Upcoming Events...
Get Connected Zoom
Wednesday, September 30
5:00-6:00 PM
Jan and Pat would like to invite you to virtually get together at the September TTN Get Connected event. Whether together or alone, social distancing offers an opportunity to reset or recommit to our relationships while we are at home. It will be good to connect with familiar faces and meet new people. We will plan to continue this monthly virtual meeting until we can once again meet in person.
While the meeting is to be casual and fun, we thought that we would suggest the following icebreaker: Describe one experience you had this summer that renewed your spirit and gave you a second wind to keep going.
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Online WELCOME Orientation
for New Members
September 18, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Central Time
This webinar happens every month and is a great opportunity to “get to know TTN”. This webinar is led by Susan Collins, TTN Executive Director.
Location: Online Webinar
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Winter Quarterly Program
Active Aging: Discover What’s Next for You
with Keynote Speaker, Joy Loverde
Rescheduled to Winter 2021
Due to the uncertainty of the Covid19 pandemic and since Joy must travel from Chicago, we have decided to postpone this program until early 2021. Stay tuned for new date.
We welcome members and non-members to hear from best-selling author and national aging advocate Joy Loverde as she shares smart strategies for living your best life now and in the future. Participants will learn about the significance of the longevity revolution and aging well, along with key issues to consider, how to plan ahead, and more! Highlights of the discussion will include:
- Obstacles to Aging in Place
- Preparing for Solo Aging
- Essential Questions to Ask
- Power of Self-Talk
Joy will reveal clear, practical, and relevant suggestions for you to build your own unique life plan for aging well.
Register now to save your seat!
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Get Connected Event
Five of us participated in the latest Zoom Get Connected. As usual, we covered a wide range of topics as we got to know more about each other. For example, we exchanged info about our first big music concert, how we got introduced to TTN, our dreams, some of our travels, and our fears and experiences revolving around Covid. And as usual, there were lots of laughs and the time flew by.
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Our Transition Peer Groups (TPGs) continue to meet monthly using Zoom. Currently there are three peer groups: daytime groups in the east and west metro area and an evening east metro group. Each group has a unique focus. Check out each group's description in this newsletter. All groups welcome new members. Peer groups focus on mutual support and encouragement in an environment of confidentiality, compassion, and respect. We continue to explore opportunities to add new peer groups either geographically or by topic.
If you are a TTN member interested in joining an existing TPG, please let the contact person for that group know. If you have ideas for a new TPG or have general questions, please email Barbara at barbara.osullivan@hotmail.com or Grace at gbartholet@gmail.com and we will get back to you and set up a time to talk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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LIFE ANIMATED
Submitted by Sylvia Mohn
The group met via Zoom on August 13 to discuss the PBS TV program "The Vote" which is a documentary about the journey for the American women’s right to vote. The strength and bravery of the suffragettes was evident and we should appreciate their sacrifices. The program personalized the lives of these women. Women for generations have been brought up with the cultural belief that this is the way it is until ideas are challenged; voting rights was not an easy sell. It was surprising how tenuous the vote was.
We talked about how we first became aware of the women's movement in high school and college. From not being allowed to do sports or being stuck in home economics classes instead of shop/woodworking to gender expectations in our families regarding the classes we would take to careers we'd choose and how our futures were supposed to play out.
We discussed how women's roles have changed, how marketing to women has changed (ex: how cosmetic companies dropped using young Lolita models in the 1980's), and that it was a hoax that we could have it all like the Virginia Slims ad campaign. We also talked about expectations our families had for us growing up vs society culture.
Next month topic: What makes us smile? We want to find things to be happy about. One example: the best comedy you've seen. Zoom meeting Thursday, September 10, at 10:00 AM.
Please contact Eleni Skevas at eskevs@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining this group.
