Special Interest Groups
Looking for more ways to connect beyond the classroom? Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a fun way for OLLI members to gather around shared hobbies, passions, and activities. They’re member-led, social, and best of all—free! You simply need to be a current OLLI member to join in. Many SIGs are already active, and new ones are encouraged to form any time. Starting a group is easy, with information available in the OLLI Office and on the OLLI website. Curious? Reach out to the contact person listed for details on meeting times and activities—or consider starting a SIG of your own! Questions? Contact Heidi Wright at heidi.wright@furman.edu or 864-294-2997.
Acoustic Jam This SIG is for any OLLI member who likes to play an acoustic instrument or sing along to a variety of songs (Standards, Rock, Country, Folk). Current members include guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and harmonica players. We welcome skill levels from advanced beginner to expert who like to sing, play, share songs or swap ideas. We meet once a week for 2 hours, and the time and location varies each OLLI term based on room availability. Contact Charlie Lyman at Lymansys@gmail.com. Baseball Enthusiasts This SIG is for OLLI members who would like to get together with other baseball enthusiasts to enjoy baseball-related activities, such as watch parties, attending local games, watching baseball movies, discussing the upcoming season, sharing baseball stories, anecdotes and memorabilia, and other activities of interest to the group. Contact Tory Vornholt at toryvornholt@gmail.com. Big Questions The Big Questions SIG is for anyone with an interest in talking, listening, and thinking carefully about fundamental issues. We have pondered questions like: What is the meaning of life (and how do we recognize it)? Which is more fundamental, the individual or the community? Is reason co-extensive with science? The group decides what to discuss. Genuine interest in ideas is the only requirement of membership. We meet weekly. Our discussions are free-wheeling and only lightly moderated. All participants are encouraged to freely voice their opinions while respecting and giving space to the viewpoints of others. Contact Peter Michael at petemich9@gmail.com. Bluegrass and Old-Time Jam This jam is for OLLI members that enjoy playing bluegrass and old-time music in an informal setting. All levels are welcome to join in playing instrumentsals and songs during our two hour jams; acoustic instruments only, please. Contact Melissa DuPuy at melissa.dupuy@gmail.com or Bryan Catron at catron2000@yahoo. com. Bocce The Bocce SIG offers OLLI members an opportunity to enjoy the game in a social, non-competitive atmosphere on the Furman grounds near the Herring Center. We play weekly during each term at a time agreed upon by SIG members. Contact Jim Zickos at jzickos@gmail.com. Bridge The Bridge SIG is for players of all levels. They meet weekly on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. in Manly Lobby of the Herring Center. More
groups may form if there is enough interest. Contact Betty Bernz at betybernz@gmail.com. Deal With It Deal With It is a card game-based SIG to include Euchre, Spades, Hearts, Pinochle, etc. We will get together and break into groups to enjoy fellowship and kicking each other’s tails in these great games. Contact Justin Smith at Justin.b.smith@ampf.comwith questions. Fix-It Clinic This SIG brings together the talents, tools, and experience of OLLI handymen and handywomen who have a knack for repairing broken or malfunctioning household items. The idea is to keep usable items out of landfills and help avoid costly replacements or repairs. Examples of items we work on include bicycles, items with power cords (vacuums, hair dryers, lamps), battery-operated devices (toys, tools), furniture, electronics (laptops, TVs), and much more. If you're interested in becoming a “Fixer,” please contact Skip Redman at skipredman@gmail.com. If you have an item you'd like to have repaired for free, watch for our monthly Fix-It Clinic announcements in OLLI Notes. Food Friends Fun This SIG meets monthly to dine at Greenville area restaurants. OLLI members who like to be social, meet new people and enjoy great food are encouraged to join. Contact Jacqui Foster at jacquilee1955@gmail.com or Patti Wargo at pattifunfood@hotmail. com. French Êtes-vous Francophone? Vous êtes invité à un SIG où on parlera français. On peut pratiquer la belle langue, et on peut faire la connaissance d’autres qui parlent français. The French Conversation SIG welcomes all French proficiency levels. Contact Juvi Peretz at juper1958@gmail.com. Handbuilding with Clay Join the Hand Building with Clay SIG and explore your creative potential working with clay! All levels of experience welcome. Bring your own supplies or we will have some clay to help you get started. Contact Betsy Beach at betsyb421@icloud.com or Karen Hughes at swimclark78@gmail.com. Handchimes This SIG is for those interested in playing music with hand chimes. It is a group effort to practice and play beautiful music while having fun at the same time. The group practices each week of the OLLI year preparing music that will be played publicly. Being able to read music is the only prerequisite. Prior experience ringing
36
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker