TTN/LI Chapter Newsletter
June 2020
|
|
A Message from Lindsey Draves,
Acting Chair of TTN/LI
|
|
The TTN Long Island Chapter is a community. We may be stretched across Nassau, Suffolk and eastern Queens but we are a community of more than 900 women who are connected to each other, even during this pandemic when we have been asked to socially distance and remain at home. And that connection is what makes TTN so special. We all realize that seeing our friends and acquaintances on a computer screen is not the same as seeing them in person. Learning something new from a speaker online is also not quite the same as hearing that speaker in person, surrounded by other members in a lecture hall or at a luncheon. But providing that connection with like-minded women who are searching for something “more” is what TTN excels at.
We are fortunate to have technology such as Zoom to ensure this connection continues. Despite our current circumstances our chapter is providing a wide variety of speakers and topics (e.g. music, government, history, books), is offering new and redesigned programming (meditation, yoga and resilience provided by chapter members), has begun new initiatives (Living Alone groups), and has transitioned new member teas and diner meet-ups to online. In addition, many of our SIGs and TPGs are meeting via the chapter’s Zoom account, with new book clubs and discussion groups in the process of formation.
While I look forward to the time when we can see each other in person I am grateful for the hard work and resourcefulness of our committees and other volunteers and for the resilience of all of you, our members. You have all contributed to our continued connection.
|
|
What's your Silver Lining?
We recently invited our members to share some uplifting things they are doing to keep busy, to keep connected, and to stay mentally and physically sound and balanced. As you can see from the comments below, we received quite a few responses. No surprise that our members are finding new and creative ways to be positive, uplifting, and engaged.
|
|
During this isolation I’m trying to practice the piano. I hadn’t been playing regularly in recent years. I’m trying to practice classical music and get to my high point of skill when I was 16 years old. My poor neighbors! Wish me luck.
|
|
I am trying to focus on the positive. I have expanded my vegetable garden and finally have the time to take better care of it and enjoy both my flower and vegetable gardens. I am reading spiritual literature in the hopes of finding more time to focus on my spiritual journey. I am caring for my husband who has dementia. He used to attend a program 4 days a week and he is now home full time. It amazes me that I am coping so well with being with him 24/7 without a break. If I knew ahead of time that I would be in the house for so many months I would have thought I could not do it but I am doing it. I am enjoying my backyard and my pets more than I ever did before. My dog is a lifesaver for me.
|
|
The biggest take away from all the pain and suffering and life changing events for me, is that I appreciate my everyday activities and the fact that the environment is getting cleaner. We needed to slow down the path of destruction we were on and this virus has certainly done that.
|
|
I never realized how busy my retired life really is. I am now the Zoom expert and will permanently incorporate the technology into our annual Seder. It’s a wonderful way to virtually be with Virginia, California and Chicago. This ordeal has cemented friendships, from my TTN relationships to my ceramic group and my book clubs. The gratuitous hug is really missed and I will never take it for granted again. Most of all I long for my family, my children, grandkids and relatives. They are the fabric of my life. I don’t know when we will be together again. The only silver lining is that we communicate via Facebook and Zoom more often. When we hang up, I smile and say out loud like Sally Field at the Academy Awards, “You like me! You really like me!”
|
|
I FaceTime with my granddaughter every morning for breakfast. When she is placed in her high chair, the first thing she says is “Where’s grandma?” She’s 2 years old and it’s the best.
|
|
A positive I have found, in the midst of living in this scary time, is taking daily walks around different parts of my town and discovering lovely areas I didn't know were there. I feel more in touch with nature, which has a calming effect, in spite of the anxiety of living in a pandemic.
|
|
My experience through this challenging time has shown me that we can still be close even with distancing. First through a Zoom funeral of my 94-year-old Aunt who died of Covid. There were over 70 people from across the country sharing memories for up to four hours. Then we had a celebration of my 70th birthday where friends organized a birthday drive-by that took my breath away. We can continue to show our love through new creative ways because we are warm and caring people.
|
|
Thank you to TTN for introducing me to One Day University. I look forward to the lectures while sheltering at home.
|
|
I've enjoyed the video sessions on how to cope with what we are experiencing today. I keep in touch with my spirituality groups through Zoom sessions. The sessions dealing with how to keep yourself healthy have been helpful. Suggestions on how we can help out in the pandemic are vitally important – they give us a purpose.
|
|
My silver lining: starting and completing a do-it-myself major home project that I had on my "to do" list for months. If not for the stay-at-home directive I suspect I would have continued to find excuses to procrastinate.
|
|
This Pandemic has certainly stretched our ability to be flexible and kinder to one another. For the most part, people are sharing information, money, food and kind words. During bad times you always see people who step up. I have worked in the corporate world for many years and have attended so many different organizational functions – yet I have seen that TTN is one of the friendliest, warmest and most responsive organizations for women. Bravo to you and all of the fine programs that you are offering to your members during this time. (I recently joined in November 2019.)
