FEEL GOOD GATHERINGS
FEEL GOOD GATHERINGS
Like millions of others, I’m addicted to Facebook. I check my memories then my feed every morning with coffee. When we moved to Scotland, I posted photos our beautiful new country in my favourite group of older women which quickly turned into an offer to host a group of Crones who wanted to cross the pond for some Scottish adventures.
There is something magical when a group of older women get together, so I started planning an arranged holiday, crafted some promotional digital “flyers” and got permission to post them in a Facebook group. Over the course of a few weeks, there were over 140 Crones signed up for the trip.
But then Covid stopped the world from turning and humanity was thrust into isolation and a whole new way of living. I was forced to cancel the dormitory-style accommodation but asked them to hold the deposit to ensure we had a place to stay when travel was possible again, expecting Covid to end after a few months.
Sister-strangers
By the time we were allowed to travel abroad, the once lengthy list had been reduced to just 11 women and me, so I shifted gears and started looking for a smaller accommodation and contacted the vendors needed to organise a successful group vacation for a cluster of sister-stranger Crones.
Six weeks before the trip, we arranged a video chat so we could meet each other in person. Most of us had never met before so this short online meetup helped to relax any concerns that lingered about the trip. I was able to secure an amazing country house with enough bedrooms to give each Crone her own private space. Everyone was responsible for getting to the Edinburgh Airport where transportation was ready to take us to our home for the week.
Some ladies decided to arrive in Edinburgh a few days early, giving them time to explore the ancient city before we met for Crone Fest. Six women worked together to arrange a 3-day guided tour of Glencoe and Skye after our gathering ended, and one travelled onto to Ireland! It made sense to extend a visit to Europe if possible, and what started as a group of strangers evolved into fun travel companions and meaningful friendships.
Time to mingle
We arrived at the house mid-afternoon, and our bags were taken to our private rooms, giving us time to mingle for the first time. In the evening, we enjoyed catered “ploughman’s platters” and cocktails were flowing as we told stories about our lives and explored the massive manor which was filled with antiques and interesting memorabilia. A Pennsylvania Crone brought her bagpipes and played a traditional Scottish tune as we enjoyed each other’s company. After a few hours, we each went to our rooms for a much-needed restful sleep.
On Sunday morning, I made a “full Scottish breakfast” and we enjoyed coffee and tea around the large kitchen table. The crumpets with butter were so popular, we needed to restock both several times. Crones and crumpets, who knew? The kitchen itself was tricked out with everything a professional chef could imagine. It had an AGA stove, a walk-in refrigerator, and a huge assortment of pots, plates, and glasses in every shape and size. Two professional dishwashers made the community clean-up an easy task, and soon we were off to explore Scotland together. We would meet back each night to share food together and talk about our day.
We limited our scheduled activities so we could gather in smaller groups to explore a particular destination. A few women went that way whilst others went this way, and others stayed back at the house to soak in a deep bathtub or cozy up with a book in an overstuffed chair. After we said our goodbyes, I collected photos from and designed and published a Crone Fest book of escapades which has now become a tradition for all who attend.
Bonding experiences
Feeling beautiful is an important part of embracing our age, so for Crone Fest 2024, we had an optional photoshoot with a local professional. The Crones were encouraged to think about how they wanted to be represented, we had assorted fabrics, headpieces, and jewellery on hand for them to use to enhance their look. We found locations in and around the house for our setting and helped each other get ready for our turn. We had fun playing dress-up and now have pictures of ourselves looking fabulous.
Women thrive when they’re together, especially mature women like us who’ve “been there, done that” and don’t have time for bullshit head games. We are authentic when we feel safe, and hundreds of scientific studies have proven the benefits, if not the real need, of female social gathering. Supportive connections improve mental and emotional health because it helps to know we’re not alone in our struggles. Those connections reduce stress and anxiety and help increase self-worth and personal value.
There’s also space for personal growth within a group of Crones. We share coping strategies, talk about our beliefs, and ways to look inside ourselves and each other for answers. We mentor others when we share and inspire motivation by showing our vulnerability. We can be held accountable for our words and actions within a group of older women, receiving helpful criticism without judgement. Friendships, in whatever capacity, are necessary for a woman’s overall wellbeing.
Due to fears of re-entering the US from abroad, we cancelled the 2025 Crone Fest - Scotland and rescheduled for May 2026. There will be a fall Crone Fest in 2026 as well.
These Scottish gatherings have been hugely successful, and several Crones are returning for another adventure in the spring, but the world needs more Crone Clusters. I’ve seen first-hand how these gatherings uplift us. I’ve read too many stories of older women who feel alone and isolated, and there are too many of us with love to share but no one to share it with. We need more connections, more resources, more useful information, and that’s why I’ve been building The Crone Network. These gatherings are important.
Crone Clusters
Wouldn’t it be great if we could have monthly video chats with a small group of Crones? Maybe an overnight stay at a hotel once every few months? What about digital pen-pals or reading groups that have coffee every six weeks at a local café? An online Wine and Whine club where we air our frustrations over glasses of Chardonnay? All we need are donations of time and organising skills to help arrange a Crone Cluster in your region and we’re off to making the world a better place!
This has been and will remain, a not-for-profit venture, with a 2026 goal of registering as a charity specifically designed to help older women by providing connections, creativity, story sharing, and useful information. Long-term objectives include a marketplace to sell handmade goods, and a robust resource centre of helpful links, and conversations about developing Crone Community housing.
I can’t imagine life without Crones. To have sisterhood with strangers that don’t judge me and who understand my struggles because they’ve had them too, is truly one of the priceless gifts of Cronehood. But it takes more than a dream to get The Crone Network moving, so I’m looking for your help.
“How can your dreams come true if you don’t believe in them?”
Samuel A. Moore
For more information about how you can help The Crone Network, just email [email protected] so we can talk about the possibilities. Time donations come in slots of 2 or 4 hours and will be customised to maximise your potential.
If you’re interested in attending either the spring or fall gathering of Crone Fest 2026, please click on the page link above. Space is limited.