This weeks adventure had us heading west to Wisconsin Dells for the Legion's annual Mid Winter Conference.  But first we had to make a detour to Waunakee High School.  We met with two young ladies that are spear-heading a fundraising project to benefit the Homeless Women Veterans Grant Fund, our Special Project for the year.  Meeting Kelly and Maddie was an amazing experience.  We got to hear how they chose this particular project and what they are doing to raise funds for the program.  Through their counselor and his connection with the Madison VA, they heard about the project and decided they wanted to adopt it as their fundraiser for the year.  So far, proceeds from an event at their basketball game will be donated to the Auxiliary for the fund, as well as some from a dance this weekend.  It was so great to talk with these bright, enthusiastic girls.  They really remind a person that there is hope for the future.  I am over-joyed that they are concerned about our veterans and wanted to know more about what we do as an organization and how they could help.  More information on this when we go to receive the check for the donation.

After this great visit, we headed north to the Dells and got comfortable at he Ho Chunk Casino Conference Center.  Wouldn't you know it?  Our room was at the far end of the "u" shaped corridors of the hotel.  Nice room, but pretty far from the events.  No big deal for us, really needed the walk!

Friday morning came early, of course, but we were up and running, completely dress BTW, and in our seats well before the 8AM Convention planners meeting.  Really interesting meeting, and enlightening in some ways.  It was great having this day to catch up with old friends and do a whole lot of socializing.  We headed back down those long halls for a rest before we met the Central Division National Vice President Mary Jo Berning from the Department of Iowa.  We had a great dinner with her and Past National Presidents Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan and Pearl Behrend.  It was nice to be in a very relaxed setting, chatting and enjoying great food and company.  Of course, Friday night was the annual hospitality rooms sponsored by various candidates for Legion offices this year.  Unfortunately this Madam President had to go to her room and do her homework!  Membership Chairman Ann presented me with a 6" high pile of certificates that needed my signature!  Guess I will know better next time...will run & hide:)

Saturday was another early day!  I was asked a while back if I would help with some computer training for the Legion and of course, in the spirit of "working together" I said I would.  I did one class at 8 and another at 11.  Pretty basic stuff, but for some it was needed information.  Classes went well and I even got to tell the "flying computer" story!  In between, we had the Finance Meeting.  It was another opportunity to review items important to the daily future running of the Department.  It was a fast exit to the Auxiliary Luncheon where Mary Jo was our honored guest.  I was late getting up to the room, class went long, I met a special Auxiliary member on the way so it was a slightly hectic start to the event!  A few deep breaths, a couple flubs, and a couple laughs later, all was well again! 

Home again on Sunday without event, but the mandatory stop at Johnson Creek to visit our awesome friends at Dressbarn!  and yes a couple little things did follow me home!

Well here we are in 2013!  Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone & we are back at Auxiliary business again.  This time it was a REALLY long trip to Minneapolis on January 11th for the official Hospital visit at the Minneapolis VA.  WOW what a facility!  It is very large and really nice.  We were greeted by Legionnaire John Miller for the start of the tour.  The PR Director joined our group and explained a lot of the history of the facility.  He took us on a very interesting tour of the spinal cord injury area and the poly-trauma units.  One of the nursing staff gave us a detailed account of how TBI and stroke patients are helped in her area.  In the spinal cord injury area, our guide showed us the wonderful innovations that are used to treat these patients.  There was a really special pool that I would enjoy, a therapy pool where the floor moves up and down. 

After a pleasant walk around this facility, we arrived at the office of the Volunteer Director to present the check for our donation this year.  After a nice chat with this woman, it was time to head to the Hilton in Bloomington for the rest of our weekend of ALA Mission Training.  Just something to note:  our visit to the Minneapolis VA was set with the Legion for February 1st.  When I mentioned to Commander Wayne that we would be in Minneapolis already this weekend he was gracious enough to have this official tour arranged for me so I would not have to spend the Department's $$ to head the 6 hours back there again in 2 weeks.  So thanks to Wayne & Angie at headquarters for making our official Auxiliary visit happen now.

Mission Training was great!  Good chance to see some ladies I haven seen in some time and meet a few new people.  Good sessions with lots of information provided.  Saturday was a full day of program info presented in "pods".  We even got to watch the Packer game Saturday night!:( Sunday Wisconsin's own Diane Duscheck led the session on the Family Support POD.  Lots of good information was presented.  I think everyone left there with great information and a better understanding of how things work. 

The only down-side to the weekend, if you want to call it that was the weather!  It was extremely foggy in places all the way the our destination, mild temperatures, but major fog.  I think I should have been happy with that because by the time we left there @ 12:20 on Sunday, it was 3 degrees outside, with a lovely wind!  We had a good drive back with some major flurries in places but nothing that decided to stick to the car, windshield or pavement.  Always concerned about the weather on those 300+ mile drives. 

