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Minnesota Valley Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship
A liberal religious congregation in the Minneapolis area If the Menu on the Left Hasn't Appeared |
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| MEETINGS, CLASSES,
and EVENTS Home | Calendar Updated March 8 2010 |
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Adult
Education
Classes/Workshops/Discussions
Congregation-Wide Meetings/Events |
Regular Schedule During the Year |
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(Regularly meets first Saturday of the month) The speaker will be Mumbi Mwangi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Women’s Studies Program at St. Cloud State University. Her address is titled “Learning to Hug: News from an Orphanage in Kenya”. Dr. Mwangi received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Kenyatta University, Kenya, and her Ph. D. in education with a minor in Women’s Studies from Iowa State University. Her many and varied research interests include international education, feminist methodology, women and education and global issues affecting women. She recently helped develop an exchange program between Iowa State University and a university in Africa in the areas of Women’s Studies and Education. A short business meeting and lunch will follow the program. Please respond to Nancy Buckman at nancybafs@yahoo.com or 952-736-9586 if you will attend. All women are welcome! Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets second Thursday of the month) The Women’s Book Group will discuss American Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood by Marie Arana, Facilitator: Ginny Christiansen. New readers always welcome. All women are welcome to join us. August 2009, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan,
Facilitator: Mary Clair Prestrud September 2009, Three
Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson,
Facilitator: Donna Kopnick October 2009, Omnivore’s
Dilemma by Michael
Pollan, Facilitator: Harriet Duerre November 2009, The
December 2009, The
Fiction Class by Susan Breen,
Facilitator: Karen Wolf January 2010, Moloka'i
by David Brennert,
Facilitator: Lorene Richards February 2010, The
Color of Water by James McBride,
Facilitator: Nancy Buckman March 2010, American
Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood
by Marie Arana, Facilitator: Ginny Christiansen April 2010, The
Road Home by Rose Tremain,
Facilitator: Ruth Keely May 2010, Dancing
at the Rascal Fair by Ivan
Doig, Facilitator: Janet Stevens July 2010, Firmin by Sam Savage, Facilitator: Monica Williams Top of PageTo Calendar |
Past Reading Lists: 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 |
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(Dates and times vary each month. See the schedule (pdf) at the right.) Please RSVP via email by Mon March 8th. K-boucher@hotmail.com What does the sausage race at the Milwaukee Brewers games and the Ladies of MVUUF have in common?? Answer: They are all winners!!!!!! And to celebrate the winner in all of us, please join us at Kramarczuk's , home of Minneapolis’s best sausages and great eastern European fare. (The Brewer’s Sausages will have a run for their money now that Kramarczuk’s will be holding court at the new Twin’s stadium!!!) After we will walk off the ‘wursts and head to Nye’s Polonaise Room. We will bring out our inner- Polish Princesses. We can listen to rousing polkas (Ruth Adams has been playing the accordion at Nye’s for 30 years!!) while holding fists full of suds (beer, not washing machine). Or perhaps we will prefer to be “wanna-be” Sinatra’s at the Piano Bar. The possibilities are endless!! Preview question for April: Which MVUUF lady has gone head to head with a 4 pound lobster and won?? All women with a penchant for good food, fine drink and interesting company are welcome to join in our adventures. The schedule of events is posted on the activities table downstairs and here on the website.. Top of Page To Calendar |
LFN 2010 Schedule (pdf) |
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(Regularly meets the second Thursday of the month) What I saw during 28 days in the West Bank of Palestine is the title of a slide-show that will be presented at about 7:15 p.m. It follows the travels of Northfield resident Bill McGrath while he was living with an Arab family in 2007. He worked as a journalist, studied Arabic and walked around in Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, Jericho and the Negev Desert of southern Israel. Bill also will provide some tasty middle eastern food. All men, women, and friends are invited to attend. If you wish to attend the dinner at 6:30, please sign up on the sheet downstairs. Questions: Contact Bill McMartin at 952-452-2701, or John Peloquin at 952-200-1846. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets third Saturday of the month) The Bridge Group meets the third Saturday afternoon of each month for a few hours of bridge. We would welcome new players, beginners to expert! If you are interested, please contact Barbara Hanson Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets on the third Tuesday of the month) The selection is Animal Spirits: How Human Physchology Drives the Economy and Why It Matters for Global Capitalism by George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller. New selections for the next six months, April through September, are listed below. The only requirement to join is that you have read, or attempted to read, the monthly selection. Feel free to join us for any or all months. We welcome newcomers! Questions? Call Joyce McMartin at 952-942-7143 or email at joyce.mcmartin@earthlink.net. Current and Future Selections:
