CFUW Interest Groups 2025 – 2026 Brief Overview
Interest Groups continue to be an important part of belonging to CFUW with many members belonging to more than one group. It is a wonderful way to socialize and get to know other members of the club. All groups welcome new members starting at any time during the year, though a few are full at this point.
Biking Group weekly from May until October, meeting for a ride around the Grand River Loop or on various trails in and around Brantford including nearby communities. Rides are approximately 20 km, at a senior pace, with flexible dates and times.
There are three book groups:
Monday Afternoon Group, 2nd Monday, a 1p.m. lunch at Symposium Café. Group discusses various books that they have read in the past month.
Monday Evening Group, 3rd Monday at 7 p.m.
Thursday Evening Group, 1st Thursday at 7 p.m. (only 1 spot available)
Both evening groups meet at a member’s home, discussing one book from a predetermined list previously decided at a yearly planning meeting. Discussions are lively and very often veer off the actual book topic.
Bridge Group, 1st Monday at I p.m. The group meets in member’s homes most months though online in December, January and February. Host may sometimes opt to meet in the evening. If the first Monday of the month is a holiday, the group decides whether to meet or move to the following Monday.
Creative Cooking Group, 3rd Wednesday at 6 p.m. Group meets in members’ homes. These monthly dinners are scheduled ahead of time for the season. In December the group has sometimes celebrated with a Christmas lunch at the Brantford Golf & Country Club.
Daytrippers, random times and locations. This is a collaborative group whereby individuals put forth ideas and organize (where possible) their suggested activity. Past activities included tours such as the Toyota plant, historical tour of The Superior Court Building, followed by wine and beverages at The Brantford Club and a show at the Sanderson Centre. Often the activity is limited to numbers so it is a first come, first serve basis.
Dining Out Group, random lunch or dinner dates at various times and locations. The group enjoys jaunts out of town during the good weather, staying closer to town during the winter months. Some places visited in the past include dinner at The Twisted Lemon in Cayuga, lunch at the Lake House in Vineland, Sunday Brunch at the Ancaster Mill and lunch at the Olde School. Dates and times of day vary to ensure all the members can join in at least some of the time. On average 12 – 16 members take part, gratefully enjoy stimulating conversation and delicious meals.
Food with Thought Group, 2nd Thursday at 6 p.m. (presently full so would be put on a wait list.)
Group meets in various members’ homes for pot luck dinners and conversation, both serious and entertaining. A topic is not set prior to the meal as current events, individual commentary, or some humorous event “pepper” the evening and results in serious reflection or hilarious story telling.
Games Group, 2ndThursday and 4th Monday at 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the United Way offices on Morrell St. playing both new and old games. The group with average attendance of 5 – 8 of the 14 members smile, laugh and have fun during friendly competition in assorted games. One of the current favourites is Farkle.
Mahjongg, 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 1-3 p.m. (presently full so would be put on a wait list.)
Group meets to play North American MahJongg, receiving instruction, coaching and just having fun as learning to play the game.
Memoir Writing, 2nd and 4th Friday from 1-3 pm and often longer til 4 pm.
Due to the nature of this group, it is part of the process at times to discuss deeply personal issues. This can only be done in an atmosphere of trust. This trust and feeling, you will not be judged for what you write, is critical to the ultimate success of the group or not. As such, it is critical that prospective new members realize that this is not a casual, drop-in as you like, and find convenient, type of group. If someone wants to join, we will welcome them with open arms. They do need to know in advance, however, to attend this group regularly and commit to the process in advance.
Walking Group Tuesday, 9:30 all year round, at various trails in good weather or the Gretzky Centre indoor track during inclement weather. Members often meet after the walk for a social time at a local Tim Hortons.
World Awareness 3rd Monday at 9:30 a.m. The group gathers for lively discussions in the meeting room at McCleister Funeral Home. Among the topics of interest were the Israel/Gaza conflict, environmental issues, and mental health concerns. Related articles and book titles are often exchanged. To help counter the impact of constant negative news in the media, the group make a point of including some good-news stories.
Respectfully submitted by Roma M, Interest Groups Chair
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