Tour of Homes Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the Fergus Falls AAUW Holiday Tour of Homes?
A: The Tour of Homes is Saturday, Nov. 16, from noon to 5p.m.

Q: How much are tickets?
A: Tickets are $15 each.

Q: Where can I buy tickets?
A: You can purchase them at Service Foods, Victor Lundeen's, Lundeens and The Market on Union Avenue in Fergus Falls. Or you can contact an AAUW member, or email us at ffaauw@yahoo.com.

Q: Can I buy tickets the day of the event?
A: Yes, tickets will be available at the Fergus Falls YMCA where we will be hosting the Tour of Homes reception that day.

Q: May I bring my children?
A: Only children over 13 years of age may attend.

Q: May I take photos?
A: No photos may be taken in the homes.

The AAUW will be at the Women's Expo

The Fergus Falls AAUW will have a booth at the In Good Company Women's Expo, Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at teh Fergus Falls Community Arena. 

Stop by our booth to learn more about this wonderful organization, buy Tour of Homes tickets, and add your name into the pot for several drawings throughout the day.

See you there!

Fergus Falls AAUW announces its 2013 Holiday Tour of Homes

Gayle Jacobson named 2013 AAUW Woman of the Year

Gayle Jacobson, Fergus Falls, a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) since 1979, has been named the Fergus Falls branch’s 2013 Woman of the Year.races

The honor is given annually to a member who exemplifies the AAUW’s mission to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.

An active member of the AAUW, Jacobson has served as branch president and was the co-chair of the state AAUW convention when it was held in Fergus Falls in 2002. She is serving as the branch’s treasurer.

Believing in the value of education and life-long learning, Jacobson served as the AAUW liaison to the school board, and once ran for the board as well. She has been instrumental in furthering financial literacy in Fergus Falls. She was co-chair for an AAUW-sponsored financial seminar called “Money Talks,” and is a charter member and treasurer of an investment club for area women.

Jacobson retired from Victor Lundeen’s in 2010, after 25 years. She is an avid gardener and loves spending time with family, especially her six grandchildren.

The Woman of the Year award includes a $100 donation to an organization of Jacobson’s choice. She chose Camp Fire USA in Fergus Falls.

The AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation’s leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls.

The Fergus Falls branch meets monthly September through May for learning and camaraderie, and holds a biannual tour of homes to raise funds for scholarships for women. For more information about the Fergus Falls AAUW, email inquiries to ffaauw@yahoo.com.

AAUW now accepting scholarship applications

Each year the Fergus Falls AAUW is pleased to award four scholarships to area women. LInks to the scholarship cover letter, application and recommendation forms are on this website, right hand column. The applications are due March 21, 2013.

Announcing our third annual "Girl Saturday" event!

For the third year, the American Association of University Women--Fergus Falls branch is hosting an event to introduce area 5th and 6th grade girls to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This year, the AAUW is holding Engineer Girl Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Kennedy Secondary School cafeteria. The girls will meet women engineers and make their own Rube Goldberg-type machines. The goal is to perform a simple task through a series of chain reactions with contraptions engineered by the girls. 

The event is free but space is limited to 20 participants, so it's important to register early at http://bit.ly/engineer-girl. 

If you'd like more information, please contact STEM coordinator Kristi Hastings at k.hastings@pemlaw.com.  

The Fergus Falls AAUW's grand weekend out

The group poses for a picture at The Bell Museum of Natural History

Each year our wonderful member Jeanne Jensen plans a truly spectacular fall cultural trip for branch members. This year was no exception.

 

U.S.-Dakota War exhibit

Jeanne's plan was to take us to places in the Twin Cities we've always wanted to go, but never or seldom have, like the Museum of Russian Art, the Weisman Art Museum and the Bell Museum of Natural History. We also enjoyed the play "Summer and Smoke" at The Theatre in the Round, and visited the Minnesota History Center to see the U.S.-Dakota War exhibit commemorating its 150th anniversary.

 

Wise Acre in "Tangletown," South Minneapolis

All along the way we also enjoyed some amazing meals at Wise Acre in South Minneapolis, The Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown, and The Bachelor Farmer in the Warehouse District.

 

Thank you, Jeanne, for another great cultural trip.

 

Members, start planning to join us next year!

When last we saw our intrepid band of education-minded women....

Wow, it's been 5 months since our last post! It's not that we are have had nothing to post--far from it!

Here's a little catch up:

At the May meeting and annual banquet, member Sheri Booms Holm received the Woman of the Year Award. Sheri is the communications director at West Central Initiative, and serves on the AAUW board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After our May meeting, the AAUW research report, "Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School" was distributed to 15 area schools with a letter encouraging it be used for staff workshops. We hope it will be used this fall as teachers prepare for the new school year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to your generosity at the May AAUW meeting, a total of $350 has been sent for Liazah at the Mt. Selinda Hospital in Zimbabwe. Liazah was brought to our attention by Maryjane Westra, who, along with her husband, Don, are missionaries with the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe. the amount collected should buy her a sewing machine and give her a good start on her career as a seamstress. We hope to have an update when the Westras return to Zimbabwe this month.

 

At the September "kick-off" meeting, we met at the Lake Region Arts Council in the beautiful River Inn, downtown Fergus Falls. We were pleased to welcome several guests, and are gratified that three became members that night! There's always room for more...hint, hint. 

Techno Girl Saturday--the show!

Techno Girls take over downtown Fergus Falls

In the City Bakery, Biffley’s Games and Books, and bustling up and down the downtown streets, fifth and sixth grade girls were busy taking notes, video, photos and audio recordings to use in their very own news show. It was all part of Techno Girl Saturday on March 31. Fifteen girls took part of this second annual STEM event put on by our AAUW branch. 

Specials thanks to video producer Tim Litt who lead the girls through the process, and to Otter Tail Telcom for providing the studio facilities. We’re also grateful to Radio Shack for providing flash drives so each girl can have their own copy of the news show, and to Chris Schuelke from Otter Tail County Historical Society for leading a group of girls on a tour of downtown. And thanks to fearless STEM leader Kristi Hastings for coordinating the event and all the great AAUW volunteers! It was another successful AAUW event!