Minneapolis/St Paul Chapter Newsletter |
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WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: CHAKRAS
Wednesday, August 11, 1:30-2:30 PM
Como Park, St. Paul
TTN members and non-members are invited to join Barbara O'Sullivan for this Wellness Wednesday outdoor yoga session. The mind and body are brought together by the life force which is the energy running through us. Chakras are spinning wheels of energy located up and down the spine from the tail bone to the crown of the head. This session will explore how to re- balance our energy through either an excess or deficiency in the chakra system. Please bring a chair or yoga mat. We will meet south of Como Lake Pavilion, east of the water fountain in a grove of trees across from the bike path.
Barbara O’Sullivan is a TTN MSP member and certified yoga instructor.
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GET CONNECTED
Monday, August 16, 5:30-7:00 PM
Zoom
TTN members and non-members are invited to Zoom in with us from 5:30 - 7:00 PM on Monday, August 16. The topic of discussion will be “What are your favorite summer treats?” Register on the TTN website and the Zoom link will be sent to you with your registration confirmation.
The purpose of our Get Connected events is that women can connect or reconnect with other women. Prior to Covid, these in-person events were held in restaurants or bars. Like so many other gatherings these became virtual. They also offer an opportunity for women to learn more about TTN, the women who participate, and the events we offer.
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NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Thursday, August 26, Noon-1:00 PM Central Time
Zoom
Monthly new member orientations are back! If you haven’t had a chance to attend one in the past, the MSP Leadership team recommends you join this online event or one in a future month. Watch our newsletters and the TTN website for future dates.
At New Member Orientation we'll provide an overview of
- Who we are
- What we offer our members
- How to get the most out of your TTN experience
There will be lots of time to ask questions. And you'll have an opportunity to meet other new members during our session!
Our orientation this month will be hosted by Darla Hastings, Executive Director. Please join us!
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Wellness Wednesday: Yoga at Como Park
Submitted by Barbara O'Sullivan
In July, two yoga sessions were held in Como Park. We had the opportunity to move and breathe in nature in a beautiful setting. We were surrounded by trees, a cooling breeze, and a view of the lake. Please join us for our August session and bring your friends.
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Minneapolis Water Taxi
Submitted by Jean Forrey
Nine TTN women and 3 friends (each boat holds 6 people) planned an excursion on the Minneapolis Water Taxi on one of the 2 rainy days in July- seriously??? The water taxi company only cancels if it is stormy so 4 TTN women and 1 friend decided to brave the elements and were rewarded with clear skies and even some sun as we were parking our cars at Boom Island Park. We had a great time with a little wine and lots of laughs as the captain regaled us with some insights and sights on the river and we had fun getting to know each other better too! The heron rookery was also a delight! We will be able to reschedule the second boat so no one will lose their $15 booking fee! Everyone agreed it was a special experience to actually be ON the Mississippi vs driving OVER the Mississippi. Afterwards four of us ate a delicious dinner at Elsie’s which is right up the street from the park which was also a lot of fun!
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Get Connected
Submitted by Mary Howard and Pat Burgraff
On Thursday, July 15, eight women gathered for our July Get Connected event. After checking in with each other to see how we were doing, we began a discussion on “name one thing that you brought along on a trip that saved the day”. There was, naturally, lots of discussion and laughter and many ideas were shared: clothespins and duct tape to seal closed the draperies in hotel rooms, my own pillow, washcloths and hand towels, hot water bottle, corkscrew, adapters, Clorox wipes, safety pins, night light, dirty clothes bag, extra small camera and batteries, personal fan, and many more.
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If you are a chapter member who is interested in joining the MSP Caring Collaborative or would like to know more about it, please indicate your interest by sending an email to the CC mailbox at mspcaringcollab@thetransitionnetwork.org.
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Currently there are three Transition Peer Groups (TPG): two 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 or questions about convening a new TPG, please contact Barbara at Barbara.osullivan@hotmail.com.
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TRANSITION PEER GROUP - Women Who Work
Submitted by Barbara O’Sullivan
Women Who Work Transition Peer Group (TPG) for women is currently on pause as we continue to recruit new members. If you have an interest in joining this group, are interested in taking a leadership position with the group as a co-lead, or have questions, please contact Barbara at Barbara.osullivan@hotmail.com.
