MAY 29 - JUNE 1, 2025
Once again we returned to the lovely Pilgrim Park near Princeton, IL.
Wisconsin author and speaker Peighton Carter led a discussion on coping with disabilities for their keynote! Pey's afternoon workshop was a Quaker-style silent service with opportunity to release anger by writing a statement on paper and burning it in a cauldron outside the hall.
Pey is an advocate with speaking experience on disabilities, inclusion and accessibility, Post-Traumatic Stress, veterans issues, and military sexual assault. Pey and their daughter have also written a book about coping with EDS, "Bendy Bones and Stretchy Skin."
Connection Council member Gretchen O was our Lead for this retreat, Nyx and Sydney took care of Registrar duties, Pat H wrote us some lovely rituals, and Janet scheduled Workshops.
Sage H organized the big sale of gently used items that past council member Deb Czarnopys-White donated, such as CDs, colorful scarves, and goddess figurines, plus the elegant gong that went home with Tori! You helped us raise over $300!
Friday Workshop
Gretchen Ohmann
Songs for the Resistance
We'll share and learn songs to keep our spirits up and to share in a group or at marches. Special emphasis on Raging Grannies repertoire.
Gretchen Ohmann is a long-time UU who has her fingers in many UU women's organizational pies. She is a musician and a retreat junkie, and currently serves on the UU Women's Connection Council.
Saturday Workshops
Susan Grabia
Finding Your Balance
The goal of this program is to assist the participants identify where they are on the wellness continuum. Each person will assess where they are within each of the Seven Dimensions of Wellness. The Stages of Change theory will be presented and there will be discussion on how these stages influence our choices. Each person will have a reusable guide to aid them in maintaining a healthy balance throughout their life.
After retiring from midwifery in 1992 Susan earned a BS in Health Promotion and Wellness and a MPH degree with a focus in Complementary and Alternative Medicine education. She was a Senior Lecturer, and faculty associate, with the UW – Madison, School of Nursing for 15 years. Susan has researched national health systems in Canada, Great Britain and Australia, focusing specifically on how these countries have integrated health promotion strategies and integrative medicine education into their health care systems. Susan has been in private practice as the Senior Consultant for Integrative Health Concepts since 1997 providing health programming and consulting services.
Tayuh Underhill
Being Daily Disabled
A regular day in the life of someone who is disabled. Learn what it's like to survive with less access to everyday living while dealing with pain, ableism, and a horrible lack of spoons. We're going to roleplay!
Tayuh Underhill is a Social Worker with the IL Dept. of Human Services, a long time Pagan and Nature lover, a cat mom, she loves to sing and drum, and has been disabled since birth.
