Upcoming TDC Connects Events
Earth Day Needle Felting with Alex Makes Art
Celebrate Earth Day with a creative, hands-on craft session at Greentail Table in Newton. Artist Alexandra Adamo will guide us through needle felting bright spring colors onto handmade wool dryer balls — transforming an everyday household item into something joyful, practical, and one-of-a-kind.
What We'll Do Together:
- Learn the basics of needle felting with Alexandra's guidance
- Decorate a wool dryer ball made by a U.S. sheep farmer
- Enjoy light refreshments, community crafting, and a little shopping
- Take home a reusable alternative to disposable dryer sheets — or donate yours to our Welcome Home Newton drive
- Optional: purchase a needle felting kit from Alex and continue creating at home
Good to Know:
Free for members — guests are welcome for a small fee. Bring a gently used towel (or two!) to donate to Welcome Home Newton.
Afternoon at Gaining Ground
Join fellow members for meaningful farm work at Gaining Ground, followed by an optional snack and more time for connection. All harvested food goes directly to local food pantries, meal programs, and soup kitchens. Wear clothes that can get dirty — we work rain or shine!
What We'll Do Together:
- Farm work including planting, cultivating, washing, and more (1:00–3:15 PM)
- Optional snack and more time for connection (3:15–4:00 PM)
- Learn about sustainable agriculture and food security
- Support local food pantries and soup kitchens through our hands-on work
Longevity, Built – Not Hacked
Healthspan — the years you feel your best — isn't built through hacks or willpower. It's trained through consistent, science-based practice. Join the Live Better Longer team for a live digital session exploring the 10 highest-impact lifestyle practices that shape how you feel now and how you thrive across decades.
What We'll Explore Together:
- The 10 lifestyle practices with the greatest influence on healthspan and resilience
- Why your biology is adaptable — and how everyday choices add up over time
- How to move from chasing health to actually practicing it
- Tools for making informed, sustainable choices that work for your life
Good to Know:
Format: Live Zoom session. Link will be sent upon registration.
Past TDC Connects Events
AI Tips & Tricks for Everyday Life
Members joined The AI Collective Group for a fun, practical hour bringing their signature AI, Made Human approach to our community. No matter where participants were starting from, they left with real tips to put to work immediately.
What We Did Together:
- Learned the smartest ways to use today's AI tools for work and life
- Explored how to save time, spark creativity, and get better results
- Discussed what you need to know to use AI safely and confidently
- Got a sneak preview of The AI Collective Group's full workshop series
Simple Stems, Shared Joy: A Floral Workshop
Members joined Lucinda Chrislip, founder of the woman-owned Derby Farm Flowers, for a hands-on workshop creating beautiful flower arrangements donated to local memory care residents. Lucinda shared professional design techniques using accessible, affordable flowers.
What We Did Together:
- Learned simple techniques for creating balanced, beautiful arrangements
- Worked with accessible flowers to create something special
- Created arrangements donated to local memory care facilities through our partnership with Theo's Flowers
- Connected with other TDC members while making a tangible difference
About the Workshop:
This workshop launched our new partnership with Theo's Flowers, bringing beauty and connection to those in memory care.
Book Club: "Small Things Like These"
Members gathered to discuss Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These," a powerful novella shortlisted for the Booker Prize and named one of the New York Times' Best Books of the 21st Century. The group explored its themes of conscience and courage, with historical context from Arianne's expertise.
What We Did Together:
- Connected over drinks and snacks
- Discussed the book's themes of conscience and courage
- Shared how the story resonated with our own experiences
- Learned historical context from Arianne's expertise
Eat Smart, Sleep Deep, Think Clearly
Dr. Nina Frusztajer shared a practical, evidence-based look at how nutrition supports cognition, mood, and sleep in midlife. Drawing on her medical training and years of coaching women through life transitions, Dr. Frusztajer translated complex science into simple, sustainable strategies that help you feel sharper, calmer, and more energized every day.
