The IWA branded blue and white plastic badge with magnetic backing will clearly identify you and add an extra special look to your outfits at IWA functions. Order a badge online today!  

Order deadline: August 15, 2025

Cost: $12

Measurements: 3.25" x 1.5"

As a membership benefit, Founder's Circle and Patron level members receive 1 complimentary name badge. Contact the office for more information and to place your complimentary order.

Name badges are available to order once a year.

Don't miss the opportunity! 

Book: Pineapple Street
Author: Jenny Jackson

Discussion Leader: Jeanmarie Hagedorn

Literature Discussion Chairs: Barbara Herzog and Teresa Kennedy

Book Description: The novel is a conversation about the relationship between love and money. Author Jenny Jackson took inspiration from an article about rich 20-something heirs who had decided to give

away their inheritance. 

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

This Board Meeting will be held in person. If you are going to be out of town but plan to attend, please contact Celia for registration.

Join your IWA friends in a fun and friendly game of Mah Jongg! There is nothing more exciting than when, with your heart racing, your adrenaline pumping, your palms sweating, and you call "Mah Jongg"!

ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! A refresher lesson will be given at the beginning of each meeting.

Book: This Strange Eventful History
Author: Claire Messud

Discussion Leader: Doreen Feitelberg

Literature Discussion Chairs: Barbara Herzog and Teresa Kennedy

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

Tuesday September 9, 2025

10:30 am social, 11 am program in French

IWA office, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1760

Fall gathering; a chance to reconnect and share some special memories of the Summer. Come and bring some photos, if you can, to share with the group your Summer experiences. It will be great to meet in person again.

RSVP by September 8

Contact: Nadej Mercier, nadej@letien.net, 312-399-8836 

Note: Our gathering will take place on the 2nd Tuesday of September due to the Labor Day w/end vacation. 

Save The Date!

North Shore September Potluck 

Friday, September 12, 2025

Gilson Park, Wilmette

Details to follow

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

Wednesday, September 17, 2024

4:00PM - 6:00PM

Marisol Restaurant and Bar, Museum of Contemporary Art,

220 E Chicago Avenue, ground floor

Join us for this Happy Hour Meet & Greet! Visit with current IWA friends and introduce potential members to IWA while enjoying Marisol's happy hour specials!

https://www.marisolchicago.com

Maximum: 30 IWA members and guests (1 guest per member)

September 19, 2025
Arrival Time: 10:45 AM; Tour Start Time: 11:00 AM sharp

Newberry Library, 60 W Walton Street

Founded in 1887, the Newberry is one of Chicago’s most historic cultural institutions. Whether you’re curious about family history, interested in taking classes, or excited to learn something new and unexpected, the Newberry welcomes you. The Newberry boasts a world-class collection that spans more than six centuries of human experience. 

On a guided tour, you’ll learn about the Newberry’s iconic architecture and extensive history. You’ll also get to see the Newberry in action and why it receives tens of thousands of visitors each year.  

You are invited to join us at Pizano's Pizza and Pasta, 864 N State St, after the tour. We will get a headcount that morning at Newberry Library.

Parking: Pay-to-park and on-street metered parking are available in the neighborhood and the library’s surrounding streets.
Public Transportation: The Newberry is walkable from multiple CTA train lines. Several bus routes stop within a block or two of the Newberry.

Registration Deadline: September 5, 2025
Cost: $5 cash donation to the library collected upon arrival. Please have exact amount, there will be no change available.

Contact: Pat Naparsteck, pnaparsteck@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Arrival 10:15 a.m.; Tour begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Second Presbyterian Church, 1936 South Michigan Avenue, northwest corner of Michigan Ave and Cullerton St

Embark on a curated tour of the only Chicago area church with the nation’s highest historical landmark status! Once the place of worship for many Prairie Avenue notables, parishioners included well-known names such as Lincoln, Cobb, Pullman, Blackstone, and Fargo!

Topics of our docent-guided tour will include:

• How and why famed architect Howard Van Doren Shaw transformed the sanctuary from gothic into an Arts and Crafts masterpiece.

• An impressive collection of nine beautiful stained-glass windows by renowned designer Louis Comfort Tiffany…and other important artisans of this genre.

• A look at muralist Frederick Clay Bartlett's infusion of pre-Raphaelite styled images into the space. Plus much more!

Cost: No cost for the tour but a recommended donation to Friends of Historic Second Church, a 501(c)(3), will contribute to ongoing church restoration and education.

There is a small parking lot just to the north of the church. Metered street parking is readily available, as is public transportation.

Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 25

Contact: Barbara Champion, barbarachampion1@icloud.com, 312-543-3533

Monday, October 6, 2025

10:30 AM — 12:00 PM

Loews Chicago Hotel, 455 North Park Drive

Meet in the Lobby of Loews Chicago Hotel

You are invited to an informal gathering of IWA friends in this spacious, warm setting. This is a great opportunity to introduce potential members to our organization! Stay for as little or as long as you like. 

Coffee available for purchase.

455 North Park Drive is at the intersection with Lower North Water Street, just off Columbus Drive between the Chicago River and Whole Foods.

Contact: Barbara Calabrese, 773-793-9812

Save The Date!

Moon Festival Celebration at the Korean Cultural Center

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Approximate Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Korean Cultural Center, 9925 Capital Dr., Wheeling, IL

This event will include lunch, a guided tour of the exhibition, a Moon Jar-making demonstration by a master ceramicist from Korea, and a lecture on the history of Korean ceramics by a curator from the Denver Art Museum. The day will conclude with performances of traditional

Korean dance and music.  

Details to follow.

Contact: Gay-Young Cho

This Board Meeting will be held in person. If you are going to be out of town but plan to attend, please contact Celia for registration.

Save The Date!

October North Shore - Walking Tour in the historic lakefront of Evanston, followed by a potluck lunch at an IWA member's home

Friday, October 17, 2025

More details coming soon!

Book: A Volga Tale
Author: Guzel Yakhina

Discussion Leader: Dell Harmsen

Literature Discussion Chairs: Barbara Herzog and Teresa Kennedy

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

Join your IWA friends in a fun and friendly game of Mah Jongg! There is nothing more exciting than when, with your heart racing, your adrenaline pumping, your palms sweating, and you call "Mah Jongg"!

ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! A refresher lesson will be given at the beginning of each meeting.

Save The Date!

Holidays Around The World

Year End Celebration & Fundraiser

Thursday, November 6, 2025

11:00am - 2:00pm

Salon 61, 61 W Hubbard St

More details to follow!

Book: North Woods
Author: Daniel Mason

Discussion Leader: Ann Brody

Literature Discussion Chairs: Barbara Herzog and Teresa Kennedy

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

Join your IWA friends in a fun and friendly game of Mah Jongg! There is nothing more exciting than when, with your heart racing, your adrenaline pumping, your palms sweating, and you call "Mah Jongg"!

ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! A refresher lesson will be given at the beginning of each meeting.

Book: Foster
Author: Claire Keegan

Discussion Leader: Teresa Kennedy

Literature Discussion Chairs: Barbara Herzog and Teresa Kennedy

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.