Special Interest Groups

Contemporary Literature Group 

This group enjoys reading and discussing the best contemporary literature, both fiction and nonfiction. They will meet via Zoom on the second Monday of each month from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. For more details and to be added to our mailing list, please contact Barbara Amago (BarbaraAmago@gmail.com).

Courageous Conversations About Race is a Special Interest Group (SIG) that meets weekly to discuss important social justice issues of racial equity and inclusion. Our past discussion topics informed by current events have included “Gerrymandering,” “Reproductive Rights,” “Gentrification” and “Gun Violence.” Our website is frequently updated and includes recommended articles to enrich each discussion and a new “Take Action” page with a variety of resources to encourage individual engagement. We also offer a Dialogue without an agenda every Thursday from 3 to 4 when the SIG is not meeting. We meet via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Email us olliatduke.courageous@gmail.com to get on our list for meeting announcements. We look forward to welcoming new members!”

https://olli-courageous-conversations.weebly.com

Invite Link

Craft Group

The Craft Group will meet via Zoom on the first and third Monday of each month from 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. For details and more information, please contact Judy Grauer at judygrauer@gmail.com.

International Folk Dance

What’s the best exercise for your brain? Dancing! Join us for a fun way to keep your body and brain healthy and improve your balance. Our dances are mostly from Eastern Europe, are done in a line or circle (no partner needed), are low impact and not highly strenuous. This group meets on Tuesdays, 2:00-3:15 p.m., at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community. For more information and details please contact Judy Stafford at judy.stafford.nc@gmail.com.

Mystery Mavens Book Group

We’re delighted to return to in-person meetings! This lively group of mystery fans welcomes returning and new members. Our 2024 list includes works by Robinson, Spotswood, Griffiths, Winspear and our own Sara E. Johnson! We'll meet at ERUUF, 4907 Garrett Rd, Durham, on the 2nd Tuesday, 2:00-3:15. Do you suspect you’ll be interested? Simply contact Nancy Capaccio at NancyCapaccio99@gmail.com.

OLLI Short Story Discussion Group

A well-written short story can make you feel the same thrill, experience the same attachment to the characters, as reading a full-length novel, but typically takes less than an hour to read, rather than days (or weeks). Come join our lively discussions on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Howard Goldberg, hgoldberg16@gmail.com for more details.

We are an active group, enjoying monthly virtual and in-person events. During the past year, we have attended plays at Playmakers, visited the Inn at Celebrity Dairy (and played with the baby goats!), visited the Mark Hewitt pottery, toured the newly installed galleries at the NC Museum of Art with a private docent, attended NC Symphony Summerfest concerts, walked through Duke Gardens with a docent, mingled at potluck parties in members' homes, and had lunches and dinners at favorite restaurants in the area. Our virtual meetings have included focused docent tours of various NCMA collections, a talk by the adult education director of Washington D.C.'s Spy Museum, and roundtable discussions on different topics. We welcome new members and look forward to meeting you!

Contacts: Mike Rychener (keyrick9@gmail.com)
Location: Zoom or in person
Date/Time: First Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for virtual meetings, and second or third week of the month (day/time varies) for in-person events.

This group is intended for those who have an interest in discussing and pursuing important international, national, and local public policy issues. Participants come from varied backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience and individual interests. We exchange a wide range of views and insights based on our individual reading. We try to meet over coffee and enjoy our camaraderie. The meetings will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 10:00-11:30. The coordinators will inform the group of where the meeting will take place. Coordinators are Larry Reed (lgreed3@gmail.com) and Douglas Anderson.

We read and discuss nonfiction science books on topics including biology, evolution, the physical sciences, medicine, the environment, economics, and biographies of famous scientists. This group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. via zoom. Contact Daniel.Oldman@gmail.com for more information.