Shared Interest Groups

Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) offer a way to pursue shared interests with other OLLI members. SIGs meet on a regular schedule, weekly to monthly, according to the needs of the group. If you are interested in any particular SIG, please contact the coordinator to learn more.
Note: Membership in the 2024-25 SIG is valid through July 31, 2025.
OLLI membership and SIG registration for 2025-26 will open August 1, 2025. You must first join OLLI for 2025-26 to be able to register in the SIG. 

Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) offer a way to pursue shared interests with other OLLI members. SIGs meet on a regular schedule, weekly to monthly, according to the needs of the group. If you are interested in any particular SIG, please contact the coordinator to learn more.

Current Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)

To join a Shared Interest Group you must first be an OLLI member. Register for membership in our online registration system and then register for the SIG you want to join. Unless the SIG is full, you will be added to the roster and can attend the next scheduled meeting. 

You may attend one meeting as a guest prior to joining.  

Apple SIG: Meets 3rd Fridays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center 206
SIG contact: Paula Withrow (pvwithrow@aol.com)
Members of the Apple SIG provide those who are new or seasoned users of all things Mac and Apple including laptops, desktops, watches, iPhones, iPads and iPods, with updated information, tips and tools for getting the most out of the devices and their associated applications. This is a forum for learning and practicing best uses for Apple products.

Art Together SIG: Meets 3rd Fridays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center 230
SIG contact: Sharon Sandel (sharsand46@gmail.com)
Members of the Art Together SIG meet in the art room to produce art and inspire and promote each other to make all kinds of art and to have fun!

Beer on Tap Sig: Meets 2nd Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m., off campus
SIG contact: Erik Vedeler (vedelererik@gmail.com)
The Beer on Tap SIG is for OLLI members who enjoy getting together to socialize and sample Asheville’s diverse craft beer selections. The group meets at local brew pubs and members are always finding new brews and different venues. Contact Erik Vedeler to learn the locations of meetings. 

Bridge Grads SIG: Meets Thursdays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center Lower Atrium;
no meeting November 27, December 25, 2025 or January 1, 2026
SIG contact: Diane Amos (famsamos1@gmail.com)
This SIG is for people who have either taken an OLLI bridge course or have been long-time bridge players and know the common bridge conventions. While this is not a beginner’s bridge SIG, it is also not a heads-down-serious bridge group.  Members mingle and socialize and have fun. The group follows Chicago scoring and participants switch tables after four hands of play.

Common Ground SIG: Meets 1st Fridays, 2-3:30 p.m., Reuter Center 205;
no meeting August 1 or September 5, 2025 or January 2, 2026
SIG contact: Martha Marshall (marshall@ret.unca.edu)
The Common Ground SIG encourages learning and friendship in discussions that promote understanding of and interaction with members whose ideas and opinions about American society may be different from one’s own. The overarching framework will be an analysis of polarization, a significant problem in our country today. Members will examine issues from different perspectives and look for areas of common ground.  A willingness to listen is required. Topics are announced well in advance. Usually, a 20-30 minute presentation on the topic is followed by discussion.

The Forum SIG (aka Dialogue to Challenge Our Thinking):
Meets  Fridays, 1-3 p.m., via Zoom; no meeting November 28, December 26, 2025 or January 2, 2026
SIG contact: Beth Johnson (johnson1ea@earthlink.net)
The Forum SIG meets for a free-flowing dialogue designed to enrich and expand participant’s thinking on a wide range of topics usually related to current events, from changing demographics of retirees to nuclear disarmament. Topics are suggested and voted on by members. Contact Beth Johnson for the Zoom link.

Gardening SIG: Meets 2nd Fridays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center 205 or off campus;
meets off campus on December 12, 2025
SIG contact: Nancy Desmond (nldesmond@gmail.com)
Western North Carolina, home to a diversity of plant life, is a rich but sometimes challenging environment in which to garden. Gardening SIG members strive to expand gardening knowledge and enjoy gardening activities together. In addition to meetings at OLLI, off-site activities such as touring public gardens, visiting specialty nurseries and visiting a member’s garden are regularly scheduled. 

Hiking SIG: Meets 2-3 times per month, off campus
SIG Contact: Glenn Peterson (OLLIhikingsig@gmail.com)
The Hiking SIG fosters the enjoyment of hiking in the greater Asheville area, provides varied levels of hikes to meet the needs of group members, introduces a variety of hiking locations and provides a social outlet to interact with other members. Meetings vary depending on leader availability, usually 2-3 hikes per month. After you register for this SIG in the OLLI online registration system, go to OLLIHikingSIG.org to create a profile, see scheduled hikes and sign up for the hikes you want to attend.

