By, Carla Pearson

Executive Director

Fashions on Central

Fashions on Central, our second-hand women’s clothing boutique in downtown Faribault, is open for shopping! Stop in to explore Tuesdays- Fridays from 11:00am-5:00pm!  All profits from the sales at Fashions on Central support programs and services at Buckham West.

In addition to shopping, we are also looking for additional volunteers to greet shoppers and manage sales for a few hours a week. Please inquire about this rewarding volunteer opportunity by contacting Carla Pearson at Buckham West.

New programs!

Make and Take Garden Art Project

It’s not too early to add some flowers to your yard or garden and these are the kind that will last from one season to the next. Come to Buckham West on Wednesday, May 3^rd at 1:00 p.m. for a Make and Take Garden Art Project with Paula Wadekamper.

This project involves creating a simple art piece from recycled plates and other found items and turning it into a flower stake for display in your yard. The program is open to the public; cost is $8.00 which includes supplies for making and mounting your creation.  Garden stakes will be also be available for purchase.  Please call to pre-register as the class size is limited.

Coffee Shop Concert

On May 3^rd, we will enjoy a Coffee Shop Concert with acoustic guitar and vocals provided by local musician, Jim Lenway. Jim traces his roots to Faribault. He was formerly a lead singer with The Celebrate Band of First English Lutheran Church.  In more recent years, he’s provided musical entertainment at area senior care facilities, wineries, and other venues. A song writer, guitarist and fine vocalist, Jim’s concert will cover folk tunes, pop and inspirational music.

This free concert will begin at 10:00 a.m. and is open to the public, no pre-registration needed.

Buckham West Book Club May selection is The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

This is the tale of a simple act of faith between two young people – one Israeli, one Palestinian – that symbolizes the hope for peace in the Middle East. In 1967, not long after the Six-Day War, three young Arab men ventured into the town of Ramle, in what is now Jewish Israel. They were cousins, on a pilgrimage to see their childhood homes; their families had been driven out of Palestine nearly twenty years earlier. One cousin had a door slammed in his face, and another found his old house had been converted into a school. But the third, Bashir Al-Khairi, was met at the door by a young woman called Dalia, who invited them in.   This act of faith in the face of many years of animosity is the starting point for a true story of a

remarkable relationship between two families, one Arab, one Jewish, amid the fraught modern history of the region. The group meets at 9:30 a.m.on May 22^nd.   Interested in the book club?  Call 332-7357 and ask for Brenda.

Stillwater’s Last Lumber Baron: A Talk by Bill McGrath

What’s it like to be grandson of Stillwater’s last lumber baron, James E. McGrath?

Join Bill McGrath as he tells entertaining and interesting stories of his grandfather, James E. McGrath, Stillwater’s last lumber baron. It’s a rags-to-riches-to-rags tale about a man whose first job was sweeping sawdust in a mill.   Be prepared for tales from the Snake River and what it was like to grow up in that Stillwater mansion. Remember to ask about the false teeth. Four bad fires. Courtroom accusations. Who was “Emma?” How did one feed 1,200 lumberjacks in February? Why no talking in dining halls? And what about that broken compass? In addition to being grandson of a MN lumber baron, Bill McGrath is a newspaperman, musician, and an active member of the Northfield community. Wednesday, May 17^th at 1:30 p.m.   Free for Buckham West members, $5.00 non-members; please pre-register, 332-7357.

Room Rental

Buckham West offers two rooms available for rental! Our Anderson Room is equipped with appropriate technology for large business/agency meetings. Our activity room is equipped with a kitchenette and is perfect for medium size get togethers. Please inquire by calling Buckham West!

News on Support Group

Aging Eyes Support Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 10:00 a.m. This support group aims to help people feel less alone as they navigate changes due to vision loss. People attending the group can expect to participate in helpful conversations with others coping with a similar situation, discover resources available locally, and expand their circle of friends while learning and sharing strategies for daily living.

This free program is open to the public and facilitated by Betsy Shallbetter, a volunteer with the Aging Eyes Initiative and a retired MN State Academy for the Blind teacher. We ask people to pre-register for this free program; call Buckham West 332-7357.

Plastic Bag Recycling

The Faribault Lions Club will be at Buckham West to accept your donation of household plastic bags. Bring your plastic bags to Buckham West between 9:30-11:00am Wednesday, May 19th.  

Acceptable clean and dry plastic bags include the following:

Produce, ice, Ziploc, cereal box liners, case overwrap, bread, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning, and thin bubble wraps. Please do not bring bags in on other days, as we will not be storing them here.

Exciting news! As a result of this great, earth friendly project conducted by the Faribault Lion’s Club, Buckham West is receiving a composite bench made from recyclable materials. Thank you, Lion’s Club, for this donation and all your efforts!

Nice to Know 

• On the 4th Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., you are invited to gather with other caregivers for a time of learning, sharing, and friendly discussion.
• The summer session of our Great Courses series facilitated locally by Bob Irby has been scheduled to begin May 25^th and will be back in the afternoon at 1:30pm. Stay tuned for additional information on the specific topic!