To Calendar |
Selections We've Read in the Past |
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(Meets monthly on the third Saturday of the month.) Frost /Nixon is described by IMDB as “A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. This Ron Howard directed movie was has won several awards and was nominated for five Oscars. I have seen the movie and highly recommend it. All are invited and welcome to attend discussion follows movie. Questions: contact John Peloquin john17780@charter.net 952 200 1846. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets 2nd Friday of the month) The Men's Poker Group is a low-stakes poker group that is currently welcoming men who would like to be called to substitute or who have a large enough group (5) to form a second table. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets 4th Saturday of the month) Sewers, knitters, crafters, bring your projects and yourselves. We are a "loose knit" group of UUs who love to sew and knit, No agenda, just fun.. We all work on our individual projects and help each other. With a few hundred years of combined experience, we get all the stitching problems figured out. Come to learn: yes, we can teach you how to sew and
knit.
Come
to be inspired: and finish any projects you have lying about.
Come
to chat: the conversations are sparkling. Top of Page To Calendar |
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The Annual Meeting is held each May. The purpose of the Meeting is to
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(Usually meets on the third Sunday of the month.) The Price of Life Our topic will be The Price of Life. Many public policies implicitly or explicitly put a value on human life. Should we put a value on Human life? If so how? There is no recommended reading on this topic, but an internet search will reveal many sources. All are invited and welcome to attend. Questions contact John Peloquin john17780@charter.net 952 200 1846. Top of Page To Calendar |
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In Members' Homes Have you tried our Circle Suppers? If you are new to the Fellowship – or feel a bit out of touch – or would just like to be in the company of fellow UUs, give it a try. Where else can you enjoy a five course meal by contributing just one item?? Sign up sheet for the events are in the lower foyer. Try it, you'll like it! Top of Page To Calendar |
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February 28, 2010 Let’s get to know each other. How and why did you / we come to UU? March 28, 2010 What do you want to know about UU? Plus learn about MVUUF and its history. April 25. 2010 Nuts and bolts of membership at MVUUF. Advantages and responsibilities of membership. Join us if you are interested in membership or you are already a member and are interested in the topic. Signup sheets for this series will be in the downstairs corridor. Child care will be available if requested at the time you sign up. Contact Nancy Buckman, Membership Chair, nancybafs@yahoo.com, 952-736-9586 if you have questions. Top of Page To Calendar |
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New members are welcomed to the Fellowship during Ingatherings. This ceremony gives the members of the Fellowship the opportunity to acknowledge publicly and welcome new members. Top of Page To Calendar |
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MVUUF children and youth from first to twelfth grade work together to raise money for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) with this luncheon. Cost is $6 a person or $15 for a family. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Secret Friends is an annual event where adults and children get to know one another. All adults and children (age 5 and older) in the Fellowship are encouraged to sign up. Adults will be given a “secret name” to use and will be provided with the name and address of a child who has also signed up. During January, adults write letters to the children, asking the children to describe themselves. Adults write and sign their letters with their secret names. Correspondence may be sent by mail or by using the Secret Friends box at the Fellowship. Both adults and children attend the Secret Friends Breakfast the adult and the secret friend will meet for the first time. Secret Friends signups are downstairs on the wall above the Religious Education section of the counter. More information about the program is available by the signup sheets. Correspondence begins in early January. Children need parent’s permission before signing up. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Theater is an MVUUF mail list to be used as a forum both to get groups together to see a play or just to let others know about a great play you’ve seen that they might enjoy. If you would like to receive emails about future performances, send an email to webmaster and ask to be put on the Theater mail list. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Ah June - children are home from school, weekends are spent at “the lake”, MVUUF’s services are suspended until September and things are quiet at 10715 Zenith Avenue. Or so you might think! During the summer months, MVUUF is gradually transformed into Bloomington’s BEST rummage sale. It begins with drop-off nights where members and friends bring donations of all sorts to be sold at the sale. Classrooms that are usually Sunday morning home to busy children become holding spaces for boxes, bags and bundles of stuff. Eventually, the classrooms fill up and the hallways take up the overflow. In mid-July, busy volunteers begin the process: tables are set up, items are sorted and priced and signs are hung - all in preparation for a Thursday morning in August when the shoppers line up early and the sale begins. The 2009 rummage sale took place on August 6, 7 and 8 and earned over $5400! Once again, it was a community effort - from all who donated items, all who unpacked, sorted and priced, all who moved boxes, changed light bulbs and readied the building, all who put up and took down the signs, all who worked the sale, all who provided food for the workers during the sale, to all who cleaned up afterwards and delivered the left-overs to Savers - the 2009 rummage sale was a wonderful collaboration that we can all be proud of! So, things are once again quiet at 10713 Zenith Avenue - but not for long! See you in September and thanks for all you did to make this year’s sale a wonderful success. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Birnamwood Golf Course in Burnsville Gold will resume in June 2010. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Moir Park, 10320 Morgan Ave. South in Bloomington Atht he end of the church year MVUUF members, families and friends for a fun day at Moir Park to celebrate our year, enjoy friend and, make new ones. Top of Page To Calendar |
Directions to Moir Park |
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Potluck 6:30 PM, Show 7:30 PM The choir and others who are interested present an original musical every year written by Sonja Johnston and collaborators. n. You can look forward to lots of silly characters and songs. A specific date will be announced in the spring. Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Regularly meets second Saturday of the month) Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a good scrabble player! Join us! Top of Page To Calendar |
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Our Fellowship will be hosting three speakers on three consecutive Wednesdays through a program called Great Decisions. Great Decisions is a program sponsored nationally by the Foreign Policy Association and coordinated in this state by the Minnesota International Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. Speaker: Tom Hanson, Program Secretary of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Committee on Foreign Relations,volunteer consultant with Minnesota International Center's Great Decisions program, and member of a local Great Decisions group. Speaker: Karlyn Eckman, Senior Fellow at the Water Resources Center and Adjunct Professor in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota. Speaker: Barbara Frey, Director of Human Rights Program, Institute for Global Studies at the University of Minnesota. The program will be offered free to everyone and the public will be invited. We are hoping to defray costs by donations at the lectures. We are giving you lots of notice so you can mark the dates on your calendar. We are hoping for a good turnout from our Fellowship as well as the public. Top of Page To Calendar |
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It’s been five years since MVUUF installed its peace pole and pledged itself as a peace site. In recognition of International Day of Peace and in celebration with our new settled minister, we will re-dedicate ourselves to helping to grow peace in ourselves, our congregation, our communities, and in the larger world. Join us for a short, intergenerational ceremony that will include the introduction of the children’s new Pennies for Peace Program. Pennies for Peace is a program of Central Asia Institute founded by Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. Our children’s pennies will help to build and supply community-based schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Our ceremony will also include a congregational peace pledge and music. Top of Page To Calendar |
Pennies for Peace Jug  |
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This s a chance to get acquainted, make homemade pizzas and play some games. Come and give a warm welcome to our new youth coordinator! Top of Page To Calendar |
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Come to help welcome our new minister, David Breeden…with food, of course! We’ll be having a potluck lunch after the service on Sunday, September 20. In order to make it a little easier on everyone, it is suggested that you bring salads, desserts and fixings for sandwiches (bread, meat, cheese, ??). There will be other opportunities to get to know David in a smaller setting later this fall, too. The Committee on Ministry will let you know the a as soon as these events are organized. Top of Page To Calendar |
