Minnesota Memo Winter 2022

THE MINNESOTA MEMO Winter 2022
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF:
THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF MINNESOTA
PO box 23543
Richfield, MN 55423

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the position of the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota. They are the views of the article’s author.
Product and service information is provided as a resource only and not as an endorsement of a particular product or service.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Catalina Martinez, Editor
E-mail: catalina229@gmail.com
Marian Haslerud,
E-mail: marian.haslerud642@gmail.com
Nicky Schlender
E-mail: kb0ouf@pcdesk.net
Michael Lauf: Web Administrator
E-mail: info@myeffectivesolutions.com

Phone numbers of note:
SSB main number (651)539-2300
ACBM (612) 223-5543 Leave Message
Apple support for people with disabilities
(877) 204-3930
Microsoft support for people with disabilities
(800) 936-5900
Comcast Support for Persons with Disabilities
(855) 270-0379

Table of contents
President’s Message By Janet Dickelman
A Guide dog’s Night before Christmas By: GDB puppy raiser Jill Savino
Virtual Auction By Patty Slaby
Christmas Music to The Max By Patty slaby
ACBM State Convention By Janet Dickelman
Membership Renewal Time By Patty Slaby
My review of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade By Nicky Schlender
New Website and Phone Number for The Justice Department
2023 Leadership Seminar By Janet Dickelman
The United states One Dollar Bill By Author Unknown
You are the One You Are Waiting For By DailyOM

Craft corner
Little angel dish Cloth – Crochet By Author Unknown
Bobble angel Dish Cloth – Knitting By Terry Ross Designs

Recipe corner
Creamy Broccoli shells and Cheese By Cooking Classy
Peanut Butter Cookies By Nabisco

Calendar of events
Officers and Board of directors

President’s Message
Happy Holidays
By Janet Dickelman

The editorial committee has put together a great ACBM Memo filled with information along with holiday crafts and treats. Read the state convention article to learn how to Register now for your hotel room and the ACBM state convention.
Also consider attending the leadership seminar in March detailed in this issue of the memo.
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, as I am, or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, or just enjoying the season may your holidays be full of warmth and cheer.

