Susan Jamjoum and I arrived at the Courtyard Marriott Boston Logan Hotel in the late afternoon of October 4, 2019. In the hotel we met Mary Jane Mackenzie and her cousin and Terry Pearson and her sister. We all immediately became New Best Friends. Our travel group included forty-one travelers from 15 states plus our…
DetailsDo you like Barbara Streisand’s recording, Memory? When I hear the song, it brings back some of my personal memories about good times spent and leaves me energized with the warm emotion of nostalgia. While the melody and words give me feelings of connection with special people, they also motivate me to reconnect with old…
DetailsMy twin sister, Beth, and I shared a bedroom growing up. Her twin bed was by the window, just how she liked it…so she could look out and see things. My twin bed was on the wall side of the room, just how “shy me” liked it…so I could face the wall. One bedtime ritual…
DetailsHow many times have you looked in the mirror and wondered, “Who is that person looking back at me? Surely that face does not belong to me, because I’m not nearly that old!” When someone makes the statement that we are only as old as we feel, that age can make very dramatic swings from…
DetailsAs patterns of religious and philanthropic participation are changing across all types of groups and organizations, I think about IOKDS, an international, interdenominational, and intergenerational Christian organization. Trends of lower religious affiliation and activity may be leading to less charitable time and money giving as well as less community engagement. Can our local, state/province, and…
DetailsOur daughter has recently co-authored an educational enrichment book entitled, “Better Together.” The book focuses on how working together eases the workload, brings new ideas into the classroom, strengthens the learning process and builds relationships. When applied to KDS, having a Circle Project can bring new life to the group, which strengthens the circle, the…
DetailsAre you as intrigued with the scholarship recipients’ messages as I am? I was just reading the latest story from a Health Careers Scholarship Recipient, Mary Beth, at Boston University. It amazes me that Mary Beth was working as an EMT, and waded through the river at the bottom of the cliffs in a state…
DetailsMy husband, David, grew up with parents who both had “green thumbs.” Their love of gardening planted a seed in him so that as an adult he took classes and became a Master Gardener. During our years of summer trips to Chautauqua, he and Ron Carter spent many days working to make the properties sustainable…
DetailsPouring old and new business into a leadership retreat sometimes leaves participants falling asleep. However, this year’s IOKDS Officer and Board retreat felt like drinking out of a fire hose. We were awake! Our President arranged and presided over two days of concentrated and vital information for decision making with both immediate and long-term outcome…
DetailsMusic, particularly singing, has always been a part of my life. I grew up singing in all the groups I could join all through my public school years: mixed choirs, girls’ glee clubs, Madrigal choir, and of course my church choir. I also played trumpet in our Jr. High-High School bands. I took a break…
DetailsHere we are in the final days of preparation for the 69th Ontario Branch Biennial Convention being held in Ottawa, Ontario, September 13,14, 2019, with leadership by Ontario Branch President, Barbara Gray. Reports have been written and submitted to Secretary, Norma McLelland who has compiled the reports, agenda, minutes, and important information for the membership…
DetailsThe Ernest Workers Circle of Meridian, Mississippi had a field trip to Center Ridge Outpost, a summer camp for autistic youth. Campers are given the opportunity to express themselves through art, athletics, and worship. Through the years the Ernest Workers Circle has supported the camp by providing funds to build several cabins to lodge the…
DetailsAnia Rzepka – Catholic House Intern There have been so many new experiences that I’ve had the opportunity to take part in during my first week at Chautauqua! I attended the women in ministry group, the American Ballet, many more performances and even a Muslim prayer service (Jumu’ah). But my favorite thing from my first…
DetailsEmily A. Dugan – Communications Intern I can’t think of a time in my life where I felt so much curiosity. Chautauqua is full of questions and flooding with answers. I thought about college today and how it developed me as a young adult. But much too often I consumed my mind with figuring out…
DetailsLike many others around the world, I was stopped in my tracks by the news that the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was burning. This majestic, seemingly indestructible, ancient seat of faith was vulnerable to destruction. The work of centuries of builders, stone masons, architects, carvers, glass workers, and artists had created a legacy –…
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