Women are starting to find each other for informal 70Candles! local gatherings.
We have contact information for locations in the United States and abroad, from Maui, Hawaii to Florence, Italy. Do you live near any of them?
If not, consider mentioning your city or town. If you’re willing to be a contact person, add your email address and invite others to add their name and email address to a list you start.
We’ve created 70Candles! Gatherings A Leader’s Guide that will be useful in forming and conducting these groups. It is now available in print at Amazon.com.
Once a group has formed, we hope you will tell us about it here, and keep us updated on your progress.
Here are contact people so far:
1. Boston, MA Mary Hirsch maryhirschpr@yahoo.com
2. Madison, WI Lisa Fromm-Sarto lmfromm@gmail.com
3. Washington D.C./Silver Spring Md.
Janet Marianne micura43@gmail.com
4. SF Bay Area, CA Paula. paula.alsterlind@gmail.com
5. West Palm Beach, FL Patty Farber. farbers@bellsouth.net
6. Western PA Rita rmc147@zoominternet.net
7. Kalamazoo, Michigan Joan Stommen Joanstommen@gmail.com June Dearborn Inn Greenfield Village
8. Maui, HI Ronnee Yashon ryashon@gmail.com
9. Sacramento, CA Sandra Peck mpeck210@gmail.com
10. Baltimore, MD Pat pajeffries@yahoo.com
11. Pasadena, CA Cindy Cindycarlburg@yahoo.com
12. Minneapolis, MN Sally sewarlick@gmail.com
13. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Bonnie
bmy@eastlink.ca
14. Seattle, WA Alice madrona57@outlook.com
15. El Segundo, CA Marianne
Marianne.neff.daniels@gmail.com
16. Philadelphia, PA suburbs Sandy
Slssepa@yahoo.com
17. Virginia Beach, VA Kathy
Kathydornbach@gmail.com
18. Hurst-Euless-Bedford TX Carolyn
Ckitchs@sbcglobal.net
19. Austin, TX Jill
Jill.rivers@gmail.com
20. Oconomowoc, WI Pat
Pvanslykephd@aol.com
21. Chicago, IL area Cynthia
Cynthia.w.simpson.8@gmail.com
22. Knoxville, TN Diana dianajoubert@gmail.com
23. South Bend, IN. Sherry thekitchenmusic@aol.com
23. Lawrence, KS Mireille mireille2@mac.com
24. Las Vegas, NV Deb
Deborahbultlapid@gmail.com
25. Somerset, NJ Roseann. r.cervelli@yahoo.com
26. Albuquerque, NM, Fran fcl66@aol.com
27. San Diego, CA Connie. Conlbr@yahoo.com
28. Southeastern New Hampshire, Jean jeanawhitcomb@comcast.net
29. Atlanta, GA, Joie Mgreens15@gmail.com
30. Florence, Italy Susan Susandpohl@mac.com
31. Columbus and Central Ohio, Ann Fox afox2069@gmail.com
32. Orange County, CA, Claire Owens Foxrest7771@yahoo.com
33. Bozeman, Montana, Ruth Marion
34. Lakewood/Denver, Colorado, Juana, lajuana233@msn.com
35. Mid- Maine, Kerey Fuller, daytripper396@gmail.com
36. Milwaukee, Wisconsin Linda lbaral@att.net
37. North Wales, Mari Hughes Haddon
tycrwn@gmail.com
What a great beginning!
Our Thanks,
Jane and Ellen
I live in Australia and will be celebrating my 77th Birthday this year.
Looking to connect with other sizzling 70’s or 80’s women in Australia, or beyond.
I live by the sea in beautiful North Wales – I wonder is there anyone else interested in forming a group? I will be 70 in June this year and would love to light my 70 candles with other women!
Surely there are some ladies in Orange County, Ca. who would like to start a group here for some fun meetings. We could meet once a month (or more), enjoy holiday times, game meetups, day trips, shopping/lunch days. Do contact me and we can get started before the holidays. Covid does not have to paralyze or isolate us. Safety, of course, will be considered.
Foxrest7771@yahoo.com
Hello!
I am facilitating a group of 20 participants sponsored by Madison School and Community Recreation. The participants seem very happy to have this opportunity to share their experiences. I am finding the role of facilitator to be very important in creating an atmosphere most beneficial to all participants.
