Osher Interest Groups

If you love baseball, this is the group for you! Leader Dan Begley has great ideas for baseball-related things to do!

This group has lots of fun events planned, including:

• Connect with our new UR baseball coach
• Visit the new batting facility at Pitt field
• Meet some UR players who are willing to talk about being a student/athlete
• Visit the Tuckahoe Little League to see their MASSIVE baseball facility
• Invite guest speakers like Bob Black to about his life in baseball and other UR sports
• Visit Nationals Park as a group
• Visit the Diamond for a tour under the stands before they tear the place down.

If you wish to be a part of this fun, new group, just email osherbaseball@gmail.com and ask to be added to the email list.

The Richmond Audubon Society and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute are pairing up to create a new Special Interest Group on birding for Osher members. Membership in the Richmond chapter or the National Audubon Society is not required to be a member of this Osher interest group (although there are nice benefits, if you choose to join).

Please contact Mary Elfner at melfner@gmail.com if you are interested in joining.

The social/duplicate bridge group meets on the first Friday of each month at 1pm (except in the summer months).

Please contact Bob Warwick (raw29@cornell.edu) or Bill McGuire (wmcguire52@aol.com) if you are interested in joining. These are FUN groups. All levels are welcome!

Would you like to explore and learn more about planet Earth and the universe?

Maybe you’ve already read these:

• Origin Story: A Big History of Everything by David Christian (recommended by Bill Gates)
• A Brief History of Earth: Four Billion Years in Eight Chapters by Andrew Knoll
• Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss & J. Richard Gott

And, perhaps you go online and enjoy these web sites:

• NASA
• The Evolving Universe
• The James Webb Telescope

There are thousands of resources for exploring earth and the universe. Which ones have you tried?

If any of these books, web sites, and topics are of interest to you, please email Joel Gottlieb at joel.gottlieb@gmail.com to join this group.

Are you interested in genealogy? Whether you are a novice or an experienced researcher, this interactive discussion group gives you the opportunity to ask questions, share your experiences, network with other researchers, learn about resources, explore topics and get guidance from the group leader, who is a genealogist with more than 30 years of experience.

If you would like to join the group, or if you have any questions, please contact the group leader, Donna Shumate, at dmshumate@me.com. 

This group gathers to enjoy conversation while creating individual projects. Some members are willing to instruct those who may wish to learn. The group meets several times each month in different locations on campus, but does not gather during the summer.

To join, please email Bridget Westhoven at westhoven5@mac.com.

The Photography Interest Group offers photographers with a range of experience and interest the opportunity to come together regularly to share, learn, and develop their skills. Tip sessions, photo outings, and presentations on such topics as composition, exposure, and editing software are offered.

To join or learn more, please email coordinator Peter Blankman at pblankman@gmail.com.

The purpose of this new group is to build confidence to say anything in French, and the setting would be completely informal. Osher members Allan and Eva Blum host an informal French Conversation social group. Eva’s native language is French, and Allan is fairly fluent in the language. This group does not require fluency in French, but only a wish to have some fun and improve whatever level French one has by casual French conversation.

Please email Allan and Eva at allan_blum@yahoo.com with your interest and desire to be a part of this group.

Do you enjoy listening to the full sound of music on turntables? If so, you may be interested in joining the Love of Vinyl Records Special Interest Group!

We meet every other month with selected special activities and outings between to share the members’ passion for vinyl records. If you are interested, send an email to the Coordinator, Murray Ellison, at ellisonms2@alumni.vcu.edu.

Osher Member Brenda Davis is leading this group, which will have a set, weekly schedule to start your day virtually with a fun energy boost! You will be stretching, getting your heart rate up a little bit, and using hand held weights while seated in a chair or standing beside the chair.

Here’s the typical schedule:

• What: Virtual Low Impact Workout (with chair and hand weights)
• Day of week: Tuesday
• Time: 8:00-8:30 am
• Delivery: Online via Zoom

How do you become a Fab and Fit Spider? Just sign up! Email Brenda at bdavis@agesmartva.org to join this group. Then, she’ll email you with reminders and the Zoom link.

