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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, June 27, 2016 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />5. GILLESPIE CENTER (continued) <br />The trips are usually well attended. In addition, the Gillespie Center has an active photography club; <br />bridge, canasta, cribbage and 500 card clubs; dice games; farkle; a beading class; craft club; and knitting <br />and crocheting clubs. The Gillespie Center has also added adult coloring this year, which has been <br />gaining popularity with all age groups. <br />A number of several exercise groups are also available at the Gillespie Center, including line dancing, <br />yoga, two different exercise classes, and a Nordic walking group. There is also a small group of <br />gardening volunteers that work around the center. The Westonka Gardening Guild is currently working <br />on plans to organize the garden in the back of the center. <br />One of the more popular activities at the Gillespie Center is the Gillespie Singers. This group puts <br />together programs to entertain Gillespie members as well as other community members. The programs <br />often have a theme. <br />Brustad stated research also shows that it is important for all age groups to interact with each other. The <br />Gillespie Center offers activities throughout the year that involve children, parents, and grandparents. <br />These activities give people a chance to do fun activities with each other. The Gillespie Center also <br />typically has at least one speaker every month, hosts authors of books, and offers blood pressure checks, <br />foot care, and flu shots, which are also available to the entire community. The Gillespie Center also <br />sponsored a golf tournament, which was one of several fundraising events. <br />Brustad stated the Gillespie Center is also working on developing an endowment fund so the Gillespie <br />Center will be able to be self-sufficient in the future and will be able to continue to provide services to the <br />community. To accomplish this, several fimdraisers are held, such as a golf tournament, hidden treasures, <br />and a holiday boutique. Members also sell sweepstake tickets, lunches, and host many other evening <br />activities in addition to selling script gift cards. The Gillespie Center is also rented out for weddings, <br />birthdays, and other community activities. Brustad stated they currently have a fundraising committee <br />that is presently working on new and innovative ideas to raise funds. <br />Another service to the community at the Gillespie Center is the day-old bakery section. Volunteers drive <br />to Cub Foods every morning seven days a week to pick up the day-old baked goods and bring them to the <br />center. Brustad stated there are many people of all ages in the community that arrive early several days a <br />week to pick up baked goods in exchange for a small donation. Brustad stated this service helps both <br />members of the community and the Gillespie Center. <br />The Gillespie Center also attempts to have collaborative activities with the various schools in community. <br />These activities make it possible for several intergenerational activities to occur, which is healthy to both <br />sides of the age spectrum. Orono students get to enjoy these activities also. <br />Other activities include two quilting clubs, one of which donates quilts to WeCan, and Santa's Hidden <br />Treasures. This event allows children to go shopping for gifts for their. family members. Volunteer high <br />school students and parents help out at this event. <br />Page 5 <br />