Join us for an evening meal and a special program at Buckham West on Tuesday, October 25th at 6:00 p.m.  Our special guest presenter is Minnesota resident Cindy Wilson, author of “The Beautiful Snow”, a story of the hard winter of 1880 -1881.

In one of the most memorable novels in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series, “The Long Winter” beautifully details the dramatic events of The Hard Winter of 1880-81. This was a harrowing time with months of never-ending blizzards that lead to railroad blockades that all but cut off fledgling communities. But what really happened that winter?

Lively and rewarding, award-winning “The Beautiful Snow” is a new look at The Hard Winter. Pulling from nearly three thousand regional newspaper articles, “The Beautiful Snow” weaves the historical record around and through Wilder’s fictionalized account. From the tireless efforts to dig out the railroad blockades, to lavish oyster parties, to carefully spun boosterism, The Hard Winter comes to life with extraordinary tales of survival, resilience, and defiance that adds rich context to Wilder’s beloved novel.

This program is open to the public and we ask that you pre-register by stopping in to sign up or calling Buckham West at 332-7357. Fee: BW member: $3.00, Non-member: $6.00. Please pay at the door.

About the author: Cindy Wilson fell in love with the Little House books in third grade, when she selected On the Banks of Plum Creek from the library. Cindy is passionate about history and enchanted by the prairie landscape.

 

Evening Meal Offered

If you are planning on attending Cindy Wilson’s program on the book, “The Beautiful Snow” on October 25th, how about coming early and joining us for supper first? Senior Dining is hosting a delicious roast beef dinner that night, serving from 5:00-5:30pm. The menu includes:  roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable blend, dinner roll and dessert.  Pre-registration is required for dinner and can be done by stopping in or calling Buckham West. This meal is open to the public and the cost is a suggested donation of $4 for those ages 60 and over, $8.40 for those under age 60.

 

Thursday’s Activities

Tomorrow, October 13 from 9:30-11am, you are invited to join us at Buckham West to learn more about aging in place from occupational therapy assistant student, Bree Papow. We will discuss potential home modifications as well as community resources and relationships you may need to live the way you want for as long as possible. No sign up necessary.

Also, tomorrow from 10-11:30am, Rice County Public Health will be here to give flu shots.  This shot clinic is open to all area adults with no appointment needed. Please bring your Medicare card with you.

 

Pop-Up Shoppe Returns

The “Pop-Up Christmas Shoppe” returns for a third time prior to the 2022 holiday season, with all proceeds used to support the programs and services of Buckham West. This event is set to kick off on Saturday, Nov. 26th.

In order to stock the shop, we are now actively soliciting donations from our members and other supportive community members. These donations will then be priced, displayed and sold at the Shoppe.

In order to have artisan and boutique quality items, we will not accept previously opened or used items. Please drop off your donated items to Buckham West beginning on Monday, October 3rd and no later than Friday, November 18th.

 

Holiday Raffle

Beginning on Monday, October 3rd, we are holding a special raffle to celebrate the spirit of the approaching holiday seasons. You may win a specially decorated pumpkin, just in time to add to your Halloween festivities or grace your Thanksgiving table. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each with three prizes drawn beginning with the largest pumpkin. The drawing will be held at Buckham West on October 31st. Need not be present to win.

 

New Member Incentive

Time is running out for you to take advantage of our new member incentive. If you are 50 years or older, we would like to invite you to become a member for the remainder of 2022 and all of 2023 for only $45. Next year’s individual’s dues are $40 per year, so for just $5 more you can join for the last 4 months of 2022 and all of 2023. Look at this as a way to support this important non-profit and save yourself some money.

 

Political Turbulence Following WWI

On Thursday, November 3 beginning at 1:30pm we are honored to be hosting Dr. Brian Libby, retired European History instructor from Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, when he shares with us a presentation on the three famous families of 1914 Europe.

In 1914 the bulk of Europe was ruled by three families: the Romanovs, the Hapsburgs and the Hohenzollerns. But by the end of 1918 the hears of two of these families were living in exile; the third was dead.  In the presentation, you will examine whether the collapse of three ancient houses resulted in improvement or the reverse for their former subjects.

About the presenter: Mr. Brian Libby was born in Maine, educated at Johns Hopkins and Purdue University, and taught European History at Shattuck-St. Mary’s from 1978-2016.  His main fields of expertise and interest are European military and diplomatic history, and modern Germany. He has self-published five novels.

 

Help in Rice County

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) has been in our community for over 3 years now.  If you are a Rice County resident who is living independently and are currently looking for help with fall clean up and snow removal, you are encouraged to call Buckham West 507-332-7357 and ask for Anne Pleskonko, Senior Service Coordinator for NHN.  We have local services providers’ right here in Rice County. These services are based on your ability to pay.

 

Reminders:

  • Technology assistance service for Faribault’s older adults by Holly from Westbrack Marketing. Call 332-7357 to make an appointment for a one-half hour slot. Fee: $20
  • Aging Eyes Support Group for individuals who are searching for assistance in dealing with their vision concerns will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at Buckham West from 10-11:00am.
  • The October Caregiver Support Group will not meet on Oct. 25. They have rescheduled it for one week later, November 1st.