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UPWC Special Interest Groups (SIGS)
This page contains a list of the SIGs in alphabetical order, a brief description of each, and a link to their web page if they have one (Click on the title of the group) |
Maria Meredith, Judith O'Donnell, Co-Chairs Meetings held on 2nd Thursday of each month from 2:00-3:00 Click here for our web page. | We have always had a fascination with the Victorian Era. There have been so many documentaries, films, novels, PBS/BBC series that have sparked an interest in this period. From Dickens to Pre-Raphaelite artists, to Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. The group will meet monthly to share insights and explore the lifestyle, art, literature, science and ALL THINGS Victorian. |
The purpose of the Arts Discovery group is to provide education, encouragement and inspiration to our artist and art enthusiast members through demonstrations, mini workshops, field trips and videos as well as a variety of programs related to all art forms. |
Barbara Brooks, Susan Dybvig - Co-Chairs Lecture: 3rd Wednesday, 5:30pm, Location Varies Field Trips: Location, Date, Time Varies Click here to see our web page. | Learn about Birds from lectures and field trips. There is lots to learn -- what are birds anyway? How do you identify them? What tools are there to help? The Manatee County Audubon Society experts will open the world of birds to us and guide us on fun and informative field trips. |
Pepi Levene - Chair Meetings held on the 3rd Monday of each month from 2:00 - 3:30 Click here to see scheduled book selections. | The Book Club chooses books for the year as suggested by members of the group. Usually the nominator is the one who leads the group discussion of the book. |
Jessica Bethoney - Chair Activities held monthly, Time and Day will vary. Click here to see our web page | If you enjoy sharing the joy of movement and fun while exercising, this group is for you! We will plan events both inside the Park and out: line dance and other classes, informal boogying on the Boardwalk, and excursions to local indoor and outdoor venues. |
Euchre Club | Carol Shabe, Bette Graves - Co-Chairs Choose from one of two events per month: A Girl's Night Out or A Night Out with a Guest. “Dine and Unwind” with new friends and longtime friends while enjoying an evening of celebrating your love of fine flavors, good conversation and supporting our local community restaurants. Linda Van Howe - Chair Euchre SIG will meet monthly on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 1:30 – 3:30 PM For Euchre rules, Click here | Join this adventure and expect a true “Dining Experience” as we explore the best of the bountiful and diverse restaurants in Sarasota and the surrounding area. Our restaurant choices will include family owned, chef-owned, ethnic, restaurants new to the dining scene, and those that have interesting menus. Laissez les bons temps rouler!! Bon Appetit!! Do you enjoy playing card games? Are you familiar with Euchre? Euchre is a popular card game played with 4 players. It’s especially popular in the Midwest and Northeast. Come join this monthly group for friendly rounds of Euchre. Basic knowledge of Euchre needed, and if you want to learn, please reach out to the SIG leader for an introductory session. |
Fiber Arts
| Carole Reiss - Chair Meetings held the 2nd Monday of each month from 10:00 - 12:00 Click here to see our web page. | If you enjoy needle arts such as crewel, knitting, crocheting, counted cross stitch, hardanger, rug-hooking and needlepoint, then you have found your soul sisters. Some of our group participants have their work displayed at the UPCC Community Center. Please stop by and admire their talent! |
Jane Zuckerman - Chair Meetings held the 1st Tuesday and the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2:00 - 3:30. Click here to see our web page. | Film Fans welcome members who are cinema enthusiasts, casual movie goers and those who enjoy all the fanfare associated with movies. A film is selected in advance of the meeting and should be viewed beforehand so that all those present can participate in the discussion. |
French Conversation
| Rina Du Toit, Daria Charlesworth - Co-Chairs Meetings held the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2:00 - 4:00 Click here to see our web page. | Bienvenue!! Our French group is for those of you who want to brush up on their French conversational skills. A discussion topic will be assigned each month for the next meeting. This will enable group members to have time to prepare and to become familiar with the vocabulary needed for the conversations. Members with more basic skills will be supported by members who are more fluent speakers. This is NOT intended to be a French Language Course. |
Linda Van Howe and Judy O'Donnell - Co-Chairs Activities held monthly on third Tuesday from 2:00 - 4:00 Please be sure to check Upcoming Events each month for location and other event details. Click here for rules for the fun games that we have learned. | A new card game or board game will be taught at each meeting followed by games brought by other players. Bring your favorite games to play with other players or come just to learn the new game-of-the-day. You may come every time or just when you feel like it. Please register on the website to save yourself a place. All club members are welcome. If you have visiting guests, bring them too, and include them in your registration. |
