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JUNE 2018 issue

In this issue you will find:

2018 Atlantic Book Award for “Powered by Love” – p 2

Cook an African Meal - p 3

Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign wins 2018 Geneva Forum of Health Award for– p 3

The Changing Face of Leadership: Youth in Action – p 4

Grandmothers on the Move-Ilana’s podcast - p 5

Book Review – p 5

Safe Food Handling for Volunteers – p 6

Who is Behind the Screen? – p 7

Grandmothers’ Reports - p 7 - 25

Including: Sharing the Wealth- Fabric and Yarn Sale - p 16

SAVE THE DATE October 12th and 13th

Atlantic Grandmothers Gathering At: NSGEU Building, 255 Dr. John Savage Ave., Dartmouth, NS.

Stay Tuned!

This newsletter is by and for the Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation in the Atlantic Provinces. Thank you for all reports and articles. We are looking forward to your feedback and suggestions.

Winnie Kwak wkwak3@gmail.com and Brenda Mitton brenda.mitton@gmail.com

Shore to Shore

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2018 Atlantic Book Award For: “Powered by Love. A Grandmothers Movement to End AIDS in Africa”

Congratulations to all winners and finalists at the Atlantic Book Awards 2018 Gala, and particularly to “Powered by Love” 's winning publisher, Goose Lane Editions! It was a fantastic event to celebrate significant talent and important stories.

We are immensely pleased that the voices and expertise of African grandmothers at the heart of the response to AIDS, and the solidarity movement of Grandmothers standing with them are being amplified and recognized!

Get your copy of the best-selling (and now award-winning!) book, Powered by Love: A Grandmothers' Movement to End AIDS in Africa! To order, and for more information about the book and book club resources, please visit: www.grandmotherspoweredbylove.com In solidarity, The Stephen Lewis Foundation

Photo credit: Alexis MacDonald. Welcome at the Atlantic Book Award Gala, Alexis L. to r.: Marian Amey, Ina Ramen, Vicky Hiscock, Winnie Kwak.

L. to r.: Vicky Hiscock, Joanna Horton, Ina Ramen, Marian Amey, BJ Kirby, Alexis MacDonald, Winnie Kwak, Alexa McDonough.

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Cook an African Meal

“A Tribute to Grandmothers. African Food for Thought” is a new, exciting cookbook edited by Sue Griggs and Linda Mitz Sadiq, its first edition in May 2017. Sue and Linda have both been friends and supporters of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign and the Stephen Lewis Foundation for many years. For information about the book or promotional materials to Sue and Linda, please google: African Food for Thought. Proceeds from this book go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign Wins Prestigious 2018 Geneva Forum for Health Awards ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dear Friend, Earlier today, at the 2018 World Health Assembly in Switzerland, the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign received a prestigious Geneva Forum for Health Award (sponsored by McKinsey@ Company). The Geneva Forum for Health Awards recognize and honour global health leaders “who have made fundamental improvements in delivering high-quality, sustainable, patient-centred healthcare. Particular emphasis is placed on proven, disruptive innovations that have the potential to become global best practice.” Among the high-profile winners in previous years are national health ministries, major health agencies and foundations, Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the World Health Organization, Gro Brundtland, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its malaria programming. Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, the SLF’s co-founder and Executive Director accepted the award, on behalf of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. In her presentation, she recognized the critical role of African grandmothers in turning the tide of AIDS, and the solidarity campaign that the Canadian grandmothers started, and continue to power, to help bolster their sophisticated work, and their community-based organizations. These grandmothers continue to have such a profound impact on the lives of millions! Together we are stronger! Source: newsletter@stephenlewisfoundation.org May 2018

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The Changing Face of Leadership: Youth in Action

