Program Registration

Join us on Monday and Thursday mornings for a walk on the Green Bay Trail

from 8 to 9 am.   We meet on Lincoln near the front outdoor entrance to Women's Exchange.

Send your email address to make certain you are on the email list for changes.

Most days, someone walks year-round... rain or shine.   deb@womens-exchange.org

No charge, no registration necessary.

Join in for  stimulating conversation about a different short story every other Friday at 10 am. The book we are reading is The Art of the Tale – An International Anthology of Short Stories edited by Daniel Halpern.

We are a friendly and enthusiastic group and always welcome new readers

SHORT STORY SCHEDULE

Spring 2018

April 20 “The Mother” by Natalia Ginzburg of Italy

May 04 “The Life of the Imagination” by Nadine Gordimer of South Africa

May 18 “Two Gentle People” by Graham Greene of England

June 01 “The Habit of Loving” by Doris Lessing of England

June 15 “The Conjurer Made Off With the Dish” by Naguib Mahfouz of Egypt

June 29 “The Last Mohican” by Bernard Malamud of the U.S.

July 13 “The Pilgrimage” by William Maxwell of the U.S.

Alternating Fridays, 10 to 11:30 am. $15 each Friday or $100 for the series of 8

This is the action phase where you learn a new way to realistically
plan your next steps. The transition stages are presented so you can
have a bird's eye view of the process. We will discuss the emotions
that accompany change and highlight the motivators or dissect the
resistors. Practical techniques will show you how to move towards your
meaningful direction.

Mondays 9am-11am

• April 23
• April 30 Location TBD  [due to Winnetka Congregational Church Rummage Sale]
• May 7 Location TBD
• May 14

Please note: Completion of LP 100 and 102 is required.  [8 weeks]

Many of us are overly empathic. We need special tools and techniques to effectively protect ourselves from incoming energies, as well as a method to release everything we have absorbed. With empowerment coach Nancy Creely, we will learn ways to use our intuitive gifts to self-heal, and how to direct these gifts for the benefit of others.

Thursday, April 26, 10 to 11:30 am. $25

In this three-part workshop you will learn the history and techniques of Fair Isle knitting and make your own “Merrie Dancers” beanie, designed by famed Shetland Islander Elizabeth Johnston.  (“Merrie Dancers” is the Shetland dialect term for the Northern Lights.) 

Fair Isle is one of the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, and the knitwear named after it is known for using many colors, traditionally only two at one time.  Knitters often think that Fair Isle is “too hard,” and this workshop will dispel that myth as we walk through a fun pattern that uses 5 different colors of “jumper weight” Shetland wool.    (Picture shown —note, you’ll get to pick your own color combination.)

Participants MUST know how to knit and purl.  This is not a beginning knitting class. It will be helpful if you have experience knitting “in the round” on circular or double pointed needles but this isn’t necessary.    

Pattern and Shetland wool yarn, along with additional instructional materials, will be provided in kit form for an additional $25.00.  Kits will be available at the start of the first class session. 

What you must bring to the first class:  one #4 circular needle, either 16” or 20” long, plus at least one stitch marker.  Additionally, a notepad and pencil, small scissors, and a tapestry needle or small crochet hook would be helpful.  You can purchase the circular needle at a local yarn shop, such as Three Bags Full in Northbrook or Mia Bella in Highland Park; sometimes craft stores like Michael’s or Joann Fabrics will carry 16” needles but not always in size #4  (European 3.5 mm.)  A good online source for ordering either 16” or 20” needles is www.addineedleshop.com. 

3 Mondays: May 14 and 21, and June 4, 1 to 2:30 pm.   $75 .   Kits will be offered at first class. $25

Joyce Elias, multi-media artist, will present a project on the colors in nature that includes photos and painted wood collages. There will be a hands-on component, when participants will have an opportunity to create a work of art answering the question, “What color is your weather today?” Supplies included.

Tuesday, May 15, 10 to 11:30 am. $30

As empathetic women, we often assume the care and concerns of our family, friends, and work associates at the expense of our own self-care. Together with Mignon Dupepe LCPC, ATR, we will further discuss the idea of healthy boundaries and ideas towards self-care through the use of circle imagery.

