Grand
Rapids Timberline
NEWS
FOR AND ABOUT
AAUW GRAND RAPIDS
BRANCH
MEMBERS
EDITOR:
Arlene Wheaton,
(218) 232-4989
President’s Message
Hello Members!
What crazy times as we cancel and postpone
meetings and AAUW activities.
Now that we have a "shelter in place" order we will not be getting together as a group in April and May, but that doesn't mean that we are not thinking of one another.....just not face to face. While we may not be meeting together we are still AAUW members together. We have cancelled our April and May meetings and hope we can reschedule the interesting speakers for next year. We want you all to be safe and to stay healthy!
A special thank you to Arlene for her idea for
inviting you to share ideas of what you are doing to stay connected while at
home and she will put these in the newsletter. Can't wait to see what you are
doing and pick up on ideas!
A couple of day brighteners: One of my
favorites are Dove Chocolates. They have sayings in each wrapper and here are 2
of my favorite sayings: "Chocolate Brings Joy" (and we need joy!) and "Smile--Someone
is Thinking of You!"
Happy Spring...and gardening and bright
flowers are just around the corner!
Cyndy Agle, Co-President
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if
it's less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do
nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to
put together something that's good.”
― Elizabeth Edwards
AAUW annual dues, drawing for FREE membership
Our annual dues renewal is coming up. The dues are $85 ($59 national, $9 state and $17 local). We usually start collecting membership dues at our April meeting. With the April and May meetings cancelled, we will be having you send your dues in to our treasurer. If you have paid your dues by May 18 (our regular program meeting day), you will be entered into the drawing for a free membership. Checks should be made to AAUW and mailed to our treasurer, Cheryl Vogel, 20401 Mishawaka Shores Drive, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. All dues are payable before July 1, but it’s much easier on our treasurer if she can get your payment by late May.
NOTE: If you have any questions, call Cheryl at 763-229-8098. Cheryl advised you should ignore any dues directions from National and send the checks to her.
Membership Message
From Marj Lavalier
In this time of
challenging days of staying home and wearing masks it is hard to feel safe and
comfortable. Please remember our sisters in AAUW as we care for neighbors who
need assistance. Please reach out to our members also. I hope we can all get
together soon.
** INTEREST
GROUPS **
Groups not meeting due to social distancing
requirements:
Bridge, Lit groups, Exploring our Community and Public Policy
Bridge, Lit groups, Exploring our Community and Public Policy
LITERATURE – Monday
group
Group meets on
1st Monday (except for holidays) at 10:00 AM at
Grand Rapids State Bank Annex. Contacts are Nancy Salmi, 326-3147, and Jan
Hill, 246-9791.
From Jan Hill: Monday morning Lit Club will not be meeting because of the virus, probably not until June. Here are some suggestions for all you “stay at homes”:
From Jan Hill: Monday morning Lit Club will not be meeting because of the virus, probably not until June. Here are some suggestions for all you “stay at homes”:
“Becoming” by
Michelle Obama…“Founding Mothers” by Cokie Roberts…“The German Girl” by Armando
Lucas Correa and a favorite of many book clubs…”Where the Crawdads Sing” by
Delia Owens.
My answer to this
isolation...read a book…clean a closet…read a book…start and work on a
puzzle…read a book…clean a drawer…read a book!
If you need to
vent, call me (after you’ve read a book, that is!).
For February, the Monday Lit group read Kristin Lavransdatter: The Bridal Wreath by
Nobel prize-winning author Sigurd Undset. Published in 1927, it is the first in
a trilogy about its Fourteenth Century heroine, Kristin LAVRANSDATTER. One
critic said, “No other novelist has
bodied forth the medieval world with such richness and fullness.” - Nancy Salmi
WALKING & TALKING group
The
Walking and Talking Group is on its winter schedule of walking at 1 PM on
Tuesdays. This is the “talking” part of
the group on March 31. We walked a little over 2 miles and then did our best social distancing in the parking lot.
Cyndy Agle, Gayle Coyer, Jean Walthour and Karen Karls. It was a perfect day to
hang out.
This is the Walking Group on March 24 practicing social distancing. Walkers are Gayle Coyer, Maybeth Olson, Cyndy Agle, Jan Bilden, and Jean Hoshal. We walked all winter so we didn’t let a virus stop us from enjoying a wide road, free of snow.
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NEW cloth reusable grocery bags needed
Second Harvest Food
Bank/Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) has an urgent need for
NEW, cloth reusable grocery bags. Please contact Sandy McKay directly at
218-256-8714 or sandy@secondharvestncfb.com
QUIZ ANSWERS: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-true (in some
states--NJ--single women owning property "worth fifty pounds: from
1776-1807 and Ky allowed widows with school-age children to vote in school
elections), 5-d, and 6-b.