A Guide Dog’s Night Before Christmas
By: GDB puppy raiser Jill Savino

I would like to dedicate this poem to the memory of my beautiful and much miss guide dog Elroy.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, the kennels were still,
with most dogs asleep, having eaten their fill.
The labs were sprawled out, quite snug in their beds,
While visions of milk bones danced in their heads.
The Goldens and Labs were curled up on the floor,
some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore.
The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care,
in hopes that a trainer soon would be there.
Off by the window, a kennel cat lay,
surveying the lawn at the end of his day.
Something was different, that little cat knew –
something would happen, it had to be true.
That day as the workers had left to go home,
they’d wished “Merry Christmas” before starting to roam.
The dogs had all noticed that during their walks,
the trainers seemed happier and eager to talk.
In the mall where they worked amid people and stores,
there were decorations, music, distractions galore!
Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear,
some balked at the man with those fake-looking deer.
The cat was near sleeping when he first heard the sound,
a whoosh through the air and a jingle abounds.
The sound of a collar when an animal shook,
but the sound just kept growing – he’d better go look.
From the ceiling there came a kind of a thunk,
As the kennel cat climbed up on a pile of junk.
But the dogs were still quiet, all sleeping so sound,
as this man dressed in red made his way to the ground.
He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot,
then made his way right to the old coffee pot.
A Labrador sat up, not fully awake,
then a golden soon followed with a mighty loud shake.
That did it…the dogs filled the kennel with noise,
but in spite of the din, the old man kept his poise.
He filled the pot full and it started to brew,
then he pulled up a chair and took in the view.
Dogs all around him, so carefully bred,
he knew well their jobs, and the people they led.
Some had stopped barking and looked at him now,
while others continued their deafening howl.
Laying a finger in front of his lips,
the jolly old man soon silenced their yips.
He smiled, laughed, and took a short pause.
“You may not know me, but I’m Santa Claus,”
He filled up his mug with hot coffee and cream,
and said, “Meeting you all has been one of my dreams.”
The cat jumped down to explore Santa’s pack.
He said, “Sorry, kitty, I’ve emptied my sack.”
Santa smiled, drank, looked in their eyes –
deep brown and gold, all wide with surprise.
Some of these dogs he’d seen just last year,
All in their homes – cute, full of good cheer.
He’d seen the effect of a pup on a tree,
but now they were here, just waiting to be.
“I didn’t bring presents or bones to chew.
But I’ll tell you what’s better – and what you’re to do.
You’ll all worked hard and the trainers will share,
both praise and correction, gentle and fair.
You’ll go lots of places and face scary things,
you’ll ride buses, planes, and hear sirens ring.
Cars will drive at you, you’ll know what to do,
Moving from danger, not moving into.
Then, when you think your trainer’s the best,
the kindest, and funniest, just toss all the rest;
That trainer will leave you, and give you away,
handing your leash over despite your dismay.
The one who will feed you might see just a tad,
Or maybe it’s just that their focus is bad.
So you little buggers will work as their eyes
To be a great team and discover the prize.
The prize isn’t kibble, or even new toys,
It’s leading your partner, you good girls and boys.
Santa sipped coffee, looked over the brood,
But what he said next seemed just a bit rude.
“Some may not make it and won’t become guides.
But time here’s not wasted, no casting aside.
Some will be drug dogs and some will find bombs,
some will be pets with new dads and moms.
When the last drop of coffee had gone from his cup
Santa turned, and smiled at each wide-eyed pup.
“The best gift of all is to give something back.
And that’s why there’s nothing for you in my pack.
Draining his mug, he went to each pen,
Petting and scratching each dog yet again.
“The following years, even more after that,
you’ll all give great gifts wherever you’re at.
You might lick a hand on a really bad day,
or notice a car and step out of its way.
You might catch a crook or discover some loot,
bring joy to an old man in a funny red suit.
Your master will love you and treat you with care,
knowing your training will always be there.”
After the last had been petted and soothed,
He rinsed out the mug and made ready to move.
To the ladder he climbed for the door high above,
with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his glove.
All the dog’s ears were pricked as he flew out of sight,
Saying, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

virtual auction
By Patty Slaby

Yes, we will be having a virtual auction on January 22nd via zoom. It is an exciting time for us and we need everyone to participate anyway you can.

I will try to assist you in many ways.
1. You can send me your information about the auction item or items you wish to donate.
I will have assistance to help any of you to use the internet. If you wish to give a gift card or an item from Amazon, I will help you obtain the card or item. If you select an item, I can send that item directly to the winning bidder upon the receipt of their money. This is also the way I can do gift cards. If the bidder sends a physical card, I have transportation to obtain the cards and send it to the winning bidder.
Please try to choose sites or stores that are nationwide. If you select a Midwest option, that can work as well. We will have people from around our country at our auction.
Now for the money factor: you can send your money via PayPal and I will use the ACBM credit card when purchasing your item. Please put a note on the form so I am aware of what you are sending the money.
You can also call me and I can help you with the credit card and put money in our account and again I can use the ACBM credit card.
Finally, you can send a check directly to me. Do not send it to the P.O. Box. I want to make sure I receive it in time.
Please send your check to Patty Slaby
837 East Jefferson Street
Arcadia, WI 54612-1727

Email: pattyslaby135@gmail.com

phone numbers:
landline (608) 3233614
cell: (715) 497-9849

If you have items to donate that need to be sent you can call and we can talk about your options.
I would like all information no later than January 10th. We want to post our list to the ACB lists so people will know what we have.

Thus far, I have
1 $50.00 Amazon gift card,
Patty’s cookies 3 dozen of your choice,
Patty’s homemade candies 3 to 4 dozen of your choice

I am excited and I hope we can do as well as we did in 2021.