Using paints, pastels, and collage, we will explore the possibilities of strengthening our self-care skills through the lens of a circle metaphor.

Wednesday, May 23, 10 to 11:30 am.      $30 includes materials

If you like..... head to Little Ricky's after class...located at Elm & Lincoln where they offer all menu items at 'half-price' for lunch.

The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago remains one of the most fascinating and controversial events in American history, an extravaganza that influenced the architecture and development of cities for the next century. Join us for a lecture and film clip by author and filmmaker Judith Paine McBrien exploring Daniel Burnham’s evolving role, challenges, relationships and ideas as the exposition’s Director of Works.

Friday Salon, May 18, 4 to 5:30 pm. $20

Start planning your summer adventures when Jennier Engel from Chicago’s North Shore Convention Bureau visits us, with news about local museums, sidewalk sales and upcoming summer festivals in our communities.

Tuesday, May 22, 10 to 11:30 am. $20

Saving for retirement means navigating a potential minefield of high fees and bad advice. Join us when Paul Sippil, RIA, uncovers potential conflicts of interest in the retirement planning industry.

Wednesday, May 23, 7 to 8:30 pm. $25

Inspired Action Part I: Using Personal Power Words

Discover what your subconscious mind really believes about the words you think, speak and hear. Learn with empowerment coach Nancy Creely how words can empower you or cause resistance. Bring a goal to this class and walk away with a simple process you can use to motivate you to take inspired action.

Thursday, May 24, 10 to 11:30 am. 

Inspired Action Part II: Connecting Mind and Heart

Making decisions without checking with your heart can lead to focusing on the wrong goal, premature timing, and thinking you have to figure out how to manifest your goal. Learn from empowerment coach Nancy Creely why you might not be in alignment with Inspired Action; learn to allow your authentic next step of flow and ease.

Thursday, May 31, 10 to 11:30 am.     Both $50

No one thing explains health and longevity, but science has found a few factors that positively impact it: daily rituals, our social network, what we eat, and a sense of purpose. Sign up to hear insights on these areas from Stephanie Pearce, integrative health coach.

Friday Salon, June 1, 4 to 5:30 pm. $20

Project Linus

Join the fun and help hospitalized children. All you need is the ability to stitch two squares of cloth together by hand. Sewn strips of colorful cloth are turned into finished quilts that are donated to Project Linus. Conversations around the table is reminiscent of the quilting bees of old.  Most times: First Monday of the month except July, August and December.

Monday: June 4,  noon to 2 pm. No charge.   

Days pass quickly as we grow older. We celebrate yet another birthday. We think there is plenty of time to prepare for the future. Charlotte Bishop, certified aging life-care professional, will present the five crucial steps we all need to begin planning for our own future as an “older adult”.

Tuesday, June 5, 10 to 11:30 am. $25

Essential oils and aromatherapy have been around for many centuries but only have been rediscovered and widely used as recent as 60 years ago. Join Jane Ishibashi to learn the basics of essential oils, safe usages, and ‘make and take’ an itch-be-gone roller, aimed towards annoying bug bites!

Tuesday, June 5, 7 to 8:30 pm.  $30 includes supplies.

Come hear Karen Glennemeier, biologist and member of the League of Women Voters of Wilmette, when she presents a brief history of the electoral college, followed by a discussion of its impact on democracy.

Wednesday, June 6, 1 to 2:30 pm. $25

Author of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, Kathleen Rooney will discuss Margaret Fishback, who inspired the book, her ads and poems, and then also talk a bit about walking and flanerie. A simple salad and light dessert will make this a delightful literary afternoon.

Wednesday, June 13, 11:30 to 1:30 pm. $40

As our choice of foods changes with the seasons, so does our wine. Theresa Lucas, owner of Good Grapes Wine Shop, will share a few wine basics, incorporate food pairing, and challenge our olfactory senses with various wine bouquets. Lunch & Learn will be held at Patio 809 at Chestnut Court, Winnetka. RSVP required before June 15.

Wednesday, June 20, noon to 2 pm. $40.