We Explored:
- How what you eat influences brain health, mood, and sleep
- Simple, sustainable habits to feel sharper, calmer, and more energized
- Ten pantry staples to keep on hand — plus three easy recipes to make from them
- Easy daily nutrition tweaks to boost focus, sleep, and overall well-being
About the Speaker:
Dr. Nina Frusztajer is a physician with a master's degree in nutrition and board certification in lifestyle medicine. She is the co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet, a certified life coach, cooking instructor, and yoga instructor. As a nutrition and weight loss coach, Dr. Frusztajer helps both women and men optimize their diet and lifestyle, implement scientifically based practices that are realistic, and focus on the connection between diet, the gut microbiome, metabolism, hormone balance, stress management, and brain health.
Serving with Heart at Rosie's Place
Our group prepared and served lunch through their Dining Room Catering Program. Members rolled up their sleeves to work together and made a meaningful impact. Following the volunteer shift, the group connected over an optional lunch nearby where we reflected on the morning's experience together.
What We Experienced:
- Hands-on meal preparation and service for 100+ women in need
- Working alongside fellow TDC members in a meaningful team effort
- Direct impact in addressing food insecurity in our community
- Connection with members and shared reflections
Everyday Intuition: A Workshop for Clarity, Confidence, and Ease
Members gathered for an experiential workshop exploring how listening to intuition can bring more ease to decision-making and daily life. Michelle Cove led participants through practical exercises for recognizing and trusting the subtle signals we all carry.
What We Explored:
- How intuition shows up in everyday life
- Moving from big decisions to small nudges
- Building trust in your inner signals
- Finding greater clarity, calm, and meaning
- Practical exercises for daily life
Harvest & Connect at Gaining Ground
Members gathered for meaningful farm work at Gaining Ground, followed by lunch together. All harvested food went directly to local food pantries and soup kitchens.
The Real Talk on Menopause
An informative and supportive discussion about menopause and its many aspects. Dr. Packard drew on over twenty years of experience to guide members through the physical and emotional changes of midlife.
Upcoming TDC Connects Events
AI Tips & Tricks for Everyday Life
Whether you've never opened ChatGPT or you use AI tools every single day, this session was made for you. Join us for a fun, practical hour with The AI Collective Group as they bring their signature AI, Made Human approach to our community. No matter where you're starting from, you'll leave with real tips you can put to work immediately.
What We'll Do Together:
- Learn the smartest ways to use today's AI tools for work and life
- Save time, spark creativity, and get better results
- Understand what you need to know to use AI safely and confidently
- Get a special sneak preview of The AI Collective Group's full workshop series
Good to Know:
Skill level: All are welcome. Format: Hands-on, 1 hour. Bring your laptop or tablet. No jargon. No judgment. Just practical knowledge that makes your life a little easier and a lot more interesting.
Earth Day Needle Felting with Alex Makes Art
Celebrate Earth Day with a creative, hands-on craft session at Greentail Table in Newton. Artist Alexandra Adamo will guide us through needle felting bright spring colors onto handmade wool dryer balls — transforming an everyday household item into something joyful, practical, and one-of-a-kind.
What We'll Do Together:
- Learn the basics of needle felting with Alexandra's guidance
- Decorate a wool dryer ball made by a U.S. sheep farmer
- Enjoy light refreshments, community crafting, and a little shopping
- Take home a reusable alternative to disposable dryer sheets — or donate yours to our Welcome Home Newton drive
- Optional: purchase a needle felting kit from Alex and continue creating at home
Good to Know:
Free for members — guests are welcome for a small fee. Bring a gently used towel (or two!) to donate to Welcome Home Newton.
Afternoon at Gaining Ground
Join fellow members for meaningful farm work at Gaining Ground, followed by an optional snack and more time for connection. All harvested food goes directly to local food pantries, meal programs, and soup kitchens. Wear clothes that can get dirty — we work rain or shine!
