November 2008 - Junior League of Minneapolis

November 2008 Volume 10 Issue 4
President’s Note p.2
Community p.3
Members p.4
Projects p.6
Fundraising p.7
Members p.8
Sustainers p.12
New Members p.14
Calendar p.16
Ph. 612 -238-8460
Front (L-R) Michelle Fettig, Aimee Brekke, Jennifer Abel ; Back (L-R) Sarah Hanson, Jen Osendorf,
Emily Serrano, Gina Acker, Timmara Sektor, Geri Datus-Ward, Megan Brennan, Kristy Zastrow
JLM ANNUAL BUS TOUR CELEBRATES
85 YEARS OF SERVICE PROJECTS
By Maria Markusen, TLD and Public Affairs Chair
Were you one of the lucky JLMers who caught the 2008 Bus Tour? Continuing
our 85th Anniversary celebration, the 2008 bus tour was made available not
only to our New Members this year, but also to Active and Sustainer members. The
day began with pastries, coffee and conversation at our new location in The Woman’s
Club. With over 100 Junior League of Minneapolis members on-board, attendees
connected with past and present JLM projects and accomplishments. A big THANKS
goes out to our Sustainer tour guides, Mary Cederberg, Linda Bartling, Kathleen
Dodson-Smith and Carol Smith for sharing historical information and anecdotes.
A visit was made to the Minnesota Free Arts Center for Abused Children, where
several board members spoke passionately about the League’s positive impact which
is sustained through the organization’s worthy endeavors. An artistic gift given to the
League will grace our new space at The Woman’s Club, where this inspiring morning
ended with an invitation to lunch. Thanks to all whose efforts together made this
event a success!
Sustainer Tourguides: Mary Cederberg, Linda
Bartling, Kathleen Dodson-Smith with the
bus driver
Framed artwork presented from Free Arts to the
JLM when touring Free Arts offices

President’s Note
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Emily Backstrom
President-Elect
Anna Lyon
CFO/VP Finance
Maggie Kirchoff
Recording Secretary
Sarah McLeod
VP Administration
Julie Dosek
VP Community
Sarah Borchers
VP Fundraisers
Jessica Zeaske
VP Marketing
Tara Sullivan
VP Membership/Training
Stephanie Bartling
VP Projects
Heather Tansey
Legal Advisor
Adriana Luedke
Sustainer Representative
Carolyn Dahl
MISSION
The Junior League of Minneapolis
is an organization of women committed
to promoting voluntarism,
developing the potential of women,
and improving the community
through the effective action and
leadership of trained volunteers. Its
purpose is exclusively educational
and charitable.
REACH OUT STATEMENT
The Junior League of Minneapolis
reaches out to women of all races,
religions, and national origins who
demonstrate an interest in and
committment to voluntarism.
2
One thing that I have come to appreciate this year as
President of the Junior League of Minneapolis is the
ability of our organization to move so many initiatives
forward simultaneously. Just think about how much the JLM
does in aggregate over the course of a year – organize projects,
run fundraisers, welcome new members, communicate our
work, govern the organization. It is pretty amazing!
Clearly, member initiative coupled with strong leadership
makes all of this work possible. But underlying our work is
the structure of our League, which organizes our
membership in an effective way to allow us to fulfill our
mission. The League’s structure is outlined in a set of governing documents (Articles
of Incorporation, Bylaws, Standing Rules and Procedures).
I bring up this topic, because in the months ahead, we as a membership will be
revising these governing documents. An ad hoc committee under Kirsten Muller’s
leadership has been hard at work cleaning up, updating and simplifying our
governing documents. Some of the ad hoc committee’s recommendations will come
forward to membership for vote in November. And then in March, we will
wholesale vote to adopt a revised set of governing documents. I encourage all of
our members to actively participate in this process. This is one step our membership
will take this anniversary year to prepare the JLM for success in the years ahead.
As we are setting up future success, we are also working on the here and now.
Committees like Helping Hands and SEGG are providing a variety of opportunities
for members to participate. (Keep watching the JLM web calendar!) Other
committees work year-round behind the scenes to keep the League on track (thank
you to Communications, P&A and Membership!). But for some committees,
November is a “gear up” month with big events on the horizon. Eve of the Eve,
Books 4 Kids and American Girl will all be here before we realize it. Let’s all provide
the support we can to these committees as they enter their busy season!
I will close with a quote by Margaret Mead that is often cited, but yet so resonant.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Warm regards,
Emily Backstrom
2008-2009 President
BOARD NOTES by Sarah McLeod, Recording Secretary
JLM Headquarters remodeling at The Woman’s Club is complete.
The “85 Leaguers” recognition is underway to celebrate our 85th Anniversary. See the
JLM website and the MINI for recipients.
The annual independent audit of JLM financials is complete and showed improvement
over last year.
Initial implementation of recommendations from the Technology Ad Hoc Committee
has begun. Training begins in late October.
The Governing Documents Ad Hoc Committee will present recommendations for substantive
changes to JLM ByLaws and Standing Rules at the November General Meeting.
The BOD recently assessed the status of the current strategic plan and determined that
progress is being made toward all key initiatives.

