Shepherd’s Center will hold their first “Adventures in Learning” of 2012 on Friday, February 10th at St. Ansgar’s Church in Cannon Falls. The event starts at 9:30 a.m., includes two speakers and concludes with lunch for a cost of only $6.

On February 10th, a speaker from “Can-Do-Canines”will be featured. This organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. These amazing dogs bring greater freedom, independence and peace of mind to those they serve, by creating a mutually beneficial partnership with a specially trained dog matched to the personal assistance needs. These specially trained dogs can offer assistance for mobility, Diabetes,
Autism, hearing and seizure. It is an amazing story that you’re sure to enjoy. Can-Do-Canines is based out of New Hope,
Minnesota.

Also speaking on February 10th will be Zach Wareham, museum director for the Cannon Falls Area Historical Society. Zach will talk about the rich history of Cannon Falls and the surrounding area, along with an update on the historical museum in Cannon
Falls.

Those who would like to attend “Adventures in Learning” are asked to RSVP by calling Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136. It
will be held in the lower level of St. Ansgars church starting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 10th.


 

Shepherd’s Center of the Cannon Valley held their annual retreat at the Don and Avonne Bakken residence on Monday, January
9th. The newly elected chairman of Shepherd’s Center is Chuck Rademacher. Other officers elected were Loren Evenrud, vice-chair; Carol McKitrick, secretary; Evie Strack, assistant secretary; Sharon Vangsness, treasurer and Bill Althoff as assistant treasurer. Newly elected to the board of directors was Rue Boykin.

Rademacher takes over for outgoing chairman, Jim Bassett. Basset has spent a number of years on the board including the past 2 years as chairman. The board recognized him for doing an outstanding job serving Shepherd’s Center.

At the retreat, board members reviewed the past year and made plans for 2012. A new budget of $40,500 for the coming year was approved. 100% of Shepherd Center’s budget comes from the community and is spent within the community. Without the financial support of the community, the many programs and services offered through Shepherd’s Center would not be
possible.

Shepherd’s Center is located at 120 State Street West and is open Monday through Friday from ten a.m. till three p.m. The center features senior adults who volunteer their life experience and skills to benefit the community. For more information,
contact Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136. 

By this time, the Christmas holiday is over and we’re ready to start a brand new year. Can anyone tell me how the time flew
by so fast? I sincerely hope everyone had a joyous Christmas; on a personal note, we were blessed to have our entire family home with us this year. With three sons in the military and one a college basketball coach, this is indeed a rare occurrence. We enjoyed every second with family, especially the grandkids!

I hope you enjoyed our latest edition of the Feature, which you received last month. We publish this newsletter twice each year to help folks understand and keep up with the events and services we offer through Shepherd’s Center. For those of you who sent in the envelope with donations, thank you so very, very much!

Our beginner’s computer class is back by popular demand. Dan Bassett will once again teach the course, designed for those
new to computers. This course will also offer a special emphasis on Facebook, which is ideal to keep up with family and friends. 
If you’ve always thought about purchasing a computer, or maybe you received one for Christmas, this is a perfect opportunity to learn and pick up some basic computer skills. The classes will take place on Saturday, January 7th and also Saturday, January 14thfrom 10 a.m. till noon at Shepherd’s Center, located at 120 State Street West in Cannon Falls. The cost
is $25 and that includes both Saturday sessions. If you’d like to take part, please register by either calling Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136 or stop in.

 Due to the generosity of a number of people, Shepherd’s Center now has a big screen television, complete with a Wii game system. If you’ve never tried these games before, they are a lot of fun and offer exercise as well! This is available to anyone who wants to stop in and give it a try at Shepherd’s Center. Games we currently have include bowling, golf, tennis, baseball and more. Eventually we are hoping to offer leagues in various categories. Make it a point to stop down and play some of these games…we’ll be happy to show you how it works!

We once again have the gym available to anyone who would like to walk during the winter months. Walking in the gym is
available from 10:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. and those taking part should enter through Shepherd’s Center.

Thank you for all donations during this past month; it is truly what keeps us going. Memorials in December were given in
memory of Marguerita Cuson, Wilbur Bergstrom and Virgil Carlson.

The holidays are a time where we not only spend time with family and friends, but it is also a time we seem to really enjoy the
things we eat. I was thinking, people are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they
really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and
Christmas!  Here’s wishing you and yours a happy
new year!