We issue a warm invitation to all members to participate in any interest group. Unique opportunities for friendship, sharing, and learning are offered. The only requirement for participation is paid membership in The University League.
Interest Group Chair: Cathy Andersson
Assistant Interest Group Chair: Susan Ihler
Complete Interest Group Meeting Schedule 2019-2020 (pdf)
Click on any interest group below for more information, including meeting times, organizer contact, and a brief description of the activities.
Read what some of our interest groups are doing this year. (PDF posted February, 2019)
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Aerobics
Monday and Thursday, 8:00–9:30 am (Weekly, year round)
Contact: Marilyn Gundermann or Caroline Liedtke
The University League Aerobics Group is about far more than aerobics. This group of approximately 15 women share laughter and friendship as we bond every Monday and Thursday from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at Madtown Twisters‘ on Old Sauk Road. We warm up with a fun aerobics dance routine, then become more and more flexible by doing yoga, lift some weights, do some core work, and end with stretching. This total workout brightens up the day. Once a month we go out for coffee after we’re done with our fitness routine.
Artiques
Third Tuesday, TBA
Contact: Helen Read or Diane Smidt
The Antiques and Art Appreciation groups are combining into one group for 2019-2020: “Artiques.” The combined Interest Group will pursue talks, tours, gallery visits, museum experiences and some excursions out of town to points of mutual interest. Come and join us.
Armchair Travelers
First Monday, 7:00 pm (October through May)
Contact: Mary Jo Willis
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 culture of places within the US and other countries. We meet at Oakwood West, Nakoma Room. Everyone is welcome! Topics and speakers are developed over the summer.
Armchair Travelers Programs 2019-2020 (PDF)
Armchair Travelers Programs 2018-2019 (PDF)
Bird Study
Fridays, 9:00 am (Spring and Fall)
Contact: or Roma Lenehan or Jill Feldkamp
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.
Birding Activities (PDF)
Birding Schedule 2018-2019 (PDF)
Birding Schedule 2019-2020 (PDF)
Book Critics
Second Monday, 7:00 pm (September–May, plus July)
Contact: Frances Johnson
The group selects nine books in July to read throughout the year. A member reviews a book each month, followed by a general discussion. Meet in members’ homes or at Oakwood West.
Book Discussions
Third Monday, 1:00 pm (September–May)
Contact: Elizabeth deBoor
Members read an assigned book prior to attending meeting. Following coffee and dessert, a group member leads the discussion and all members actively participate. Meet in members’ homes. Eight books are read each year. May is a luncheon and September is a summer recap as well as a light-read book to discuss.
Bridge A
BRIDGE – First and third Thursday, 12:45 pm (year round)
Contact: Gennie Bostian
Play in members’ homes. Light refreshments are served by hostess.
Bridge B
BRIDGE LUNCH – Second Thursday, 11:30 am (year round)
Contact: Judy Stang
Following lunch served in Oakwood West Village Inn, paid for by bridge players, bridge is played in the Party Room, Tower, 3rd floor.
Bridge C
BRIDGE LUNCH – Fourth Thursday, 11:30 am (year round)
Benvenuto’s
Contact: Katherine Masden or Carol Mathis
Bridge following lunch from the menu at Benvenuto’s Italian Grill (part of Holiday Inn), 1109 Fourier Drive, Madison. All levels of players welcome.
Dining Out Dinner
Fourth Saturday, 5:30 pm (year round)
Contact: Priscilla Thain
Meet at a restaurant for dinner, followed by dessert at home of host—or meet for an occasional brunch.
Dining Out Lunch
Fourth Wednesday, 11:45 am (Monthly, year round)
Contact: Kathy Knox
Members enjoy good food and good company and take turns planning lunch at area restaurants.
French Reading and Conversation
Second and fourth Wednesdays, 12:30–2:30 pm (September to May)
Contact: Linda Christen or Jan Tymorek
General French conversation; use selected readings as basis for discussion. Meet in members’ homes or at the Sequoya Library.
French Conversation II
Third Wednesday, 12:30 – 2:30 pm (September to May)
Contact: Anne Doherty
Members meet monthly for light refreshments and to engage in general conversation in French. Meetings are held in members’ homes or at public libraries. Selected readings may be used.
Genealogy
Fourth Monday, 7:00 pm, Oakwood West (September to May)
Contact: Catherine Tesar or Mary Jo Willis
Share experiences and hear guest speakers. No experience is necessary to join this group. The May meeting is a 6:00 pm potluck dinner.
International Foods Dinner
Second Sunday, 6:00 pm
Contact: Marian Fisher or Sally Carpenter
We are a well organized dinner club that makes it possible to have wonderful and unique dinner parties in our homes. The recipes are creative, tested and easy to prepare. Conversation flows freely making these Sunday night dinners fun.
Mah Jongg
Every Tuesday, 9:30 am (year round)
Contact: Helen Lackore
Play the American version of Mah Jongg, an ancient Chinese game using tiles. We meet in the Game Room of the apartment/office building of Coventry Village Retirement Campus, located just off South High Point Road. New and experienced players are welcome, as well as those who wish to learn the game.
Movies in the Afternoon
Second Tuesday, ~4:00 pm
Contact: Roma Lenehan
Join friends once a month to view and discuss new movies at local theaters. Time and meeting location will vary depending on movie schedules. Singles and couples welcome.
Needlework
Third Thursday, 9:30–11:30 am (October–April)
Contact: Ginger Brenneis or Christine Soder
Meetings are held at Oakwood West. NOTE: The initial October meeting is held on Sunday at Church of the Living Christ on Gammon Road with the Embroiders Guild. Members do various types of needlework, exchange ideas, have guest speakers, workshops, and trips to needlework stitchery shops.
Spanish Conversation
Second Thursday, 1:00–3:00 pm
Contact: Mina Kato or Joan Leffler
Informal group where members share experiences, conversation and reading of short articles. Meetings held monthly, year round in Sequoya Library. New participants are encouraged to attend.
Spanish Reading / Literature
First and third Thursday, 1:00–3:00 pm
Contact: Joanna Thompson or Daniel Hill
Reading and conversation of works by contemporary authors from Spanish speaking world. Members also share cultural activities and personal experiences. Meetings are held September through the first Thursday in June at the Sequoya Library. New participants are encouraged to attend.
Calendario 2019-2020 (PDF)
Calendario 2018-19 (PDF)
Wine Divas and Dudes
Fourth Thursday, 4:30 – 6:30 pm (September through May)
Contact: Elaine Rosenblatt
Are you on a first-name basis with any Super Tuscans? Have you tried the wines of Lake County, California? Wine Divas & Dudes offers the opportunity to taste new and different wines while enjoying lively conversation. Each meeting centers on a wine theme, usually with appetizers. One of several members volunteer to host a meeting, selecting the theme. At each meeting, each attendee contributes $15 to help defray costs. (Note: Meets the third Thursday in September and October. November and December are combined into a single meeting).
INTEREST GROUP NEWS
January 2019 (PDF)
January 2018 (PDF)
August 2017 (PDF)
August 2016 (PDF)
January 2015 (PDF)