07-11-2016 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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