Deborah Gatlin - Chair Activities held the 1st Thursday of each month. Click here to see our web page. Do you know which plants are invasive? Are you having trouble putting the right plant in the right spot? The Gardeners page contains links to external pages with information on these topics. | The group enjoys a variety of hands-on activities as well as visits to various places of interest around Sarasota that relate to the environment and are loosely related to gardening. Some members are avid gardeners; some don't garden at all! |
Gourmet Cooking | Gourmet Cooking is for those of you who enjoy cooking and experimenting with familiar and new recipes and cuisines. These monthly, in-home events are open to all UPWC members and their spouse, partner or a guest. It is an opportunity to meet and socialize with like-minded neighbors who share a passion for cooking. You do not have to be a gourmet chef to join. |
Rina Du Toit, Carol Lenz - Co-Chairs Lecture or field trip to be held monthly, October through May Click Insights in Design Special Interest Group to see information and pictures of our most recent field trips. Click here for the Insights in Design page.Costs: co-chairs will make every effort to avoid participation fees, but may have to impose a fee as dictated by a presenter. | Come join us on a journey to explore the world of Design!! This group plans to enhance our collective knowledge of the world of architecture, interior design, interior decorating and all related fields, with a focus on a different subject matter every month. We will combine lectures by professionals in their respective fields, and those trade and supply vendors related to their specific areas of expertise. Field trips will help broaden our “shopping” and design resources, to help us solve personal design dilemmas! |
Join Us For Lunch |
Lunch @ the Park Leslie Timme, Andrea Mahan, Jaynie Bush - Co-Chairs Lunches held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at UPCC. | All members are welcome to join these monthly lunch groups for dining and socializing. |
Kathy Crits-Christoph - Chair Click here to see Memoir Writing prompts and writing samples from the Group |
If you have started (or want to start) writing a memoir or stories about family history and would like to meet fellow writers for inspiration, constructive feedback and fun, this is the group for you! This is the chance to capture the special or significant moments of your past and share them with others. Our group meets every 3rd Friday of the month from 2:00 - 3:30.
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Andrea Mahan, Cathie Schaffer - Co-Chairs Lunches held on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 12:00 - 1:30 at the UPCC Park Grille Click here to see our web page. |
Come for lunch . . . and meet new neighbors! This monthly luncheon group is open to new members of the UPWC to meet one another. This is an informal opportunity for women during their first two years of membership to meet other newcomers and share interests and information (members' recommendations for doctors, dentists, painters, hair stylists, decorators etc.). Come and join the fun!
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Paper Pizazz
| Rita Patton - Chair Meetings held 2nd Friday of the month from 11:00-3:00 Click here to view our web page. | Activities will focus on paper: card making, scrapbooking, small book and folder making, paper decorating, creation of photo books, collage, anything relating to paper. The term “paper” includes not only wood based paper, but also cotton based papers, plastic papers, even shrink plastic (which starts out looking like paper). The group will concentrate on decorating and using paper in various constructions. |
Rita Patton - Chair
Meetings held the 1st Wednesday of the month from 1:00 - 3:00 Click here to view Play Reading page. |
And the play goes on! in our homes with members reading a script bringing characters to life. Members select the play, obtain a copy of the script, select a character to portray, and meet to enjoy each other’s interpretation of the parts. No experience required, just have fun. Members are also welcome to listen without reading.
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Leida Vizcaino, Alba Foreman - Co-Chairs Meetings held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2:00 - 3:30. Meets for 90 minute total immersion experience with native Spanish speakers. Click here to view our web page. OPENINGS: This group has room for 1-2 more members. If interested, contact Leidy at leidyvizcaino@aol.com. | SCG is for members with a foundation in the Spanish language, not for those hoping for language lessons. Participants could be beginner level but intermediate or advanced is going to be easier for members wishing to participate in discussions. Topics will be announced well before the meetings to give participants time to gather their thoughts and any vocabulary they may need before participating in these facilitated discussions.The gatherings are not language courses, but an opportunity to practice what the members know, no matter how basic, and build on it through the help of native speakers. |
Rina Du Toit, Carrie Hayden, Mary Creagh - Co-Chairs
Click here to view our web page. | Attention Wine Lovers!! Do you enjoy discovering new wines? Expand your wine knowledge and palette by sampling wines from all over the world. The group will meet once per month in different homes or venues. A hostess (volunteers needed) will choose the wine varietal or wine region to explore for the event. Wine tastings around town are also a great option and will be a part of future meetups. If you are interested in this group, you must add it to your Profile on the UPWC website in order to receive announcements of events. If you would like to serve as hostess for a meeting, contact Jayne to discuss it. |
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