Healing Nest in Anoka (Homeless veterans). Keep an eye out for e-mail updates on upcoming events. Have a safe and Happy Holi-days!

Hello! We are getting to the end of Trimester 2 (December 30)! I can’t believe after the holidays we will be in the last trimester of the year. I have really enjoyed my time so far as president and have learned a lot. We are starting to look for our new board members, if you are interested feel free to reach out to myself or any of our other board members; Nancee, Rachal, Stefany, Erin, Cortney and Julie. Attend a board meet-ing to see what happens and if it is something you would want to try! In November We raised $242 at our new Ramsey Bingo Event for Wishes and More (they grant wishes for terminally ill kids in Minnesota). We had many members join and it was such a fun event we are thinking about doing it again in the spring/summer. We also stuffed 1800 letter for Wishes and More, we had many members help and members from the Coon Rapids chapter and some family. Thank you to Stefany to for setting this up. We had members serve a meal at the Ronald McDonald House! We also donated an awesome Thanksgiving meal to Eagles

Adrianna’s Message

Notice: Next Meeting date: December 11 —Patsy Ajax’s House, 6:30 pm for Holiday Party and short meeting.

President Adrianna Post

Inside this issue:

Christmas Committee 2

Calendar of Events 3

Difference Makers 4

State Delegate News 6

Winter State Reg. Form 7

November Meeting

Minutes

10-11

Be a Successful Co-Chair 12

December 2018

Pumpkin Press

Anoka

Women of Today

Special Points of Interest

Holiday Party Winterfest Calendar

Winter State Up-date

Wishes & More Ronald McDonald

House District 6 Meeting

Tree Lighting Cathy Elford

Page 2

Christmas Committee Thank you to Sara Givand who is helping to obtain donations for the volunteer meals for Christmas Committee. A special thank you to Adrianna who is willing to make the chili for our donated meal on Dec. 21. I am sure she would appreciate some help if any body would like to help her. Thank you to those that signed up to donate items for the lunch. I have the following down: Veggie Tray—Julie; Bars/Cookies—Rachal; Crackers—Tricia; Cheese—Bonnie; Sour Cream—Patsy. Members have also enjoyed being part of the distribution where they assist families on picking out toys for their children and receiving the food donations on the distribution days of Dec. 20 and 21. Members can also help sort toys on Dec. 18 and 19. For more information contact Nancy at ngdvora78@comcast.net or at 612-202-4179 (cell – can text). You will not regret being part of this project! Make it part of your holiday tradition. Nancy Dvoracek "Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves.

It directs our thoughts to giving." — B.C. Forbes

Ronald McDonald House Cooks for Kids

A fun event was held Nov. 17th when the Anoka Women of Today served a meal at Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis.

Page 3

December 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Tree Lighting

3-7pm

2 3 Book Club 7 pm

Nancy D.’s

4 Board Meeting

7pm Caribou

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 General Meeting &

Holiday Party 6:30

12 13 14 15

16 17 18 Christmas Commit-

tee Setup

19 Christmas Commit-

tee Setup

20 Christmas Commit-

tee Distribution

21 Christmas Com-

mittee Distribution

22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Happy Birthday

Mary Molicki

30 31

January 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Happy New Year 2 3 Budget Review 6:15

