Grand Rapids Timberline
Volume 43, Issue 4 December-January 2018-19
President’s Message
Merry Christmas to the Best AAUW members! We have our Christmas party coming up with the "Fundraiser with a Twist" and dinner at the Eagles. We have the theme of "Personal or Pampering" and the ticket sales will go to benefit the scholarship fund. It's going to be a fun night!
After my note in the October newsletter, Member Cathy Davies had emailed about career choices when she graduated from high school (my options were teacher, nurse or secretary). Cathy said that she had 99 and 98% scores in math and science and her counselors offered her the same career choices. There was no suggestion to be a scientist, engineer, astronaut or doctor.
I had been Director of Admissions for a private college in Florida for many years. Our typical student was what we called "non-traditional", meaning they had graduated from high school a number of years prior and many had some college, but for some reason they did not finish. They were coming back to get their degree. They were very apprehensive thinking that everyone would be so much younger and sharper than they were. Once they started classes they realized that life experience really counted. Little did I realize then, that at a later time in my life I would be a part of an organization that raised money for scholarships for the non-traditional student. We can be so proud of the scholarships that we give each year. Money raised at our December Christmas Party "Fundraiser with a Twist" will go to help women and girls complete their education.
It always seemed that the perfect newspaper article appeared in the Herald Review each month prior to our AAUW meeting. It included the speaker and bio, location and time, what our organization is about and contact information on membership. Once I became a Board member, I realized that Karen Karls writes these fabulous articles, which include everything a current or prospective member needs to know about the upcoming meeting. Thank you Karen for doing such a terrific job! Note: We have had new members join AAUW because of Karen's articles.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Cyndy Agle, Co-President
DECEMBER 3 CHRISTMAS PARTY/FUNDRAISER
Location: Eagles Club, 1776 Pokegama Ave S., Grand Rapids
Social: 4:30 PM Dinner: 5:30 PM Program: Auction drawings
MENU: Beef Brisket, Roasted Baby Red Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Salad, Mango Cake, Punch and Coffee
MENU: Beef Brisket, Roasted Baby Red Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Salad, Mango Cake, Punch and Coffee
Cost: $25.00 (pay at the door if you have not already done so)
RSVPs: The RSVP deadline was Nov. 19 as we had to give our food count to the Eagles 2 weeks in advance. If you missed it,see if there have been any cancellations by contacting Deanna Ensley at 360-333-0228 (cell), call or text, and/or emaildeannaensley@yahoo.com
Auction with a Twist
We have a new theme this year for our "Fundraiser with a Twist."
Bring a "Pampering or Personal" gift.
Ideas: Bath products; a journal; Candle; cozy throw; travel accessories; inspiring book; slippers; mug, coffee & a book; jewelry; a gift card for a restaurant or a manicure; spa gift basket; a box of coffees or tea or chocolates; gloves or mittens; spa products or flowers.
Tickets will be sold as follows:
25 tickets for $20, 12 tickets for $10, 6 tickets for $5, or $1 a ticket.
25 tickets for $20, 12 tickets for $10, 6 tickets for $5, or $1 a ticket.
This benefits our scholarship fund and it is our annual fundraiser.
January 21 Lunch ProgramLocation: United Methodist Church, Grand Rapids
Register/Social: 11:00 AM Dinner: 11:30 AM Program: 12:00 PM
MENU: Soup, salad and cookie
Nancy Raymond is Food Committee chair for this meeting.
MENU: Soup, salad and cookie
Nancy Raymond is Food Committee chair for this meeting.
Cost: $10.00
TOPIC: Current School District 318 InitiativesPRESENTER: Joni Olson, Superintendent
TOPIC: Current School District 318 InitiativesPRESENTER: Joni Olson, Superintendent
Joni Olson will talk about some academic programming updates and will provide information regarding the status of the elementary facilities project. The elementary facilities information will include the most recent architectural drawings of the new elementary schools and steps in the transition planning process.
Joni Olson has served as Superintendent of ISD 318 since July 2017. Prior to that, Joni worked for the St. Cloud Area School District for 19 years. She was first employed in St. Cloud as an assistant principal, then as a principal and for her final three years held the district level position of Executive Director of Student Achievement and Strategic Alignment. Joni holds bachelor's and master's degrees and sixth-year certification from St. Cloud State University and took coursework at St. Mary's for her superintendent licensure.
“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more,
but those giving.”
but those giving.”
― H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Welcome three NEW Members!
