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Author Archives: Gordon Riggs

UO announces plans for CU site

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News, CU Sale
Concordians report they are enthusiastic about the University of Oregon’s plans for the former Concordia University campus and to share the grounds and facilities. Clockwise are Charlie, Kristen and Gus Hagstrom; Sarah Pearson; and Concordia University alumna Joann
Scheck. Photos by Brad Hagstrom and Nancy Varekamp

Concordians greeted with delight – and some relief – the March 1 announcement by the University of Oregon (UO) that it plans to purchase the Concordia University (CU) campus.

It ended the wait of two years and 18 days for neighbors to learn the fate of the 115-year-old, 13-acre campus. Some feared it might be what neighbor Kristen Hagstrom described as, “just parceled out and sold to the highest bidder.

“This seems like best case scenario for the neighborhood,” she added. “It seems like they really want to be here in the neighborhood.”

Sarah Pearson and husband Trae bought KISS Coffee on nearby Ainsworth Street only a few months before the February 2020 announcement that Concordia University would close. The CU campus had its own dining facilities and didn’t bring a lot of business to KISS. But she looks forward, with UO’s presence, to a renewed energy of more people coming and going.

“I think it’s exciting. I think Concordia is such a beautiful campus. To see it empty was really sad.”

For Joann Scheck, who lives a stone’s throw from the campus, UO’s plans to create the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavior Health brings the campus full circle. When she entered Concordia College as a freshman in 1956, it was to become a teacher to help fill the enormous need schools were experiencing with the Baby Boom generation.

“It’s going back to its roots, instead of going off in some other direction,” she said of the dormant campus. Just as there was a mid-century need for teachers, according to Joann, now schools have a tremendous need for more behavior health professionals.

“It seemed like Concordia always had a mission, and here we have this mission now that U of O is going to develop something that’s so needed. It just feels it’s the right time. We need to address the mental health needs of our children.”

Kristen worked for Concordia University for two years as an academic counselor in the College of Education, housed in Faubion School. She was one of many Concordians laid off in 2020. When more programming moves from UO’s Old Town facility, she expects new employment opportunities may open.

The mother of two, she’s also glad to hear that neighborhood use of the campus is on the minds of UO leaders. Campus grounds and facilities traditionally hosted many events and opportunities for youth.

“We were always checking out books from the children’s library,” Kristen added. “It was such a fun place to go and read on a rainy day.”

Editor’s note: For a recap of UO’s March 1 announcement about purchasing the campus and its commitment to the neighborhood, visit ConcordiaPDX.org/current-topics/cusale.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

Strategy shifts position Bolt well in pandemic

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses
Bitty Eagan (left) and Anne Lagomarsino were part of the Bolt team that helped weather the storm of Covid-19 business restrictions. They bought the store from founder Gina Cadenasso in December. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

It’s been two years of change for Bolt Fabric Boutique, although you wouldn’t know it to gaze at the bright sewn samples in the window or walk inside.

After 15 years since opening the shop on Alberta Street – and the 2018 move to 4636 N.E. 42nd Ave. – Gina Cadenasso in December sold the natural, sustainable fibers store to employees Bitty Eagan and Anne Lagomarsino.

Both are longtime seamstresses. Anne began early in life, but said her interest became more intense in her 20s. Bitty learned to sew as a child from her grandmother, who worked as a costumer for Warner Brothers before being hired away by Lucille Ball.

Anne has worked at Bolt for 2-plus years and her interest in owning a business piqued when she learned Gina intended to sell. “I couldn’t manage to be a business owner by myself,” she said.

Bitty, an employee for 3-plus years, was all in. In fact, that same grandmother left her an inheritance that provided Bitty’s buy-in. “It seemed the perfect thing to do.”

Bolt had made it through the first 20 months of the pandemic, and the two were confident the business model – including BoltFabricBoutique.com – would continue and thrive.

“Bolt had this teeny, tiny online store at the beginning of the pandemic, and it was essential to shift a lot of our sales initially to online,” Anne recalled. “Bolt had to shift a lot of the ways we did business.

