From the Desk of the Director,  Rosanne Ponkowski

Each year a group of us gals heads up north to spend a weekend at another friend’s cottage.  For one day we pack up the car and head out in a new direction, never knowing what fabulous galleries, restaurants or people we will meet.  We look forward to it every year and call it “our grand adventure”.   When I took over as Director of Healthy Traditions Network four years ago from our founding chapter leader, Lisa  Capraro, I saw this as another grand adventure.  I had no idea how I was going to fill those shoes or where the journey would take me.  I have been blessed along the way to work with some terrific people.  Though the faces on the Leadership Team have changed over the years, each member brought with them new ideas, energy and passion for the mission.  I am grateful for each one of them and thankful for the hours of volunteer time they devoted.  Farmers, what a special group of people they are!  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of these tireless soldiers.  Few things satisfy as preparing a delicious meal for family and friends and being able to identify where all the food came from!  Over the years, I’ve meet some incredible merchants who support all of us on our journey towards good health.  They showed up at our conferences, festivals and events year  after year.  Without their financial and spiritual support we would never have been able to reach the thousands of people we have.  The educated voices, be they doctors, teachers, housewives, farmers, authors have all generously shared their time and knowledge with us. 

Growing Connections, Friday Night Live, potlucks, nature walks, movie showings, are all events which Healthy Traditions  has sponsored in an effort to educate the consumer about the importance of what we eat.  I’m very proud to have been a part of all of it.  I am however most proud of the positive impact we have had on the farmers.  Nothing is more gratifying  than to have seen the demand for their foods continue to grow and to know that farms are starting to thrive, not just barely survive.  The second thing I’m proud of is that HTN has contributed $15,000.00 to the Farmers Legal Defense Fund.  We could not think of a better use of the funds we have accumulated than to make sure that we continue to have access to the high quality foods we demand. 

It has indeed been a terrific journey but, as all journeys must end, itis time for this one to end as well.  It has been my pleasure to serve and, as with any volunteering one does, one always walks away with so much more than one gave.   Birgit McQuiston is stepping into the Directorship position and I’m confident that her nutrition knowledge and passion will continue to move the mission forward.  Please support her and consider joining her as she begins her own “grand adventure”.