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Interest Groups

Together, we create community. Northampton Neighbors Interest Groups are formed and run by members: Hikers, walkers, knitters, readers, gardeners, and more bring us together to explore and share our passions. Join a NN Interest Group or start one of your own. The sky’s the limit!

To join an Interest Group below, contact the group’s leader. If you don’t see one that fits your interests, we invite you to share your curiosity and talent with others. It’s easy. We’ll provide the help you need to get your Interest Group organized. Contact Maureen Flannery, Interest Group Coordinator, at maureen@flannery.com to get started.

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. If you're interested in joining us—or in starting another book group—please contact Emily.

Leader: Emily Weir, emilyweir77@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 to celebrate the food of the season from 4:30-6:30 pm. 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

This newly formed group is intended for NN members who are French learners or French speakers who would like to practice through conversation. We will meet on Wednesdays from 3 to 4 pm at the Community Room in Forbes Library (location may change in future). All levels are welcome. Our format: group check-in followed by a discussion based on a different topic at each meeting. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Lucy Greenburg at lgreen0904@gmail.com.

Ce groupe nouvellement formé est destiné aux membres NN qui apprennent le français ou qui parlent français et qui souhaitent pratiquer par la conversation. Nous nous retrouverons les mercredis de 15h à 16h à la salle communautaire de la bibliothèque Forbes (le lieu peut changer à l'avenir). Tous les niveaux sont les bienvenus. Notre format : un check-in en groupe suivi d'une discussion sur un sujet différent à chaque réunion. Si vous êtes intéressé ou avez des questions, veuillez contacter Lucy Greenburg à lgreen0904@gmail.com. A bientôt!

Leader: Lucy Greenburg, lgreen0904@gmail.com

Friday Challenging Hiking Group

Want to enjoy the outdoors and get aerobic exercise in good company? If you’re eager to hike 2-4 miles on rolling hills or something steeper, please join us. Total ascent is often 600-700 feet. We explore attractive trails, all less than 30-45 minutes’ drive from Northampton. We meet every week on Fridays throughout the year, mornings at 10 am in warm weather, afternoons at 1 pm in cold weather. We usually meet at the trailhead. We sometimes informally arrange carpools to drive together. We are, and want to stay, in pretty good condition for seniors. Hikers must be fully vaccinated. We averaged 8-10 hikers per hike before the pandemic; now, who knows?

Leader: Bob Adams, bobadams46h@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: Julie Abramson, jabramson@albany.edu

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 has been formed to replace the former NN Biography Book Group, to allow members a broader selection of books to read for 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. The moderator may wish to give a brief commentary or provide some background reading pertinent to the discussion. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book or author that you would like to share with others? Consider joining the Nonfiction Book Group.

Leaders: David Herships davidhersh22@gmail.com and Dorothy Barr dorbarr2@gmail.com

NN BikeREC--on winter break;)

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

Social Contract Bridge Group

It is never too late to learn to play bridge, and it is a great way to maintain your memory and enjoy time with new friends.

Have you played bridge before? Has it been 10, 20,30 or 40 years? If you are willing to catch up with changes in the game, there is a place at one of our tables for you. 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

Spanish Conversation Interest Group

Open to Northampton Neighbors members. This group offers Spanish learners and Spanish speakers the chance to practice through conversation. The group will meet on Sundays from 7-8 pm by Zoom (for now). Conversation can be on any topic! Please contact the facilitator to get more information and sign up.

Se está formando un nuevo grupo para ofrecer a los estudiantes de español y a los hispanohablantes la oportunidad de practicar a través de la conversación. El grupo se reunirá los domingos de 7 a 8 p. m. por Zoom (por ahora). ¡La conversación puede ser sobre cualquier tema! Póngase en contacto con el facilitador para obtener más información e inscribirse.

Facilitator: Rachael Naismith, rachael.naismith@gmail.com, 413-530-3863.

Note: Northampton Neighbors Interest groups are member-driven. Each group is responsible for decisions about format and content.