pm Board Meeting 7

pm Riverdale Cub

4 5 Saturday Social

10K Brewery 2 pm

6 7 8 Improv PE Course

7 pm

9 Bylaw Review 10 Visitation to Elk

River WT 7 pm

11 Happy Birthday

Rori

12 District Meeting

Champlin 10 am

13 14 15 General Meeting

7:00 pm City Hall

16 17 Happy Birthday

Stefany

18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 Winter State St

Louis Park

26 Winterfest

Winter State St Louis

Park

27 Happy Birthday

Nancy P. Winter

State St Louis Park

28 29 30 31

Calendar

Anoka

Women of Today

Page 4

Difference Makers

Note to Erin – Thanks so much for stepping up and filling in for me for the board meeting and always being there to support. Thanks Nancee Adrianna—Thank you for stepping up to make the chili for Christmas Com-mittee. The volunteers will be so happy to have that during a very busy day! Rachel – Thanks for doing the running with me for the tree lighting and be-ing there while we were driving through the snow! Fun but scary! Thanks Nancee Thanks Katie G. for stepping up and opening your house for us to make the hot cocoa for the tree light-ing. Thanks Nancee Sara—Thanks for all that you have done for Christmas Committee. You are a life saver! ` Nancy D.

Anoka Christmas Tree Lighting Great fun was had at the Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1. Wind, snow, lots of people and great hot chocolate was had by all. A special thank you to new members Katie G., Jennifer and Anne and all of the other members that participated. A profit of $526.92 with will be used for True Friends and an agency serving mental health issues. Note the snowman!

Winterfest—January 26

Celebrate Anoka’s winter wonderland with indoor and outdoor activities on January 25 and 26. Escape the win-ter hibernation and come out and enjoy Anoka’s amenities.

We will be participating at Winterfest on January 26th at Greenhaven Golf Course from 10 am to 1 pm with a craft activity. The theme is ―Winter". Please let Erin know if you'd like to co-chair, or to sign up to volunteer at the event.

Page 5

.

A Good Month for Wishes & More

We had a new bingo event at Central Park in Ramsey on November 9th from 7-10pm in the warming house. It was a cold day and we were not sure how the turnout would be. It ended up being a nice event. We had 32 participants who took home $242.75. And 9 members volunteers to call,

sell cards and collect money. The city of Ramsey donated water and some snacks. We ended up donating $242.75 to our 3 year priority project Wishes & More. Thank you for helping Ady, Bonnie, Julie, Katie G, Nancy D, Nancee W, Rachal. Stephanie R, and Stefany N. We spent 32 hours on this.

Also we had a letter stuffing event on November 14th to help the Wishes & More Story Book Ball. We stuffed over 1800 let-ters to be sent out for donations to their Ball. This was held at the COR apartments fireside room from 5:30-8:30. We had 19 volunteers, we had 8 Anoka members along with 5 Coon Rapids members and 6 family mem-bers from both chapters. We spent 37 hours doing this event. Thank you to Coon Rapids Women of Today for your assistance on this project!

Notice

January newsletter articles due January 5. Don’t forget your ―Difference Makers‖ personals! Send to ngdvora78@comcast.net Nancy D.

Page 6

State Delegate News

- Winter Convention—see registration form on page 7 - District 6 Meeting on January 12th. Brunch starting at 10 am and Meeting at 11 am. Location: Champlin Park & Rec (11955 Champlin Drive) $7 for meeting & brunch, $1 for meeting only. Menu (Egg Bake, pancakes, pastries, fruit, juice & coffee) - Visitation to Elk River chapter on January 10th. Meeting starts at 7pm and they are meeting at Guardian Angels in the cafeteria (350 Evans Avenue NW, Elk River).

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9 Treasurer Report Continued—November 2018

Cathy K. Elford

We received word last week that we lost one of our former chapter presidents, Cathy Elford, after a short battle with lymphoma. Cathy, formerly from Coon Rapids and now New Hope, joined the Anoka chapter in 1988. She served as chapter president in 1989-90 and again in 2000-01. She was active many years on the local, district and state levels. She served as District Director in 1992-93, STEP State Program Manager in 1996-97 and as State Extensions Director in 2001-2002. Eleven past and present members attended her memorial service, all of whom had at one time served as chapter president for Anoka. Her husband, Bruce, made a comment during the service that

she had learned and grown so much in Women of Today. A lot of that training led to her establishing her own very successful insurance business. In her final chapter newsletter article in May, 1990, she wrote, ―I’ve often promoted Women of Today as the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You have all taught me so much about myself, our community and the very special gift of friendship. Many thanks to all of you!!‖ A favorite memory is that she always would tell about being so afraid to ―break ice‖ at her first chapter meeting, a reference to the ice breakers we do at each meeting. A Minnesota Key Woman, she is and always will be a Key Woman to many of us. Rest in peace, Cathy.

