AAUW Interest Groups—Durango Branch
AAUW Edouard Book Club – Our book club season runs from June to May and (under normal circumstances) meets the last Wednesday of each month, except for December, from 2 – 4 p.m. at a member’s house (or, during bad weather on Zoom) and discuss a pre-selected book. The name Edouard for the book club came from the character in a novel we all read the first year of existence: 1997. We were all annoyed by one ostentatiously named character. We did not like him OR his fancy name. How perfect, we agreed, to name our group after a character full of himself and annoyingly named, as a-tongue-in-cheek jab at ever considering ourselves “highbrow ” or “superior”, and as a reminder to be open to a variety of ideas and never stuffy.
A schedule of this year’s readings and guidelines on suggesting books can be found HERE . All are invited to join. For information, please email us at durangoaauw@gmail.com.
If you’re curious about our all our previous books since 2008 click here and gather up some inspiration.
Birthday Luncheons – On the third Wednesday or Thursday of each month, members get together at a local restaurant to honor all Branch members whose birthdays fall within that month. For information, please email us at durangoaauw@gmail.com.
Walk-and-Talk – Walk and Talk is an interest group that could also be called Stroll and Share. We explore different venues around Durango in an effort to expand our learning experience. We have strolled along the Animas River identifying wild flowers, toured the traveling Bicycle Exhibit at the Powerhouse, explored the botanical gardens at the library, discovered the Victorian Architecture in downtown Durango, took tours of the Animas Museum, the library and the Aztec Ruins, and emphasized the concepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by touring the student exhibits at the Center for Southwest Studies and the marvelous Southern Ute Cultural Center.
Times and days vary. There is no participation limit unless a tour has group number restrictions. A non-member may attend two Walk and Talks before he/she is required to be an AAUW member before continuing. For more information, contact Sharon Powers at durangoaauw@gmail.com.
MAHJONG – Several of our members gather in the Foyer of the Durango Public Library every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. to play the American version of the ancient Chinese game of Mah Jongg. We play for quarters, for fun, and for fellowship, and also each week collect $1 from each player which is contributed to our AAUW Scholarship funds. The American game uses game cards which change and are issued annually by the American Mah Jongg League, You can read more about the game on the AMJL website. Mah Jongg is growing in popularity throughout the country. If you’re interested in playing and would like an introductory tutorial, please contact Susan Webb at durangoaauw@gmail.com.
OMG-AAUW –
We all have family stories. On that basis members of AAUW-Durango have
formed an interest group, Our Memories Group (OMG). We encourage each other to remember the stories that have been handed down in our families. We either read versions written for our descendants or tell them to the group for our own reminiscences. Sometime we write on other subjects as well.
We meet once a month for two hours, listening to each others’ stories and providing suggestions if requested, as well as general encouragement. Our group is evolving but for this time period has reached its member limit. If you are interested in joining such a writing group, please send your name to Peg Kimple at durangoaauw@gmail.com. Peg will keep a list in order to start a new group as soon as possible.
