Grand Rapids Timberline
Volume 48, Issue 6 February, 2024
NEWS FOR AND ABOUT
AAUW GRAND RAPIDS
BRANCH MEMBERS
EDITOR; Myrna Peterson
myrnakay67@gmail.com
218-301-6028
February 19, 2024
1Location: United Methodist Church
Social/Registration: 11:30 AM Lunch 11:45 AM - !2:30 PM
Menu: Wild Rice or Stuffed Reen Pepper Soup, Ham Sandwich, Brownie
Cost $12
Food Chair: Karen Karls
Food Committee: Norma Eppinga, Julie Erickson, Marion Barry
Business Meeting: 12:30 PM
Program: 12:45 PM
PROGRAM TOPIC: Climate Change and Minnesota Forests
PRESENTER: Hannah Friesen-Holmes Forest Rsillience Partnership Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy
A 2009 Grand Rapids High School graduate, Hannah graduated from St. Olaf College with a double major in Biology and Psychology in 2013. She received her Master's degree in Natural Resources Science and Management from the University of Minnesota in 2019. Her graduate research focused on the effects of snow cover manipulation and climate factors on the development of soil in Minnesota's forested boreal peatlands. She was the lead author of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, 2020 publication 'Climate Change and Minnesota's Forests.'
Hannah lives in Duluth with her husband and daughter, she is the daughter of AAUW member, Terry Friesen and the niece of member Pam Friesen.
**RSVP to AAUWRSVPGrandRapids@gmail.com by Monday, February 12, 2024
President's Message
Hello Grand Rapids Members!
There are several board positions that will need to be filled this summer, now is the time to step up and make a difference. Please consider volunteering to fill one of the following positions: President, Secretary, and VP Programs.
Stay warm!
Laurie Clausen, President
######################################
***Travel Treasures
Thank you for your wonderful support. At the January meeting, we had some fun items and made $23 for our Scholarship Fund.
* Sue Koprowski brought moisturizing cream from the oldest winery in Chile.
* After touring of six breweries in Cedar Park, Texas, Julie Skillman donated soap made with beer.
* Karen Karls shared spa items from her friend who lives in Jordan, and also olive oil soap from Syria via Jordan.
'Hope we have some more fun items at our February meeting.
Norma Eppinga
Marla Mestemacher
*****************************************************
*****************************************************
Believe you can, and you are halfway there!!
*****************************************************
**INTEREST GROUPS**
***LITERATURE
The AAUW Monday morning Lit Group will meet on February 5 at 9:30 AM in the private dining room at Majestic Pines. Ellen Edvenson will lead our discussion of Matt Haig's THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY. We all have regrets – other choices we could've made and other lives we might have lived. This novel is the story of Nora Seed, a young woman who feels so hopeless at the stroke of midnight she tries to commit suicide. Certainly, she was transported to the Midnight Library, where each book contains an alternate life in which she made different choices. "Before her time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: With infinite choices, what is the best way to live?" Coffee will be provided. For more information, contact Nancy Salmi at 218–326–3147 or nsalmiearthlink.net.
The AAUW Monday morning Lit Group will meet on February 5 at 9:30 AM in the private dining room at Majestic Pines. Ellen Edvenson will lead our discussion of Matt Haig's THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY. We all have regrets – other choices we could've made and other lives we might have lived. This novel is the story of Nora Seed, a young woman who feels so hopeless at the stroke of midnight she tries to commit suicide. Certainly, she was transported to the Midnight Library, where each book contains an alternate life in which she made different choices. "Before her time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: With infinite choices, what is the best way to live?" Coffee will be provided. For more information, contact Nancy Salmi at 218–326–3147 or nsalmiearthlink.net.
***WALKING & TALKING
The Walking Group walks on Tuesdays at 1 PM. The locations change from week to week, but will be in the Grand Rapids area. The group is open to new members interested in walking. If you would 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 an hour. If the weather is very dreadful, we may cancel, and will let you know. However, we are 3a hardy group of women who value the fresh air and exercise, as well as companionship.