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Meet a MEMBER
Gayle Coyer 3-year member of AAUW |
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Family/Education: I moved to Grand
Rapids in March 2017 to live with my elderly father to help him stay in his own
home. I grew up in Cloquet and Bemidji, and then lived in Wisconsin, Michigan,
and Montana before moving back to Minnesota in 2001. I graduated from Beloit
College in Beloit, WI in 1982 with B.A. in Economics and Management and
International Relations.
Career/Professional
Accomplishments: I’ve worked for non-profit organizations most of my career. I was an
environmental activist for twenty years working for the Upper Peninsula
Environmental Coalition, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Montana
Environmental Information Center working on forestry, mining, and toxics
issues. Then I switched to recreation and was the Executive Director of the
Superior Hiking Trail Association for 16 years, which manages a 240-mile hiking
trail on the Minnesota’s North Shore with a 5,000 membership base and a retail
store in Two Harbors, MN.
Personal Interests: I love hiking and
walking and am so pleased to be a member of the AAUW walking group. My passion
is family history research. I love digging in and doing the research to find
about my ancestors and the lives they led. I like to help people with their
research too so if you are interested in starting your family history research
or need some help looking for records, once the coronavirus pandemic is over I
look forward to helping anyone out.
AAUW Interest: I joined AAUW when
I moved to Grand Rapids in 2017. Right now I’m just concentrating on being a
good member although I did help out with some grant reviews. I also appreciate
learning from long-time members about AAUW through the years.
What are you doing
during the coronavirus pandemic?
Many of our members
shared some great comments and photos about how they are handling social
distancing and staying home a lot more. Thanks to all for sharing…and we may do
this again for our May newsletter.
From Helen Albrecht: (see puzzle photo attached)
My husband, Bob, and I put together a large Minnesota puzzle. Our son and his family bought it at the State Fair and gave it to us for Christmas.
My husband, Bob, and I put together a large Minnesota puzzle. Our son and his family bought it at the State Fair and gave it to us for Christmas.
From Julie Skallman:
My husband and I are big readers so that has kept us sane for the last couple of weeks. We returned from our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia just before the closures started so I have been scrapbooking on the kitchen table. Don’t worry--we can eat side by side at the counter! I had to wait for the photos to be mailed from Shutterfly, but I had an album and supplies purchased in advance.
My husband and I are big readers so that has kept us sane for the last couple of weeks. We returned from our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia just before the closures started so I have been scrapbooking on the kitchen table. Don’t worry--we can eat side by side at the counter! I had to wait for the photos to be mailed from Shutterfly, but I had an album and supplies purchased in advance.
When I need a break
from that, I stitch another face mask. I will be out of elastic soon so that
will end and I will need to deliver them to Grand Itasca. Jim and I have been taking walks around town
and frequently see other AAUW members out walking.
From Sharon Quern: (see face masks photo
attached)
My quilting friends in AZ have answered the call to make surgical masks. They are 9” wide and 10” deep. Elastic is ideal to place over the ear but every store is out here. So my supply is coming from church friends. Bias tape works also. We sew in a 3” piece of pipe cleaner to shape the nose. We also leave an opening in the bottom for medical staff to insert an N95 mask. We use 100% cotton to wash in very hot water. Easy to do as I have made 40 in less than a few days. My friend has a great video at: https://youtu.be/yW1dE7SkFxo
My quilting friends in AZ have answered the call to make surgical masks. They are 9” wide and 10” deep. Elastic is ideal to place over the ear but every store is out here. So my supply is coming from church friends. Bias tape works also. We sew in a 3” piece of pipe cleaner to shape the nose. We also leave an opening in the bottom for medical staff to insert an N95 mask. We use 100% cotton to wash in very hot water. Easy to do as I have made 40 in less than a few days. My friend has a great video at: https://youtu.be/yW1dE7SkFxo
Please check with
the hospital in your community first before sewing. Our Phoenix nurses love
these. Allina Health Facebook page gives pattern and address where to mail the
completed mask. Together We Can!
From Nancy Raymond:
It’s great to connect with you. I’m social distancing from Green Valley, AZ. I’ve read 8 books and watched two series on Netflix. I really liked, Anne with an E. Nice weather for great walks but I am tired of my own company so I talk out loud which helps. Greetings to all. I hope to be back in May.
