Special Interest Groups   

We all deal with grief and this would be an opportunity for people to gather and discuss various topics regarding bereavement: the challenges of the first year, coping skills, how grieve impacts us emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc.
FMI: Gisele Biron at fivemaine@yahoo.com

Members meet each month, September through June, to discuss readings from various genres, including contemporary novels, classics, biographies, memoirs, short stories, etc.

FMI: Contact Karen Winslow at kpwinslow@yahoo.com or Anna Messmer at aemessmer@maine.rr.com

Those who enjoy playing bridge for fun are welcome to join this group, which meets weekly.

FMI: Contact Barbara Freeman at bhfreewoman@gmail.com

A seasonal outlet for downhill skiing enthusiasts, the club welcomes new and returning members. Skiers plan trips to area mountains when snow conditions are good and driving conditions permit.  

FMI: Contact Lois Winter at loiswinter54@gmail.com.  You'll need to provide additional safety/contact information to complete your Downhill Ski Club registration and before you will receive notice of upcoming ski trips

Embark on a stimulating journey of diverse discussions with our special interest group. Join us monthly from September to June for engaging conversations sparked by thought-provoking articles, intriguing podcasts, or captivating topics that resonate with the curious mind. Each month will be a different topic: attend those that interest you.

FMI: Contact Elizabeth Housewright at ehousewright@gmail.com 

Members read and discuss one work of history each month. Works include social, political, economic, and foreign-policy history as well as biography, autobiography, memoir, and historical fiction.

FMI: Contact Dawn Leland at lelanddm@gmail.com or Karen Day at kday0718@gmail.com

We are a group of dedicated knitters who meet at the Wishcamper Center during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. No instruction is provided, but all experience levels are represented. Knitting together builds community.

FMI: Contact Linda Cunning at cunninglk@gmail.com.

We meet for guided and/or silent meditation, some learning and discussion.  All levels of experience are welcome.

Do you play any instrument? Do you sing? Let’s gather together and make some music. For all levels. Bring a song, play a note or sing a tune. Will have some music charts to start with and then see where our interests lead us. There is a room with a piano, so that’s a start.

FMI: Alan Shepard at ashepard33@yahoo.com

Ever dreamed of yourself on stage? Ever thought it would be fun to play different characters? Come join us at OLLI Senior Players. It is readers' theater, so no memorization is needed. We meet weekly off site, each Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.

FMI: Contact Steve Squiers at stevesquiers@gmail.com or Cheryl Squiers at nenegirl8th.com

Singing is fun and good for you, too: mind, body and soul. Rehearsals Friday afternoons and concerts fall and spring. Four-part choral music: spirituals, folk, pops, Broadway and more.  We keep it upbeat and fun - join us!

FMI: Contact Bob Swerdlow at OLLISingersAtUSM@gmail.com

Shutterbugs at OLLI at USM meet and learn from each other while sharing their love of photography.

FMI: Contact Sharon Roberts at sroberts4664@gmail.com.

Come join the fun! Stick figures are our specialty and sometimes they look like the word we are trying to draw. No art ability required. Meets twice monthly on Thursday afternoons via the easy-to-use Zoom whiteboard.

FMI: Contact Stephen Dorneman at stephendorneman@gmail.com.

Each month, this group reads and discusses articles from the latest issue of Scientific American.

FMI: Contact Elizabeth Housewright at ehousewright@gmail.com 

This walking group strives to get OLLI members outdoors in the Portland area on easy to moderate walks that promote good health, social mixing, and understanding of our natural environment and our cultural heritage.

FMI: Contact David von Seggern at vonseg1@sbcglobal.net.

Join us for some laughs and interesting questions that will have your brain scanning your mental files for what some may call trivial information. You provide your own snacks and beverages. We provide the questions! You are one click away from an evening of good company and laughter.

Register once for this Special Interest Group (SIG) and you will remain on the email list until July 2026 and will receive all relevant communications.

All sessions will be via zoom, one or two Monday evenings a month September through June at 7PM.

Bibliophile? Looking for the next book to read? Join in and share a title or two. Leave with the title of the next book to add to the stack! We meet on Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

FMI: Contact Anne Cass at annebcass@gmail.com.

Are you hungry for more than food? Are you hungry for spiritual nourishment? Are you ready to write your way to a deeper connection with your spiritual self? Come write and grow with us as we explore creative writing techniques and prompts in a positive and supportive environment.