Our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a very popular benefit of membership in the OLLI at UGA community. It's a great way to make new friends and socialize with people with similar interests. There is no additional fee to join any or all of the groups, and attendance is always optional. Some groups meet on a regular basis at the same time and place. Other groups, like Opera, get together for specific events. Some groups do both.

For more information about any of these groups, please contact the coordinator for the group, shown below each group's description. You can call them at the phone number listed below, look up their email in the member directory, or use our Contact page with a Subject line of "Interest group question."

Tutors in the Community

Michelle Simpson has volunteered to spearhead a group of members interested in tutoring in the public schools or in GED or ABE settings. The group will meet for training sessions and to discuss possible tutoring possibilities (for example, the GED program at HT Edwards). Tutoring is a great way for members to share their knowledge and empower others.

     Michelle Simpson, (706) 546-1471

Digital Photography - Picture This!

Enjoy photography? This group is for beginning and intermediate digital photographers. We meet monthly to share information and we make occasional field trips to take photos or visit photography exhibitions.

Typical topics include camera selection and use, software tutorials, composition, tips and tricks, scanning, printing, exhibiting your work, and more. New members are always welcome! For more information including the time and place of upcoming meetings, contact the group's leader:

     Chuck Murphy, (706) 372-5406, picturethis.athens@gmail.com

Bicycling for Fitness and Fun

This group was organized in 2007 to offer those who long to take the drudgery out of health club exercising or who want to start a fitness program that perpetuates itself as new opportunity to get back on a real bicycle. Although you may need to get some of the kinks out and polish riding skills, the ability to ride a bike is never lost, once learned. Local and nearby out-of-town rides over longer distances are organized during the year for those who enjoy socializing along with their pedaling. New legs are welcome!

     John Songster, (706) 548-8181

String of Pearls Memoir Writing Group

The aim is to share writings (prose and poetry) from personal experiences and store of things learned and to be with others who have the same passion to record moments of time in their lives. The group meets 9:30a.m. - 12:30p.m. the third Thursday of most months in the conference room of the Bentley Center at the Council on Aging, 135 Hoyt Street in Athens.

     Roger Bailey, (706) 540-1068

Enjoying Opera in Athens

This group's purpose is to learn about opera, attend live opera performances in the Athens area, and attend Metropolitan Opera broadcasts at Beechwood Cinema. The group supports the student opera productions at the Hodgson Performing Arts Center, shares information about opera, and offers a pre-opera luncheon, with UGA graduate opera students presenting information about the current "Live" in HD Metropolitan Opera.

     Nancy Songster, (706) 548-8181

Investment Group

This group meets once/month to exchange information about investing and investments. This is NOT a group that plans investments for the group to make together. Rather, the group's common denominator is a strong interest in exchanging information about the world of investments. No special knowledge of the field is needed.

     Ron Cerwonka, (706) 543-7780

Bonsai Group

This informal group began in 2003 and meets in the Brick Room at the Council on Aging facility the fourth Thursday of each month from 2:00-3:30p.m. Bonsai literally means "potted tree." Members bring materials to pot or already potted examples to exhibit or discuss. The group has a small library of specialty books that can be borrowed. They sometimes take trips to nearby places where plants, planting materials, and specialized tools may be purchased.

     Greg Crane, (706) 613-6991

Lady Dogs Basketball

Each fall, group members buy season tickets in the same general area of the stadium for approximately 10 home games. The group tries to get together at least once before a Sunday afternoon game for a visit and lunch at the Georgia Center.

     Randall Abney, (404) 932-0232

Hand Quilting Group

The quilters meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at members' homes. This group is currently full, but a second group could be added if there is a willing volunteer leader.

     Sandy Jordan, (706) 546-8537

Novice Bridge Group

This group is for people who know the basics of the game but have not played a lot or in a long time. The group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:00-4:00p.m. at the Council on Aging facility.

     Jimmie Hawes, (706) 850-1278

Advanced Bridge Group

This group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:00-4:00p.m. at the Council on Aging facility. This is for experienced players who would like an afternoon of cards without the fuss of setting up tables and making snacks and drinks.

     Lucille Hoyt, (706) 548-3969

Mac Fanatics

Formed by Mac lovers in PC land, this group meets in person and via Facebook to share tips, apps, ideas, frustrations and anything else related to Apple products.

     Carolyn Abney, (706) 850-6148 or post to "OLLI at UGA Mac Fanatics" group on Facebook

Book Discussion Group

This group meets on the second Thursday of the month in the Conference Room of the Bentley Center at the Council on Aging from 3:00-4:00p.m. Members choose the books for discussion, which is informal. Participation is encouraged. Selections include fiction and non-fiction, contemporary and classic.

     Diana Cerwonka, (706) 543-7780

Stitch and Chat

This group meets year-round at 10:00a.m. on the first Thursday of each month, in homes or other sites, such as Main Street Yarn in Watkinsville or Two-Story Coffeehouse at Five Points. Most members are knitting, but you may bring any type of handwork you wish.

     Kay Hymo, 706-546-7127

New Groups

Don't see the group you're interested in? Then how about forming it! If you'd like to start a new group, please let us know by using the Contact page. In the "Subject" box, please enter "New interest group."