SMALL BUSINESS IN A TIME OF COVID 19

On October 19 AAUW welcomes three local businesswomen to discuss the challenges of operating a small business during an international pandemic. Each woman is at a different spot on the business journey and will share her experiences. Nobs, a long-time business owner described her program as Living through a Pandemic by Planning for the Future. 

Paula Nobs, with Faye Crane, is the Co-Owner of Presto Print. Presto Print is a well-established business that faced new challenges with the pandemic. At the beginning the doors were locked and contact was by phone; now the business is open with restricted hours. 

Nobs, originally from Grand Rapids, attended Central Missouri State University studying Business and Finance while also providing administrative services for the University President. She was a Statistical Analyst for the San Antonio Police Department before returning to Grand Rapids. In 1984, while employed at Rems, she and Crane learned that Presto Print was for sale and decided that this was something they could do and the partnership has flourished. Nobs has been very active in the business community and is Past President of Itasca Development Corp., Past President of Grand Rapids Business and Professional Women, Past State President of MN Federation os Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. She received the Hometown Hero Award from the GR Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. 

UnWined Up North, a wine bar and eatery had been open for less than one year when Covid 19 changed everything. As well as regular food and wine service, UnWined had hosted special events like art evenings, trivia challenges, and First Friday guest artists. After being completely shut down, spring brought a return of patio service and now they are able to offer inside seating with limited capacity. 

Tia Starks, with her husband Lars, opened UnWined in June 2019. They were long-time wine enthusiasts and decided to focus that interest in a small business, introducing Grand Rapids to the many wineries in Minnesota. The business was a leap into new territory for the Starks since Tina is an early childhood special education teacher, currently for ISD 318, and Lars is a flight paramedic. Tia is able to use the creativity and diversity of teaching while having adult conversations. 

Kendra Young is Co-Owner of 1st Ave Salon with Phaedra Nelson. They planned to open their new salon in early Spring after renting chairs at another local salon. They were doing the remodeling of the space when they were caught in the Covid 19 closing requirements. They finally opened June 1 with rotating hours to meet distancing requirements. Young grew up in Grand Rapids and attended beauty school at Pivot Point Academy in Chicago. 

The meeting at 6:30, at United Methodist Church, is the second post-Covid 19 meeting for AAUW. The meeting will last only one hour and is program only without any food or beverages. Social distancing is in effect and masks are required. Attendance is by reservation only, call/text (360)333-0228, with a maximum of 30 attendees. 

The mission of AAUW is advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Additional information is available at www.aauw.org or at http:// grandrapidsaauw.blogspot.com. In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. Branch membership is open to any individual who has an associate degree or equivalent, bachelor’s or higher degree, or is an undergraduate student enrolled in a two or four year institution. Marj Lavalier may be contacted for information at 218-326-2716 or gloriestoast@gmail.com. 

Provided by: Karen Karls, 326-2053

 Walking and Talking Group

 Starting in October the walks will be on the cool weather schedule of meeting on Tuesday afternoons at 1 PM.  The locations of the walks change but are in the Grand Rapids area. We walk for about one hour.  We used to gather for coffee following the walk; this summer we brought our lawn chairs and sat outside for conversation.  We’ll continue this until it gets too cold.  We’ve been conscious of safe distances as we walk and sit.

The group is open to any member interested in walking.  We walk outside all year long.  If you are interested in joining the group send your email and cell number to Karen Karls at k.karls@yahoo.com  You will receive an email of the weekly walk location.  Members walk when they can or want to; no need to RSVP. We welcome new walkers.

 

   Grand Rapids Timberline

NEWS FOR AND ABOUT

AAUW GRAND RAPIDS

BRANCH MEMBERS                   Volume 45, Issue 2           October 2020

EDITOR: Arlene Wheaton, 

Arlene@honeybearwoods.com 

(218) 232-4989)

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October 19 Program Meeting

Location: United Methodist Church
Program: 6:30 - 7:30 pm

TOPIC: COVID-19 Impacts on 3 Women-Owned Businesses

SPEAKERS: Paula Nobs of Presto Print, Kendra Young of 1st Ave Salon, and Tia Stark of UnWined

 Each panel member will give a short summary of how their business was impacted by COVID. For some it was a complete closure with a phased reopening, one was open to some extent the entire time. But everyone had to change how they are doing business as the pandemic continues.  The entire panel will welcome questions from the audience.