The Golf Special Interest Group has been created for Osher members who love to hit the links. We vary the days of the week, times, locations, and playing formats, with the hope of appealing to all interested golfers. We welcome all, regardless of handicap — this is just for fun and enjoyment!

If you are interested, please contact Thomas Cox at tcox.attorney@gmail.com.

Come with us and explore the wonders of nature: the breathtaking waterfalls, wildlife, various plants and vegetation, not to mention historic urban settings. Our hikes run from September through June and cover an array of venues from the Shenandoah National Park to urban hikes, and all points in between. Our hikes generally run between four and seven miles in length with varying degrees of difficulty and elevation change. We generally leave around 8 a.m. and return by 5 p.m. For more information, contact the group coordinator: Lex Bailey, alexander.neale.bailey@gmail.com.

All participants are required to sign a liability release form. Also, we strongly recommend that all participants complete and bring with them on the hike an Emergency Information Sheet. Upcoming hikes will be posted in the Osher Office and on the Osher website and announced to group members via email.

Spring 2025 Hike Schedule

Following is the hiking schedule for the season:

Guidelines for Hikers

• You must be an Osher member or a guest of an Osher member to participate in a hike.
• We will meet and depart promptly at the times stated in the hike email.
• Please do not veer off or leave a hike without informing a member of the hiking committee.
• We try to pick hikes that appeal to a wide range of hikers, but due to difficulty and elevation, may not be possible for all hikers.
• For safety reasons and as a courtesy to the other hikers, everyone on the hike must be able to maintain a steady pace and stay with the group. All hikers will be required to sign release forms before departing for the hike.
• There is generally a waiting list for hikers so if you find you cannot go on a hike, please inform Lex Bailey at alexander.neale.bailey@gmail.com ASAP so another person can fill your slot.
• Be sure to dress appropriately for a day out of doors and wear comfortable shoes. A day pack and walking stick are recommended. Also, all hikers are strongly encouraged to carry a listing of emergency contact information.
• The hiking committee is always looking for new ideas and members. If you would be interested in having a voice on hiking issues, please email Lex.

Attention all travelers! Celeste Miller is spearheading this Osher special interest group for those who love to travel. The objectives of the group are to share information regarding trips taken and most importantly, to help coordinate future Osher travel.

If you have interest in helping to lead the development of future Osher trips, being the first to learn of the travel opportunities developed, learning from fellow travelers, or sharing your experiences, this is the special interest group for you! We plan to focus on day trips and overnight excursions, as well as domestic and international travel.

Osher travel opportunities require all travelers to be Osher members, including spouses and guests.

Osher memberships may be purchased for as little as $75/year.

To join or to learn more, please email OSHERtravel@gmail.com. Come join the fun and expand your experiences!

And if you’d like to see the existing Osher travel opportunities, be sure to visit the Special Travel Opportunities page!

The aim of our UR Women’s Basketball Special Interest Group (SIG) is to enjoy the UR women’s games together (home and some away games) and support the team. We have been assigned our own designated Osher section in the Robins Center and we call our group Silver Spiders.

Join us in attending special programs, presentations, and practices with the UR coaches and players. Most of us have season tickets, but that is not a requirement to join this group.

All are welcome! Please contact John Festa at johnfesta@comcast.net to join.

The group discusses climate change fundamentals like sources of greenhouse gas emissions, their relationship to global warming, and the impacts of global warming on human welfare and ecological health. We learn from one another, guest speakers, readings, recorded talks, and films.

Our focus is on how to take effective action. We have created 13 accessible guides on various aspects of climate change, which include an overview of each topic and related actions that we can take individually and collectively. These guides can be found on the University of Richmond Office for Sustainability website.

To join, please email Renee Purdy at renee.purdy@richmond.edu or Holly Blake at hblake@richmond.edu.

