Waconia Area Women of Today

Start of New Year

2012-03-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

We helped out the Waconia Lions at the Wild Game Dinner. Great food, great music and fun friends that we only see once a year.

We had a wonderful social on March 3. Lola's Lakehouse for brunch and then shopping around town and massages at Balanced Life. Again...good friends, laughter and conversation.

Year End

2011-12-29T17:13:00.000-08:00

The Waconia Area Women of Today in charge of the Waconia District 110 Toy Drive. There were meetings with my wonderful co-chairs. Cary was and is amazing. She passed out signs to businesses and was busy, busy, busy.  All the other co-chairs did their job above and beyond: Lorayne Streeter, Lisa Fontana, Lynn Laumann, Lisa Amott, Shelly Hansen, Sarah Wabbe, Erin Petty,and Tanja Sterdien-Gipe. There were e-mails and phone calls from businesses who wanted to be drop sites for toys and lovely people who wanted to volunteer their time. There were e-mails and phone calls from people in need of help this season. There were money buckets delivered and money picked up around town.

Books and money were collected by Bayview Elementary's 2nd grade.

The second graders at Bayview Elementary School in Waconia recently completed Books For Kids, a holiday tradition where the students collect books and monetary donations for books that are donated to the Waconia Toy Drive. Over the years, Bayview second graders have collected more than 3,000 books for the effort. This year, the students donated more than 200 books worth $1,400+ for the effort. The 8th annual Waconia Toy Drive concludes at the Waconia Fire Station on Thursday, Dec. 15. Patriot photo by Todd Moen

There was a nice article in The Waconia Patriot about the Toy Drive, but I couldn't find it on-line.

The Toy Drive/Distribution was held at the Waconia Fire Station. Randy Sorenson, Fire Chief, has been so wonderful to let us use the Station and bother him with questions and us just being us. A couple of the city workers came over with two big truckloads of gifts from the amazing people and businesses who had donated. Dan Benham's hockey team came over and started getting everything organized. I was so impressed that a group of teenage boys could work so hard and carefully. They were amazing. Later a group from St. Joseph's Catholic Church came over and finished the organizing. We actually had to forcefully stop the hockey team from organizing because we needed something for the kids from St. Joe's to do.

I was at the Fire Station at 8:00 am December 15. People were already lined up, waiting for the doors to open at 9:00 am. We had people volunteering to wrap presents and volunteering to be "personal shoppers." The personal shoppers have a list of how many gifts, games, books and stocking stuffers each child gets and a list of the genders and ages of the children the parents are "shopping" for. They also carry the big bags to hold all the gifts. This went from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

When it looked liked no other parents were coming, we started boxing up the gifts that were left. We sent boxes to a family homeless shelter in North Minneapolis, Ridgeview Hospital Pediatrics Unit, the two elementary schools, the Ronald McDonald House, Children's Hospital, and a battered women's shelter.

There were so many amazing parents who needed help this year. One beautiful woman had shopped for her kids and stopped back by the registration table where we were sitting. She had tears on her cheeks and told her how thankful she was. We hugged her and told her that she was the reason we do this.

This year has been a great year. We have accomplished many things, helped many people, laughed hard, cried hard and loved each other. Thanks to all who make Waconia Area Women of Today amazing.

October Meeting

2011-10-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

At our October Meeting we Sally Simonson as our guest speaker. She is the mom of member Kerry Ann Kenney. Sally spoke about why we are supposed to do self exams on our breasts.

The best time is 7-10 days after our period or the same time every month.

Look at ourselves in the mirror....naked. Hands on hips which raises the breasts. Look for dimpling, puckering, swelling, redness and discharge. Then raise hands in the air and look for the same changes as above.

Feel breasts in the shower. Using dime-sized circles, cover the entire breast area and down to waist and up to the collar bone, over under the arm pits and cleavage. Do three times - light pressure, medium pressure and firm pressure.

Lie on the bed and to the above instructions.

Some women have lumpy or rope-like breasts. You need to know your own breasts.

If you find something, call your doctor. Be aggressive.

Family and environmental factors you can't control. But you can control: no smoking, obesity, estrogen.

It's our health--take charge of it.

2011-10-12T17:46:00.001-07:00

Come have some fun! Come to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary! Let's celebrate Halloween too!

Please bring a treat to share. I will bring the plates, napkins, forks, beverages, & cake.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have a speaker that evening regarding self breast exams. Don't worry, we won't be doing our own exams that evening.

