Womanade at The Pinehills
Past Programs
Our Program Committee strives to attract qualified speakers and present diverse topics of interest to our members. We are grateful to our speakers who generously donate their time.
By clicking on the links below, you will be taken to the speaker's website.
Here are some examples of recent programs:
The Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe and its History
November 11, 2024
3pm to 5pm
Melissa Feretti, “Golden Dragonfly” is the Chairwoman / President of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe in Plymouth. Proudly serving her third term as the elected chairwoman, Melissa has worked tirelessly on the many initiatives and challenges that indigenous communities face daily. Some works include protecting sacred sites and ancestral burial grounds, tribal archival research, advocacy for tribal rights and self-determination, mental health and substance abuse prevention and addiction. In addition, Melissa is the Board President of the Wopanaak Language Reclamation Project in Mashpee
Melissa is passionate about educating the non-native public about the Herring Pond Tribe and its rich, well documented history. She has worked with Anne Mason, former Executive Director of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Donna Curtin, Executive Director of the Pilgrim Hall Museum, on many projects.
The Book: The Story of Red Tail Hawk
September 9, 2024
4pm to 6pm
Katie Morini, author, nurse, long time Plymouth resident, and co-founder of Plymouth’s first and only Recovery Center, will share the true story of the life she shared with her family as they managed the maze of addiction. Katie’s sister Amanda “Beth” suffered and died of substance use disorder (SUD) at 29 years old, after a 10 year struggle. The book tells their story through the author’s childhood memories and the beautiful poems that Beth left behind. It is a hauntingly heartbreaking collaboration, yet inspiring account, of a family that turned their grief and love into hope for those that struggle.
Don’t Be $cammed
May 13, 2024
4pm to 6pm
Tim Cruz, Plymouth County DA will present “Don’t Be $cammed.” Each year, millions of elderly Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud or confidence scheme, including romance, lottery and sweepstakes scams. Come and listen as Plymouth County DA Tim Cruz discusses the latest trends in financial scams facing seniors and explains how you can avoid being taken advantage of. The best way to protect yourself is to educate yourself.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has served as DA since November, 2001. During his tenure he has aggressively prosecuted crime, and has been at the forefront of critical issues facing the county including the overdose epidemic, gun violence and protecting children and senior citizens.
Womanade’s Annual 2024 Spring Tea
Presents entertainment by “South Avenue” (PSHS)
Monday, March 11, 2024 2:00 to 4:00pm
South Avenue is an auditioned, mixed-range a capella ensemble based at Plymouth South High School in Plymouth, MA.
Founded in 2016, South Avenue has appeared on WGBH’s “Sing That Thing!” and was a regional semifinalist for the 2022 International Championship of High School A Capella. South Avenue believes in creating community through music and always giving their audience high quality, fun performances!
The Spring Annual Tea is one of Womanade’s most popular events. Seating will be limited and RSVPs will be requested.
Plymouth in the Gilded Age: Great Estates of the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
January 8, 2024
2pm to 4pm
Bill Fornaciari, is an Architect and Owner of bf Architect. Bill, a lifelong resident of Plymouth, graduated from Roger Williams University with a degree in Architecture and Historic Preservation.
He first presented this program at Pilgrim Hall Museum evening lecture series. With permission from Dr. Donna Curtain, Executive Director, he will be using materials from that program. Womanade is excited to have Bill describe how his love for these great estates of Plymouth began in his early years as an architect.
While many industrialists of the day were building their grand mansions in Newport and New York, some found places to establish their magnificent estates in Plymouth. Bill will take us back in time through historical images and hidden remnants to learn about and appreciate the lost architectural masterpieces that are now the vanished estates of the Gilded Age.
Getting information about many of these old estates in Plymouth was difficult, even with the help of the Internet. Bill encourages us all to do our part to preserve Plymouth’s rich history “because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”
Healthy Eating: The Mediterranean Way
November 13, 2023
3pm to 5pm
Marcia Richards, MEd, RD MCHES, is a Registered Dietitian with Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth. In addition to providing nutrition education, she has authored two cookbooks: “To Your Health” and “Simple and Delicious Vegetable Recipes.” She also co-hosts the “Delicious and Nutritious” cooking and nutrition education show with Chef Jerry Levine. Her goal is to make the healthy choice - the simple choice.