If you can only give a small amount or a less expensive item, we can put items together to make people interested. There are so many, many ways we can work together so I’m hoping all of us put our foot forward and let’s show the nation our pride!
I’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Christmas Music to the Max!
By Patty Slaby

I have been collecting Christmas type musical boxes and decorations for decades. I’m incredibly careful with them especially when storing them.
I will begin with the religious ones which include many, many nativity scenes. Some are tactical while others are snow globes. They play various hymns such as Silent Night, O Holy Night, Joy to the World, etc. I try to search for hymns I do not have when shopping.
I have several angel type musicals as well. I have ceramic, glass, fiberoptic, and some that are in beautiful robes.

I collect trees as well but that is not for this article but many of the trees also provide beautiful songs. Some turn as they play and most of them light up. I have some trees, a village, and a church scene that are handmade by people I have known throughout my life.
Some are special including one from Poland where some of my heritage is from. That one traveled with a person who visited the country and plays a Polish melody. Another one is a globe with children skating which was given to me by some staff at a Hallmark Store. When it is turned over so it will snow inside, it no longs does and it was going to have been destroyed but they offered it to me. It plays Skater’s Waltz and has some of the most beautiful music I have.

I also have many secular choices to wind up and play or press a button. I have a nutcracker, a pickup truck, phonograph, snowmen, Santa’s, carolers, and animals in holiday scenes. To end my summary 1I have several bears, reindeer, dogs, cats, penguins, snowmen, Santa’ s, and a moose that are stuffed but not only play, some have actions such as rolling over, dancing, walking, waving, smiling and some read a book.

As you can tell this is a Musical Christmas Environment.
I forgot the fun ones before I go, I have an outhouse with Santa providing entertainment and another one where Santa is taking a bath with tons of bubbles. He sings in the shower as they say.

Enjoy your holidays as you can tell I love to have fun, fun, fun!

ACBM state convention!
Reaching Our Horizons
By Janet Dickelman

Come one come all to the ACBM state convention!
We’ll kick off the convention with our virtual auction on Sunday evening January 22nd. We will also hold a virtual exhibitor open house on Thursday, January 26th at 7:00 PM where you can hear from our exhibitors whether they will be joining us in-person or as virtual exhibitors.

Join us in-person January 27th 29th at Country Inn and Suites in Woodbury MN or join us via zoom.
In-person registration including all meals is $65.00. Room rates at Country Inn and Suites are $91.00 per night plus tax. To make reservations at the hotel call (651) 739-7300; use group code American Council of the Blind of Minnesota.

If you plan to join us via zoom registration is $20.00; you will receive all convention zoom links.

We are currently working on our Friday 1/27 afternoon programming. We do know that after a taco dinner Minnesota’s own Earle Harrison will perform for us with guitar and vocals.
On Saturday we have the following programming:
a panel on advocacy, led by Denise Just, CEO, Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Madison WI
a segment on fall prevention and safety from motivational speaker and author Larry Johnson, Houston Texas.
ACB’s first Vice President Deb Cook Lewis, Clarkston, WA.
plus can’t miss updates from Minnesota State Academy for the Blind,
Minnesota Blind and Talking Book Library,
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development State Services for the Blind.

After our presentations, our exhibitors will say a few words and then in-person attendees can visit with our in-person exhibitors, and all convention registrants can visit with our virtual vendors via zoom.

Saturday evening join us for our banquet featuring Minnesota storyteller Chad Filley.
On Sunday, our convention will culminate with our membership meeting.
convention registration: To register for the convention go to
www.acbminnisota.org

Membership Renewal Time
By Patty Slaby

Hello Members:
This is a reminder that it is time to renew your ‘membership for ACBM for 2023.
You can complete the form and pay via PayPal by going to www.acbminnesota.org.
You can also send a check to the P.O Box address at the top of the newsletter and include the information as follows:
name, address, email, phone numbers, gender (if you choose) and ethnicity (if you choose) Braille Forum format.

