Before I share with you all the exciting things on the horizon for 2009, allow me to do a quick summary of 2008. It was a great year for educating and getting the word out about real nutrition! It began in February with the Growing Connections Conference featuring our own Julie Kowalski and Naomi Martoia teaching the classes that were specifically developed by Julie for Healthy Traditions Network. The afternoon featured Dr. David Brownstein on “Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do.” It was a sold-out crowd. Next came Friday Night Live featuring Dr. Ng on Brain Toxins, another sold-out event.
Then in September we returned to Kensington Metropark for the Growing Connections Conference and Harvest Festival. Once again Dr. Ng packed the house and herbalist Jim McDonald took questions for almost an hour and a half after his talk was over. It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed being back at Kensington. Our farmer market featured over 2 dozen new farmers and merchants. We missed some of our regular farmers, but they were either sold out of goods or had more customers then they could handle thanks to having worked with HTN!
Of course none of these events would have been possible without the terrific Leadership Team that I’m blessed to work with; Dawn Divitto, Joan Hartzell, Lisa Imerman, Julie Kowalski and Birgit McQuiston. Special thanks also to CPA Tony Divito who keeps our books for us.
Changes, changes, and more changes are on the horizon. Many of them will be due to our new partnership with Cirus Technology as our webmaster. Dan Corrigan of Healthy Pages served as our webmaster for many years and we are eternally grateful for his time and talents. The first change is the one you’re reading; our paper newsletter has been replaced with this electronic one. It will allow us to communicate more effectively and timely with you. We have also dropped our annual membership fee. Of course your donations are always welcome, but we would rather you attend our events and bring guests so we can continue to spread the word. Our website has been updated, and we will be adding new superfoods and books to our on-line “store”. Look for a blog to be added to the site and a recipe section as well.
I’m also excited to welcome to our Leadership Team, Patty Ann Marshalek and Kelly Genzlinger, both of these ladies bring a passion for the work. If you are interested in being a part of our mighty team please contact us at info@htnetwork.org.
Our calendar is already getting full. In February and March we will be hosting a series of nutrition classes in several metro locations and also in March Dr. Steve Fischer will be featured at “Friday Night Live”. Please check out the calendar page for Growing Connections in May, featuring Sally Fallon, Dr. David Brownstein and Marjie Andrejciw. In September we return to Kensington Metropark for Growing Connections Conference and Harvest Festival.
Our search for real food is constant and in “Got Milk” you’ll find a list of some of the farmers HTN has built relationships with. HTN is also working on updating our Source Guide. We will be taking this project state wide and, with the help of WAPF chapter leaders and YOU, we will be able to build a Michigan WAP Farmers Guide that will be accessible to all. Stay tuned for more!
Wishing you a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Rosanne Ponkowski, Director
