Making Masks for Hospitals

Can you sew?

Are you looking for a service project you can do from home?

Check out this article from Blue Cross. It has all the information needed to make masks for the local hospitals.

Send an email to president@NewHopeWT.org with the total number of masks you donated.

Wishes & More Crossword Puzzle

April – “Wicked Wort”

This event is canceled. Everything is fluid at the moment. Check back for updates on a new date and time.

Thursday, April 23rd at 6:30pm. We always have a great time at the Wicked Wort in Robbinsdale, so let’s do it again! Beverages, food, socializing or games, it’s all there. Stop by and join in. Questions, contact Kathy at mamakathy411@gmail.com

What are you Cooking?

Hello Members and Friends of New Hope Women of Today,

Social distancing isn't fun, but it's what we do for the better good of all. Being apart, should not mean being alone. Let's all take a moment to share a go to recipe. It can be anything; a meal, snack, or comfort food. Email you recipe to recipe@NewHopeWT.org and we will share them on our website.

Sudoku Hard

A Message from the MNWT

Update about COVID-19 and the affect on MNWT calendar of events scheduled through the end of the 2019-2020 year:

A small team of MNWT leaders met via a zoom meeting on March 17, 2020 to discuss topics that are being affected by the COVID-19 emergency. As most of you are aware, the state and federal governments have declared a state of emergency and established strong restrictions for group gatherings. This directly affects Women of Today chapter, district, and state level meetings and events. Following are some decisions and recommendations that we are implementing at this time. These may be subject to change, depending on further actions taken by state and federal authorities.

Area Meetings ~
These meetings will be held online only, and District Directors will be forwarding resources to their boards and chapters, including the meeting link for their area. No meetings are being held in person. Executive Director Katie Castro and Chairman of the Board Brenda Sather will coordinate this process with the DDs. AVP Illeana Miller will be in contact with the DDs and assist with questions and concerns that may arise. There will be no cost to members to participate in the area meetings; however, an internet connection or phone connection would be needed to join the meeting.

Meeting Schedule: Area 2 – Friday, March 27th, 7 PM start
Area 1 – Saturday, March 28th, 10 AM start
Area 3 – Friday, April 3rd, 7 PM start
Area 4 – Saturday, April 4th, 10 AM start

District Meetings ~ (between now and April 30)
MN Women of Today is recommending that districts do hold a 3rd trimester meeting in an online format such as Zoom or Go To Meeting. The spring meetings are normally when new district officers are elected and it is encouraged to include that in your meeting agenda. AVP Illeana Miller will be coordinating this process with the district directors to ensure they are able to host an online meeting. Executive Director Katie Castro will assist with setting up meetings, as needed.

Chapter Meetings/Events
MNWT is not offering specific recommendations to chapters; however, you are welcome to contact Executive Director Katie Castro if you are looking for assistance in setting up an online meeting for your group. Email csc@mnwt.org or phone 952.406.8578.

LOTS (Local Officer Training Session) ~ Saturday, May 2, 2020
Chapters and new officers should save this date for specialized training for individual officer positions. MNWT staff is working on the logistics to provide a webinar-type online presentation that would incorporate the training that officers would normally receive in person. Again, it has been decided to only hold online training; those participating would need to join with an internet or phone connection; in this instance an online connection would be preferred so that you can follow along if possible. More information will be presented during the Area meetings and details will be sent out to chapters when ready.

Annual Convention ~ May 14-17, 2020
Plans for Annual Convention have not been changed at this time. MNWT is holding ongoing discussions and closely monitoring the situation with the convention hosting chapter and the hotel and will take into consideration further announcements from state and federal authorities.

Other
The MN Department of Health (MDH) announced several days ago that the coronavirus has reached the stage of “community spread” meaning that the virus is not just associated with those who have traveled out of the country. We do encourage members who experience symptoms of the virus to engage with their health providers and self-report to persons that they have been in contact with. Please check the websites of the MDH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for more information.

All updates released by Minnesota Women of Today will come from Executive Director Katie Castro. Updates will be sent via the state email system to chapters and executive council members as well as posted on the MNWT website and main Facebook page. Chapters are encouraged to share this information with their members.

Sudoku Medium

Wisdom of the Wood Duck

Diane W. Carr

The only thing you can depend upon is that things will change.  Most of us face change reluctantly.  Here are some thoughts on change and courage.

What does courage and change in action look like?  Let’s look at a baby wood duck for an example.

You may know that wood ducks do not nest on the ground but in openings in trees and in wood duck boxes, affixed to trees.

You’re a baby wood duck and all of your life you have been sitting in a wooden box, above the ground, with your siblings, your mom, broken egg shells and duck shit.  The only light your see is a little round hole that your mom pops in and out of, which is light and dark in turns.  You sit there, with your siblings poking you in the eye sometimes, and it’s smelly, but it is all you know.  This is life.

One day your mom goes out and does not come back into the box.  Instead, you hear “Quack quack quack” I’m not coming in anymore. 

“Quack quack quack” You need to go to the hole and jump out.

What, you think, jump out? Jump out where? Leave my home?  You cannot imagine what happens if you jump out through the hole.  What’s out there? Is there anything out there? How can it be better than where I am?

“Quack quack quack” says momma duck.  I’m not coming back.  You stay in there and you will die.

Die? Not sure what that means but it doesn’t sound good.  But this is all you know. 

Slowly, one of your siblings goes to the hole, peeks out and then falls. That doesn’t look good either.

“Quack quack quack” I don’t have much more time.  You need to get out now.

One by one your siblings find the courage to go to the hole, and jump out.  