Community
MUSIC TO THE EARS
By Jacque Olson, LeagueAires Committee
It was by sheer accident that I came across an article in USA TODAY while
traveling in September – but not difficult. It came with the room!
So, over coffee and a tasty sunrise muffin (also came with the room) I began sorting
through it. JAZZ ARTIST APPLIES MUSIC TO HEAL THE BODY AND MIND
was the bold catch line on the front page of the Life section. Hey, I can’t believe I
saw this, I thought. Enthusiastically, I read on. The article featured jazz guitarist and
three-time Grammy Award nominee, Stanley Jordan. Jordan, now 49, has taken his
considerable talent beyond entertainment and into the realm of healing, inspiration
and self-esteem via music therapy. Something he embarked on from his own
personal experiences.
It stated that in a recent interview Jordan was quoted as saying “In five to 10 years
music therapy is going to be a household term. I say that because it is so holistic and
versatile. It addresses every part of the body in some way or another.”
I couldn’t help remembering my daughter’s roommate in college circa 94-98, who
was then majoring in the field. But, back to Jordan.
As part of his initiative, he is completing a graduate program in music therapy at
Arizona State, regularly performing at hospitals and hospices. “I look at it as sharing
gifts,” he said. “A woman will start telling us when she heard that song before, or she’ll
start rocking back and forth, remembering the way she danced. You see people come
to life in ways they haven’t for a long time.”
This article had come on the heels of a recent visit to our LeagueAires Monday
rehearsal from David O’Fallon the astute, eloquent and, may I say, elegant CEO of
MacPhail Center for Music. None of this is unfamiliar to Minnesota’s esteemed
institution or Mr. O’Fallon himself. MacPhail’s Music Therapy Department is
impressive indeed.
PAINTING A FUTURE
FOR AEON
By Frances Roen,
Helping Hands Committee
On Saturday, October 11, eight
Junior League members and one
husband joined forces with Aeon
[www.aeonmn.org] to scrape tape and
apply a fresh coat of paint to the
porches at East Village
Apartments near downtown
Minneapolis.
Aeon is an award-winning
nonprofit developer of highquality
apartments and town
homes for the Minneapolis/St. Paul
metropolitan area, and serves more
than 2,700 people annually. A
morning of hard work
consisted of 12 porches being
painted and 12 families were able
to enjoy sitting outside on a
beautiful fall day!
Thanks to everyone who helped
bring a smile to our neighbors’
faces and beauty to their porches.
Look for other Helping Hands
opportunities on the JLM website
calendar!
Did you know music stimulates the brain four times more than anything else? Think
of our existence without it. Music is that understanding, motion, voice, and emotion
that is key to us as human beings.
And what of those who do not hear, you ask? Have you ever watched a conductor?
The very sight of which is quite literally music to the ears.
We in LeagueAires are intensely aware of that.
How did I get so lucky?
Laura Otterbacher, Jaclyn von
Oven, and Annie Gorman
painting at Aeon
3

Members
4
NEW JLM EMAIL
ADDRESSES
Our new email addresses should
simplify life for members and
the public; no more trying to
remember who’s chair or VP of what!
Just use the email addresses
below for the committee or
function you need to reach.
president@jlminneapolis.org
info@jlminneapolis.org
deb@jlminneapolis.org
JLMNominating@hotmail.com
books4kids@jlminneapolis.org
helpinghands@jlminneapolis.org
newmembers@jlminneapolis.org
eveoftheeve@jlminneapolis.org
americangirl@jlminneapolis.org
kidsinthekitchen@jlminneapolis.org
breakfastbuddies@jlminneapolis.org
gildasclub@jlminneapolis.org
leagueaires@jlminneapolis.org
communications@jlminneapolis.org
marketing@jlminneapolis.org
treasurer@jlminneapolis.org
fundraising@jlminneapolis.org
membership@jlminneapolis.org
sustainers@jlminneapolis.org
projectdevelopment@jlminneapolis.org
fundraiserdevelopment@jlminneapolis.org
specialevents@jlminneapolis.org
giftsandgrants@jlminneapolis.org
transfers@jlminneapolis.org
projects@jlminneapolis.org
community@jlminneapolis.org
finance@jlminneapolis.org
presidentelect@jlminneapolis.org
placement@jlminneapolis.org
training@jlminneapolis.org
cookbooks@jlminneapolis.org
generalmeetings@jlminneapolis.org
TRANSFER MEMBERS ENJOY ART
AND GREAT FOOD AT THE
WALKER ART CENTER
By Becky Brown, Transfer Committee Chair
On Thursday October 23, our new transfers along with committee members
kicked off the weekend a little early with a fantastic event at The Walker Art
Center. In keeping with our committee’s goal to provide monthly opportunities for
transfers to socialize and get to know one another while experiencing varying aspects
of the city, The Walker proved to a be a great way to showcase one of Minneapolis’
great art venues! In addition to touring the current art exhibits, the inventive food and
drink at 20:21, a Wolfgang Puck signature restaurant and bar, was a hit as well.
In addition to conducting Fall Interviews with each transfer member during
October, the transfer committee is in the process of working with their individual
advisees to begin planning for additional monthly social events (“Transfer Pair” events)
to allow transfer members input on places/things they would like to see/do around
the metro area. While dates have not yet been set for future events a tentative monthly
calendar is as follows:
November 2008:
December 2008:
January 2009:
February 2009:
March 2009:
April 2009:
May 2009:
Transfer Pair Social/Event
Transfer Holiday Social
Winter Tea Party and a Transfer Pair Social/Event
Wine Tasting (with significant others) and
a Transfer Pair Social/Event
Transfer Pair Social/Event
Transfer Pair Social/Event
End of Year “Favorite Things” Party
PAULA SMOOT OGG
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Divorce
Custody
Post-Decree modification
and enforcement
Paula Ogg ad
Named Minnesota Super Lawyer ®
JLM Sustainer
OGG LAW OFFICE
2915 Wayzata Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: 612-767-1800 Fax: 612-341-9079
www.ogglawoffice.com

