Women's Club

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Interest Group Info

The Club has a number of interest groups that provide opportunities to share common interests, attend local events, engage in book discussions, hikes, gourmet activities, games, etc. Interest groups are a wonderful vehicle for developing lasting friendships. While participation in interest groups is optional, members are encouraged to join one or more groups based on personal interests.

Check the calendar section for Women’s Club at UCF events, times, topics and to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you!


Armchair Traveler II

Linda Hennig and Lisa Gantz

lmhennig@cs.com

Armchair Traveler II Interest Group

¨ Do you love to travel?  Or love to travel vicariously?

¨ Do you enjoy seeing other destinations in the USA and all parts of the world?

¨ Do you want to share travel experiences and pictures with friends?

Armchair Traveler II Interest Group is open to all members of the Women’s Club at UCF.  Travel adventures will be shared, with members and their spouses/partners, on the third Tuesday of the month.

To join this interest group, contact Linda Hennig at Lmhennig@cs.com


Armchair Travelers I

Carol Pickler and Cynthia Chamberlin

cpickler08@gmail.com

Armchair Travelers provides opportunities for its members to travel all over the world without passports or luggage.  One of the attractive features of this group is that spouses are also welcome to attend.  Meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and usually end by 9:00 p.m.  The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from October to May. 

NOTE:  This Interest Group will be accepting new members in September 2023.  Armchair Traveler II is a similar interest group that meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm and is available for members to join.)

Bookclub: On The Same Page

Pat Taylor

pattaylor854@gmail.com

On the Same Page is a dinner book club that meets on the 1st Monday of the month in members’ homes or in local restaurants. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Pat Taylor at PatTaylor854@gmail.com or 407-310-0028.

 

 


Bookclub: PageTurners

Anna Habowski

pageturners1@cfl.rr.com

Pageturners is a bookclub that meets to socialize and discuss the book selection which has been chosen by the group.  This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month for the entire year at 1:00 pm in members’ homes. For more details on how to join Pageturners, contact Anna Habowski at PageTurners1@cfl.rr.com or (407) 275-6051.


Bookworms (Day)

Carole Goldsmith

lesago@me.com

Bookworms Day picDaytime Bookworms meets monthly to discuss either a fiction or nonfiction book selection which has been chosen by the group.  The hostess and co hostess provide a light luncheon during which time there is an opportunity to socialize.  Following the luncheon we have the book discussion which is led by one of the members.  Some of the selections lend themselves to inviting a guest discussion leader or a “field trip” to a location or an event related to the book.  The meetings are often entertaining, as well as enlightening.  It is such fun to share this time together.

NOTE:  This group is “at capacity”.  Waiting List is maintained.  (PageTurners and On The Same Page are similar interest groups available to join.)


Bookworms (Night)

Mary Lubaroff

mary.lubaroff@gmail.com

This evening book club interest group meets to socialize and discuss the book selection which has been chosen by the group.  Fun and enjoyment while reading and sharing is at the core of this group.  Members meet in the evenings and enjoy each others company at various locations.

This group is at Capacity.  (There is availability with the PageTurners and On the Same Page Interest Groups.)


Chick Flicks

Victoria Snyder

vsrn12@yahoo.com

Let’s go to the movies.  About once a month, we’ll get together to see a film of interest to club members and discuss it afterwards over dinner.  Because the day and time always depend upon what’s playing, we often don’t have much more than a week’s notice.  Contact interest group chair if you want to go the movies and join Chick Flicks.

Chick Flicks


Conversational Spanish

Sally Galvan

smgalvan@bellsouth.net

¿Hablas Español? No? Then you should think about joining our new Conversational Spanish Interest Group. This group will learn all the basics necessary to navigate your way in a Spanish speaking environment to include how to introduce yourself, describe yourself expressions of courtesy, sing songs in Spanish, talk about the weather, order food, find the restrooms, get directions and more.

Meetings will be held on the 3rd Monday of the month at 2 pm at Sally Galvan’s home located at 1007 Providence Lane, Oviedo in Alafaya Woods. Classes will start in June on Monday, June 19th. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Sally directly at smgalvan@bellsouth.net or text to (407) 383-4866.


Cultural Arts & Wellness

Susan Gregory

shgregory1955@att.net

Staying fit Makes Us Beautiful

Staying fit Makes Us Beautiful

The Cultural Arts and Wellness Group meets at various places of interest in Central Florida for the purpose of learning about ways to live a healthier life, to explore the latest innovative lifestyle changes, and to appreciate the arts and culture in the Orlando area.  Our get-together events are usually held during the day.


