Five College Learning In Retirement

Communications Committee Meeting
2025-05-01 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-06-05 15:00 - 16:30, 2025-07-03 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York)

Reading Round Table
2025-05-02 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-06-06 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-07-04 12:30 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join other incurable FCLIR readers for an informal round table one afternoon a month. Whether you prefer literary fiction, biographies, nonfiction, science fiction, plays, detective series, or graphic novels, you’re welcome to join this eclectic group. We talk about what we’re currently reading (or listening to), where we get our recommendations, trends in publishing, and anything else that interests us. No prerequisite or homework!
Part of the FCLIR Café Society. Facilitated by Cat Batson and Martha Cohen. Please contact facilitators for the Zoom link.

Council Meeting
2025-05-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-12 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom

Contemporary Book Group
2025-05-09 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-06-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Facilitators: Finnegan Alford-Cooper and Sandy Padernacht
Day and Time: Second Friday of the month, October – June, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
This group is for people interested in reading both fiction and non-fiction books published within the last five years. The aim of the group is to spread our wings a bit and enjoy a wide variety of books (historical fiction, humor, memoir, biography, mystery, thrillers, romance, current events, history, politics, natural science, etc.)
Each month participants will choose among 2-4 books recommended by the facilitators and group members. Group members will vote on books two months ahead of time so there is enough time to procure and read the books. Membership capped at 14.

Photography Club
2025-05-09 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-06-13 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-11 14:00 - 15:30 | FCI Library Annex, 202 Plain Road, North Hatfield, MA, 01066, United States
The group explores various aspects of photography, from learning new techniques and equipment (macro photography, studio lighting, astrophotography, etc.) to developing our skills in wildlife, street, event, etc. photography. We explore post-processing and aspects of presenting our work for display.
Facilitator: Tom Clune

Fall 2025 Preview
2025-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Wesley United Methdist Church, 98 N. Maple Street, Hadley, 01035, United States
FCLIR Fall Preview will highlight seminars that will be offered beginning September, 2025. At the Preview, those attending in person can meet the moderators and ask questions about the seminar topics. The in person Preview will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 N Maple Street, Hadley, MA from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 10. You can also join the Preview on Zoom beginning at 2:30 PM when each moderator will discuss their seminar briefly. Members will receive the Zoom link on Friday, May 9. The Zoom and in person Preview are open to the public. If you are not a member, but wish to attend via Zoom, contact the office at fclir@fivecolleges.edu and request the link.

Spring Social
2025-05-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Garden House Look Park, 300 N Main St, Florence, 01062, United States

Viewpoints
2025-05-15 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-06-19 14:00 - 15:30, 2025-07-17 14:00 - 15:30
Hybrid meetings: in person at the Five College Library Annex Building in N. Hatfield and on Zoom.
Viewpoints is a monthly round-table discussion of current domestic and international events and issues (often, but not always, political), and other subjects not necessarily tied to the headlines of the day (such as culture wars, free speech restrictions in schools and colleges, and policing and firearms). Each month’s participants choose four topics for roughly 20-minute discussions.
Facilitator: Jay Russell

Story Time
2025-05-15 15:30 - 17:00, 2025-06-19 15:30 - 17:00 | Zoom
We will meet once a month on zoom to discuss short stories that we have read prior to the meeting. Members of the group will take turns choosing stories and leading the discussion. In most cases stories selected will be found on the internet. Suggestions of interesting stories will be provided by the group leader.
Facilitator: Martha Cohen

Our Stories, Our Lives
2025-05-20 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-06-17 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-07-15 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
This is a group of women who meet monthly to discuss life experiences, focusing on such topics as the experience of aging and ageism, health issues, political concerns, using time wisely, gender roles, family ties, and friendship.
Facilitators: Finnegan Alford-Cooper and Bonnie Strickland

Special Meeting (All members)
2025-05-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Zoom
A special meeting where current FCLIR members will be asked to vote on the new proposed Governance structure.

Reading the Classics
2025-05-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Zoom
This is a book club focused on books considered to be classics of literature. Each month a new book is read, and discussed at the meeting.
Facilitator: Jeanne Kaiser

Curriculum Committee Meeting
2025-06-05 14:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-03 14:30 - 15:30

Contemporary Book Group
2025-06-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-07-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
This group is for people interested in reading both fiction and non-fiction books published within the last five years. The aim of the group is to spread our wings a bit and enjoy a wide variety of books (historical fiction, humor, memoir, biography, mystery, thrillers, romance, current events, history, politics, natural science, etc.)
Each month participants will choose among 2-4 books recommended by the facilitator and group members. Group members will vote on books two months ahead of time so there is enough time to procure and read the books. Membership capped at 14. This group meets on the second Friday of each month.
Facilitators: Finnegan Alford-Cooper