Members
85 LEAGUERS: KATHRYN DANGERS
HER CHANCE TO GIVE BACK
By Jillene Schwab, External Communications Committee
FUN FACTS
Joined the Junior
League: 2008
Family: 4-year-old son, Owen
Profession: Financial Planner
Education: University of St. Thomas
and University of Hawaii
Describe yourself in
one word: Whole-Hearted
Kathryn Danger and
her son Owen
The new member class this year consists of 83 women, each with a story to tell.
Kathryn Dangers, one of our new members, has a particularly interesting
connection to the Junior League of Minneapolis. When she was in eighth grade,
shortly after her father lost his battle with cancer, Kathryn participated in the
Breakfast Buddies program at St. Louis Park Junior High. She remembers the
positive young woman in the Junior League who spoke with her about defining her
goals and pursuing her dreams.
Kathryn doesn’t recall the name of her mentor from the Junior League, but she
clearly remembers the experience that impacted her in ways beyond defining career
aspirations – it planted a seed of service within Kathryn. At a young age, Kathryn
remembers thinking to herself “I will return the favor someday”. Her Breakfast
Buddies experience helped her understand firsthand that giving oneself can help
others grow and positively influence a community.
Today, Kathryn is giving back. Even with a busy career in the financial industry,
Kathryn is already developing quite a resume of service within her own community.
She is currently building a corporate giving strategy from the ground up at Wealth
Enhancement Group, her employer. Kathryn is developing a corporate giving
statement, a team that provides support for employees, and a quarterly
company-wide drive. It is important to Kathryn to set an example of service to
others through her actions, and her work on this initiative will meet that goal.
Kathryn’s favorite quote reflects her optimism in taking down barriers and pursuing
positive change – “Man is the center of a circle with no circumference”, Benjamin
Disraeli. She feels that we place our own limits on ourselves, but in reality the
possibilities are endless. The key is to be brave enough to reach for them. And it’s
apparent that Kathryn is guided by this outlook in her quest to give back.
PHOTO REQUEST
By Traci Bentzen,
Internal Communications Chair
As we progress through the year
and get more involved with our
committees, I would like to present
a request to all JLM members. We
are looking to highlight various
League events throughout the year,
but can only be successful in doing
so with your help. So this is a
friendly reminder to take tons
of photos whenever possible
and submit them to the
communications committee.
Also keep in mind that we will
publish a 2008-09 JLM Chronicle
in the spring, celebrating the 85th
Anniversary of the JLM. Therefore,
the communications team will look
for great articles and photos to be
submitted later in the year.
Please remember to include names
and dates with all photos
submitted. Contact Traci at
communications@jlminneapolis.org
with your submissions and/or requests
or drop a disk off at the
Junior League headquarters. Thank
you for your help!
5