The meeting will be this Thursday, October 13th at 7:00. We will be having the meeting at our new location which is The Laketown Gym. Located in Waconia just east of Mackenthuns 654 Industrial Blvd 952-368-FLIP. Please go inside the door facing west, further to the right (look for Laketown Gym sign). Once inside take a left at the desk and watch for WAWT signs.

October 1 - 2: We had a great time during our Girls Weekend. Stayed in hotel in Minneapolis, dinner at The Melting Pot, spent Saturday in Stillwater. Lots of laughter, talking and fun.

September: We volunteered at Waconia's Nickle Dickle Day. It started with the races and ended with the street dance. Lots of people, loud music from a great band, "Pop Rocks" and fun people watching.

We are donating $200.00 to purchase a tree for Tyler, MN. The town was damaged by a tornado on July 1. We love Tyler and want to do this for them.

August

2011-07-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

There will not be a Membership Meeting in August due to vacations and Relay for Life of Waconia. The Relay is being held on August 19-20. The fun starts around 4:00 at the Carver County Fairgrounds. The Opening Ceremony starts at 6:00 p.m. and the Relay ends Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m.

Our Book Club will also not be held in August. We are reading "The Help." Book Club will be on September 12th. More information to follow.

Busy

2011-07-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

We have been busy with Spring and Summer activities. The rain has been relentless and the humidity almost insufferable. But we are Women of Today and we survive snow, rain and heat.

2011-04-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Waconia Area Women of Today Year End BBQ

Thursday, May 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

Host: Tanja Sterdien-Gipe, 651-285-5089, 1841 Lakeridge Way,Waconia

Spouses are invited to eat with us and play pool in the basement.

(Year-end does not mean we are done for the year. It means we start fresh in June. Different positions on the board and more great service to perform.)

Cleaning Product Tips

2011-04-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

Alice's Wonder Spray

Ingredients:

16 oz Trigger Spray Bottle
2 Tbsp. Vinegar
Hot Water
1 Tsp. Borax
1/4 cup Dr. Bonners (or dish washing liquid)
10-15 drops Essential Oil - Lemon, Lavender or Tea Tree

Put vinegar and Borax in spray bottle and fill almost to top with HOT water. Shake well to dissolve Borax. Add Dr. Bonners and essential oils.

Mama's Earth Mop

Ingredients:

White distilled vinegar
Water
Essential Oils

Fill container with half vinegar and half water. Add 15-20 drops of essential oil.

Dust to Dust

Ingredients:

16 oz Trigger Spray Bottle
Olive Oil (preferably light oil)
White distilled Vinegar
Lemon Essential Oil

To spray bottle add 2 tsp. olive oil, add 20 drops of essential oil, 1/4 cut vinegar. Fill spay bottle with water. Shake well before using.

April WAWT Meeting Location

2011-04-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in checking out WAWT? Our April meeting will be held at Mackenthun's in Waconia on April 14, 2011 at 7pm.

The meeting location is upstairs in the board/employee room. Go to the service counter up the stairs and then find the open door...Yes if I am being vague it is because I (Erin) am not too sure where this is either. But it will be fun and we can find it together. Send us an email at waconiaareawt@yahoo.com if you are interested and we hope to see you next Thursday.

View Larger Map

Massage Social

2011-03-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

Our Massage Social was great fun. Some of us went to Lola's Lakehouse for brunch. Two of our members won prizes because it was Waconia's Escape to the Islands. A couple of us wandered around the shops and bought things, some went to get their massages. We ate and got massaged by really great massage therapists and then wandered the town again. Fun, food, laughter, massages. What more could you ask for?

Membership Night

2011-02-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

We four are sitting at Mocha Monkey and there are no new perspective members here. Darn Snow!!!! We did talk to a cute college football boy...but he is a boy and is jail bait.

But we have had a latte fun with just us. We all know what size bra we each wear.

And we have had NO wine.

Learn A "Latte" Night

2011-02-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

Waconia Area Women of Today wants you to come and

learn a "latte" about Women of Today

February 22, 2011 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Mocha Monkey, 115 South Olive Street, Waconia

Upper Back Room

Questions: Lisa Amott 952-856-5507 or waconiaareawt@yahoo.com

Women of Today is a dynamic women's organization interested in the betterment of our community. We are women from various backgrounds, communities and life experiences. We are women who want to make our communities a better place for all of us to live by volunteering our time, raising funds for various charities and organizations, providing informational seminars and much more.

Volunteering at the Wild Game Dinner

2011-01-19T14:25:00.001-08:00

Hi Wonderful Women of Today!

It’s that time of year again.