TRANSITION PEER GROUP – Life Animated
Submitted by Sylvia Mohn
Six of us met in person at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony on a pleasant summer morning, sitting outside on the visitor center patio. We had a tentative topic of summer excursions and exploration, but we ended up talking about a variety of topics. One was the virus and how to handle interactions with people under different circumstances with restrictions loosening. One member had relatives coming from England and felt uncertain about aspects of that visit. We also discussed changes in the workplace during the pandemic, such as remote work and shifting work hours. This led to discussions about changing attitudes towards work, especially among younger women. We closed with a discussion about family memories we had during summers, including time at cabins, with one member noting the constant meal preparation.
Next month’s meeting will be on Thursday, August 12, at 10:00 AM at Silverwood Park. Meet at the visitor center. If it's a nice day, we may be outside. You might want to bring a cushion to sit on with the supplied metal chairs. There's a small cafe at the center selling coffee/beverages and snacks. Topic is a continuation of summer trips and excursions, or whatever people feel like talking about.
All Minneapolis/St. Paul TTN members are welcome. We meet the second Thursday of the month from 10:00 AM-Noon.
Please contact Eleni Skevas at eskevs@yahoo.com if you are interested in joining this group.
TRANSITION PEER GROUP - Living with Purpose
Submitted by Barbara O’Sullivan
Our Living with Purpose Transition Peer Group (TPG) will take a summer break for July and August to enjoy the warm weather and to take advantage of the other TTN activities.
TRANSITION PEER GROUP - West Metro
Submitted by Cynthia Anderson
On Monday, July 5, seven of the eleven members of the West Metro TPG met via Zoom. We began by introducing ourselves to new member, Dar, and shared information about various SIGs we enjoy participating in.
Rather than having a predetermined topic (or homework) we continue to experiment with open discussion topics that arise during our “check-in”. Today we discussed how we’ve been affected by the pandemic, the social/political unrest, and the assault on our democracy. This has left many of us feeling depleted, discouraged, and unmotivated. We agreed that the past year and a half has affected us more than we realize, especially as it relates to our relationships. On the positive side, some felt that prior to Covid we may have been involved in too many things, and have learned that perhaps we don’t need to do so much.
We also discussed how we’re approaching upcoming events such as high school and college reunions, medical procedures, and travel plans. The inconsistencies inherent in international travel requirements is of concern for several members and their family members.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 2, from 1:00-3:00 PM via Zoom. However, we are looking forward to meeting in person and discussed possible locations for our September meeting. That meeting will take place on Monday, September 13 - due to the Labor Day holiday on September 6. Weather permitting, we will meet at Parkers Lake Park, 15505 CR-6 E, Plymouth.
We meet on the first Monday of every month at 1:00 PM.
If interested in joining this group, please contact Jean Forrey at jean.4e@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list and to be notified of the ZOOM link.
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Special Interest Groups (SIGs) |
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Submitted by Erin Campbell and Julie Efta
An easy way to connect with other women and make your membership worthwhile is to become engaged and active in any one of the SIGs listed below. You can also help by becoming a co-leader of a new SIG. If you have an idea for a new SIG, contact Erin at ecingb@yahoo.com or Julie at teacherjulie.efta@gmail.com with your interest.
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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN AGAIN
BOOK DISCUSSION
Short Term Group Looking for interested participants
Submitted by Barbara O’Sullivan
Our new group is off to a great start exploring together Julia Cameron's book It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife & Beyond? A description of the book is included below.
