“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” We’ve all heard this phrase. It applies aptly to the Village “Ladies Who Lunch.” Organizer and hostess LuCinda Haggensen, commented, “Men’s Time Brunch was started several years ago, and I just thought it was time for the ladies of the Village to have time together, too.” The name for the group was inspired by the works of the inimitable Truman Capote.

Every fourth Tuesday at 11:30 AM you will find a few happy ladies gathered around tables on the patio at the Brookside Restaurant at the Rose Bowl complex. Sometimes there might be three women, other times it might be a dozen. While the food is affordable, delicious, and the service outstanding, it’s not so much about eating as it is about talking with each other. Villager Marcia Kronenberg says it well, “Spending an afternoon sharing food, conversation and laughter with other women can lift your spirits no matter what you’re going through.”

Sometimes while waiting for food to be served, LuCinda passes a little box of cards filled with pithy quotations from a variety of sources. Each lady randomly chooses one to ponder, then share what the quote means to her. The conversations go deep sometimes and every now and then a theme reveals itself, much to the surprise and delight of everyone. There are moments when someone feels safe to express very personal challenges being faced and ask for help or shared wisdom… mostly just feeling relieved to be able to open up and feel supported. And of course, there is always time for just catching up on what others are personally experiencing or what Village group or event one recently attended. Occasionally, questions about how to navigate the Village website or understand the calendar and importance of registering for various activities.

We Villagers are quite fortunate to be part of a caring community. Ladies Who Lunch is an example of how easy it is to make friends, share a meal and interesting conversation in a very relaxed atmosphere. There is no shortage of opportunities to explore your personal interests or to step out of your comfort zone and try something you’re curious about. I suppose the biggest challenge we face is how to choose from the more than 60 activities at the Village offered each month… not a terrible task to face.

This lovely gathering of ladies is just one of the many advantages of being a Villager: time to be together with no particular agenda and an opportunity to get to know women you might not see any other time. As LuCinda said, “This is a time to actually get to know each other and create a bond that might not otherwise be possible.” Villagers, think about joining us next time - it’s on the calendar.

Sometimes while waiting for food to be served, LuCinda passes a little box of cards filled with pithy quotations from a variety of sources. Each lady randomly chooses one to ponder, then share what the quote means to her. The conversations go deep sometimes and every now and then a theme reveals itself, much to the surprise and delight of everyone. There are moments when someone feels safe to express very personal challenges being faced and ask for help or shared wisdom . . . mostly just feeling relieved to be able to open up and feel supported. And of course, there is always time for just catching up on what others are personally experiencing or what Village group or event one recently attended. Occasionally, questions about how to navigate the Village website or understand the calendar and importance of registering for various activities. Gail Miller, who rarely misses this monthly get-together said, “I enjoy the ideas, support and inspiration provided by the other women who attend the brunch. We always have a lively enjoyable discussion”

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