Interest Groups

Bibliophiles Fiction Group

We meet monthly on Zoom to discuss books old and new, chosen by the group. Book titles are announced several months in advance, and free copies are usually available through Forbes Library.

Leader: Rainey Millman, lbmillman1@gmail.com

 Blue Sky Book Group

Members of this group are especially interested in fiction and historical fiction, but other genres are definitely on the table. The host of the month manages a process of book selection soliciting input from the rest of the group. We are meeting in person and respecting everyone's judgment about participation in the group with the ongoing Covid-19 situation and other health considerations in mind. We meet in the home of the host, often carpooling when that makes sense. This group is full.

Leader: Helen Seidler, globalhelen320@gmail.com

Food Interest Group (FIG)

Celebrate and explore the joys of everything culinary with your fellow foodies! FIG meets quarterly around lunchtime to celebrate the food of the season. We get together for themed potlucks in members’ homes or outings to local restaurants. How can food make our lives even sweeter? Let us know what you think! New members get a complimentary fig recipe!

Leader: Joan Axelrod-Contrada, joanaxelrodcontrada@gmail.com

French Conversation Group

Join us for informal, friendly French conversation. Our goal is simple: to practice French and have fun doing it. We generally meet alternate Wednesdays and alternate Thursdays. Dates and times, however, may change. Please email Lucy Greenburg at lgreen0904@gmail.com to receive emails with exact meeting dates and information and if you have questions.

Friday Challenging Hiking Group

Want to enjoy the outdoors and get aerobic exercise in good company?

If you’re eager to hike 2-5 miles on rolling hills or a bit more challenging terrain, please join us. Some hikes are easier, others are longer and have an elevation gain of about 600–700 feet. We hike all kinds of trails within a 15–40 minute drive from Northampton, and we meet every week on Fridays throughout the year. Hikes start at 10 am and carpooling is usually available. You’ll make a lot of new friends and connections in this well-established group!

Facilitator: Carmen Junno, cjunno@gmail.com

Gardeners Group

We meet monthly on a Friday at 10:30 AM between April and October. We meet at members’ gardens where we take a tour of the garden guided by the gardener and also discuss gardening and plant issues, including discussion of house plants. Our members are a terrific resource for each other. We invite you to join us.

Leaders: Kathy Hicks, kathyhicks00@gmail.com.

Insight Meditation & Book Discussion Group

This group is for NN members who have been practicing Insight Meditation for at least 2 years and who would like to read and discuss books or essays on Buddhist meditation practice and nonduality. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 2 pm at the group leader’s home in Leeds. General format: a short period of silent meditation followed by a discussion of an essay or a book chapter about Buddhist meditation practice or nonduality. The intention would be to gain insight into our meditation practice and the way in which the teachings intersect with our lives. The group is currently full. Please email Sandy Glynn at sandyglynn@verizon.net if you have questions or would like to be put on a waitlist to join the group.

Monday Walking Group

The Monday Walking Group excursions are on flat, stable surfaces in conservation areas in Northampton and nearby communities. The walks avoid hilly terrain. Walks are generally located no more than a 30-minute car trip from Northampton. During our outings we walk approximately 1-4 miles in about 1-3 hours. Each person walks at her/his own pace and walks only as far as they wish. There is no obligation to complete the walk or walk a certain distance. Current photo by Judith B. Cameron. Read more.

Leader: David Herships, davidhersh22@gmail.com

Neighbors’ Book Group

Have fun and stretch your mind with a great, lively group of thinkers. The Neighbors' Book Group typically meets on the third Thursday of each month from 2:00-3:30.  We discuss a wide array of books. No genre is off limits! Members recommend book titles and lead discussions. Book selections are announced several months in advance.  Contact Melissa Greenspan about joining our group.


Leader: Melissa Greenspan, greenspanmelissa@gmail.com

Northampton Neighbors Nonfiction Book Group

The Nonfiction Book Group allows members to explore a broad selection of books over the course of our monthly meetings. Books will be recommended by group members and selected by consensus. Each discussion will be moderated by the person recommending the book. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book or author that you would like to share with others? Consider joining the Nonfiction Book Group. These meetings are cosponsored by the Northampton Senior Center. 

Leader: Suzanne Wilson, wilsonsuzanne223@gmail.com

NN BikeREC

Biking for Recreation, Exploration, Connection welcomes
bicycle enthusiasts who enjoy recreational biking on the rail trail and quiet
back roads. This group is intended for bicyclists who can average about 10
mph and who are interested in doing between 10 to 20 miles of riding, with a
short break. Read more.

Leader: David Arbeitman, darbeitmanphd@gmail.com
Co-leader: Rich Baker, anderbake@comcast.net or 763-772-5700

Poetry Reading Group

Are you interested in sharing your favorite poems with others, reading them aloud, and then talking about your reactions to the poems—your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and associations? Then join our monthly Poetry Reading Group! 



Group guidelines are simple: no poems written by you or anyone you know personally; no epic poems; and, if you can, bring a few print copies so that people can read what they’re hearing out loud. 



The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month. A reminder email goes out about a week before each meeting. Please email the leader ahead of time if you want to attend.



Contact David Hallerman, david.hallerman@gmail.com, for more information and to be added to the group mailing list.

Social Contract Bridge Group

It is never too late to start playing bridge again. It is a great way to maintain your memory and enjoy time with new friends. We will help you get back into this wonderful friendly game. 

The Bridge Group meets Wednesdays from 1 to 4pm at the Northampton Senior Center. Players of all levels are welcome in our friendly group. To participate, you must be a member of the Senior Center.
 
Leader: Gary Drimmer, garyd7@yahoo.com, 312-316-9088

Solo Aging Together

Solo agers are individuals who face the challenges of aging without readily available help or who make decisions about their future independently. Our monthly get-togethers and activities are a chance to form supportive personal connections and to share interests, experiences, and resources needed to meet the challenges of solo aging. Leaders: Kimberly Lambert and Bill Sayre.
 
Interested in Solo Aging Together? Contact nnsoloaging@gmail.com to learn more.