Supporting ODU And The Partnership With EVMS While Enriching Friendship Throughout The Community!
INTEREST GROUPS
Our Interest Groups are an excellent way to meet and bond with fellow ODUMCA members. We currently have 16 Interest Groups that fall into 10 different categories, including two new Interest Groups that have been approved by the Board: Needlework and Crafts, and Talk in the Public Square. More details regarding these two new additions will be forthcoming.
Fun with a Purpose!
Our Interest Groups enable us to have fun as we spend time playing games, reading books, dining out, walking
with friends and touring fascinating locations both on and off campus. Donations to our Educational Endowment
help to fulfill an important aspect of our purpose and can be paid annually, monthly or as often as you wish
during the year.
Our Interest Group Director is Harriet Long. Please contact her at mandhlong@aol.com
All other contact information is password protected under the Membership tab across the top of our website.
Just click the Membership tab and then click Membership Directory.
At this point, members will need to use the password.
BOOK GROUPS
We offer four Book Clubs; one evening and three daytime. Each group meets once per month at either 7:00pm or 12:30pm from September – June, locations vary. As a result of COVID-19, all of the groups decided to conduct their meetings using Zoom.
1st Wednesdays 7:00pm
Paula Cook, Leader & Contact
Currently this group meets using Zoom. This year's list of authors include Louise Erdrich, Tommy Orange, Gail Honeyman, Kirk W. Johnson and Kevin Wilson.
2nd Mondays 12:30pm
Carolyn Akers, Leader & Contact
This is our Non-Fiction group and currently meets using Zoom. This year's list of authors includes Steve Inskeep, Laura Spinney, Earl Smith and David McCullough.
2nd Tuesdays: 12:30pm
Rhoda Ballance, Leader & Contact
This group currently meets using Zoom.
3rd Tuesdays 12:30pm
Judy Homsher, Leader & Contact
This group currently meets using Zoom. This year's list of authors includes Earl Swift, Emily St. John Mandel, Hendricks and Pekkanen, Wilkie Collins and Kate Quinn.
HAND & FOOT CANASTA
We offer 2 Hand & Foot groups, both play a progressive form of the game. The game is very easy to learn and lots of fun to play. Both groups meet on Tuesdays at different locations and times.
Currently on hiatus due to COVID-19
2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 1:00 – 4:00pm
Betty Denniston, Leader & Contact
The Landings at Bolling Square, Club House,
1001 Bolling Avenue, Norfolk
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Al King, Leader & Contact
Maker’s Craft Brewery, 735 East 23rd Street, Norfolk
Hand & Foot is usually played by two pairs of partners who work together to create books that contain at least seven like-value cards; aka, a Canasta. Six standard decks are used so having a 6-deck card shuffler is a real plus. Come and play Hand & Foot the ODUMCA way.
Betty Denniston and Al King, Leaders & Contacts
OUT-TO-LUNCH BUNCH
On the 3rd Wednesdays of each month, we look forward to enjoying a delicious lunch together at one of our local restaurants or cafes. Some of us decide to skip breakfast on the days that we gather for lunch so we get started at 11:30am.
Below is the listing for dates, locations and type of cuisine for October & November.
Oct 21st: Surf Riders, Ocean View - Seafood
Nov 18th: Sunset Grill, 4027 Bowden's Ferry Rd, Norfolk Seafood
Jonna-Dawn Walker, Leader & Contact
BEERS AND CHEERS
Last Sunday of each month, 4pm
At 4:00pm on the last Sunday of each month, beer lovers gather at one of the area’s microbreweries. Members enjoy their favorite beers and sample new ones. There are usually a few snacks involved too.
Our regular schedule changes in November & December due to The Holidays.
Below is the date and location for October.