There are some days that will always stand out, and Saturday, December 22nd will be one of them.  My husband Bob & I loaded up my truck and set off to deliver a truck-full of groceries to Boudicca House.  It was my husband's SAL Squadron that was looking for a place to donate Christmas dinner and I was more than happy to provide them with just the place!!  It took us quite a while with the able assistance of several of the residents at the house to get all the items inside.  The delivery included turkeys, hams, and every possible item needed to make an awesome Christmas dinner for the 8 residents, 1 child and guests if they wanted.  Over $1100 in groceries and non-perishables were donated by Squadron 537's members through events they held at their Post home.  They even provided each resident with a gift and a special one to the little girl, a pillow pet & gift card for toys or whatever she needed.  What a great way for my Auxiliary travels in 2012 to end!

The next day Bob & I boarded a plane for Seattle to spend Christmas with our darling Addison, April & Kris.  We were so fortunate to have the week with our family, and a nice little rest too.

As 2012 ends, I am thankful for all the wonderful experiences being Department President has given me and I can't wait to see what 2013 will bring!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!!

December 19th, I just had to head south to Oak Creek for the 4th District meeting and Christmas party.  Commander Wayne was there to tell the District about a special project that the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL will be undertaking this spring.  In the spirit of "working together", it is our intention to bring members of all the groups together for a special project at the VA.  More details coming...stay tuned! 

The evening would not have been complete without a humorous jab at the Commander on his up-coming knee surgery.  Members of Post 537 and I presented him with a rag-doll that he could use for company while recuperating that would be company but not injure his little boo-boo!  If nothing else, we do have fun once in a while!!  Miss Dolly also came with guess what?  Yep, Three Musketeer bars!!

Although I have visited the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King many times in the past, this was a special trip on December 16th.  Before the tour even started 4th District President Sue & I took some time to stop and visit our friend and "adopted" vet, Ernie Walters, now a happy resident of the facility.  We brought along a few Christmas things for his room and a couple gifts for the holiday.  He is so much fun to talk to!  He gave us a little tour of his floor before we had to depart for the Marden Center and our tour.

When we got over to Marden, we were greeted by Ron Woods, who told us a bit about what we were doing that day.  We were greeted by Hospital Rep Nancy, and Deputies Alice and Shirley.  Shortly after, one of their motor-coaches wheeled up and we boarded for a guided tour of the grounds.  It was a crisp day so we were thankful to be toasty-warm in the heated bus.  The trip led us all around the grounds, up into the cemetery, past the residences, and by the historical buildings on the site.

We returned to Marden and more information.  This was also the time I was privileged to present Mr. Woods our donation for the year.  We had a wonderful lunch before we left for the tour of the Food Preparation building.  We got the complete tour, including hair-nets!  What an interesting afternoon.  We got to see the entire process from when the food arrives, to how it is stored, to how it is prepared, to how it is "flash frozen", to when it leaves the facility. 

On Friday, December 14, a beautiful, sunny day, we hopped in the car and headed west to the William S. Middleton VA in Madison.  Representative Rose greeted us and took us to the Volunteer Office where tasty treats awaited.  We had a wonderful tour of this beautiful facility.  We met with the Hospital Director and presented her a check from the Auxiliary.  While we were in her office I had the chance to do something very special!  One of our volunteers, Esther Nimmow, has been a dedicated volunteer for many years.  This year she passed 20,000 hours in volunteer time. I was so privileged to present her with a certificate for this awesome achievement.  The hospital tour was wonderful and the trip topped off with a short visit to DSW for a little shopping:) 

Sunday December 9th, my husband Bob accompanied me to Post 91 in Oconomowoc for their Christmas party.  I finally got to meet many of the people serving on the State Convention Convention Corporation and tour this unique Post.  We had a delicious dinner with Betty and her husband.  It was also an honor to share the evening with a long-time very active member Margaret Fullmer and her daughter Barbara.  We were fortunate that although it was a chilly evening the rain/snow stayed away till we were back home.

Christmas celebrations had been going on a while when I attended the great party at Greendale Post 416.  December 8th I was privileged to share the dining experience with Commander Wayne and his wife Donna, 4th District President Sue and Unit 416 President Barb and husband Bob.  We had a wonderful time, delicious food and time with special friends.  Commander Wayne even got a visit from the "devil" of the night! 

December 5th I was invited to a wonderful familiar place--the George Washington/Bay View Post 180 for the Unit's annual Membership Dinner.  How great to see so many familiar faces.  That place will always have good memories for me because it is the hall where I gave my first Spring Conference speech when I was unit president!  I was SO nervous that day I swore I would never do it again!!  By the way, the dinner was delicious!