We had two guests today.  Past District 5960 Governor Tom Yuzer was visiting from California and Dean Lotter introduced us to New Brighton Planning Commission member, Nasreen Fynewever.

 

Co-President Cindy Carlson thanked everyone who participated in the Stockyard Days Parade Hot Dog Feed last Thursday.  In Dave Hoel’s absence, Jeff Benson was pressed into service to comment on the event which, by his estimation, was the best one yet.

 

Geoff Hollimon praised all those who helped to staff the CPY “Udderly Fun Zone” Inflatable Park at Stockyard Days.  The inflatables are a significant income source for CPY’s very important work with kids in our community.  Geoff also talked about CPY’s Golf Ball Drop.  This year 702 balls were dropped and the lucky winner took home over $1,200.

 

Ed James reported that, due to a conflict, the Harvest Pack planning meeting with the New Brighton Lions has been postponed.  A new date will be scheduled soon.

 

Dean Lotter, N.B. City Manager, reported that New Brighton’s new water treatment system will be going online soon and will transition from the Minneapolis water system to the Mount Simon Hinckley Aquifer.  The change in chemical disinfection protocols may result in some temporary mild orange or yellow discoloration of your tap water.  The discoloration is a normal part of the changeover.   Click here to access the New Brighton City website for more information and watch your Postal Service mail for a series of letters about the changeover.

 

Dean’s guest, Nasreen, drew PDG Tom Yuzer’s number for the raffle.

 

Cindy Carlson introduced our own Nils Friberg, who led a discussion entitled, Retirement: Stress and Resilience in Conflict.  Nils knows all about “stress”.  Much of his career has revolved around people in stressful situations.  Nils was an Emeritus Professor of Pastoral Care at Bethel Seminary, a Congregational Care Pastor at GracePoint Church, a Police Chaplain and has even co-authored a book titled, Before the Fall: Prevention of Pastoral Sexual Misconduct.  These occupations brought him into contact with countless individuals who were under stress, and each of them demonstrated some degree of resilience, or lack thereof.  Although retirement may not be as stress-inducing as some of the life crises that he has dealt with, Nils believes that it can be quite stressful.  Nils engaged us in discussion about our reasons for retirement and our pre and post-retirement experiences.  He asked us to consider the stresses of retirement, and ways of coping with the stress.  He encouraged us to focus on the blessings of retirement to minimize the stress.  Some examples of helpful strategies are:

- Have a financial plan

- Pursue a healthy life style

- Adjust your expectations

- Be positive

- Prize novelty and opportunity

- Use your social support network

- Embrace your spiritual side

- Actively manage the transitions

- Utilize your previous skill set

Nils and Cindy are pictured below.