What We'll Do Together:
- Farm work including planting, cultivating, washing, and more (1:00–3:15 PM)
- Optional snack and more time for connection (3:15–4:00 PM)
- Learn about sustainable agriculture and food security
- Support local food pantries and soup kitchens through our hands-on work
Past TDC Connects Events
Simple Stems, Shared Joy: A Floral Workshop
Members joined Lucinda Chrislip, founder of the woman-owned Derby Farm Flowers, for a hands-on workshop creating beautiful flower arrangements donated to local memory care residents. Lucinda shared professional design techniques using accessible, affordable flowers.
What We Did Together:
- Learned simple techniques for creating balanced, beautiful arrangements
- Worked with accessible flowers to create something special
- Created arrangements donated to local memory care facilities through our partnership with Theo's Flowers
- Connected with other TDC members while making a tangible difference
About the Workshop:
This workshop launched our new partnership with Theo's Flowers, bringing beauty and connection to those in memory care.
Book Club: "Small Things Like These"
Members gathered to discuss Claire Keegan's "Small Things Like These," a powerful novella shortlisted for the Booker Prize and named one of the New York Times' Best Books of the 21st Century. The group explored its themes of conscience and courage, with historical context from Arianne's expertise.
What We Did Together:
- Connected over drinks and snacks
- Discussed the book's themes of conscience and courage
- Shared how the story resonated with our own experiences
- Learned historical context from Arianne's expertise
Eat Smart, Sleep Deep, Think Clearly
Dr. Nina Frusztajer shared a practical, evidence-based look at how nutrition supports cognition, mood, and sleep in midlife. Drawing on her medical training and years of coaching women through life transitions, Dr. Frusztajer translated complex science into simple, sustainable strategies that help you feel sharper, calmer, and more energized every day.
We Explored:
- How what you eat influences brain health, mood, and sleep
- Simple, sustainable habits to feel sharper, calmer, and more energized
- Ten pantry staples to keep on hand — plus three easy recipes to make from them
- Easy daily nutrition tweaks to boost focus, sleep, and overall well-being
About the Speaker:
Dr. Nina Frusztajer is a physician with a master's degree in nutrition and board certification in lifestyle medicine. She is the co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet, a certified life coach, cooking instructor, and yoga instructor. As a nutrition and weight loss coach, Dr. Frusztajer helps both women and men optimize their diet and lifestyle, implement scientifically based practices that are realistic, and focus on the connection between diet, the gut microbiome, metabolism, hormone balance, stress management, and brain health.
Serving with Heart at Rosie's Place
Our group prepared and served lunch through their Dining Room Catering Program. Members rolled up their sleeves to work together and made a meaningful impact. Following the volunteer shift, the group connected over an optional lunch nearby where we reflected on the morning's experience together.
What We Experienced:
- Hands-on meal preparation and service for 100+ women in need
- Working alongside fellow TDC members in a meaningful team effort
- Direct impact in addressing food insecurity in our community
- Connection with members and shared reflections
Everyday Intuition: A Workshop for Clarity, Confidence, and Ease
Members gathered for an experiential workshop exploring how listening to intuition can bring more ease to decision-making and daily life. Michelle Cove led participants through practical exercises for recognizing and trusting the subtle signals we all carry.
What We Explored:
- How intuition shows up in everyday life
- Moving from big decisions to small nudges
- Building trust in your inner signals
- Finding greater clarity, calm, and meaning
- Practical exercises for daily life
Harvest & Connect at Gaining Ground
Members gathered for meaningful farm work at Gaining Ground, followed by lunch together. All harvested food went directly to local food pantries and soup kitchens.
The Real Talk on Menopause
An informative and supportive discussion about menopause and its many aspects. Dr. Packard drew on over twenty years of experience to guide members through the physical and emotional changes of midlife.