History Book Club: Meets 3rd Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., off campus; no meeting August 15, 2025
SIG contact: Lary Custodio (laryc574@gmail.com)
Come join the fun to read and discuss books devoted to history. This group meets in area library meeting rooms or member homes. Contact Lary Custodio to learn the locations of meetings. 

Meditation SIG: Meets 2nd Mondays, 4:15-5:30 p.m. via Zoom and
4th Mondays, 4:15-5:00 p.m., Reuter Center 205; no meeting December 22, 2025
SIG contact: Sally Ekaireb (ollimeditationsig@gmail.com)
OLLI Meditation SIG members comprise a community of individuals who are curious, intrigued and interested in engaging in many different styles of meditation. Some want to learn how to calm the mind and improve sleep, while others want to learn how to expand consciousness! Together members learn and experience different styles of meditation, often with OLLI instructors and sometimes with gifted instructors beyond the OLLI community. All OLLI members are welcome to come make new friends and be part of the meditation community. You may attend both the in person and the online sessions. No meditation experience required.

Modern Canasta SIG: Meets Tuesdays 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center Lower Atrium; no meeting December 23 or 30, 2025
SIG Contact: Donna Kelman (donnakelman@gmail.com)
Members gather weekly to play modern canasta following the rules of the Canasta League of America. Players are encouraged to purchase Ultimate Guide to Modern Canasta, ISBN9781771400879 and available at www.conastaleagueofamerica.com. Join a welcoming, congenial group of players to have fun and exercise the gray cells. Players need to contact Donna Kelman each week by Monday, noon, to reserve a seat.  

Plant-Based Living SIG: Meets 1st Fridays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center 206 with occasional lunches in the Reuter Center Lower Atrium; no meeting September 5, 2025 or January 2, 2026
SIG contact Bonnie Wheeler (bonniewhee@gmail.com)
Plant-Based Living SIG meets to share information and support for those interested in the benefits and the how-to of following a plant-based diet for personal health and for the health of the planet. 

Poetry SIG:
Meets 2nd Fridays, 2-4 p.m., Reuter Center 120; meets off campus on December 12, 2025
SIG contact Mary Louisa Ippolito (vsomli84@gmail.com)
The Poetry SIG is for people who want to practice the art of writing poetry. SIG members each write a poem, based on a prompt from the coordinator, that they share at the SIG meeting in a safe and respectful environment that encourages creative growth. Group size is limited so there is adequate time for poetry sharing and discussion. Members must be willing to write poems and share them with the group.

Texas Hold ‘Em Poker: Meets 1st Fridays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center 230; no meeting September 5, 2025 or January 2, 2026
SIG contact: Bruce Jones (bruce_e_jones@yahoo.com)
Texas Hold‘em is an exciting, fast-paced game that is simple to learn and difficult to master. The Texas Hold’em Poker SIG welcomes all levels of players from expert to absolute beginner. Beginners will be able to work with an experienced player who is well-versed in training new players. Come join in this chance to play, learn and meet other OLLI players in a friendly and non-money game.

Thriving in Community: Meets 4th Tuesdays, 5-6:30 p.m. via Zoom and in person; no online meeting November 25 or December 23, 2025
SIG contact: Louis Lieb (louislieb2@gmail.com)
Thriving in Community SIG meets via Zoom and in person to explore issues around aging, including aging in place and end-of-life issues, including legal, financial, philosophical and emotional elements. Formats vary between lecture with Q&A and dialogue with personal sharing. Contact Lou Lieb for meeting location and Zoom link.

Tile Clickers SIG: Meets Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m., Reuter Center lower atrium; no meeting November 26, December 26 or December 31, 2025
SIG contact: Angelyn Whitmeyer (angelynwhitmeyer@identifythatplant.com); Linda Horton (lindahorton997@gmail.com)
Mah Jongg is a game involving skill, strategy and a certain degree of luck. Tile Clickers SIG provides the opportunity for players of both Wright-Patterson or National versions of Mah Jongg to meet and play in a relaxed atmosphere.

Travel SIG: 2nd Fridays, 2-4 p.m., Reuter Center 206; no meeting August 8, 2025; meeting December 11 instead of 12/12
SIG contact: Kathleen Gainey (Kathleen.m.gainey@outlook.com)
Travel SIG members share and solicit information on travel, discuss pros and cons of traveling alone or with a companion, share experiences of travel and assist member’s efforts in planning for independent travel, joining a tour group or using the services of a travel agent. Members can learn and share traveling tips and best practices.

To propose a new Shared Interest Group

Review the guidelines and the SIG proposal process, complete a Shared Interest Group proposal form to propose a new group.