February 2026

Annual Meeting

Sunday, March 1, 11am
Cedar House

It feels like we have been talking about the annual meeting forever. Hope to see everyone at the Cedar House in Patterson Park at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 1. Surely the snow and ice will be gone by then! We will hold our business meeting that is required by our bylaws, which will include elections for the 2026 board, various reports from 2025, presentation (and hopefully approval of) the 2026 budget, and some fun activities. Very importantly, we will have some time to chat with other members, as we try to include all What’s Next meeting activities. No RSVP is necessary; everyone is encouraged to attend. And we will be collecting dues at the meeting for those who haven’t paid yet.

The slate of officers to be considered for 2026 is
Beth Braun, Susan Davis, Sharon Moore, Barkley Murray, Lori Spencer, Susan Sterett, Marilyn Szekendi, Ann Wolfe

First Monday Hike

Postponed to March

First Monday Trail Hike in February was cancelled due to icy conditions. We have postponed the hike scheduled for Cromwell Valley Park until March 2. A new RSVP link will come out as we draw closer to that date and will be included in the next newsletter. It will be well worth the wait. This park has wonderful trails and is not far away. See you then!

Fiber Arts Group

Sunday, February 8, 3-5 pm
Nancy Newman’s House

The Fiber Arts Group will hold their monthly gathering at Nancy Newman’s house on the second Sunday, as is customary. Everyone who is interested in any fiber art is welcome to come. Bring the project you are working on—or maybe one where you are stuck. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by email to hello@whatsnextbaltimore.org to let Nancy know and to get the address. The group is open to anyone who has any level of interest in fiber arts.

Happy Hour

Thursday, February 12, 5-7pm
Ministry of Brewing

The monthly happy hour at Ministry of Brewing almost always happens on the second Thursday. This is an opportunity to meet and chat with What’s Next members in a relaxed setting. Ministry of Brewing has a large selection of beer, as well as a smaller selection of cider and non-alcoholic beverages. No RSVP is needed to this event; everyone is welcome to just drop in. It is okay to bring food in, so some people bring a snack to share; and there is a food truck schedule on their website in case you want more than just snacks.

Soup Swap

Sunday, February 15, afternoon

We haven’t had a soup swap yet this winter and the time is right! We will follow the same format we have done in the past. It’s simple: we will divide into pairs, swap buddies. Everyone participating will make a quart of soup and share it with their swap buddy. Email hello@whatsnextbaltimore.org by February 8 if you want to participate. Include if you have any food allergies or strong dislikes and if you still have the quart jar from a previous swap. Beth Braun will email everyone by February 10 who their swap buddy is, and she will drop off a quart jar to those that need one by February 13. Each pair can determine when and how they will swap.

Book Group

Tuesday, February 17, 7pm

This month the book club will be discussing a science fiction classic, Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles. Ray Bradbury tells stories of people colonizing Mars after fleeing a failing Earth. Seems to have influenced the dreams of some of today's billionaire space explorers. We will be meeting at Barkley Murray's home. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Susan Sterett at smsterett@msn.com.

Game Night is Back!

Wednesday, February 18, 7pm

The ice and snow prevented us from gathering in January for games, but we’ll try it again in February. Once a month we will gather at Nancy Newman’s house (thank you Nancy!) and play games. What games? you ask. Nancy has a plethora of games and attendees are encouraged to bring one if they want to play it with others (and are willing/able to teach others how to play) Bring whatever you want to drink and if you want to bring something to nibble on to share it would be welcome. Please RSVP so Nancy knows how many to expect by emailing hello@whatsnextbaltimore.org.

Program Committee Meeting

Sunday, February 22, 3pm
Susan Sterett’s House

Do you have an idea for an activity or event? Are you willing to help organize it - or other What’s Next events? Do you have an interest that you want to share with others in What’s Next? Come to the Program Committee meeting at Susan Sterett’s house on February 22 to share your ideas. She’ll have some snacks! Everyone is welcome. Email her at smsterett@msn.com for the address.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime

Thursday, March 19, 5pm
Baltimore Museum of Art

Join other What’s Next members and visit this record-breaking exhibit at the BMA. Ms. Sherald is described as "a defining voice of her generation who transformed American portraiture."  She's also a MICA grad.  Susan Sterett is organizing and has reserved ten (free!) tickets for 5 p.m. RSVP here. Tickets will go to the first ten who RSVP. If more than ten people RSVP “yes,” Susan will try to get more tickets. Those who wish to carpool can meet at Charmed Kitchen at 4:30 p.m.

The Pretenders Upcoming Activities

Viewing of a National Theatre of London production: date to be decided (sometime in February) at the Cedar House. We plan to show the play Vanya (details at www.ntathome.com/vanya) on a weekday/weekend afternoon. For future showings, we welcome your suggestions. You can browse currently available plays here: www.ntathome.com/browse. Please RSVP to azurah1203@gmail.com if you are planning to join us for Vanya (if final date works out). Let us know other plays/genres you are interested in and your preference for weekday or weekend afternoon scheduling in general.

Matinee show of Dance Nation: Sun., March 8, 2pm at Fells Point Corner Theatre with a post-show discussion. Please purchase your ticket ($24) directly from the theater at app.arts-people.com/?show=294459 Alternatively, you can purchase a 4-show Flex Pass ($80) and redeem it to see Dance Nation with 3 friends for $20 per person. app.arts-people.com/index.php?buy_pass=fpct. More details on the Events page of the What’s Next website.

UkuLaLas!

Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10-11:30am

The UkuLaLas continue to hold both weekly strums. Saturdays are still indoors at Maxine’s Gallery at 126 N. Madeira St. from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday strums are at the Cedar House in Patterson Park also from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

All What’s Next members are welcome. We happily include all musical instruments and singers. Leave us a message at hello@whatsnextbaltimore.org if you have questions or need to borrow a loaner ukulele. And don’t worry if you are new to playing; we have small-group beginner sessions to help you get started. 

More information, tunes, and updates on the UkuLaLa webpage. (whatsnextbaltimore.org/ukulalas)

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