All members are invited to participate in one or more Interest Groups. Interest Groups provide unique opportunities for friendship, sharing and learning. Contact group leader/leaders for meeting updates or to sign up after Pay-in-May. Invite a guest for one or two IG meetings to encourage membership in UL; the only requirement is paid membership in University League to continue in the interest group.
Interest Group Chair: Gabriela Cerghedean (cerhedeangabi@gmail.com)
Assistant Interest Group Chair: Larry Hubbard (larry.hubbard49@gmail.com)
Interest Group Meeting Schedule 2025-2026 (pdf)
Click on any interest group below for more information, including meeting times, organizer contact, and a brief description of the activities.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Armchair Travelers
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)
Artiques
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!
Bird Study
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.
Birding Activities (PDF)
Birding Schedule 2024-25 (PDF)
Book Critics
Second Monday, 7:00 pm, September–May, plus July
Contact: Kris Brown (kristinelbrown@gmail.com) or
Polly Kuelbs (Polly.kuelbs@icloud.com)
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.
Book Discussion
Third Monday, 1:00 pm, September–May
Contact: Mary Long
(longdrum@charter.net)
Sequoya Library Study Room and sometimes at members’ homes
A varied selection of books for the upcoming year are chosen in May from member nominations. Each month, a volunteer leads the discussion, offering members ample opportunity to pose or answer questions, and to share their views. Members alternate volunteering to serve light refreshments before the discussion begins.
Bridge All Levels
Thursday, noon, year-round
Contacts: Judy Stang (judy.stang@gmail.com) and Priscilla Thain (priscillathain@gmail.com)
Oak Leaf Café, 2nd floor of Tower Building at Oakwood West
Players will be contacted early each week to determine who is playing.
Card & Board Games
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!
Climate & Environment
First Tuesday, 1:00-2:30pm, September through May
Contact: Carol Phelps (carolandyp@aim.com)
Middleton Senior Center, Wisconsin Room and/or via Zoom
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
Dining Out Lunch
Fourth Wednesday, 11:30 am, 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.
Dinner & Ballet
Second Monday, 5:00 pm dinner and 7:00 pm program
Contact: Betsy Haimson (laughingwithbetsy@yahoo.com)
Capitol Lakes (333 West Main Street, Madison) in Seasons Restaurant
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. An extensive wine list is available. There is street parking and parking in the ramp directly across the street from Capitol Lakes’ front door. The ramp parking voucher will be validated at the front desk so you won’t have to pay for parking.
2025 Programs:
June 16 – Trocks documentary
July 14 – Rice: Cloudgate Dance Theatre (a Taiwanese company) -Dancers combine modern dance, martial arts, ballet, and qigong set to Taiwanese folk songs and Bellini Arias. 69 minutes on Marquee
August 11 – Tributes to Robbins: Paris Opera Ballet performs EnSOL and The Concert. 111 minutes from Kai’s collection
September 8 – Don Quixote, choreographed by and starring Rudolph Nureyev. 1 hr 45 min on Medici.tv
October 13 – Hobson’s Choice, a humorous ballet choreographed by David Bintley. 1 hr 40 min on YouTube Premium
French I Reading and Literature
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 the Sequoya Library
French conversation using selected books as basis for discussion.
French Conversation II
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.
Genealogy
Fourth Monday, 6:45 pm, September through May
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.
Mah Jong
Second and fourth Tuesday, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, September through May
Contact: Jane Dunn (gwtwfidldd1@tds.net)
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Room A101
Play the American version of Mah Jong, an ancient Chinese game using tiles. New and experienced players are welcome, as well as those who wish to learn the game.
Movies in the Afternoon
Second Tuesday, afternoon
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!
Spanish Conversation
Second Thursday, 1:00–2:30 pm, year-round
Contacts: Daniel Hill (vacadaniel1979@gmail.com) and Elia Basurto-Colson (eliabasurto@gmail.com)
Zoom, Sequoya Library, or Rennebohm Park
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.
Spanish Reading & Literature
First and third Thursday, 1:00–3:00 pm, year-round
Contact: Daniel Hill (vacadaniel1979@gmail.com)
Zoom with option to meet at the Sequoya Library. 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.
Wine Divas & Divos
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.