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!


Arm Chair Travelers

Carol Pickler

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 is at Capacity.  Waiting List is maintained.  (Armchair Traveler II is a similar interest group available to join.)

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


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)

Amy Harrison

aharrison12@cfl.rr.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.)


Bookworms: On The Same Page

Pat Taylor

pattaylor854@gmail.com

On The Same Page is the newest book club in the Women’s Club.  We started meeting in 2022, first on Zoom and now in person.  We meet on the first Monday of the month.

Contact the interest group chair if you would like to join our reading group.

 

 


Bookworms: PageTurners

Anna Habowski

pageturners1@cfl.rr.com

Bookworm: PageTurners is a new group that will meet to socialize and discuss the book selection which has been chosen by the group.  The group will meet during the day.  Contact the group chair if you wish to participate and share fun time together.

Note:  This group meets every third Wednesday of each month for the entire year.


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


Cultural Arts & Wellness

Lynn Moharam

lynnmoharam@gmail.com

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.


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/


Hiking!

Mila Vodopyanov

mila_ca@hotmail.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

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)

Loretta Kowalski

loretta.kowalski@att.net

Mah Jongg 2 (Daytime)

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday afternoons of each month.  All skill levels are welcome – however, must be familiar with the basic rules and procedures of the game.   Our group guidelines are fun and friendship while sharpening our Mah Jongg playing skills.

For more information or to join, contact the Interest Group leader.


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

Sue Chapman

chapmansue@yahoo.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.


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 on Zoom 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

Anna Habowski

anna4theater@cfl.rr.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.

 


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.