Grand Rapids Timberline
NEWS
FOR AND ABOUT
AAUW GRAND RAPIDS
BRANCH
MEMBERS
EDITOR: Arlene Wheaton Volume 45, Issue 5 January 2021
(218) 232-4989
President’s Message
Hello Members,
It was an unusual year and holiday season. I hope everyone is hanging in there and getting ready for a better 2021! It surely cannot be as challenging…we all hope.
I missed our annual Christmas Party as well as all the usual social occasions of the hoilday season. We, our local Grand Rapids AAUW Branch and our Minnesota State AAUW Board, are working on ideas for us all as the pandemic continues to impact our daily lives.
For our Grand Rapids Branch, we are working on a mostly or totally virtual/Zoom meeting for Monday, January 18, via Justine at the United Methodist Church, which has been such an amazing support for us, and for me now, as I work on this new kind of meeting for us! More details will follow soon as I have some logistics to try out and confirm with Justine. Be on the lookout for one more email this week further explaining how our Zoom meeting will be presented. There will be a video to watch. Watching it may be in advance of the meeting but hopefully we can all watch together and then have a discussion after the video.
In the near future, we hope to be able to share/participate in the Minneapolis Branch's regular Zoom meetings each Monday. They have three presentations each Monday and can accommodate 500 participants. I have sampled a presentation. They have very interesting, varied presentations.
The quarterly Minnesota AAUW Board meeting will be at the end of January. We are working on new, innovative ideas for grants and programs for this upcoming year as it has been decided that Minnesota State AAUW will not support any public events for 2021. We are, however, working on a virtual state convention of some kind for Spring 2021, and hope to host an in-person traditional state convention in St. Cloud in Spring 2022. I will share further information as it becomes available.
Happy New Year and keep the faith for 2021,
Deanna Ensley, Co-President
January 18 Virtual Branch Meeting
Location:
Offered via Zoom from the Methodist Churh
Time: 6:30 pm -
Short Business/Information session
The program topic will be Human and Sex
trafficking in Minnesota/Murder and Missing Indigenous Women.
Information for joining this meeting via Zoom
will follow in a separate email.
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Louise
& Jim |
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Louise A. Koglin Fideldy
10+ year member of AAUW
Hi, I am Louise and am pleased to say “welcome to a new year!”
AAUW: I have been a member of AAUW for some years. My first yearbook & membership directory is from 2000-2001; there were a couple of years when I took a hiatus from membership while focusing on job responsibilities and then rejoined in 2014.
AAUW members are awesome! They are rich in experiences, diverse in background and thought, and steadfast in working together to break down barriers that impede the success of women/girls. I very much enjoy being part of such a great network and interacting with members. The array of Branch Interest and Study Groups is a bonus and though I am not always able to participate, I sure appreciate them when I can join in!
Growing up: My roots are from a rural community in central Minnesota where my parents owned a small farm. My dad had a day job outside of the farm while my Mom tended to my younger sister and me; she did all things in the traditional sense of a mother and housewife of that era, but she also did much of the farming! In my world, Mom was the first example of female strength and grit. She was a trail blazer out of necessity and instilled many values of independence and “can do it” spirit in my sister and me.
Career: On about the 14day I graduated from St. Cloud State University with a major in Public Administration and minor in Business Administration, I accepted a job with Itasca County in personnel (human resources) and administration. Eventually, I completed a master’s degree in Business Management at the College of St. Scholastica. My career “up north” spanned over 30+ years, which was about 28 years longer than I or my college friends ever expected!
Personal: But alas, I met my husband, Jim…and life just fell into place! Together, Jim and I have had a rich, blessed life. I enjoy traveling, cooking, experimenting with food and drink, hanging out with friends and family, gardening, exploring, dancing, staying active, meeting people and learning about other cultures, music, reading, volunteering, going out for entertainment and animals. To round out retired life, I am pleased to help others while challenging my brain in a different way by working as an on-call Branch Office Associate for Edward Jones.
Jim and I have no children but have hosted several foreign exchange students with whom we remain in close contact or visit on a regular basis, and we have numerous nieces and nephews (with children of their own) with whom we enjoy getting together. For me, there is never enough time in the day!
** 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
From Nancy Salmi: The Monday Morning Lit group is on hiatus until we know more about COVID-19 as well as local, state and federal protocols. Until then, we continue to love and read books and look forward to choosing books to read and discuss. Contact is Nancy Salmi, 218-326-3147 or nsalmi@earthlink.net
LITERATURE – Wednesday group
The Wednesday Book Lit group has suspended
meeting until the COVID-19 situation improves. Contact is Vicki Holmstrom,
agiledog5@aol.com or 218-245-2294.
Walking & Talking group
We walk Tuesday afternoons at 1 PM. The locations
change from week to week but will be in the Grand Rapids area. We walk in
places that allow us to walk together but maintain safe distancing. Winter does
add the challenge of snow and ice since we always walk outside. The group is
open to new members interested in walking. If you’d like to join us, send your
email and cell number to Karen Karls at k.karls@yahoo.com You will receive an email with the weekly walk location.
Members walk when they can or want to; no need to RSVP. We generally walk for about one hour. If the weather is really dreadful, we may cancel and we’ll let you know. However, we are a hardy group of women who value the fresh air and exercise as well as the companionship
Beating the Pandemic Blues
Several members comment on what they’ve been
doing and enjoying during these socially isolated times of the coronavirus
pandemic.
From Julie Skallman:
On Christmas Day my husband and I were reflecting on the fact that we had been
staying close to home with only each other to talk to for most of 10 months.
That thought reminded me that I had been in contact with the walking group a
few times, I had received cards, emails and texts from AAUW members and had
exercised with Cyndy Agle at the YMCA (socially distanced of course) July
through October. Thank you for helping to make being a responsible
citizen during this pandemic much easier to bear.
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From Abby Marier: Here’s something you might enjoy doing. I started baking bread during the holidays, specifically Swedish Limpa bread. Wrapped it up and gave it away. It was a big hit! I used the mix from Sturdi-Wheat in Red Wing ($5.99). Just add water! |
The opportunity to contribute personal care items
for kits given to new clients continues. The Support Within Reach (SWR) office
remains closed with all services provided via distance contacts. The bright
blue donation box is in the gathering space (near the front door) of St.
Joseph’s Catholic Church at the top of the hill of 21st Street SW. We filled
the box once. Needed items are full-size shampoo/conditioner, body wash, lotion,
toothpaste, deodorant, etc. Tissues, fuzzy socks are also welcome.
Thank you for all the donations. This time of year offered so many opportunities and needs, so thank you for including SWR in your gifts.
Grand Rapids Library Friends Notecards
From Karen Karls
The Adam Swanson notecards are still available
for sale at the Grand Rapids Library. Adam is the artist who designed the
chickadee mural on the north wall of the library. The chickadee is featured on one
of the notecards. Over half of the cards ordered have been sold.
Cost is $20 for a packet of 8 cards. Cards may
be purchased at the drive-up window of the library, cash or check only.
This is an opportunity to support programs at
the library. The Friends group has a special focus on children’s programs.
Thank you for the support you’ve shown!
From Arlene Wheaton: “I bought two sets of these cards featuring gorgeous images of wildlife and nature. I gave one set as a gift; the recipient was delighted to receive them. I’ve been using the cards for personal birthday and thank-you notes. I’m a lover of blank notecards and these really showcase the beauty of our area.”
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
