In The Company of Women **Have you joined our FaceBook group? Why not?**

 
"'Glide' the gulls write in the sky--
and, for a few brief moments, I do."  
--Terry Tempest Williams
 
For six years In The Company of Woman 
has been welcoming ALL women 
to come to the beach and have fun for a week.  

We have gathered to drum, dance, sing, swim, 
kayak, bike, eat ice cream, and play games.  
We also have needed time to nap, read on the porch, 
meditate, or do nothing!  We have come together 
to share our stories and passages, recognize our gifts, 
and voice our dreams.  We have explored new friendships 
and renewed ones we cherish from past summers. 
We have also come to the ocean to heal, be renewed, 
and grow in a setting that offers respect and support.
 
Mornings we meet in small groups.  
Our afternoons offer a variety of workshops, 
spontaneous activities or quiet time, 
and the lure of the sea.  After dinner, 
we gather as a community to enjoy Women's Jeopardy, 
the talent show coffeehouse, our croning ritual, etc.  
Night owls can be found playing board games 
in the dining room, talking on Quillen porch, 
or lying on the beach finding peace with the stars.
 
Every year we select a theme 
that helps shape our intentions for the week.  
      This year our theme will be WINGS.  
We want our dreams to take flight, 
our spirits to rise on the ocean breezes, 
our creativity and imaginations to soar!  
We want to encourage ourselves and 
each other to dare to fly!  
 
Cathy Jay will be back to bring magic 
to our gatherings.  Maryann Ficker will offer 
afternoon art workshops (including beaded gourd 
rattles, plein air drawing/painting, and tie dyeing) 
and Jane H. will lead pre-breakfast yoga on the beach 
and daily meetings for women living in recovery 
from addictions.  Fia Alexander will help with 
croning again this year.  
 
When you register, please specify a morning group 
you want to join for the week:
 
Finding the Goddess Within--
Led by Sherry  Lundquist and friends	                	              
Discover your glorious and sacred inner goddess.  
We begin our journey this week with an inward 
spiral to meet her then we travel the outward 
spiral of manifestation.  As we connect to the 
energy of our most divine selves, our goddesses 
take wings and soar.  Each day a different leader 
will inspire us through movement, art, storytelling, 
dance, and other means of expression to 
fully embrace the goddess within.
 
Singing in Sacred Circle--
Led by Linda Smith Koehler and Rissa Moore			                       
Let your spirit take flight on the wings of your voice.  
Women of all singing abilities and musical experience 
join in circle to sing simple songs, chants and rounds 
that affirm the beauty, strength, power, and divinity 
within each of us.  Bring your whole self and your voice 
to sing messages of peace, love, and joy. As our bodies 
resonate with healing sounds, the resulting sense of 
peace within helps us radiate peace into the world.
 
Women Loving Women--
Led by Connie Dunn and Pat Kimbrell                                                                
Come find and spread your wings as we soar through 
a week of fun, exploring our higher selves and sharing.  
Whether you are new, returning, or an old-timer, 
you will be welcomed into our unique community 
of lesbian, bisexual, and questioning women.  
WLW has been at Ferry Beach in various forms 
for 23 years and continues to provide a safe 
nurturing space with small- and large-group discussions, 
sharing stories, creating and participating in activities, 
as well as playing together.
 
Independent Track   									                       
Not sure you want to join a morning track?  
Are you a newcomer who just wants to get her big toe 
wet this year?  Sign up as an independent. 
Walk the beach, explore the Saco/Portland area, 
bring your bike or kayak, your tennis racquet or 
watercolors, or read a book on the porch.  
Join in the afternoon workshops and evening activities 
and get to know us.
 
Filling the Well : younger women's mini-week--
Led by Lia Hussain                                  			                 
A special long weekend for busy women ages 18-35-
join us Sat. thru Mon. and camp together in the Grove 
with meals, fees, and all activities included 
at the special rate of $150 
   (or $50 per day with all meals, 
         $30 per day with lunch only, 
           $20 per day with no meals.)  
You are welcome to join in all conference activities.  
Lia will lead the group in a discussion on staying 
centered and maintaining your power 
(or, "Put on your own oxygen mask 
before assisting others").  
A poetry slam with drumming is possible.
 
Confidential partial scholarships are available 
for women who might not otherwise be able to join us.  
For further information and an application, 
contact Luiza Brown at: 

              ITCW.LBrown@hotmail.com 
or by mail at: 
              13 Elm Street, Gardiner ME 04345. 
 
Deadline for submission is February 28th.
 
In the Company of Women is a conference 
for adult women 18 years and older.  
Respecting the wishes of many of our participants, 
we make no provisions for child care. 
This is your week to focus on you 
and to enjoy the company of other women.
 
Coordinators:  Leah Goat (leah.g.goat@dartmouth.edu) 	                                              	             
Debra J. Damelio (ravenwood67@hotmail.com)