Acupuncture......What's in for you?    

September 15th at 7pm in Center City!

The Caring Collaborative is excited to launch a new Speaker Series focused on health and wellness for women over 50. Our first presenter, Dr. Lynnae Schwartz, will tell the amazing story of the many life transitions which led her to the practice of acupuncture. 

Dr. Schwartz will discuss the role of acupuncture in maintain-ing good health and for the treatment of disease.  We are thrilled to offer this unique perspective from a seasoned practitioner.   Q&A to follow Dr. Schwartz's presentation.

This event is free and offered to all chapter members.  You do not have to be a part of The Caring Collaborative to attend.  

Click here for more information and to register for this event.

Questions:  email phillycaringcollaborative@gmail.com

Please note: The next Caring Collaborative Orientation for new members will be on Oct. 27th at 7pm in Center City.   

On Christmas Day 2007 when Marian Marchese decided to volunteer at an animal shelter for just one day, the successful advertising executive had no plans to transform her life.  But what the founder and president of the Marchese Group, a multimillion dollar advertising agency encountered that day at ACCT, a North Philadelphia shelter changed all that.  

Overwhelmed by the noise, the odor and the sight of euthanized dogs being loaded onto a truck to be taken to the dump, she had an epiphany - she had to do something to help these innocent animals.

Within a few years Marian Marchese had not only transformed her own life. The program she started had saved the lives of scores of shelter dogs and improved the prospects of even more Philadelphia prison inmates. Impressed by her unique nonprofit, TTN's Giving Circle donated its 2016 fund to the Second Chance Dog Companion Program, founded by Marion.

You are invited to meet Marian Marchese and the New Leash on Life team at these upcoming events:

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM (Program) 7:00 - 8:00 PM dinner
Location: Law offices of Ballard Spahr, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Members: $6.00, Non-Members: $10.00
Register on the TTN website
Contact Mary Klein ( mklein248@comcast.net) if you would like to stay for dinner

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM (Program) 7:00 - 8:00 PM dinner
Location: Social room, 191 Presidential Blvd, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Members: $6.00, Non-Members: $10.00
Register on the TTN Website
Contact Sharon Segal (sms8005@gmail.com) if you would like to stay for dinner

There will also be a Dog Socialization Event on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 10 am at Pennypack Park, Northeast Philadelphia, where you can interact with the New Leash graduate dogs and even adopt one. There will be refreshments. Bring a Friend!   

Continue reading the full article about Marian Marchese's compelling story and this great organization.

Being part of a TTN Committee may be just the ticket you're looking for to share your unique skills and talents and to keep TTN vibrant and strong.  

Many of us (esp. recent retirees) miss the experience of being part of a team planning, coordinating, developing, collaborating, solving problems, attending meetings, and working on shared goals. Committees offer you the opportunity to apply your skills, interests and resources in a supportive, relaxed and FUN way. And what can beat being around some of the most interesting, intelligent, active and caring women in town!

Please volunteer for the following openings:

• EVENTS Committee:  Jean Brubaker
• Are you bursting with ideas for possible TTN events and programs?  Would you like to see more events in your area?  You can be part of the newly-forming Events Committee and help bring your ideas to life while delighting and surprising your fellow TTN members.  
• Please let Events Chair, Jean Brubaker, know you are here to lend a hand. 
   
• MEMBERSHIP Committee:  Donna Root
• Are you interested in helping out with Member Mingles, Ambassadors, TTN Talks or would you like to help out on the administrative side of things?
• Email our new Membership Chair, Donna Root for more details
   
• The CARING COLLABORATIVE:  Karen Kanter
•  The Caring Collaborative (CC) is looking for a 
  Support Group Coordinator to join the CC Committee. 
• This is a new initiative for Caring Collaborative. Support Groups can form based on conditions (like Fibromyalgia or Arthritis), procedures (MRI, biopsy) or health & wellness.
• CC Committee meets once/month.  One Support Group is already up and running. 
• Contact Karen Kanter if interested in this role. 

If you are an Oenophile (lover or connoisseur of wine), how about joining a new Special Interest Group,  SIG, that will explore the wonderful world of wine!  

Members will decide exactly how this SIG will work, so if you are interested in meeting with like-minded TTN'ers to learn about different wines and share tastings, sign up for this new SIG.  

Contact Alice Milrod to learn more. 

Sometimes Peer Group topics touch us in unexpected ways. In one group, the topic was "Sparking Joy".   There were two interpretations of the topic. Several people talked about things that bring them joy in the present and others focused on the past. 

But one member was in the middle of downsizing and moving. She had recently read an article about the author Marie Kondo and her book  The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up . The book talks about creating order and letting things go by only keeping those things that truly spark joy. She had a very literal interpretation of the topic as she was laughingly getting through the downsizing by asking herself and anyone in her family who would listen, "Does this spark joy?".

Many in the group related to this shift in thinking about the topic as some had downsized, others were in the process, and some were anticipating it. The discussion was lively and fun as stories were shared of how and what to let go. Everyone agreed that pictures and old letters are the hardest to deal with and the group grappled with how to approach them.

About two days after the meeting, they all received an email from a member of the group. Inspired by the discussion, she had begun to sort through some old papers. In one box she found an old poem sent to her by her mother. She said to her group, "it could have been part of an aging workshop".  Or perhaps... maybe her mother could have been inspired by her friends oh so many years ago. This is what it said:

Over the years

Box up memories...

The good ones.

Pack close precious times

and tender feelings.

Squeeze in thoughts

Of many dear friends.

Tuck corners with

Beauty of places visited.

Stuff vacant spots with recollections

Of laughing grandchildren.

Tie tight each knot.

Let nothing be lost

Before marking fragile.

They were all touched by this voice from the past reminding her daughter, and her daughter reminding her friends, that it is not the "things" that spark joy, but the memories.