Fortnightly meets in Banning home

The May 3 meeting of the North English Fortnightly Women’s Club was held in the home of Sue Banning.

Cohostesses Bonnie Romine and Sarah Ernst served a brunch of mimosas, coffee or tea, dipped strawberries, coffee cake and an assortment of finger foods before the meeting.

Amy Andreassen called the meeting to order. Thirteen members and two guests, Lexi Edmundson and Emma, attended and responded to the question “What is one word that describes your life?”

Amy shared the meditation by playing a short recording of Helen Bucher’s recitation of a poem she had read at our Fortnightly gathering last May, titled “It’s Spring, It’s Spring.”

Amy explained that Helen had read the poem from “Farmer’s Almanac, but she had located a copy of the poem elsewhere and read it to us.

As there was no meeting in April due to our visit to the Pleasant Valley Greenhouse, no minutes were read.

Kathy Huber reported a balance of $1,28813 at the March meeting and following the March expense of $50 and a donation of $50 to Compass Memorial, the balance as of May 3 is $1,188.13.

Leslie Schwarting, from Prairiewoods Holistic Health, presented our program on spirituality and wellness. She explained the origin of Prairiewoods. A gentleman donated property consisting of restored prairies and woodlands to Franciscan sisters who developed the property into an ecospirituality retreat and conference center.

Leslie spoke of the many programs offered at the center and handed out brochures with information on the programs and how to register.

She also talked about a new book authored by Dr. Lisa Miller titled “The Awkward Brain.” Miller will be a guest speaker at their center over the next few days.

The club voted to donate $100 to English Valleys History Center, $150 to the FFA for Main Street flowers and $200 to North English Fun Days.

Club members agreed to a work day at Miller Park May 5.

Members were encouraged to pay dues of $20 for next year as soon as possible.

A signup sheet was circulated for volunteers to host and cohost next year’s meetings as well as ideas for topics and speakers.