OLOC's Regional Gathering

Making Connections in July By Myra Brahms, 1942

The July 17–19, 2009, Regional Gathering, Making Connections, will begin Friday afternoon in the Clarion Hotel in Columbia, SC, with registration and gathering at the hospitality room to meet and greet new and old OLOC friends. Snacks and beverages will be available, also. The OLOC Marketplace will be open both Friday and Saturday. Books, CD's, jewelry, and OLOC-logoed apparel will be sold for cash, check, or charge. On Friday night we will also hear some results of the research Dr. Paige Averett and her team have been conducting on Old Lesbians.

After dinner Friday night on your own, Harriet Hancock will welcome us to an eventful weekend of Old Lesbian Pride workshops and live performances. A musical evening will follow provided by Barbara Ester and Beth York, singers and songwriters "who celebrate loves and our lives.” And what a delight that will be!

Early Saturday morning, wake up your body, mind, and energy with before-breakfast activity. Sally Tatnall will provide line dancing instruction and practice in preparation for our 60's or 1960’s (however you recall age sixty or the decade) dinner dance. Remember to wear your pink-and-black outfits to complement the evening with an excellent DJ and a fine singer(s).

The Saturday morning opening panel on Old Lesbian Pride will be followed with discussion in small groups. Afternoon workshops include Learning to Grow Old by Sally Tatnall and Relaxing Massage Techniques to Enhance

Our Old Lesbian Bodies with Carole Stoneking. Carren Strock will present Writing and Sharing of Old Lesbian Stories. Barbara Ester and Beth York will conduct a workshop on The Power of Women’s’ Music. Memory and Aging in Old Lesbians will be presented by Myra Brahms. Don't forget the dinner dance Saturday night. The OLOC auction and raffle will conclude that night.

Mandy Carter

After our extensive brunch on Sunday, a panel on Continuing Activism: What we've accomplished, how we benefit and moving ahead will be presented. Mandy Carter and several other speakers will contribute to a stimulating discussion. Carter has served as the Executive Director of SONG (Southerners on New Ground), founded to build movements connecting culture, gender, race, class, and sexual orientation. She is a community organizer and was a keynote speaker for a national NOW convention.

The optional bus tour begins at 12:00 noon and will visit Columbia's Lesbian, Jewish, and African American sites.

Remember to bring your bathing suits for the outdoor pool. Additionally, please bring an item(s) for the OLOC Auction. Many have already registered. Forms for the Gathering and for financial assistance can be found at the www.oloc.org site. Hotel accommodations should be arranged directly with the Clarion Hotel at 800 –221–2222, and be sure to tell them that you are with OLOC for the July 17–19, 2009, Gathering. See you there! Mandy Carter

Print out forms and send to Myra by postal mail. Registration and Financial Aid Form