Join Heartland in Brainerd at its regional meeting

Heartland Region meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center in Brainerd. This is labeled as a meeting of the board and area reps, but we welcome and urge every member to attend.

Our organization believes in the power and authority of the grassroots (each member). You are the ones who need to make decisions for our region and ultimately for our state organization.

Our forthcoming meeting will be discussing the proposed, major changes to our whole organization. Your ideas and opinions are needed.

We’re not all work, either. We have Orville’s brain teasers at each meeting. We get to know one another better. And we have coffee and goodies.

Try to join us. I know it’s a drive for many, but it’s our region and we need you and your thoughts.

Best wishes for the holiday season.

Eileen Iverson, president

Northern Lights makes debut in North Star Region

Winter seems to have arrived without much time for an Indian summer. Although we don’t have snow on the ground (yet!), it has been cold enough and the flurries are flying. With winter comes the holiday season and, regardless of the holiday, you and your family celebrate. The executive board and area representatives wish you a joyous season and most prosperous new year.

Included with the North Star region member’s copy of Senior News this month is our regional Christmas supplement. As you can see, it is in two parts. We had some new and very enthusiastic ad solicitors this year who didn’t give up on making one more stop, and going to one more business. Thank you very much to each of you. The names of the sellers are listed in the supplement along the areas they served. This is the biggest supplement to date.

Since North Star Region encompasses more than the Iron Range and to make all feel included, the name of our supplement was changed from “Senior Rangers” to “Northern Lights.” With the addition of some color printing you can see how effective the new name is. I hope you all enjoy the paper and the format it has taken on. It is a lot of hard work for many people and I am very pleased with the result. I must give credit to Bev Heath with the Mille Lacs Messenger who does the layout work and gets it ready for printing. Bev works many long hours getting it ready and so a standing ovation for all she does.

I have put out a desperate plea for a host club for January. We are still waiting and hoping for a club to step forward. At our November meeting, hosted by Babbitt Seniors, Jeanne Ogilvie gave us an update on open enrollment for Medicare Part D and the many changes that have taken place. It was very informative and welcome information.

Happy holidays, take care and talk with you next month,

Muriel Pehle, office manager

Watch for MnSF appeal, support our efforts

Attention good friends of Northwest: The Minnesota Senior Federation is planning the second fundraiser for the eight regions. This was done from the state office last year and there was  some confusion where the funds would go. This time there will be an envelope addressed to the region where a member belongs.

As you know, we need funds to keep our programs going. There are people who depend on our Senior Partners Care Program and our discount on the dental program.

For those who do not need these programs, Senor News has up-to-date information on  Medicare Part D, taxation problems for seniors, income retirement planning and much more.

Please, when your membership expires or there is a donation letter to Northwest Senior Federation, be generous. Thank you.

Myra Nesland , financial secretary

Pizza and party to be part of Buffalo Ridge’s meeting

Buffalo Ridge Partners (Midwest, Minnesota Valley and Southwest regions) will meet in Montevideo Dec. 14 at the Pizza Ranch at 10:30 a.m. We will set our goals and strategies for next year. It is also our annual Christmas party!

As members at the state convention stated, property taxes are our number one priority. This will entail a lot of information on the statewide system, county assessments and whatever else we need to know to effectively work for change. Groups have begun to discuss this issue and with help, we can hopefully make a difference.

We will also be working on plans for the next Life Connections in Willmar, providing the West Central Tribune will sponsor this event again. This has become a wonderful place for us to bring information to the public and encourage not only membership in the Federation, but action by our members and communities on important issues.  We hope to take part in this again. Along with plans for this event, we will begin working on our Annual Convention. This year, with property taxes as our priority, we hope to have speakers that can educate us on this issue. We will also begin the issues and resolutions process and make sure all our members can voice their opinions on what we should be setting as our priorities. Watch for information at your clubs and in future articles. We encourage ALL members to take an active part in their Federation and this is one very essential step in that process.

Southwest Region sent out flyers inserted in two of the local newspapers to let people know what the Federation is and how to join. We hope to increase our membership, but most importantly, increase our activity throughout the region.

Midwest Region is fortunate to have Les Ristinen from Frazee to help us with the property tax issue. He spoke at our regular meeting in Breckenridge and I know I learned a lot. 

All three regions continue to monitor the transportation situation in Greater Minnesota. More and more of the existing programs are raising their charges and fewer and fewer people can afford to utilize the services. We will continue to work with local officials and with legislators.

Please attend the meeting in December and help us plan for our future.

Sue Johnson, director