In May, the SLF hosted a roundtable bringing together youth leaders and project staff from four community-based organizations that are implementing innovative youth-for-youth programming in Uganda and South Africa. These young women who joined us in Toronto were participants in the youth programmes, and in some cases involved in their creation. Now they are leaders in these organizations, working with their peers to provide psychosocial support and peer-to-peer education and training within their communities. They are using film, drama, poetry and art to fight stigma and discrimination. They are coming together creating businesses and enterprises to generate income and create savings groups. These initiatives are youth-driven responses to challenges faced by young people living with and affected by HIV. We’re excited to share a little of what they had to say regarding their role as youth ambassadors in their communities. In the coming months you may read more about the work of the SLF’s community-based partners’ support of and work with children and youth in various SLF publications. Of course, this has a direct correlation with the grandmothers, since they are, overwhelmingly, the caregivers who are nurturing and raising these young people to be aware of HIV, how to stay on medication and eat nutritiously so that the medication works, and how to prevent infection. “At MU-JHU [in Uganda], we have a group that meets once a month. The youth in the group plan, design and implement all of our programmes; we train youth in the group to be leaders through internships. We’re engaged in community and school outreach to fight stigma. We raise funds to support youth who have had to drop out of school because they couldn’t pay the fees, return to school. Our group provides psychosocial support. It is fun. We say, accept your status, learn about your status, learn how you’re going to manage your status, take your medication and just live your life to the fullest.” — Josephine “Many young positive youth are leaders in their families. They are taking care of the younger children [in their households]. Through St. Francis [in Uganda], our youth club started recycling paper to make beads and collecting bottle caps to make earrings. We created a business as a way to address problems. With the earnings from that business, we created a savings group. These are funds that youth can access to help take care of the younger children.” — Elizabeth “We started hearing that children were missing their appointments at the clinic, so we asked them why. The children and youth didn’t want the adults to see them. They weren’t comfortable talking to older people. They wouldn’t come, and they wouldn’t talk. So, at Reach Out Mbuya [in Uganda], we started an adolescent clinic. Youth peer

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support workers meet the youth who come for their appointments, before they meet with the doctor. We talk to them about their status and give support. The peer-to-peer counselling has really helped. If you’re talking to someone your own age, it’s easier to disclose your problems. It’s like a chat. We’ve worked to get other youth involved, training them to be peer supporters as well.” — Vivian “At Blue Roof [in South Africa], we run a peer-to-peer [HIV] disclosure and support group for youth. We use art and poetry as a medium to share our stories and train youth to make documentaries, so they can share their own stories and experiences or do interviews with one another. Youth don’t always feel comfortable showing their faces or sharing their identities, so they film in ways that protect privacy while still sharing what they want to say.” — Chileshe To hear more from these leaders, check out the video of a town hall hosted by the SLF during their visit to Canada. You can watch the event on the SLF Facebook page.

Source: Granny Bulletin- June 2018 issue

Grandmothers on the Move -- Ilana’s Podcast

Ilana Landsberg Lewis, Executive Director of the SLF and Grandmothers Campaign is doing a weekly podcast. She is interviewing interesting women around the world who are making a difference. The format is more like a friendly conversation than a formal interview.

In Podcast # 8 she introduced the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign by talking to three Grandmothers from across Canada; one from Nova Scotia, one from Manitoba and one from British Columbia.

If you are interested in listening to this episode or any of them, key in on your browser, Grandmothers on the Move. Choose the podcast you want to listen to. This week’s title is Grandmothers Rock: Solidarity not Charity

She has a roster of fascinating women lined up and plans to interview Canadian Grandmothers again in the coming months. “ – Submitted by BJ Kirby

Book Review

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT by Nadine Gordimer

Gordimer tells the story of Steven Reed, a white academic, and his black wife Jabulite

Gumede, a paralegal. They were married in the time of apartheid when such unions were illegal. We meet them two years after the end of apartheid when all of South Africa is adjusting to the new reality.

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The activist couple has two children and is facing all the challenges of raising a family and struggling with their careers as they continue their political activism against a backdrop of government corruption and violence. At one point they consider a move to Australia but they decide to stay and continue to work to change their homeland. "You only decide it is hopeless if you're used to having everything." It is interesting to read that Jabu returns to her village to seek the advice of her elderly father on how to handle her son's difficult behaviour. The ties of family are very strong. Gordimer knew her country and its people well. She is a challenging read as she works her way through the intricacies and the nuances of South African society, the violence and corruption, and the hope she sees in people like Steve and Jabu.

Gordimer was 88 when she wrote this book, at the height of her powers. She died 2 years later in 2014 at age 90. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991. Submitted by Jean Harris - The Bay Grandmother

Safe Food Handling for Volunteers

Often, Grandmothers groups hold fundraisers which involve providing food to the public, whether this be a luncheon, dinner or, as the Dartmouth Grannies have recently undertaken, a soup sale. Our group decided to advertise a selection of soups, take orders and prepare the amount ordered for delivery to our customers. While exploring sale options, we had considered the possibility of preparing and offering the soups for sale at a local Farmers Market in Dartmouth. We were advised that, in order to do so, we would have to demonstrate that members had certain food handling certificates. We decided not to pursue that option, but it brought to the fore the idea that, if we were selling food to the public, perhaps we should formalize our basic understanding of food safety issues.

Through our affiliation with St. James United Church, we were advised of an upcoming free course offered to volunteer groups by the Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement Branch of the NS Department of the Environment. The participants were a cross section of church groups, Guide leaders and, of course, Grandmothers. The course was a three-hour session which consisted of a presentation by a provincial Public Health Officer, with slides and examples, and anecdotes, but no formal test at the end. It was very informative, related to keeping food out of the “temperature danger zone” while preparing, cooking and holding it after it’s cooked.

