Grand Rapids Timberline
AAUW Grand Rapids
1949-2019
Celebrating 70 years!
1949-2019
Celebrating 70 years!
Volume 43, Issue 6 March 2019
President’s Message
As a newer resident of Minnesota, I am amazed at how tired Grand Rapidians are of the cold and snow. I was raised where we had up to 10 feet of snow. We would actually be slid into our little town (about 150 people with no store) for several months at a time. Roads would not be plowed so we just had trails around the town to get wherever you were going. When this snow melts, I hope it does not cause any of you too many problems (I expect my garage will flood a bit.) This winter will last quite a while into the spring and then we will all be very glad to see the green grass again!
We are getting busier and busier as we get closer to the annual state convention in Grand Rapids on April 26 and 27. We are very proud of this convention. For those of you who have not been to convention, this will be a very great example of a good AAUW convention. If you have been to convention, but it has been some time ago, this one in our hometown is the best opportunity you may ever have to attend!
The fact that we are the host of the convention makes the price right. I will admit this was mostly Cyndy’s and my idea to volunteer to host this convention, but that was a direct result of how proud we are of our AAUW Branch and its wonderful membership!
Of course, you will continue to hear more and more. The convention registration form can be a bit confusing and there are separate pages to describe the Enrichment/Workshops that you will be choosing. I will have more about that at the March 18 meeting.
Continuing with thoughts of spring and summer, Juliet Jones has arranged for three great summer programs and there is information about those activities in this issue.THANKS to Jan Bilden, Ellen Edvenson and Juliet Jones for all our choice programs of 2018 and 2019!
The February 25 Board meeting was cancelled due to absences and weather. The rescheduled meeting will be Mon, March 11, 3:45 pm at Majestic Pines.
Deanna Ensley, Co-President
“It's our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America.”
― Patricia Arquette
March 18 Dinner Program
Location: United Methodist Church
Social: 5:00-5:45 PM Dinner: 5:45-6:30 PM Business Meeting: 6:30-7:00 PM Program: 7:00 PM
MENU: Ham Slices, Au Gratin Potatoes, Mixed Salad, Buns and Cookie
Food Chair: Jan Miland
MENU: Ham Slices, Au Gratin Potatoes, Mixed Salad, Buns and Cookie
Food Chair: Jan Miland
Cost: $13.00
RSVPs: RSVP to Deanna Ensley by the end of Friday, March 8. Call/text (360) 333-0228 or email deannaensley@yahoo.com
TOPIC: Itasca Community College Engineering Program
PRESENTERS: Derek Fox, Engineering Chemistry Faculty and Crystal Smith, Engineering Faculty and Program Coordinator
ICC Engineering is the best comprehensive two-year engineering program in Minnesota. Students who complete the ICC Engineering Program are better prepared for success at their transfer university, and ultimately for the professional careers than most who opt for a more traditional engineering education. The backbone of the program is a series of four semester-long courses called the Engineering Design Sequence. These courses serve to develop the engineer's technical ability, creativity in design, and professionalism through active learning, real-world projects, professional development, and living-learning communities.
ICC Engineering program maintains transfers agreements with many universities in the Upper Midwest, including University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota - Duluth, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Iron Range Engineering, and Michigan Technological University. After completing an A.S. degree in engineering at ICC, students typically transfer to one of the above universities. ICC Engineering works diligently with its transfer partners to ensure that the majority of our students are able to complete their bachelor's degree engineering in 4-4 ½ years.
**Our Branch Blog…Check it out at http://grandrapidsaauw.
Thanks to Myrna Peterson for posting our monthly newsletters on the blog. This is a great way to invite prospective members to take a look at why they might want to join us.
Thanks to Myrna Peterson for posting our monthly newsletters on the blog. This is a great way to invite prospective members to take a look at why they might want to join us.
Our Grand Rapids AAUW branch turns 70 this year!
April 2019 will be a very busy month for us as we prepare for and host the State Convention on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, but we will take time at our regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 15, to celebrate our 70th birthday and recognize this special occasion. We will serve birthday cake during our April dinner program meeting.