"Julia Cameron has inspired millions with her bestseller The Artist's Way. Writing this book at the age of sixty-five, she shows her contemporaries how retirement can be the most creative and fulfilling stage of life yet. For some, retirement is a day to work toward with anticipation. Others approach retirement with greater ambivalence. While the newfound freedom is exciting and filled with possibility, the idea of retirement can also be very daunting. You are in a unique position to explore yourself and your desires from a place of experience. But the line has been drawn in the sand: The life that you have known has changed, and the life to come is yet to be defined. This book is a twelve-week course aimed at defining--and creating--the life you want to have as you redefine--and re-create--yourself. Filled with essays, tools, and exercises to be done alone or in groups, this toolkit will guide and inspire retirees wishing to expand their creativity. This fun, gentle, step-by-step process will help you explore your creative dreams, wishes, and desires--and quickly find that it's never too late to begin anything"
We meet periodically over a 12-week period to share our insights from the book's process. Online and in-person options in varying outside parks are available to accommodate busy summer schedules plus a private on-line forum. Also, there will be opportunities for those who want to meet in person for some of the exercises together which include nature walks, exploring new places and making discoveries. In August, the group will meet in person at Silverwood Park on Friday, August 20, at 10:00 AM and on zoom on Tuesday, August 31, at 6:30-7:30 PM.
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ART APPRECIATION SIG
Submitted by JeNell Jacobson
Our July event was cancelled since this outside get together was scheduled for one of the only rainy days of the month. We will not meet the month of August, but will resume in September with a combination of zoom meetings and in person events.
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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 July, we discussed Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate which is based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country. The book was divided into two stories that came together in the end. The group all found the 1939 story of the stolen children shocking and horrific while the current day story was weaker. As always, it was an engaging conversation.
This book club welcomes newcomers who just want to join for a single discussion or for ongoing participation. We invite you to join us every first Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. Currently we are meeting on Zoom. Here are the upcoming books:
Thursday, August 5 at 10:00 AM via Zoom: Ordinary Grace by Minnesota author William Kent Krueger. A murder mystery and a coming-of-age novel woven out of the stuff of small-town living.
September 2: Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. A historical novel set during the Great Depression and the “harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and have-nots”.
October 7: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. A novel featuring an ambiguously gendered child who grows up in an era when ambiguity was not recognized in her culture and not tolerated by society. Along the way the author gives the child and the child’s family a very interesting back story.
November 4: Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. We previously read Circe by the same author. Song of Achilles, like Circe, takes a Greek myth and reimagines it, richly filling in the details of what more might have happened among the gods and heroes as we know them.
This book club welcomes newcomers who just want to join for a single discussion or for ongoing participation. We invite you to join us every first Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM.
Contact Eleni Skevas at eskevs@yahoo.com if you’d like to be added to the email list.
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EXPLORING FOOD SIG
Submitted by Chris DiPietro and Kathleen Peterson
The Exploring Food SIG explored a world of cuisine at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis on July 2. The group was happy to see the market buzzing with activity and awakening from COVID restrictions. Lunch selections among the group included Indian, Vietnamese, and Venezuelan dishes. We encourage all TTN members to visit the market and support the small, minority-owned business while learning about cuisine and culture from around the world.
Our August meeting will be a service project on Friday, August 13, 1:30-4:00 PM. Open Arms prepares and delivers meals to their 1400 + clients who are dealing with life threatening illness or other serious health needs. These meal packs are delivered in person or by mail (to outstate residents). Participants on August 13 will work in groups on basic food preparation in a lively and enjoyable environment. We currently have filled all the available spots for the August event, but are considering adding additional events at Open Arms in the future. If you are interested in participating in a future event at Open Arms, let Chris or Kathleen know by email.
If you would like to be added to the email list of Food SIG participants, please email Chris DiPietro at cmdjp2@gmail.com. If you have other questions about the Exploring Food SIG, please contact Kathleen Peterson at kathleenpeterson614@gmail.com.
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FINANCIAL SIG
Submitted by Cyndy Nelson
On July 20, 9 women gathered via zoom to discuss the topic of scams and security. We were excited to welcome two women new to our group - Dar and Pat. As always, we had a great discussion.
Key Learnings:
- our information is at risk both from actions we take as well as breaches of companies we have done business with
- secure your phone by adding a lock code (PIN or fingerprint) and securing your account with your carrier to prevent your number from being ported by somebody else
- be careful when using dating apps since sweetheart scams are real
- Password Managers being used by some members of our group include Dashlane and 1Password.
