AAUW Grand Rapids MN

Grand Rapids Timberline

     Volume 49, Issue 1             September, 2024

NEWS FOR AND ABOUT

AAUW GRAND RAPIDS

 BRANCH MEMBERS

 

EDITOR; Myrna Peterson

myrnakay67@gmail.com

218-301-6028

MISSION: AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy.

September 16, 2024

Location: United Methodist Church

Social/Registration: 5-5:45 PM Dinner: 5:45-6:30 PM

Menu: Swedish Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Chocolate Cake

           Cost $15

Food Chair: Cyndy Agle

Food Committee: JoAnn Bakken, Ann Clark, Cathy Davies, Dody Davies, Linda Johnson

Business meeting: 6:30 PM

Program: 6:45 PM

Program topic: EXPLORING ANTACTICA

Mary Shideler and Nancy Raymond, though on different trips to Antarctica, enjoyed the beauty of icebergs, penguins, wales, kayaking and polar plunges. Spectacular sites will be shared in pictures and stories.

**RSVP to AAUWRSVPGrandRapids@gmail.com by Monday, September 9, 2024

***************************************************

President's Message

Happy Fall!

It is hard to believe that another summer is almost gone. The leaves will be turning into many amazing colors.

The board met on August 12th. Vicky Holmstrom updated everyone on the new booklets that will be distributed at the October meeting.

The Northland Gathering for 2024 will be held in Eli on October 12, 2024. The title of the gathering is: Neighbor to Neighbor; Bringing Advocacy Home. The registration forms are now available.

The yearly potluck was held at Cathy Davies' home. Great to be near the lake, to view her beautiful gardens and share the delicious dishes available. A great time was had by all.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you on September 16th for our monthly meeting. At this meeting Nancy Raymond and Mary Shideler will give a presentation on your trip to Antarctica.

Susan Lavelle, President

=======================================

Exploring Our Community Summer Happenings:

We heard a very informative presentation from Julie Skallman on her trip to five Central Asian countries. Julie had so many interesting stories, including the 'all white city' with all white marble buildings.

In July, we visited Ravenstone Abbey in Coleraine, MN. Co-owner Sue gave the history of the building and a tour of the facility, which was made to look like a castle, including showing us the secret door. Jozef, the other co-owner, gave an axe-throwing demonstration in the dungeon. Several of our members tried axe-throwing.

========================================

**Travel Treasures

Thank you, Cathy Davies, for hosting our wonderful AAUW Garden Party! It was perfect, and Travel Treasures brought in $119 for our Scholarship Fund. You all make such a generous group!

Thank you for the following Treasures:

*    Cathy Davies recently traveled to Mongolia and donated a lovely bracelet, Mongolian horse cell phone case (too cute) and wild herbal tea.

*    Linda Johnson traveled to Budapest, Hungary, and brought paprika from the Grand Market and soap from Gottweig Abby in Austria.

*    Nancy Raymond traveled to Scotland and she donated a lovely tea towel

*    Dorothy Molter's delicious root beer from Ely was donated by Kathleen Spencer.

*    Marj Lavalier traveled to her lovely garden and brought beautiful flower arrangements.

*    Judy Gorham donated a variety of LL Bean items from Freeport, Maine.

*    Marlys Mestemacher gave Huckleberry Syrup from Montana.

Thanks to everyone!

Marlys Mestemacher

Jean Gardner

========================================

A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey,

But a woman strength knows that

It's within the journey that she becomes strong!

========================================

**INTEREST GROUPS**

***LITERATURE
The AUW Monday Morning Lit Group will meet on September 9th at 9:30 AM in the private dining room at Majestic Pines. Nancy Salmi will leave the discussion of NORTH WOODS by Daniel Mason. Coffee will be provided. On October 7th, we will discuss Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN and on November 4th, Marie Benedict's THE MITTFORD AFFAIR. For more information, contact Nancy Salmi at 218–326–3147 or nsalmi@earthlink.net.

***WALKING & TALKING
The group continues on the summer schedule of walking at 9 AM on Wednesday mornings. The locations change from week to week, but usually are 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 address and cell number to Karen Karls at k.karls@yahoo.com. You will receive an email with the weekly Rock location. Members walk when they can or want to; no need to RSVP.