If your group is interested in taking part in one of these free courses for volunteers, check out the NS website at https://novascotia.ca/nse/food-protection/food-hygiene-course.asp The free sessions are offered to groups of 25 or more. Obviously, this information relates to Nova Scotia, but I imagine all of the provinces have a similar program, although I am not sure which department would be responsible in the other provinces. Submitted by Cheryl Sawler, Dartmouth Grannies

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Who is behind the Screen?

In the winter of 2016, BJ approached the NS Community College on Leeds St. in Halifax to ask if students would be able to set up a website for the Grandmothers Campaign in the Atlantic Provinces. Soon a team of 4 or 5 students, all enrolled in Information Technology courses, chose to do their project in website programming to set up the website for us. Upon hearing about the Stephen Lewis Foundation, one of the students, Nayeema Lail, decided that she wanted to support it by maintaining the website free of charge.

We were very grateful for that offer. After graduating in 2016 Nayeema found work with a large IT company.

About 5 or 6 years ago Nayeema and her husband emigrated from Bangladesh to Canada. Both have a job and now raise their daughter, trying hard to make sure that their daughter is bilingual and lives comfortably in both the local Canadian and Bangladesh community. Her parents visit them but Nayeema hopes that one day they will be able to visit Bangladesh yearly. Her job, raising her daughter, being active in the two local communities, and maintaining our website www.g2gatlantic.org , keep Nayeema very busy. Yet, she wants to make time to learn a new craft: knitting.

We are very happy that Nayeema is maintaining our website. We should make more use of it. – Submitted by Winnie Kwak

GRANDMOTHERS GROUPS’ REPORTS

Great News!

There are two new grandmothers Groups in the Atlantic Region:

Bay St.George’s Guardian Angels in Stephenville, Newfoundland and

Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Congratulations and Welcome to the Grandmothers Campaign!

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Annie’s Grannies – Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Annie’s Grannies have been active this year supporting other grandmother groups’

activities, as well as being involved in HRM Grandmothers’ endeavours.

In the autumn members knit 55 red scarves for a demonstration on World AIDs Day.

They also attended the launch of the award-winning book – Powered by Love – and had an

opportunity to talk to African grandmothers who were in attendance. Several days were spent

collecting, measuring and sorting fabrics for the Fabric & Yarn Sale in April.

We are actively fundraising and looking forward to the Walk in June. Submitted by Jacqueline Sumarah

We knit 55 scarves for World AIDS Day.

L to r: Martha Dorey, Wendy Wagstaff-Lo, Margaret Galbraith, Linda Macdonald.

Sackville Support Group – Sackville, Nova Scotia

Our Sackville Grandmothers held our 8th Annual Dessert Bridge/Card Social on Saturday February 3rd. We also had a bake and book table and a silent auction. We had lots of help with some husbands and friends on board to serve and do kitchen duty. We also have grand-others who are not part of our group but bake for us. This event was well attended.

Three years ago, we started a bridge group, eight of us playing once a month with donations going to The Stephen Lewis Foundation. This year we were able to send a large donation from the 8th Annual Dessert Bridge/Card Social and our bridge group to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Submitted by Judith Fullerton.

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Bay St. George‘s Guardian Angels - Stephenville, Newfoundland

Early this year, Elizabeth and two other students applied for membership of the G2G

Campaign as a class project in the field of Applied Art and Community Study. This project was to

be a sustainable group. After graduation the 2 students would leave, but Elizabeth would

continue to sustain the group. Right away, in February, there were ladies who wanted to

become involved and with whom we formed a grandmothers group, the Bay St. George’s

Guardian Angels in Stephenville.

We started with a few information campaigns in the St. George area, giving a speech to

explain the cause of the group as well as handing out information and collecting donations for

SLF. Next, we organized a bake sale on St. Patrick’s Day and raised a good amount of money for

the Stephen Lewis Foundation. We organized a lunch for Idah Nambeya Mukuka’s visit in May.

However, we had to cancel it because Idah had to stay in Zambia for the funeral of her father.

We enjoy our group, meet regularly and planned events for the fall: a bake sale and a

walk. -- Submitted by Elizabeth Lewis

Bay Grandmothers – St Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia

Our “Yoga Around the Bay“ fundraiser on Saturday January 27th was well attended and much enjoyed. The sky was clear, frost sparkled on the grass and the waters on the Bay were calm that morning. Inside the St Margaret’s Sailing Club in French Village our guests were warm and cozy as they participated in three sessions each led by a local yoga instructor. One of our guests was delighted to reconnect with a friend she had not seen for many years and thrilled when she won our “Winter Comfort and Wellness” basket. Picture on left: Brenda Miller leads one of the Yoga sessions

On Tuesday June 12th we were delighted to welcome Idah Nambeya Mukuka to our June

Social evening. Several members of SAGE, Dartmouth Grannies, Malaika and Cole Harbour -

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Dartmouth Grannies were able to join in our evening of fellowship, relaxation and

refreshments. We were all inspired by Idah’s presentation and pleased that she has considered

Nova Scotia to be her village since first coming to study at the Coady Institute in Antigonish.