You can also call me at (608) 323-3614 and give me your information and I can assist in paying your dues using square with your credit card. Once Square states the payment is successful, your card number is destroyed.
So please complete this process to aid us in avoiding to call many of you.
Thank you in advance as over one third of you have completed your membership renewal.

My Review of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
By Nicky Schlender

In years past, I didn’t get into the Macy’s Day parade because I couldn’t see all the visual details. I did enjoy all of the musical performances, however. Last year in 2021, NBC had the first described parade. It was great to hear all the vivid details that I was missing.
This year’s parade began with Leah Michelle singing a song from the Broadway musical “Funny Girl.” The Next up was “The Lion King” which has been on Broadway for 25 years. I would’ve never known about the Giraffe’s walking on stilts if it weren’t for description. I truly admire all the people who have that kind of coordination. For the performance “Some Like it Hot,” I really enjoyed the tap dancing. Until recently, I didn’t know what a tap shoe looked like. Hearing the sound tap shoes make, makes me think that they have small points on them, but in actuality, they are flat. The performance “A Beautiful Noise” was great as well. The person playing Neil Diamond sounds like him. It’s remarkable that the Radio City Roquettes have been in the parade for 66 years. I really have to wonder how long they have to practice to get the moves down so that they can be in absolute synchronized movement. One of the described commercials was for Volkswagen. I had to laugh at the sheep who jumps into a car and is taken home as a pet. I was in awe that the marching band from the University of Missouri is 350 members in total! It is astonishing that the Pillsbury Dough Boy balloon is 5 stories high and that the Pillsbury company has been in business for 150 years. He reports that there are 17,000 batches of cookies baked per hour during the Christmas season.
I really enjoyed all the intricate costumes and the choreography for all the performances. I am impressed by how large the balloons are and how many people it takes to manage them. There is a balloon for example that it takes 90 handlers to bring it down the parade route. I wouldn’t have known that if it hadn’t been for the description. I wonder if any of our local describers would be willing to do live description for any of the local parades. I am wondering if the describer for this Macy’s parade had any scripted notes with her. If she didn’t, she really amazed me because she was right on the ball with no delays that I could notice.

New website and phone number for the justice department

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has launched a new and improved version of its Americans with Disabilities Act website, ada.gov. The updated version of the website is designed to serve more effectively the public and help expand access for people with disabilities. The website works well with mobile devices, includes easy-to-use navigation tools, and is written in plain language. More information is available here. To find out more about the ADA, visit ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TDD).

2023 leadership seminar
By Janet dickelman

This year ACB is holding the 2023 leadership seminar in two segments. The first part will be held the weekend of March 4th. The ACB presidents meeting and legislative forum will be held virtually. If you register you will receive zoom links to join the sessions. In most cases it is recommended that zoom visits with congressional representatives and senators should be set up via zoom since that is now their preferred way of handling meetings. That is great for ACBM since we can involve many more members.
The weekend of March 11th will be an in-person only session. We will meet in Alexandria VA for two mornings of engaging and interactive sessions, followed by afternoon and evening social event; including tours to Mount Vernon, the White House Visitors Center and several other venues. There are also plans for a rally on accessible currency, and several other events. Registration for both segments will be available shortly.
As I write this the exact price hasn’t been determined,
I do know it will be very reasonable. Room rates for the Hilton in Alexandria are $109 plus tax, several meals and tours will be included in the registration price.

The United states One dollar Bill
Author Unknown

Take out a one-dollar bill, and look at it. The one-dollar bill you’re looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This So-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We’ve all Washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the Contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is Starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.

If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenter’s square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury. That’s all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should all know.

If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States .
The First Continental Congress Requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men produce a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not Even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin’s belief that one man Couldn’t do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything.

“IN GOD WE TRUST” is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, ” God has favored our undertaking.”

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, “a new order has begun.”
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI)
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States .
It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery , And is the centerpiece of most hero’s monuments.
Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.

Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England . Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own.

At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor.
We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle’s beak you will read, ” E PLURIBUS UNUM”, meaning, ” one nation from many people”.

Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away.
Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor.

But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in “E Pluribus Unum”, 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. and, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

I always ask people, “Why don’t you know this?” Your children don’t know this, and their history teachers don’t know this.

Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn’t care. Too many veterans never came home at all.

Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL, and what it stands for… Otherwise, they will never know.

You Are The One You Are Waiting For
By DailyOM

You are the one you have been waiting for

We spend a lot of our lives looking for role models, mentors, teachers, and gurus to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this, and in fact, finding the right person at the right time can really help. However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a figure, we can still very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization. The outer world serves as a mirror. Or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level.

The path of the spirit is often thought of as a journey with a specific goal, such as finding the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this metaphor, a person begins a search for something they want and then they go off to find it, and there is a successful conclusion when they do. However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes as soon as a new object of desire presents itself. Joy, however, is a permanent aspect of our inner selves; it is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find joy or even imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, what the best teachers will do is point out that this very precious elixir is something we all already possess.

So when we find ourselves on our path not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come. The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides, for we will have successfully become our own teacher.

The Craft corner
Little angel dish Cloth – Crochet
By Author Unknown

Materials: Worsted weight cotton yarn; size G crochet hook.
Instructions:
Row 1: Ch4, join with sl st to form a ring.
Row 2: Ch1, Work 12 sc in ring, join with a sl st to first st (12 sc).
Row 3: Ch1, Work 2 sc in each of the stitches around (24 sts). Join with a sl st.
Row 4: Ch1, sc in the sl s tsp, sc in next 9 sc, (ch3, sk next sc, sc in next st) 7 times; sl st into first st.

Wings:
Work in back lp only for rows 5 through 8.
Row 5: Sc in same st as sl st; sc in next st, (3 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) twice; 3 sc in next sc (3 sc groups made). 2 sc. Ch1, turn.—17 sts.
Row 6: Sc in same st as sl st, sc in the next 2 sts, 3 sc group in the next sc, sc in the next 4 sc, 3 sc in the next sc, sc in the next 4 sc, 3 sc in the next sc, sc in last 3 sc. Ch1, turn.—23 sc.
Row 7: Sc in each sc across, working 1 3 sc group in center sc of each sc group; (29 sc). Turn.
Row 8: Ch2, hdc in next 5 sc; 3 hdc group in next schdc in the next 8 sc, 3 hdc group in the next sc, hdc in the next 8 sc, 3 hdc group in the next sc, hdc in the last 5 sc. Fasten off.

Body:
Work in both loops from now on.
Row 9: Join yarn in the 7th st from center 3 hdc. Ch2, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next 6 hdc, 3 hdc group in the next hdc, hdc in the next 7 hdc; ch2, turn.
Row 10: Hdc across to center of the 3 hdc group, 3 hdc in the center hdc, hdc to the end of the row, ch2, turn. (19 hdc)
Row 11-18: Repeat row 10. At the end of row 18 you will have 35 hdc.
Row 19: ch1, turn. Sc in same st, (ch3, sk next st, sc in next sc) 8 times, sc ch2, sc in the center hdc, sc in next sc (ch3, sk next st, sc in next st) 8 times, sc in last st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bobble angel Dish Cloth – Knitting
By Terry Ross Designs

Materials:
50 grams worsted weight dish cloth cotton
US #7 knitting needle
Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:
K Knit
P Purl
MB Make Bobble
CO Cast On
BO Bind Off

Gauge:
4 stitches per inch, 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch Approximately 10″ square when completed

