FWC’s 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 FWC 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. Last year they reviewed the following books: Horse” by Geraldine Brooks, A Fever in the Heartland” by Timothy Egan, Lessons in Chemistry“ by Bonnie Garmus, “Don’t Make me Pull Over” by Richard Ratay, “Prairie Forge” by James J. Kimble, The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich, The Only Woman in the Room” by Marie Benedict, The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese, The Wager” by David Grann, and “Life in a Jar” by Irena Sendler.
Book Club EVE (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. Last year they reviewed the following books: “Demon Copperfield” by Barbara Kingsolve, “Britt-Marie Was Here” by Fredrik Backman, “A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918” by Joseph Loconte, “Black Print with a White Carnation: Mildred Brown and the Omaha Star Newspaper, 1938-1989” by Amy Forss, “Lessons in Chemisty” by Bonnie Garmus, Trust by Hernon Diaz, “House in the Pines” by Ana Reeves, “The World Played Chess” by Robert Dugoni, “The Lilac Girls” by Martha Hall Kelly, and “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.
Our reading selections for 2024-25, can be found by referring to the page “DAY and EVE Book Club Selections 2024-2025” 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 and spouses 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 and location a month in advance by email, so everyone can decide if they wish to give it a try. A dead line for responding to the month’s “Dining Out” invitation must be sent to Sara at the time of her email to the group each month. During our first five years, we’ve gathered at over 30 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. So far, we’ve met at Talus Spirits & Sustenance, 30 Hop, Primo’s Modern Mexican, and more.
Our next dining out is on March 15th at 6 p.m. at Everett’s, located at 8807 Maple Street in a strip mall on the south side of Maple.
The venue selections for the above dates will be posted as they are determined.
Gourmet Club (Coordinated by Belinda Greiner)
The Gourmet Club meets 4-6 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 are included in the gatherings. Our previous events include a Late Summer Bounty hosted by the Zertermans curated around Grilled Roast Pork and a Sensational Soup Dinner hosted by Mary Beth Gust and Carla Imray.
Fine Arts Club (Open to Volunteer)
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.
Joanie Zetterman has arranged for us to tour a couple exhibits at the McGoogan Health Sciences Library on Monday, February 3rd, at 10:30am.
We will be shown a collection of Charles Dickens books that were donated by the late Hiram Winnett Orr, MD, an avid rare book collector who was an orthopedic surgeon in Nebraska. There is also a collection of Dolls wearing historical Nebraska Student Nursing uniforms on display that we can view. You can find more information about these on the McGoogan Library website.
PLEASE LET JOANIE Z. KNOW BY MONDAY, JANUARY 27TH, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE TOUR.
On Friday, November 17th, they traveled to UNO’s Samuel Bak Museum-The Learning Center. The museum Curator, Alexandra Cardon, lead the tour and ended in Q&A’s. UNOMAHA.EDU/SAMUEL-BAK-MUSEUM-THE-LEARNING-CENTER
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. Unwind, share ideas, and foster meaningful relationships in a welcoming and vibrant community. This relaxed environment is a great introduction to the FWC. 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 12th – True American Bar and Spirits – 3710 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105
- Oct 10th – Barnato Lounge – 225 N 170th St Suite 95, Omaha, NE 68118
- Nov 14th – The Vault – 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 020, Omaha, NE 68114
- Jan 8th – Dry Spokes – 1901 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68102
- Feb 13th – PROOF 192 Whiskey Bar & Craft Cocktails – 18940 Evans Plaza, Omaha, NE 68022
- March 13th – Heights Draft Room – 7861 Main St Suite H, La Vista, NE 68128
- April 10th – Secret Park – 3207 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105
- May 8th – Sonny’s Aksarben – 1905 S 67th St, Omaha, NE 68106
Hiking Club (Coordinated by Laura Bilek)
This NEW Club, launched in 2020, allows fellow members and spouses to hike together along local trails. The Hiking Club meets each 2nd Saturday at a predetermined time, with social time following the hikes. Trail selections will 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 our group. We will post the 2024-25 locations as they are determined. This year we visited Neale Woods and Chalco Hill/Wehrspan Lake.
Our next hike is scheduled for
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. 3rd – Mary Gurney
- Sept. 17th –
- Oct. 1st – Claudianna Todd
- Oct. 15th – Bunny Pozehl
- Nov. 5th – Belinda Greiner
- Nov. 19th – Carol McGlade
- Dec. 3rd – Sara Crouse
- Jan. 7th – Jean Shulman
- Jan. 21st – Claudianna Todd
- Feb. 4th – Sara Crouse
- Feb. 18th – Belinda Greiner
- Mar. 4th – Carol McGlade
- Mar. 18th – Mary Gurney
- Apr. 1st – Susan Mathers
- Apr. 15th – Jean Shulman
- May 6th – Spring Lunch TBD
Need inspiration? This group is for you. You will find it here. Join us!!
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). Spouses 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. Spouses are included and co-ed teams are encouraged. Planned dates for the 2023-24 season at the Center followed by “potluck” at a member’s home include:
- Sept 8th – Crouse
- Oct 6th – Bilek
- Nov 3rd – Todd
- Dec 8th – Hamel
- Jan 5th – Paulman
- Feb 2nd – Olsen
- March 2nd – Sansom
- April 6th – Gangahar
- May 4th – Rupp
- June 1st – Mendlick
The rules of the game are simple, so consider joining the group for fun and friendship.
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