LIVING WITH PURPOSE
Submitted by Barbara O’Sullivan
The August Living with Purpose Transition Peer Group meeting focused on two questions taken from White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh: What are one or more ways you had unearned disadvantage in your life and what ways have you had unearned advantage in your life. These questions are definitely thought-provoking for a discussion.
We also began planning our upcoming agenda and format for the months ahead. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, from 6:30-8:00 PM and we will continue to meet on Zoom. We welcome new members.
WEST METRO PEER GROUP
Submitted by Jean Forrey
After an initial Zoom glitch (host was signed into a different meeting!), 9 patient women met to continue the discussion on the topic from their previous meeting: exploring our white privilege. There was a wide ranging and deep discussion of issues of prejudice and privilege.
It was decided our next meeting will be Monday, September 14, the second Monday, because of the Labor Day holiday. We will meet at 1:00 PM as usual.
Next month topic: In this time of Covid, what can we do, what actions can we take to address racism or inequality? Can we participate in a meaningful way for the upcoming election even during a pandemic? We will exchange resources that can utilize our time or $- or suggest organizations that we can join.
We also challenged ourselves to take at least one action prior to our next meeting.
We are open to new members! We meet the first Monday of the month from 1:00-3:00 PM. We are currently meeting via Zoom.
If you want to attend our TPG, please contact Jean Forrey at jean.4e@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list and get monthly Zoom info.
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Special Interest Groups (SIGs) |
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Special Interest Group (SIGs) offer specific areas of shared interest to members. SIGs meet on Zoom or in-person in small groups that accommodate physical distance and require masks. As you will see in our current SIGs there is a wide variety of opportunities for social connection, as well as to learn new skills and gain knowledge. The variety and topics are infinite. SIGs may be ongoing or time limited.
If you are a TTN member interested in joining an existing SIG, please let the contact person for that group know. If you have ideas for a new SIG or have general questions, please email Grace at gbartholet@gmail.com or Barbara at barbara.osullivan@hotmail.com and we will get back to you and set up a time to talk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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LEGACY WRITING SIG
NEW SIG Looking for interested participants
Submitted by Karen West
On July 20 and 27, Karen West facilitated a legacy writing workshop. At the end of that workshop, some of the participants expressed a desire for Karen to form a Special Interest Group (SIG) for legacy writing that would meet monthly. Karen thought that was a great idea, so she is offering this opportunity. Karen will provide guidance when needed for how and when to write a legacy letter. Participants will spend time together writing and sharing (when they choose to) as they experiment with their own legacy letters. A day and time to meet will be selected by the women who express interest in this SIG.
If you are interested, have questions, or would like more information please email Karen at karenw0214@gmail.com.
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ART APPRECIATION SIG
Submitted by JeNell Jacobson
The Art Appreciation SIG met on August 12 with 12 participants on Zoom. We engaged in learning about the Elements of Art – Line, Shape, Form, Texture, Color, Space, and Value. Terri Evans incorporated slides from her recent trip to an outdoor sculpture garden in Door County, illustrating the elements. Then we shared examples of the elements as they appear in art pieces that we own. We enjoyed viewing and discussing a wonderful array, including two pieces by members’ mothers, 3-D fiber art, at least one mobile from our own Walker Art Center, and art from all over the world, including China, South America, England, the Czech Republic, and many from the great talent in our own Twin Cities.
Our Wednesday, September 9, 1:00 PM meeting will be on Zoom. We will focus on the art element of line or color. We welcome submissions of any female artist, a friend, relative, local community artist or famous artist’s work that highlights the art element of line or color. Send to Terri Evans, as she will produce a PowerPoint presentation for our enjoyment!
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CARDS, COIN, CONVERSATION, & CANAPES SIG
Submitted by Robin Getman
This SIG is taking a hiatus due to Covid19 as the in-person meetings are essential to the purpose of the group.
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DAYTIME BOOK SIG
Submitted by Eleni Skevas
In August, the club discussed Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal, a Minnesotan who gives us an entertaining take on the Minnesota foodie scene as he weaves a tale about a young woman born with a “super-palate” who becomes a great chef.