Projects
JLM members Rebecca Thompson, Katy McArron, Casey Turner, Virginia Conklin and Lisa Taylor along with community volunteers participated in the Read
for the Record event at Bancroft School.
BOOKS 4 KIDS:
JLM MEMBERS HELP TO BREAK A WORLD RECORD!
By Susan Patow, Books for Kids Chair
On October 3 JLM members helped break the world record
for the largest shared reading experience! As part of the Read for the Record
event, over 400,000 people world-wide read the classic book “Corduroy” to
children of all ages. 2008 marks the 40 th Anniversary of this book written by
Don Freeman.
This was an auspicious start to our 2008 B4K year! Sustainer Lisa Taylor helped
facilitate a partnership between the Minnesota Literacy Council and JLM to make
this event a success. JLM members read to children from kindergarten to fifth
grade at three Minneapolis schools. Best of all, each child received their own
personal copy of “Corduroy” to take home and read again and again. The teachers
and children were very positive about the experience and our volunteers gave it a
“thumbs up!” Thanks to all who participated.
If you are interested in learning more about reading opportunities please
contact Rebecca Thompson at Rebecca.thompson@genmills.com.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Book sorting shifts for November and early
December are now available – this is a great way to earn credit for
volunteer shifts. Check the B4K website for more details and sign-up
6

Fundraising
DO YOU HAVE LEADS FOR POTENTIAL DONORS?
Baby Sitting Services
Pet Grooming Gift Card
Winter Sporting Gear
Golfing Activities
Children’s Toys & Activity Lessons Gift Cards
Ipod, iphone, wii
Trips (i.e. houses for a week)
Airline Miles
Gas Cards
Sporting Event Tickets
Celeb Experiences
Email Donation Leads to Elizabeth Bahra at elizabeth.bahra@gmail.com
JLM ALWAYS SUPERB
COOKBOOKS
By Sarah Punch, SEGG Committee
Are you starting to get ready for the
holidays, looking for a great hostess
gift, or a gift for your child’s teacher?
There is no better gift than a
Junior League cookbook.
Have you already given your friends
and family JLM’s cookbook Always
Superb? Then, maybe it is time to give
a friend a Junior League cookbook
from their favorite region, their home
state, or a spot where family or
friends live. JLM currently has
cookbooks from 36 different
Leagues around the country. We
swap our own, highly requested,
Always Superb, for other League
cookbooks around the country.
Please visit the website for a
complete list. We will feature
swapped cookbooks from
Minnesota’s neighbors for the
November General Meeting in
addition to Always Superb.
Because of swapping our cookbooks
with other Leagues, we’re able to
bring you cookbooks from around
the country at the incredible price of
$20 each to JLM Members.
We will sell Always Superb at the
incredible price of $15 to members
and swapped cookbooks for $20 at
the November 11 General Meeting
at the Edina Country Club. This
would be a great opportunity to
pre-order cookbooks. Just email
sarah.punch@genmills.com with your
request or stop by the cookbook
table to pick up a beautiful cookbook
for a friend. As a reminder, the
purchase of five cookbooks fulfills
a below the line fundraising
requirement.
7

Members
NOVEMBER
GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Edina Country Club
6:00 p.m.
Social hour with drinks and
appetizers
7:00 p.m.
General Meeting
Edina Country Club
5100 Wooddale Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
952.927.7151
Please remember to log into the
website in order to pre-pay for
appetizers and register for all
general meetings.
Directions to the Edina Country
Club are also listed online.
DECEMBER
GENERAL
MEETING AND
HOLIDAY PARTY
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
6 - 9 pm
Golden Valley Country Club
7001 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-732-4100
85 LEAGUERS: DIANA HAGEBOECK
SPREADING WINGS
By Jillene Schwab, External Communications Committee
Joined the Junior League: 1971
FUN FACTS
Family: Husband Norm, son Bill (Gina),
daughter Betsy (Mark), five
grandchildren
Education: University of Minnesota, Elementary
Education
Community Dedication: Spent the past 28 years raising money
for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund
(CCRF)
Diana and Norm
Hageboeck with their grandchildren
In August of 1978, Diana Hageboeck brought
her 11-year-old daughter Katie to the doctor with
a fever, expecting her physician to diagnose Katie
with strep throat and suggest a simple remedy. But
Diana clearly recalls the tone of the physician’s voice
when he turned to her and said, “Your daughter
does not have strep throat.” Moments later, Katie
was raced to the University of Minnesota, where
eight physicians stood waiting for her. Tests
determined that Diana’s little girl had the highest
white blood cell count doctors had seen, and she
had an enlarged spleen and liver – they didn’t
expect Katie to live through the night.
That astounding day was in fact just the beginning
of young Katie’s 16-month battle with leukemia.
And it was the beginning of her mother Diana’s
lifelong journey that would make her instrumental
in the fight against a disease that is the most common cause of death by illness in
children. As Diana and her husband Norm sat in the parents’ lounge during the
months ahead while Katie went through continual treatments and a bone marrow
transplant, they felt hope because they knew their child was being cared for in the
right place. Families from around the world visited the University, an international
leader in treating pediatric cancer. Diana was shocked that she had never known
about such an outstanding treatment center that existed right in her own community.
She was also surprised to learn that research grants were being cut and that such an
internationally renowned program was at risk.
Continued on page 9
8

