Past Events
December 12, 2009: Jewelry Making 101
On December 12th, 4 women gathered at the Alano Club to try their hand at jewelry-making. They assembled a beautiful pair of cloisonne earrings with a bracelet to match and were able to take home an extra kit to make for gifts. Barb W. shared "I loved it! I'm looking forward to buying more beads and having my sister over to make more jewelry!" AAWG's extremely grateful to Colleen R. for making this another successful, sober-fun event; thank you Colleen for your gifts of teaching, generosity and service!
November 1, 2009: 9th Annual Woman To Woman Luncheon - Following Our Dreams
The AAWG was able to reserve 4 tables filled with 37 ladies for the Women-2-Women luncheon on November 1. The afternoon was an energizing and gracious affair as we listened to Nita C. tell her story, full of humor and promises. Thank you to all those who helped with the bake sales earlier this fall; we were able to provide scholarships for 26 women to be in attendance at this awe-inspiring event. The sobriety countdown was not to be missed with women celebrating 38 years of continuous sobriety, down to the youngest with 6 days of clean-time. We are reminded that we each have this day; a miracle in itself and that together, we trudge this road to happy destiny and make it, one day at a time.
October 10, 2009: Bonfire & Open Speaker Meeting
On October 10, the AAWG sponsored an open talk/bonfire at the Alano Club. Gigi L. gave an excellent talk with 40 people in attendance, snuggling with donuts, s'mores, coffee and cider around a blazing fire which was truly needed as it was a very chilly night. We thank the club for providing the fire and Gigi for sharing her experience, strength and hope.
September 5, 2009: P is for .... Picnic, Path, Peace, Pen, Process
14 women gathered on September 5th to enjoy a picnic lunch as Gail R. facilitated a lesson on labyrinths; from its history to its use as a meditative tool in recovery. A handout of interesting facts and a personal journal for reflection were provided to each participant before they were invited to walk the path in the woods for themselves. Some walked barefoot, some with their shoes on; some for the first time, some as returning seekers. All were afforded the sacred space to walk at their own pace, honoring each step of their own recovery as we trudged this moss-covered road to happy destiny. Our gratitude goes out to Gail for her generous and loving spirit and the women who continue to walk in beauty.
August 7-9, 2009: 4th Annual Woman's Recovery Retreat
44 women attended the fourth annual Women's Recovery Retreat on August 7-9, 2009 at the Lake Huron Retreat Center. The theme this year was "Step up to Recovery." Participants had the opportunity to work through all 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. At the end each participant received a card documenting her achievement.
As part of the program, each woman wrote a letter to herself identifying a goal she wished to achieve in the next 3 months. These letters will be sent to each woman in 3 months, as a reminder and hopefully, confirmation of achievement. The overwhelming response to this year's program has been very positive.
Of course participants of the retreat are used to expecting great food, great atmosphere and great fellowship. This year the Hospitality committee outdid itself providing snacks, goody bags (love that mug!), yummy muffins, and other creature comforts.
The ever-popular "Talent-Less Show" reached new highs (and lows) for pathos, humor and good fun. Who knew so many of us were show offs?? On Sunday afternoon, many of us stayed to enjoy the beach and take a refreshing swim in Lake Huron.
This year a greater percentage of participants were able to attend via scholarships, thanks to the hard work of the of the fundraising committee and the generosity of many participants. Special thanks go to the Ann Arbor Women's Group for its generous gift! We were able to fund each scholarship request!
Congratulations to the members of the Retreat planning committee for yet another exceptional retreat.
It's not too soon to begin raising funds and planning next year's retreat. We received many wonderful ideas for next year's retreat theme in this year's critiques. It's not too soon to begin planning how we will bring these themes to you next year.
Please email us at aawomensretreat@gmail.com if you have questions or wish to participate in the planning sessions for next year.
July 9, 2009: Fun in the Sun at Friend's Lake
It was the best picnic weather anyone could ask for as six recovering ladies met in Chelsea to enjoy some fun in the sun at the most recent AAWG sober fun event. A delicious lunch was provided followed by an AA meeting around a rustic picnic table. Lakeside provided refreshing water for swimming, a floating raft for sunbathing and gorgeous water lilies to canoe through. Our gratitude goes to Renee H. for arranging this delightful day of fun and fellowship...and the cake was pretty awesome too!!!
June 17, 2009: Shock Game at the Palace
The Ann Arbor Women's Group sponsored another sober fun outing in June to see the WNBA champion Detroit Shock play at the Palace. Neither the fact that the Indiana Fever beat us 66-54 nor the flash flood rain on the return trip home dampened our spirits~a great time was had by all. Thanking Diane N. again for her generous donation!
May 9, 2009: American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk
On May 9, three women, sponsored by AAWG, walked 3 miles to benefit the American Heart Association. The event began with booths full of helpful information to keep our hearts healthy, including delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with no flour added--yum! As we walked, we enjoyed the singing, cheerleading, and other entertainment along the route surrounding the Washtenaw Community College campus. It was a beautiful, breezy morning, and the promised thunderstorms that kept some away never materialized.
April 18, 2009: Jewelry Making
On Saturday April 18 five women and three AAWG Board members attended a jewelry making class at the Washtenaw Alano Club. Colleen R. had generously brought all the tools we needed along with kits and instructions. She patiently demonstrated and coached us as we made earrings and a bracelet out of gorgeous ceramic and metal cloisinee beads. We each left with two wonderful pieces of jewelry that will remind us of the sober fun we had. Colleen has offered to repeat the class this fall when the weather turns cold again. Thank you, Colleen!
March 21, 2009: Meeting, Lunch, & Movie
Five ladies from Dawn Farm joined us for the Saturday morning women's meeting at the Alano Club. Then we joined a group of happy sober women at Holidays, a favorite place to gather for the "meeting after the meeting". After lunch, we headed for the theater to see Slumdog Millionaire. Good discussions, good food, sober fun!
February 22, 2009: Art As Therapy
Your Heart's (honest) Desire in Recovery was the theme of this class. Babz once again inspired the group to relax and meditate about the theme. Using the colorful selection of Play Dough, each paraticipant created a design that expressed their interpetation of the theme. Then we shared our creations explaining how we interpeted the theme. It was a relaxing, peaceful afternoon.
January 20, 2009: Addiction & Spirituality
Ed Conlin, BSEd, CAC-II; Addiction Counselor, Jefferson House.
The Twelve Steps are a spiritual program which can benefit anyone (recovering or not). This presentation explored the spiritual nature of the twelve steps.