In the Beginning
When we first launched our monthly 50 Plus Lifestyle Lunch and Learn, I had no expectation that it would be so successful. Turns out it wasn’t just a good idea, but it is something that delivers on our goals month after month. Our goal in launching this program was to provide value, community, education, and resources to those 50 and wiser. What surprises me the most is how much I personally have learned and grown from our monthly gatherings.
With Gratitude
So today I want to say, “thank you”! Thank you to our attendees. We know that you have choices. There are many other places you could be. Thank you for showing up and sharing your insights, questions, and for inviting your friends. Thank you to our sponsors, who make it possible for us to provide a free VIP lunch. Who said there is no free lunch? Thank you for your expertise, experience, participation and unwavering support of the ongoing program. We cannot do this without you. Our professional affiliation allows us to add more and more value to our clients and network. A big shout out to our speakers, who provide the diverse topics of education to our group. When putting the programming together, I find myself looking forward to learning from each expert.
Finally, I have the upmost gratitude for my co-founder and host, Blake Hollers. This was his brainchild, and he remains passionate and committed to bringing quality learning opportunities and keeping us curious, all in the spirit of community and connection. When it comes to events like this, you can make anything happen one time through pure muscle. It is quite another endeavor to deliver every month for now almost 4 years!
There are a lot of moving parts when hosting events and many behind the scenes systems. Blake is the orchestrator of these systems and provides the tools to support the process. I am grateful to be a part of the ongoing lunch and learn and our learning series through the Plano Parks and Recreation. It truly is a joy to work as a team in finding speakers and topics that our audience has asked for.
2025 First Half Highlights
Here are some highlights from the first half of 2025:
In January, sponsor, Lori Williams, shared her personal experience with strokes, caregiving, and recovery. Her story is beautifully recounted in her book “Surrounded by Love”.
Blake delivered the Do’s and Don’ts of Downsizing in February. One big takeaway was start now in getting rid of stuff!
In March, we presented the first of a two-parter: Scam vs Scum, “it doesn’t have to be illegal to be a complete rip off!”. This conversation reinforced how important it is to work with trusted advisors/experts, as we don’t know what we don’t know.
All Roads Lead Home was my topic in April, where we had an interactive discussion on liquidity, cash flow, and home equity in retirement. In May, Susan Rogers trained us all to be Dementia Friends. Through her expertise in gerontology, she showed us that it’s possible to have a good quality of life with dementia. I left feeling hopeful and empowered with my new knowledge. In June, we hosted part 2 of Scam vs Scum, more great stories to learn from on how to protect yourself in any transaction.
I’m looking forward to the exciting topics we have on deck for the rest of the year and for years to come! Stay tuned and we will see you soon!
It has been such a predictable pleasure each month, an absolute joy, to help host and MC at our lunch & learn events. I want to thank Brenda, our guests, sponsors Kat the General Manager at Norma’s, everyone who has attended one of our classes at the senior center and everyone who receives our invitations, reads our content, and puts the lunch & learn on their calendar. Even occasionally. I am committed, as is our team, to continuing to host these monthly lunch & learns and bring valuable content for our local older-adult community. Thank you for supporting us!