Gardening

Sally Galvan

smgalvan@bellsouth.net

Do you love all things gardening? Join us for fun outings, visits to unique community gardens, and nursery classes along with sharing gardening secrets. We will also share our gardening tip and tricks and successes by exchanging plant cuttings with each other. This group meets on various days of the week depending on when gardening opportunities arise. For more details and to join the group, please contact Sally Galvan directly at smgalvan@bellsouth.net or text at (407) 383-4866.


Gourmet II

Pat Peppler

ppeppler@bellsouth.net

DSC02714

Our evenings are planned around themes

with new and old favorite recipes.

We also include picnics and evenings

trying out some of the many wonderful

Orlando restaurants.

NOTE:  This Interest Group is at Capacity.  (International Gourmet is a similar interest group available to join.)

 

 


Great Decisions

Bemmie Eustace and Katie Seymour

bemmie23@gmail.com

Please consider joining the Great Decisions discussion group presented by the Foreign Policy Association.  Contact the interest group chair (or co-chair) if interested in joining.

The Foreign Policy Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the American public to learn more about the world. Founded in 1918, FPA serves as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding of, and providing informed opinions on global issues. Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and publications, the FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process.

  • Inform: FPA’s blog network, Foreign Policy Blogs, is the largest network of global affairs blogs online. Staffed by scores of professional contributors from the worlds of journalism, academia, business, non-profits and think tanks, Foreign Policy Blogs tracks global developments from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and everywhere in between.
  • Engage:  FPA’s Great Decisions is the largest national civic-discussion program on global affairs. Published annually by FPA, the Great Decisions briefing book highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans today. The Great Decisions briefing book serves as the focal text for discussion groups by providing background information, expert analysis, and suggested discussion questions for each foreign policy issue.  The Great Decisions television series on PBS is broadcast to 75% of U.S. households and is available on DVD
  • Inspire:  The Foreign Policy Association hopes to inspire others to participate in international affairs and the foreign policy process.  FPA’s Global Career Boot Camps and Global Job Board provide invaluable tools for internationally minded professionals.  FPA’s Global Career Boot Camps include specialized seminars, networking opportunities and inside tips on landing a global job. From non-profit organizations to governments, FPA’s Global Job Board is the most comprehensive source of internationally-minded job opportunities, both in the United States and abroad.

To learn more about Great Decisions please visit the website at http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/


International Friendship

Zalpha Hashem and Teresa Riedel

zhaoviedo@aol.com

We gather at  venues around Central Florida to experience and share the customs and cuisines of various cultures and countries.  Join us for a lunch, brunch, or breakfast (only once in a while).  The goal of this group is to enjoy friendship while appreciating the variety of cultures and food at the national and international levels.

Our activities also include attending on-campus events during  International Education Week and hearing speakers on an international topic.  As possible, we sometimes include spouses and friends in our activities.

Contact the group chair, or co-chair, if you would like to participate in our group.


International Gourmet

Doreen Behmke

dlbehmke1952@gmail.com

Stay local & eat global.  Are you gastronomically adventurous?

Then join us to explore cuisines around the world, locally.  We alternate between cozy home dinners and dining out at highly rated restaurants.  Our events are usually held in the evening.  Group sizes vary, but all are welcome.


Mah Jongg (Day)

Liz Payer

payerliz@cfl.rr.com

The Mah Jongg (Day) Interest Group meets twice each month in members homes to enjoy each other’s company and play the ancient tile game of Mah Jongg.

This year gatherings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month.  The group plays from August through May.

NOTE:  This Interest Group is at capacity.  Contact IG leader if you wish to be added to the group’s substitue list. (Mah Jongg 2 (daytime) is a similar interest group available to join.)


Mah Jongg 2 (Daytime)

Sheri Dyer

sheri@imadyer.com

Mah Jongg 2 (Daytime)

This group meets 2nd and 4th Thursday afternoon of each month at 1:30 pm in Oviedo.  To join this group, you must be familiar with the basic rules and procedures of the game.

For more information, contact the IG leader, Sheri Dyer at sheri@imadyer.com  or text (407) 766-1804.


Monday Walkers

Beth Barnes

bbarnes4@yahoo.com

Photo of Monday Walkers

Photo of Monday Walkers

We meet every Monday morning at 7 by Dillard’s at the Oviedo Mall for a 1.5 or 3.0 walk.  We begin slowly, build gradually, and no one gets left behind.