***SUNSHINE & CARING
If any member of AAUW needs a bit of sunshine because of illness or a sympathy card, please let me know and I will send a card from AAUW. You can email me at cindy.eagle@gmail.com.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
'Would love to restart a Scrabble Group that ended several years back. Anyone interested please email Juliet Jones at kcjones50@yahoo.com.
Thanks so much!' Juliet
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Meet a Member - Cyndy Agle
I grew up in Frederick, WI, which is in Northwestern Wisconsin. I attended the University of WI – River Falls with a BS and an MBA from Tampa College with an emphasis in Human Resources. After graduation, I lived in Madison and Milwaukee.
My husband, Bob, and I had our careers in Florida, and we lived there for 30 years. We first moved to Tampa, then Apollo Beach, and then further south to Cape Coral. When we started thinking about retiring, we knew we wanted to move. Our criteria was a place or state we had never lived in before with lots of lakes. We looked at a map and saw so much 'blue' (lakes) in Itasca County and flew up to meet with the realtor. We didn't end up buying property for 4 years and it was another 4 years before we built.
In the meantime, we bought an RV and semi retired spending summers in Grand Rapids. I then quit my full-time job and worked 7 months each year at Jerad-the-Galleria of Jewelry in sales and what a fun job. I took a course to become a Certified Diamontologist and never imagined that I would be selling diamonds.
In Florida we were boaters and each Friday after work we would go out on the boat and come back on Sunday afternoon either anchoring out or staying at marinas. We spent countless hours on Sanibel Island, the Inter-Coastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. My meals at restaurants on the water always consisted of grouper sandwiches and key lime pie. Our vacations would be spent on the boat going to the Key West or across state to the Atlantic side.
The first week we were in Grand Rapids on our property in our RV, I realize that I did not know anyone except our 30-year-old real estate agent and he wasn't going to want to go to lunch with me a couple of times a week. I googled organizations in Grand Rapids and saw that there was AAUW. Nancy Raymond was the current president, and her phone number was listed so I called her. We chatted for 45 minutes, and she told me about AAUW and the special interest groups. The first week I went to three activities. I am so appreciative of Nancy for her enthusiasm and getting me involved in AAUW.
In the years, I have been a member of AAUW. I have been the chair for the food committee and served two terms as Co-President. The state convention was held in Grand Rapids and I co-chaired that event 6 years ago.
We had such an amazing group of members in AAUW and I am so proud to be a member.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From National AAUW
The new year is an opportunity for both new and continuing resolutions, including our 2024 commitment to you. This year AAUW will:
* continue fighting for all women to achieve economic self-sufficiency through pay equity and paid family leave policies.
* advocate for a strengthened Title IX, and a strong system of public education, that promotes gender, fairness, equity, and diversity.
* pursue policies that advance full access to civil rights for a diverse society.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Each year AAUW(nationally) hosts an art contest. The winning entries will be featured in a collection of notecards mailed to Aauw members. It can be photography, sculpture, or other artwork. It is too late to submit entries for this year, but be thinking and creating for 2025. The entries are submitted in January. We have never had a winner from Grand Rapids and wouldn't that be wonderful to have a winner from our branch!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lenton Noontime Oregon Recital
The Arrowhead American Guild of Organists is sponsoring a series of Lenten Recitals, one of which will be held in Grand Rapids at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church on Wednesday, February 21st, at 12:15. Recitalists will include Jan Bilden,(member of our AAUW), Darcy, Reich, Joanne, Watson, and Duluth's Dr. Tom Hamilton.
Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted
to benefit the AGO Scholarship Fund.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
AAUW Grand Rapids MN Branch General Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2024
Kathleen Spencer open0ed the business meeting with the reading of the AAUW Mission Statement. Travel Treasures garnered $23 for the Scholarship Fund. Cathy Davies sent a note to the group advising us that her husband is in hospice. She looks forward to being able to join our gatherings in the future. We also heard from Nancy Raymond, who is enjoying her cruise in Antarctica.
