What we’re about
This group is for anyone who 50 and older wanting to remain active and enjoy the activities available in Chicago. We welcome anyone who wants to meet new people & DO SOMETHING FUN! We will do more than just eat & drink, but we will have events that are centered on food and conversation.
"Active" means doing some of what this great city offers. Events like music and dancing, shows and exhibits, theater and maybe an occasional movie. There will also be things such as dining and meet ups at coffee shops. In warmer months, there will be opportunities for outdoor activities.
I live in Ch8cago and will primarily list events in Chicago.
Group members are encouraged to propose events, and I will be happy to list them on the group webpage.
Thanks,
Rob
Upcoming events
5
✨⛪ Faith & Legacy: A Guided Tour of the Mother Cabrini Shrine ✨🙏
National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, 2520 N Lakeview Ave, Chicago, IL, US✨⛪ Faith & Legacy: A Guided Tour of the Mother Cabrini Shrine ✨🙏
🌿 An Inspiring Morning at Chicago’s National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini ✨
Join us for a special private, docent-led tour of the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, a serene and historically rich sacred space nestled in the heart of Lincoln Park. This immersive experience explores the life, legacy, and mission of Mother Cabrini, America’s first canonized saint, whose work transformed Chicago’s immigrant and Catholic communities forever.
This is a stationary guided church tour — no walking route, no neighborhood stroll — allowing us to slow down, reflect, and truly absorb the stories, artwork, architecture, and spiritual significance of this remarkable site.
Expect beautiful sacred art, historic artifacts, relics of Mother Cabrini, and powerful stories of compassion, service, and perseverance — all brought to life by a knowledgeable docent. ✨
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### 🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Saturday Afternoon 1/17/26 @ 12pm
📍 National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini – 2520 N Lakeview Ave, Chicago
⏱️ Tour length: ~90 minutes
💰 Cost: $15 per person donation
💵 Cash strongly preferred
(Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted if needed so I can submit one group donation)
⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start of the tour and submit payment directly to me so I can give to the church
📸 Photography is allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space.
🎤 Private docent-led tour arranged exclusively for our group.
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### 🌟 What We’ll Experience
⛪ The beautifully restored chapel and shrine spaces
🎨 Religious artwork, stained glass, and devotional details
📜 Exhibits highlighting Mother Cabrini’s life and mission
🕊️ Stories of faith, immigration, service, and social justice
🙏 Time for quiet reflection and appreciation of the space
This is not a walking tour — everything takes place inside and on the immediate grounds of the Shrine.
***
### 📖 About the Mother Cabrini Shrine
The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini honors the life and legacy of Mother Cabrini (1850–1917), founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Responding to the needs of immigrants, especially Italian newcomers, she established schools, hospitals, and orphanages across the United States — including several in Chicago.
The Shrine stands on the former grounds of Columbus Hospital, one of Mother Cabrini’s most important institutions. Today, it serves as a place of prayer, education, and inspiration, continuing her mission of compassion, dignity, and service to others.
Mother Cabrini’s legacy resonates far beyond Catholic history — her work shaped Chicago’s social services, healthcare systems, and immigrant advocacy at a pivotal moment in the city’s growth.
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### 🍽️ Optional Lunch After the Tour
After the tour, those interested are welcome to join for lunch at a nearby Lincoln Park restaurant.
🍽️ Options will be shared closer to the date.
⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks.
***
### 👟 What to Bring:
• Camera for photo ops
• Water bottle
• $15 tour donation (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)
🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is easy and recommended.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking
- Free and metered street parking nearby
- Generally easy to find during daytime hours
- Always check posted signs
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### 📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel if your plans change
❌ Repeat no-shows may result in removal from future events
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✨⛪ Join us for a meaningful, enriching visit to the Mother Cabrini Shrine — a space filled with history, faith, service, and inspiration. ✨21 attendees
📢 IMPORTANT: Active 50s+ Group Will Close — Please Read (Not an Event) 🚨
TBD, Chicago, IL, US📢 IMPORTANT: Active 50s+ Group Will Close — Please Read (Not an Event) 🚨
Call for an organizer@!
I’m not sure everyone is aware, but the current organizer for Active 50s+ has stepped down AGAIN. If no one steps up to take over in the next 20 days, the group will be disbanded by Meetup.
I post a lot of events here and would normally be happy to take on the role, but I already run three very active Meetup groups. I simply can’t add a fourth without incurring significant additional fees from Meetup.
That said, if someone does want to take over, I’m more than happy to assist, guide, and help plan events.
📞 Feel free to message me directly at 312.835.4259 if you have questions about what being an organizer involves.
In the meantime, if you enjoy the events I post and want to stay connected, I’d love to have you join any of my groups! I host far more than guided walks — my groups are active all year long, with 3–4 weekly events in winter and 5–6 weekly events in summer.
For the full experience, I recommend joining either 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die or Windy City Wanderers, as these are my most active groups.
The Windy City Wine+ Meetup is a smaller, limited-event group — great for wine lovers, but not as frequent as the other two.
My Meetup Groups:
🔸 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die
https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die
🔸 Windy City Wanderers
https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/
🔸 Windy City Wine+ Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wineaux/
You can also follow along here:
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576822533554
👉 Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die-67124474083
Hope to stay connected with all of you — and fingers crossed someone steps up to keep this great group going! 💛1 attendee
🎸🎤Cash for Kids! 21st Annual Johnny Cash Festival-Music & Fun for a Cause🍀🎶
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Room 311, Chicago, IL, US🎸🎤 Cash for Kids! 21st Annual Johnny Cash Festival – Music & Fun for a Cause 🍀🎶
Cash for Kids! 21st Annual Johnny Cash Festival @ Irish American Heritage Center
We’ve done this for over 6 years and it’s always a ton of fun! Great music in a variety of genres — not just tribute bands playing Johnny Cash tunes. It’s so much more! Held at a cool northwest side location, the Irish American Heritage Center, now back on its original January date. All proceeds go to a great cause — the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
📍 Location: Irish American Heritage Center – 4626 N. Knox Ave, Chicago, IL
🎟️ Tickets: $25 online / $30 at the door (must have ticket)
🔗 Tickets & Info:
***
🎶 About the Festival
- Chicago’s only Johnny Cash Festival, raising funds for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
- Music on 3 stages with 8+ bands
- Genres include country, folk, rockabilly, blues, and more
- Celebrate The Man in Black and the Carter Family’s contribution to American music
🎸 2026 Performers (subject to change)
- The Waco Brothers
- Iron Horse
- Alaina Stacey
- The John Allen Green Band
- Mike Gianinni & The Rhythm Rangers
- In Spite of Ourselves
- State of the City
- The Rock Islanders
- Lawrence Peters
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🏛️ About the Venue: Irish American Heritage Center
- 86,000 sq. ft. cultural center dedicated to Irish arts, culture & traditions
- Features:
- 658-seat theatre
- Library & museum
- Art gallery
- Authentic Irish pub
- Dance studios
- Meeting & banquet rooms
- Wheelchair accessible
- Multiple bars & food available (fish & chips, corned beef sandwiches, patty melts, hot dogs)
🔗 Learn more:
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🚗 Parking & Transit
- 2 free parking lots + street parking (watch for permit-only signs; arrive early!)
- CTA accessible: Montrose Blue Line + buses
- CTA Trip Planner
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⚠️ No Show Policy
- 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3 months ineligible for future events
- Cut-off: event start time
- Message host if late / missed check-in
- Continual no-shows may result in removal from the group
💜 All proceeds benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, supporting children & families battling brain tumors.
20 attendees
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