Page 10

Anoka Women of Today General Membership Meeting

Anoka City Hall November 20

th, 2018 7pm

Call Meeting to Order- 7:00pm Introduction of Guests: Anne Jenkin Attendance: Rachal, Julie, Jennifer, Patsy, Nancy, Stefany, Cortney, Adrianna, Nancee, Tricia, Terri Pledge of Allegiance: Rachal US Women of Today Creed: Cortney

We the United States Women of Today, are dedicated to serving our community and nation, are committed to strengthening our individual talents, and stand united by our friendship and belief in the future.

Orders of the Day/Quorum: Stefany- a quorum is/is not established. A quorum WAS established. Special Guest: N/A Invocation: Patsy Happy Thanksgiving! Ice Breaker: Patsy What motivates you?

President – Adrianna

● Next Board Meeting-December 4th, 7pm Caribou Anoka

● Next General Meeting- Christmas Meeting/Party- December Patsy-signup sheet – will be @ 6:30pm @

Patsy’s house on December 11th

, this will be a very brief general meeting followed by the Christmas

party, bring a $5 ornament (wrapped) for gift exchange, also bring a white elephant gift for games.

● Sign-up sheet- Snacks- Nancy Drinks- Patsy lucky buck- Patsy

● Folders-make sure you’re updating your sheets for the lucky buck incentive!

● Member Recognition- November

● Angela Memorial Update- Nancy – Report Donations have been received from friends/family/members

and silent auction. Erin/Nancy working on Chapter Grants. Once the funds total $2,000 the city will

order the bench to be placed at Peninsula Park next spring. Committee meeting at the Anoka Cari-

bou on Nov 28 @7pm to discuss.

● Welcome to our new members Jennifer and Greta

Secretary – Nancee

● October Minutes- Passed around and e-mailed for approval - Approved

● Sunshine Fund- passed around. The Sunshine fund is used for get well, greeting, and condolences

Treasurer – Julie

Checking

Beginning Balance: 3,558.19 *Oct ending balance was incorrect (this amount is correct )

Ending Balance: 6,276.27 Savings

Beginning Balance: 8,567.60

Ending Balance: 8,568.33 Sunshine Fund Balance: 66.92 Lucky Buck Balance: 224.13 ―In Kind‖-Donation sheet- Passed around sheet to fill out if applicable. General discussion related to financial policies and receipts.

Past President/Parliamentarian – Stefany No Report

●

Membership Vice President –Cortney/Erin

● M-Night- Ghost Tour October 29th- Erin- Great turnout - 21 attended 11 members and 10 guests.

● 2nd Trimester renewal by November 15th

● Saturday Social- January 5th 2pm 10k Brew in Anoka

● Due to the business of the month, it was decided there would not be a December social.

State- Delegate –Rachal

● District Meeting Champlin Jan 12th – Rachal hasn’t heard anything new she will reach out to

Melanie in December.

● Winter State St. Louis park Jan 25th-27th – Should be a very fun event, dress up as favorite BFF

Character. Registration is due by Jan 10th

– Let Rachal know if interested.

● Rachal will be reaching out to Elk River for a visit.

Break/Lucky Buck

Programming Vice President – OPEN

●

Programming Areas

● Living & Learning –Patsy/Bonnie – Bonnie will be taking over @ the 1st

of the year in Patsy’s absence.

o Certifications-

o PE Course- Improv Date? Tuesday January 8th

more to come

● Newsletter -Nancy

o Submissions due December 5th Incentive for the 2

nd article.

o November incentive winner is Erin

● Ways & Means –open

o Raffle Tickets $5.00

● Public Relations-Rachal

o Blog/Website/Facebook/Twitter We reached 400 likes

● Records & Recognition-Stefany

o Project Reports- turn in within 30 days

o Google docs

o Report form in folder

● Community Connections-Nancee

o Light up the night Parade- Stefany- October 20th- Report – Stefany, Bonnie, Stephanie, & Rachal.