Waconia Lions Club has asked us to help out at their Wild Game Dinner.

It is being held on Saturday, Feb. 5th at Lake Waconia Event Center (formerly Lakeside Ballroom).

We need volunteers for 2 shifts: 3:30 to 6:00 and 6:00 to 8:30. Or what ever time you can help out. Thanks!

I will bring our aprons. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Also if you have the new Relay shirts please wear them.

Just let me know.

Cary

January Membership Meeting Minutes

2011-01-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

Together, anything is possible!

Waconia Area Women of Today Minutes

Thursday, January 13^th at the AmericInn 7:00

Attendees (circle those in attendance): Sarah Ackerman, Lisa Amott, Chris Bach, Phyl Bean, Dianne Breyer, Melissa Fischer, Shelly Hanson, Diane Herrmann, Kerry Ann Kenney, Kara Mueller , Tammie Nyman, Breege Orth, Erin Petty, Cary Rust, Cathy Snyder, Lorayne Streeter, D.J. Teeselink, Sarah Wabbe, & Annette Watts

Guests: Michelle Morey, Jean Pupkes, & Terry Holtz from Pay It Forward and

Fay Clark & Marie Robinson

Call to Order Cary

Welcome Guests

Hello WAWTS! Welcome to our Waconia Area Women of Today meeting for the month of January.

US Women of Today Creed – Led by Lisa Amott

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.

Ice Breaker Cary

Do you have a New Year’s resolution?

Presentation:

Michelle Morey, Jean Pupkes, & Terry Holtz did a presentation about the “Pay it Forward Fund”.

Casino Night Fundraiser on Friday, February 4^th at the Medina Entertainment Center, from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. This event offers dinner, casino games, celebrity dealers, and silent, live and online auctions.

We were invited to attend this event. They have enough volunteers for this event. Their goal this year is $200,000. Event tickets are $75.00.

This fund was founded in 2005 by Michelle Morey, who is a breast cancer survivor.

The Pay It Forward Fund is a non-profit organization that helps patients pay their bills while they undergo treatment for women’s cancers. This fund helps pay essential living expenses so patients can focus on getting healthy.

For more information www.payitforwardfund.net

Programming Reports – Please stand while giving reports. Please keep reports to 2 minutes. Thanks.

External/Internal Programming VP Shelly

External Programming VP

Chamber of Commerce Cary

Chamber’s Annual Holiday Party at Rey Azteca was fun. Erin and Cary attended the party. Erin won 2 free massages at Balance Life!

Waconia Christmas Toy Drive Lisa

Thursday, December 16^th was the 7^th Toy Drive at the Waconia Fire Department.

There were approximately 250 people that showed up for this event.

Project Linus Lorayne

Event was held on Saturday, January 8^th in Eden Prairie.

Lorayne & Erin attended this event. They made over 10 blankets! Great job!

Total blankets made from the Eden Prairie WOT and our 2 WAWTs were about 30.

Sometime in the future, we plan to do this in Waconia.

Blizzard Blitz Cary

Monday, January 17th, Adrian Peterson will be in Waconia at the Blizzard Blitz at Lola's Lakehouse.

The Starkey Foundation and the Adrian Peterson All Day Foundation are joining forces in a fund raising Ice Fishing Contest. www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org
There are many opportunities to volunteer! They need workers from 8am through the day. If you have an hour or 2 or 8 to give, please let me know now so they can see where they stand with help. They need food sellers, ticket takers, parking attendants, all kinds of opportunities!

Let Cary know if you are available.

Lions Club Wild Game Dinner Cary

Held on Saturday, Feb. 5^th. Needed anytime from 3:30 to 8:30.

E-mail message will be sent out soon.

Let Cary know if you are available.

Adopting a Soldier Cary

We have decided to adopt Regina Kumnog SSG in Iraq. We will need to send a package each month.

Decision was to have 2 women each month send a package. Tanja will try to get in contact with Regina to see if she has any specific requests. If we can’t get in contact with her, we can use the suggested item list from Operation MN Nice. Tanja will send more information soon.

Colin Faust Fundraiser KerryAnn

Bagging at Mackenthuns on Saturday, April 23rd (Saturday before Easter).

Volunteers needed from 9:00am to 8:00pm (3 -4 hour shifts).We will need approximately

40 people to help. Please recruit your spouse and older children, church groups or organizations.

Please let KerryAnn know if you can help.

Loving Yourself at Ridegeview Cary

We need to provide Ridgeview feedback after Thursday's meeting regarding Loving Yourself. We need to provide feedback regarding subjects such as where we suggest the meeting be held, meeting format, presenters etc. We also need to confirm that we want the same date. It is currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 3rd.