Idah Nambeya Mukuka

Susan Morse, Idah and Jane Earle

Guests and Bay Grans enjoyed appetizers, sweets and a delicious punch.

Our Stride and Ride event was held on June 23rd under sunny skies. Following registration, participants enjoyed a send-off by drummers Ayo Aladejebi and Robert Leek who also greeted them on their return. Distances walked or biked along the St Margaret’s Trail were at the discretion of the participant. Bay Grans were stationed at 1, 2.5 and 5 km points along the route to greet and encourage those walking, riding or being pushed. Closing celebrations included prize draws and those in attendance were encouraged to visit our Bar B Q in front of Redmond’s store. -- Submitted by Deborah Blackadar

Winnie Kwak, Elaine Cox, Ethan King and Linda Wills, his grandmother.

Janet O’Brien, Ruth West, grand-other Michael O’Brien and Joan MacIsaac register participants.

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Bedford Grandmothers – Bedford, Nova Scotia

During March and April, we participated in the Metro Fabric and Yarn Sale by measuring

and assisting where needed. This was an exciting time both days prior and day of the event,

April 28, as we gathered together to reacquaint ourselves with other Grandmothers’ groups.

For May 31-Jun2 our group was fortunate, again, to receive 50 tickets to the Bedford

Players’ spring production “Sex Please, We’re Sixty” with proceeds from these ticket sales

forwarded to Grandmothers’ Campaign. BP has been extremely generous over the numerous

years and very supportive of the G2G Campaign.

On June 13, we hosted a potluck luncheon for Ida and members from other Metro

groups at our meeting place, Scott Manor House in Bedford. Tentative plans have been made

for a soup and dessert luncheon on Friday, September 28 which will launch the fall season.

As a way of extending thanks to the Ft. Sackville Foundation for kindly offering the

Manor for meetings, we’ll be serving tea and oatcakes in the Tea Room during the week of

August 13. - Submitted by Marilyn Sceles

Bedford members arel.to r.: Corinne MacDonald, Julie Irwin, Joan Christie, Marilyn Sceles, Idah Nambeya Mukuka, Diana Haydon, Virginia MacDonald, and Anne Burden.

L.to r. : BJ Kirby, Winnie Kwak, Idah Nambeya Mukuka, Marilyn Sceles standing in front of the Scott Manor Home in Bedford, N.S.

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Charlottetown Circle of G’Mas – Prince Edward Island

For the first time in its history, due to stormy weather, the Charlottetown Circle of G'Mas had to postpone its annual Spring fundraiser, the Fabric & Yarn Sale. Fortunately, we had a fine turnout when the event happened the next month, in April, with lots of volunteers and customers as usual!

Our fine lineup of volunteers at the Fabric & Yarn Sale just before the doors open.

Simon Lloyd, a PEI member-at-large on the Board of the Atlantic Book Award Society as

well as an Archivist and Librarian working at UPEI, organized an event at which Alexis

MacDonald gave a presentation about a recently published book “Powered by Love. A

Grandmothers Movement to End AIDS in Africa”. We were delighted to have the opportunity to

hear Alexis speak at the Confederation Centre Library the evening before the Atlantic Awards

ceremony in Halifax, where this book won its wonderful award.

Alexis MacDonald

Members and others with Alexis MacDonald.

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Our Stride to Turn the Tide Walk day was on June 9th this year. With so many other

walks happening at the same time here on the Island, our turnout was understandably light, but

we made our presence felt at the Farmers' Market where the event was stationed. Next week

our group will meet at a local restaurant for an end of year dinner.- Submitted by Sharon Reesor

Cole Harbour-Dartmouth Grannies – Nova Scotia

On June 6th. the Cole Harbour-Dartmouth Grandmothers held their fourth Card Social. Twenty eight tables enjoyed delicious desserts and then an afternoon of cards. There was also a used book sale and a silent auction. We were able to send a good sum of money to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Photo credit: Andree Green. Taking a break from setting up are Norah Dunbar, Joan McMullin, Kay Abernathy, Sadie Kerr, Elizabeth Leedham, Eleanor Balcom, Bernice Leet, Dianne West and Nancy Latimer.

