Opportunities
LIRWC courses are held during the day at several locations in the Waukesha area. Locations are identified with each course offering. Courses include:
- Short-term courses, one day a week, to one day a week for one to seven weeks in length, on topics in literature, the arts, history, religions of the world, financial planning, health, world wars, science, senior care, and more. Most courses cost $20 or less, and there are no pre-requisites, no exams, and no grades!
- Regional day-long trips to museums, art exhibits, theater performances, and other special events throughout the year.
- Distinguished speakers from within LIRWC and also outside community experts on a variety of topics.
- Groups for special interests (SIGs) include book lovers, genealogy, sheepshead, bridge, hiking, theater group, philosophy, MAH-jongg, beading and jewelry making.
Members can take advantage of special events and trips to regional places of interest, special interest groups (SIGs) where like-minded individuals share a common interest, and courses in a variety of subjects such as literature, the arts, history, religions of the world, financial planning, health, world wars, science, senior care and much more. You will find all of our SIGs and Special Events located under their individual TAB at the top of the page.
Become a Member
Membership is open to any adult with a flexible schedule who can attend events during the weekdays. Our current annual membership fee is only $60.00 for the 2025-2026 year September 01- August 31. LIRWC is offering special semester membership of $35.00 and you can join at any time during the coming spring semester. We now offer SIG Associate Membership for those individuals interested in our Special Interest Groups and are not interested in attending any educational classes.
To become a member, fill out the Learning in Retirement of Waukesha County Inc. Membership/Registration Form here online, or access the Form located under Resources. Send your form via email to contact@lirwc.org, or by mail to LIRWC PO Box 212 Waukesha 53187-0212. You can pay via PayPal through the website, or via check made out to LIRWC-Inc. by clicking on Pay By Invoice and then mailing in your payment.
This photo (left) is of our Hiking SIG members on one of their hikes on the Lake Country Trail. They hike the 2nd Saturday of each month at various trails throughout the southeast Wisconsin area. Contact the office to find out more about this SIG or any of our other eight groups in the catalog.
The photo below is from our class on Learning How To Sail a Small Boat taught by one of our avid sailing members! These and other exciting courses are offered each semester and some of our more fascinating classes have been on How To Play a Harmonica, Polish Star Ornament Making, Walking Tours of Waukesha’s History, Great Tours of Washington D.C., The Surreal Tarot of Salvador Dali, and so many more. Come explore with us.
CURRENT NEWS
Welcome to the Fall Semester Program!
The 2026 Fall Semester Course Catalog is now available in the Resource Section, or ask to be added to our list to receive a copy by email, or request a copy by mail. Classes start Monday September 14 and go through December 18. 2026.
All 2026 Fall Semester Classes will be held at all four locations in Waukesha, Hartland and Oconomowoc. Visit our location page for addresses.
ANNUAL KICK-OFF EVENTS
If you were not able to join us at one of our Kick-off Events you will find the 2026 Fall Course Catalog here in the Resource Section; or you can request a hard copy of catalog by sending an email to contact@lirwc.org.
Classes start September 14th thru December 18th and you can register at any time during this period. Don’t miss out on all the great educational classes being offered this fall semester.
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SPECIAL EVENT TRIPS
LIRWC is organizing several local trips this fall/winter semester, including:
2026
September = Warrens Cranberry Festival
October = From Field to Fork – Discover Wisconsin Agriculture
December = Sunset Theatre
2027
January = Oconomowoc Arts Center
February = Pabst Brewery, Sprecher, or Lakefront Brewery Tour
April = Marches & Movements of Bay View History & Food Tour
The trips will be posted in the Events Tab on the Home Page 3 weeks before the trip date. Also, watch your email for future flyers. Not on the list? Contact the office at email: contact@lirwc.org or phone: 262-409-9815.
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COMMUNITY INITIATIVES – LIRWC is very active in the community by participating in local events and conducting presentations for various organizations and senior centers. Current upcoming events. Stop by our table or booth and spend a few minutes getting your questions answered!
Waukesha Farmers Market July 25, Aug 01, 15, 22
Pewaukee Senior Group Aug 26
Pewaukee Historical Event Sept 13
Oconomowoc Senior Resource Fair Oct 02
Waukesha Senior Expo Oct 15
If you would like LIRWC to come and present to your group, please contact us at email: lirwc215@gmail.com
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Our Hiking Club Special Interest Group (SIG) has established its hiking schedule for the rest of the season. Hikes are the third Saturday of every month from March through November at 9:30 a.m. For more information contact lirhikingclub@gmail.com.
July Ice Age Trail starting in Delafield
August Nashotah Co. Park – Nashotah
September Nagawaukee Park from Delafield
October Pike Lake State Park – Hartford
November 7 Bridges Trail – South Milwaukee
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LIRWC held its 31st Annual Member Meeting on June 25, 2026. The Board informed the attendees about the health of the organization, provided a financial report and individual committee reports. The 2026-2027 Slate of Candidates sent to all members 30 days prior to the meeting were voted on; there were two nominations from the floor.
The 2026-2027 LIRWC Board of Directors and Officers:
Michael Whiteley, President
June Jacobs, Vice President
Rob Riedel, Treasurer
Sandy Russell, Secretary
Winnie Mading, Delegate-at-Large
Lisa Heise, Delegate-at-Large
A copy of the meeting minutes are posted in the Resource Section.
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LIRWC continues to promote the organization in Positive Aging. watch for upcoming ads and you can visit the publication online at www.mypositiveaging.com. We also had an article published in the Blue publication distributed through Lake Country Neighbors.
LIRWC can be found in the Conley Media 2026 Annual Directory. The Directory is distributed in the following four publications: Oconomowoc Enterprise, Waukesha Freeman, Brookfield This Month, and Lake Country This Month. Please be sure and look us up!
Questions? Contact us at email: contact@lirwc.org or call: 262-409-9815.
Mailing address: LIRWC PO Box 212 Waukesha WI 53187-0212
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming returning and new members to LIRWC.
VOLUNTEERS WELCOME
We have quite a few new members in our organization and we encourage you to get more involved.
Class Coordinators are always in demand and while the duties are few, the help they bring to the instructor and the class make a difference. We had a few new members take the leap and help out in a few classes. They remarked it was a satisfying experience – and not as intimidating as they thought.
YOUR BOARD FOR THE 2026-2027 YEAR!
Our newly elected board members for the 2026-2027 year will be posted in the Resource Section where you will also find their contact info! Serving the organization on the Board is a rewarding experience and not as time consuming as you might think. And the Committees always welcome additional people to join them. Consider the Membership, Curriculum or Special Events Committees as wonderful ways to get involved, meet new people and have fun!
Contact the office or any Board Member for more information. You are always welcome to come to a Board or Committee meeting as a guest to learn more before volunteering.
Community Initiatives
LIRWC has been active in community outreach programs such as conducting presentations for local organizations and senior community centers interested in learning more about our group and all that we have to offer. Not all persons are mobile and through our outreach programs, we are bringing LIRWC opportunities to persons who are otherwise shut-ins. To date, we have presented at several Kiwanis Clubs, Lions Clubs, senior community centers, and other local groups. Most of these connections were made through one of our members. Word-of-mouth is an invaluable tool for spreading the word about LIRWC and we encourage everyone to talk to their family, friends, and neighbors. You never know how the information will “spider out” and reach others. This past year over 50 new members joined our organization! We are glad to visit any organization interested in connecting with us and sharing how LIRWC can benefit them individually, or as an organization – or to talk with them on the phone if they call the office or one of the Board members at 262-409-9815 or email: contact@lirwc.org.