The Happy Old Guys (HOGs) group was formed by senior men who want more out of life now. Each member enjoys new camaraderie and individual growth, through the experience of diversified group activities. Based in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, the non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization is open to those who are no longer fully committed to work.
Started in July 2010, we meet the second Wednesday of each month at a Buffalo Grove area restaurant for lunch where we plan upcoming events. Most of our meetings also include guest speakers. HOGs special events include a broad range of tours, speakers and activities.
Tours and special events include:
Chicago financial exchanges and Federal Reserve
Wisconsin’s Harley Davidson factory and Museum
BMW golf tournament
Chicago Outfit roller derby
Tech toys presentations from Apple and Samsung
War Museum at Cantigny Park
Segway tour of Millennium Park
Architecture boat tour
Bar-B-Q and cooking lessons at Sunset Foods
Annual dinner gala including spouses/significant others
Tesla test drives
Illinois Holocaust Museum
Chicago Auto Show
Virtual tour series of Israel
State and local politicians discuss Bears proposed move to Arlington Heights
Ravinia picnic and concert
2-day tours of various Illinois farms
Fermilab and Argonne National Lab
Tribune Freedom Center Printing Plant
Joliet Prison and Historical Museum
Lake Geneva cruise
Sanfilippo mansion vintage music machine collection
Vienna Beef Museum and lunch
Amazon distribution center
Abt Electronics
Ethnic luncheons
Movies and lunch
Chicago neighborhood tours
Luncheon guest speakers have included:
John “Bulldog” Drummond, CBS reporter
Holocaust survivor
A Tuskegee Airman
Jeff Dickerson, ESPN, analyst following Chicago Bears
Author Bob Schwartz, Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog
Les Grobstein, baseball sports reporter, SCORE radio
Paul Green, Roosevelt University, political science professor, WGN Radio commentator
Rick Hahn, White Sox General Manager
Howard Cain, WWII B-29 flight engineer who photographed A-bomb devastation
Gerald Friedman, WWII hero of the Pacific who was onboard for signing surrender by Japan
Sentinel Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
David Zarefsky, Northwestern University professor, political analyst
Peter Slevin, Northwestern University professor, “Fake News and the Big Lie”
The Hubble Space Telescope, Adler Planetarium astronomer
Chicago’s iconic foods
Sex and seniors
Chicago media sports writers and reporters–Herb Gould, Scot Gregor, Howard Sudberry, and Ron Rapoport
50-year veteran ballpark vendor photo pictorial
Dan Grunfeld–from Holocaust to the NBA family story
Gary Midkiff, Barry Bradford and Lawrence Goodman–Chicago and national historians and entertainers
Infectious diseases specialist physician–Covid update
Dann Gire–movie critic and Oscar predictions
Mike Huff–a professional baseball player, odyssey to the major leagues
What is “valid research” (CJE)
Bruce Hochstadter–master gardener
State and national politicians–Raja Krishnamoorthi, Brad Schneider, Jonathan Carroll and Carol Sente
Sports events include:
Weekly golf group
Pool
Annual Lake Michigan fishing derby
Annual miniature golf tourney
White Sox and Cubs games
Casino trips
Poker and canasta groups
Bandits women’s softball
Chicago neighborhood tours
Bowling and biking with other seniors groups
Travel is a key component of HOGs. We have held two and three-day road trips to the following locations:
Springfield
Galena
Milwaukee
Madison, WI and House on the Rock
Cleveland and Canton
Events are planned and implemented by our members themselves. Your attendance at every event isn’t required. Just “do what you like.” To join HOGs, all you need is the desire to participate, have fun and an active email address. Some events also include spouses/guests. Annual dues are $125, which pays for–speakers, operating expenses, a charitable donation to a local food pantry and our major Member’s gala each year. Interested individuals can learn more about HOGs by contacting our Membership VP for attending our next monthly meeting. Or you can email us on our “Contact Us” page.
Enjoy your golden years with guys who want to share the fun and excitement of an active retirement.