copy of the original mortgage. Being the retiring director after 10 years and with many volunteer hours by JoAnne and her husband Tony, JoAnne was allowed to light the match. Ed held the paper and Gerhardt and Don held the dish. The Seniors in attendance clapped as the "mortgage" burned. They were very happy and satisfied that they had accomplished this goal and were excited to be part of it. JoAnne thanks God for the privilege of this achievement. Our thanks to you JoAnne for all that you did in those 10 years. Written by Mary Fisher with information provided by JoAnne Ploszay.

 

The Senior Center story continues with memories from Sharon Hayek....

JoAnne Ploszay hired Sharon Hayek as assistant director in November of 1996. She had no computer experience at that time. In March, she became director when JoAnne retired. Going from assistant to director was a huge leap in duties. Learning the new position was quite stressful but she remained director for 7 years, retiring in January of 2004.

Don Wegner, the treasurer, encouraged her to make decisions alone; He said if the decision was not correct, the board would change it. JoAnne recruited Sharon who was working at Bremer Bank at the time. Her assistant directors were Helen O’Neill, Raye Wooldridge, Leslie Adams and John Turba. JoAnne and Sharon agree that they could not have done it without their husbands help.

Geneva and Delore Michael were benefactors of the Center. She used their grant to hire Gloria Fougner to do the trips. When she retired, Sharon hired Judith Alles, who is still doing a great job organizing the trips for us. Herb Norine was the plumber. In the past, many helpers came through the Green Thumb organization. The government paid them. When workers could not make it, Wendell Anderson and Carl Johnson would fill in. Ernie built all the shelves in the craft room. Jack Hayek also did a lot of repairing around the Center. Gwen and Paul Wiegrefe did a lot of work in the yard with perennial and flower gardens.

Crab apple trees were donated and have the medallions on them as to who donated them. Carl Johnson donated an apple tree. Two red maples were donated by Virgin Hill tree farm. One of the apple trees died and was replace by Dragonfly Gardens.