Interest Groups

A rather special group that restricts its choices to include only books that are available in an audible format. Most members read the print version, but some members of the group are unable to do so and read by listening. The opinions are always varied and firmly held leading to an exhilarating and amusing debate. We choose ten books with at least one from each section: Canadian Fiction, International Fiction, Classic and Non-fiction.

This year's book selections are:

• The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
• Jade Peony by Wayson Choy
• Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
• Passage to India by E.M. Forster
• The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami
• The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
• Us Conductors by Sean Michaels
• Ru by Kim Thuy
• Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius

This group meets to become familiar with the culture, foods and new ingredients, from countries all over the world. Sometimes one of us may have traveled to one of these countries where we found interesting, different food that would be fun to try to cook and to share the experience with other people who are not afraid to venture into the unknown. We listen to the music of the selected country as well as learn about some of the traditions. We have been known to sing and dance on this fourth Friday of the month! The ambiance of the country is reflected in the table setting, the décor and clothing of the diners.

Meet monthly at their member's convenience for an evening of fine dining and socializing. If you enjoy being adventurous with food, this is the group for you! Due to popularity we have two groups that both meet the third Monday at 7 p.m.

Members enjoy dining at a different restaurant each month. Different members act as the hostesses each month. They are responsible for choosing the restaurant, contacting the people on the group list either by telephone or by e-mail, and then making a reservation for the number of people attending. New members are always welcome.

This is a very popular, fun gathering each third Friday of the month. Members take turns being hostess and everyone contributes whatever dish they choose to bring. Wine is provided by the non-hostesses that year. The hostess provides the table settings, tea and coffee. There is lots of lively conversation and good spirits. The convener sends an email to a large list of interested members each month and if you want to attend that month you call or email the hostess to set a place for you. Contribute whatever you want, there is no plan and surprisingly it usually works out very well with a lovely selection of appetizers, main courses, salads and desserts. To be included on the monthly email, members should contact the convener.

Keep fit trying out various outdoor activities.

Tentative schedule for this upcoming year:

• September: Cycling

• October: Fall hike

• January: X-country ski and/or snowshoe

• February: Skating on the canal

• April: Cycling

• May: Cycling or hike

Join us for our first cycling activity in September, and bring your suggestions for activities you would like to do.

Members of "Guitar Groovers" love to sing and/or play the guitar. We perform for schools, seniors and the community while raising some money for the club. If you would like to improve your skills at playing guitar or prefer to just sing a variety of Canadian, folk and rock & roll songs, this is the group for you. Our sessions are sprinkled with lots of laughs as we all become more proficient. Beginners are most welcome. We practise every week on Tuesdays 7:30 p.m. in members' homes.

You will want to be part of this lively, stimulating group that meets monthly to discuss issues of local, national and international interest. Reserve the 4th Tuesday of the month, 1:00 p.m., to come and join us at a member's home for an enthusiastic discussion on a pre-determined topic. We look forward to hearing your views on a whole range of issues issues from local transit to cultural issues to events taking place on the world stage.

Regular meetings to be held at the KANATA SENIORS’ CENTRE, 2500 Campeau Drive, Kanata 9:30 -11:00 a.m.

Donation of $3.00/person/meeting to cover hall rental and thank you gifts.

Here is the proposed program for January – June 2016

• Jan. 29, 2016 Ottawa Little Theatre (OLT) has offered plays to theatre–goers in Ottawa for more than one hundred years. A representative has agreed to come to discuss OLT’s history and significance to the Ottawa theatrical scene.
• Feb.26. 2016 Ms. Louise Hine-Schmidt became the first female firefighter in Ottawa in 1999. She will discuss her personal story.
• March 3, 2016 – Special Meeting We are very fortunate that Her Excellency Sharon Johnston has agreed to come to Kanata. Our group has joined forces with a Beaverbrook Library Book Club. All CFUW members are invited to hear Her Excellency talk about her new novel and her personal life. The meeting is free and will take place at the Beaverbrook Library at the John G. Mlacak Centre in Kanata from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Copies of Sharon Johnston’s debut novel Matrons and Madams will be available.
• April 1, 2016 Mr. J. W. Galbraith, author of John Buchan, will be coming to discuss Lord and Lady Tweedsmuir and their impact on Canadian History.
• May 27, 2016 Linda Stilborne, a member of CFUW/Kanata, will tell us about "Klondike Women".
• June 10, 2016 Robert McMechan, author of Allison's Brain This non-fiction book is a heartwarming account of the power of music and personal strength to recover from life altering surgery after the discovery of a brain aneurysm. http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/love-music-and-memory-the-allison-woyiwada-story

Members who opt for the Tuesday afternoon movie group are in for some fine entertainment. In fact, CFUW movie watchers sometimes fill a whole row at our local Empire Theatre in the Kanata Centrum! We usually attend the first Tuesday of the month, Preferred start time is 4:30-5:00 p.m. but this is not always possible.

Dinner out afterwards is always an option, not planned in advance, but that's the way we like it! E-mails to the list of members expressing an interest go out a couple of days in advance to provide information on the chosen feature and the time to gather. So do consider adding your name

The type of outing, meeting date and time are all confirmed by the convenors a few weeks in advance of the event. Scheduling may vary, depending on the activity and the weather. Whenever it is convenient, members carpool to the outings which are varied and interesting. Past activities have included:

• Bank of Canada Tour; special exhibit: "Fakes and Forgeries : Yesterday and Today."
• Guided tour of the Beechwood Cemetery
• Signature Craft Fair at the Congress Centre
• Manotick Christmas Outing
• Chocolate demonstration at Stubbe Chocolates & More
• Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Walking Tour of Aylmer
• Tour of a lottery home

Come and join us with your suggestions for some engaging local ventures.

Travel talk provides an opportunity for members to share their own travel experiences and to learn about places that others have visited. The group will exchange travel tips and ideas and just have fun "touring" the world without leaving home.