Austin Branch Interest Groups

Whether your interests lie in reading books, checking out new restaurants, going on art tours, playing Bridge with friends, we may have an Interest Group that meets your needs. Check out the fun activities our members are involved with – you’re sure to find something that interests you. Note that new ideas are always welcome, with board approval.

Have an idea for a new group and at least 3 interested participants. Contact: Berta Lloyd

 


ART TOUR
When:  First Wednesday of every month
Time:  10 AM
Location:  TBD
Contacts:   Pat Beal    patrbeal@gmail.com
Devon Austin    devonaustin@msn.com

Art lovers and art lover wannabe’s meet from September to May to explore Austin and environs from exhibits, museums, and studios to individual artists who oftentimes demonstrate the technique used in their creative process.


FRIDAY MORNING BOOK REVIEW

When: First Friday of every month
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Hyde Park Church of Christ, 43rd and Avenue B
Contact: Judy Reinhart   jareinhart@att.net

Group meets October through May, with a holiday brunch in December. Books represent members interests from Anne Patchett’s State of Wonder to Helen Rappaport’s The Romanoff Sisters: The Lost Loves of Nicholas and Alexander.

 


OUT TO LUNCH
When: Third Tuesday of every month
Time: 11:15 am
Where: Time and location vary
Contact: Elaine Penn

Third Tuesday of the month September through May, but not December, you’ll find AAUW members enjoying a scrumptious lunch somewhere in the Austin area. This popular group likes everything from the upscale Arboretum restaurants to Airport Blvd. (Quality Seafood).


 

PEARS is not just for pairs; sometimes husbands and friends also enjoy the activities.

PEARS is not just for pairs; sometimes husbands and friends also enjoy the activities.

PEARS
When: Saturdays
Time: 5:30 pm
Contact: Milli Stecker milli1251@gmail.com

A couple’s group that gathers September through May to enjoy Austin’s many offerings from dinner and plays, lake cruises, holiday party, and Hill Country arts & crafts festivals and tours.

 

 


CULTURE AND CUISINE

When: Second Thursday of every month
Time:  6:00 PM
Location: Home of hostess, unless otherwise assigned
Contact: Ann Gibbs   agibbs5200@gmail.com

What a fun group! Meeting at member’s homes the women plan an evening highlighting a different country each month (September through May), serve a menu representative of that country and immerse themselves in its cultural flavor.

 


BRIDGE GROUPS

When:  Second and Fourth Thursdays (Bi-Monthly)
Time:  1-4 PM
Location: North Lamar Senior Activity Center 29th and North Lamar
Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-328-3100

 


CREATIVE STITCHERY
When: Third Wednesday of every month
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Contact:  Beverly Locklin bklocklin@outlook.com

These members enjoy sharing time and ideas together while pursuing individual projects. They meet once a month September through May with a holiday lunch in December.


CENTRAL BOOK GROUP
When:  Meets second Monday of each month
Time:  10:30 AM
Location:  La Madeleine
Leader:  Linda Quintanilla quintalin@gmail.com

Read both fiction and non-fiction books

No current openings. Email Linda Quintanilla to get on the wait list.

 


CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE
When: First Monday of every month
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom meetings
Contact: Mary Ellen Scribner maryescribner@gmail.com

Meeting the first Monday, Sept through May, these book lovers tackle books such as The Man Who Saved the Union about Ulysses Grant as well as a variety of other fiction and nonfiction titles.


MYSTERY BOOK GROUP
When: Fourth Tuesday
Time:  11:00 a.m.
Location:  BJ Brewhouse: The shops at Arbor Walk, 10515 N. Mopac Expy.  Austin, Tx. 78758
Contact:  Pam Wolfe   piwolfe@yahoo.com

We select “Themes” each month.  This helps us learn about different authors.


MAHJONG
WhenEvery third Thursday of the month
Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM
Location: North Lamar Senior Activity Center 2874 Shoal Crest Ave (29th and North Lamar) Austin, Tx.
Contact: Connie Munoz, comunoz1@yahoo.com 361.813.8012
Bring your 2025 updated mahjong card.

We are joining other ladies that play every Thursday and if more than 4 players show up, we help fill other tables.


SOUTHWEST BOOK GROUP
When: Second Mondays
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Contact: Brenda Hahne: bwhahne@gmail.com 832-233-4254

No current openings. Email Brenda Hahne to get on wait list.

Second Mondays find these AAUW members enjoying such titles as The Light Between the Oceans, by M.L. Stedman to Marie Curie and her daughter, Shelley Emling. They meet September through July.


HIKING

When:  Hikes are twice per month alternating between Thursdays and Saturdays. Start Times:  Vary depending upon the location and time of year. Days/dates are subject to change depending upon the weather. Evites with details are sent to hiking group members approximately two weeks in advance.

Contacts: Kate DiPronio: ktkee523@gmail.com
Gayle Kanies: gayle.kanies@gmail.com

Hikes are around the Austin area.


WINE TASTERS

Wine Tasters
When: Sunday Afternoons
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM or 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-970-5051

Wine Tasters is led by a wine consultant/sommelier. Countries are identified and explored as well as the wine being tasted.  History and culture are discussed.