OLLI at Duke
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are an added bonus to membership with OLLI at Duke. These groups and clubs provide opportunities to connect outside the classroom. If you want to find out more about any of the listed groups, please contact the designated coordinator for that activity. For general questions about SIGs, please contact Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu.
| Contemporary Literature Group | This group enjoys reading and discussing the best contemporary literature, both fiction and nonfiction. They meet via Zoom on the second Monday of each month from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. For more details and to be added to our mailing list, please contact Barbara Amago (BarbaraAmago@gmail.com). |
| Courageous Conversations | This group meets weekly to discuss important social justice issues of racial equity and inclusion. Our past discussion topics informed by current events have included “Gerrymandering,” “Reproductive Rights,” “Gentrification” and “Gun Violence.” Our website is frequently updated and includes recommended articles to enrich each discussion and a new “Take Action” page with a variety of resources to encourage individual engagement. We also offer a Dialogue without an agenda every Thursday from 3 to 4:00 p.m. when the SIG is not meeting. We meet via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Email us at olliatduke.courageous@gmail.com to get on our list for meeting announcements. We look forward to welcoming new members! |
| Craft Group | Love crafting or want to learn a new skill? The OLLI Craft Group is a welcoming community where members of all skill levels come together to work on their individual projects while enjoying conversation. Whether you're an experienced crafter looking to connect with others or a beginner eager to learn, this group is a space to share, ask questions, and get inspired. We meet on Zoom on the first and third Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Bring your knitting, quilting, embroidery, or any other craft, and join a friendly group that enjoys both creativity and connection. For more information, contact Judy Grauer at judygrauer@gmail.com - we’d love to have you join us! |
| International Folk Dance | What’s the best exercise for your brain? Dancing! Join us for a fun way to keep your body and brain healthy and improve your balance. Our dances are mostly from Eastern Europe, are done in a line or circle (no partner needed), are low impact, and are not highly strenuous. This group meets on Tuesdays, 2:00-3:15 p.m., at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community. For more information and details please contact Judy Stafford at judy.stafford.nc@gmail.com. |
| Lunch Bunch Group | Looking to connect with fellow OLLI members over a good meal? Come join us for a bi-weekly lunch at a local restaurant in the greater Durham Area! It’s a wonderful way to meet new friends and enjoy great conversation in a relaxed setting. We gather every other Friday at 11:00 AM, and we’d love for you to join us. If you're interested, you can sign up to be on the Lunch SIG email list here. Reach out to Diane Singleton at dianeesingleton@gmail.com for more details. Hope to see you at the table! |
| Mystery Mavens Book Group | This lively group of mystery fans welcomes returning and new members. Our 2025 bookshelf begins with works by Sayers, Raybourne, Leon, French, Brack, deCastrique, and Tey. We meet at ERUUF, 4907 Garrett Rd, Durham, on the 2nd Tuesday, 1:30-2:45, all year long. Do you suspect you’ll be interested? Simply contact Nancy Capaccio at NancyCapaccio99@gmail.com. |
| Public Policy Group | This group is intended for those who have an interest in discussing and pursuing important international, national, and local public policy issues. Participants come from varied backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience and individual interests. We exchange a wide range of views and insights based on our individual reading. We try to meet over coffee and enjoy our camaraderie. The meetings will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 10:00-11:30. The coordinators will inform the group of where the meeting will take place. Coordinators are Larry Reed at lgreed3@gmail.com. |
| Science Book Club | We read and discuss nonfiction science books on topics including biology, evolution, the physical sciences, medicine, the environment, economics, and biographies of famous scientists. This group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 3:15 to 4:45 pm via zoom. Contact Daniel.Oldman@gmail.com for more information. |
| Short Story Discussion Group | A well-written short story takes perhaps an hour to read. But you can feel the same thrill for its characters as you feel in a longer novel. Now in its 5th year, our SIG has read and discussed over 80 short stories and engaged in lively and insightful discussions. Join us on Zoom on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Howard Goldberg and Maureen Maguire Lewis lead the meetings. Contact Howard Goldberg at hgoldberg16@gmail.com for details. |
| OLLI Singles | This group is for single OLLI members who enjoy engaging with others on Zoom and in person in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that usually take place in the Raleigh Durham Triangle, or close by. For those who are interested in participating on the Steering Committee, we encourage you to reach out to us. The Steering Committee maintains the group’s email list, registers new members, and provides support for members’ ideas for activities. We have been extremely fortunate over the years to have generous members who have invited the membership to join them in some of the following activities:
Click here for OLLI Singles registration form to join OLLI Singles. You’ll be added to our mailing list and will receive support and information for hosting and participating in events sponsored by our members. Feel free to contact the Steering Committee at olliatdukesingles@gmail.com for further information. |