- Tap to Pay is a more secure and convenient way to pay with a credit card
- Consider purchasing a VPN if you need to use your devices securely away from home
- Consider freezing your credit at 3 credit agencies to prevent somebody from taking out a loan or opening an account in your name
Our August meeting will be on Tuesday, August 17, 6:30-8:00 PM, via Zoom. Our topics will be a Fidelity Money Personality Quiz and how long to keep physical financial records.
The topic for our meeting on Tuesday, September 21, is Financial Apps/using technology for financial transactions.
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 via Zoom. 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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FRENCH CONVERSATION SIG
Submitted by Jane Harens
The French SIG is taking a relaxed approach to summer learning by reviewing topics already covered in the app, with members listening and/or discussing, or even sitting out for the season. Weekly Zooms continue at 10:00 AM on Monday.
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GARDENS R US SIG – Summer SIG
Submitted by Julie Efta
The purpose of this SIG is to help our TTN members who are garden lovers share their garden beauty with others and encourage new garden projects. The SIG only meets together if some decide to visit a public garden together. Instead of meetings, this SIG allows you to make connections with other TTN members who are interested in gardens and would like to tour and be inspired by the gardens of other group members as individuals or small groups.
If you are interested in participating in this SIG, email Jean Forrey at jean.4e@gmail.com to request access to a Google doc so you can add your name, city, garden description, and email address. Other TTN members who have been granted access can email you to set up a time to get together and receive your address. Email addresses could also be used to share other ideas for appreciating flowers, gardens and the great outdoors for future summer month get togethers.
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LEGACY WRITING SIG
Submitted by Karen West
On July 1, we shared what came up for us in the September cycle (57-63) of our lives. Cynthia also shared a legacy letter she had written.
We will meet on Thursday, August 5, from 1:30-3:00 PM. At that meeting, Cynthia Anderson will share some of what she has learned from Rachael Freed, who trains legacy facilitators, and who wrote Your Legacy Matters: harvesting the love and lessons of your life.
We meet on the first Thursday of the month from 1:30-3:00 PM.
If you are interested, have questions, or would like more information please email Karen at karenw0214@gmail.com.
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MOVIE SIG
Submitted by Jean Forrey
Ten women met at the Coon Rapids AMC to watch Summer of Soul on a hot July day. We were entertained by the acts at the Harlem Cultural Festival which took place in the summer of ‘69. The music was interspersed with footage of historical events and interviews with performers and attendees of the festival. For those of us in the Race and History SIG, it was another example of racism and oppression for us to study. We all would highly recommend this film - especially if you like music or history or 60’s fashion.
We met on Zoom to discuss The Professor and the Madman which was a fascinating look at the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Great discussion regarding mental health, genius, oppression of the poor and educational snobbery among many other subjects.
We are looking forward to going to more movies in person and have made the following tentative plans: Respect on Friday, August 13, Dear Evan Hanson on September 24, and Westside Story on December 10. For now, we don’t have any Zoom plans.
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ON BEING SIG
Submitted by Julie Efta
In July, we met to discuss Krista Tippett’s “It takes a Cosmos to Make a Human” with astronomer Jill Tarter. Debra Dorgan led the discussion. We pondered big questions and possibilities of life and the universe. “We are all made out of Stardust. Ultimately, we actually all belong to only one tribe, to Earthlings.”
In celebration of completing our first year of being a SIG, we will vacation in August and resume meeting in September. A volunteer is needed to select and lead a discussion of ANY podcast for the September meeting. The podcast episode can be from On Being or any favorite show you enjoy and would like to introduce the rest of us to. There are so many possibilities!!
We need a selection for our September meeting by August 15.
New co-leaders are encouraged!
And a new name for the group is needed.
Thanks everyone!
This group meets at 1:00 PM on the third Monday of the month. New members welcome! You do not need to attend every month.
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"PAR-TEE-ON" – Mini Golf SIG
Submitted by Jean Forrey
July’s hot weather and summer activities interfered with our golfing at Taylor’s Falls early in July. On July 27 we met at Betty Danger’s Animal Farm in NE Minneapolis for a unique experience! Some of us combined this outing with a trip on the Mississippi on the Minneapolis Water Taxi.
August outings will be decided based on the weather. Members will be given ample notice through their emails.