Next up in September is The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson a non-fiction book about Churchill, his family and his country’s stance against Nazism in the early days of the Second World War.
If you’d like to join the group on Thursday, September 3, from 10:00 AM- Noon, please send Eleni Skevas your email address and you will be added to our Zoom invitation list.
We meet on the first Thursday of the month from 10:00 AM–Noon.
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EVENING BOOK CLUB SIG
Submitted by Beth Stockinger with help from Debra Dorgan
The group met via Zoom on August 10 to discuss The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. Some of the highlights of our discussion:
- What did the house mean to individual characters (and to the readers)?
- What was the effect of telling the story from a male character's point of view?
- Does the story have fairy tale overtones?
Upcoming Zoom meeting dates and books:
Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 PM - How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Tuesday, October 13, at 6:30 PM - This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 PM - White Fragility, Why It's So Hard For White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson
Interested in joining our monthly book group? We enjoy thoughtful and in-depth conversations about our book picks and we enjoy the developing friendships with regular members. We meet the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 PM.
To learn more about the group contact Beth Stockinger at alberstock@aol.com or Grace Bartholet at gbartholet@gmail.com.
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EXPLORING FOOD SIG
Submitted by Chris DiPietro
During our August meeting we heard about kitchen failures and fabulous cooking flops. Participants related stories about accidentally dumping a meatloaf into the dishwater (and rinsing it off and eating it anyway), how the strong odor from a floor coating being applied near the kitchen was incorporated into a whipped cheesecake, and leaving a pot of eggs on the stove so long they exploded - and calling the police to report gunshots because of it. Everyone, it seemed, had a story about things going wrong in the kitchen and we all agreed they were some of our most memorable, funny moments, and often offered a great opportunity to learn.
For our September meeting, we are scheduling a late afternoon session so members who are occupied during the day might be able to join. Here are the meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 4:30-6:00 PM via Zoom
Topic: Ways to Reduce Food Waste - Planning, Storing, Using, Diverting from Landfill, etc.
We invite anyone to join this discussion. If you are not already a participant in the SIG but would like to join our discussion in September, please let Chris DiPietro know at cmdjp2@gmail.com. You will receive a Zoom invitation email several days before the meeting.
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FINANCIAL SIG
Submitted by Cyndy Nelson
Ten of us participated in a zoom meeting on August 18. Our topic for the meeting was end of life planning. It is a topic that is relevant to all of us and everybody was able to contribute their thoughts and experiences. We briefly discussed the Long Middle which is the time between retirement and when end of life planning kicks in. We considered the importance of making an inventory of our assets which includes financial, personal, and real estate. We obviously reviewed the documents one needs so assets go where desired when one dies. We talked about burial/cremation and service planning and how wonderful it was when they had been completed before the person died.
Our September meeting is Tuesday, September 15, 6:30-8:00 PM via Zoom. Topic is the role of the stock market in the economy - why is stock market so high when Main Street and many people are having such trouble? We can also talk about the impact of the upcoming election on the stock market. Bring articles and perspectives.
Our October meeting is Tuesday, October 20, 6:30-8:00 PM via Zoom. Topic will be selected at the September meeting.
The purpose of this group is to increase our personal financial literacy. The knowledge of members about financial topics varies from beginner to more experienced. Our topics will be selected based on what individual members are interested in. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. New members are welcome. Come and give it a try.
Please email Cyndy at clnelson03@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us, have ideas for topics, or have questions.
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GARDENS R US SIG – Summer SIG
Submitted by Julie Efta
Want to meet up with some members in person instead of on zoom? Need a mini vacation in the city/suburbs? Do you enjoy gardens but don’t have or want one of your own? Are you looking for inspiration for your own garden? Do you just want to sit outside in a safe place on a beautiful day and enjoy nature and conversation?