Does anyone have stories, acknowledgements or photos to share at the meeting and/or at Convention in one fashion or another? If you’d like to share something for our April celebration, please get it to Deanna Ensley, deannaensely@yahoo.com or make sure she is aware of what you have by April 1st. Thank you very much to all members who made this history possible!
AAUW State Convention, April 26-27, Grand RapidsSign up by April 10. See registration form (link below and attached).
Be sure to consider attending our upcoming MN AAUW State Convention at the Timberlake Lodge. Lots of great topics and speakers! Great opportunity to meet women from around MN who share our dedication to promoting gender equity for women and girls! See convention schedule and registration form (both documents attached to this email). There are some excellent, informative workshops being offered Saturday afternoon. See list of topics below for each of two time periods. There’s an opportunity to attend TWO workshops but you need to select 1st and 2nd choice for each time period.
WORKSHOP SESSION ONE - 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Session A: “From Minnesota to the Ends of the Earth”Cathy Davies is the only woman rider among 12 motorcyclists riding around the world and talking with the women she has met. What are they saying about issues affecting women? Cathy will provide introspection about the role of women in the 51 countries in which she has traveled on her motorcycle.
Session B: “A Woman’s Place in the World: Submissive-Objectification-
Session C: “You Don’t Look Like A Veteran”Chris Magnusson, Sergeant, US Marine Corps Veteran, identifies the challenges women veterans face from being invisible, to employment and housing, and MST and PTSD. Minnesota is home to 29,000 women veterans who served in all branches, times and places.
Session D: “Branch Finances, Legal and Branch Concerns”AAUW Treasurer, Beth Nienow and Finance Chair, David Kirkwood will identify the differences between a 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 and why you should know the difference. Does your branch need to file a 990 form? What help is available to the branch treasurer?
Session E: “The Picture Grace: MN State Picture”Lilah Crowe from the Historical Society will give the interesting history of the MN State Picture. The picture “Grace” is 100 years old.
Session F: “Walking into Spring”John Latimer will show photos of what can be found around the end of April in the woods. Has he seen a change in the environment over time? Will the photo walk inspire you to stop at the Garden Theme Silent Auction and be ready to do some planting in the Spring?
WORKSHOP SESSION TWO - 3:15 to 4:15 PM
Session A: “From Minnesota to the Ends of the Earth”Cathy Davies is the only woman rider among 12 motorcyclists riding around the world and talking with the women she has met. What are they saying about issues affecting women? Cathy will provide introspection about the role of women in 51 countries in which she has traveled on her motorcycle.
Session B: “Funerals, Food and Toilettes: A Humorous Look at A Woman’s Place in the World”Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women, will talk about the place of women in the world from a unique perspective.
Session C: “You Don’t Look Like A Veteran”Chris Magnusson, Sergeant, US Marine Corps Veteran, identifies the challenges women veterans face from being invisible, to employment and housing, and MST and PTSD. Minnesota is home to 29,000 women veterans who served in all branches, times and places.
Session D: “Gender Pay Program”Every branch should do a program on Gender Pay. Karen Kirkwood, AAUW Director, will identify a Gender Pay Program that would work in your branch whether your branch is small or large.
Session E: “The Picture Grace: MN State Picture” Lilah Crowe from the Historical Society will give the interesting history of the MN State Picture. The picture “Grace” is 100 years old.
Session F: “Positive Genius! Positive Psychology for Leaders” This presentation for leaders will be presented by Peg Lonnquist, AAUW Membership VP. Research shows that happier people are more productive, better decision-makers, more creative, have less stress, less health problems, and are more successful. Learn some easy strategies to increase your members’ happiness.
The deadline for registering for the Convention is April 10. Send your registration form to our treasurer, Cheryl Vogel, 20401 Mishawaka Shores Drive, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Or bring your form to our March 18 meeting. The full convention registration cost is $125, but you can attend for $65 if you choose to not get any meals. Costs for meals and activities are broken out on the registration form.
Session B: “Funerals, Food and Toilettes: A Humorous Look at A Woman’s Place in the World”Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women, will talk about the place of women in the world from a unique perspective.