Members
DIANA HAGEBOECK
SPREADING WINGS CONTINUED
Diana and Norm learned of the then little-known Children’s Cancer Research Fund
(CCRF) while Katie was being treated. In the parents’ lounge, every time a child died,
a hat was passed around to collect donations for CCRF in the child’s memory. When
Katie relapsed in the fall of 1979, she told her parents that she wanted the money she
had saved for a new bike to go to CCRF. Katie lost her battle with leukemia in
December 1979, and Diana and Norm honored their daughter’s request. And they
did much more. Over the next 28 years, with the help of friends, they would raise
over $100 million for pediatric cancer research.
With two goals in mind – raise money and create awareness for the cancer research
program – Diana gathered twelve friends, most of them Junior Leaguers, to plan a
benefit for the cause. Having no experience planning a large, high-profile event, Diana
was thankful for the support of many of her innovative friends from the Junior
League. Together, they organized the first annual Dawn of a Dream benefit concert,
raising more than $50,000 for CCRF. The event lit a fire in the community that
couldn’t be put out, and Diana found herself in the center of a grassroots volunteer
organization that is behind today’s CCRF.
In 1983, the Junior League expressed interest in cooperating with CCRF to develop
a project, and so began the Children’s Cancer Assistance, Resource and
Encouragement program (C.A.R.E). The project’s mission was to train volunteers to
support and encourage patients and their families. C.A.R.E was a successful
program, the first of its kind, and one that CCRF continues to support and today is
known as Care Partners.
Diana credits the Junior League for playing a significant role in the success of CCRF
and is extremely thankful for the skills she learned in the Junior League that helped
her find hidden talents at times when she most needed them. Her Junior League
friends have been volunteers and leaders for CCRF over the years, and Diana has
relied on many leaders in the League who have acted as mentors for her as CCRF has
grown. In Diana’s own words, CCRF “has been a total collaboration of Junior
League leadership, training, friendship and energy.”
Since 1980, a butterfly has been the Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s symbol of
hope, representing a child’s experiences while fighting cancer. It also represents the
organization’s small beginnings and tremendous impact – “furthering groundbreaking
research, training the pediatric cancer doctors and researchers of the future, and
treating children from across the globe with new therapies in their fight against
cancer.” Diana Hageboeck, along with her family and friends, have been instrumental
in spreading the wings of a cause that will continue to impact the lives of children
and their families around the world.
PARIS FOR RENT
Stunning 1BR Left Bank
apartment near Musee
d’Orsay available for
weekly rentals. Elegant,
serene, luminous,
elevator, sleeps four.
For photos and
information contact
Wendy Crowley
(Pasadena League) or email
davenportdad@earthlink.net.
NOVEMBER 3 RD
THURSDAY
Thursday, November 20
7 – 8:30 p.m. (social at 6:30 p.m.)
Bachman’s Lyndale Store
6010 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, 55419
There will be two 30-minute
seminars. Topics are “Wreaths &
Evergreens: How to Decorate Your
Mantle” and “Trimming a Tree”.
Please register for this event on our
website.
9

Members
10
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Lucienne Taylor, ED.D., November 1
Janet Nelson, November 3
Julie Owen, November 3
Frances Roen, November 3
Sharon Mattison, November 4
Stephanie Bartling, November 5
Judith Jaffee, November 6
Timmara Sektor, November 6
Maria DiRico, November 7
Ann Gorath, November 7
Nancy Berg, November 8
Helen Jones, November 8
Sonja Hinrichs, November 9
Kay Parkhurst, November 9
Amber Arnold, November 10
Emily Uelmen, November 10
Mollie Petersen, November 10
Glenda Corrigan, November 11
Stacy Shaleen, November 11
Rebecca Spilman, November 12
Suzie Wilmot, November 12
Georgia Forchuk, November 13
Kirsten Hanson, November 13
Mary McCary, November 14
Mary Jane Hauser, November 15
Carol Mulheran, November 15
Jennifer Shinners, November 15
Velia Melrose, November 16
Elizabeth Bahra, November 17
Jan Hale, November 17
Kathy Jerde, November 17
Patricia Andersen, November 18
Paula Caryotakis, November 18
Marcia Levine, November 18
Rita Thysell, November 18
Rebecca Brown, November 19
Susan DeJute, November 19
Jill Sigelman, November 19
Joan Swendseen, November 19
Mary Caswell, November 20
Margo Denessen, November 20
Anne Holloran, November 20
Mary Robbins, November 20
Stephanie Brabant, November 22
Melissa Moe, November 22
Katherine Mulheran, November 23
Katherine Recher, November 25
Carolyn Dahl, November 26
Loranda Watson, November 26
Sandra Lindquist, November 27
Christine Martin, November 27
Julie Drake, November 28
Jill Gierach, November 28
Sally Warner, November 28
Cadd Lauren, November 29
Ann Birt, November 30
85 LEAGUERS: KARIN ABEL
DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH
LEADERSHIP
By Leah Maki, External Communications Chair
FUN FACTS
Joined the Junior League: 2003
Current Committee: Chair of Gilda’s Club
Most Rewarding Past Committee: Book Drive Director for Books 4 Kids
Education: St. Olaf
Profession: Specialist in Community Relations at
Target Corporation
Describe yourself in one word: Passionate
Karin Abel (right) with her sister
Heather and mother Renee
If you’ve had the opportunity to meet
Karin Abel, then you know that her
passion for community service is
transparent in all that she does. Her
background depicts a woman that stands
up for her values and who acknowledges
that change can not be reached standing
on the sidelines. Perhaps that’s why her
favorite quote is “Be the change you wish
to see in the world” - Gandhi.
Like most undergraduates, Karin debated
about her career path, trying to find a
career that combined both her passion for business and community. Her first job out
of college at Scholarship America made Karin realize that non-profit work
comprised the perfect balance. Karin’s work at Scholarship America included leading
a program called Dollars for Scholars that helps communities raise money for
scholarships – scholarships similar to one that Karin herself received in high school.
Through her then colleague, Karen Miller, she was introduced to the Junior League
of Minneapolis.
During her first active year in the JLM, Karin joined the Books 4 Kids committee
which was in its first year in existence. As the book drive director for Books 4 Kids
the following year, Karin understood what a lot of work could be – yet she
describes that busy year as the most rewarding experience she’s had in the League and
one that helped shape what the JLM means to her. Although she wasn’t working
directly with kids, Karin knew that the committee’s work gave kids who didn’t have
books the opportunity to read.
In Karin’s current position as the chair of Gilda’s Club and working in community
relations at Target, she continues to work as a change agent. Karin’s advice for new
members: “Get involved with something early in your league career, and take pride
and ownership in what you’re doing.” Through her passion for influencing positive
change and her involvement in new JLM initiatives, Karin seems to be driving that
message home.

