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 (Variety) SIGs
NEW: Poetry Appreciation
Meets on ZOOM 10:30 a.m.–noon on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Group members take turns selecting a poet for a future session and presenting a brief introduction of the artist’s life and times at that session. All members select one of the poet’s poems, read it to the group at the meeting, and then facilitate the discussion that follows. Leader: John Brand
At the Theater
Weekend matinee live theater performances, followed by dinner nearby. Two or three per season (not winter). Leaders: Ron 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 welcome. Currently this group meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. 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, and Tom Rooney
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Members are again going to four concerts (Series 4B on Friday mornings at 11 a.m. at Ordway’s new Concert Hall in Saint Paul) starting in September and running through May 2025. A complete listing of the scheduled programs can be found at the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. We have already purchased tickets for the coming season, but 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). Leader: Laurie Lykken
Sports Huddle
Do you love to discuss sports? If so, join like-minded sports aficionados on two Monday mornings each month. Location and other specifics to be determined by the participants. NOTE: This SIG does not meet during the OLLI terms. Leader: Tom Rooney
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 and 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 each month for lively discussion via Zoom. New members should be able to participate in most of the meetings and should love to search for meaning and quality in the 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
Meets 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: Ron Tabar
Saint Paul Contemporary Fiction
Open to new members. We meet via Zoom on the third Friday of each month, 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.