The fall and winter schedule has the group walking on Tuesday afternoons at 1 PM. We will switch to the fall schedule as the weather cools; the decision is made by the group. By October, we will be on the schedule.

***SUNSHINE & CARING

It's any member of AAUW needs a bit of sunshine because of illness or a sympathy card, please let Nancy Raymond know, she is our new SUNSHINE & CARING contact. She will send a card from AAUW. You can email her at: nmraymond14@gmail.com.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank You Note!

Thank you for the prayers, notes, cards, and phone calls following our involvement in the tragic August 14th car accident in which four members of one family were killed, including two 9-year-old girls. We sustained minor injuries and are feeling better with each passing day. Please, continue keeping the family, Vincent and Bonne Dow, Hope and Charlotte in your thoughts and prayers as they travel this difficult road of loss and grief. Your kindness and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Sharon Burt and Nancy Salmi

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Meet a Member - Jean Hoshal

I was born in Chicago and grew up in a close-by suburb. I went to Catholic schools for most of my education, except for two years of public high school.

For college, my friends thought I was nuts to attend, yes, a Catholic women's college. It was renowned for language studies. Rosary College was the name, but after my graduation, it became co-ed and was called Dominican University. I was lucky to be able to spend my junior year in Madrid, living with a family. It was a wonderful experience and convinced me to want to know more about the world.

Since I didn't know what to do with a BA in Spanish, as I didn't want to teach, I went to the university of Wisconsin/Madison for an MA in Latin American Studies (most useful in Grand Rapids).

After college, I took off for Washington DC and lived with roommates in a Georgetown townhouse. The three of us paid $200, total! That was $66.66 per month with one of us paying the extra $.01 to round off to $200.

In Washington, I met my future husband when he approached me and handed me his card to 'call him'. I figured he was in Security and I was in deep trouble. But, no, it was a lunch invitation. We were married, just five blocks from the White House and lived in a high-rise close to the Pentagon. Generals would helicopter by our 12th floor window on their way to work.

In 1974 we were assigned to the American Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, where we spent four years. The Americans soldiers were having babies, and we were fortunate to be able to adopt a baby girl, then a baby boy.

Moving back to the US, we settled in a nearby suburb in Virginia, next to Washington. I thought we'd be there forever, but Mr. Northwoods had other ideas.

In 1985 we moved to Grand Rapids. I joined St. Joe's Church, AAUW and AFS. I played Trivial Pursuit every Thursday night with neighbor ladies and generally got used to small town living.

In 1989 I got a very part-time job at ICC as their only foreign language instructor. For two years, the students were in class with me, but until 2005 when I retired, I taught Spanish on interactive TV from ICC to Hibbing CC.

I am very happy here and grateful for so many friends, many I met at AAUW.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Your success will be determined

By your own confidence and fortitude!

                   ... Michelle Obama

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Grand Rapids AAUW Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, June 3, 2024 - United Methodist Church

Laurie Clausen, president, called the meeting to order. New officers, Susan Lavelle (President) and Vicki Holmstrom (Secretary) we introduced. Additional meeting attendees included Karen Karls, Diane Anderson, Janis Johnson, Marlys Mestemacher her, Cyndy Agle, Linda Johnson and Julie Skallman.

Secretary's report: Marlys Mestemacher moved that the minutes from the previous board meeting be approved as read. Cyndy Agle seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.

Treasurer's report: Julie Skallman, treasurer, presented budget planning assumptions for FY 23-24 and the proposed budget for the upcoming year, as well as a report on Approved Use of Scholarship Funds for FY 24-25. Marlys Mestemacher moved the budget be approved and Karen Karls seconded the motion. The motion was carried. Cash on hand as of May 14, 2024, totaled $6237.

Programs: The Program Committee submitted proposed programs for FY 24–25 and are close to completing the schedule.

Directory: Updates are needed for the directory. changes include deleting Jan Bilden from the program committee, deleting Marcia Anderson from the finance committee and adding Linda Johnson to the finance committee, deleting Norma Eppinga from AAUW Funds and adding Jean Gardner. Delete 'compiles a list of members' (p. 7, line 5, Branch Interest Groups).

Scholarships: A discussion was held to determine how to name and proceed with the Lonson scholarship for 2025 as a business related only scholarship. Kathleen Spencer will discuss with the family and forward the suggested; Lonson Memorial Business Scholarship. 