Many members of our group were involved in the Fabric and Yarn Sale, either measuring and cutting fabric beforehand or on the day of the Sale. Our group always finds this a fun event that brings all the Halifax area Grandmother groups together. One of our members, Joan McMullin, was present at the Atlantic Book Awards when the book "Powered by Love" was recognized as one of the best Atlantic Published Books. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work of the Grandmothers and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Another member, Dianne West, was able to attend Idah's talk in Upper Tantallon. Several of our members are now helping organize the Fall Gathering.

- Submitted by Joan McMullin

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Dartmouth Grannies – Nova Scotia

The Dartmouth Grannies had a very successful winter/spring season this year. We held luncheon meetings in January, March, and May and were fortunate to welcome several new members to our group. These meetings serve a two-fold purpose – the luncheon is provided by 3-4 members in rotation and offers the opportunity to be social – which is a key component for our group – while picking up a bit extra for the Foundation, as members contribute a small goodwill donation for their lunch. The business portion of the meeting includes discussion about and volunteering for some of the many events and fundraisers we do each year. We also update what’s happening on a regional and national level with the Grandmother’s Campaign.

Many grannies’ hands make light work of the carrots.

L-R – Helen and Jim chopping onions, while Francie prepares more carrots

This winter we repeated our very successful soup sale, with almost 300 orders. We had a great turnout to help with what was a very LONG and busy day.

Tom Forrestall chats with workshop participants.

In early March we held a brand-new event. One of our newer members knows renowned Canadian artist Tom Forrestall very well. She suggested that we ask Mr. Forrestall to put on an art workshop. She asked and he was very pleased to donate his time and expertise to such a worthwhile cause. We had room for up to 20 participants and ended up with 13 registered. However, everyone raved about the event and were beyond excited to have personal access to such an amazing artist. Mr. Forrestall seemed to enjoy it as well and has offered to do another session for us this fall so we expect to sell out this time.

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At the end of May we held our annual yard sale at the home of one of our members in Cole Harbour. As usual, we had mountains of donations, and, although there seemed to be lots leftover, we managed to sell a very respectable amount and had lots of fun.

SLF sign proclaims the reason for our annual yard sale.

Sue Skerret and Joanne Horton guard the cash-box.

On June 9 we held a scaled back version of Stride to Turn the Tide in Shubie Park in Dartmouth. We had hoped to attract 15-20 participants, but only a dedicated few turned up. However, we had our Grandmothers Campaign signs posted in the Park, so we may have managed some outreach and education! - Submitted by Cheryl Sawler

Fourth Annual Fabric & Yarn Sale in HRM - Nova Scotia

On April 29th, the Fourth Annual Fabric & Yarn Sale was held by a collaboration of the following groups in HRM: Annies Grannies, The Bay Grandmothers, Bedford Grandmothers, Cole Harbour-Dartmouth Grannies, Dartmouth Grannies, Malaika Grandmothers, Rockingham Grannies, SAGE, Sackville Grandmothers, Ubuntu. The hard work began in early March with members collecting donations and either measuring and sorting at home or bringing them to the sorting site at 10 Akerley Blvd in Burnside. Shifts were set up to make sure people were there each day to accept donations and to sort, measure and label them.

On April 28th, a dedicated team of Grandmothers and Grand-others arrived to transport all the prepared yarn, fabric and notions to St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cole Harbour to set up for the sale.

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Left: Eager Shoppers waiting in the fog.

The set-up was greatly assisted by a

wonderful group of students from

Auburn High School who came (with

treats) to help set up tables, carry boxes

and help in any way possible. The

weather forecast was not good but the

rain at least waited until the people who

were lined up got into the hall.

The shopping was frenetic and, in the end, it was another successful sale despite the heavy rains and thunder & lightening. – Submitted by BJ Kirby – Dartmouth Grannies

The first group of workers just before the doors opened.

Sharing the Wealth - HRM Fabric and Yarn Sale

The HRM Grandmothers in Nova Scotia annually hold a Fabric and Yarn Sale around the end of April. Everything that we sell has been donated we have been fortunate to get an amazing amount of fabrics, yarns, notions, patterns and things like sewing and knitting machines. We measure, tag and organize a wide array of material and we have been selling more each year.

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Despite our success, we never sell everything. There is always lots of varied “stuff” left but we have nowhere to store it until the next sale. At the end of the sale, we have to empty and clean our rented venue and have a very short window of time to do so. For the last couple of years, we have given a selection of our leftovers to a group of people in a small town in NS who offered to have their own Fabric and Yarn sale later in the year and donate the proceeds to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Their sales success has added additional revenue to the cause and reduced the amount we have to let go each year. Once they had taken their choices, we gave the rest (dozens and dozens of garbage bags!) to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, who picked it up and gave us a small amount of money in return.

