MAY 26 • 2022 | 41

faces&places

At a programming committee 
meeting back in March, members 
of the Cancer Thrivers Network 
decided it was ready to have an 
in-person activity and chose to do a 
program at Goldner Walsh Nursery 
in Pontiac, where participants could 
build their own terrariums. 
“We have a lot of members inter-
ested in plants and both indoor and 
outdoor gardening,
” said Trisha 
Mindel, Cancer Thrivers Network 
program manager, “so the setting 
was perfect as we were surrounded 
by stunning potted begonias and 
every other type of greenery one 
could imagine. It was a beauti-
ful and mentally soothing venue 
complete with a little wildlife in 
the form of their in-house tortoise, 
Nelson.
”
Participants were guided through 
the layered composition of the char-
coal and soil and decorative ele-
ments as well as the selection of the 
miniature plants to complete their 

tiny ecosystems, and members were 
delighted by their efforts. 
“No less delightful was the joy we 
took in spending time together after 
long separation,
” Mindel added. 
The Cancer Thrivers Network’s 
vision and purpose is to join 
together in community to create 
new bonds, strengthen old bonds 
and to share life-affirming joyful 
experiences with one another. The 
pandemic has been as hard on this 
group as it has been on any. 
“We enjoyed our time building 
terrariums and our time enjoying 
some gluten- and dairy-free kosher 
snacks from Plum Market and deli-
cious kosher coffee from Soul Café,
” 
Mindel said. 

The Cancer Thrivers Network is 
open to women who’ve experienced 
cancer. For information, contact 
Trisha Mindel at 248-592-2267 or 
tmindel@jfsdetroit.org. 

 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CANCER THRIVERS NETWORK

Cancer Thrivers Network 
Enjoys In-Person Program

Janet Moses, left, and Judie Blumeno, right, with Goldner 
Walsh terrarium instructor.

Susie Yesenko and Francie Cook build their terrariums.

Pam Goldberg shows off her terrarium.