Many people are working behind the scenes to provide varied and exciting programs and activities for the Santa Fe chapter. While I often mention the Steering Committee, there are other committees that are putting in energy and time to make this a vibrant chapter.  One committee I would like to highlight in this newsletter is the Transition Peer Group Advisory Council.  See more information below on what's happening with this group. 

Monthly Programs: The August program will be on Lifelong Learning for Successful Aging. To find out more, see below. Mark your calendars also for the September 23-24 monthly programs, where we will offer the opportunity for participants to learn more about all of the programs and activities we do,ask questions, give ideas and connect with each other. We encourage you to come and bring someone who hasn't attended before to learn about TTN.

National: The Executive Director Search committee is in full swing. There were 77 candidates who applied for the position and they have narrowed the field down and are interviewing candidates now. A new Executive Director should be named in the next month. There are five new National Board members who have just begun their service and the strategic planning committee is actively working to have a plan in place to implement in 2014.

Peer Groups: The Transition Peer Group, a unique benefit of TTN membership, consists of a small group of women (usually 8-12) who join together in each other's homes discussing topics of mutual interest and relevance to their current lives. The Transition Peer Group Advisory Council has been working diligently to formulate plans and guidelines based on the feedback given from those who have been in Transition Peer Groups.  There are two upcoming opportunities to learn more about, and participate in, Transition Peer Groups (TPG). In the September monthly program, you will hear about Transition Peer Groups and you will have a chance to sign-up to participate. On October 15 from 6-8 PM, there will be a TPG Orientation for all who want to be in a Transition Peer Group and groups will be formed that evening. Any questions, please contact Beth Johnson, TPG Coordinator at bethjohnson58@msn.com or by phone at 505-466-3679.

The Social Peer Groups are active with a variety of offerings. One of the most recent activities was a very successful French Cooking Class where 12 members bonded and helped prepare the meal. Be sure to sign up for the Meet-up TTN so you will be notified each week of all the activities and the location of the weekly coffee chat. This is a member benefit. See elsewhere in the newsletter for more details. Any questions, please contact Maria Francis, Peer Group Coordinator at mfrancis@livingforwardalliance.org or call her cell 713-304-6262.  

Membership: If you are not currently a member, go to www.thetransitionnetwork.org/join and follow the instructions for joining. For those who are currently members, it's an easy process to renew: log in to www.thetransitionnetwork.org using your username and password.  If your membership has already lapsed, you'll be automatically prompted to renew. If you have any questions or need a reminder of your username or password, contact Sara Lyons at the National office at sara@thetransitionnetwork.org or 212-803-6120.  If you are in need of a scholarship for membership, contact Sara for this as well.

Gratitude:  

Thanks also to the time, effort and vision contributed by members of the Transition Peer Group Advisory Council (Coordinator Beth Johnson, Glynn Anderson, Maria Francis, Sue Legacy, Elaine Meizlish).  Thanks also to those who stepped in and helped with the Coffee Chats during the month of July:  Ann Church, Anita Pisa, Annie Holley and Monica Oeschsner.  It takes many to make the organization a success 

Jean Palmer, Coordinator
TTN-Santa Fe

On June 29th twelve TTN members gathered around a dinner table at Maria Francis's lovely home in Las Campanas for a five star meal cooked by....ourselves!  The head chef who made this possible, Judy Donohue,  spent four years in Paris where she studied at the Cordon Bleu.  Judy designed the menu, marinated the butterflied lamb overnight,  which we grilled, and oversaw the preparation of the other dishes, including Rice Pilaf, Ratatouille, Apricot Chutney, Salad Verte, Assorted Cheeses, and for dessert, Panna Cotta, prepared by Ann Church. 

The day began with most of us meeting at the Farmer's Market to taste and choose the cheeses, bread, and the fresh greens for the salad.  Then we met at Maria's where we divided into small groups to prepare the various dishes.  Wonderfully organized by both Judy and Maria, we laughed, chatted, drank wine, and learned some new tricks about cooking.  Gathered around the table, we had a lively discussion while tasting the delicious cuisine of provencal France that we had all helped to prepare.  We're looking forward to an encore.