Hobbies, Passions, and Pastimes: How Our Members Stay Active and Engaged

Recently, someone in our discussion group asked, “What hobbies do you all have?” The floodgates opened. From crafting to curling, board games to bass guitar, our members shared a wide range of ways they fill their time, stretch their creativity, and stay connected with themselves and others.

Music came up a lot—people play guitar, bass, piano, flute, autoharp, and ukulele. Some sing in choirs or church groups. A few are into audio recording or podcasting, which lets them create and share their ideas in a format where sound takes centre stage. One member even has a ham radio license and collects old-time radio programs.

Others spoke of their love for languages and cultural learning. Duolingo practice in French and Portuguese, Japanese language classes, and Taiko drumming all made the list. There’s also a thread of active learning and personal growth—from gourmet cooking, to weaving, clay modeling, crocheting and knitting.

Outdoors, people are hiking, tandem cycling, horseback riding, swimming, and dancing. Ice skating and cross-country skiing were mentioned too. Several members have taken part in organized sports like goalball, judo, and track and field, and some still find ways to stay active despite fewer options close to home.

Theatre is another shared love—dinner theatre, live described performances, improv nights. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about community, creativity, and staying socially connected. Many members enjoy gathering friends and family after dinner for card games or Scrabble.

One particularly vivid thread involved wine tasting nights. These aren’t formal affairs but friendly get-togethers with themes like “Old World vs. New World” or “Wine from the Iberian Peninsula.” People bring cheeses, meats, chocolates, and curiosity. It's about discovery and fun, not expertise.

Other hobbies included gardening, baking, festive holiday cooking, reading, writing, storytelling, podcast listening, and collectable coins and bills. Some members talked about the joy of learning new skills later in life—like weaving on a loom or taking up guitar “just for me.”

What this thread revealed is not just how people spend their time—but how they express themselves, connect, explore, and unwind. Whether it's uniting with others in a choir practice, taking a daily hike with your guide dog, or preparing a pot of soup for friends, these hobbies shape the rhythm of daily life.

If you’ve let a hobby slip or want to try something new, maybe this list will spark an idea. And if nothing else, it's a good reminder: we’re never too old—or too busy—to try something new because it can bring us so much joy.