Bring a Women’s Club friend or potential member with you as we walk, talk, and get fit.  We walk or run the Lady Track Shack 5k together, an event held in Winter Park every year in late January or early February to benefit breast cancer research.


Needlework

Judy Dziuban

cdziuan@cfl.rr.com

JPEG needleworkThe needlework interest group is a fun and relaxed group. Our members either knit, crochet, do needlepoint, or quilt. We share patterns, learn new techniques and help each other if someone has a problem. We always have coffee and a morning treat. Our meetings are usually held on the second Monday morning of each month, from 10:00 – 12:00. The members take turns hosting in their homes.


Originals

Jane Fuller

jmuggs43@embarqmail.com

Original members

Original members

The Originals began under the tenure of Dr. Millican when the school was named Florida Technological University. We are all members of the Women’s Club at UCF from that era. Individual members would volunteer to host a meeting at their home.  We had no fund raisers. We simply enjoyed our camaraderie  and friendship.  We still do.

NOTE:  This is NOT an open interest group.


Rummikub

Donna Huffman-Riddle

donamcordero2@gmail.com

Rummikub is one of the world’s best-selling and most-played games that contains the elements of gin rummy and mahjong. It’s easy to learn and fast moving. It combines luck and strategy and changes quickly so every player has a chance to win until the very end.

All skill levels welcome.


Spectator Sports Fans

Merrell Bailey

merrell@yourcaringlawfirm.com

merrelAre you a sports enthusiast? The Spectator Sports Fans interest group is for you! Join your sports fan friends and have fun attending UCF sporting events. Working with the UCF Athletics Association, we aspire to attend an event for each of the UCF women’s sports each year. We will schedule other events as interested. Friends and family always welcome.


Take a Hike

Mila Vodopyanov

sovchen@gmail.com

Join the Hiking group and you will enjoy many benefits that the outdoors can offer: you exercise your muscles, balance, breathing, you replenish your stock of vitamin D, vital for your immune system, you unhack your brain ( as the video by the prominent brain expert explains*) making it possible to prevent mental decline and to make better decisions – all without ever noticing it! On a trail, you enjoy a company of fellow hikers, you meet and make many friends, you hear birds’ songs, feel amazed by the natural beauty of the world around us and come back full of gratitude for being a part of it. It’s difficult to find another activity that boosts so much of our well-being; the Nature never fails to recharge your body and uplift your spirit!
We offer walks and hikes to members of all level of fitness; we welcome YOU!
* Unhack your brain YouTube video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoY7kSe9FEQ

Tech Curious

Sue Chapman

chapmansue@yahoo.com

Technology reshapes the way we walk in the world today.  While technology connects us it can also isolate us.  So we want to turn-the-tables by sharing our tech victories, tech questions, and tech ideas.  In an interactive how-to format, community professionals, UCF students, an Women’s Club members will lead idea sharing.  Group has a new name but the mission is still the same.  The goal is for everyone to leave each session with at least one “a-ha!” idea to meet or beat a tech challenge you are experiencing.


The Searchers - Genealogy Group

Beth Barnes

bbarnes4@yahoo.com

Have you been told your great-great grandmother was a Cherokee princess or that you were related to George
Washington?

Would you like to learn the truth, build your family tree?

The Searchers meet at 1:30 on the 4th Monday of each month.

If you are searching and want to learn how to find answers, contact the IG Chair to join.


Theater

Sue Chapman

chapmansue@yahoo.com

The theater group enjoys exploring different community venues and a variety of productions throughout the year.  Members are notified of upcoming events by e-mail and are responsible for purchasing their own tickets.   Attendees get together at the theater, although they aren’t always able to sit together, and enjoy having dinner together either before or after each production.  

In order to accommodate all group members, the days and times of scheduled events will vary.  Some events are on week-days while others are on week-ends, and some events are matinees while others are evening performances.  We make an effort to explore the many different wonderful community theaters in the Orlando area, making a special effort to include support of our own UCF theater.

This group is currently searching for a leader.  If you are interested in organizing theater events, please contact Sue Chapman at ChapmanSue@Yahoo.com or text 408-832-9597.

 

 


Wine Tasting

Sue Chapman

chapmansue@yahoo.com

Are you a wine enthusiast or just want to know more about wine?

Each month we will taste different varietals or wines from specific regions.  Venues and formats will vary but fun will always be in the mix.  All are welcome.