State Convention Delegates

A number of MetroWest members attended the State Convention in Minneapolis April 11-12.  Here are a few pictures.  If others have pictures to share, send them my way, and I'll add them.

Minnesota History Featured in April

Matt Horstman, a sales representative for Educational Services at the Minnesota History Center was our speaker at the April branch meeting.  He had sample copies of the new Northern Lights (Minnesota history textbook) for us to look at and presented information on a number of other educational  programs and services provided by the History Center.  (As an aside, he feels a connection to AAUW because his mother was once a Branch President in Michigan.)

Helping Paws Show Their Stuff

 

Picking up dropped items, giving hugs and smooches, opening doors, turning lights on and off...these are just a few of the activities performed by service dogs for the disabled.  MetroWest met on March 20 at the Minnetonka Community Center to watch dogs in training and their instructors from Helping Paws demonstrate some of the skills the dogs must learn.  Helping Paws is a nonprofit organization based in Hopkins that breeds, raises, and trains golden and black labs to be service dogs.  The program which was founded in 1988, is entirely volunteer-operated. They have placed over 150 dogs in Minnesota.  Although it may cost over $20,000 to raise and train a dog, applicants for a dog must pay only a modest application and equipment fee. Dogs are carefully matched with their new human companion, and once in service, the dogs promote self-sufficiency, confidence, and self esteem, allowing the clients to live more independently.

Kiva Loans Was February Program

It was a snowy day in February (the 15th to be exact) when MetroWest gathered at Meridian Manor in Wayzata for a delicious lunch of fruited chicken salad, soup, pie, and more.  The program was presented by Judy Johnson, a local supporter of the Kiva Loans program.  She described how she got started in the program and demonstrated (using her own account) how easy it is to get involved.  She said that she generally supports groups of women in Africa. She believes that when you help women, you also are helping their entire family.

Appologies first...

I've gotten so far behind (boo! hiss!) that the blog has almost fallen off my radar.  This post is to say--I'm going to catch up now.

The Weather Gremlin Strikes Again

That old mean gremlin has been playing a nasty game with Minnesota this winter.  He forced us to cancel our January meeting; and we missed a program on horticultural therapy that might have warmed our spirits.  Here is a link to speaker Jane Larson's website, where you will find a number of articles about horticultural therapy. (http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/our-experts/jean-larson-ma-htr-ctrs)

Now, to help everyone think warm thoughts, here are a few pictures snagged from the web.  Think Spring!

Holiday Festivities

Approximately 27 AAUW members, spouses, and friends gathered at Summit Place on December 14 for our annual Holiday Celebration. We feasted on delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and played a challenging round of trivia. Team 3, led fearlessly by Barbara Cohen, won the contest, and each team member received special ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ mints as their prize. It was an evening of good food, good conversation, and quite a bit of brainwork; but was definitely enjoyed by all who attended. And we’re looking forward to next year, and the next challenge!