Interest Groups

First Monday, 6:45 pm, October through May

Contact: Mary Jo Willis  (mjwillis@wisc.edu)

Via Zoom

Learn about places to travel with little effort on your part, the foods of the country or area, ways to travel (rail, barge), the ins and outs of safe, low-stress travel, and the unique cultures of places both within the US and other countries. Everyone is welcome.

Armchair Travelers–General Information (PDF)

Fourth Tuesday, 7:00 pm, October through May (1st Tuesday in September)   

Contact: Larry Hubbard (larry.hubbard99@gmail.com)

Via Zoom

Artificial intelligence – promise and peril. The group will look at the history of artificial intelligence, how different kinds work (i.e., Large Language Models – LLMs), how they are trained, the emerging regulatory framework, some current constructive uses of AI, some possible dangers and abuses of AI, and the impact of the data centers required by AI on resources: electricity, water and land use…

Third Tuesday, various times, September-May

Contact: Helen Read (helen.f.read@gmail.com)
or Diane Smidt (Diane.smidt@gmail.com)

The Artiques Interest Group pursues talks, tours, gallery visits, museum experiences and some excursions out of town to points of interest. Come and join us!

Fridays, 9:00 am, Spring and Fall

Contacts: Roma Lenehan (rlenehan@charter.net) or Jill Feldkamp (jeldkamp@gmail.com)

Walk different trails—observe birds and their habitats. Meet at the far western end of the parking lot at Covenant Presbyterian Church at the corner of Segoe Road and Mineral Point Roads.

Bird Study Schedule 2025-2026  (PDF)

Second Monday, 7:00 pm, September–May, plus July

Contact: Kris Brown (kristinelbrown@gmail.com) or Mary Savage (marypsavage@att.net)

Via Zoom

Books for the year are chosen in July. Reviewers volunteer to lead each month. Books are generally fiction and are available in paperback and/or at the library. We welcome new members.

Third Monday, 1:00 pm, September–May

Contacts:

Linda Mayvield lindamayfield@charter.net and Friedemarie Farrar friedeluise83@yahoo.com

Members’ homes or library study room

We discuss a fiction or non-fiction book. (The size of the group allows for all to actively participate in discussions.) Two meetings are unique: In December, everyone brings a treat to share and the discussion is more participatory. For example, each member recites a selection from a book of poems chosen by the group. In May, after a potluck-style salad lunch, members vote to select books for the next year.

Book Discussion Group Activities (PDF)

Thursday, noon, year-round

Contacts: Judy Stang (judy.stang@gmail.com) and Priscilla Thain (priscillathain@gmail.com)

Oakwood University Woods, Heritage, Social room

Players will be contacted early each week to determine who is playing.

Second Wednesday, 1:00 pm, September through May

Contact: Jane Dunn  (gwtwfidldd1@tds.net)

Covenant Presbyterian Church, Room A101.

Let’s play! Bring your own games. Learn a new game or find others to play your favorite game. Play same or new games each month. Cards like Quiddler, UNO, Five Crowns, Pinochle, Hearts and others. Board games like Parcheesi, Blokus, Scrabble, Chess, Checkers, Backgammon and more. The more, the merrier!

First Tuesday, 1:00-2:30pm, September through May

Contact: Carol Phelps  (carolandyp@aim.com)

Middleton Senior Center, Wisconsin Room\

People who care about our planet get together to encourage each other with environmental success stories, clean tech innovations, and climate good news from Madison to across the globe. We’ll support and inspire to make our world better

Fourth Wednesday, 11:30 am, monthly, year- round

Contact: Kathy Knox (kaknox24@gmail.com)

Area restaurants

Members enjoy good food and good company and take turns planning lunch at area restaurants. Restaurants are selected for a variety of cuisines, tastes, price ranges, and venues.

Second Monday, 5:00 pm dinner and 7:00 pm program

Contact: Betsy Haimson (laughingwithbetsy@yahoo.com)

Capitol Lakes (333 West Main Street, Madison) Seasons Restaurant and Grand Hall

Participate with 5 pm dinner followed by a 7 pm ballet video. Reservations for dinner are due no later than the Friday before the event.

Individuals can opt for both dinner and the ballet video, or just dinner or just the ballet video. Seasons Restaurant accepts credit cards only. You may bring your own beverage or order it off the menu. There is street parking and parking in the ramp directly across the street from Capitol Lakes’ front door. The ramp parking vouchers will be validated at the front desk so the parking is free.

Second and fourth Wednesdays, 12:30–2:30 pm, September through May

Contacts: Dory Lightfoot (dory@uwalumni.com) and Elizabeth A. Hoadley (eahoadley@gmail.com)

Via Zoom, in members homes, or at Sequoya Library

French conversation using selected books as basis for discussion.

Third Wednesday, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, September through May

Contact: Wendy Blanchard (wendyblanchard694@gmail.com)

In members’ homes or at public libraries

Members meet to engage in conversation in French and enjoy light refreshment. Selected readings may be used.

Fourth Monday, 6:45 pm, September through April

Contacts: Louise Thompson (louisesylvesterthompson@hotmail.com) and Mary Jo Willis (mjwillis@wisc.edu)

Via Zoom

You do not need to be a genealogist to join. We invite experts and our own members, who share their knowledge and stories, and provide assistance. At times, we invite speakers to give presentations on genealogical research or local/state history. Everyone is welcome.

Second Wednesday, 10 am, September through May

Contact: Jane Dunn (gwtwfidldd1@tds.net)

Saukdale Condominium Clubhouse (717 Saukdale Way)

Play the American version of Mah Jongg, an ancient Chinese game using tiles. New and experienced players are welcome, as well as those who wish to learn the game.

Second Tuesday, afternoon, year-round

Contact: Roma Lenehan  (rlenehan@charter.net)

Local theaters.

Join members each month to view and discuss new movies at local theaters. Time and meeting location will vary depending on movie schedules. Invite a friend!

Second Thursday, 1:00–2:30 pm, year-round

Contacts: Daniel Hill (vacadaniel1979@gmail.com)

Zoom or Sequoya Library

An informal group where League members speak Spanish while sharing ideas, opinions and experiences. Links to articles covering a wide array of topics are sent to participants prior to the meetings and are the basis for discussions. At Zoom meetings, relevant videos are sometimes shown. An intermediate level or higher of language fluency is recommended. New participants welcome to join.

First and third Thursday, 1:00–3:00 pm, September-June

Contact:  Daniel Hill  (vacadaniel1979@gmail.com)

Sequoya Library with option to join through Zoom. Reading and discussing works by contemporary authors from the Spanish-speaking world. Members also share cultural activities and personal experiences. New participants are encouraged to attend.

Fourth Thursday, 4:30 – 6:30 pm, September through May, with November/December combined

Contact: Elaine Rosenblatt (elainer49@gmail.com)

Various locations with some Zoom.

Are you on a first-name basis with any Super Tuscans? Have you tried the wines of Lake County, California? Wine Divas & Divos offers the opportunity to taste new and different wines while enjoying lively conversation. Each meeting centers on a wine theme, usually with appetizers.  One or several members volunteer to host a meeting, selecting the theme. For in-person meetings, the host(s) supply the wine and appetizers. Each attendee at in-person meetings contributes $20 to help defray costs. Consider joining this fun and educational Interest Group.