This year, we were approached by a different group, in New Brunswick, who want to do a sale there in the fall. Since the first group was unable to help this year, we gladly shared our leftovers and our expertise with the new group. They were able to take a good selection of what remained, but there was still lots going to Big Brothers.

If your Grandmothers group (or a group of grand-others) would be interested in doing a sale in your area, we would be happy to share our extras with you. You could also, as we do, reach out to friends, neighbours, knitting and quilting groups, local fabric stores, etc. to seek additional donations for a larger sale. The only requirements we have are that you come to our sale prepared to remove what you want to take no later than 1 pm and that the funds you raise go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

This is a major event and we have learned a great deal about what to do and what not to do over the last five years. We have reached the point that our loyal customers watch for the sale and tell their friends about it – some travel several hundred miles to find bargains. We would be happy to share what we have learned. If you think you might be interested, please contact Winnie Kwak (wkwak3@gmail.com) or BJ Kirby (g2gbj@yahoo.com ). Submitted by Cheryl Sawler – Dartmouth Grannies, Nova Scotia

Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers - Fredericton, New

Brunswick

Our grandmothers’ group is a community of members caring for each other, learning,

working and playing together. Perhaps we mirror, in a small way, the grandmothers of Africa.

Our hope is to make their daily lives more manageable through our contributions.

Two major Spring events that raise significant funds are the Bridge Luncheon and Fish

and Chips at the Market. The Bridge Luncheon is a signature event of our group and Betty Scovil

announced at our May meeting that about 50% of the tables are booked before we begin to

advertise. There were 156 bridge players at this April’s luncheon who enjoyed plates of

sandwiches, coffee, tea and platters of desserts. All the food was provided by our members.

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The kitchen detail, organized by Mary Dickinson, plates everything for the tables and packages

leftover desserts for sale.

The Fish and Chips at the Market is labour intensive. Mary-Jo McIntosh has inside

connections to the chef (son-in-law, Rick Huskins) and he, along with one helper, prepared and

plated delicious fish and chips on Saturday, May 12. This year 209 tickets were sold. Connie

Doherty organized a silent auction table with the help of donations from the membership. The

variety of items brought in excellent bids. To top off the event, there was live music that had

everyone’s toes tapping including the “Gran waitresses” who lined up at the food window.

L.to r.: Betty Anne McMackin, Ann Brennan, Carol Doucette wait to serve sandwich plates at bridge luncheon.

L. to r.: Mary Jo McIntosh (organizer of Fish and Chips event), Joan Huskins, Rick Huskins (chef), Susan and Mike McIntosh.

At each of our events there is a craft table with scarves, hand knit scrubbies, dishcloths

and other items for sale. These sales add a significant amount to our fund raising.

The May general meeting was well - attended and Paula MacQuarrie will have follow-up

meetings to develop ideas for future fundraisers. The Fall dance at the Crowne Plaza is on the

horizon and then who knows what is in store for grandmothers and others in Fredericton. –

Submitted by Anna Mae Snider

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Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers – Moncton, New Brunswick

On Saturday April 28th, my co-chair Marilyn Bishop and I got up at 5 AM to drive from

Moncton to Halifax to volunteer at the annual Grandmothers to Grandmothers Fabric and Yarn

sale. We wanted to understand how the sale was organized, managed and priced with the

prospect of taking Halifax’s leftover fabrics and yarn for a follow up sale in Moncton. We were

truly impressed.

This adventure was inspired by a phone call early April from Jane Earle who was looking

for an alternative location for a follow up sale as Tatamagouche was unable to participate this

year. Jane can be very persuasive.

Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers Moncton was inaugurated in June with less than 10

grandmothers and young-others. We plan to hold our first Fabric and Yarn sale in Moncton,

September 8th at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 91 Murphy Avenue, Moncton, NB. Jane and her

husband have transferred a great deal of inventory in her car from Halifax to Sackville for

pickup and has provided us with a wealth of information and inspiration. We have access to a

warehouse space 40 x 40 so storage is not an issue.

We have just launched our Facebook page > Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers Moncton <

and our membership is growing. We can be reached at G4GMoncton@ gmail.com.

Marilyn and I are both quilters who are belonging to 2 local quilt guilds. We have

experience organizing successful bazaars for our quilty/crafty friends which include knitters, rug

hookers and embroiderers. Our marketing will begin the first week of July. We are excited

about our first sale.

We want to sincerely thank all the Halifax Grandmothers groups for this opportunity.

Your hard work in collecting all the yarns and crafts and measuring all that fabric will not go to

waste. And we look forward to meeting many more grandmothers who are dedicated to

supporting Grandmothers in Sub-Saharan Africa and their grandchildren. - Submitted by

Marilyn O’Brien and Marilyn Bishop.

