Chinese Mahjong, Korean Min-Hwatu, and Friendship

Location: OLLI Library

The focus of the group is to learn to play these games and to develop friendships among OLLI members while playing. Mahjong and Min-Hwatu are games of skill, strategy, and luck. Interest group players will learn and play a modified version of the games with simpler rules. The rewards for playing will be great socialization and fun!

This group meets on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

This group meets on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

ETHNIC CUISINES DINING GROUP

Interest Group Leader: Fred Christensen

Co-leaders: Mohan Tracy, David Tracy

Location: Area restaurants

Champaign-Urbana is fortunate to have a very diverse set of national cuisines: at least ten, with four or five more within an easy driving distance (Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Zambian, German, Korean, Lao, etc.). This group will meet once per month for dinner, conversation, and a chance to try familiar or unfamiliar menu items. Details will evolve and change as the group takes shape, but here is how we can begin.

On arrival at the restaurant, a knowledgeable person (friendly chef or group member) could tell us two things about that ethnic cuisine: (A) What are three characteristics that are different or special about this cuisine, and (B) What one entrée would you recommend to a beginner?

These get-togethers will require dinner reservations and agreement on a system for payment. With 10 or fewer participants, individuals or families can pay for their own meals: for larger groups, there are several options to choose from (split the group over two evenings? Let the group leader pay for all and split the bill evenly between the participants? We can decide later).

One restaurant dinner per month. Second Tuesday of the month or other convenient date; 6:30 p.m.

Group typically meets one Tuesday evening per month

LET'S GO HIKING!

Co-leaders: Isabel Cole, Walter Hurley

Location: Varies

There are dozens of good destinations for walks and hikes near Champaign-Urbana, and this group will explore them. Members of this Group meet at a prearranged spot for carpooling and drive to the trailhead for each hike. Usually, there will be a short warmup hike in the morning followed by a brownbag lunch or a local restaurant meal, then a longer hike in the afternoon (on hot summer days, the longer hike can be done in the morning). Total distance walked each day will usually be 2 to 6 miles. The most remote hiking destinations might be to Starved Rock State Park (two hours north) and Turkey Run State Park (two hours east).

At least one hike per month will be scheduled, more in spring and fall with good weather. We can begin with “third Saturdays” of each month. As the Group develops, dates and arrangements can change; it’s up to the Group members! Since weather is a factor, rain dates can be announced for each hike.

Group typically meets on Saturdays but sometimes hikes during the week.

OLLI FOLK SINGING

Co-leader: Charlie Wisseman

Location: OLLI Blue Room
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays

OLLI members will meet every two weeks to sing together using the book, "Rise Up Singing, Vol I." We will arrange the chairs in a circle (or rectangle) and take turns choosing the songs. Instruments welcome.