We agreed we prefer either RMC or Waconia High School to hold this event on May 3rd. We prefer this event to be free. Can take donations and give to the Hope Chest and Pay it Forward. Speakers preferred are Dr. Taylor (surgeon), Dr. Blumenreich(oncologist), Terry Holtz (nurse), Hope Chest organization. Another suggestion was to have people write their questions on an index card. Everyone was interested in the journey from start to finish of breast cancer. What are the different stages of cancer? What are the Radiologists looking for when viewing mammograms. What kind of mental therapy is offered for cancer patients and their families. Another suggestion was to have cancer survivors speak at this event. Other suggestions are to make it easier to register online, more advertising for this event, connect with Chamber to help advertise, Lisa Amott will let our new District know about this event.

If you have any other suggestions please let D.J.know ASAP. Thanks.

Relay For Life Cary

Committee/sub committee members are needed.

Please let D.J. know if you are interested.

Chamber Luncheon/Annual Meeting Cary

Thursday, January 27^th 11:30-1:00

Topic: Looking Back & Looking Forward

Location: Muller Family Theatre-Waconia

Chamber of Commerce will be presenting “The Year in Review” on the big screen, hearing about the state of

the State from Rep. Ernie Leidiger, installing the 2011 Board & enjoying lunch from D’Vincis!

RSVP by Friday , January 21^st( you can let D.J. or Cary know)

Cost: $20 member

Chamber Coffee Connection (social)

Thursday, February 3^rd 7:30 - 9:00 am

Located at Armanista Consignment

Internal Programming VP

Local Program Managers Shelly

Programming Areas that need to be filled.

We will spend more time on this at next month’s meeting (we were running out of time).

External: Can Do Canines, Community Connections, Women’s Wellness, Youth of Today.

Internal: Living & Learning, NEWSLET, Public Relations, Records & Recognition, Ways & Means.

More information will be sent out by e-mail soon. If interested please let Shelly know.

Socials Cary

Tanja Sterdien-Gipe would like to have a social at her house either on Friday, Jan. 28th or Saturday, Jan. 29th.

We agreed to Friday, Jan. 28^th. She will send a message by e-mail soon regarding this.

Massage Social at Balance Life.

Message will be sent out to everyone regarding this social. We will need to decide when and what time (weekend or week night).

Officer Reports – Please stand while giving reports. Please keep reports to 5 minutes or less.

Secretary – Approval of Minutes Cary

We will need to approve the minutes for November 2010.

November Minutes approved

Treasurer – Checking Balance Sarah

$709.49

State Delegate – District, State, & National News Lisa

Winter State Convention

Friday, January 28^th – Sunday, January 30^st

Let Lisa know if you plan to go. A few plan to go to the Business Meeting at 9:30 to 11:30.

Then out for lunch/shopping?

District Meeting in Golden Valley

Thursday, February 24th

Membership VP Erin

Any ideas for a new membership social?

February possible new membership social at Mocha Monkey called “Learn-A-Latte”. Other ideas are Project Linus, Island View Dining social, & spring tea at MN Arboretum.

Any other ideas let Erin know.

Birthdays

No Birthdays in January

New Business/Announcements

It is that time of year when we need to start thinking about nominations for the future Board Member positions for 2011-2012. Positions are President, State Delegate, Membership Vice President, Programming Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer.

Signup Forms were passed out.

Anyone interested in one of the positions, please let Cary or Lisa know.

We have had many problems with our WAWT Website. Lisa suggested making a blog. She is working on this.

We are also updating our WAWT brochure. Lisa is updating this.

Eden Prairie WOT monthly meeting is on Thursday, Jan. 20^th at Starbank (located by Eden Prairie Mall). Fay invited us to join them.

Inspirational Thought

“I have found that in the simple act of living with hope . . . The days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious.”

- Elizabeth Edwards (on Facebook, Dec. 6, 2010)

Minnesota Women of Today Creed

We, the Women of Today, are service, growth & 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

SERVICE. GROWTH. FELLOWSHIP.

2011-01-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

One of the parks we have adopted.

Arbor Day Tree Planting with Waconia City

One of our Feed My Sheep dinners.

Most of our Chapter Members are pretty "normal". One is questionable.

January 13, 2011 Meeting

2011-01-12T14:06:00.000-08:00

We are meeting on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the AmericInn in Waconia at 7:00 p.m. This meeting is to discuss our upcoming service projects and to hear how past projects went.