The group generally meets in the Special Programs Building on the third Thursday of each month from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Contemporary Issues (CI) is an interest group devoted to consideration of important news topics of the day. Invited guest speakers and CI committee members facilitate exploration of focus topics, followed by open discussions of contemporary issues suggested by staff and members.

Recent focus topics include:

• The deteriorating relations between U.S. and China
• Implications of U.S. deficit and resulting debt
• Climate change: Fact or Fantasy?
• Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT

Fall 2023 sessions will be on September 22 and November 10.

To join, please contact Alan Corbett at alan.corbett@comcast.net or 804-651-0958.

As part of the group’s activities, the Historically Speaking Interest Group discusses both classic historical works and recent history books. We are for all those who love history and enjoy the fellowship of others who feel the same way. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Louis Cei at ceilb2@aol.com. Please join us!

There is no cost to attend, but you must be a current Osher member. Most of the books can be checked out of a local library, purchased on Amazon, or found on reserve at UR’s Boatwright Library under the name of Louis B. Cei at the Reference Desk. Also you don’t have to have read the book to attend, but it is encouraged. Dates, times and locations will be announced by email. All meetings will be held via Zoom.

2024-2025 Schedule of Readings

The RVA Classics book club has two distinct features:

First, everyone reads the book! We don’t serve wine, we don’t serve coffee. We are a collegial group of serious readers who love to discuss real literature.

Second, our emphasis is on classics. Some contemporary authors have made our list (Toni Morrison, for example), but it’s mostly books we deem classics, including Faulkner, Cervantes (Don Quixote), George Eliot, Beowulf, Shakespeare, Gogol, and Tolstoy.

We meet from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. For more information, contact Eric Holzwarth at holzwarth.barash@gmail.com. 

Note: Because we expect a great deal of interaction and discussion, we will limit the size of our group. We are willing to create a waitlist and potentially assist in creating a second group, if there is sufficient interest.

Osher members are welcome to join this group founded in 2001 by dedicated School of Professional & Continuing Studies students. Readings range from academic non-fiction to literary fiction to popular fiction. To join, please contact Jerry Lutkenhaus (jervalaw@aol.com) and Ginnie Manuel (vmanuelva@gmail.com).

Unless otherwise specified, all meetings will be on the last Saturday of the month from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the University of Richmond’s Heilman Dining Center South Meeting Room (private glass dining room overlooking the lake).

For Newcomers: When you walk into the building, as you approach the entrance to the dining room you will see a glassed-in enclosure across the way and to the right. That’s us! As part of our room reservation agreement we are asked to go through the cafeteria, which also means that we are each charged just under $10 for an all-you-can-eat buffet of a wide variety of food. The food is VERY good, and includes breakfast as well as lunch fare.

Book Choices for 2025

Are you interested in writing your life story — in small chunks and with the help of like-minded others? We are a supportive group that meets at least monthly, sharing our writing and offering advice and feedback to one another. This is not a group that focuses on publication but on evoking memories and improving our writing.

Because of the necessity to create a small, intimate group, our first group, led by Lynn Blankman, is currently at capacity. Our second group, led by Karen Mizrach, is also full.

We are currently accepting members in a new, third group, led by Lisa Johnson: lajohnson978@gmail.com.

Are you a mystery reader? Come once a month to discuss mysteries old and new, from Agatha Christie to Louise Penny and from senior sleuths to international detectives.

When: Generally the last Monday of the months of September through November and January through May at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Location to be announced.

If you’d like to attend, please email Nancy Newins (nnewins@verizon.net) or Leigh McDonald (lmcdonal@richmond.edu) for more information.

A love for live theater is the only prerequisite for joining this interest group. This Osher interest group explores the Richmond theater scene by selecting and attending performances year round. Announcements for shows are sent to group members via email.

There is a wonderful social aspect to this group. When appropriate, we gather after a performance for discussion and a bite to eat.

The group also attends impromptu movies and music concerts. To learn more and to join, please email oshertheater@gmail.com.

2024-2025 Performances