Sunday Mar 1

From Punishment to Possibility: Yoga and Peace Circles in the Criminal Justice System

Presenter:  Luisa Perez

What if healing, not punishment, could change lives inside prison walls? Luisa shares her work bringing trauma-informed yoga and peace circles to federal prisons in Mexico, where incarcerated people and victims of crime learn tools for restoration, dignity, and self-awareness.
A former human rights lawyer, turned certified Trauma-Sensitive Yoga facilitator, Luisa draws on international training and years of experience to explore how inner healing can lead to real social transformation.

Sunday Mar 8

Lake Chapala Society “Candidates Forum”

Presenter: Hunter Johnson

Panel Discussion moderated by LCS board president Hunter Johnson
The Lake Chapala Society will elect new board members and vote to approve some officer positions at its March 17 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Here’s your chance to hear from candidates who want to join the LCS board and ask questions related to the upcoming AGM.

Sunday Mar 15

A New Way of Being: Personal Transformation at Any Age

Presenter: Dr. Kelly Bennett

At 94, Kelly Bennett offers something rare: a living example that growth doesn’t stop with age. A psychologist and educator who has taught and consulted internationally for decades, he shares how releasing old emotional habits can open the door to more presence, creativity, and ease in daily life. With warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom, Bennett’s message is deeply hopeful: if you’ve ever wondered whether change is still possible for you, this talk may reshape how you see the years ahead.

Sunday Mar 22

Come to Know Mexico: Civic Commemorations and their Meanings

Presenter:  Claudia Miramontes

How do national commemorations shape a country’s identity? This special talk explores the history behind Cinco de Mayo and how 19th-century foreign intervention altered Mexico’s political path and global relationships.
Claudia Miramontes, Director of the Ajijic Cultural Center, brings history to life through cultural education and heritage preservation. A longtime Chapala resident, she also honors the artistic legacy of her father, master sculptor Miguel Miramontes, and champions museum access for underserved youth.

Sunday Mar 29

A New Vision for Dementia Care

Presenter:  Elly Contreras

Introducing Lakeside Memory Neighborhood
Establishing a Montessori-inspired Dementia Care facility at Lakeside for people living with dementia, centered on dignity, purpose and belonging with an opportunity for community involvement, respite care and Day Programs.
Lakeside Memory Neighborhood is led by co-founders Elly Contreras, Joan Fletcher and Ann Godshall —three women united by both professional expertise and personal experience with dementia.
Elly Contreras contributes decades of entrepreneurial leadership and has become a driving force in building dementia awareness, education, and community-based support initiatives throughout the Lake Chapala region.
Joan Fletcher is a dynamic community builder with exceptional rapport, creative vision, and strong leadership. Skilled at inspiring volunteers, fostering meaningful connections, and mobilizing support. Proven ability to recruit dedicated teams and secure funding, turning ideas into impactful programs that strengthen and enrich the community.
Ann Godshall brings nearly three decades of healthcare leadership experience, including executive roles in clinical operations and healthcare administration, along with firsthand insight as a spouse navigating long-term dementia care. Together, they combine clinical knowledge, operational expertise, grassroots community leadership, and lived experience—creating a strong, compassionate, and highly capable foundation for LMN’s success.