The manual is very helpful.
Lisa M. Fromm-Sarto, Ph.D.
Thank you Lisa!
We’re so glad to hear your Madison, Wisconsin group is going well.
Jane and Ellen
I find this book sooo interesting! I’d love like anything to get a group started here in mid-Maine. Whats an easy process? Can anyone tell me? I’m turning the big 70 this next spring, and am really glad to find people who are in the same boat, LOL! Actually, its nice to find a place I might be included in. I think I’m thriving….don’t know. I may just be puttering along. I’m hoping others can help me decide which it is. All the best to all of you, Kerey
P.S. How do I get an answer back from others?
Kerey hi,
We’ll list you as a contact person in mid-Maine, so those nearby who are interested in a gathering can contact you directly.
Let us know how it goes,
Jane and Ellen
I am in Portland, Maine and would love to hear about a group. Where in mid-Maine are you?
I forgot to include my contact information. If interested in Lakewood/Denver, please contact me: lajuana233@msn.com
Hello Juana,
Your contact information is now on the list, above.
Hopefully, you’ll be hearing from women in your area who would like to be part of a 70candles group.
Our book, 70Candles! Gatherings A Leaders Guide is available from Amazon.com and will be helpful for initial meetings.
In the meantime, spread the word among your friends, put notices out in your community and at local senior centers. You can start with just a few people, then have them bring others with them.
Good luck with your efforts, and please let us know how it all goes,
Jane and Ellen
I am in Lakewood/Denver Colorado. I also received the 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70 book from my daughter on my birthday in August. I would love to be a part of a group in my area. Is there one? If not, how to I start a group in my area?
I am in Bozeman, Montana and would like to see if there is interest in a group in this area.
I am in Columbus Ohio and will be turning 70 in 18 months. I’m willing to be the contact for a group here in central Ohio. If there are other readers from central Ohio, let me know.
afox2069@gmail.com
What about the Gulf Shores of Alabama? Lot’s of 70+ women in the deep south …
I am 77 years old, hard to believe! I also newly widowed and find it difficult making friends at this age. Would like to be involved in a group. Anybody in the Grand Rapids Mi area or Longboat Key Fl area in the winter. Let me know.
b4gsully@gmail.com
Gloria
Is there a group in the Southeastern part of New Hampshire? We have such a need for like-minded women to participate in a group such as this. I would be glad to be the contact person in this area.
Jean
Is there a group in Edinburgh or Glasgow?
I would love to join.
Gerrri
Gerri,
You’re the first to speak up for Scotland!
Let us know if you’d like to be a contact person there to get the ball rolling.
After you’re listed here, you could begin by spreading the word to friends and acquaintances.
Jane and Ellen
A new group has been assembled in the Somerset, New Jersey area, and plans to meet monthly.
See Roseann’s beautiful and inspiring description of their first meeting posted on 70Candles.com as “Birth of a new 70Candles! Group.”
Jane and Ellen
I learned about this group about a year ago (2019) and am still unclear how to start a group and what contact info should be used to hear from those who might want to start one in Orange County, Ca. I put out a message last year. I found my original message but guess if no one “replied” that no one yet is interested. Is the “reply” section the way people contact me about starting a group?
Hi Cherylyn
Just read your post regarding forming an OC group based on 70candles.com
Interested in participating…
Thanks
Blog Mavens,
I live in New Jersey. In your list of 70 Candles group starters, Roseann, does not have a contact email. Is there a way for me to contact Roseann if she has started a group.
I live in Riverside, California and will be turning 70 this month. I no longer drive very far from home, but would love to find like-minded women in the area. Anybody nearby?
Is there a group in the Naples, Fl. area? With all the retirees I would
think this would be an ideal area for such a group.
Laura hi,
No group in Naples yet. I agree, it’s a perfect place for one.
Just need a contact name and email address to get the ball rolling.
Care to be the point person?
Cheers,
Jane
I can’t start a group because I can’t seem to follow thru on anything these days. I’m about to turn 70. But I would be interested in meeting with women who are interested in sharing the experience.
