From Pat Scherf, FGP Area Supervisor, Central MN Foster Grandparent Program

Everyone looks forward to retirement, right? 

Are you thinking, “Been there, done that.”?

Everything on your retirement “to-do” list is done, you say? Ok, probably not!

Retirees are often left wondering, “What’s my purpose now?…

The kids are grown, soon the grandchildren will be, too. “They’re just not around as much.”   Maybe you don’t have kids. Are your former coworkers “in the picture” less and less?                   

Your family lives far away? You and close friends don’t have common interests anymore?                     

You can’t participate in your once favorite hobbies due to health changes?                                                                                          Everyone seems busy. Hey! You’re busy… Well, you have plenty you could do and should do…    

Yet, where’s your sense of accomplishment or that long-lost feeling of being appreciated?

There’s an opportunity in communities near you that can fill your gaps like nothing else! There IS a rewarding, meaningful way to spend your time.                                                            It can fit into your lifestyle the way you choose. Not too much, but just enough.                                                                                 

Children, along with schools and other nonprofit sites, need caring adults, ages 55 up, who are willing to share their abilities and life experience. No one is thought to be “too old” for this.                                             

Do you enjoy the cute faces and voices of “little ones”?                                                                                                                                     Do you prefer fun conversations and interacting with older kids?                                                                                  Math? Reading? Gym/Sports? Writing? Art? Music? Do you just want fun play time?                                                                                                    Yes, no, or maybe… We will accommodate you as much as possible. 

We provide orientation, then you’ll learn as you go from the teachers and kids!                                          

Travel reimbursement is provided to all, and many qualify for a tax-free hourly stipend. Other benefits can include new friendships, interesting trainings/on-going learning, a donated meal if volunteering at mealtime. Did I mention fun activities that will make you laugh really hard!?                                                       

Switch it up! Go for a change of pace! THIS WILL make your life interesting!                                                  Local volunteerism has the potential to positively change things more than you can ever imagine.                                              

If you already volunteer with kids, ask me if you qualify for our benefits.                                                       Now is a great time to simply inquire or to apply.

Call 320-293-0682 or email pat.scherf@ccstcloud.org

Serving Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin, and parts of Otter Tail, Stearns and Todd Counties. 

The Foster Grandparent Program, sponsored by AmeriCorps and Catholic Charities of St Cloud, is an AmeriCorps Seniors National Service Program.

 

From Ron and  Norene 

Schlueter and grandchildren,

Lake Amelia

Hats off to the Pope County Fair Board and all volunteers for a great 2022 Pope County Fair. A special thanks to the open-class workers in the Legacy building who assisted our grandchildren who entered floral exhibits. Each year our six grandchildren look forward to the fair and exhibiting the flowers they have grown. Competition between them is fierce as each child strives to earn a blue ribbon. You can bet, they will be back next year.

 

From Timothy Fiala,

Glenwood

With 210th Avenue having traffic that shouldn’t even be using it or allowed to use this route, as there is a posted detour to follow and they should use it. 

Why should the people who live on 210th Ave, and farmers that use that road every day to make their living, have to suffer and drive down a road rougher than a walleye chop on the lake, putting wear and tear on their vehicles and equipment. 

So I am wondering if Pope County or the State of Minnesota, is going fix 210th AVE as seeing that they aren’t doing anything to avoid non-residential or non-business traffic from using this road. Because not even after one day of the road grader grading 210th Ave. it is already torn up. 

Also let’s not forget harvest season is soon to start, and there is going to be farm equipment that needs to use this road. They shouldn’t have to drive down a chewed-up road, plus they will need the room to drive this route without a ton of traffic on it.

Plus we don’t need these drivers flipping the bird to farmers like they did this spring.