Susan Hayes of Cohasset, recruited by Deanna Ensley
218-999-5809 or 218-269-4987 (cell), susanosterhayes@gmail.com
Birthday: October 12, 26350 River Rd, Cohasset, MN 55721
BA 1972: Drake University, Des Moines; MA: 1976 U of Northern IA
BA 1972: Drake University, Des Moines; MA: 1976 U of Northern IA
Marsha Miller of Grand Rapids, recruited by Karen Karls
218-259-9026, jmchell91@gmail.com, Birthday: April 20
35559 Hill Rd, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
BS: Mass Comm/Journalism, Moorhead
35559 Hill Rd, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
BS: Mass Comm/Journalism, Moorhead
Marlys Mestemacher of Hill City, recruited by Jeanne Walthour
218-340-6378, marlysmestemacher@gmail.com, Birthday: December 6
218-340-6378, marlysmestemacher@gmail.com, Birthday: December 6
68872 US Highway 169, Hill City, MN 55748
BS 1079: Social Work, Bemidji State
BS 1079: Social Work, Bemidji State
I was born in South Minneapolis, and graduated from Bloomington Kennedy in 1973. I then went to Bemidji State and majored in Social Work. I also worked with Head Start until moving to Sandstone in 1980, where I was social worker at the hospital and nursing home until 1988. I then worked for Pine County Human Services for 29 years in disabilities and adult services. I met my husband, Tom, in Sandstone. We have two children and 5 grandchildren. We retired to Hill Lake in 2018 and now reside between both families. I am excited to join AAUW, and meet like-minded women, interested in furthering education for young women. - Marlys Mestemacher
We will feature more new member introductions in upcoming newsletters. Marj Lavelier is collecting them on behalf of the Membership Committee.
AAUW Membership Information
Did you know . . .
Did you know . . .
- We have 2,070 AAUW members in Minnesota.
- The largest branch in MN is in Minneapolis, next St. Paul, Rochester, Grand Rapids and Duluth. This was the membership count last year. We can be very proud of the number of members in our Grand Rapids branch—now at 95 members! We have approximately 5% of the total membership in our state.
- AAUW (National) had a goal of 90% renewal for memberships and the goal was met.
Minnesota AAUW State Convention
The MN AAUW State Convention will be held in Grand Rapids on April 26 and 27 and will be held at Timberlake. We have not had a convention here since 1982. Please let me know if you would be able to help either on Friday or Saturday.
The MN AAUW State Convention will be held in Grand Rapids on April 26 and 27 and will be held at Timberlake. We have not had a convention here since 1982. Please let me know if you would be able to help either on Friday or Saturday.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS . . .
Branch Blog
Sign up for “Members Only” AAUW Facebook page
This url link https://www.facebook.com/
It is our hope that our members will contribute and post important related messages or pictures that benefit and encourage all members to stay active. You must ask to be a current Facebook user and then ask to be an accepted member to this closed Facebook page. No other Facebook users will see our posts.
Please contact Sharon Quern at slquern@aol.com if you have questions on this new AAUW Facebook account. Grand Rapids is hosting the State Convention in 2019.
Are you reading our newsletter thoroughly?
Here’s a fun incentive. The first three members to respond in email to Cyndy Agle at cyndy.agle@gmail.com will receive 5 tickets for the fundraiser drawing on Dec. 3.
Here’s a fun incentive. The first three members to respond in email to Cyndy Agle at cyndy.agle@gmail.com will receive 5 tickets for the fundraiser drawing on Dec. 3.
** INTEREST GROUPS **
Did you know that you could start a Special Interest group? It could be genealogy, photography, a movie group, a cooking class, gardening, travel discussions or a wine group or a social group that goes to restaurants once a month. The group can meet once a month, quarterly or anytime! If you have ideas, contact Cyndy Agle at cyndy.agle@gmail.com
EXPLORING OUR COMMUNITY
Join members for field trips to various places of interest. See Jan. 10 Grand Rapids School activity under Public Policy group.
Join members for field trips to various places of interest. See Jan. 10 Grand Rapids School activity under Public Policy group.
LITERATURE – Monday group
Group meets on 1st Monday at 10:00 AM at Grand Rapids State Bank Annex. Contact is Jan Hill, 246-9791 or jmhgkh@paulbunyan.net
Dec. 3: Brunch at Audrey Erdman’s, 9:30 am. Books for 2019 will be selected.
Dec. 3: Brunch at Audrey Erdman’s, 9:30 am. Books for 2019 will be selected.