Session C: “You Don’t Look Like A Veteran”Chris Magnusson, Sergeant, US Marine Corps Veteran, identifies the challenges women veterans face from being invisible, to employment and housing, and MST and PTSD. Minnesota is home to 29,000 women veterans who served in all branches, times and places.
Session D: “Gender Pay Program”Every branch should do a program on Gender Pay. Karen Kirkwood, AAUW Director, will identify a Gender Pay Program that would work in your branch whether your branch is small or large.
Session E: “The Picture Grace: MN State Picture” Lilah Crowe from the Historical Society will give the interesting history of the MN State Picture. The picture “Grace” is 100 years old.
Session F: “Positive Genius! Positive Psychology for Leaders” This presentation for leaders will be presented by Peg Lonnquist, AAUW Membership VP. Research shows that happier people are more productive, better decision-makers, more creative, have less stress, less health problems, and are more successful. Learn some easy strategies to increase your members’ happiness.
The deadline for registering for the Convention is April 10. Send your registration form to our treasurer, Cheryl Vogel, 20401 Mishawaka Shores Drive, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Or bring your form to our March 18 meeting. The full convention registration cost is $125, but you can attend for $65 if you choose to not get any meals. Costs for meals and activities are broken out on the registration form.
Convention Silent Auction - GARDEN theme items needed
We will be having a garden-themed silent auction at the convention.
Jan Hill has offered to put together a basket from our branch. We have had several members already volunteer to donate and a thank you to Juliet Jones, Nancy Raymond and Jeanne Walthour for the items that they are donating.
We are still looking for the following items: Miracle Gro, Plants, Kneeling Pad, Garden Signs, Pruning Shears, Rain Gauge, Plant Markers, other items for the basket (use your imagination).
Please bring the items to the March meeting and give to Jan Hill.
We may have enough items for several baskets, which would be great!
** INTEREST GROUPS **
PHOTOS REQUEST: There is a request for photos from each special interest group for our photo album to be on display at the April Convention. They prefer an actual print photo, but if they are sent digitally, we can print them for the sender. Send photos to Marj Lavalier, Karen Wennen or Vicki Holmstrom.
EXPLORING OUR COMMUNITY
Join members for field trips to various places of interest.
Join members for field trips to various places of interest.
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
March 4: The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng; Discussion Leader is Nancy Raymond.
March 4: The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng; Discussion Leader is Nancy Raymond.
For more info, contact Nancy Salmi or Jan Hill.
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
March 13: Community Read: The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
PUBLIC POLICY
The group meets on the 2nd Thursday, 3:30-5:00 pm, at KAXE Radio meeting room.
The next meeting is March 14.
The next meeting is March 14.
This year we are learning about the Minnesota and U.S. policies that foster the high cost of post high school education. We are pushing for the Minnesota state policies that affect the public college and technology educational opportunities. This covers a large number of state colleges, such as Bemidji State U, U of M and 2-year colleges such as our local Itasca Community College.
Everyone is encouraged to bring information from newspapers, magazines and books as well as public meetings and lecture opportunities, etc.
All members are urged to go online to learn about what is happening at the MN Legislature that relates to AAUW’s Public Policy agenda. See AAUW Public Policy priorities on the national level. Also see our little blue membership directory. MN AAUW Public Policy VP Jan Carey, jmcfree@aol.com tracks the current work of MN Legislature bills. At the AAUW State Convention, there will be an opportunity to attend a workshop on the AAUW policy advocating for equal pay.
QUESTIONS: Call Jean Halverson, 327-9158, or Marilyn Rossman 326-6775, or Jan Bilden, 492-4129.
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.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
From Fundraising Chair Nancy Raymond
A BIG THANK YOU for all you do to support our scholarship funds and programs in our national organization.
- Thanks for supporting TRAVELING TREASURES as you bring back usable items from your travels. It's amazing how the dollars add up. I'm enjoying honey from Alaska right now!
- Thanks for bringing readable books for our book sales and generously buying a number. I'm bringing back the one I bought in October to resell in April. I really liked it and bought it because the author had my maiden name.