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RACE & HISTORY SIG:
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
Submitted by Ginny Jacobson
The Race & History SIG met on July 21 to discuss Reconstruction, the period in American history from 1865-1877. To prepare for our discussion we read the Equal Justice Initiative's online report on this period, listened to a podcast with historian Eric Foner, and read about the history of Blacks in Minnesota during this time. We realized that we knew very little about this era and its effects on our country today. We learned that the great promise of Reconstruction could have changed the history of the United States radically, but became a very dark period of violence and oppression. We will meet on Wednesday, August 18, at 11:30 AM-1:00 PM to study the period of racial terrorism in America, 1877-1950.
We are midway through our four month duration. Our last meeting will be on Wednesday, September 15.
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SECOND HALF OF LIFE BOOK SIG
Submitted by Karen West
On July 13, eleven of us met on Zoom to discuss the first third of the book Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up by James Hollis. This is one of Karen’s favorite books, but some of the participants didn’t like Hollis’ writing style. Nonetheless, we had a good discussion about the issues he wrote about. For next month on Tuesday, August 10, we will discuss up to Chapter 9, P. 181.
We also decided to meet at one of the participants’ home. If you are planning to attend and will be new to the group, please contact Karen to get the address we are going to meet at.
The group also decided to try something that Karen said she has enjoyed doing in a couple of the groups she has been in. Karen will randomly put everyone who attended the meeting in pairs. The two people who are paired will be “buddies” for the month. These buddies will reach out to each other on the phone, on Zoom, or in-person to spend some time getting to know each other.
This SIG meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:00-8:30 PM.
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SISTERS IN AWE
Submitted by Julie Efta and Melissa Cathcart
Sunday, August 22, is the night of the full moon.
Annual Perseid meteor showers will be active from July 17- August 26.
For ideal Milky Way galaxy gazing, enjoy the night sky near the New Moons of: August 8 and September 7.
Hope everyone finds a great place and clear dark sky for viewing these celestial wonders!
Please share your ideal and wondrous places to view. Contact Julie if you would like to meet with others for any of these.
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SCRIBBLING SQUIRRELS SIG
Submitted by Julie Efta
When we stop chasing our tails and the weather is inviting, our small group plans to meet outside to exercise our creativity, paws and minds.
Contact Julie if you would like to join, or have a plan and place to meet on short notice. Bring a project and supplies that are meaningful and enjoyable to you.
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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
The Travel SIG is still on our summer hiatus. No one has submitted an image from a trip. If you would like inspiration for traveling the world and don't mind beautiful mail, consider signing up to receive information from National Geographic, such as "Expeditions" or "Journeys". Beautiful catalogs arrive in lovely envelopes that say "Adventure Awaits." Has anyone taken one of these? Would you be willing to tell us about it at a Travel SIG meeting when we resume meeting? If so, please let Marilynne know.
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URBAN HIKING SIG
Submitted by Chris DiPietro
The Urban Hiking SIG explores parks, trails, and new locations in the metro area during monthly hikes.
We took two hikes in July. Our “awe” walk was at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis. The group enjoyed a shady stroll through the garden, pausing here and there to admire many plants. A favorite was the maidenhair fern, with is curved and delicate stems. The second hike was a walk at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis.
We have two hikes planned for August:
Our first hike for the month will be our “awe” walk at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 12, at the Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College in Bloomington. We stroll for about 45 minutes and contemplate the beauty and serenity of the garden. (Rain date is Friday, August 13.)
Our second hike in August will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 19, at Lebanon Hills Regional Park/Jenson Lake in Eagan. We’ll hike around the lake enjoying the boardwalk along the southern shore of the lake, then on to the crooked bridge, and back to our starting point along the northern side of the lake. The hike should take about 1 hour and will be about 3 miles in length. (Rain date is Monday, August 23.)
If you’d like to join either or the hikes in August or would simply like more information about the Urban Hiking SIG, contact Chris DiPietro, the SIG’s coordinator at cmdjp2@gmail.com.
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WRITER’s SIG 1
Submitted by JeNell Jacobson
On Friday, August 13, our meeting will be held outdoors at a member’s home. This group is currently closed to additional members.
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