Shepherd’s Center operates under the guidance of a board of directors…volunteers who give of their time and talent. It was recently decided that at each board meeting we would read our mission statement. I wanted to share with you our mission statement; “Shepherd’s Center of the Cannon Valley is a non-profit organization promoting lifelong community involvement for seniors adults through intergenerational, interfaith activities which promote significance, purpose and meaning for fruitful lives.” A special thank you to the board of directors for all of their hard work and dedication to Shepherd’s Center. Our primary purpose at Shepherd’s Center is to enrich the age 55 plus years with opportunities to make a significant difference in not only your own life, but the lives of others.


Please consider joining us on our upcoming trip to Mackinac Island. The dates are September 15th through the 21st, with transportation provided on a spacious, video and restroom equipped Motorcoach. This excursion includes 6 nights lodging, 10 meals, plus a guided tour of Mackinaw City, a visit to Mackinac Island, including a guided carriage tour, boat ride through the Soo Locks, sight-seeing in Sault Sainte Marie, a visit to Mackinaw Crossings and much, much more. The cost is only $609 per person, double occupancy, and this trip is open to ALL ages. To reserve your spot, contact Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136 or email shepherdscenter@mediacombb.net. Hurry, space is limited.


We are currently looking for volunteers to help at the gates during the Cannon Valley Fair. For the past few years, Shepherd’s Center has helped at the fair, as one of our fundraising events. It is always a challenge to line up enough volunteers and we are asking anyone that would be willing to help to please contact us. The days we need help include July 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, and if
you’d like to work with family or friends that can certainly be arranged.


Thank you so much to those who donated to Shepherd’s Center this past month. Thank you to the VFW Ladies Auxiliarry Post
4452, area churches and the Chuck Scofield and the Rotary Club of Cannon Falls. Chuck recently designated funds from the Rotary to Shepherd’s Center and we greatly appreciate it. Memorial donations were given this month in honor of Mary Olson, Karen Keidt and Verdel Ludwitzke.


For those of you in need of certain medical equipment, Shepherd’s Center may be able to help. We have a list of individuals
who have equipment available to borrow and we can match you up with that person. If you are in need, or have equipment you’d be willing to let people use, please give us a call at 507-263-2136 or email shepherdscenter@mediacombb.net.


A reminder, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be an recognized at Jordan Towers in Red Wing on June 12, 2013 to help
educate more people about elder abuse and to offer resources.  The event takes place between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. and will feature agency booths with information. Featured speakers include Red Wing Police Chief Roger Pohlman, Lisa Bayley, Lawyer and Acting Mayor of Red Wing, along with a representative from Area Agency on Aging. The public is invited to attend.


Please note, Shepherds Center has a new email address; shepherdscenter@mediacombb.net. 


Congratulations to all graduates, we wish you the best! I leave you this month with the following; “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” - Norma Vincent Peale


-Rod Johnson, Executive Director, Shepherd’s Center-

On behalf of the board of directors, Twyla Geiken and myself, THANK YOU to all who supported our recent fund raising
concert, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. It was a huge success, with a sold-out crowd of over 600 people and just a wonderful show! Thank you to our major sponsors, First Farmers & Merchants Bank, Vasa-Spring Garden Mutual
Insurance, the Cannon Falls Lions Club, Merchants Bank and Freeberg Insurance. We also want to thank Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for matching funds, Mike Milligan from the Dairy Inn for supplying a delicious meal to the band, Hi-Quality Bakery for making some special “Cannon Falls Cookies” for the band, the Cannon Falls Police Department for security, all the volunteers and everyone who came out and enjoyed a night of entertainment in support of Shepherd’s Center. I can tell you that Ricky Skaggs and his band were very impressed with the people of Cannon Falls and the auditorium. As we visited after the show, Ricky’s manager commented that this was a great venue and a wonderful night, and “if you ever want us to come back again, we’d be happy to do
so!”

Our annual Book Buddies program has come to an end for this school year. This is a program coordinated through Shepherd’s
Center where volunteers read to first grade students at the Cannon Falls Elementary School once a week. Thank you to Gayle Prinzing, Phyllis Wilson, Jean Hawks, Bobbie Anderson, Donna Beckstad, Judy Dirckx, Dorothy Sladek and Karole Gehrke who were our volunteer readers thisyear.

Please plan on joining Shepherd’s Center for our next trip, when we head to Mackinac Island September 15th through the
21st. You’ll enjoy motorcoach transportation from Cannon Falls, a visit to Mackinac Island that includes a Guided Carriage Tour, plus Mackinaw City, a boat ride through the Soo Locks and plenty of free time for sight-seeing. The cost is only $609 and includes 6 nights lodging and 10 meals! To sign up, contact Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136 or email shepherdscenter@frontiernet.net.


As I frequently mention, Shepherd’s Center survives solely on the support of the Cannon Valley area and we sincerely appreciate all donations. This past month, we received memorial donations in honor of Glenn Molstrom, Jim Olson, Merlyn Munson, Mildred Anderson and Harold Olson. Thank you so much for the donations given in memory of these individuals.


Unfortunately, our first “Adventures in Learning” was cancelled because of the weather recently. We are trying to reschedule and will keep everyone posted. Our next Adventures in Learning will be held on May 31st and we plan on meeting in Hannah’s Bend Park. Our featured speakers will be Cannon Valley Trail Director, Scott Roepke who will discuss the trail, and a presentation on the Bluebird Recovery Program will be conducted by Keith Radell and Steve Malecha. Everyone is invited to join us for this interesting program and a picnic style lunch will follow. It gets underway at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 31st at Hannah’s Bend, for those who
would like to attend, please RSVP by calling Shepherd’s Center at 507-263-2136 by May 24th. The cost is $8 and it includes
lunch.

Better Breathers will start meeting again, with the next scheduled meeting on May 23rd. This is free and open to the public, especially for anyone who is dealing with breathing problems or has family members with breathing difficulties. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. and Lindsey Fleming of Lincare will be lining up speakers and providing refreshments.


I was sad to hear the news last week that
we lost country music legend, George Jones, who passed away at the age of 81. He
has left us with some wonderful music from throughout the years. I leave you
this month with this quote from George, “There are questions I'm still not wise
enough to answer, just wise enough to no longer ask.” – George
Jones.