Josephina Restaurant, located in the heart of Lincoln Center, was the setting for GNYADVS’ 2006 Annual Meeting and Luncheon, held on May 16th. A delicious repast was followed by an inspiring address by the afternoon’s keynote speaker, Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ, Ph.D. Sr. Anne is Executive Director of Counseling for Laity in Albany, New York, and the author of several publications, including Tickle Your Soul-Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often.

Sr. Anne delighted the audience with hilarious and touching anecdotes illustrating the need to find joy and laughter in the moment and to use humor in order to cope with stress. Sr. Anne stated “We have the power to choose how we react to stress. Our attitudes determine our choices, and our choices can determine our attitudes.” Sr. Anne concluded with the thought that the inevitabilities of life do not have to cause stress if “we treat ourselves with more kindness, laugh more, play more, breathe more deeply, rest more soundly, hold hurt more loosely”.

Evelyn Ramos, President, then led the membership meeting and Arlene Martin, Nominating Chair, presided over the installation of officers.

The day ended on a bittersweet note as the membership bid farewell to Rema Sessler, Director of Volunteer Services at Isabella Geriatric Center, who will retire this summer. Rema’s contributions to both her institution and to GNYADVS have been invaluable and she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best as she moves on to new adventures!