Interest Group Leader(s): Christina Myers

Location: Blue Room

Description: The focus of the group is to learn to play this game and to develop friendships among OLLI members while playing. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and luck. Interest group players will learn and play a modified version of the game with simpler rules. The rewards for playing will be great socialization and fun!

Mahjong sets and tables are provided.

Group meets the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Interest Group Leader: Fred Christensen
Co-leaders: Mohan Tracy, David Tracy

Location: Area restaurants
 
Description: 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 meets once per month for dinner, conversation, and a chance to try familiar or unfamiliar menu items. 
 
In general, on arrival at the restaurant, a knowledgeable person (friendly chef or group member) tells 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 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, other options? We decide this together.

Group typically meets one Tuesday evening per month, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 or so. Details are emailed to registered group participants.

Interest Group Leader(s): Susan Garnsey & Melanie Loots

Location: OLLI Conference Room

Description: This group meets to knit, craft, and discuss our projects. Bring your projects and join in! Experienced knitters will be on hand to answer questions.

Group meets the 2nd & 4th Fridays of each month from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Interest Group Leader: Fred Christensen
Co-leaders: Isabel Cole, Walter Hurley

Location: Varies
 
Description: 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 warmer weather. As the Group evolves, 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. Times may vary. Details are emailed to registered group participants.

Interest Group Leader: Sarah Wisseman
Co-leader: Charlie Wisseman

Location: OLLI Blue Room

Description: This informal group meets every two weeks to sing folk songs from the Rise Up Singing books belonging to OLLI. We take turns choosing the songs, and some of us supplement the books with additional sheet music. Singers of all ability levels and instrumentalists are welcome!

Group meets every other Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Interest Group Leader: Roger Epperson

Location: Orange Room, OLLI Suite

Description: The OLLI Globetrotters is a monthly meetup for people who love to explore the world and share their adventures with others. This interest group focuses on knowledge-sharing, where members exchange real-world travel stories and practical advice. Within the OLLI community lies a treasure trove of lived experiences. Learning from each other provides practical, authentic insights that no guidebook or algorithmic travel website can replicate. Let’s trade tips on the best travel gear, discuss how to navigate mobility challenges abroad, recommend hidden-gem destinations that are off the beaten path, and build the confidence needed to tackle new types of itineraries. While our main focus is reliving past adventures and swapping smart travel hacks, we can keep the door open to planning future group trips if members are inspired to explore together.

First meeting will be on Wed, July 22, from noon - 1:30 PM. Regular monthly meetings thereafter will be on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, from noon - 1:30 PM.