It’s great to connect with you. I’m social distancing from Green Valley, AZ. I’ve read 8 books and watched two series on Netflix. I really liked, Anne with an E. Nice weather for great walks but I am tired of my own company so I talk out loud which helps. Greetings to all. I hope to be back in May.
From Juliet Jones:
I have found that delivering groceries to neighbors in need, plus adding a treat like a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, chocolates, loaning DVD'S has been very gratifying. I just call, make a list, drop off at the doorstep, wave hello and leave.
I have found that delivering groceries to neighbors in need, plus adding a treat like a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, chocolates, loaning DVD'S has been very gratifying. I just call, make a list, drop off at the doorstep, wave hello and leave.
Also, anyone in
AAUW who is missing the library can check out books at Community Community
Presbyterian Church down a few blocks from the post office close to Brookside
Manor (formerly Manor House). I am the librarian and we have a fabulous
collection of books for all ages, DVD'S and audio books…no fines, no
deadlines. We use the old fashioned card
check-in/out baskets. In case you haven't ever visited CPC, the library is in
the main entrance lobby and is a very quiet social distancing place.
The church hours
now are Monday & Friday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. I usually go in Mondays and Thursdays to shelve,
sort and display new books. There is very little traffic with no church
services, no Bible studies, no exercise classes. A great service in this time
when our minds need exercising!
From Cyndy Agle:
My college roommates and I have been friends for 50 years and while thinking of creative things to do I sent an email to 5 former college friends checking up to be sure they are safe and what everyone is doing while sheltering in place. I asked if they would add a paragraph or two and hit 'reply to all.' It is a good way to keep touch and to know that we are thinking of each other. This would be similar to the "round robin" years ago when we wrote letters.
My college roommates and I have been friends for 50 years and while thinking of creative things to do I sent an email to 5 former college friends checking up to be sure they are safe and what everyone is doing while sheltering in place. I asked if they would add a paragraph or two and hit 'reply to all.' It is a good way to keep touch and to know that we are thinking of each other. This would be similar to the "round robin" years ago when we wrote letters.
We are supporting
local businesses by ordering take-out AND buying gift cards.
I am reading the
book Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore (fiction).
The book just came out in 2020 and takes place in the oil fields of West Texas
in the 1970's with a crime against 14-year-old Gloria Ramirez in a white man's
town.
From Vicki Holmstrom:
I now have the time to do what I’ve been wanting to do for some time with my photos. Instead of using Picasa (which Google stopped supporting at least 3 years ago!), I’m learning how to do all my organizing and editing with Google Photos. I’ve also had to figure out how to get photos stored on the new Windows 10 PC and how to transfer photos from Google Photos to Shutterfly. It’s been going well, so that’s made it a fun project.
I now have the time to do what I’ve been wanting to do for some time with my photos. Instead of using Picasa (which Google stopped supporting at least 3 years ago!), I’m learning how to do all my organizing and editing with Google Photos. I’ve also had to figure out how to get photos stored on the new Windows 10 PC and how to transfer photos from Google Photos to Shutterfly. It’s been going well, so that’s made it a fun project.
From Arlene Wheaton:
I’ve been working totally from home since March 16, producing lots of communications on COVID-19 for internal and external use. Not having to do my 3-hour round-trip commute to Aitkin three times/week has given me more time to pursue my passion for baking. My husband and I made Millionaire’s Pie, a to-die-for chocolate pecan pie! We doubled the recipe and put one in the freezer for the next time we can have company again. He makes a fabulous pie crust and I always do the pie fillings.
I’ve been working totally from home since March 16, producing lots of communications on COVID-19 for internal and external use. Not having to do my 3-hour round-trip commute to Aitkin three times/week has given me more time to pursue my passion for baking. My husband and I made Millionaire’s Pie, a to-die-for chocolate pecan pie! We doubled the recipe and put one in the freezer for the next time we can have company again. He makes a fabulous pie crust and I always do the pie fillings.
I learned how to
use my cell phone for 3-way calls to my two sisters in CA and have enjoyed
video chats with my Colorado nieces and nephews. My nephew’s wife is teaching
her kids (ages 9 to 12) to show kindness toward others and letters from all
three on how much they miss me and want to see me again made my day!
Women's Right to Vote
By Cyndy Agle, Co-President
By Cyndy Agle, Co-President
Do you have any
interesting facts on the suffrage movement or 19th amendment? Sharon Quern's grandmother was the first
woman to vote in her hometown. If you
have any interesting facts you can email me at cyndy.agle@gmail.com and they will be
used in future newsletters.
The women's
suffrage movement sprung from the abolition movement. A woman ran for political office nearly 50
years before women got the vote.