LEATHER-WRAPPED CYBERSPACE
Illuminate the SecuriCode TM keypad with a touch of your hand, and you’ll quickly see why the all new 2009 Lincoln MKS
is a skillful blend of luxury and technology. Hand-finished LM AdBridge of Weir leather trim and the choice of genuine olive ash
or fine-line ebony wood accents surround you as the Navigation System and integrated SIRIUS ® Travel Link TM1,2 give
you real-time traffic, weather and more. The all new 2009 Lincoln MKS. Launching from your local Lincoln Dealer.
starting at $ 37,665 3
experiencelm.com
1
Available feature. 2 Real-time traffic monitoring available in select markets. Some features are unavailable while driving. Service not available in
Alaska or Hawaii. SIRIUS and Travel Link are trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Inc. 3 2009 Lincoln MKS FWD, MSRP. Destination, title, taxes and
license fees extra. See dealer for their price.
11

Sustainers
. . . Book Club
FALL BOOK LIST
November 12, 2008: A Thousand
Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini
Hostess: Jan Nelson
5105 Lake Ridge Road, Edina
(952) 938-7703
No Meeting in December
January 14, 2009: The Dressmaker
by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck
Hostess: Judy Scattergood
420 Kresse Circle, Edina
(952) 938-4424
February 11, 2009: A Classic: Jane
Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte
Hostess: Mary Hageman
7660 Crimson Bay Road, Chaska
(952) 470-1027
March 11, 2009: The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls
Hostess: Lynn Bechtol
145 Inland Lane North, Plymouth
(763) 432-2310
Book Club meetings are held the second
Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m.
Please notify the hostess 48 hours prior
to the meeting if you plan to attend. All
Sustainers are welcome.
Right: Margarette Minor and Jennifer Sawyer
greet guests to the Guthrie event.
Annual Fall Book Event
Wednesday, November 5, 2008, 8:45 AM
Wayzata Country Club, 200 West Wayzata Blvd.
Spectacular Menu and This Year’s “Best Reads” from the Bookcase
Special Table for Transfer Sustainers
Bring a friend, former Leaguer, and Enjoy the Discounts!
$19.50 check payable to JLM, send to:
Jane Truckenbrod, 1491 66th Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Questions, Patty Strong, (952) 473-6694
Celebrate the Holidays with Sustainer Friends!
Thursday, December 11
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Tricia Davis graciously welcomes
us to her beautiful home at
2487 Crowne Hill Road
Minnetonka 55305
Dinner and Beverages $35, Complimentary Valet Parking
Carpooling STRONGLY recommended
Books 4 Kids will be accepting new or gently used books this evening
RSVP by December 1st to Jane Truckenbrod
1491 66th Avenue NE, Fridley, MN 55432
or pay online at www.jlminneapolis.org Questions?
Contact Kathleen Dodson-Smith 763-420-3824
GREAT GIFT IDEA! Need a great Christmas or hostess gift?
Gift-wrapped cookbooks will be available for sale for $15!
Below: 85th Anniversary Bus Tour
Sustainer committee members: Barb
Hartwell, Pat Fleet, Jo Damhof,
Abbie Thiss (missing Pat Spencer,
Mary Cederberg).
12
Left: Eve of the Eve 2007 Live
Auction Item, Breadmaking
Weekend at Sue Hodder’s Lake
Home: Linda Bartling,
Becky Odland, Bette Englund,
Cynthia Courtney,
Kathleen Dodson-Smith, Pat Fleet,
Sue Hodder, seated.