|
|
My friend keeps telling me that with all the activities I'm doing now while sheltering at home, I must think I'm at camp. In the beginning I cleaned out the house and organized all our old photos. I walk every day and have doubled the amount I walk. I meditate daily, listen to lectures from Streicker Center, enjoy Coffee with Clergy from Central Synagogue, exercise with Silver Sneakers and with other groups on Facebook or Zoom and play bridge and canasta online with my friends. Our synagogue offers programs daily which we can join. There are so many options available that there's no need to be bored.
|
|
I am grateful every day for my husband, our family and knowing that we are okay. I have always maintained our relationships and have continued to do so. One new thing I'm doing is connecting with my friends from childhood on Zoom every 2 weeks. That's really special. As for a lesson, my feeling is we each have a choice every day to decide if we look at the day with excitement or with dread. I choose to be grateful every day even if my life isn't perfect. A positive attitude is so important.
|
|
People are being more neighborly. When one person goes to a store, she will ask her neighbors if they need anything so that we limit the number of places one has to go. Last week I went to Shoprite, and bought a few things for 3 friends, who in turn bought me a few items from Costco and Trader Joes. The best part was the friend for whom I bought flour and sugar then baked Mandelbrot and shared her goodies with me!
|
|
Check our
Website
fo
r More Info & to Register for all Events
|
|
CONTINUING & UPCOMING EVENTS:
- One Day University - through Thursday, July 16, 2020
- TTN DC Chapter Ted Talk - Need a Laugh? - Thursday, June 18, 2020
- Online WELCOME Orientation for New Members - Friday, June 19, 2020
- Coffee Hour - Showcase on Talent - Friday, June 19, 2020
- Inga Saffron: Journalist and Architecture Critic - Monday, June 22, 2020
- Maintaining a Healthy Diet During the Covid-19 Pandemic - Tuesday, June 23, 2020
- Is Your Life in Balance? - Wednesday, June 24, 2020
- Unleash the Power and Freedom of Forgiveness - Thursday. June 25, 2020
- Coffee Hour - Friday, July 3, 2020
- What Does it Take to Change a Mind? - Lucinda Beauman - Tuesday, July 7, 2020
|
|
Community
Volunteer
Committee
|
|
The homeless mothers and children who are housed in single rooms in the Brentwood Shelter have been particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus emergency measures that have been put in place. The Educational Supervisor of the Shelter, who we work with, asked if TTN would consider providing Mother’s Day gift bags for these mothers who are struggling to cope with having to remain in their rooms all day, dealing with children they must entertain, help with homework etc. TTN responded immediately, and Judy Brambrut ordered the bulk of the suggested items online. Within a week, volunteer Linda Sotomayor had assembled 96 gift bags, each
containing an adult coloring book and colored pencils, a deck of cards, a word puzzle book, an inspirational journal and pen, a paperback donated by the Book Fairies, snacks and treats, and finished with a hand-made Mother’s Day card created by own TTN artists. Judy’s daughter, Sharon Brambrut, completed the package by procuring a donation of 100 fresh loaves of bread.
Best of all, Linda was able to deliver the bags in time for Mother’s Day. This was part of the thank you we received from the shelter:
“
The gifts were lovely and the Moms were thrilled! They thanked the TTN women many times for taking the time to make their day special and appreciated TTN’s gesture. A million hugs!”
|
|
Whether you love history, are a fan of Broadway, or are up on the latest bestselling book, the Program Committee of TTN/ LI has something that will captivate your interest. During this unprecedented time, we continue to offer, via Zoom, a variety of programs to the members of our chapter. James Coll discussed Federalism; Ron Brown enlightened us about Women of the Empire City, Richard Knox had us singing along in his Broadway Ballads presentation, and Dr. Anna Katsavos provided insights into the best seller Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. In July we are offering programs by Ron Brown and Brian Rose. Look for details in upcoming eblasts. The committee continues to meet online and is working on future programs to entertain, engage and educate the members of our chapter.
|
|
WELCOME! NEW MEMBERS TO OUR TTN FAMILY
|
|
Sharon Aaronson
June Briese
Nicole Brill
Rachel Chasin
Mary Clark
|
|
Karen Frankel
Louise Greenberg
Deborah Herbst
Linda Kanarek Alexandra Keblish
|
|
Elena Leon
Marion Marino
Susan Masone
Arlene Mishanie
Victoria Perrone
|
|
Judy Sadick
Anne Unger
Regina Vorwald
Sandy Westen
|
|
|
FOLLOWING
are links to information we think you will want to know more about.
CLICK and you will be directed to the corresponding page on the TTN website:
|
|
Check out our TTN National website fo
r a list of relevant RESOURCES
:
|
|
Membership dues come to about $8/month or $2/week
... less than the cost of a latte! What a bargain!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