LITERATURE – Wednesday group
This group meets at 10:30 am on 2nd Wednesday, Grand Rapids Area Library River Room, September-May. Contact is Barbara Zimmer, 327-0911 or kbzimmer@q.com
This group meets at 10:30 am on 2nd Wednesday, Grand Rapids Area Library River Room, September-May. Contact is Barbara Zimmer, 327-0911 or kbzimmer@q.com
Dec. 12: Britt-Marie Was Here: A Novel by Fredrik Backman
Jan. 9: Elephant Company by Vicki Coke
PUBLIC POLICY
Following our November meeting in which we discussed funding for postsecondary education and had a presentation by Sheila Anderson, GRHS high school counselor, we decided we wanted to learn more about secondary technical education. To that end, on Thurs., Jan. 10, we will meet in the Grand Rapids High School lobby at 3:30 and have a tour of the technical center led by teacher Tim Larson. We also have an option to come during the school day when students will be actively working on projects and all teachers will be there. This would be at 12:30. All are invited to join us, whether you have participated in Public Policy meetings or not, and an RSVP is appreciated to either Jean Halverson (327-9158 or jehhmh@mchsi.com) or Jan Bilden (492-4129 orjpbilden@gmail.com). When responding, please note at what time you would be attending.
WALKING & TALKING
The group is on the Fall/Winter schedule of walking Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. It’s open for any member who wants to walk on a regular or occasional basis. We generally walk for about an hour and then have coffee. The location of the walks varies from week to week but we walk outside rather than in a mall or gym. Walkers are notified of the planned walk via a group email. If you want to be added to the group, notify Karen Karls at k.karls@yahoo.com or 326-2053. If you are currently getting emails but are no longer interested, let Karen know. There’s no need to RSVP on walks, just show up at the designated spot.
DECEMBER-JANUARY BIRTHDAYS - Best Wishes!
DEC 2 – Carol Rasmussen DEC 3 – Julie Skallman
DEC 6 – Nancy Alfuth, Marlys Mestemacher DEC 9 – Abby Marier
DEC 14 – Crystal Sunell DEC 26 – Charmayne Nelson
DEC 27 – Gayle Coyer DEC 31 – Jean Czekalski
DEC 6 – Nancy Alfuth, Marlys Mestemacher DEC 9 – Abby Marier
DEC 14 – Crystal Sunell DEC 26 – Charmayne Nelson
DEC 27 – Gayle Coyer DEC 31 – Jean Czekalski
JAN 1 - Kathleen Possai JAN 2 – Marney Smith
JAN 10 – Janet Stejskal JAN 21 – Dianne Anderson
JAN 10 – Janet Stejskal JAN 21 – Dianne Anderson
JAN 25 – Alexandra Zimmerman
JAN 27 – Marian Barry Louise Koglin Fideldy, Karen Wennen
JAN 28 – Brenda Ruud
JAN 27 – Marian Barry Louise Koglin Fideldy, Karen Wennen
JAN 28 – Brenda Ruud
AAUW GRAND RAPIDS BOARD MEETING
November 19, 2018, Public Utilities Building
The Grand Rapids branch of AAUW held the November 19, 2018 board meeting at 3:45 pm.
Members in attendance: Cyndy Agle, Deanna Ensley, Kathleen Spencer, Jan Bilden, Marj Lavalier, Jan Miland, Karen Karls, Nancy Raymond and Cheryl Vogel.
Karen Karls made a motion seconded by Jan Bilden, to accept previous minutes. Passed.
Cheryl Vogel presented the treasurer's report.
Marj Lavalier said that there are three new members. The "Bring a Guest" event was successful because of the exposure even if the guest didn't join. There will be another new member orientation in February.
It is important to have a member sitting at the table with Cheryl, but also that person should have training about what is expected.
There are 49 people signed up for the December dinner at the Eagles. Discussion about when to have next year's December event was held. Should it be later?
A discussion was held about the serving size by our regular caterer so there won't be so many leftovers. It was agreed that no shows should pay for the meal.
Nancy said that she will continue with the travel treasure fundraiser and have a book sale again in April. The fundraising money goes to all areas of giving.
Kathleen said she received a letter from a STEM participant and will send a thank you letter for the participant's willingness to be an ambassador for the program.
Jan Bilden said that Grand Rapids school district superintendent, Joni Olson, will be the January speaker.
The next board meeting will be December 10, 2018.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Miland, Secretary
ADVANCING EQUITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS – FOR MORE INFORMATION
AAUW MINNESOTA www.aauwmn.net
