Wasn't that a party? The Pender Harbour Women's Connection celebrated its fifth anniversary last week by transforming the Music School into a living Valentine. Love was all around and the concept of women supporting each other is obviously one that resonates throughout this community. Two of Women's Connection's founders, Dorothy Faulkner and Janet Thomas hosted the affair. They told the assembled 50 or so women that in the beginning the feeling was there needed to be a place where women could meet in an atmosphere of friendship, fun and sharing of mutual interests.
"We need to be selfish once in a while," said Faulkner. "If we aren't whole, we have nothing to give back". Twice a month the regular gatherings are focused on mature women from all walks of life. Membership is voluntary, and a drop in fee of $2 covers the cost of coffee and tea. These women share the stories of their lives, and in the tradition of women throughout the ages, they give each other the strength to go back out into the world renewed.
Part of the meeting is always set aside for a program. "We have had more than 90 programs," said Thomas. "Some funny, some spiritual, some educational - all of them interesting." The programs have ranged from Emergency Preparedness training and heart health to aromatherapy, accessorizing and flamenco dancing. "Some of our best programs have been those extemporaneous ones presented by our own members," said Thomas. "We love to hear what brought each of us here to the Harbour and who we were in our other life." Because of the celebration, members were asked to create and wear a hat with a "red" theme. There were four winning entries: Edible Overwear, Spring Thing, Bear Necessity and a Birthday Suit. The winners were rewarded with a gift package containing chocolate body paint and other items. Community events are discussed and any member can promote a project or venture that they feel is important to share. As most of the members are volunteers in other aspects of the community there is much to discuss and new volunteers are often recruited from this group.
"The realtors of Pender Harbour area call us the Women's Welcome Wagon," said Faulkner. "I have been told we are a vital part of the community and we relish the role assigned to us."
Women's Connection has a book project in the works that will be a compilation of stories from women who have lived in Pender Harbour and District since 1970 and who were born before 1935. The stories are being collected through interviews and the group is looking for those willing to share their stories or historical background for insertion in this worthwhile community project. If you fit the criteria or know someone who does, you can call Faulkner at 604-883-2454.
The morning concluded with a delightful slide presentation by Mary Freeman Cain, which showed some of the changes in Madeira Park over the past five years.
"Wow, look how far we've come," said one member.
The same could have been said of Women's Connection. Here's to the next five years.
