Special Interest Groups   

We enjoy bicycling together (utilizing both “acoustic” and e-bikes), usually 10-30 miles per outing, on roads and trails. We usually stop during the ride for a light lunch or snack. This group does not meet in the winter months.

FMI: Contact Mark Love at mlove196@maine.rr.com

Book Chat is a monthly gathering for OLLI members who find joy in exploring literature and sharing insights in a group setting.  Our reading choices span contemporary fiction, classics and non-fiction, aiming for a balance of social connection and intellectual engagement. To allow everyone time to share, we’ll limit the group to 11 members.  We will collaboratively define our meeting format and book selections at our first meeting.  

FMI: Contact Mary Ellin Logue at mary.logue@maine.edu

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

FMI: Contact 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 

This would be a social group for people who enjoy knitting to get together to share their projects and ideas. It would meet during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. All ability levels are welcome to join.

FMI: Contact Ruth Cohen at rumico70@aol.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.

Get together with us for Mah Jongg fun. All levels of expertise are welcome. Bring your own foursome or team up with
members. You'll need your own 2026 card.

FMI: Contact Meg Lannon at meglannon@aol.com

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

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

We get together to share our knowledge of photography and our work. We meet monthly either in person or on Zoom. From time to time we go on group photo shoots or other field trips of interest to the group.

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.

Every month on the third Wednesday at 3:30PM we will meet via Zoom to discuss the latest issue of Scientific American. 

FMI: contact Elizabeth Housewright at ehousewright@gmail.com

Weekly, we walk the paths and trails in and around Portland. We aim to choose beginner-friendly paths and trails, and we walk about 2-3 miles at a moderate pace for one to two hours. Occasionally we enlist experts to talk about natural or historical matters relating to particular locations.

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

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.

FMI: Contact Mary Capobianco at maggiecapo@yahoo.com