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All are welcome, whether you came last month or not, whether you are new to UU or want a refresher. There is a signup sheet in the downstairs corridor. Please indicate if you need childcare, so that we will have it available Top of Page To Calendar |
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(Meets every other Thursday every other week for six weeks) Because of the Program Council meeting, the Feb. 18 discussion will be postponed to Feb. 25. Book discussion continues with Doubt: A History by Jennifer Michael Hecht.. If you can’t make it to these Thursday discussions with David , you can still participate. Go to David's MVUUF blog where he will post the subject for each session ahead of time, and you can comment. Click on the Adult Education tab. If you have trouble finding the blog, get help from Web Coordinator Does one of your resolutions involve deepening your spiritual life? If so, you’re in luck: our next adult religous education class considers the marvelous book called Doubt. Contrary to what the title may indicate, the book is NOT a manual for becoming a fiery skeptic. Instead, Jennifer Michael Hecht argues that religious thinking has been deepened through time by doubters. On that list she includes the Buddha, heretic in the Hindu tradition, and Jesus, a Jewish thinker intent upon softening the image of YAHWEH. Hecht says, Faced with two contradictory truths—that of the human world and that of the universe—religious virtuosos have all suggested some kind of reconciliation. They all say the schism is illusory, either because the universe is really possessed of human attributes and only looks chaotic, uncaring, and without direction, or because our sense of meaning is ridiculous, and we ought to train ourselves away from our willfulness and our struggle to invent, succeed, and sustain. Most prophets, preachers, and seers have made use of both these ideas.For those who can’t make it to our evening discussions, we will be setting up a blog for discussion of the book. Stay tuned. And, go here if you would like to take the “Scale of Doubt Quiz . It’s fun and thought-provoking. This site also includes the “Speaking of Faith” interview with the author of Doubt. Sign up downstairs. Doubt, is now on sale at the book cart. See Nancy Buckman if you are interested in a copy. Top of Page To Calendar |
MVUUF Book Discussion Blog |
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All adults invited, no special skills needed, just a relaxing good time! Extra drums available if you don’t have one. Call or email Cathleen Gempeler with questions. Top of Page To Calendar |
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The survey also indicated that a shorter version of the Women’s Retreat might be a good substitute for this year. SO..... what shall we do instead to feed our souls, to connect with what gives us meaning and helps us come alive, to have fun and enjoy the company of other women? Watch your email over the coming weeks (paper copies will also be available) for a short survey about possible women’s gatherings this year. Please take a moment to complete and return, even if all you do is check the box that says “not interested.” We would greatly appreciate your input to help us offer what you most crave, in a way that is easiest for you to participate. Thank you in advance for your thoughts. Please take a moment to complete and return, even if all you do is check the box that says “not interested.” We would greatly appreciate your input to help us offer what you most crave, in a way that is easiest for you to participate. Thank you for your thoughts. Top of Page To Calendar |
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The winter meditation series . No meditation experience is needed and everyone is welcome! Top of Page To Calendar |
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There will be pumpkin carving, costumes, fun and games. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Four of our families will tell their stories of " Coming Out". Coming Out as a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person is often filled with unknowns. It can be stressful, emotional and difficult. Sometimes it is joyous and affirming. Come and learn how we all, gay and straight, can support and understand our family and friends in their quest for revealing who they are. Questions and discussion will follow the stories. This event is open to the public. Please feel free to invite your family and friends and come support our own fellowship families. Brochures are on the information counter and table in the social hall. Questions? Nan Corliss 952-835-6832. Top of Page To Calendar |
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This will be our first Sunday afternoon concert of the 2009-2010 fellowship year. Iit will be a family friendly concert with a variety of songs about critters, i.e., flies, fleas, swans, bees, etc. We will also be visited by a juggler. AND, a highlight will be the 2nd time an Orff instrument specialist, Jody Petter, will work with our children and present one or two pieces at concert. Children in grades 3 – 6 are encouraged to sign up and arrive at the fellowship at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8th, for one hour long instruction and then these children will perform at the concert. Those of you who were present when Jody was here for a Music Sunday performance will remember her enthusiasm and love of music and children; it was a most exciting experience for the kids (and all of us). Top of Page To Calendar |