Make Bobble:
Kf/b/f of the same stitch, turn.
P3, turn
K3, turn
P3, turn
k3tog

Begin Knitting:
Cast on 44 stitches.
R1 (RS): k44 R2 (WS): k44 R3: k44 R4: k44 R5: k44 R6: k3, p38, k3 R7: k44 R8: k3, p38, k3 R9: k13, p18, k13 R10: k3, p10, k18, p10, k3 R11: k14, p16, k14
R12: k3, p11, k16, p11, k3 R13: k14, p16, k14 R14: k3, p5, k1, p5, k16, p5, k1, p5, k3 R15: k8, p2, k4, p16, k4, p2, k8 R16: k3, p5, k3, p4, k14, p4, k3,
p5, k3 R17: k8, p4, k3, p14, k3, p4, k8 R18: k3, p5, k2, p1, k2, p2, k14, p2, k2, p1, k2, p5, k3 R19: k8, p2, k2, p2, k1, p14, k1, p2, k2, p2, k8 R20:
k3, p5, k2, p3, k18, p3, k2, p5, k3 R21: k8, p1, k5, p16, k5, p1, k8 R22: k3, p5, k1, p7, k12, p7, k1, p5, k3 R23: k8, p1, k7, p12, k7, p1, k8 R24: k3,
p4, k2, p7, k12, p7, k2, p4, k3
R25: k7, p2, k7, p12, k7, p2, k7 R26: k3, p4, k2, p8, k10, p8, k2, p4, k3 R27: k6, p2, k6, p2, k1, p10, k1, p2, k6, p2, k6 R28: k3, p3, k2, p5, k3, p1,
k10, p1, k3, p5, k2, p3, k3 R29: k6, p1, k4, MB, p20, MB, k4, p1, k6 R30: k3, p2, k2, p4, k22, p4, k2, p2, k3 R31: k5, p2, k4, p22, k4, p2, k5 R32: k3,
p2, k2, p5, k20, p5, k2, p2, k3 R33: k5, p1, k7, p18, k7, p1, k5 R34: k3, p2, k1, p8, k16, p8, k1, p2, k3 R35: k5, p1, k9, p14, k9, p1, k5 R36: k3, p2,
k1, p10, k5, p2, k5, p10, k1, p2, k3 R37: k5, p1, k11, p2, k6, p2, k11, p1, k5 R38: k3, p2, k1, p11, k1, p3, k2, p3, k1, p11, k1, p2, k3 R39: k5, p1, k11,
p1, k2, p4, k2, p1, k11, p1, k5 R40: k3, p2, k2, p9, k1, p2, k6, p2, k1, p9, k2, p2, k3 R41: k5, p2, k9, p1, k2, p6, k2, p1, k9, p2, k5 R42: k3, p3, k1,
p9, k1, p2, k6, p2, k1, p9, k1, p3, k3 R43: k6, p2, k7, p1, k3, p6, k3, p1, k7, p2, k6 R44: k3, p4, k2, p5, k2, p3, k6, p3, k2, p5, k2, p4, k3 R45: k8,
p7, k5, p4, k5, p7, k8 R46: k3, p7, k3, p8, k2, p8, k3, p7, k3 R47: k44 R48: k3, p18, k2, p18, k3 R49: k19, p2, k2, p2, k19 R50: k3, p15, k2, p4, k2, p15,
k3
R51: k19, p2, k2, p2, k19 R57: k44 R52: k3, p17, k4, p17, k3 R58: k44 R53: k44 R59: k44 R54: k3, p38, k3 R60: k44 R55: k44 R56: k3, p38, k3 BO in purl.
Weave ends.

Recipe corner
Creamy Broccoli Chicken Shells and Cheese
By Cooking Classy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: About 5 servings

Ingredients
• 9 oz large shell pasta, dry (3 1/4 cups)
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded into small bites size pieces
• 12 oz broccoli florets, diced into small bite size pieces (4 1/2 cups once diced)
• 2 1/2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups low-fat milk
• 6 oz 2% reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)*
• 1 oz parmesan cheese, finely shredded (1/3 cup)
Directions
• Boil pasta according to directions listed on package adding broccoli during last 3 – 4 minutes of boiling, drain well (reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, just in case you want to thin pasta sauce).
• Meanwhile, in a pot melt butter over medium heat then stir in flour. Cook mixture stirring constantly for 1 minute. While whisking vigorously, slowly add in milk, then season with onion powder, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to medium-high, cook mixture, stirring constantly until it boils and thickens. Remove from heat, allow to cool for 1 minute then add in cheddar and parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Add drained pasta and broccoli and chicken and toss to evenly coat. As it sits it will thicken, you can thin it with a few tbsp pasta water if desired.
• *If you want a stronger cheddar cheese flavor use 8 oz. You can also use extra sharp cheddar.

