Interest Groups
An interest group is a group of OLLI members who share a hobby or special interest in a particular topic with others. You do not need to register and there is no fee.
Interest Groups
If you are an OLLI member and would like to start a new interest group, download the guidelines for starting a group and submitting a proposal.
Art Appreciation
Art interested and art curious folk will get together once a month to delve into the background and history of 20th century (and beyond) movement and trends in fine art, photography, and other creative activity. Participants bring their own ideas and questions about the ways in which creative mediums have evolved over the last century and engage in lively discussions led by artist, filmmaker, photographer, and gallerist Michael Farrell. Micheal will use the visual resources he has collected and used in teaching and creating over the past fifty years.
Coordinator: Michael Farrell, mfarrell.1st@gmail.com
Day/Date: Third Sunday of the month
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Location: Wall Space-LNK, 1624 S. 17th, Lincoln
(17th & Sumner St.)
Visit the WallSpace-LNK Gallery website at https://wallspace-Ink.com
Baseball
The OLLI baseball interest group is an opportunity for all OLLI baseball fans to get together once a month and discuss all things baseball. The group may assist in developing OLLI special events or travel programs involving baseball.
Coordinators: Marvin Almy, 402-786-5856, hmalmy@aol.com; Bill Fagler, 402-430-8289, bill.fagler@gmail.com; Jon Hamilton, 402-261-5979, playingwiththepossibilities@gmail.comDay: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
Location: Stauffer's Cafe, 5600 S. 48th St., Lincoln
Biking the Trails (Lincoln)
Gather with OLLI friends to ride local bike trails in and around Lincoln.
Coordinators: Marilyn Hahn, marilynhahn@icloud.com; Tim Shaw, timothyfshaw@gmail.com
Meets: Weekly rides during the warm season months
Biking the Trails (Omaha)
Bi-weekly bicycle ride for fun. No drop ride, under 10 miles, paved trails around the Omaha area during the warmer months.
Coordinators: Paul Paulman, ppaulman@unmc.edu, or Audrey Paulman, apaulman@me.com
Meets: Thursday mornings
Time: 9 a.m.
Bridge Players
The group consist of sets of four playing 18 hands of party bridge using tallies for partners.
Coordinator: Sue Guild, guild.carolynsue42@gmail.com
Coffee and Conversation
Feel like some wake-up conversation on Tuesday mornings? Join other OLLI members for a one-hour Zoom session to discuss a question posed by the coordinator prior to the week's session. Chat about everything EXCEPT politics.
Coordinator: Dori Bush, dbush2508@gmail.comDay: Every Tuesday
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Conversational Spanish-Over Zoom
Improve your ability to read, speak and listen to the Spanish language. All levels of experience work together to help each other improve their Spanish skills.Coordinator: Jack McGann, jackmcgann1@mac.com
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Contact the coordinator for the Zoom link
German Language and Culture
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Would you like to? If you have been exposed to the German language in the past and would like to refresh some of those skills in speaking, reading and comprehension, please join in this OLLI Interest Group. In addition, the meetings also include discussions of German history and culture, as well as an on-going review of current events in Deutschland.
Coordinators: Ken Gobber, kengobber@hotmail.com; David Dyke, drdrdmd@me.com, 402-470-7211
Day: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
International Affairs
This group offers engaging conversations on topics of current international importance. The leaders introduce topics and raise stimulating questions for participants to discuss.
Coordinators: Peter Levitov, plevitov1@unl.edu
Discussion Leaders: Dave Forsythe, professor emeritus, Political Science, UNL; Peter Levitov, associate dean emeritus, International Affairs, UNL; Roger Kempke, retired Major General and Adjunct General, Nebraska National Guard; Wes Peterson, professor, Agricultural Economics, UNL
Day: First Wednesday of each month September through May
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
In-person Location: Gere Library, 2400 S. 56th St., LIncoln
Contact Peter Levitov for web link if meeting is via Zoom.
Meditation
The group is open to any OLLI member who has an interest in meditation. The focus is to talk about the practice of meditation and some of the challenges that arise with a meditative time. Each meeting includes a 15 to 20 minute guided meditation. You do not need experience in meditation to participate. Participants sit in chairs.
Coordinator: Margaret Rickers, mrickers14@gmail.com
Day: Second Thursday of each month
Time: 1:30 p.m.