The Mediterranean Diet has been voted the best way to eat for several years in a row. Not only is it healthy, but also delicious!
Learn more on November 13, 2023. Marcia Richards from BID-Plymouth will guide you through a personal assessment to see how your current way of eating compares to the Mediterranean Way and discuss the many health benefits associated with it. After attending this session, you’ll have a few simple strategies to help you adopt the Mediterranean way of eating!
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
September 11th, 4PM to 6PM
Rachel Day Flor,
Executive Director
Join us to learn about the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation from Rachel Flor, Executive Director (daughter of our own Board Member, Julie Day). The JFK Library Foundation sponsors programs that promote debate and discussion of issues at the heart of contemporary democracy and inspires current and future generations to political participation and public service.
Rachel will discuss her role leading one of the nation’s 14 presidential library foundations and provide an overview of the priority initiatives of the Foundation. Topics she will cover will include:
Current and Future Museum Exhibits
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award
JFK Moonshot Initiatives with Prince William and President Biden
Kennedy Library Forum Series
Access to a Legacy Digitization Program
The Ernest Hemingway Collection at the JFK Library
Summer Fun Happy Hour
🦩July 10th, 5PM to 7PM🦩
Join us for Happy Hour! Plenty of hearty hors d'oeuvres, a special pink flamingo punch (with prosecco), lemonade, and water. Summer fun background music. Space will be limited at this event, so reservations will be necessary AND cancellations much appreciated so that we can open the waitlist.
Hope to see you at the party!
School on Wheels MA
May 8th, 4PM to 6PM
Mal Stanton McCunney, Marketing & Events Director
Join us to learn about SCHOOL ON WHEELS of MASSACHUSETTS, which provides academic, social, and emotional support for students throughout the Commonwealth facing homelessness and hardship.
Mal will give us an overview of SOWMA, its mission and the local volunteer opportunities that are available to our members. Those opportunities include:
Tutoring children from pre-K through high school
Mentoring a high school or post-secondary student
Backpacks which are customized, grade-level, and distributed to more than 7,000 students throughout Massachusetts.
For a brief video about SOWMA please click below:
Plymouth Public Schools CCTE Program
March 13th, 1PM to 3PM
“Learn more about the services the Plymouth Public Schools Vocational Technical Education Programs can provide for Pinehills’ residents” presented by Marc Loranger, CCTE Director for Plymouth South and Plymouth North High Schools, along with Students and Instructors from some of the different programs.
We know how Womanade helps the Plymouth Public Schools community; now learn more about different services the Vocational Technical Studies Programs can provide for Pinehills’ Residents.” For example, Southside Fare, a full-service restaurant and bakery run by the Culinary Arts Program, is open to the public for lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. In addition, Southside Styles, a licensed and accredited cosmetology program, offers hairstyling services, foil/hair coloring, texturing, facials, and nail care services. Also, see what Automotive and Autobody, Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Graphic Arts, CAD, and Marketing have to offer you.
The CCTE programs at both Plymouth North and South High Schools are comprehensive, cutting edge, forward thinking technical programs that ready students for life after high school. Graduates of the CCTE program attend some of the best colleges, universities, and technical institutes in the country as well as gain employment in high demand careers.
Highlights of the program can be seen here:
Womanade’s Annual Tea 2023
presents entertainment by “Spectrum” (PNHS) and “South Avenue” (PSHS)
Monday, January 9, 2023, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
“Spectrum” is Plymouth North High School's all-female identifying a cappella group, directed by Julia McBride. Since their start in 2018, the group has brought their empowering and grounded sound to audiences throughout Massachusetts. Most recently, “Spectrum” recorded and released several songs on Plymouth North A Cappella's compilation album unaccompanied. In 2022, the group has returned to singing together in person after an 18-month hiatus and is so excited to bring their organic sound back to live audiences.
“South Avenue” is an auditioned, mixed-range a cappella ensemble based at Plymouth South High School, directed by Jason Luciana. Founded in 2016, “South Avenue” has appeared on WGBH's Sing That Thing!, competed in Haunted Harmonies in Salem, MA, as well as in the NE-Voices and ICHSA competitions. Most recently, South Avenue released their latest single, Still feel, available on Apple Music and Spotify.
“Restoring Plymouth, One Project at a Time,”
presented by David Gould, Director of Marine and Environmental Affairs,Town of Plymouth.