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Please sign up downstairs only if you need childcare, otherwise you do not need to sign up. First Sundays: Caffeine and Theology With the Minister. Discussions of Unitarian Universalist questions and ideas. Second Sundays: Wisdom from World Religions. Looking into scripture from a variety of faith traditions with David. Third Sundays: Religion, Ethics, and Ideas Fourth Sundays: A variety of topics and activities. Top of Page To Calendar |
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By now you may have heard that our Service Auction netted over $8300! It was due to an impressive combination – we had a great committee, wonderful food, beautiful/fun music, and your participation to make an extra-successful event. Special thanks to auction committee members Karen Olson, Karen Schaub, Don Park, Walt and Jane Stull and Bobbie Gish for many hours of planning and execution. Also big thanks to David McGovern and chief helper Lori Lundborg for the delicious food and Sonja Johnston and the music committee for entertainment. Nancy Buckman and Beth Smith helped in the kitchen along with Ginny Christenson, Mark Proctor and Lynn McPherson. Judith Anderson and Dave Rosewall made great auctioneers and many others helped with set-up, clean-up and final accounting. Plans are in the works for next year’s auction and we’d love to have your ideas and help. Please consider joining us. Top of Page To Calendar |
More Details of the Auction Schedule FINAL Auction Booklet (revised 2/1/2010) Absentee Bidding By Email By Paper |
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 MVUUF will formally install David Breeden as our new
settled minister, and the first full-time minister to serve the
Fellowship. An installation is a formal ceremony designed
to recognize that a minister is settled, and announce and celebrate
that fact among ourselves and with the larger community. The Unitairan
Universalist Association of Congregations reminds us that
installation “highlights and reaffirms the bond between a minister and
a society.”It will be a full day of celebration. After the morning service, we will have a potluck soup and bread luncheonand a cake. Then, at 2:00 will be the Installation ceremony itself. There will be guests and visitors from throughout the Prairie Star District and Twin Cities churches in attendance and participating in the ceremony. After the Installation, there will be desserts and coffee. The installation will be a formal affair. You will soon find invitations in your Fellowship mailboxes, and we are asking that people RSVP so that we know how many people to prepare for. One of David’s favorite poems is Emily Dickinson’s I Dwell in Possibility – please come help us rejoice in the possibilities as we celebrate our new settled minister. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Tai Chi is up and running, but welcomes new participants. Feel free to come with comfortable clothes and join in the fun even if it’s your first time. It is $5 a session Top of Page To Calendar |
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Reduce your auto insurance cost. Be a better driver. The safest rule$14 (but $2 discount for AARP members who have their #). Questions: Calll George Fairman 952/830-9794. Sign up downstairs. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Are you a writer? Would you like to share your writing? If you answered “yes” you might enjoy coming to an informal writing group.. All are welcome. No sign-up needed. Top of Page To Calendar |
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MVUUF is joining other area churches in providing meals for hungry people in Haiti and other places around the world. Meals will be packed at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Drive in Burnsville. A signup sheet is downstairs labeled Feed My Starving Children. Top of Page To Calendar |
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7717 Nicollet Ave., Richfield Come join your fellow MVUUFers in celebrating the Year of the Tiger!! We have several large tables reserved for this annual celebration. This is a great chance to get to know fellow church members and to enjoy some great Chinese food. Order from the menu or take a chance on one of the many Dim Sum cart selections. Sign up downstairs at the fellowship so we can estimate how many folks might join us. Any questions? Ask Bill Lochen at church or call 612-866-3407. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Join us to celebrate Black History Month.. Tom Jackson will present the audio/visual presentation of photos and original recorded music of the early black musicians who created jazz starting in 1900. The program will take place in the Social Hall.. Please sign up if you are planning to attend. Top of Page To Calendar |
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Buy! Buy! Buy! Shop! Shop! Shop!But then what to do with all the “stuff” that has accumulated? And how does one cease and desist with all this buying? Join us in the Voluntary Simplicity class led by Dale Lewellyn. We will attempt to provide ideas for and methods with which to simplify our lives and stop participating in the consumerism mantra aimed at all of us. Participants in this discussion course will:
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