Heartland looking for a few good men and women

MnSF-Heartland Region has benefitted a great deal from the help of Stan Wagner and Al Doty. We look forward to having their continued help. Hopefully Bremer will continue to support Federation efforts.

Our Convention in May should have had more attendees, but those who were there were informed of legislative issues by Lee Graczyk. Lee said that stadium issues knocked most other things off the table at the legislature. Gil Kiekenapp also attended our convention and spoke of the vital importance of membership. As with any organization, membership is the key to existence. Without membership there is no need for an organization.

Lois Williams, Minnesota Senior Federation president, was with us and spoke of the importance of promoting our Federation. Iva Zanker was reelected secretary and Dorothy Svenvold was reelected vice president.

We have received word that United Way has awarded us a grant for 2006-07.

What Heartland needs very much is more members to step up to help and to attend board and area rep meetings. They are held on the second Monday of the month, 10 a.m., in the third floor conference room at Brainerd Senior Activity Center. Just come. It's your organization and it needs you.

Eileen Iverson, president

Northwest's to hold annual business meeting July 21

MnSF-Northwest Region will hold its business meeting, tabled at the April 23 Annual Convention, at Warren Senior Citizens July 21, at 10 a.m. This will be our newspaper's Christmas edition workshop. Bring along your book of ads to be sold. We can update the contract.

We encourage everyone with past due or currently due memberships to get them into the office. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel to pay our bills. Without membership you will lose Senior News, Senior Partners Care benefits, and dental, medical and other MnSF benefits. You may call the state office, 800/365-8765 for information on bus trips to Canada and many more programs.

People who've joined Medicare Part D have a prescription drug benefit. Those who are too young to qualify for Medicare can buy prescription drugs through Canada or Medsave, which is in the United States and offers generics at much lower prices than Canada. Those under 50 years of age can become an associate member of the Senior Federation and receive Senior News.

Myra Nesland, secretary

North Star's next meeting is Aug. 11 in Hibbing

Have you noticed how full and lush the trees and bushes appear this year? It is so green and beautiful and lilacs are overflowing with flowers and fragrance. Isn't this a grand time of the year?

Our bus trip to International Falls took place as we were going to press. I can imagine what a great time Kooch County Seniors like to give us. So those who weren't able to make it missed out and need to save the date for next year. We have two buses going. There are 21 who will be on the Grand Rapids bus and ten are on the Virginia bus. Several are also driving on their own.

Invitations for Legislative Day in August will be going out to candidates who file for election as soon as the filing is closed. We will again be holding our August 11 meeting in Hibbing at the community center, so mark your calendars now. We don't have a meeting in July so you will need this and the August Senior News to be your reminder.

Office hours have changed for North Star Region to Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Let me know if you no longer want to partiipcate in Senior Partners Care by calling the office and telling me you wish to cancel. I have sent out a lot of paperwork and made many phone calls only to find out that some chose something else to replace it.

If you can assist in your community by going to local businesses and securing ads for the Christmas supplement, call me at 800/662-5711 ext. 202 or 218/749-2912 ext. 202. We could use additional support in this major fundraiser.

I wish you all a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Muriel Pehle, office manager

Honetschlager recognized at South Central convention

MnSF-South Central Region's 27th Annual Convention was June 5 at Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in North Mankato with 50 in attendance and seven exhibitors. Also present were: Lee Graczyk, MnSF state director; Dennis Gerhardstein, MnSF state administrative director; and Gil Kiekeknapp, MnSF state vice president of membership and recently elected president of Metro Region.

Keynote speaker was Bob Klemenhagen, member of the Minnesota Senior Federation serving on the West Metro chapter steering and the Metro Region tax committee. He provided a power point presentation on the "Property Tax System - Problem/Solutions." Both Mankato and North Mankato mayors, after their "welcome," stayed for the entire presentation. It was most interesting and informative.

Congressman Gil Gutknecht's representative, Julie Fiesel, constituent services, gave convention-goers an update on drug importation legislation.

Besides an election of officers and adoption of a budget, issues were prioritized. Members voted property taxes most important. Health care was ranked number two with prescription drugs number three.

After a farewell recognition for Director Dick Honetschlager who is retiring, newly hired Lynn Van Dervort was introduced to the group. Lynn will begin work immediately. Dick was thanked for his dedication and tireless efforts while working with South Central for more than ten years. The best to him in his retirement.

A big thank-you to everyone who helped with the convention and to those who solicited door prizes.

South Central continues to have a local raffle with all proceeds staying in South Central. Tickets are $1 so let's top last year's sales.

Remember, there is no monthly meeting at the Moose Lodge in Mankato until July 24.

Dee Jones, president