Interest Groups
Whether you are a long-time resident of our community or a newcomer to the area, we are excited for you to join us.
We have several different interest groups to appeal to a wide variety of members.
Please let us know if you’d like to start a group focusing on your favorite interests.
Please note: Participation in the organization’s Interest Groups requires membership in the organization, in addition to any dues for the various Interest Groups.
For more information on Membership, click here.
Started in 1964, as a Great Books discussion group, following the study method of Mortimer Adler’s Great Books Foundation... More
Children’s Play Group
Afternoon Book Group
The Ladies sponsor our Playgroup for its members with young children. The Playgroup meets a couple of times a month at various locations… More
Creative Cooking Group
Newcomers Group
The Creative Cooking interest group is excited to welcome new and past members! This popular group will be building on the success… More
The Newcomers Group welcomes those new to the area and LND/SMC/HCC. It is in meeting other women one-to-one that friendships are formed. This can happen in many ways. Our events are planned especially to help new members… More
Rosary Group
Rosary Group meets the first Friday of the month, between October and May, at 9:30 a.m. at the Chapel of St. Catherine, which is located at the Fischer O’Hara-Grace Graduate Residences Community Center at Wilson Drive and… More
Outdoor Adventures Group
The Outdoor Adventures group explores regional parks and nature areas in walks and hikes of three miles. After the hike, the group gathers for… More
Bunco Group
If you enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship, partnered with much laughter, then the Bunco Interest Group is for you! This group meets… More
Afternoon Book Group
Started in 1964, as a Great Books discussion group, following the study method of Mortimer Adler’s Great Books Foundation, the Afternoon Book Club continues to read classic world literature occasionally, but find we read more contemporary novels as a rule. We meet the first Thursday of each month at the Frances Branch Library on Ironwood. We offer a zoom option for those who are unable to attend in person. This hybrid model has been working very well for us since the end of the pandemic and we have members who live in New England and Tennessee! The starting time is 1:30 pm.
Our reading list is decided during the first meeting in early fall: titles are recommended by members and then voted on by the entire group. Our literary tastes are eclectic, ranging from classics to contemporary, historical fiction to suspense novels, with an occasional work of non-fiction making an appearance. See the newsletter for details.
HERE is a link to Historical Record of books read by the Afternoon Book Club since 2018.
Val Bartels: valreads@comcast.net
Alison Levey: abclevey@gmail.com
Children’s Play Group
Welcome to the LND/SMC/HCC Playgroup! Whether you are long-time resident of our community or a newcomer to the area, we are excited for you to join the Children’s Playgroup.
The Ladies sponsor our Playgroup for its members with young children. The Playgroup meets a couple of times a month at various locations around the Michiana area. We invite mothers, expectant mothers, and grandmothers to join us with their children as we gather for these events around the community.
If you are not yet a Ladies member, but are a faculty, staff, faculty/staff spouse or alumna or spouse of alumni of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s or Holy Cross, please come check us out at one of our playdates to find out more about our group and see if you would be interested in joining! You can join us at one of the playdates by emailing the playgroup or by RSVPing through the Playgroup’s Facebook page.
These playgroups are a great way to explore around town and get out of the house! You never know what we’ll be doing. Check our Facebook group often for up-to-date info on events! Our coordinator Christy Medvigy is looking forward to a fun-filled year!
Important Links:
Contact LNDSMCPlaygroup@gmail.com to join the playgroup email list.
Learn specifics for each Playgroup event on the Playgroup’s Google Calendar.
Check out and join the Playgroup’s Facebook page.
Creative Cooking Group
The Creative Cooking interest group is excited to welcome new and past members! This popular group will be building on the success of past years while enjoying food, friends and fellowship!
Each member is asked to contribute to two cooking teams per year or host one meeting. The cooking team meets prior to the meal to plan the menu based upon that month’s theme. The team prepares the food and brings it to the host’s home where it is served to members in attendance. The Creative Cooking dues of $50 (in addition to your membership dues) usually covers the cost of the 8 dinners.
We are always looking for new faces and refreshing ideas. We have taken as our motto that “life is not about feeding people but eating with people.”
For more information, please contact Mary Fran Kitz or Mary Gohsman at creativecookinglndsmc@gmail.com.
Newcomers Group
The Newcomers Group welcomes those new to the area and LND/SMC/HCC. It is in meeting other women one-to-one that friendships are formed. This can happen in many ways. Our events are planned especially to help new members connect to the many wonderful resources available around the campuses and greater South Bend area from lectures to cultural events. Newcomers and visitors get acquainted with each other and LND/SMC/HCC members in smaller group settings over fun social events and activities. Our Interest Groups provide access to those with similar interests as members get to know one another in their own homes as well as other locations around the area.
When you join in our activities, you will have many opportunities for socializing on a formal and informal basis. We here at The Ladies are also convinced that you will form friendships that will last a lifetime.
We look forward to seeing you at future events!
Kristi Preyer, Co-Chair: kpreyer129@gmail.com
Marcie Benjamin, Co-Chair: marcea.benjamin@gmail.com
Outdoor Adventures Group
The Outdoor Adventures group explores regional parks and nature areas in walks and hikes of three miles. After the hike, the group gathers for a brown bag lunch at the park or in a nearby restaurant. Weather permitting, there are usually two hikes in the fall and two in the spring. Hiking sites have included: Saint Joseph County Parks, Potato Creek State Park, Indiana Dunes State Park, and Elkhart County Parks.
Join us for friendship while enjoying the great outdoors!
Nancy McAdams: nocmc@comcast.net
Rosary Group
Rosary Group meets the first Friday of the month, between October and May, at 9:30 a.m. at the Chapel of St. Catherine, which is located at the Fischer O’Hara-Grace Graduate Residences Community Center at Wilson Drive and Bulla Road on the Notre Dame campus. Children are always welcome. Free parking is conveniently located next to the building.
For more information, contact Ravini Fernando, ravinifernando@hotmail.com.
Bunco Group
If you enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship, partnered with much laughter, then the Bunco Interest Group is for you! This group meets year-round on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm, except for December. Monthly gatherings are held at a member’s home.
You may ask, “what is Bunco” or “is Bunco easy to learn”? Bunco is a fast-moving, social dice game. It is played with a group of twelve players, with substitute players often needed for the monthly play. And, “yes”, Bunco is very easy to learn and first time players can join in immediately after a short lesson.
Those attending contribute $3.00 each to help defray the cost of the prizes. Members also contribute sweet and savory snacks for those participating to enjoy throughout the evening. Co-hosts Susan Brown and Barbara Ewing provide a variety of drinks for the evening.
If you are interested in being part of the Bunco fun, please contact one of the Bunco co-chairs.
Barbara Ewing, Co-Chair: cwewin1@psci.net
Susan Brown, Co-Chair: browniesue47@gmail.com