Aging, Anxiety and the Therapeutic Benefits of Group Activity​

Aging, Anxiety and the Therapeutic Benefits of Group Activity By Lucie Fultz “Remember that the pain of today will pass, and that you will regain your spirit and drive to live, to learn, and, yes, to thrive and create.”—Dr. Carolyn Anderson At 84, I was overwhelmed by profound loneliness and unrelenting suicidal thoughts and I […]

The Fabric of Connection: A Chat With SAQA’s Martha Sielman

The Fabric of Connection: A Chat With SAQA’s Martha Sielman By Ed Ryan The Grouper Gazette recently chatted with Martha Sielman, Executive Director of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), to explore her journey with the organization and her passion for quilting as an art form. With over 20 years at the helm, Martha shared insights […]

Susan Watkins: The Queen of Red Hats and Belly Laughs

Susan Watkins: The Queen of Red Hats and Belly Laughs By Spencer Morgan Founder and Chief Community Officer When I first meet Susan Watkins, she is on the hunt for a unique addition to a costume she expects to deliver maximum belly laughs at an upcoming event with the Wacky Wild Women of Texas, a […]

How Walking With The AVA Transformed My Life

How Walking With The AVA Transformed My Life “Walking for friendship has been just as integral to my health as walking for fitness.” Pat Jewett, Grouper Social Ambassador   By Pat Jewett I’ve always enjoyed walking, hiking and backpacking, but it wasn’t until I became involved with the American Volksport Association (AVA, or America’s Walking […]

ACBL Leader Guided By A Passion For Bridge

ACBL Leader Guided By A Passion For Bridge “The ability to connect through cards allows really different types of people to be friends because they play bridge.” Bronia Jenkins, Executive Director of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL)   By Ed Ryan Certain love stories unexpectedly stick to you, capturing your attention and making you […]

A Chess Pioneer And His Pursuit Of Purpose

A Chess Pioneer And His Pursuit Of Purpose By Spencer Morgan Founder and Chief Community Officer Mike Abron moved to St. Louis in 2019 to become a better chess player. St. Louis is the chess capital of the country, and Mike’s weekly schedule is built around open play times at his favored chess clubs and […]

How To Find Walking And Hiking Groups

How To Find Walking And Hiking Groups Pat’s street in Oregon: “The allure of a sidewalk that draws me to explore it.” Portland, Oregon   By Pat Jewett In 2023, a friend mentioned she didn’t know how to join a walking group, which was a wakeup call for me. I have a walking website, www.allthingswalking.com, […]

Grouper and Walk with a Doc Partner to Promote Social Connection and Health

Grouper, the national leader in activity benefit administration, is thrilled to announce a partnership with Walk with a Doc, a global non-profit organization that encourages healthy living through regular walking events led by physicians and other healthcare providers. The collaboration between Grouper and Walk with a Doc aims to enhance the health of walkers by […]

No Look Rhonda Leads The Way

No Look Rhonda Leads The Way By Spencer Morgan Founder and Chief Community Officer Every Tuesday night at 6 p.m., in Huntsville, Alabama, 88 familiar faces gather under the neon lights and the comforting soundtrack of rolling balls, scattering pins and the clank of bowling machines doing their business. It’s league night, an American tradition, […]