Sustainers
SUSTAINER PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
Food. Memories. Traditions. We are in the season of remembrances,
blessings and thankfulness. As a young girl, I remember my Great Aunt
Marge coming often to our home with her family for Thanksgiving. She
would bring boxes of rolls from the Tracy bakery, dozens of homemade
date cupcakes with rich caramel frosting, and the green jellomarshmellow-pineapple
salad. Her visits became a tradition and fond memories.
Bread making also evokes memories. This was most certainly true one weekend
in early October when six of us Sustainers traveled up north to Sue Hodder’s large
and homey lake home to make bread. (We were the very lucky winners of an Eve of
the Eve auction item last December donated by Sue.) She met us at the door in her
jeans, sweatshirt, and tennis shoes, the aroma of oven
stew permeated the air. After a tour, we enjoyed a long
dinner of good food and conversation. The next day, her
kitchen was filled with recipes, dough, flour, laughter
and happy memories.
My thanks to all of you for taking the time to make
League memories and traditions. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
— Becky Odland, 952-929-5831, oddball72@aol.com
SUSTAINER SNAPSHOTS
Third Thursdays are events sponsored by the SEGG committee (Special Events,
Gifts and Grants) to raise funds for the League. These are fun, purchasing
opportunities at local retailers who donate dollars back to the JLM. November
20 will be at Bachman’s off Lyndale, 7-8:30 PM, “How to Trim your Tree.”
The next Sustainer Board meeting is Monday, November 24, at the Woman’s
Club in the Centennial Room. We will eat and greet at 11:00 AM with the
meeting starting at 11:30. Sustainer Reps and Planning Committee members
please come with your reports. The agenda will be sent the week before with
meal information.
Marilyn Carlson Nelson will be speaking at the December 9 General Meeting
about her new book, How We Lead Matters: Reflections on a Life of Leadership.
Don’t forget to get your tickets for Eve of the Eve, JLM’s major party and fundraiser
on December 30, at Windows on Minnesota, 50 th Floor IDS Center from 7:00
PM – 1:00 AM. On sale at www.jlminneapolis.org/eveoftheeve.
SUSTAINERS SALUTE
Patty Strong, Jo Damhof, Sally Blood, Marilyn Hoghaug, Lynn Bechtol, and
Becky Odland for organizing the always popular Annual Fall Book Event.
Mary Cederberg, Linda Bartling, Carol Smith and Kathleen Dodson-Smith for
being knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides on the 85 th Anniversary Bus Tour.
Patty Strong for selection in the “85 Leaguers.”
Lisa Glanville Taylor, one of 15 individuals featured in the October Mpls.St.Paul
Magazine Volunteer Hall of Fame, for her part in the creation of the Greater
Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. Congratulations!
Pat Fleet for organizing a fun, September golf outing.
2008-2009
Sustainer
Bulletin Board
All RSVP payments should be sent
to the Sustainer Treasurer:
Jane Truckenbrod
1491 66th Ave. NE
Fridley, MN 55432
RSVPs are due one week prior to
each event’s scheduled date.
~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sustainer Fall Book Event
Wayzata Country Club
8:45 AM
Cost: $19.50
Questions: Patty Strong
(952) 473-6694
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sustainer Board Meeting
11:00 AM, Meet, Eat & Greet
11:30 AM, Meeting
Woman’s Club
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Holiday Party
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Hostess: Tricia Davis
2487 Crowne Hill Road
Minnetonka, MN
Cost: $35
Questions, Kathleen Dodson-Smith,
(763) 420-3824
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Eve of the Eve
Premier Party and JLM Benefit
7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Windows on Minnesota
50th Floor IDS Center
www.jlminneapolis.org/eveoftheeve
13