**No cost. No meal will be served due to restrictions at the church. Masks are required and only three people will be seated per table.

RSVP to Deanna Ensley by the end of Sunday, Oct.18. Call/text (360) 333-0228 or deannaensley@yahoo.com  We must provide a list of attendees to the church for potential contact tracing.  The first 30 people to RSVP will be allowed to attend. If you find you cannot attend, please cancel with Deanna so she knows another person can be added.

 

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“Use what you’ve been through as fuel,
believe in yourself and be unstoppable!” 

―  Yvonne Pierexx

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President’s Message

 Hello Members,

 We had our Sept. meeting which was the first since last Feb.   We met at the Methodist Church which had all guidelines in place and all members wore masks and social distanced at the tables. We had a speaker, but did not have dinner. 

Members were so happy to see each other and catch up! We passed out a survey asking about food for the upcoming month and how they felt about safety and comfort. And 100% said they felt safe/comfortable!  We will figure out our plan month by month. The October meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last for one hour with no meal.

A huge thank you to Karen Wennen and her team, which includes Vicki Holmstrom and Karen Lonson, for keeping our Historian books up to date.  They are now housed at the Itasca County Historical Society, and they go back to 2002. Be sure to check them out.

Happy Fall!

Cyndy Agle, Co-President

Welcome NEW member!
From Marj Lavalier, Membership Chair

Please welcome our new AAUW member, Laurie Clausen, who was a guest at our Sept. 21 meeting. She is an Edward Jones Financial Counselor in the strip mall behind McDonalds. A resident of Hibbing, she is relocating to Grand Rapids.

She is interested in two of our special interests groups: Exploring our Community and Public Policy.

Meet a MEMBER

Sharon Quern
4-year member of AAUW

Family/Education/Career: I was born and raised in Thief River Falls, MN.  I finished my AA degree in 1968 and joined the Management Trainee program at Donaldson’s Department Store.  As the assistant buyer for the Juniors department, I loved working in downtown Minneapolis.  In 1976, Lutheran Social Services called me stating we could adopt a boy the next day!  As a carrier of Hemophilia we were thrilled to adopt and stop Hemophilia.  Two years later, 1978 brought us a beautiful daughter and I was a stay-at-home mom until 1984. 

Working 25 years for the Wayzata School District with the last 18 years in tech support taking me from the Oregon Trail to Al Gore inventing the Internet, two computer rooms, testing, smart boards, overhead projectors, having the fun of creating our school website and working with elementary kids was the best job ever!

During the late 90’s, I was a volunteer lobbyist for the Hemophilia Community that received HIV/Aids from contaminated blood products.  Lobbying most every day after school at the MN State Capitol in the 95/96 sessions and later at the US House and Senate.

Retirement in 2010 found us moving to our cabin in Grand Rapids where we enjoy living on Sugar Lake.  I have never had time to read so I have enjoyed our AAUW book club, walking group and being a part of a large caring organization.  If you are on Facebook, search groups for AAUW of Grand Rapids and ask to join.  I am the administrator of this closed group. I would love to have you join and anyone from our group can post pictures that are seen only by our group!

AAUW interests:  I am also a dual member of the Northwest Valley AAUW in Sun City West, AZ.  We leave MN in January for a warmer winter.  As a dual member, I enjoy all of the benefits of both organizations.  Arizonan Sharon Phelps, former GR AAUW, made sure I became involved in AZ.  Their book club is similar to ours.  Their walking group is more like a hiking group with one overnight per year.  I have been leader of their Memories into Memoirs group for three years, simply writing our memories for our grandchildren to read and understand.  We agree on our suggested subject matters a year in advance.  Their Explore AZ group has many great destinations. Their monthly meetings include speakers from the Native American Heard Museum, WWII Code Talkers granddaughter, Humane Trafficking speakers, and often collecting school supplies or suitcases for children taken into foster care.

