Fortnightly hears about a path to wellness

NORTH ENGLISH — The North English Fortnightly Women’s Club met May 4 in the home of Carolyn Elwood.

Amy Andreassen presented the program, Cultivating Contentment: A Path to Wellness. Andreassen explained the effects COVID-19 had on her life when she returned to school and realized things would not be returning to normal.

Thinking about goals that might improve her life, Andreassen came across a weeklong course, ‘Holistic Healing for Educators,’ which she took at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spiritual Retreat.

Andreassen became one of nine Global Wellness Ambassadors in Iowa through Scanlan Center for Mental Health. In these sessions she learned to practice gratitude daily because emotions are contagious.

Andreassen also conducted a year long class, “Cultivating Contentment,” for her staff. She embraced a minimalistic life — learned from consultant Marie Kondo — by wearing the same garment for 100 days in a row, leading her to cut her wardrobe in half.

For meditation Helen Bucher read two poems — “It’s Spring, It’s Spring” and “Springtime.”

The Club had a balance of $1,126.64, with two checks of $50 to the English Valleys Drama department and to Chains Interrupted, still out, bringing the balance to $1,026.64.

The treasurer will send $150 to Dave Jackson to cover rental of The History Center.

Fortnightly will contribute $150 to the English Valleys FFA and will donate $200 to the Fun Days for fireworks.

Bonnie will be meet with Vicki Oswald in Miller Park to determine the best place to install a small library stand. Another small library stand will be installed just North of the Veteran’s Memorial.

Kim shared information about radon detection and remediation in our homes. Her husband, Jeff, and son, Reed, are licensed in this area and she will share contact information with members via email.

Co-hostesses were Sue Banning, Bonnie Romine and Sarah Ernst. Fifteen members attended.