Malaika Grandmothers of Halifax – Nova Scotia

Early February we hosted a presentation by Dr. Robert Bortolussi and Dr. Noni MacDonald, Dalhousie University professors at the IWK, who founded Micro Research for health care, teaching small communities how to do clinical research, how to publish results and how to apply for a Grant. This very interesting presentation about their work in sub-Saharan Africa drew a full house and resulted in many donations.

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Blandine Tousignant and Dr. Noni MacDonald

From l. to r.: Winnie Kwak, Dr. Bortolussi, Dr Noni MacDonald, Kelly Cameron.

Michele Bortolussi and Cathy Burnell.

Some members participated in the Annual Fabric &Yarn Sale, organized by the 10 HRM grandmothers groups. We all enjoyed working with members of other groups and get very excited when the customers flood the venue to do some serious shopping, most leaving with bags and bags full of “stuff”.

Early May we organized our annual fundraiser with the Storytellers Circle of Halifax who presented “Tales of Youth and Age”. With help of various grand-others and a member of another grandmothers group we could manage this well-attended event.

L.to r.: Teresa Orman, Anne Marie Newman, Ina Ramen, Marian Amey.

L. to r.: Storytellers Nancy Muzzatti, Pat Dickson, Clara Dugas laughing at Liz Newkirk’s story (not shown).

L.to r.: Jennifer Thompson, Caitlyn, Mary Evans, Blandine Tousignant.

In June we attended presentations by Idah Nambeya Mukuka from Zambia. As always, Idah informed us very enthusiastically of recent experiences and progress of the African grandmothers, using examples of her visits with various community-based organizations. In June we participated in Stride and did fundraising for it. We had a lunch together to celebrate the fact that we had raised a good sum of money for SLF. Starting in September, we plan to discuss together “Powered by Love. A Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa” and plan fundraisers for 2018-2019. – Submitted by Winnie Kwak

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Rockingham Grannies - Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Rockingham Grannies Princess Tea was held June 2, at Rockingham United Church Hall. It was a magical time for all ages. It was a lot of work, finding guests, making decorations (e.g. Princess Castle and Cinderella Carriage Photo ring), making costumes, crafts, food and bake items, finding princess gifts like tiaras and wands, and especially finding volunteers for things like face painting, fortune telling, singing, photography, and finding items for the silent auction.

The Rockingham group is small now and has lost many members in the past few years. With just 7 active members now I enlisted my husband, son and daughter, 3 grandchildren and two of their friends, and several of my friends. Sybil got her husband and in-laws involved. It was nice to see a few guests from other granny groups and local churches but mostly our close friends and family were the guests. Husbands (and my son Patrick) helped with set up, registrations, showing Cinderellla Movies and breaking down the displays.

The children, their mothers and grandmothers and even fathers in some cases had a great time as did Princesses and Princes. The event raised much money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. – Submitted by Judy Matthews

Princess Tea Guests from Jan Mills family enjoying tea and sweets and Judy Matthews (Lead organizer of the Princess Tea) in Belle Dress.

Princess Tea helpers from the bright family Princess Otayah Bright (server and sang) Princes Gitais and Ginaseis Bright (sang rap song about bullying) and Gina Bright (tea server).

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Shediac Area Grandmothers for Africa / Semer Amour avec

Grandmamans Africaines - S.A.G.A. – Shediac, New Brunswick

The winter/spring season for our SAGA group consisted of 2 "yard" sales and our visit of

Idah Nambeya Mukuka. We had a yard sale in March at the Shediac Cape School and sold many left overs from this sale at the Shediac Community Church at their yard sale in June. On Wednesday evening, June 13th, we hosted Idah in a local community hall and had a good-sized audience especially considering the terrible weather. Alas it was rainy and cold for both of Ida's outings here in the Shediac/ Moncton area. Before her presentation, Idah joined our group, plus the two co-chairs from the new Moncton group for a casual supper at a local restaurant. The community hall audience had this group plus several local people and some ladies from the Sackville group TAG.

Idah stayed in Shediac overnight and the following day attended the Moncton Women's PROBUS luncheon. Although she was not called upon to speak due to the program already having been set and Idah was a last minute guest, she was introduced as a guest and met many of the 200 women in attendance during the social times of the event.

During the month of May, our SAGA group had a reconnect time with the "snowbird" ladies of the group in the form of a potluck.

Our next meeting will not be until mid August to begin planning for our major fund -raising event of the year, our" Ladies' Night Out" scheduled for October 18. - Submitted by Brenda Mitton

L.to r.: Idah, Nancy Burridge and Shirley Oliver from TAG.