Nov 8th: Maker's Craft Brewery
Date change due to Thanksgiving
Tamara Haines, Leader & Contact
TEA FOR TWO
3rd Thursdays
Pause once-a-month for a Tea Party featuring formally set tables, a variety of teas, savories & sweets and stimulating conversation. This group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month in the afternoon at elegant Tea Rooms throughout Hampton Roads. Occasionally a member
hosts an event at her home.
Recently, the group has gathered for Afternoon Tea at Café Stella, The Cavalier, the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club and had an event catered by La Brioche that was hosted by one of the members.
Currently on hiatus due to COVID-19
Jonna-Dawn Walker, Leader & Contact
MAH JONGG
We offer 3 Mah Jongg groups, all of
which play a loosely variant version
of Wright-Patterson rules.
Knowing how to play the game is essential
so if you’re interested in learning how to play the ODUMCA way, contact the leader of your chosen group. The purchase of our book of rules is also required, $20.
The Weekend Groups are currently on hiatus due to
COVID-19.
2nd & 4th Thursdays, 10:00am – 2:30pm - Al King, Leader & Contact
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club is the location. We usually have 3 tables of 4-players. At 12:00pm we break for lunch; which is at your own expense. After lunching on the Lafayette River, an afternoon of gameplay & fun continues until at least 2:30 pm.
2nd & 4th Thursdays, 10am – 2:30 pm, Nancy Tatterson, Leader & Contact
The Landings Club House on Bolling Avenue is the location. The players enjoy a morning of playing the game, then early afternoon break for the lunch; each player provides her own lunch. A day of fun & games is enjoyed by all.
Weekends, 2 – 5:00pm
To encourage involvement of women who are still in the workforce, we’ve added Saturday and Sunday games that offer the opportunity to learn, practice and play this captivating game .
Designated Saturdays
The Learning Commons @ Perry Library, ODU Campus. The address is 4427 Hampton Boulevard near the intersection of 43rd and Bluestone Streets. Parking is free.
2nd & 4th Sundays
Maker’s Craft Brewery, 735 East 23rd Street, Norfolk. In addition to Mah Jongg, Maker’s offers a variety of beers and sodas plus a Farmer’s Market, live music and a food truck are often on site in the spacious outdoor patio.
Al King and Nancy Tatterson, Leaders & Contacts
CHICK FLICKS
Let’s spend the afternoon at the movies followed by a review session over snacks & beverages. The meeting time and place varies but we do enjoy attending matinees at the Naro, Regal MacArthur Center Stadium 18 and Regal Columbus Stadium 12.
Recently our group has viewed Downton Abby, The Farewell, Knives Out, Bombshell, 1917.
Currently on hiatus due to COVID-19
Nancy Tatterson & Judy Homsher
Co-Leaders & Contacts
WALK WITH FRIENDS
2nd Wednesdays (flexible scheduling)
If you enjoy getting outside and enjoying a
brisk walk with friends, this is the Interest Group
for you. We’ve hiked the Elizabeth River Trail, toured
the Virginia Zoo, walked First Landings State Park and
meandered through the Norfolk Botanical Garden. We meet in a nearby parking area and then begin our walk as a group. Afterwards, you guessed it, we stop for snacks and beverages before heading home.
We walk wearing our masks!
Thursday, Nov 19th: Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2 mile walk around the perimeter on a paved road. Join us as we enjoy this natural arboretum, established in 1906. Restrooms & the office are not open to the public.
Enter through the 3rd entrance, directly across from Gate 22, then take an immediate left and park along the circle on the Northwest Lawn.
Rain date: Friday, Nov 20th
Sarah Ford, Leader & Contact
New Groups 2020
Details are being finalized
Talk in the Public Square
This group will meet monthly with an open
agenda to discuss topics of interest of our world,
country, state, city and home.
Bring suggestions that might be of interest to you.
Juanita Raisor, Leader & Contact
Needlework & Crafts
If you enjoy making things with a
needle and if being involved with crafts,
this is the group for you.
Jeanie Carlson, Administrator – Al King, Contact