Scheduling: Meeting dates for the upcoming year are the third Monday of the month with exceptions for October 14th, November 11th and December 9th. The March 2025 meeting were remain and evening gathering.

New Business: Julie will update the AAUW National Database of Officers. Cindy announced the Ely Northland Gathering to be held this fall. The next meeting is scheduled for August 2024 in the yellow room at United Methodist Church.

Adjournment: Linda Johnson moved the meeting via adjourned. Janis Johnson seconded the motion.

Minutes respectfully submitted by

Diane Anderson, Secretary

######################################

'when we strive to become better than we are,

Everything around us becomes better, too.'

                             ...Paula Coclho 

######################################

Grand Rapids AAUW Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, August 12, 2024 - United Methodist Church

Susan Lavelle, president, called the meeting to order. Additional attendees were Janis Johnson, Karen Karls, Cindy Agle, Linda Johnson, Marlys Mestemacher and Vicki Holstrom.

Secretary's Report: Karen Karls moved the minutes from the previous board meeting be approved as read. Marlys Mestemacher seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.

Treasurer's Report: 76 members have now paid dues for the 2024–2025 year. The bank account currently has a balance of $5983.27. $707 of that is dedicated to scholarships and $100 has been set aside for the picnic. This leaves $5276.27 available.

Membership: October is our Bring a Guest month. We encourage members to bring a first time, qualified guest for a $7 meal.

Programs: the entire year of programs is nearly complete. January and May are still being finalized.

Directory: Rapids Printing will print our directories for the same cost as last year. Changes for the new directories are due by August 31. The final copy will be sent to the Rapids printing on September 3.

Dinner/Food: The menus for the coming year have been set. One of the caterers will be having surgery, so food committee members may need to provide a bit of extra support. Catering costs have gone up a bit due to increasing food prices. We will be keeping the cost at $15For the evening meals, and $13 for the two noon meals in January and February, 2025.

Scholarships: The business – related field $4000 scholarship sponsored by the Lonson family will be separated from the traditional AAUW Anniversary Scholarships. This scholarship will be identified as the Karen Lonson AAUW GRGM Memorial Scholarship. GRGM stands for Grand Rapids General Motors, a Lonson family business. Karen Karls moved that the board approve this name. Linda Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Northland Gathering: The meeting will be held in Ely on Saturday, October 12. We are still waiting for registration forms. Our Grand Rapids Branch will be hosting this meeting in 2025 and we encourage our members to attend.

New Business:

*    Cyndy has some volunteers to do member biographies for the newsletter. It was discussed that these biographies need to be short, e.g. a few paragraphs.

*    Nancy Raymond has taken over Sunshine & Caring duties.

*    We hope to continue assigned seating at our meetings. There has been a lot of positive feedback for that.

*    The New-Member packet will be discontinued to save printing costs. All the information it contained is available and other materials that new members receive.

*   Board meeting dates for 2024–2025 were finalized.

*    The next board meeting is scheduled for November 25 in the Yellow Room at United Methodist Church.

Adjournment: Janis Johnson moved the meeting be adjourned. Marlys Mestemacher seconded the motion.

Minutes respectfully submitted by,

Vicki Holmstrom, Secretary

======================================

Marilyn Rossman has moved to Washington.

Her new address is:

13504 48th Pl. W. Edmonds, WA  98026

======================================

Happy Birthday!!! 

Janice 'Jan' Miland - September 4

Cyndy Agle - September 5

Eileen Grosland - September 7

Sue Koprowski - September 13

Nancy Salmi - September 14

Karlin Allen - September 15

Jan Bilden - September 16

Jean Hoshal - September 16

Betty Brandt - September 21

Mary 'Mac' Custer - September 26

Sandra Nelson - September 29

======================================

OCTOBER HAPPENINGS

On October 12, Ely will be hosting the Northland Gathering at the Grand Ely Lodge. The 6 branches consisting of Brainerd, Duluth, Ely, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Virginia meet each fall. We take turns hosting and our branch will host in 2025. Please consider attending and we will be carpooling. Louise sent the invite and registration form and email on August 15.

October is our 'Bring a Friend' month. The cost of the dinner for first time qualified guests will be $7.

Please note the date change for the October meeting. Our meeting will be held on Monday, October 14. The date changes due to the coat drive at United Methodist Church.

======================================