The Faculty Club Interest Groups are the heart of our organization! Take a look at upcoming plans below. These groups cover a range of shared activities on evenings, weekends, and weekdays that promote learning, health, fun, and friendship. Ask any one of our members and they’ll tell you some of their deepest relationships have come from the camaraderie in these Interest Groups! Membership allows you to participate in any or all groups.
Book Club DAY (Coordinated by Kiran Gangahar)
Book Club DAY meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 1-3 PM, hosted by a rotating roster of members who facilitate a review of the author and book. Our first books of the year were ” The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain and Percival Everett’s “James” which is a retelling of Mark Twain’s book with the perspective of Jim the enslaved man accompanying Huckleberry. In October “The Frozen River”by Ariel Lawhon was discussed. “Time for the Child” by Niall Williams was the book discussed by the group in November. The December selection was “God’s Hotel” by Victoria Sweet. The new year began in January, with the group discussing “What you are Looking for in the Library” by Michiko Toyama.
Book Club EVENING (Coordinated by Carol McGlade)
Book Club EVE meets by Zoom the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 PM, hosted by a rotating roster of members who facilitate a review of the author and book. Our first book club this year discussed “James” by Percival Everett. In October we discussed “Atmosphere”, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The book is a historical fiction about an astronaut in NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. In November we discussed “Zero Stars: Do not Recommend” by MJ Wassmer. For December, we met at the Reading Room in Downtown Omaha to celebrate the holiday in person instead of our usual Zoom meeting. In January the group resumed their meetings by Zoom to discuss ” The Magnificent Lives of Margorie Post” by Allison Pataki. Carol McGlade presented the book this month and asked all members to attend the Zoom decked out in jewels like Marjorie Post would have worn. It was a blast!
Our reading selections for 2025-2026, can be found by referring to the page “DAY and EVE Book Club Selections 2025-2026” on this website.
Book Club is a great way to experience a variety of literature, contemporary and classic, and to get better acquainted by sharing the ideas in each month’s selection. New participants are always welcome.
Dining Out (Coordinated by Sara Crouse)
Dining Out meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 6:00 PM at selected restaurants. This group is for members, spouses/partners who enjoy an evening out with friends. The group wines and dines at various restaurants in Omaha and surroundings areas. The group is notified of the restaurant selection, location and a deadline date for RSVP several weeks in advance by email. Everyone can then decide if they wish to give it a try. A RSVP to the “Dining Out” invitation must be sent to Sara by the deadline listed on the invitation. After the RSVP date, Sara sends out by email a list of those attending and contacts the restaurant for finalizing the numbers. During our first seven years, we’ve gathered at over 40 different restaurants and sampled the wide variety of food that Omaha offers.
Our group coordinator, Sara Crouse, always welcomes suggestion from the group as to restaurants that one would like the group to visit. Many of our members have favorites in their area that many are unaware exist. It is always great to explore NEW venues throughout the year. Our first restaurant of the year was at Shaheen’s Authentic Afghan Cuisine in Omaha. In October we tried La Plaza Fiesta which was an excellent Mexican restaurant. In January we are going to try the new Italian restaurant in Village point that occupies the space where Bravo Restaurant was before its closing. looking forward to seeing everyone in 2026.
The venue selections will be posted as they are determined.
- Sept. 20, 2025 – Shaheen’s Authentic Afghan Cuisine – 6121 Maple Street (SE corner)
- October 18, 2025 – La Plaza Fiesta – 124th & West Center Road
- January 17, 2026 – North Italia Restaurant in Village Point – 171 51 Davenport St. #101
- February 21, 2026 – Blue Fly Asian Kitchen – 721 South 72nd Street (in the strip mall East of NFM)
Gourmet Club (Coordinated by Belinda Greiner)
The Gourmet Club meets 3 – 4 times per year hosted at rotating member locations. Gourmet members share meal preparation tips and learn new culinary techniques while enjoying an evening of socializing. Over the years this group has sampled a wide variety of cuisines and enjoyed the diverse culinary talents of the group. Don’t let the name scare you, the emphasis is on a good party. Spouses/partners are included in the gatherings.
- November 1, 2025 – Progressive Dinner began at Carla Imray’s for appetizers/ cocktails and progressed to Carl & Belinda Greiner’s home for the main course of soup & dessert
- February 7, 2026 – A Winter Dinner will be hosted by David and Sara Crouse at their home
Fine Arts Club (Coordinated by Pam Hamel)
Our Fine Arts club brings together individuals who share a passion for artistic expression. It serves as a creative hub where members, driven by a common love for various forms of art, can admire what Omaha has to offer. This collective environment creates a supportive community where members can appreciate and contribute to the richness of the fine arts. The Fine Arts Club met at noon on December 18th at the Samuel Bak Museum in Aksarben Village for a private tour of their current exhibit, “Suspended in Time:Still Lives and Magic Realism”.
As locations and exhibits are planned, we will post them here.
Happy Hour Club (Coordinated by Kelly Klepser)
Our monthly Happy Hour Club was established to provide an opportunity for after-hours socializing (6:00-7:00PM) for members and spouses/partners. Unwind, share ideas, and foster meaningful relationships in a welcoming and vibrant community. This relaxed environment is a great introduction to the Faculty Club of University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Bring a friend and encourage potential members to attend.
Mark your calendar for 6 PM on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Come raise your glass with us!
- Sept 11, 2025 – The Tenant – 6201 Maple Street, Omaha
- Oct 9, 2025 – The Meadowlark Lounge – 3302 Leavenworth Street, Omaha
- Nov 13, 2025 – The Big Grove Brewery – 4601 Catalyst Ct., Omaha
- Dec 11, 2025 – Holiday Bar – TBD
- January 8. 2026 – Tarot Room (Inside Circo Restaurant) – 19102 Q St. #114, Omaha
- February 12, 2026 – Vive la Rock – 12411 West Center Road, Omaha
- March 12, 2026 – Heights Draft House – 7861 Main Street, Suite H, La Vista NE
- April 9, 2026 – The Barber Shop – 3910 Farnam St. B, Omaha
- May 14, 2026 – Cellar 44 – 2835 South 170th Plaza #206, Omaha
- June 11, 2026 – Rathskeller Bier House – 4524 Farnam, Omaha
- July 9, 2026 – Bottles & Barrels – 5331 South 204th Avenue, Omaha
- August 13, 2026 – Pint Nine Brewery – 10411 Portal Road #104, La Vista NE
Hiking Club (Coordinated by Laura Bilek)
This Club, launched in 2020, allows fellow members and spouses/partners to hike together along local trails. The Hiking Club meets each 2nd Saturday at a predetermined time, and location with social time following the hikes. Hikes are dependent on weather conditions and can change dependent on the forecast for the scheduled date. Typically, hikers take off cold weather months from November through February.
Trail selections include both gentle and challenging options, as well as dog-friendly choices. Many are EASY, PAVED trails for those who would like to start hiking with the group. We will post the 2025-2026 locations as they are determined.
Come join in the adventure, camaraderie and fun!
Needle Arts (Coordinated by Mary Gurney)
Needle Arts meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30 – 11:30 AM hosted by rotating members in their homes. Members bring UFOs (unfinished objects) or whatever they are working on, and join in for a morning of stitching and conversation. This casual gathering includes novice and accomplished knitters, quilters, embroiderers, crocheters, and any form of sewing.
This year’s schedule:
- Sept. 4th – Mary Gurney
- Sept. 18th – Claudianna Todd
- Oct. 2nd- Susan Mathers
- Oct. 16th – Sara Crouse
- Nov. 6th – Bunny Pozehl
- Nov. 20th – Jean Shulman
- Dec. 4th- Belinda Greiner
- Jan. 15th – Mary Gurney
- Feb. 5th – Claudianna Todd
- Feb. 19th – Carol McGlade
- Mar. 5th – Jean Shulman
- Mar. 19th – TBA
- Apr. 2nd – TBA
- Apr. 16th – Carol McGlade
- May 7th – Spring Lunch TBD
Need inspiration? This group is for you. You will find it here. Join us!!
Newcomers (Coordinated by Audrey Paulman)
Newcomers is a new Interest Group introduced in 2025 to bring together new members to socialize and to recruit members to our organization. Their first event was a “Game Night” on October 20th at Spielbound Cafe 3229 Harney. All UNMC faculty members were invited to come socialize, play games and learn about our organization. The second event was a “Live Jazz Night” on November 18th at the Loft Hotel Lobby Bar, 215 South 181st Street, Elkhorn. Ed Archibald, an Omaha Saxophone musician played and entertained the group. Thirty five faculty attended this event. The “Let’s Socialize” event was on December 3rd at the Strauss Performing Arts Center at UNO. The UNMC Orchestra and Choir performed holiday favorites. This event was sponsored in conjunction with the Brain Injury Association of Nebraska. The Orchestra played from 7:30-8:30 PM that evening. All UNMC faculty who attended enjoyed this holiday event. On Monday January 12, 2026 members again met at Spielbound Cafe from 6:30- 9:30 PM (32nd and Harney Streets) for their second “Game Night”. Everyone learned some new games while socializing! The next event will be at Big Grove Brewery just West of the Medical Campus on Tuesday February 17th from 5:30-7:30 PM. Stop by anytime. Refreshments and food are available for purchase. Cash is preferred! Look for tables identified for the Faculty Club of UNMC. At 6:15 PM tables of faculty who are present will be invited to play a game of Trivia and show their collective knowledge. Come join in the fun and meet new faculty.
Pickleball/Badminton (Coordinated by Claudianna Todd)
This group meets the first Sunday of each month from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the UNMC Center for Healthy Living (3908 Jones Street). Faculty, Spouses/partners are included and co-ed teams are encouraged. Both pickleball and badminton are set for play. Afterwards, members rotate to host a potluck dinner or social time at their homes. Planned dates for the 2025-2026 season at the Center followed by “potluck” at a member’s home include:
- September 7, 2025 Claudianna & Gordon Todd
- October 5, 2025 – Hosted by James Griesen at the UNL Campus Recreation Center, Lincoln
- November 2, 2025 – Hosted by Sara & Dave Crouse
- December 7, 2025 – Kiran & Deepak Ganghar
- January 11, 2026 – Pizza at MaMa’s Pizza on Saddle Creek (no host)
- February 1, 2026 -Elizabeth & Mark Rupp
- March 1, 2026 – Audrey & Paul Paulman
- April 12, 2026 – Linda Chee & Andy Dudley
- May 3, 2026 – Laura & Tony Bilek
- June 7, 2026 – Emily Glenn & Nicole Martino
The rules of the game are simple, so consider joining the group for fun and friendship.
