SECRET SANTA
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
TEE TOPPER’S
Fall Golf
November 3, 2020
TEE TOPPER’S
September 22, 2020
KNOTTY LADIES
September 16, 2020
Minnesota’s Stay-at-Home Order
March 27 - May 4, 2020
MARCH LUNCHEON
O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Woodbury, MN
March 11, 2020
FEBRUARY COFFEE
February 26, 2020
FEBRUARY LUNCHEON
The Downtowner, St. Paul, MN
February 12, 2020
JANUARY COFFEE
January 22, 2020
JANUARY LUNCHEON
Moscow on the Hill, St. Paul, MN
January 8, 2020
MADAM X - 2020
Madame X is an honor bestowed monthly on a club member who has given a great deal of time and talent to promote club activities. The recipient of this honor receives a free lunch.
January - Douglass Forbes and Margaret Mitchell
January’s Madam X goes to our terrific Santa’s helpers who planned and hosted a FABULOUS Ornament exchange on December 13th. Although the weather was frightful, many brave and daring souls came for a day of fun and laughter at the home of Douglass Forbes. Her helper and partner in Christmas crime, Margaret Mitchell was sick and unable to attend, but the SPANRC Christmas spirit was evident as we sang her We Wish you a Merry Christmas on the phone. Thank you Douglass and Margaret for a WONDERFUL Ornament Exchange!
February - Peggy Layer
February’s Madam X goes to one of the kindest women in our club, the wonderful Peggy Layer. Peggy has been a member of SPANRC for a very short time. She is a loving mother, friend, and neighbor who is always willing to support her family and SPANRC. Peggy has hosted SPANRC coffees, Knotty Ladies and this year agreed to serve on the SPANRC Board as our Sunshine Member. Peggy exemplifies the motto of our club to “Be Kind” with the many things she does for her community and those of us in SPANRC. Thank you Peggy!!!!
March - Kathy Janacek and Randy Gerdin
The March Madam X goes to our lunch ladies Kathy Janacek and Randy Gerdin. It is no small feat to find new and interesting places for our SPANRC members to have a monthly luncheon. Kathy and Randy have hit the ground running with FABULOUS luncheon experiences the first few months of 2020. The January luncheon at Moscow on the Hill gave us the opportunity to experience outstanding Russian cuisine in a beautiful setting. The February luncheon at the Downtowner offered our group a truly unique dining experience and what better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than at Woodbury’s O’Malley’s restaurant. I want to personally thank Kathy and Randy for finding new and innovative dining experiences for our SPANRC members. You are doing a FANTASTIC job the job you are doing.
April - Quilting Group
During this time when we cannot be together, the traditions our club has established to recognize the good things our members are doing should not stop, just because we cannot meet together. This Month I want to recognize the SPANRC Quilting Group as Madam X. Yes, the entire group!!!! Our wonderful Quilting Group headed by Bonnie Rohde has been very busy. They are sewers, a really important commodity in today’s world!!!! The group has 13 members including Bonnie Rohde, Barb Broberg, Marilyn Riley, Vicki Hoffman, Carolyn Borchardt, Colleen Anderson, Sue Wickert, Glenda Koehnen, Douglass Forbes, Carol Heerwald, Kathy Gossman, Jeanette Larson, and Lori Etelamaki. Although some of the group are snow birds and in other states during the winter, the group has made HUNDREDS of masks for family, friends, and area health facilities. The members of the group that have helped with mask making during March and April are: Barb Broberg (she has made so many you wouldn’t be able to count them), Marilyn Riley (many made), Vicki Hoffman, Carolyn Borchardt, Bonnie Rohde, Colleen Anderson and Sue Wickert. They have also been busy making Quilts and using lots of fabric that they had stored away for a rainy day or a pandemic. I cannot give them the crown and saber that represents Madam X, but I can thank them for doing their part in the community and with their families to keep people safe during COVID-19. Thank you ladies and I will figure out a way to recognize you formally when we can meet together again.
May - Margaret Mitchell and Douglass Forbes
This Month, I want to recognize our VP Activities, Margaret Mitchell and Douglass Forbes for their ingenuity and great thinking in establishing a rousing Zoom Bingo extravaganza. This much needed event has allowed members of SPANRC to get together virtually have some rousing fun during this time, with great prizes for winners. It has been a HUGE success and a welcome distraction for our members. I want to personally thank you Margaret and Douglass for your innovation and originality. It is GREATLY appreciated.
