For a group that is based on gathering for socialization, the Senior Travel Club of Walworth County has managed pretty well in the times of COVID-19.
In the last year and a half, while membership has dropped, the group still managed 12 bus trips, all day trips since an overnight trip to Door County was canceled.
Now with that trip rescheduled for September, the group’s president is anxious to get membership back up.
“Before the COVID-19 (pandemic), we had more than 200 members,” Judy LaBianco said. “We’re getting new members now.”
The Senior Travel Club of Walworth County has been in existence since 1978, with the goal of bringing seniors 55 and older together to socialize and travel.
“They get to meet a lot of people,” LaBianco explained. “I’ve made many friends in joining the travel club.”
The group also meets once a month at Como Community Church, W. 3901 Palmer Road, Lake Geneva, to hear speakers on any number of topics relevant to group members.
This month, Mike Deutsch from The Belfry Theatre is coming to speak. In January, the speaker was a woman who raised show rabbits, while upcoming speakers include the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center.
While day trips have gone on mostly as normal, LaBianco expressed some sadness over the cancellation of the overnight trips because of the pandemic.
“Before, we would go on two overnight trips a year,” she said. “Last year, we couldn’t get enough members to sign up.
“People were afraid to go,” she added. “And word was, Door County was loaded with cases.”
That trip is scheduled for Sept. 14 to 16, again by bus travel. In the meanwhile, the schedule for the rest of the winter and spring is starting to play out.
“Most of the time, we’re just trying to explore Wisconsin,” LaBianco said.
The group is always looking for new members, though you do not need to be a member to join a trip. There is an additional $10 cost.
If interested in the club or in joining a trip, call LaBianco at 262-245-6792.
Upcoming trips
The Walworth County Travel Club is planning these upcoming trips:
• April 13, “The King & I” at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
• May 11, Everly Brothers Revisited at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center with lunch at the Delafield Brewhaus.
• May 18, Explore the Baraboo Area. Day trip includes ride on the Mid-Continental Railroad, tour of the Crane Foundation and lunch at the Log Cabin Restaurant and Bakery.
• June 22, “Murder on the Orient Express” at the Milwaukee Rep, with dinner at Diamond Jim’s Steak House.
• July 14, “What Happens in Vegas” at The Fireside in Fort Atkinson.
• Sept. 14 to 16, Door County.