My Backyard
My Backyard is a group of like-minded gardeners who wish to explore all things connected with the landscape. Discussions include site-preparation, landscaping, lawn care, soil amendments, gardening, seeds, plants, weeds, composting and the wild life associated with the landscape, i.e. pollinators, insects and birds. In addition, there are field trips, guest speakers and subject-matter experts to make presentations at meetings.
Coordinator: Bonnie Bake at bonbake24@gmail.com
Day: Last Tuesday of each month
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Matinee at the Ross
Join fellow OLLI members and their guests for a Friday matinee movie at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center on UNL's City Campus at 313 N. 13th St. No reservations needed. Just show up for a great start to the weekend.
Coordinator: Dori Bush, dbush2508@gmail.comDay: Friday
Time: Movies begin between 4:15-5 p.m.
Out to Lunch
Days/Time: Meets twice a month, typical around the traditional lunch hour.
Location: Various eating establishments in and around Lincoln, American and ethnic
Coordinators: Nancy Whitman, newhit34@gmail.com, 402-488-8416; Maxine Moul, mmoul1@allophone.com
Contact Nancy Whitman for more information.
Politics
Passionate about politics? This group is open to all regardless of political persuasion – the more viewpoints the better. Just remember the admonition from the great American, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, “Everyone is entitled to his (or her) own opinion, but not his (or her) own facts.”
Coordinators: Marvin Almy, hmalmy@aol.com; John Comer, jcomer1@unl.edu; Randy Moody, randallmoody44@gmail.com
Day: Third Thursday of each monthTime: 3-4:30 p.m.
Contact Marvin Almy for location or Zoom link.
Reading Groups
OLLI book clubs generally limit their membership to 15 or less. There are currently six groups, some which are open for addition OLLI members, both women and men.
Coordinator: Kay Rockwell, krockwell1@unl.edu.
Science & Technology
This a group of people who are interested in exploring science and technology and understanding the application and the impact of new science and technology to society. All sciences and technology is eligible for consideration and discussion.
Coordinators:Craig Hahn, 402-730-7487, craig_hahn@hotmail.com; Doug Wood, 402-217-0511, wooddb137@gmail.com; Tom Hoegemeyer, 402-419-4426, thoegemeyer@gmail.com
Day: Third Friday of each month
Time: 2-3:30 p.m.
Location: Rock-N-Joe Coffee, 5025 Lindberg St., Lincoln
Story Analysis
Enjoy a deep dive into literature as each month we read a work selected by members of the group. Share your responses to the story, insights on the author's background and style, how a novel's structure and narrative approach aid the storytelling, or what historical events or philosophical movements might have influenced this author's work.
Coordinators: Michelle Maas, mmaas4600@gmail.com or Wil Hass, wilhass@hotmail.comDay/Date: 2nd Wednesday of each month
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Gere Branch Library, 2400 S. 56th St. (56th St. & Normal Blvd.), Lincoln
Table Tennis
Join our table tennis interest group. Everybody plays. No pressure. Simply show up and bring your favorite paddle. Some paddles are available. This group is for OLLI members of any ability. Come meet others who share your passion for ping pong.
Coordinator: Larry McClure, lmerkmcclure@yahoo.comDays: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Ukulele
Join others who enjoy playing the ukulele. All levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced players.
Coordinator: Julia Larson, jlarson9342@gmail.com
Day: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Varies-Lincoln Libraries
Walking
Enjoy the invigorating weather and improve your health at the same time. The group gathers at Holmes Lake, rain or shine. Make sure to dress for the day. We divide into fast and slow walkers, so there is sure to be someone who walks at your pace.
Coordinator: Karen Harris at kharris555@gmail.com
Day: Monday
Time: September - May, 9:30 a.m.
June - August, 8:30 a.m.
Location: Holmes Lake parking lot at the northwest corner of the park near the dam.
Writers Group
The OLLI writers group meets monthly to share writings and practice the craft through generative writing exercises. Beginners as well as more experienced writers are welcome. Those interested are organized in groups of five members by the interest group coordinator.
Coordinator: Gail Hollarbush, ghollarbush@gmail.com
Day: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Gere Branch Library, 2400 S. 56th St., Lincoln
Woodworking
In addition to talking shop and exploring useful solutions for woodworking projects, group members frequently participate in field trips to professional shops and to lumber providers. Periodically, group members swap tools and exchange drawings and building materials.
Coordinator: Doug Wood, woodb137@gmail.com
Day: Last Thursday of each month.
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
Location: Varies.