I live in Newport Beach, Ca. Orange County.
yvonne
Is there any group meeting in Orange County, California? If not, I would love to get a group started. I just heard about this website today (Aug. 8) and love it already. I would be happy to help with the particulars – will get guide book or ??? (Orange County is just south of L.A. and Long Beach)
Yvonne – Your post is somewhat dated but I live in Fountain Valley and would like to hear from you if you want. Just found out about this group. Surely there’s a 70’s gathering group in O. C. I would be happy to start one if there isn’t. Do you know of one?
Hi Yvonne – It’s about a year ago we posted our blogs but I would love to talk with you sometime about maybe starting an Orange County group. I live in Fountain Valley. My email address is: foxrest7771@yahoo.com. I lost track of this group but saw it again today. Claire
Hi, my name is Deb, I just retired from teaching and would love to start a group in Las Vegas, NV.
Email me if you’re interested!
I am turning 70 soon. It seems to be a difficult transition for me. I am still raising a child. My grandchild who is 17 will be moving out shortly after my birthday. She and I have lived together for 16 years, and I am having a hard time dealing with this transition.
I am in Lawrence KS. I would be happy to be the point contact to form a group in this area.
I am happy to have found this site and would love to hear (read) what other groups are doing and how to get it off the ground.
Mireille2@mac.com
Mireille,
Welcome to 70Candles!
For information and ideas about starting up a group, we recommend our booklet, 70Candles! Gatherings A Leader’s Guide. It’s available on Amazon.com.
You don’t need many women to get going. Ask some friends, have them ask others, send out an email notice (an example is in the Guide) and maybe post some notices at coffee shops, Senior Centers, and on grocery store bulleting boards.
You can call it A 70Candles! Gathering- Conversation with women near and in their 70’s about our lives in this era of extended longevity.
Summertime is perfect for launching! More women can join over time, as word of the group spreads and the network expands.
We’re happy to answer any questions you have along the way.
We wish you good luck in this adventure!
Jane and Ellen
Thank you for this blog and your support. I am going to read your booklet and start a group.
Mireille,
Hope you’ll let us know how you’re coming along as you start to form the group.
Jane and Ellen
Any thing in Pinehurst, NC area?
Hey Pam,
Nothing there, yet.
Would you consider being a point person for the Pinehurst NC area, to get things started?
If a group forms, a leader can be chosen at a later date.
Our handy booklet, 70Candles! Gatherings A Leader’s Guide should be helpful.
Jane
is there a point person in Albuquerque, New Mexico? I am 72, healthy and happy and…a widow.
Pamela Rogers
South Bend, IN is my haunt. Anybody in the area for gatherings?
Knoxville, Tennessee, anyone? I’d be more than happy to help plan meetings.
I have lots to say and bet others do too. I need more women in my life!
Location can be based on what’s central, though right now Barnes & Noble comes to mind.
I am 70. I so need to be with others of my age. I don’t see myself as old, just middle age with experience. I was hoping I would see a city near Nashville Tn. Does it look hopeful for anything like this to be close to me?
Peggy,
No point person near Nashville, Tennessee yet.
Would you like to share your email address on this 70Candles! Gatherings page, so other interested women might contact you?
There must be others who feel as you do, and you don’t need many to start a group.
Our new 70Candles! Gatherings- A Leader’s Guide, could help with getting things started.
Jane
Hi!! This is great and I look forward to this as a resource. I live in OCONOMOWOC, Wisconsin, which is an hour N of Lake Geneva. I would be a contact person . EM: pvanslykephd@aol.com.
Found the book on a whim when I saw the title. From there, the first sighting, came the reading, WOW an answer!
Now we are beginning a Seventy Candles (that includes women in their eighties as well) Gathering beginning in September. We will meet regularly once a month and invite any in the Texas Hurst-Euless-Bedford Area, or any place close by to join us. Looking forward to an exciting adventure as we learn and share together.
Carolyn
Ckitchs@sbcglobal.net
Do you live in southern California?
I am trying to start a 70 Candles group for the Pasadena/Los Angeles area.
Due to the large area covered by Los Angeles county, I find women interested in forming a gathering might live up to 50+ miles apart. This makes it very difficult to meet personally on a regular basis. I thought I could moderate our communications through group e-mail.
Each month I would submit a topic of concern to launch a conversation through email. Of course, if you join the group it is understood that comments and personal details submitted would be confidential within the group.
Please let me know if you have an interest in joining us.
