
Our journey continues with a walking tour of Clifton, where we will visit several original homes and businesses that are integral to the community’s history and development. Each of these sites will feature a sign detailing key events in its past. The walking route covers approximately one mile and includes frequent stops to allow for immersive learning and reflection. To conclude the experience, attendees are invited to enjoy lunch at one of Clifton’s diverse local eateries.
Biography: After retiring from the Air Force, Charles Rusnak and his wife were looking for a quaint, quiet place to settle down and raise their two growing boys and settled in Clifton, where he has lived for 40+ years and enjoyed the old town feel of a place where people can still walk to the post office to pick up their mail and yet enjoy a French pastry in the morning sun. Clifton has often been referred to as “Brigadoon in Virginia,” also the title of a book describing the essence of life in a small Virginia town.
Through the years Charles has served on the Town Council, the Clifton Betterment Association and, since its inception in 2018, as president of the Art Guild Of Clifton. He is also a trustee for the restoration of the historical Primitive Baptist Church, established by freed black slaves after the Civil War. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and the history of the town as the class explores some of the oldest homes and buildings, telling their story.
LLI Coordinator: Kelly Espy
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-0603A, Crab Fest & Cruise
June 3, 2026, 08:30 am to 06:00 pm
Location: In Manassas near the Walmart located at 9401 Liberia Avenue. We load in the parking lot on your right close to WaWa.
Maximum class size: 50, with minimum of 30.
Fee: $160.00
Speaker/Host: N/A
Description: Get ready for a day full of fun, flavor, and adventure! Climb aboard our comfy bus in Manassas and head out to Hurlock, MD, where an authentic 80-foot, turn-of-the-century style paddle wheeler awaits.
Once on board, you’ll enjoy three unforgettable hours cruising the beautiful Choptank River while dining on an all-you-can-eat crab feast! The menu is loaded with pick-your-own crabs, Maryland crab soup, fried chicken, clam strips, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and a sweet finish of assorted cheesecakes. Non-alcoholic beverages are included, and for those who’d like a little extra cheer, a cash bar is available.
We’ll set off from Manassas at 8:30 a.m. and return around 5:30 p.m. It’s the perfect day trip filled with sights, flavors, and memories you won’t forget!
NOTE 1: The bus and the boat have restrooms.
NOTE 2: The cost includes round-trip transportation, the gratuity on the boat and, of course, the meal. It does not include the driver’s gratuity.
NOTE 3: On the bus, we will pass around an envelope for gratuities for the bus driver, suggested at $3 to $7 per person.
NOTE 4: Participants will need to climb one set of stairs to the 2nd deck of the boat.
NOTE 5: Everyone taking this trip must fill out the Trip Acknowledgement, Release & Waiver form by clicking on: https://lli-manassas.org/trip-acknowledgement-release-waiver.
NOTE 6: The last day to sign up is Sunday, March 29th, and the last day to cancel an existing reservation for a refund is Saturday, March 28th.
NOTE 7: The trip is open to non-member guests. To bring a guest, sign up for class S26-0603G.
Biography: N/A
LLI Coordinator: David Pace
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-BOOKS, Book Club
January 28, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:00 pm
Additional dates: 2/25, 3/25, 4/29, 5/27.
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 50
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: n/a
Description: Books, both fiction and non-fiction, are selected by the members. They choose books from a list of suggestions for September through June. Members are encouraged to lead a discussion. The discussions are educational, interesting, and fun for all, including those who may not have finished reading the book.
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Lianetta Ruettgers
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-GAMES, Game Day Club
January 16, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm
Additional dates: Every Friday afternoon
Location: Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln., Manassas 20110 (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 45
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: n/a
Description: Description: If you like to play games, please join us for a variety of card and board games every Friday afternoon for two hours of fun, a monthly birthday party, laughter and a good time. All levels of experience are welcome.
For more information, contact LLI Coordinators: Kathy Hernandez or Julia Martin
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Kathy Hernandez
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-LUNCH, Lunch Club
February 6, 2026, 12:00 pm to 01:30 pm
Additional dates: March 6, April 3, May 1.
Location: Juke Box Diner, 8637 Sudley Road, Manassas (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 40
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: n/a
Description: The Lunch Club invites LLI members to enjoy a meal together and become better acquainted with each other. There is no planned program or topic. Wear your nametag and learn the names of your tablemates. Participants pay for their own lunch.
For more information, contact LLI Coordinator: Mary Foster.
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Mary Foster
Email a question to a coordinator
S26-MHJNG, Mah Jongg Club
January 13, 2026, 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm
Additional dates: Every Tuesday afternoon
Location: Juke Box Diner, 8637 Sudley Rd., Manassas (Google Maps link)
Maximum class size: 40
Fee: None
Speaker/Host: n/a
Description: Every Tuesday afternoon, we meet for fun, laughter, and a good time. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginners through master players.
Biography: n/a
LLI Coordinator: Kathy Fowler