So, it’s spring! My favorite time of the year. A time when the earth wakes up again. When everything starts to reawaken. The older I have become, the more I have learned to appreciate this time of renewal.

I know I must appreciate the warmth of the sun, the grass starting to turn green again. The whole new cycle of life. The wildflowers blooming, the birds nesting, and ice coming off our lakes. It always seems to come and go so quickly.

It is time when we should spend those precious days enjoying the moment. We all find the harshness of an April snowstorm to be upsetting but do realize that living in Minnesota creates a certain type of strength within us. I have read in the past, April can be one of the cruelest months. We always do seem to survive, and to appreciate even more that first 70-degree day in May.

 This year more than others in the past has brought difficult times. With the pandemic finally starting to wind down, our expectations are even higher to return to a normal life. With mask mandates starting to be relaxed, people are really starting to believe once again, we are all looking at the world with hope.

Now if the Ukraine can find peace! My cousin lives in Poland about 50 miles from border with the Ukraine. We are the same age; he has already gone through so much in his life with the fall of the Iron Curtain. We have been exchanging emails frequently. I can hear the fear in his words for his children and grandchildren. Our prayers are with them.

Spring brings hope for new life and a promise of summer and better things to come. Let’s hope this spring also brings peace to the world.

Attend the virtual Combating Ageism forum on Thursday, March 24, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. In just two dynamic hours, this online workshop is designed to elevate your awareness of the stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination directed toward people on the basis of age.

Learn more and register here: (Yes, you can earn CEUs for this event.)

Maybe you're new to VAN or have participated in VAN activities in the past but sat out during COVID and could use a refresher on just what VAN does and has to offer. Our website is a great place to learn more about VAN. Take a moment to visit at https://vital-aging-network.org/ for an overview of VAN's mission and goals and the programs it offers.

To receive a Board application, contact Executive Director Mark Skeie by email (info@vital-aging-network.org) or by mail (P.O. Box 51 Lake Elmo, MN 55042). Applications are due by March 25.

Learn more at https://vital-aging-network.org/

Please contact: Donna Comer, Aging with Gusto Coordinator, at donnajmcomer@gmail.com or by phone at 763-226-4729.

Click here to learn more about Wellness 50+ goals and strategies.

https://vital-aging-network.org/wellness-50 .  It’s a great resource for learning about our goals and strategies, our Community Groups and events. 

We’d like your feedback. After taking a look at the page, send us your thoughts at Wellness50mn@gmail.com.

*The Oakdale Library is located at 1010 Heron Avenue North, Oakdale. The Discovery Center is located at 4444 Hadley Avenue N. Oakdale.

Grandparent Love- Strengthening the ties that bind us with our grandchildren This is a special, in-person discussion on the role of being a grandparent scheduled for Thursday, March 24, from 2-3:30 p.m. at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W. in Stillwater. It will feature fun and unique ideas for engaging your grandchildren in bond-building activities. You can share ideas for crafts, games, or activities, but you’re also welcome to simply come learn from others. There is no cost for this event. However space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, call 651-439-7434.

In addition to the Community Group events listed above, we have monthly events at the Wellness 50+ level that everyone can enjoy.

A full schedule of events for the year has been planned including First Tuesday events at Washington County Park locations. (Park entrance is free on the first Tuesday of the month.)

Kayaking events are scheduled for the third Monday of the month and biking events on the fourth Monday during the warmer months. All of these events are posted on the Wellness 50+ website calendar.

You also can click on the link below to join our Meetup group (Wellness 50+ Twin Cities) and be informed about future events. When events are announced you will receive an email with an option to sign up. You will need to create a Meetup account with your name and email address in order to join.

Let's welcome spring by hiking on Tuesday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to noon on the scenic trails of the park. Registration will be through our Meetup group so be sure to join Wellness 50+ Twin Cities to be informed when the event is ready for registration. Hope to see you there.

We'd like you to know about these events sponsored by organizations with which we are partners:

Classes at the River Market in Stillwater. The River Market Cooperative in Stillwater offers classes that promote health and wellness. Here are some examples of opportunities coming soon:

Learn more and register: http://rivermarket.coop/news/classes

Washington County, the Metropolitan Council, and the University of Minnesota are partnering on a research project to determine how the County can improve park programming to better serve under-represented users. One demographic group that the students are interested in talking to are Senior adults. U of M students will interview Seniors to ask them about their experiences in parks and park programming.

If you might be interested in participating in this important project email stekr001@umn.edu .

“Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” – David Bowie, from amsterdamprinting.com/blog

or e-mail: wellness50mn@gmail.com