Cindycarlburg@yahoo.com
I am surprised to see that no groups have been meeting in Austin, Texas. I would be happy to get one started! Please email me jill.rivers@gmail.com and we will get it going together.
I am a retired RN who would be interested in starting a 70’s group in Virginia Beach, Va. I am 71. Physically very active, love walking on the beach. Would love to hear from other nurses and anyone else. Kathydornbach@gmail.com
I live in San Diego and will turn 70 on my next birthday. Still working with lots of life left! Let’s get a group started here, even if it is only two of us:) conlbr@yahoo.com
I live in Lansdale, PA, and am a former electrical engineer.
Would love to hear from other women in the area who
are active (walking, biking), and who would like to
meet other local women for support as we navigate this
territory called old age. I would especially like to
meet women with a professional corporate backgound,
since that is so hard to find in my age group (I am
about to turn 70) out here in the Philadelphia
suburbs.
Sandy
SLSSEPA@YAHOO.COM
Hello Everyone
Does anyone live in Marin County or the North Bay Area of Northern California?
Would love to get together.
Michelle
hello michele,
i dont know if you will receive this reply since it is march 3 2018. i just found this site and reading in the archives.
i live in terra linda and turning 70 in 10 days….wow a great and late stage of life….
i would love to connect with other women who are in the process of living to the fullest now and always even with whatever life has in store for us
i hope to connect with you and see if a group has started or about starting one
thank you and hope to hear from you!
Oh shucks, eagerness trumped my writing. Please contact me at marianne_neffdaniels@icloud.com. Thank you!
We are an untapped treasure! Is anyone else excited to find out about “70Candles” and explore ways its ideas enrich our lives? I live in El Segundo in the Southern CA, in the beach area known as the South Bay. Women our age are an unexplored treasure and a force for good. With shared history and different life stories, connecting is a potentially huge life enhancer. Why grow invisible and alone, when we have an an opportunity to build joy and connection? Feel free to contact me–blessings.
I would love to start a 70 Candles group in Seattle.
Contact me: madrona57@outlook.com
I live in Port Angeles. I will be 70 this year. I am in need of female friends in my age group!
I would love to host a 70 CandlesPlus group in Canada….Halifax, Nova Scotia
Please contact me if you are interested:
bmy@eastlink.ca
Bonnie
What about Minneapolis? Lets get together!
I’m at sewarlick@gmail.com
Is there a group in the New York City area?
No New York City area group yet.
We still need a contact person.
I would love to get a 70 Candles group together in the Pasadena, CA area. I would be happy to be the initial contact point. Let’s meet and see what we can do!
Cindycarlburg@yahoo.com
Janet Marianne says:
I live in the Silver Spring, Maryland area, just outside Washington D.C. I am new to the 8th decade and find myself thinking back to the women’s groups of 45 years ago when we shared what it meant to be of that age. I would be happy to be the initial contact point for the Md/DC area. Let’s meet and see what we’d like to do.
Contact Janet Marianne: micura43@gmail.com
Hi, I would like to start a group in Baltimore Maryland. You can contact me at pajeffries@yahoo.com
Hi – would love to be contact person for Sacramento, Ca.
mpeck210@gmail.com
How about MAUI hawaii? This would be great for me.
You can contact me at ryashon@gmail.com
Yes this is me, RONNEE, I’m supposed to be giving a group session in Maui. I’ve lived here for 4 1/2 years and I’m about to be 75. My email is right above the note and if anyone would want to start a group I will start it.
Note: yesterday I heard geese flying overhead, I recognize the sound and ran out to see them, and there they were in the middle of the Atlantic. It amazed me why these birds seem odd here…I don’t know.
Contact me if anyone in PA (western or whatever) would be ready to work on this idea.
Contact Rita : rmc147@zoominternet.net
My girlfriends from high school have met annually for over fifty years! We’re ages 72-73 and are gathering this year at the Dearborn Inn, Greenfield Village, Michigan. We are diverse in education, careers and lifestyles but always love sharing photos and stories, laughter and wine! Join us!
Joan,
A great invitation…Sounds like fun!
When are you meeting?
And if you can be the point person, what’s the best way to reach you?
Sorry I didn’t include these things originally! June 11-13 are our meeting dates. There is a Bravo restaurant nearby for Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon we’ll be gathering at Eastern Market. Let me know if you can meet either of these days/places…love to meet new friends!
Joanstommen@gmail.com
Patty Farber in West Palm Beach, Florida is interested in having a group there.
Contact her at farbers@bellsouth.net
Hi,
Mary in So. Pasadena, Fla., I would like to talk with other ladies that feel so unwanted for being old. I am sitting here crying because I’m so sorry for my life. I’m married but it’s like living with a friend. I have no family that is alive – even my friends are all gone to heaven. I don’t want to put my heart out here for everyone to see or make fun of me. I’m looking for a friend to talk to, or to make a new friend.
Mary,
Here’s an idea…
I see there’s an active Senior Center in Gulfport, Florida, which it appears is near So. Pasadena.
Why don’t you consider visiting it to see what the place is like. Chances are, there will be women there you might find interesting, even compatible.
The calendar of their activities is on their website. They have lots going on. Check it out…See if there’s something there that piques your interest.
Consider this a first step towards feeling better about your life.
Good luck,
Jane
I would be happy to be a contact person for the Madison, WI area. I am a 71 year old retired psychologist. I think these gatherings are a great idea!
My contact address is lmfromm@gmail.com
Just retired from nursing a full year ago now. Sold most of our belongings (downsizing, ugh!). Sold house and cars. Moved from Reno, Nevada to New York City to try something “new”!! Looking for like minded friends in the New York area. Not quite 70 yet.
Hi Paula, My name is Stefi I live in an area called Bayside in the borough of Queens. I notice so many of the women live all over the country but you are the first I noticed from N.Y. I lived in Manhattan when I finished college which was a lifetime ago. I loved N.Y.
Bayside is rather quiet I must try and look for some groups to join. I have lost several very close friends and at just 70 it is very difficult to make new friendships.
Recently retired living in Marin county, northern CA
Anyone interested in a group in SF bay area
Paula.alsterlind@gmail.com
Paula – has a group formed? I’d be interested even though I’m on the other side of the bay (Contra Costa)
I would be honored to be the contact person in Boston (I live on Beacon Hill) and am looking forward to hearing from other sensationally 70 – and Plus! Sisters so we can start a group and share all the wonderful, wonderful blessings and joy of ageing – and sageing!
Since a small child (and clearly an old soul), I have always been fascinated by self-development, self-growth and above all, Wisdom. These days, I continue with my studies, concentrating on the positives of ageing like freedom, experience, inner peace and above all: WISDOM. I LOVE this stage of my life and look forward to meeting other fabulous women who share my way of thinking.
Contact me if you’d like to be part of a Boston 70Candles! Gathering.
Mary
Maryhirschpr@yahoo.com
Hi Mary,
I’ll be turning 70 next March and have a cohort of similarly aged sisters here in Arlington with me and in Framingham. We’re planning a gathering at Neskaya Movement Arts Center in NH next May. In the meantime, would love to connect with you et al. in Greater Boston.
Blessings and Belly Laughs
IMPLIfeCoaching@gmail.com
Hi,
I’m writing from Vermont and am wondering- since you had a meet-up planned at an arts center in NH some time ago – if you might be aware of any NH or VT groups of 70candles women currently meeting. I live in the Upper Valley of VT/NH and would be grateful for any pertinent contact information.
Thank you.
Kathleen
Hi Mary, I have been reading 70 candles before I even turned 70 and just love reading about how women approach this stage in our lives. I live in Jamaica Plain and would love to be part of a Boston 70Candles Gathering.
Florrie
Florrie hi,
Glad you found us!
Go ahead and reply to Mary directly, at her email address.
Jane and Ellen
wish I lived in Boston! I’d be there in a flash!
Why not consider forming your own “Boston”‘where you live?
It just needs one person to get things started. Others will follow.
Jane
Is there any group meeting in Orange County, California? If not, I would love to get a group started. I just heard about this website today (Aug. 8) and love it already. I would be happy to help with the particulars – will get guide book or ??? (Orange County is just south of L.A. and Long Beach)
how about meeting some nice oldies in the south suburbs of Chicago? I’m 82 and active.
I live in the northern suburbs of Chicago and would love to connect with 70Candles! women in the greater Chicago area….
I will be 70 on October 31st and finding 70Candles! is the best Birthday gift!
Warmly,
Cynthia
Cynthia.w.simpson.8@gmail.com