“The most essential was Gina researching and implementing the system necessary to track and sell inventory both online and in person. Now we have customers all across the U.S.”

During the early days of the pandemic, masked Bolt employees carried fabric selections and notions to masked customers on the store’s porch, she added. Many customers were making masks.

“One of the things that’s really important to us is to be available to our customers, even people who were not our customers [previously],” Bitty explained. “A lot of people were home and were desperate for things to do. A lot of people learned how to sew.

“I think it’s really empowering to make the things that you use,” she added “We’ve noticed a lot of different types who come into the shop,” Anne said. “It seems to be appealing to all different kinds of people.” For instance, more men are sewing their apparel.

Bitty reported an increase in transgender customers shop there nowadays. “It’s hard to find clothes if your body’s not the stereotype, all different sizes and shapes.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

No two Heart in Hand preschoolers are alike

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses
Yvonne de Maat is celebrating two decades of Heart in Hand, a Waldorf method preschool in Concordia. At 10 years, she hosted a barn dance. A summer celebration is in planning stages for the 20th anniversary. For details, Heart in Hand alumni may contact MsYvonne@HeartInHandPreschool.com. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

Local preschoolers have kept Yvonne de Maat – Ms. Yve to her students – on her toes for 20 years.

Working with 3- to 5-year-olds never gets old. “I’ve never met the same kid. I respect the gifts and the challenges of each, and no one size fits all.” That’s what attracted her to the Waldorf method of teaching 30 years ago.

The Holland native moved to the U.S. in 1990, where she trained and began practice as a Waldorf educator. She set down roots in Portland in 2000 and opened Heart in Hand Preschool in 2002 in her home at 5405 N.E. 30th Ave.

“This neighborhood seemed like such fertile ground for this kind of education. It just speaks to people in this neighborhood.”

According to Yvonne, the Waldorf method launches a holistic approach to life. “Everything is really beautiful, everything is made of natural materials, and it’s a very nurturing environment,” she explained.

She finds the creative approach to play teaches children how to socialize. “The children figure out who they are in relationship to others. They learn to be strong human beings and compassionate human beings.

“If you are happy in your own skin, you can undertake whatever you want,” she explained. “It all starts with confidence.”

Two morning classes comprise Heart in Hand, one taught by Yvonne and the other by Sandra Paz – Signora Sandra. Six children enroll in each.

Yvonne weaves a rhythm into each day. One day a week the children knead and shape sour dough that they bake the next day to make their sandwiches.

During the six-week mandatory COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, children missed the bread making. So Yvonne offered porch pick up of some of her 27-year-old starter. Along with it went video instructions. Even non-students enjoyed the activity – and the results.

It’s old-fashioned play at Heart in Hand. Children build tiny houses and airplanes, participate in puppet plays, engage in crafts and join in on games.

Signora Sandra, who grew up in Mexico, offers Spanish immersion in her classroom. Sara Harkness – Ms Sara – offers craft lessons in both and teaches parent-child classes.. “There’s no screen play here, or radios even,” Yvonne pointed out.

The feedback she receives is positive – from parents and grown students. “I still get invited for graduation parties, and I show up with photo albums and some stories,” she reported. “They all remember baking the bread and the chickens I used to have.”

Has she welcomed any second-generation students? Not yet, she said. “That would be amazing.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

The purpose is to nurture change

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News
The former Redeemer Lutheran Church is now the Leaven Community Center. It’s home to the Leaven Community and 12 partners. Together, they strive to deepen relationships, cultivate community agency and capacity, and act together. Ali Ippolito serves as space coordinator, as well as Salt & Light Church musician. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

FreeDictionary.com describes “community center” as “a meeting place used by members of a community for social, cultural or recreational purposes.”

Members of the Leaven Community describe their brick and mortar center as a place to deepen relationships, cultivate community agency and capacity, and act together.

Leaven’s Ali Ippolito pointed to the organization’s mission on its website, Leaven.org: “to provide a space for igniting the power of relationships to create more equitable, diverse, thriving neighborhoods.”

