Spanning diverse interests like games, jazz, birding, sports, mysteries, and more, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are created and managed by members and provide social, cultural, and educational opportunities beyond the OLLI classroom. Groups are listed in two categories: Kitchen Sink (as in “everything but the …”) and Book Club SIGs.
Don't see what you are looking for? You can join or start a new SIG at any time!
"Kitchen Sink"
At the Theater
Weekend matinee live theater performances, followed by dinner nearby. Two or three per season (not winter). Leaders: Tom Flynn and Marghe Tabar
Intermittent Birders
Calling all birders, from beginners on up, for birding walks during the migration season in spring and fall! We meet at a different location each week for Sept./Oct. and April/May, 9:30–11:30 a.m. The pace is slow and deliberate. No experience necessary: we will learn from each other. Binoculars are highly encouraged! Leaders: Julia Classen, Ruth Hiland, Lisa Thornquist
Memoir Writing
New members are always welcome to join this supportive and engaging group. We meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m., with sessions lasting about an hour-and-a-half to two hours. Members are encouraged, though not required, to submit a short memoir piece in advance. Writers read their work aloud and then receive constructive feedback from fellow members. Our gatherings are both a workshop and a social hour, offering a diverse mix of voices and stories in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Leader: John Wolfgram
Movie Appreciation
Do you love to watch and discuss movies? If so, join like-minded film aficionados on two Thursday mornings each month. Location, film selection, and other specifics to be determined by the leaders and participants. NOTE: This SIG does not meet during the OLLI terms and does not meet during the summer. Leaders: Bonnie Nelson, Swami Sundaram, Tom Rooney
Poetry Appreciation
Meets on ZOOM from 10:00 a.m. to noon on the third Wednesday of each month. Group members agree on the month's poet and take turns presenting a brief introduction of the artist’s life and times at that session. Each member selects one of the poet’s poems, reads it to the group at the meeting, and then facilitates the discussion that follows. Leader: John Brand
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Members are again planning to attend four concerts on Friday mornings at 11 a.m. at Ordway’s Concert Hall in Saint Paul, starting in October and running through May 2026. The lineup of concerts for the 2025–26 season can be found on the Ordway website. (We buy Friday Morning Season Ticket 4B.) Also, anyone is invited to buy their own and join our group as we have lunch at a local restaurant after each performance. Leader: Dave Bucheck
Scrabble
Play Scrabble with relaxed rules and a pleasant, congenial atmosphere. Pop-ins are welcome! Come give us a try. We meet on Mondays at 1 p.m. at the Lenox Community Center at 6715 Minnetonka Blvd, Saint Louis Park, 55426. Lenox Community Center charges each time we use their facility ($1 for their members and $2 for nonmembers). There is plenty of parking, easy access to the building and free coffee and tea (donated by a local business). Leader: Mark Anderson
Travels
Meet monthly via Zoom to discuss and share travel experiences, strategies, and advice. Meeting days and times vary due to … travel. Leader: Joe Koletar
Wednesday Bikers
This group bikes Wednesday mornings, May through September. Members take turns leading bike rides on various Twin Cities and suburban trails. Rides average about 15 miles. Leaders: Susan Verrett and Ginny Mahlum
Wednesday Walkers
Members take turns leading walks Wednesday mornings at various locations around the Metro area. This is a friendly, sociable group that enjoys eating lunch together after the walks. Leader: Judy Remington
Book Club SIGs
American History Books
The group reads and discusses a wide variety of books, all under the umbrella of American History. We meet via Zoom on the first Thursday of each month, 1:30 p.m. Leader: Bill Wittenbreer
Awesome Women’s Book Club
Books by or about women, currently meets February through November on second Tuesdays, 1:30–3 p.m. New members are welcome. Leaders: Kathleen Bognanni, Mary Jo Robinson-Jamison
Fiction Books in Spanish
This book club, which meets the third Thursday of every other month, welcomes members fluent in reading in the Spanish language. Leader: Hector Sztainer
Fiction Minneapolis
A small group of dedicated readers meets 10:00–11:30 a.m. every third Friday of the month for lively discussion via Zoom. New members should be able to participate in most of the meetings and love to read and talk about good books. Currently accepting new members. Leader: Judy Remington
Literary Fiction Uptown
Meets monthly in the Walker Library, every third Tuesday, 1:30–3 p.m. If interested in participating and for information, please contact. Leader: Janet Herbert
Mysteries
We explore all manners of mysteries, from Nordic noir to capers, from psychological thrillers to tales of senior sleuths. Meetings are via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month, 2:30–4 p.m. Leader: Karen Koepp
Nonfiction Minneapolis
Meets via Zoom on the second Friday of each month, 1 p.m. Leader: Kate Anderson
Nonfiction Saint Paul
Meets over lunch or via Zoom on the fourth Thursday of each month, 1 p.m. Leader: Dave Bucheck
Saint Paul Contemporary Fiction
Open to new members. We meet via Zoom on the third Friday of each month except December, 10:30 a.m.–noon. Leader: Dan Vogel
Join or Start a SIG
Are you an OLLI member who is interested in joining or starting a SIG?
To join a current group: Connect with the group’s leader by logging onto the OLLI Member site where you will find a list of SIG leader names and contact information.
To start a new group: All it takes is a member (or two) willing to organize and manage the group and its activities. All set? Contact the OLLI office and we’ll connect you with the SIG Coordinator. Once your group is established, OLLI will help you find members who share your interests.