Personal interests: I have also sponsored a student at the Massai Girls School in Tanzania since 1996. I am active in both churches include quilting, FMSC mobile packs, Covid mask making, Days For Girls (sewing reusable menstrual pads so girls can attend school during their menstrual cycle), bazaars and lefse-making. Grandkids and some golf keep me busy!

** INTEREST GROUPS **

Groups that are not currently meeting due to COVID-19 issues:

*Bridge: Majestic Pines is not available due to visitor restrictions.

*Exploring Our Community: When we can safely gather again, watch for activities for the upcoming year...we will have new events and the adventures will be better than ever!

* Public Policy: KAXE meeting room too small for social distancing.

LITERATURE – Monday group

The Monday morning Lit Group will meet on Monday, Oct. 26, at 10:00 M.  If the weather is nice, we will meet in Veterans’ Park (please bring your own chair and beverage). If it is cold and/or inclement weather, we will meet at the Forest Lake Restaurant. When we get closer to Oct. 26, and we have an accurate forecast, a decision will be made and members will be notified by email. Jan Hill will lead a discussion of When the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The contact is Nancy Salmi, nsalmi@earthlink.net, 326-3147.

READING TIPS from Jan Hill: The September book was Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn. Another book selected for this fall is Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. The Arrowhead library system has been excellent. Order your books by phone or email and pick them up at the window at our Grand Rapids library. Use it! They have been great. Keep reading!

LITERATURE – Wednesday group

A small group will be meeting in members’ homes using masks and social distancing guidelines. Due to COVID-19, we will not have room for new members at this time. The contact person is Vicki Holmstrom, agiledog5@aol.com

Oct. 14:  28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand.

Nov. 11:  The Secret Sense of Wildflower by Susan Gabriel

WALKING & TALKING group

The Walking and Talking Group is still on its summer schedule of walking on Wednesdays at 9 AM. We welcome new members. If you want to be added to the group, send your email address to k.karls@yahoo.com   

 

 

Nancy Raymond hosted the walking group with 14 participants for their Sept. 23 walk, which included a visit with nearby horses.

FINANCE REPORT: AAUW GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH 6013

 

July 2020 – September 2021 - FIRST Quarter Financial Summary -                                                   Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (       (Based upon 09.09.2020 Bank Statements):  Prepared by Cheryl Vogel; Board Approved: PENDING
v  76 paid members: Regular (MOB): 68; Dual: 4; Lifetime: 4
v  Total Income First Quarter:  $2,446.11   Dues paid in current Fiscal Year: $536; Dinner Fees: $0; Individual Donations: $0; Travel Treasures: $0; Checking Account Interest: $0.76; Transfer of Savings Account: 1,909.35.  o   Dues: Paid in previous Fiscal Year: $5,293.
v  Total Expenses First Quarter:  $ 5,665.36   National & State Dues: $5,449; Dues Refund: $78; Newsletter & Printing: $55.87; Dinner Expenses: $0; Meeting Room Rental: $0; Sunshine & Caring Committee: $69.90; Misc. Expenses: $12.59.
v  Year-to-Date Net Revenue: ($3,219.25) o   Note:  The majority of dues payments were received in the previous fiscal year, while the payments to State and National occurred in this fiscal year.
v  YTD Total Donations in Fiscal Year 2019-2020:  $0 ·         One Stem Campership from 2019 was not used, so the funds were carried forward to this fiscal year. ·         STEM Camperships cancelled for summer of 2020.
Ch   Checking Account	$ 10,000,29
Savings Account	CLOSED:  Funds transferred to Checking Account
TOTAL CASH-ON-HAND	$10,000.29

 

 

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

 

ADVANCING EQUITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS – FOR MORE INFORMATION

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION  www.aauw.org

AAUW MINNESOTA www.aauwmn.net