The afternoon's program was on Acupuncture and was presented by Amy Dolan, MN Board Licensed Acupuncturist with a master's degree in Chinese Medicine, and Julie Ann Jacobson, Clinic Coordinator. The program was well received.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Anderson, Secretary
In case there are AAUW friends passing through Atlanta in late February, I would like them to know they're welcome. He'll miss hosting you AAUW friends this summer. Cathy.
Larry Johnson obituary as of 2024–01–23
Lawrence R. Johnson (Larry) passed away peacefully at home in GA, January 18, 2024, at age 76, following a litany of health challenges.
Born in Peoria, IL, to Martha and Brewster Johnson, Larry graduated from PHS in 1965. Following a checkered college experience, Larry listened to his older brother, and finished his degree in Mathematics (computer degrees, not yet offered) at Illinois State U, formally IL State Normal U. Larry often said that "normal" was a setting on his dryer and had nothing to do with him. Designing medical information systems lead him to his final employer, HP. There he transitioned from engineering to sales. He earned "High Achiever" status for sales at HP multiple years.
Larry's passion for scuba diving, motorcycling, and all modes of travel led him to connect with Cathy Davis. During their 25 years together, they travel to 7 continents and 100 countries - 60 of those via motorcycles. He and Cathy celebrated his beating Stage 4 Head and Neck cancer by circumnavigating the globe on matching Suzuki's in 2010-11. He was a proud member of "Iron Butt Association", endurance motorcycle riders and "Women On Wheels". He loved hugs from WOW members, and considered most women to be better riders.
During his final days, when asked what he would most want to be remembered for, Larry didn't mention travel or gainful employment, only charitable pursuits. He was most proud of co-founding and serving as President of a Habitat For Humanity affiliate in Farmington, MA, reading stories to primary school students as a member of acting union SAG – AFTRA, acting at CTK Lutheran, charity rides for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Susan Coleman foundation and Grace House homeless shelter among others.
Following a motorcycle wreck, induced traumatic brain injury, he found out how bright his future was and joined MENSA, serving as its Boston Membership Chair. During a 1979, 10-country solo motorcycle trip through Europe, he was on the US Support Team at the International 6-day Trials Enduro motorcycle event in France. He trained at Second City, Chicago, giving an improv show and performing in Children's Theater. Larry was at 2nd Degree, Reiki practitioner, often treating aches and pains of friends and family.
Following retirement, Larry pursued his love of acting. "Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius", and "We are Marshall" are the well-known movies in which he appeared, as well as a Coke Zero commercial, which aired on the 1st episode of "American Idol". Less glamorous roles included being the dead body in a stairwell and playing "white trash", stuffing fake dollar bills into the G string of a stripper in a Tyler Perry music video.
He and Cathy built their beloved, "Turtle Farm", near Grand Rapids, MN. It was named for one of the dive sites they enjoyed on the faithful scuba diving trip to Grand Canyon where they met in 1996. Winters in GA and summers in MN offered the best of both worlds. "Captain Larry" will be in our hearts as we cruise and fish from the pontoon "Lily Pad".
Larry will be missed and his legacy treasured by his wife and soul mate, Catherine Davies (Cathy), brother, Brewster Johnson and Camille, niece Kendra Johnson, nephew Brett Johnson, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jody and George Davies, brother-in-law Alan Davies, and Kari, neice Kaitlyn Davies, three grand nieces, three grand nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends.
Memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024, 11 AM at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, GA, 30092. Lunch will follow. If planning to stay for lunch, please notify Cathy to allow for ample food without waste.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Habitat For Humanity of Itasca County, Grand Rapids, MN, your local Habitat affiliate – www.habitat.org or Christ the King Lutheran Church, www.ctklutheran.org where service will be live streamed and available afterwards. Online condolences can be left at www.southare.us/obituaries.
*************************************************
Grand Rapids AAUW Board Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 22, 2024 - United Methodist Church
Laurie Clausen, President, open the meeting via phone. Other attendees included; Karen Karls, Diane Anderson, Julie Skallman, Janis Johnson, Terri Friesen, and Marlys Mestemacher.
Secretary's report: Minutes were approved as read. Approval moved by Marlys Mestemacher and seconded by Karen Karls.