Monday, November 14, 2022, from 3 to 5 p.m.
This presentation will provide an overview of the restoration projects that the Town of Plymouth has undertaken in the last twenty years to restore riparian, wetland and fisheries habitat and to increase the climate resiliency of these resources. Mr. Gould has been the project manager on the Eel River Headwaters Restoration Project, the Wellingsley Brook Restoration Project, the Foothills Preserve Restoration Project and all of the projects along Town Brook.
“The Plymouth Tapestry: Making History about History”
presented by Dr. Donna Curtin, Executive Director of the Pilgrim Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum
Monday, September 12, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Plymouth Tapestry is an heirloom embroidery commissioned by Pilgrim Hall Museum for Plymouth’s 400th-anniversary commemoration. It is being created by artist Elizabeth Creeden and a group of volunteer stitchers in a multi-year undertaking. Consisting of twenty 6-ft. long panels or “chapters,” this hand- stitched project tells the story of Plymouth Colony’s founding. When complete, the finished masterwork will span 120 feet and will be preserved as a treasured highlight of the Museum collection.
The Tapestry illustrates the experiences of the Wampanoag people who inhabited the area for thousands of years, and the story of the Pilgrims, the English settlers who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 to establish a new home. Through hand- stitched imagery and text, the needlework narrative traces their evolving stories through the 1621 harvest gathering known as “The First Thanksgiving.”
South Shore Community Action Council’s Food Pantry
“Creating a Sanctuary” Presented by Morgyn Ellis, Education Manager for the South East region of Mass Audubon which includes Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Monday, May 9, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.
Once a working cranberry farm, this landscape underwent the largest freshwater ecological restoration ever completed in the Northeast. Now Tidmarsh is a 481-acre property that is home to a vast expanse of cold-water streams, ponds, forest, and woodlands—all permanently protected and open for everyone to enjoy! Discover the history of the Tidmarsh landscape, learn about the exciting phases of the restoration process, and the plans for the future of this sanctuary.
“We’re Not Done Yet” Presented by Jonnie Garstka, newspaper columnist, published author, former teacher, and Pinehills resident.
Monday, March 14, 2022 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.
So many times we say things like, “I wish I had said this, I wish I had done that,” as though our lives are over, and things are written in stone. Jonnie’s talk will include the way her siblings, then her parents, and then her grandkids challenged her to do and be more. Jonnie is the sixth of ten children, the mother of three, has nine grandchildren, and is married to an only child. Each of these familial situations has given her a wealth of material for her newspaper columns, and her two books, I Started Out as a Middle Child and You’re Not the Boss of Me—her new book to be published in October 2021.
Womanade at The Pinehills Invites you to
A PRIVATE CONCERT (please see Learn More tab)
Mon, Jan. 10, 2022 from 3:00pm to 4:00 p.m.
At the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Plymouth North High School
41 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360
“The Creative Journey of Lonely Lola Ladybug”
Presented by Mary Jo Beswick
Monday, November 8, 2021 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.
Do you love children’s picture books? Have you ever wondered how they get made? How does it go from being just an idea in someone’s head, to an actual book you can hold in your hands? Now, that’s an amazing story! Children’s book author-illustrator, artist, and Pinehills resident, Mary Jo Beswick, will share with us the creative process of picture books through the personal journey of her award-winning book, Lonely Lola Ladybug, available at Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com. If you wish to buy the book in advance, Mary Jo will be happy to sign your copy after the meeting.
“Backyard History Tour”
Presented by Anne Mason, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society
Monday, September 13, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Using historic maps and early photographs, Dr. Anne Mason will trace the growth of the Town of Plymouth since the 17th century, focusing on the areas now bordered by the Pinehills development. Travel through time along Old Sandwich Road, following Wampanoag wayfarers and colonial stagecoaches. The virtual tour will begin in Chiltonville and include stops at The Forges, Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s Sacrifice Rock, Cornish Tavern, and Telegraph Hill.
Womanade Celebrates/Together Again
Monday, July 12, 2021, 5:00-7:00 pm
Join us as we celebrate the generosity of you, our members. Your donations throughout the year enable Womanade to make a difference in the lives of children in the Plymouth Public School System! Meet the new Board of Directors for the upcoming year. Hear the Annual Reports of the Treasurer and the Outreach Committee. Refreshments and music are always in abundance at this meeting!