June - Carol McCradden
This Month I want to recognize our Book Club Committee Chair, Carol McCradden. Carol has kept the Book Club going during this time using Zoom to keep members engaged. The Book Club has many spirited discussions on great books and the club explores many different authors that expand the book clubs knowledge of different eras and authors. It is wonderful that Carol has continued to get the Book Club together virtually during this time. Thank you, Carol. It is GREATLY appreciated.
July - Colleen Hoover
This Month I want to recognize our Membership Coordinator, Colleen Hoover. Colleen is a vivacious and valued member of the SPANRC Board. While we haven’t had new members knocking at our doors to join SPANRC at this time, Colleen has been invaluable to the board during this time. Colleen is serving on the nominating committee for the Board, a really challenging role to find members willing to serve on the Board. She has also served as the lead for the Member survey. This was a challenging assignment trying to make sense of many differing opinions and come up with a survey instrument. Thank you, Colleen. You are an esteemed board member and a good friend who SPANRC is lucky to have on our team!
August - Peg Johnson
Since the pandemic started in March, I have wanted to maintain a sense of normalcy by continuing the tradition of Madam X. I feel it is important for all club members to know that while we cannot be together; your Board is still working monthly, sometimes daily to keep the club functioning. One of the hardest working Board Members is this month’s Madam X, Peg Johnson. Peg is the clubs illustrious Secretary. It is her job to capture the minutes for our monthly Board meetings and ensure that we adhere to “Roberts Rules of Order” in making and deciding on club procedures and decisions. It is a hard job as sometimes our Zoom meetings get heated and it is difficult to determine who made the motion and who seconded it. Peg has handled this with great decorum and attention to detail. She keeps us all straight on the decisions that the Board must address and makes sure it is all captured accurately. Thank you, Peg. You are a really VALUED member of the SPANRC Board and I appreciate your hard work and perseverance for SPANRC.
September - Janet Hamernick
This month’s Madam X has been a valued member of the SPANRC board for a number of years. Although we have not been able to have coffees or our annual Wine tasting, Janet Hamernick continues to be a valuable asset to the club. Janet has kept the club running by keeping the “coffee” book, ensuring that coffee makers, coffee, wine and wine glasses are provided to Hostesses and in general being the “go to” person for these events. Her knowledge and expertise has ensured that Hostesses are prepared for the crowds who attend these much valued events. Thank you Janet. You are a really important member of the SPANRC Board. We all appreciate and respect your hard work for SPANRC.
October - Janet Campbell
Every month I think of all of you in SPANRC and wish that we were having coffees, luncheons and activities. This month I want to recognize a SPANRC member who most makes me think of fall, pumpkins, beautiful leaves and succulents. This month’s Madame X is none other than the wonderful Janet Campbell. Janet is a wonderful woman with a big heart, a wonderful laugh, and impeccable style. She has a wonderful eye for color and an even better eye for professional pictures. She is my idol!! I wish I could be as great a photographer as she is and have her sense of decorating for my most favorite season, fall. Thank you Janet Campbell. You are wonderful and I am so glad you belong to SPANRC.
November - Jerre Ebbesen
At 88 years young, Jerre is such a delight. She spent many years working as a nurse and knows well the impact this pandemic is having on our doctors and nurses across the country. She has a kind heart and if you follow her on Facebook, she always post beautiful photos every day and she also shares uplifting messages that most of us need during this challenging time. Jerre, I want to share one of your posts “A hug a day keeps troubles at bay. A hug at night makes everything right. So I’m sending you hugs to help you cope, to give you some love and bring you some hope.” Congratulations, Jerre. I miss seeing you and being able to give you a real hug!
December - Nancy Hildreth
The Madam X for December is Nancy Hildreth. Nancy is a wonderful, spiritual person. She is a genuine woman who fights for her family and loved ones. She finds strength in her faith and is a true friend to all of us who know her. Nancy faces her struggles with calm, love and compassion. We miss her beautiful crafted cards in Knotty Ladies and her gentle spirit at our coffees and luncheons. Nancy, we all love you and know that God will always be with you to calm your fears, cheer your heart and grant peace. Congratulations Nancy! Your SPANRC family is always here for you.