Decorated at Stefany’s neighbors house. Rode the float – Stefany, Stephanie, Rachal, Nancy D. and 2 granddaughters. Cassey & Scott drove the truck.

o Spooktacular- Rachal/Tricia- October 27th Anoka Armory-Report in process

o Ronald McDonald House-Rachal November 17th-Report

o Thanksgiving Meal Donation- thank you for the donations, will be delivered tomorrow if anyone is

interested in coming with will be donated to Eagles Nest in Anoka

o Tree lighting-December 1st 2-7pm committee needed – Meeting at Nancy’s house to discuss de-

tails. Committee Meeting 7pm Monday 26th

o Christmas Committee-Nancy- set up-Dec 8am-5pm 18/19 distribute 20/21 Sign up Sheet Dec 18-19

for set-up and distribution 20-21 at Anoka Armory hours 8:30am – 5pm. o Winter fest- Chair- Erin Green Haven-Jan 26th looking for co-chair

o Feed my starving children Feb 11th 6-7:30 Coon Rapids Rachal has signed us up

● Women’s Wellness – Cortney · Book Club- Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult meeting Dec 3 Nancy’s @ 7pm

The following book will be The Key by Kathryn Hughes ● Wishes and More- Open

o Ramsey Bingo- Adrianna- City Hall November 9th 7-10pm Report

o Letter stuffing for upcoming Gala- Nov 14th Report- Stefany – We Stuffed 1800 Letters – over

5000 pieces. 19 Volunteers, 5 CR Members, 2 CR Kids, 8 Anoka members, and 4 non-members. Total 37hours!

▪ Thank you to CR members Melanie, Sherry, Pam, Jeny, Jessica & Melanie’s daugh-ter’s Olivia & Adrianna.

▪ Our members – Erin Adrianna, Cortney, Jennifer, Nancy D, Rachal, Trisha, Stefany ▪ Ari (Erin), Cassey & Scott, and Bea (Trisha)

● Youth of Today-Brooke Not present o OYA scholarship- Committee/discussion about this year

Business/New Business/Good and Welfare: Invitation to join: Anne to join MN Women of Today Creed: Nancy D.

We, the Women of Today, are service, growth and fellowship. We believe that through us great lessons can be learned, worthy deeds performed and a hand of fellowship extended to millions of women everywhere. May we leave

the world a better place because we lived and served within it.

Adjourn: 8:50

Page 11

Page 12

Programming News

Holiday Party

Regular meeting will be replaced by a mee t in g / Ho l ida y Party at Patsy Ajax’s on Dec. 11 starting at 6:30. Bring an appetizer or a dessert. Bring a $5 ornament to participate in the ornament exchange and a White Ele-phant item for par-ticipating in the dice

Important Dates and Events

PO Box 564

Anoka MN 55303

anokawomenoftoday.weebly.com

Winter State

Check out the registra-

tion form for Winter

State. This convention

will be in the metro

area so easy to get to.

While it is fun to stay

together down at the

hotel, if that does not

work for you, it is an

opportunity to attend a

convention close by. It

is a Thelma & Louise

theme so plan to come

as a unique duo for the

Christmas

Committee

Stop on down at the Armory anytime from Tuesday Dec. 18-Friday Dec. 21 to be a part of the best pro-ject in Anoka County. Food and toys will be distributed to Anoka County’s needy for the holidays. We will be covering the vol-u n t e e r room and lunch on Friday.

December 2018

Pumpkin Press

Anoka

Women of Today