Shepherd’s Center is very excited about our upcoming fund raising concert, featuring Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder on
Friday, April 19th at the Cannon Falls High School Auditorium. The show starts at seven with doors opening at six. Bringing in someone like Ricky Skaggs is a huge undertaking for Shepherd’s Center and we couldn’t do it without the help of the community and sponsors such as First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Vasa-Spring Garden Insurance, the Cannon Falls Lions, Merchants Bank and Freeberg Insurance. The auditorium is such a wonderful venue to hold a concert with its intimate setting and tremendous
sound. Ricky Skaggs is a 14-time Grammy Award Winner, was the CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, has had 12 number one hits, is the youngest member ever inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and last year was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.  Appearing with Ricky will be his entire band, Kentucky Thunder who has won the coveted IBMA Award for Instrumental Group of the Year 8 times in the last decade! This will definitely be a night to remember as Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky perform right here in Cannon Falls! Ticket sales have been going great and are still on sale. The cost is $35 and you can purchase tickets online at www.rickyskaggs.eventbrite.com or at the Cannon Falls Chamber, Shepherd’s Center or Scofield
Drug. All proceeds benefit Shepherd’s Center of the Cannon Valley and we are hoping to sell out the auditorium, which has a seating capacity is 600. Don’t miss it; get your tickets now before it’s too late!

Our first “Adventures in Learning” for 2013 is rapidly approaching and will take place on Friday, April 12 at St. Ansgar’s Church starting at 9:30 a.m. Featured will be local author, Heather Sharp who will talk about her story and her book, entitled “Why Did I Survive.” Also speaking will be Library Director Justin Padgett who will discuss the new library which opened in early March. “Adventures in Learning” is open to the public and concludes with lunch at noon. The cost is $8 and those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by calling Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136.

We are putting together a list of medical equipment that area residents have available for others to use. If you have medical equipment you’d be willing to loan out…or if you are in need of medical equipment, please contact Shepherd’s Center. We do not take the equipment, but instead match up those loaning out and those receiving. 

Although it’s a ways off, keep in mind we’re traveling to Mackinac Island September 15 through the 21 for our next Shepherd’s Center trip. We’ll be visiting Mackinac Island with a guided carriage tour, ride through the Soo Locks and have lots of free time and sight-seeing. We do have a few signed up already and the cost is $609 for 7 days and 6 nights. Contact Shepherd’s Center for more information.

A reminder, feel free to stop in anytime to use one of our computers, enjoy the library or just visit over a cup of coffee. We are open Monday through Friday from ten a.m. till three p.m. Let me close this month with a quote from the legendary Ricky Skaggs, who by the way, will bring his music to Cannon Falls on Friday, April 19th…”It's part of the calling to at least do a few songs in the show that give people some hope. There's so much hurt in this world and... music is such a great healing balm
  and a great way to forget your troubles.” – Ricky
Skaggs.

Hopefully not too many people are suffering cabin fever these days! Shepherd’s Center has been a busy place lately, which is
good. We’ve had a number of folks drop by to check out our library, use the gym to walk and use our computers with internet access. Please remember, Shepherd’s Center is open to everyone so stop on by anytime between ten a.m. and three p.m.
Monday through Friday.

It’s typical this time of year to see donations to Shepherd’s Center drop, and we’re always hopeful to make it through
the tough financial times. This past month, we’ve seen donations at one of the lowest levels ever, which is concerning. Our entire budget comes from the community and is spent in the community. We thank all of you for the donations made to Shepherd’s Center and could not survive without your help. This past month, we received donations in memory of Suzanne Keefer, Esther Wegge, Victor Blastervold and Julia Emery.

We still have some openings in our upcoming computer class. If you’re new to computers and would like to learn the basics,
this class is for you. It will be held at the Cannon Falls High School computer lab on Saturday, March 9th and Saturday, March 16th. Dan Bassett, the instructor, will touch on a number of things, including how to set up an email account, setting up and using a Facebook account and much more. There is a $25 charge to attend, which covers both sessions. Those interested are asked to please reserve your spot by calling Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136. Computers will be available for each person to use during the class in the computer lab. Space is limited, so sign up early!


Shepherd Center’s trip to Savannah is in jeopardy, as we still need additional people to sign up to make it a go. If you’ve been thinking of taking a great trip to the sunny south, please consider coming with us! The trip promises to be wonderful and the price is right…just $699 for 9 days and 8 nights. We’ll depart Cannon Falls on April 20th and return on April 28th. Reservations will only be taken till the end of this week, so please contact Shepherd’s Center if you’re interested.

Our“Adventures in Learning” kicks off next month with two outstanding speakers. On Friday, April 12th we’ll get an update on the new library in Cannon Falls from the library director, Justin Padgett. Also speaking will be local author, Heather Sharp who wrote the book, “Why Did I Survive.” Heather has survived two life-threatening accidents. In the book, she describes her journey back from the brink of death, twice, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Adventures in Learning will be held at St. Ansgar’s Church in Cannon Falls, starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending with a noon lunch. Those attending are
asked to RSVP by calling Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136.

Last month, I lost a dear friend and business associate to cancer…Rick Berens. He was a wonderful man who truly enjoyed his short life. I want to end this month’s article with a quote from Rick…“Remember, never get too busy making a living that you forget about making a life. Are you enjoying life? Are you spending time with family and friends? If not, what are you waiting for?” 

Again, remember to stop in anytime and see us here at Shepherd’s Center, located at 120 State Street West in Cannon
Falls.


 
 

Shepherd’s Center of the Cannon Valley is implementing a new program that would offer area residents
the chance to borrow certain types of medical equipment. “After visiting with Rosie Schluter, we determined there was a definite need in the area for a program like this,” said Shepherd’s Center Director Rod Johnson. “Rosie’s husband Paul recently had surgery in Rochester and was in need of some medical equipment. They were able to borrow some of the items, which was a great help. We felt that others might benefit by borrowing too. So if someone has such items that they could loan out it would be a huge help to those in need,” added Johnson.

The type of medical equipment needed would include Bath Chairs & Benches (all types),

Bed Rails (all types; short & long), Canes (all types), Commodes (all types), Crutches (all types) 
 
Chairs (such as lift, hip, Geri, & straight), Walkers(all types, with & without wheels) Walker Baskets & Pouches,
Wheelchairs, Orthopedic Braces, and other equipment.

If someone has these items and would be willing to loan them out, they are asked to please call Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136. A list of equipment will be compiled so when someone is in need, they can call Shepherd’s Center to see if the equipment is available and, if so, arrangements will be made to have them pick up the items. “So, if you have crutches, walkers or other items just sitting in your attic or basement and would like to make them available to help others, please give us a call,” said director Rod
Johnson.

Shepherd’s Center is a non-profit organization featuring senior adults who volunteer their life experience and skills to benefit the
community. The Shepherd’s Center office is located at 120 State Street in Cannon Falls and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. You can also contact the center by calling 507-263-2136 or email shepherdscenter@frontiernet.net.