The Older Women's Network

A Voice for Midlife and Older Women
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Friendship Link Peterborough Chapter Women for African Grandmothers North of Steeles Writers Group French Group Book Discussion Groups


  
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

FRIENDSHIP LINK
The Friendship Link is a congenial group of women of varying ages and from varying walks of life.  Single, married, divorced or widowed, our mission is to enjoy the many social and educational activities Toronto has to offer, while developing support and  friendships around mutual interests. Any outing that's inexpensive (or free) and easily reached by public transit may become a Friendship Link activity.  We go to plays, movies, lectures, festivals, galleries, lunches, and music and dance performances together - or simply meet for coffee and conversation. 
This social group focuses on new members, but includes anyone who would like to meet and enjoy an outing. Events are posted on the OWN website and advertised by e-Tree and Tel-Tree.

We try to schedule at least four activities a month, most of which take place during the day.  One Saturday afternoon each month we have a general meeting at 115 The Esplanade, sometimes with a speaker or other entertainment.
If you're curious to see what we're like, just contact Susan Mansfield Jones at the OWN office (416-214-1518), email smansfield.jones@rogers.com,  and tell them you want to attend one of our monthly social meetings.  You'll be welcome! Friendship Link is co-sponsored by the OWN Housing Co-op and the Older Women's Network.

Events

Watch this space for future events. Calendar-planning meeting is on the 1st Saturday of each month, OWN meeting room, 115 The Esplanade, Toronto. The next one is March 6th, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. We meet here with various objectives to accommodate a variety of tastes in entertainment. If you want to have input in selecting events, please attend the planning meetings.

February Events
Feb. 14, 2:00pm:  Valentine Concert for Haitian Relief "Show the Love", at 851 Royal York Rd., 3  blocks south of Bloor in Etobicoke. A variety show of different musical styles. Suggested donation: $20.00. More info: 416-231-9401.

Feb. 27, 8:00pm:  "Musicians in Ordinary" presents O Dolce Nocte, at Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto. Hallie & John are joined by Bud Roach and Kevin Skelton, tenors, for a sweet night of Italian Madrigals from the 1500s, Baroque Music. $20.00 for the performance.

March Events
March 6, 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Calendar Planning Meeting, ring 246 from the foyer at 115 The Esplanade.

WRITERS GROUP
The Writers group is being revived after a long hiatus. It meets every third Tuesday of the month at OWN from 2 :00pm to 4:00pm. The purpose of the group (as agreed to by the members) is to explore and share creative writing in an atmosphere of positive support and encouragement. The group has randomly assigned themes, and ideas emerge in the form of memoirs, poems, short stories, reflective essays, journalism and more.
Shawne Macdonald is the liaison for this group.
Contact her at phone: 416-368-8302 or 
e-mail: shawnemacd@rogers.com 
Upcoming Meetings in the OWN meeting room at 115 The Esplanade:  Next meeting is on Feb. 16th.
If interested call the OWN office at 416-214-1518 for information.

W4AFRICAN GRANDMOTHERS (W4AG)
A support group focusing on assistance to grandmothers in Africa who live with AIDS and its effects on their families. The group meet monthly at the OWN Co-op meeting room from 1:00 – 4:00pm. The contact person is changing but Pam Churchill will advise us once the change is made. Contact: Pam Churchill, email: pamchurchill@sympatico.ca

EVENTS:
Watch this space for future events.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS
Our groups at libraries across the city always welcome new members, and are an interesting way to interact with others in a stimulating environment. Click on the link above for more information. 
These are your contacts:
Northern District Branch - Adrienne Taylor 416-481-2356
  3rd Wednesday of the month,  2 - 4 pm, 40 Orchard View, Room 224A
North York Central – Eleanor Olds Batchelder  647-235-0843, eob@post.harvard.edu
  1st Wednesday of the month, 1:30pm - 3:30pm, 5120 Yonge St. 
OWN Co-op – Leslie Lawlor 416-363-9219
  2nd Tuesday of the month, 2 - 4 pm, OWN Co-op Building, 115 The Esplanade

PETERBOROUGH CHAPTER
This is really much more than an interest group, since this group is a chapter unto itself. The members initiate many activities and talk with other Peterborough organizations. They send a report for every issue of Contact.  Jill Jones is the liaison for this group. Contact her at phone:1-705-740-2962.

NORTH OF STEELES GROUP (NOS)
This is a neighbourhood group. It fits the needs of members who cannot easily get downtown for meetings on the Esplanade. The group meets on the third Monday of each month from 2:00 to 4:00pm around the kitchen table of the group leader. OWN matters, current events, local issues are discussed. Tea and refreshments contribute to the friendly atmosphere. New members are welcome. Rachel Tamari is the liaison for this group. Next meeting is Feb. 15th.
Contact Rachel at phone: 905-889-3838 or email: ar.tamari@sympatico.ca

FRENCH GROUP
OWN's Groupe Francais
OWN's new French Group meets at 2:00pm at Leslie Lawlor's apartment, 1006 - 115 The Esplanade, on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
Qu'est-ce que c'est ce programme amusant you ask - what is this fun program?  Well, we plan to go to French language and/or French culture movies, and chat about them afterwards over a cup of French Roast coffee, or perhaps a glass of vin rouge.  We'll use whatever French words we possess for our chatting, expanded with the help of our two native French-speaking members, with no doubt a few English words thrown in when necessary for clarification. It could be a lot of fun.  At any rate, that's our aim.  To join us on our first movie date call or email Leslie Lawlor.  Merci.
Phone: 416-363-9219, email: lawlorleslie@hotmail.com

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