- Thanks for buying lots of tickets at our annual Christmas fund raising event at the Eagles....here we raise our biggest monies. I've have been lucky here, but what fun we have in "hoping". I even learned what another use for "sugar" can be therapeutic.
- Thank you for giving individually to our scholarship fund in memory or in honor of a loved one or someone connected to our AAUW Branch. You can just write a check to Cheryl and note who you are remembering.
- Thank you for purchasing something for our Silent Auction "Garden Theme" basket for the April AAUW MN Convention. I have brought home dishes, bags, jewelry, and more from my contributions at conventions. I gave Jan Hill lotion to add to our basket. Just keep the theme in mind and shop for Jan.
- Thank you for registering for our State Convention right here in Grand Rapids. Cyndy and Deanna have done a great job preparing, and it will be fun working and sharing our beloved area.
AAUW TAX DEDUCTIONS: Treasurer Cheryl Vogel advised that $56 may be deducted from the $85 annual dues. The deduction amount is for the National portion of the dues. The State and Local dues (which are significantly smaller) cover operational costs and are not specifically designated for donations.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS - Best Wishes!
4 – Jan Hill 8 – Kathy Pliska 14 – Susan LaVelle
19 – Joyce Chalupsky 20 – Betty Akre 21 – Vicki Holmstrom
24- Lynn Moratzka 27 – Norma Eppinga
19 – Joyce Chalupsky 20 – Betty Akre 21 – Vicki Holmstrom
24- Lynn Moratzka 27 – Norma Eppinga
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THREE SUMMER PROGRAMS
THANKS to Juliet Jones for arranging three great summer outings! More details later on RSVP requirements.
Monday, June 17, 11:00 AM
Tour the KMDA: Little Iron Range Fishing Tackle Company that ships outdoor gear from fishing lures to camping equipment worldwide. The company is at 218 8th Ave in Bovey. Note: One of our members who had toured the place said it was so interesting). KMDA also owns Hollywood Bait across the street and we will tour both facilities. Our tour guide is a retired teacher and mother of the boys who began this business--Joyce Vekick. We will eat lunch at Nana Chelle's Cafe in Bovey.
Monday, July 15, 11:00 AM
Take a tour of Kelly G's Wild Rice Burgers made in Bovey. We will tour the factory, which is run entirely by women. They will serve us lunch at no charge.
Monday, August 26, 3:00 PM (DATE CHANGE to 4th MON)
Meet at John Zasada's studio for his presentation of birch bark ornaments and other amazing designs he has created. He has a very interesting studio--with a story! His wife, Emilie, is an AAUW member. We will either have refreshments at the Zasada's or at Juliet's.
**COMMUNITY PROGRAM**
Here’s an interesting program to be held in Grand Rapids this month.
“It’s Complicated: Children, Social Media and Mental Health”
Wed, March 20, 6:30-8:00 PM, Reif Performing Arts Center, Grand Rapids
Wed, March 20, 6:30-8:00 PM, Reif Performing Arts Center, Grand Rapids
The presenter is Erin Walsh, MA, who has expertise in brain development and digital media. See link to more info online.
AAUW GRAND RAPIDS PROGRAM MEETING
February 18, 2019, United Methodist Church
AAUW held its regular monthly meeting on February18, 2019. It was a
noon luncheon catered by Nana Chelle's. Karen Karls welcomed the group and had Lily Winter announce her upcoming talk at Macrostie. She also introduced the speaker, Suzette Childs, the diabetes educator at Grand Itasca.
Deanna Ensley brought convention forms and explained that the total cost is $125, except there is an extra cost for appetizers and The Forest History Center.
She announced that Jan Hill is putting together a garden theme basket for the silent auction, to which anyone can make a contribution, or make a basket on your own, or do neither. Juliet Jones has summer programs ready.
The nominating committee composed of Marj Lavalier, Marilyn Rossman and Elaine Thorstenson was appointed. Marj Lavalier held a new member orientation after the meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Jan Miland, Secretary
ADVANCING EQUITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS – FOR MORE INFORMATION
AAUW MINNESOTA www.aauwmn.net
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