Peanut Butter Cookies
By Nabisco

Ingredients
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2cups flour

Directions
Cream butter, peanut butter and both sugars together.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well.
Add baking soda, powder and vanilla.
Stir in flour.
Roll into balls, roll in sugar. Flatten cookies, using a fork, in a kris cross pattern.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 6-7 minutes or adjust to suit your oven and size of cookies!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
By Marian Haslerud

The following is a list of events of interest. If you wish to add an event, please feel free to contact me. My information is as follows:

Phone number: 612-206-5883
Email: Marianhaslerud642@gmail.com

ACBM board meetings: An email is sent to the announce list. It will give the date, time, and provide a zoom link to attend the meeting.
If you wish to attend contact Steve Robertson. His phone number is: 612-819-5222. His email is: Stevetrobertson4@gmail.com

ACBM coffee will be held on the second Saturday of each month, at Day-by-Day Café, located at 477 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN. An email with the exact time will be sent. The social committee will send emails regarding upcoming social events

Bowling is held every Saturday, at Memory Lanes. The address for the bowling alley is 2520 S26th Ave., Minneapolis, MN. Contact Linda for more information. Her number is 952-857-9958

Audio darts is held on Tuesday evenings. For more information, contact Chris Peterson. His phone number is 507-271-9250.

The Minnesota Christian Fellowship meets once every three months. For more information call Suzanne Pauluk. Her phone number is: 763-535-7123.

Vision Loss Resources (VLR) has a calendar of events. For more information call the hot line at 612-843-3439.
I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Officers and Board of Directors
President: Janet Dickelman, Saint Paul, MN
First term ending 2023 | (651) 428-5059
E-mail: janet.dickelman@gmail.com
Vice president: Steve Robertson, Minneapolis, MN
1st term ending 2024 | (612) 819-5222
Email: stevetrobertson4@gmail.com
Secretary: Jennifer Dubbin, Saint Paul, MN
1st term ending 2023 | (651) 334-8895
E-mail: lyndidog@comcast.net
Treasurer: Patty Slaby, Arcadia, WI
1st term, ending 2024 | (715) 497-9849
Email: Pattyslaby135@gmail.com
Board Of Directors
Coleen Kitagawa, Richfield, MN
1st term ending in 2023 | (612) 964-2005
E-mail: kitagawa@mysero.net
Therese Dahlberg, Eagan, MN
1st term ending 2023 | (612) 819-2904
E-mail: Thereseda1965@gmail.com
Gary Boettcher, St Paul, MN
1st term ending 2024 (651) 200-7020
zorrogates@yahoo.com
Marian Haslerud, Bloomington, MN
First Term Ending 2024, (612) 206-5883
marianhaslerud642 @gmail.com
Mike Vining, Minneapolis, MN
First Term Ending 2024, (612) 408-7652
mevining@peoplepc.com

ACBM Standing Committee Chairs
To reach any of our standing committees, see chair info below.
Membership: Nancy Schadegg (612) 798-5178
Email Nancy.schadegg@comcast.net
Budget and Fundraising: Patty Slaby (608) 323-3614
Email Pattyslaby135@gmail.com
• Advocacy: Jeff West (763) 479-9709
• Email WestJeffrey123@gmail.com
Editorial Committee: Catalina Martinez (612) 227-3011
E-mail: catalina229@gmail.com
Social Committee: Michael Malver (612) 673-0664
Email mmalver@gmail.com