“Through the Lens of Love:
Facing Terminal Illness”
Presented by Robin Gross
Monday, May 10, 2021, 3:00-4:30 pm
Author Robin Gross, a resident of The Pinehills, will share a reading and discussion of her memoir, Through the Lens of Love: Facing Terminal Illness. She will talk about the writing process and include some photos which coordinate with the book. When they first found out that Robin’s husband, Dick, had a terminal brain cancer called glioblastoma, the life they built together over 40 years abruptly changed in one day. But with the help of family, friends and acquaintances, her husband’s last two years became an unexpected, extraordinary part of their lives. Please join us and find out why.
“Insider’s Secrets to Organizing”
Presented by Ann Hieser
Monday, March 8, 2021, 3:00-4:30 pm
Have you been thinking about some spring cleaning or just a bit of organizing? Take some tips from Ann Hieser, a retired professional organizer and resident of The Pinehills, to learn some organizing techniques for moving, purging pantries, closets and basements. Ann will share with you the best secret for organizing a closet . . . the Hanger Trick. Discover local places to donate those useful, but no longer needed items.
“The Origin and History
of Afternoon Tea”
Presented by Alison Davies
Monday, January 11, 2021, 3:00-4:30 pm
Born in the United Kingdom, now a resident of The Pinehills, Alison Davies will speak about the origin and history of Afternoon Tea popularized in England in the mid-19th century. While you enjoy a cup of tea in the privacy of your home, you will learn about the history of tea, the difference between High Tea and Low Tea, selections of food served, tea etiquette and its British tradition. There will be a drawing for a Gift Certificate donated by Shelly’s Tea Room for Windsor Afternoon Tea for Two. Must be present to be eligible. Please come join us to learn more about the spirit and enjoyment of Afternoon Tea.
November 2020
Michael Blanchard, Photographer and Author
Michael’s second work of photography and writing, Through a Sober Lens is a look back at his recovery and nine years of sobriety, and a guide to help those struggling with addiction and to help their loved ones better understand the journey ahead. Michael was awarded the gold medal for “most inspirational book” at the 2020 Benjamin Franklin Awards along with a second gold prize for interior book design. Most important to Michael has been the feedback from readers who tell him the book has helped them and their loved ones sustain hope.
September 2020
Anne Scott-Putney, CEO Heritage Museums and Gardens
Anne presented “Let’s Play — New England Toy Stories” fascinating history and origin stories of toys and board games that were made here in New England.
March 2020
Rose Cain, FNP, MPH, JD,
Creating Well-Being
“Why Use Medical Marijuana?” was a presentation on the endocannabinoid system, medical conditions that cannabis can help manage. To become an informed consumer, Rose discussed how to get a medical card, how to navigate dispensaries, products and menus.
January 2020
Womanade’s Annual Tea
Featured musical entertainment with performances by two highly selective a cappella groups from the Performing Arts Department at Plymouth North and Plymouth South High Schools. Refreshments were provided by the students in the culinary program at Plymouth South.
November 2019
Samantha Gray, Park Ranger Interpretive Services
US Army Corps of Engineers
Samantha shared with us the story of the Cape Cod Canal and Visitor Center, the gateway to historic Cape Cod and the magnificent navigational and recreational resource it is to our area for family outings, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking and ship watching.
September 2019
Anne Mason, Ph.D. Executive Director,
Plymouth Antiquarian Society
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1919, by eight women of influence who came together to take a stand against male pragmatism and insert a female sensibility, which inspired an historic preservation movement that resonates today.
July 2019
“A Summer Celebration”
The Board hosts a party to thank our donors for all of their support throughout the year, with Margaritas, appetizers and music by DJ Melissa Trainor. Your donations throughout the year enable Womanade to make a difference in the lives of children in the Plymouth Public School System! Meet the new Board of Directors for the upcoming year. Hear the Annual Reports of the Treasurer and the Outreach Committee.
May 2019
Mal Condon “The Hydrangea Guy”
Many of us have small courtyards or gardens. Mal presented a delightful discussion about “Growing Hydrangeas in Containers.”
January 2019
Womanade’s Annual Tea
Persephone’s Daughters, a cappella chorus, directed by Lynne Wilkinson performed a lovely program of songs and poetry readings.
Womanade at The Pinehills
Providing financial assistance for families in the
Plymouth Public Schools