Susan B. Anthony
(and 15 other women) voted illegally in Rochester, NY in the presidential
election of 1872. Anthony was
subsequently tried and convicted of violating the 14th amendment.
The 19th Amendment
was first proposed and rejected in 1878, then reintroduced every year for the
next 41 years.
Test your knowledge...(answers are in the
newsletter)
1.
Suffrage is:
a. The fight for women's rights
b. The right to vote
c. The right for women to vote
2. Colors of the suffrage movement:
a. Purple and gold
b. Gold, white and purple
c. Gold and white
3. Who were the leaders of the national suffrage organization in the final years?
a. Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt
b. Harriot Stanton Blatch and Alice Stone
Blackwell
c. Anna Howard Shar and Matilda Joslyn
Gage
4. Women were able to vast votes before 1920.
True OR False
5. Who was President when the 19th amendment was ratified?
a. Calvin Coolidge
b. Warren Harding
c. William H. Taft
d. Woodrow Wilson
6. The date the 19th amendment was ratified:
a. August 18,1919
b. August 18,1920
From Sharon Quern (see attached photo & newspaper article):
Arizona AAUW has been very active in Women's Suffrage events and sharing great power points of info at our last meeting. I placed the screen shots on our private/closed Facebook account. We just do not have that many members on Facebook.
Arizona AAUW has been very active in Women's Suffrage events and sharing great power points of info at our last meeting. I placed the screen shots on our private/closed Facebook account. We just do not have that many members on Facebook.
My challenge to our members is to find out: "Who was the first women to vote in
your hometown?" I grew up
in Thief River Falls, MN, where my grandmother was the first woman to vote in
1920! Regina Syverson (1878-1958) was
widowed just one year after marrying her first husband. Regina supported herself by cleaning homes
for others. Samuel T. Johnson
(1840-1922) survived the Civil War and received land in Thief River Falls. His
first wife died the first winter on their farm. My grandmother became his
housekeeper. They married and had four children. There is a 38-year difference
in their age so I never met him. In the local paper the story is told of how he
was a voting judge and wanted to make sure his wife was the first woman to vote
in 1920. Grandma Regina never did any protests in the years prior to her
casting that vote. I was 10 when Grandma Regina died in 1958 and she never
spoke of her first vote.
If you want to read
about the history from Women's Suffrage, I recommend the book, Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait by
Tina Cassidy. Available on Amazon, the story covers from Susan B. Anthony to
Woodrow Wilson's presidential election and Alice Paul's numerous protests,
jailed with forced feedings.
Please be sure to use your voice by VOTING!
THIRD QUARTER (January -
March 2020) Financial Summary - Fiscal Year 2019-2020
(Based upon 03. .2020 Bank Statements): Prepared by Cheryl Vogel; Board Review
& Approval Pending
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v 89 paid members: 81- MOB; Dual: 4; Lifetime: 4
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v Total Income Second Quarter: $999.31
Dues paid in 3rd quarter: $85;
Dinner Fees: $661; Individual Donations: $130; Book Sale: $101; Travel
Treasures: $20; Checking Account Interest: $2.31.
o
2019-2020 Dues: Paid in previous Fiscal Year: $6,709.
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v Total Expenses Second Quarter: $ 1,215.95
National & State Dues: $66; Newsletter & Printing: $105.28;
Dinner Expenses: $600.30; Meeting Room Rental: $75; Hospitality Committee:
$198.28; Sunshine & Caring: $109.20; Misc. Expenses: $27.89; Savings
Account Deposit: $100.
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v Year-to-Date Net Revenue: $ 340.64
o The
transfer of state conference funds back to the primary AAUW checking account
has produced a positive (Unbudgeted) YTD Net Revenue.
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v YTD Total Donations in Fiscal Year 2019-2020: $1,150
·
One ICC Stem Campership from the previous fiscal
year was not used, so the funds will be carried forward to this fiscal year.
·
AAUW Education & Training Fund: $1,000 (12.2019)
·
AAUW Monday Book Club: $150 (donated directly to Food Shelf)
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Websites for local, state and national AAUW
information:
Our Grand Rapids AAUW blog: http://grandrapidsaauw.blogspotcom/
MN AAUW website: http://aauw-mn.aauw.net
National AAUW website: www.aauw.org
Our Grand Rapids AAUW blog: http://grandrapidsaauw.blogspotcom/
MN AAUW website: http://aauw-mn.aauw.net
National AAUW website: www.aauw.org
ADVANCING EQUITY
FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
– FOR MORE INFORMATION
AAUW MINNESOTA www.aauwmn.net
