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Activities in Lake Chapala, Mexico

I was recently trying to get in contact with Marianne O’Halloran about the Quilting Guild. I finally found out why she was so hard to get in touch with when she emailed me back, “The guild is somewhat active – totally new people running it. I go to some meetings; they have downsized but do have some new members this summer. I’m still quilting like crazy but also doing stained glass, cooking for CASA [Culinary Art Society of Ajijic, a group that's been tickling our taste buds since 1986], joined ASA [Ajijic Society of the Arts] and am a Cruz  Roja volunteer (Mexico’s Red Cross], etc., etc. It’s been a little crazy this summer. And I went to Saudi for two weeks last March and had a great time. Quilt Festival in Houston comes up in two months in October.”

Goodness, she makes me feel like such a slacker! She also was kind enough to share “I’ll be home quite a bit for the next 4 or 5 days as I’m probably getting a new cat tomorrow that ‘hopefully’ will get along with my other.” I guess with her busy schedule, she needed to get a companion for her other sweet kitten! There are at least three pet shelters here that rescue dogs and cats for adoption. You’ll never be lonely as long as there is a pet to love!

It’s obvious to anyone who knows us that Bill’s and my moving to the Lake Chapala area has opened up a whole new life for us. Bill is getting to teach the tai chi he enjoys and, of course, working on web sites and photographs is something we both love.

And, me, Wow, when I think back to when I was working in Kansas City, and I wanted to write and had dreams of being a photographer, and now here I am…a published author in both the English-speaking publications here (and was a finalist for an award with the Ojo del Lago!) and have had the honor of having my photographs in the finals for the cover of the Lake Chapala Review three years in a row. In 2007 I won the contest, and now, this year another of my photos is appearing on the cover of the August 15, 2009, issue. We are so living the life! You know, since moving here in 2004, I feel as if both of us have gotten younger! I remember, at times, feeling so old and tired in Kansas City!

I have also noticed that some of the people who move here sit back and wait for life to come to them. Excuse me, but was that what you did ‘back home?’ Did you sit in your house waiting for someone to knock on the door? And, how did that work out for you? Did you then move here thinking all that would change? Why? You know, if you want friends, you have to be a friend. You have to get involved with the community. That’s what the people who are enjoying life here are doing! They go to the dog shelter and walk dogs for their health and the health and well-being of the dog. They help out at Pasos Milagrosos (riding therapy for handicapped children), they become Amigos at Hope House and help out at Love in Action (orphanages for boys and girls). They get outside ‘themselves’ and don’t sit around whining about why they don’t have more friends!

Okay…my rant is finished! I just want to confirm something I know you already know…very rarely does Opportunity come through your door…you have to start the ball rolling.

Ever since we moved to the Lake Chapala area, Bill and I have sought out opportunities, which have turned into even greater opportunities. If Bill hadn’t starting teaching tai chi at the Lake Chapala Society for free, he wouldn’t have been offered work at one of the local health clubs in the area. If I hadn't nervously submitted my first article to the Ojo del Lago for consideration, and then let them know about two-three months later that I would love to be considered for a position as their copy editor if their current one quit (which she did two months later!), Bill and I wouldn't have met Ray & Marie Bullock and started on our new life with Focus on Mexico. If I hadn't entered the photography contest for the Lake Chapala Review in 2004, I wouldn't have two cover photos. We have friends who have never painted, but wanted to and now one of them is going to have a showing soon. I have a friend who took stained glass classes and now has some of the most beautiful windows I've ever seen in her casa. I'm jealous! But, of course, I don't need to be...I could take the classes too! We have a couple of friends who never acted and have now been in plays at the Lakeside Little Theater…I want to do that too! So much to do! So many things to choose from!

There are so many service organizations like the American Legion, the Rotary Club, the Masons and Eastern Star, the Shriners and three Red Hat Societies that you certainly have a wealth of opportunities if that’s your cup of tea. There are also many creative groups like our world-renowned Writer's Group, the Lakeside Little Theater, the Garden Guild, the Needle Pushers (sewing projects benefiting low-income schoolchildren), and the afore-mentioned Culinary Club.

Have a talent you care share? The LCS Education Center provides classes in language and other topics for both the Anglo and Mexican community. LINK assists the foreign community with resolving any challenges in the Lakeside area.

And there are so many charitable organizations in the area that could use your help. Why belong to a non-profit organization? Since a lot of folks in our community are retired, they have more free time than they used to, and many are looking forward to putting something back into the community and making a significant difference. It's also a great way to make new friends. But most importantly, you have a great opportunity to help those who are not as fortunate as yourself. I felt good just typing all of that! There are too many to mention here, but there are organizations supporting the very young (Ninos Incapacitados) all the way up to helping the elderly (Casa de Ancianos).

And, did I hear someone ask about Bridge? You want Bridge in Lake Chapala; we got Bridge in Lake Chapala! Recently when we dropped by the Lakeside Bridge Club, they had 57 tables going. We have contract and duplicate bridge and just plain ol’ “I like to have fun and meet people” bridge! We have dominoes and Scrabble clubs. And, if anyone wants to start a Pinochle Club, count me in. Oh right…I could start this one myself, couldn’t I? That’s how the rest of them got started: somebody had an interest and found other people who liked the same thing. And, all this happened because they turned off their TVs, got out of their chairs, opened their doors, and searched through the many Opportunities available in the Lake Chapala area! Are you sensing a theme here?

I get so excited because there are just so many chances here to learn something new or get involved with the community that I'm amazed if someone feels left out! I'm so glad we got involved in the community...it's so easy to do, and there are so many things here to tickle your interest. It's such an exciting adventure for us to live in this new culture, and almost every day brings a new challenge and a new life-altering moment. I like to say I said 'yes' at all the right times. There’s never any reason for you to feel as if you’re on the outside looking in. C’mon in…you’ll be glad you did!

Karen McConnaughey: Operations Manager for FocusOnMexico.

Focus On Mexico offers 8-Day Educational Programs to Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico (2^nd Best Climate in the World). Join us on a Focus program and learn why thousands of Americans and Canadians chose to retire in Lake Chapala.

Our programs offer the perfect balance; a wonderful vacation and an insightful, educational experience. Our expert speakers cover all topics: Health Care, Real Estate, Legal System, Immigration, Bringing Pets, Cost of Living, US Taxes for Americans, Non-Residency for Canadians, Living on the Lakeside, Investing in Mexico, Mexican Economy and much more...

You’ll get everything you need to help you decide if Lake Chapala, Mexico is the place for you, plus have a lot of fun doing it. Retiring in Mexico couldn't be better.