Our gardens are still open to visit! All members of TTN are welcome! You must contact Julie for the list and contact information of 14 members who volunteered to host. Then you arrange the day and time with the individual host.
Have fun and get inspired in a small, safe and delightful environment!
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ON BEING SIG
Submitted by Ginny Jacobson
The On Being SIG met for the second time on Monday, August 17. We had a lively and illuminating discussion on Krista Tippett's interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates. We found him to be authentic, engaging, and funny and we felt challenged to continue learning about racism and our role in it.
On Monday, September 21, at 1:00 PM, we'll meet via Zoom to discuss Krista's interview with Pauline Boss. This piece focuses on "ambiguous loss," a term that Pauline Boss coined to describe loss that has no resolution. Pauline Boss is professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota and an author. You can listen to the podcast and/or read the transcript at: https://onbeing.org/programs/pauline-boss-navigating-loss-without-closure/#transcript Tracey Baker will facilitate the discussion.
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"PAR-TEE-ON" – Mini Golf SIG
Submitted by Jean Forrey
Thank you to Jan Weller, co-chair, for exploring the topic of art and mini golf. There are lots of examples! Four of us gathered on Zoom to discuss the future of this group and the topic at hand.
It was unanimously decided that we will be on hiatus until we can actually golf! Zoom meetings have been interesting, but obviously that was never the intention. Who would have ever predicted when forming this group that we would have an ongoing pandemic?
So, until next year – par-tee on!
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THEATER SIG
Submitted by Robin Getman
This SIG is taking a hiatus due to Covid19 as attending in-person theater events together was key to the purpose of the group.
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TRAVEL SIG
Submitted by Marilynne Roberts
Inspired by our most recent guest, Lane Rosenthal from Paris Off Script, the Travel SIG followed the lead of many Parisians and vacationed (from our monthly meeting) in August.
Our September meeting will be Tuesday, September 29, 6:30-8:00 PM, for members to share ideas for short Minnesota drives to enjoy the fall weather, colors and food.
On Tuesday, October 27, 6:30-8:00 PM, members will be invited to discuss favorite trips they have taken in the past. We welcome your ideas for future meetings.
Travel SIG members will receive a reminder email and information on how to access the Zoom meeting details. All interested TTN members are welcome to join us. Email Marilyn at the address below to get the Zoom information.
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URBAN HIKING SIG
Submitted by Chris DiPietro
This SIG gives TTN members the opportunity to explore and/or introduce others to new locations in the metro area. Our hikes last about 60-90 minutes and we walk at a moderately brisk and steady pace. All are welcome to join us as we walk and talk. We sometimes end our hikes with a stop at a local establishment for a coffee/drink/ice cream (though this has been suspended for the time being due to the pandemic).
In August we enjoyed a hike on the Saint Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. On our 2.3 mile route, we hiked up and down about 12 flights worth of elevation. Among the things we saw were the lush (and perhaps a bit overgrown) learning garden for the horticultural science department and, at our starting and stopping point, the statue of the reclining bulls (see picture).
Our next hike is scheduled for, Saturday, September 12, from 10:00-11:00 AM. (Rain date September 16, same time.) We’ll be hiking Vadnais Snail Lake Park Trail where the trail is along a narrow strip of land between East and West Vadnais Lake. It often offers a great view of multiple types of waterfowl. The trail is paved and fairly flat so it’s great for anyone who would prefer hike without stairs or elevation changes.
If you’d like to join the hike in September or have any questions about the group, contact Chris DiPietro, the Urban Hiking SIG’s coordinator at the address below.
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WRITER’s SIG 1
Submitted by Julie Efta
This writing group is a closed group of 5 members. We continue to meet on the first Friday of the month via zoom or if weather permits safely outside. Our next meeting is Friday, September 4, at 10:30 AM.
We encourage other interested writers to join the new Legacy Writing SIG this fall. Or start a new group! It’s very easy with Zoom!
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