New Members
NEW MEMBERS
KNOW WHERE TO
MEET AND MINGLE!
According to the New
Members, the top five Happy
Hours in the Twin Cities are:
1. Rossi’s
2. Brit’s
3. Stella’s
4. McCormick and Schmick’s
5. Mojo’s
NEW MEMBER UPDATES
By Rachel Smith, New Member Chair
What a whirlwind the last few months have been! The New Member Class is
having a busy fall with many exciting educational and social opportunities. Over
fifty new members attended the Bus Tour in September and enjoyed learning about
our past projects as well as visiting Free Arts MN. Seeing how much of an impact the
JLM has had on our community really inspired them to get out there and volunteer,
and we’ve seen many new members signing up for various Helping Hands shifts this
month.
In October, the new members were treated to a fantastic presentation by Heather
Tansey, VP Projects, and Jessica Zeaske, VP Finance, for their Projects and Fundraising
Training. Heather and Jessica took them on a journey from the very beginnings of a
new project or fundraiser through execution and transition. It was quite informative,
and the new members appreciated learning more about how the League goes about
bringing these different projects and events to fruition.
All of the core groups have been busy scheduling fall interviews and attending their
neighborhood meetings this month. They are gearing up to take placements in the
spring and will attend a “Mini” Placement Fair in November where they will select
their top three committee choices and learn more about the lottery process.
American Girl, Eve of the Eve, SEGG, Helping Hands, Books 4 Kids, Gilda’s Club,
and Kids in the Kitchen are all taking new members, and we are so excited to get
these ladies out in the community making an impact and developing new skills and
talents along the way. A big thank you to those committee chairs who stepped up
and are making plans to take our wonderful new members!
NEW MEMBER
REMINDERS
Dream Vaca
acation in Carmel, CA
Mini Placement Fair
Thursday, November 13
7 pm
St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox
Church
Feed My Starving Children
Social
Saturday, November 22
11:30-1:30
Eagan Location
New Member Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 17
6:30-8:30 pm
The Home of Pat Spencer
Beautifully furnished home! 3-bdrm/3-bath (sleeps
10). Families welcome. Close to ocean, golf,
tennis, art galleries, aquarium & fine dining. $4500
per month. Call 1-800-505-5433 or visit
http://members.aol.com/sdeconcini
14

New Members
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
By Erin Schultz, New Member Committee
Meet Jen Abel! Jen is a new member and part of the brown group, and she’s getting a jumpstart on her
League career by helping out with Eve of the Eve!
In her own words ...
Hometown: Newburg, ND (now Maple Grove)
Education: Augustana College
Profession: Sr. Designer at United Healthcare
Family: Husband Stacy and two cats, Agnes and Sydney
Memorable volunteer achievements: 2007 MS TRAM Bike Tour - As part of the “The Young & the
Rest of Us” team, we, along with over 4,000 participants, set out on a 5-day, 300-mile tour and raised
over $3 million for research dedicated to finding the cure as well as programs to help those living with
MS, their families and care partners.
Why I joined Junior League: To provide meaningful service, to strengthen leadership development, to meet dynamic woman
and to share with others my passion for involvement and enjoyment of social activity outside day jobs and home lives
What I like best about the Junior League: On my drive home from any Junior League meeting or event, I am in a great
mood. Learning about our League and hearing stories of these amazing women is truly inspirational.
What others are saying about her ...
“Jen Abel has been fantastic! She was very eager to jump in and help with Eve of the Eve marketing. I asked her to design the
invitations and she came back with two fabulous options! She is very creative and it has been wonderful working with her.”
“She is so excited to be a part of the League and Eve of the Eve. She is a future leader!”
Meet Katie Ahlers! Katie is a member of the yellow group.
In her own words ...
Hometown: I am originally from Des Moines IA and moved to Minneapolis shortly after graduating from college
Education: I graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in
Marketing in May of 2003
Where I live now: I have lived in Minneapolis for a little over 5 years now and currently live in southwest
Minneapolis
Profession: I work at Allianz Life Insurance Company as a Marketing Manager for our Strategic Accounts
Previous volunteer experience: People Serving People, Feed My Starving Children, school mentor program through Allianz.
Why I joined the League: I joined the League because I wanted to feel more a part of the community. Ever since I moved to
Minneapolis I wanted to get involved and give back but struggled knowing the best way to go about it. I liked the idea of the
League providing an organized way for me to volunteer.
What I like best about the League so far: The people. I originally joined the League more so for the volunteer aspect but have
found that I will gain much more than that from my membership. I have been very impressed with how welcoming the current
members have been to the new members. It is clear that the League is full of amazing women. I think it will prove to be a great
place to network and form new friendships.
What others are saying ...“Katie has been a fun person to get to know. She has a very positive attitude and you can’t help but
like her! She will be a great addition to any committee!”
15

November
4 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
11 3:00 p.m. the MINI Deadline
11 General Membership Meeting
18 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
18 7:00 p.m. Joint Boards Meeting
20 Third Thursdays - Bachman’s
24 Sustainer Board Meeting
27 Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed
28 Office Closed
December
2 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
6 Breakfast with Santa
9 General Membership Meeting and Holiday Party
16 6:30 p.m. Leadership Holiday Party
24 Christmas Eve
25 Christmas Day - Office Closed
30 7:00 p.m. Eve of the Eve
31 New Year’s Eve
January
6 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
13 3:00 p.m. the MINI Deadline
13 85th Anniversary Volunteer Impact Day
20 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting
20 7:00 p.m. Joint Boards Meeting
27 Sustainer Board Meeting