L.to r.: Brenda Mitton, Idah and Karen Campbell.

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Shore for African Grandmothers, S.A.G. -The Eastern Shore,

Nova Scotia

Shore for African Grandmothers has members from Dartmouth to Ship Harbour, and as far afield as Ontario, all of whom are committed to supporting the grandmothers of Africa through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

On Saturday the 28th April Shore for African Grandmothers held their annual Spring Luncheon at the Petpeswick Yacht Club in Musquodoboit Harbour. Delicious sandwiches and sweets along with tea and coffee were served.

Spring Luncheon April 2018. L to r.: Juanita Staples, Gail Allen, Patrica LePointe, Susan Brown, Beverly McKay, Linda Faulkner, Marilee Vanbuskirk, Cathy Faulkner, Heather Graham-Dickinson, Janet Moritmer.

Activities included something for everyone: silent auction, “new to you” table, book sale

and surprise items called “grabs” at $1 each.

Picture on left: Stride to Turn the Tide Walk June 2018. L. to r.: Gail Allen, Susan Brown, Gary & Beverly McKay, Heather Graham-Dickinson, Linda Marks, plus our pawed pals. Absent from photo is Patricia LaPointe. On Saturday, June 9th Shore for African Grandmothers put on their walking shoes and walked on the Musquodoboit Trail, supporting the Stride to Turn the Tide campaign and remembering our sisters in Africa. - Submitted by Linda Marks.

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Tantramar Association of Grandmothers,T.A.G.- Sackville,

New Brunswick Tantramar Association of Grandmothers (TAG) has had a quiet winter. We spent some

time trying to come up with an activity using “Powered by Love”as a follow up to the book

launch in October.

Finally in May we held a book club evening at the Sackville Public Library, where we

were very warmly received by the librarian. We sent out invitations by email to our group

members and our longer list of “associated grand-others” who join us for special events or to

lend a hand. We encouraged everyone to attend and bring a friend and we let them know our

discussion would be focussed on certain parts of the book. Group member, Ruth Buckinger

prepared questions for discussion and very capably led us in conversation over tea and cookies.

While this was somewhat of a challenge because some had read the book, others had not,

there was good conversation and in the end everyone agreed they would like to meet again!

We were quite surprised and very pleased that our 6 TAG members were joined by 5 grand -

others who had never attended a TAG meeting before...as Ruth said: “The power of stories!”

We plan to arrange a meeting for the fall. There is now a great resource on the Grandmothers

campaign website for holding book reviews, so we may be able to use some of those ideas for

our next gathering.

Photo credit: Nancy Burridge. L to r: Ruth Buckinger, Heather Patterson, Judith Colwell, Shelley Hallman, Linda Foy.

Photo credit: Nancy Burridge. L to r: Left to right: Linda Foy, Anne Mcleod, Jean Cole, Joan Alder, Grand -other, Brenda Allen.

On June 13th, two TAG members and a grand-other (a great fan of Idah’s!) enjoyed an

evening with Idah in Shediac, hosted by SAGA. As always, Idah inspired us with her never-

ending stories of the progress being made by our African Grandmothers and the ongoing need

for support to continue the work. It was a great evening and also provided a chance to connect

with members of the Shediac group and some new grandmothers endeavouring to begin a

group in Moncton. Summer will be quiet for TAG and we will start up again in the fall. Happy

Summer to all! -- Submitted by Nancy Burridge

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Terra Nova Grannies – St.John’s, Newfoundland

The Terra Nova Grannies held two fundraising events this year. In April, we held a very

successful Scrabble game. The game was well attended and our host was Anthony Germaine, a

local CBC celebrity who has been very supportive of the Grannies. He also payed a fun,

competitive game with Lorraine Michael, our local NDP member of the House of Assembly.

Homemade cookies, muffins, cakes and other refreshments were enjoyed by all. Anthony also

gives us a lot of advertising on CBC.

In June we held our annual stride walk around Quidi Vidi Lake. The weather at the

registration room was lovely and sunny, but down on the lake we were shrouded in fog!

Nevertheless, the walk was a very pleasant affair and everyone enjoyed the hot home-made

soup, rolls, cookies, tea and coffee afterwards and commented on the pleasant atmosphere.

As well as our activities, the Presentation Sisters, who are our biggest supporters,

hosted a dare-to-dine for about 200 guests in February. The menu was an African meal and

Jennifer Whitfield, one of our members gave an excellent talk on the current status of the

Grandmother Movement. The evening concluded with entertainment. This is an event we look

forward to every year. Between all these events, we raised a huge amount of money for the

Grandmothers’ Campaign.

Best wishes to all Atlantic grandmother groups. -- Submitted by Kay Matthews