ANNANDALE IMPROVEMENT CLUB
ANNUAL ACTIVITIES REPORT
JUNE 2016
- MAY 2017
Elected Officers:
Co-Presidents—Cathy Gulyas and Judi Gay;
Co-Vice Presidents-Bonnie Ponsford and Wendy Sylvester (June – Dec ’16);
Secretary—Aleta Isaacson;
Treasurer—Lisa Elfmann
Membership:
87
Members. 10 Honorary Members:
Elaine Gephart, Ruth Gruys, Donna Kuiper, Bev Lindgren, Doris Miller, Jan
Quinn, Muriel Rudolph, Fran Ulfers, Betty Waldhauer, Jane Wizik.
Deceased Members: Judy
Bayer, Mildred Shadduck
Activities Overview:
The rings
and gardens along Hwy 55, throughout the downtown area, at Pleasant Lake, along
Hwy24, and on the north side of Pleasant Lake were maintained
throughout the summer by dedicated AIC members.
In the early days of November the rings and gardens were filled with
newly cut greens from the Shadduck woods and tree tips for the Holiday and
Winter season. AIC was represented
at the Business Expo in April with a booth displaying AIC photo greeting cards
and by members ready to share what the Improvement Club is, and what the Club
does in and for Annandale. The
annual Bus Trip brought AIC to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on a lovely
sunny day to tour about the trees, shrubs, fountains and flowers by foot a:nd
guided tram. The August gathering
of the Club was held at the Annandale Pavilion.
A Kayak Race was paddled from the city beach on Pleasant Lake out into
the lake, around two pontoons full of members serving as observers, judges, and
in charge of assigning fines and fees to racers for any offense or
‘unsportswomanlike’ conduct.
July 2016-Civil Society, serving Victims of Human Traffiking in
Minnesota: $220.00
August 2016—The Central MN Sexual Assault Center (St Could):
$236.00
September 2016—Annandale Food Shelf:
$307.00
October 2016—Anna Marie’s Alliance:
$249.00
November 2016—Pioneer Park:
$183.00
December 2016—Share Your Christmas:
$260.00
January 2017—True Friends:
$146.00
February 2017—Bounce Back Program at Buffalo Hospital:
$206.00
March 2017—Annandale Community Team (ACT):
$116.00
April 2017—Great River Regional Library-Gift Fund for Annandale Library:
$156.00
TOTAL:
$2322.00
Programs….
June--Bus Trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
It was such a beautiful day…and I wonder who won the gorgeous quilt
raffled off later in the season.
July---Because of the work of the women who spoke at the meeting (Civil Society
and Assault Center), Minnesota is leading the fight in the US in convicting
human trafficers of women, men, and children in the United States.
(televised news late April, 2017)
September---Stephanie Salonek (Lillian’s), Alyssa Domagala (State Farm Ins.),
Donita Knaus (Diva’s), and Judy Grabham (Judy’s Cottage) were very enlightening
about business in Annandale---starting running a business as a woman---and
balancing business, home, education, and family.
All in the atmosphere of Spilled Grain Brew House—a new(er) business
startup in Annandale.
October---The Continental Divide Trail extending 3,100 miles from Mexico to
Canada, encounters a multitude of ecosystems from Desert to Tundra, hosts a rich
variety of wildlife, and preserves nearly two thousand natural, cultural, and
historical treasures. Considered one of the greatest long-distance trails in the
world, it is the highest, most challenging, and most remote of our National
Scenic Trails. Katie VanDorp traveled that trail, hit highs and lows (literally
and figuratively), cried and laughed-alone and with friends on the trail.
And all with a LOT of gear and supplies packed in a not-that-big- really
pack. (the stuff just kept coming
out of it.)
November---Tom (and Barb) Westman have been feeding people, and birds, for a
long time—starting and running stores and creatively mixing up recipes for seed
mixtures for birds of Minnesota,
Tom instructed AIC members how, and what, to feed the birds that overwinter here
in our Minnesota yards.
December---Once again the Westman home was decorated to a “tee” for Tea…and
Treats—sooo very pretty and tasty!!
January---Ed Stracke, President and CEO of True Friends Camp spoke to us about
all the many camp opportunities for therapy, theme, respite, horse, ropes,
water, medical….camp settings available.
To go to camp with others that face the same challenges that True Friends
campers do helps and grows each person attending as a camper and also those who
are staff persons. A large impact
for True Friends ‘camper’ families is the aspect of respite for care providers.
February---Corey Martin M.D., Director of Medical Affairs, Buffalo hospital
inspired all of us to find happiness that will stick with us for a longer time
at a higher level by practicing: ‘Random Acts of Kindness’……’Pay It
Forward’…….and ‘Gratitude Journaling’.
Check out the apps: “From
Gratitude to Bliss” and “Gratitude Journal 365”.
Thinking 3 Good Things before you go to bed will give you more of a
feeling of happiness for up to 2 weeks than a regiment of medication.
Count them—1, 2, 3…and smile!
March---Karna Rice discussed current trends in interior decorating.