Artist/Author/Yoga Teacher

• Aug 2014 - Present

"The Birthright of Mary Magdalene" is a book for those of us who hungered for a spiritual nourishment not typically available in the male dominated religions of our youth. This is a woman's book to reawaken our own inner child, to gift to our daughters and to read to our granddaughters . It was a labor of love dedicated to my own seven year old granddaughter. Everything I needed to know about being seven, I learned from her! "Retiring" from the stress and demands of an urban existence in Chicago, I've found rural, lakeside living in Michigan's beautiful north woods to be an adventure both exciting and inspiring. To my love of nature, all things natural, art and yoga, this simple life has allowed me time again to write. My new book, "The Birthright of Mary Magdalene", long at the back of my mind, finally took wing during my first snowbound winter when agendas, classes or schedules made no demands. Ahhh . . . the breath of fresh air! The past is diverse, each step pulling me in the direction I now call home. Over the years a thriving antique business (Kitsch) in Lincoln Park morphed into a "green" studio (Loon's Moon Art) and garden. Art in the garden evolved into the 2005 publication of my first book, "This Garden Grows a Goddess" (available at www.amazon.com). Life changes offer unexpected opportunities. After 12 years in fundraising and event planning at St. Gregory High School in Chicago, I took stock of natural talents, accumulated experience, acquired skills, secret penchants and future goals. The seed for "Santosha Yoga" was planted. "Santosha" is a Sanskrit word meaning "contentment". My goal is to create awareness of the wisdom, joy and release of being present in the moment. Yoga has enriched my life for more than 40 years. I currently teach at the Ludington Senior Center, committed to my own "Blooming and Booming Generation" with the goal of maintaining health, fitness and a lust for life. Show less

Alumni Events Director

• Sep 1997 - Jun 2009

Fund-raising and event planning - Catholic education Staff in small schools wear many hats. This position covered alumni relations, donor cultivation, event planning, annual appeal, communications, graphic design of print materials, grant writing. Fund-raising and event planning - Catholic education Staff in small schools wear many hats. This position covered alumni relations, donor cultivation, event planning, annual appeal, communications, graphic design of print materials, grant writing.

Assistant Manager and Book Buyer for SAIC School Store

• Nov 1984 - May 1987

Managed student staff, daily bookeeping responsibilities and worked with faculty to find sometimes obscure books for broad range of classes Managed student staff, daily bookeeping responsibilities and worked with faculty to find sometimes obscure books for broad range of classes

Owner

• May 1972 - Jun 1984

A deep passion for vintage along with an abiding love of "the hunt" grew into one of Chicago's most long lived and complete "salons" of antiquity. As originator and co-owner, responsibilities included discovery, refinishing, room design, out of the box advertising and gala events including "150 Years of Chicago Fashion" at Navy Pier in 1976 and the 40th Anniversary Fashion Show of Ravinia's Women's Guild. A deep passion for vintage along with an abiding love of "the hunt" grew into one of Chicago's most long lived and complete "salons" of antiquity. As originator and co-owner, responsibilities included discovery, refinishing, room design, out of the box advertising and gala events including "150 Years of Chicago Fashion" at Navy Pier in 1976 and the 40th Anniversary Fashion Show of Ravinia's Women's Guild.

In-house travel agent

• May 1969 - May 1975