Treasurer's report: The balance as of January 22, 2024, is $8700 with the actual available balance for expenses being $4429. Linda Lonson will be funding a $4000 scholarship for business. There will be an additional four $1500 scholarships. Julie reported that STEM camp may be replaced by a one-day event which would be available to more students. Karen Karls moved the monies we have reserved for STEM be made available to the new STEM focused activity when it is finalized. Janis Johnson econded the motion.
Membership: Janis reported one new member.
Directory: AAUW bylaws have been updated and will be printed in the next directory.
Dinner/food: New meal supplies are being purchased.
New Business: The upcoming nominating committee was discussed. Board members that need replacement include president, secretary, and program committee chair. Janis Johnson has volunteered to continue as membership chair. It was suggested Cyndy Agle be asked to assist Laurie on the nominating committee.
Marlys Mestemacher, Janis Johnson, and Karen Karls will be attending the April State Meeting being held in Hastings. Registration is $145 per person and will be paid for by our organization.
Marlys Mestemacher, Janis Johnson, and Karen Karls will be attending the April State Meeting being held in Hastings. Registration is $145 per person and will be paid for by our organization.
Any member is eligible to attend. Registration is in March. As part of the event, our chapter needs to contribute a basket valued at $25 for the silent auction. Karen Karls has volunteered to coordinate the purchase and delivery.
A discussion was held to assess our scholarship fund raising. We have raised $2110 from 27 members which all agreed was a good amount. However, it was agreed that contribution forms be left on tables as a reminder to members to contribute when they can as many members have yet to contribute. Julie Skallman will provide the forms.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Janis Johnson and second by Karen Karls. The motion was approved. The next board meeting will be held Monday, March 11, 2024, at 9:30 AM in the Yellow Room.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Diane Anderson, Secretary
=========================================
Treasurer's Report
The December meeting has been the primary fundraising event for our Scholarship Fund in past years. This fiscal year we changed our plan and collected cash donations, beginning in the summer. I am pleased to announce that we have passed last year's dollar amount raised with a total of $2110.
The Board will be discussing our effort and will announce the plan for fiscal year '24-'25 at our May 2024 meeting. We have heard from some members that they enjoyed the basket raffles as well as some saying they really liked having more time to visit with others at the December holiday event. If you have strong feelings or suggestions for other options, please feel free to send me an email or catch me at a meeting, and I will bring them all to the Board for consideration.
Julie Skallman
julieskallman@gmail.com
========================================
PLANNING TO ATTEND THE STATEWIDE MEETING?
Our branch has set aside some funds to support members who choose to attend the State Meeting in Hastings on April 26-27, 2024. We hope to be able to reimburse the registration fee and mileage for anyone driving a carpool to the meeting. Depending on the number of people attending, we may be able to pay a portion of the hotel cost.
If you know you would like to attend please send an email to julie.skallman@gmail.com so she can track the proposed attendees. It is possible that we may have to limit the number of people we can support monetarily. Early responses are most likely to be approved for reimbursement.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Happy Birthday
Shirley Jacobson - February 2
Pat Anderson - February 12
Julie Skallmam - February 12
Colleen, Nardone - February 22
Ann Clark - February 26
Pam Freisen - February 27
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Recipes
This recipe was made for me by a coworker many years ago. Besides remembering the meal, tell me about because it was so tasty, I will never forget our conversation about how whenever he went to visit his fiancé, he got terrible headaches! This is the first meal I made for my husband when we met, and he was very impressed. It's always his first request when I asked what he would like for supper.
Apricot Pork Chops
4 pork chops
2 tablespoon chopped onions
1 16 ounce can of apricots (drained)
1/4 cup apricot juice (drained from the can of apricots)
1/3 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
Brown pork chops. Stir together apricot juice, onion, sour cream and cream of chicken soup. Pour the mixture over the pork chops. Heat on the stove top (lid on) for about 20 minutes until pork chop temperature is 150°-155°. Top with drained apricots and heat for about five minutes longer. Use the leftover liquid for gravy on mashed potatoes.
Vicki Holmstrom
*****************************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment