11/2/2025
​Dear DKG Maryland Sisters,

I guess that fall is officially here. I hope you are enjoying the fall weather with warm days and cool nights.
It is that time of year that our lives become very busy planning for the holidays and enjoying those special times with family and friends.  Have a wonderful holiday season, enjoying Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas and New Years Day.  Also, remember a kind word and a little grace go in a long way during this season, as there are still many who are suffering.   
I have enjoyed chapter visits to Alpha Alpha and Eta and have several more scheduled.   Please remember to invite me to your chapter.  I am looking forward to seeing every chapter. 
​On November 1st, I attended the Society Workshop, full of outstanding workshops planned by the EEC Committee.  It was a great day for all in attendance.

                                      DKG Maryland State Conference 
                                      Comfort Inn and Conference Center
                                                          Bowie, MD
  Just a hint about 2 of the speakers at the conference and  more details will be available in the winter newsletter.  Registration available by March Executive Board meeting.
TODAY's 2025 Maryland Woman of the Year,  Angela Crenshaw, will speak at the Conference during the morning. This recognition honors her leadership, which includes being the first Black woman to lead the Maryland State Park service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  She is recognized for her leadership and service, particularly championing Maryland's parks and history. She will include information on Harriet Tubman, as she has spent much time working at this park on the Eastern Shore.
 
KEY NOTE SPEAKER for the conference, Norina Bentzel, M.Ed. is an adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania and a motivational speaker.  Formally, she was a teacher and principal in the Red Lion Area School District including the North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School where a mass machete attack occurred.  She is a York County native and a 1981 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University.  Norina has a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in science.  She received her master’s degree in Education in 1998 and directly thereafter, in 1999, earned her Administrative Certification.  Norina retired from public education in June 2017. Norina brings important insight and observations about leadership, resiliency, and ongoing support in times of crisis to her audiences.

Be sure to save the date and join us in Bowie for the DKG MD State Conference at  8:00 am on May 2nd.          

 
DKG Maryland offers a big  thank you to Dr. Terri Showers, Lambda,1st Vice-President,  and members of the Education Excellence Committee (EEC) for an enjoyable day filled with new information and lots of fun.
​
EEC planned a special day for members. There was an Informative legislative update from Kathy Bateman, Alpha and an excellent update on the U.S. Forum from JoAnn Velten, Xi.  She reminded everyone of the upcoming Legislative Forum in the spring of 2026.  Information can be found on the website for the US Forum:  www.dkgusforum.org/events-1. This is an informative time to learn about Congress and to visit with your Maryland Congress members. 
Other workshops included:

1. Passport to Possibilities: Serving DKG Internationally                      Linda Adcock, Beta Phi, Illinois

                                                                                                State Organization
 This breakout session offered  a passport to the various ways you can explore pathways of the opportunities offered by DKG International.
 
2. From Paychecks to Purpose:                                 Christina Snyder, CFP®, ChFC®,
 4 Essentials for Retirement Security                          RICP®, CISP™, AEP®, Partner
                                                                                and Wealth Advisor, Jacob William      Advisory
The workshop had information offered information
a.  Why Retirement Planning Matters
b.  Unique Challenges Retirees Face
c.  The 4 Essentials for Retirement Security

3. ‘Tis the Season for YOU…DKG Sister!                                           LaTanya Eggleton, Rho     
 Certified Coach LaTanya offered an engaging co-active coaching workshop designed to support your specific desires/needs right now. 

 4. Silent Health Crisis: Coping with Isolation and Loneliness              Dr. Janet Moya Cornick, Lambda 
The presenter will shared tips to help one cope with isolation and loneliness.
 
5. Jewelry Shadow Boxes                                                                          Wendy Happel, Mu
Do you have jewelry that you no longer use, but you still want to keep?  Well, Wendy Happel will showed you a way to use these items to create a beautiful work of art.  She  explained how she decides what she is going to create, what materials she needs, and how she goes about making jewelry shadow boxes. 
As a special treat, Wendy had a drawing for one of her shadow boxes, won by Kathy Corley Murray, Mu.
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