Soon you are alone, sitting in a box with shells and shit.  Your mother’s quacking is starting to sound further off.

Finally, mostly out of fear of being alone, you push yourself out the hole.  And you fall, flaying your little helpless wings.  You hit the ground. And it hurts.

But suddenly, you take in a whole new world.  World beyond your imagining.  Sights and sounds and smells you had never encountered in your short life.  And there, a few feet away, with your siblings is your mom.  “Quack quack quack” It’s about time.  Now quickly follow me.  You find your webbed feet, that you had never before used, are quite capable of getting your over to your mom and siblings.  You will soon learn to swim, something you could not have dreamed possible and then, even more magical, to fly.  In short, a life unimaginable within the wooden box.

Now life isn’t perfect for the wood duckling.  There is cold, rain, muskies in the lake and foxes in the brush.  But there is a set of possibilities for the duck that would not be attainable in the box.  The box may be safe but staying in there would cause the duck to be stunted and then die.

Change can come at you fast.  It is not always welcomed.  But it can open up new doors and new possibilities that you may not have never imagined.  Embrace change.  It can do you a world of good.

Sudoku - Easy

Hygiene Item Collection for High Schools

As Always..... Ladies, thank you for donating hygiene products for Armstrong and Cooper High Schools !! Marion and I shopped for items and delivered them to the schools along with the items you donated. The school staff were very appreciative. The total dollar amount was $286.00 !

 Delores H

NHWT Word Search

Yale University is offering a free course online

• Yale University is offering a free course online, The Science of Well-Being, that teaches you how to be happier.
• Professor Laurie Santos taught a class called Psychology and the Good Life first in spring 2018 in response to concerning levels of student depression, anxiety, and stress.
• It became the most popular class in Yale's history and garnered national and international media attention.
• To share the class' contents with a wider audience, Santos created a Coursera course. You can audit it entirely for free or opt for a $49 certificate of completion.
• The original article can be found here!

Event Cancelations

Due to social distancing, the following events have been cancelled.
• Line Dancing 3/21
• March General Meeting 3/23
• Leap Into Volunteering 3/28
• Mad Hatter Unbirthday Party 3/30
• Ambassador Bingo 3/31
• Pre-Race Party/Silent Auction 4/17
• NHWT 5K 4/18
• Wicked Wort 4/23
• Women’s Health PE Course 4/28

When Volunteering is Put On Hold…

It is a very odd feeling to be a volunteer and realize the best thing you can do for your community is nothing.  Social distancing is not something that comes easy to us, the volunteers. We are on the front lines; raising money, collecting supplies, donating our time and talents for the better good of others. Now what? What do we do when the best thing for our community is to stay home?

We stay in contact. Our friendships and connections are greater than a virus. Now is the time to think outside the box. Send mail and email. Take time to make a phone call or ten. Check in with your fellow volunteers to say hello. Share stories and support each other. This might be the right time to challenge everyone to a Words with Friends game.

We prepare. In the future things will begin to return to normal. We need to rest our minds and souls, because soon the need for us in our communities will be greater than ever. Pay attention to who is doing what and where. Keep track of businesses and schools that supporting families with food. In the future plan events that will support them. Keep in touch with your local nursing homes. When the time comes they will know you are there to help them.

At the moment everything is fluid. We don’t know what the next week or month will look like. We do know that our connection to each other and the community is strong, and when the time is right we will be ready to not only help the community, but welcome new members into our volunteering organization that have the same passion to support our community.

A Little Extra Fun.

While we are all stuck at home, there will be more interactive posts on this site. You will find puzzles and stories, along with articles and spotlights from different members. Check back often and STAY CONNECTED.

Butter Braid Fundraiser

They are a tasty treat for any breakfast or brunch! Butter Braids are here again. All sales must be turned in at or before our March meeting on 3/23. Delivery will be April 3rd so you will have them before Easter. Checks are due, made out to New Hope Women of Today with the orders or at delivery, whichever is easier for you. Remember, these come frozen and will need to be picked up as soon after 4/3 as possible. There is also a fun contest to see who can sell the most. The prizes will be worth the effort, so let’s see if we can hit a goal of 100! Questions, contact Rita

March – “Mad Hatter Unbirthday Party”

Monday, March 30th at 7pm at Holy Nativity. Wear your “Maddest” hat, play wild party games, win unbirthday prizes, enjoy unbirthday cake and beverages. Don’t forget to RSVP and bring your friends. If you have a flamingo, Cheshire Cat or hedgehog, bring it along! Questions, contact Kathy at mamakathy411@gmail.com

Leap Into Volunteering

Meet up with New Hope Women of Today at one of our March 14th or 28th, Saturday events between 9:30 - 10:30 am, at Caribou on Winnetka and 42nd in New Hope.Learn what New Hope WT has to offer you and our community. Discuss opportunities for volunteering, make friends in the community and more.

We are a community organization that supports the City of New Hope and the surrounding communities, including Crystal, Robbinsdale and the 281 School District area. Anyone 18+ is welcome. You don't have to live in New Hope to be member. We have members from many of the surrounding communities, including Plymouth and Golden Valley, and as far away as Minneapolis.

Try something new, don't be afraid to take the leap! For more info 612-770-1300.

Bookworms 2020 Book Selections

Join Us at Book Club.

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens - March 12th, 2020 

Educated - Tara Westover - May 14th, 2020 

The Giver of Stars - Jojo Moyes - July 9th, 2020 

Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng - September 10th, 2020 

Woman of God - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - November 12th, 2020

Sold on a Monday - Kristina McMorris - January 14th, 2021

Contact Membership@NewHopeWT for more information.