The partnerships there focus on social, racial and environmental justice. “This is a building where that can thrive,” she explained.

The building at 5431 N.E. 20th Ave. was previously home to Redeemer Lutheran Church. Beginning in 2010, leaders sought change to nurture the changing community around the church building. (See ConcordiaPDX. org/2019/12/leaven-embraces-changingthe-community for details about that effort and the results.)

Now the sanctuary offers Salt & Light Church Sunday services. Other days it is the venue for concerts, music recitals, sound healing events, benefit shows/ events, meditation groups, and more.

Only a handful of pews are still bolted to the floor. Stackable, comfortable chairs are set up, most often in circular form. “We wanted to make the use of the space flexible,” Ali said.

A variety of uses fill the building. Most uncommon? “EPA had a meeting in the sanctuary once, and the kitchen in the basement was used for a goat meat processing class.”

Several rooms in the building are available for short-term rental. Visit the website for what’s available and the rental prices.

As the world climbs out of COVID-19 restrictions, Ali expects use of those facilities to again be on the increase. That includes the Buddhist meditation group that met regularly prior to March 2020.

“We kind of softly re-opened to the public in ways that made sense over the summer – a few concerts and meetings,” she said.

Then there are the 12 full-time tenants whose organizations are housed in the building. “These are our community partners, and they consist of social, racial, environmental and food justiceoriented nonprofits.”

Ali continues to value her work in the building, which began 20 years ago as a church musician. She continues to provide the music on Sundays.

“It’s spiritually fulfilling to me to provide music for others’ spiritual grounding.” The rest of each week, she serves as community center space coordinator.

It’s a job Ali said she loves. “This is one way I can be a part of social movements that are happening. My entire adult life, this place has sustained me.”

Leaven tenants/partners

  • Cascadia Wild
  • Center for Diversity & the Environment
  • Freedom to Thrive
  • Interfaith Spiritual Center
  • Kitchen Commons
  • KitchenShare NE
  • Northeast Portland Tool Library
  • Portland Fruit Tree Project
  • Race Talks
  • SWAP
  • Trash For Peace
  • Wild Diversity

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

Hardesty addresses CNA general meeting attendees

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Uncategorized

Portland city commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty appeared at the Concordia Neighborhood Association March 2 general meeting. She reported on a variety of topics, predominantly the three below:

Re: Portland Street Response

  • Expansion to citywide coverage by street response teams is planned for March.
  • Portlanders should call 9-11-1 to request a street response team. The commissioner said 9-1-1 is prepared to dispatch street response teams for mental health emergencies as well dispatching police for reports of crime and the fire department for fires.
  • However, she would like to “untrain” members of the public from calling 9-1-1 when they observe people putting up tents. “I can tell you today 50% of the calls today are for unwanted people,”

Re: Office of Community & Civic Life

  • “I’m excited about the stability of where we are at the moment.” The commissioner reported the bureau is starting a strategic planning process now and creating a job description for a new director.
  • Asked if neighborhood associations have a voice in city government other than writing letters, she recommended appearing at city council meetings. Each Wednesday opens with 15 minutes reserved for five people each to make three-minute public comments.

Re: Portland Bureau of Transportation

  • “The horrible numbers of pedestrians being killed is something that keeps me up at night.” She reported $4.5 million is being invested to improve safety.
  • The commissioner has directed the bureau to prioritize the instances of RV camping it addresses by the amount of human waste and discarded needles evident. “I’ve been really clear with the mayor I will not allow him to redirect PBOT staff on making the city look pretty.” Her priorities on abandoned vehicles and others that provide shelter is on preventing deaths.

– Nancy Varekamp
– March 6, 2022

Concordia Art Works – Plaque commemorates memorable neighbor

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News 1 Comment
Solve the mystery the CNews writer hasn’t solved. Send info on who placed Eddie Morgan’s memorial plaque in front of the U.S. Bank, when and who tends it to CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

A lasting piece of street art across the neighborhood border in Cully is the memorial plaque on the grounds of the U.S. Bank on 42nd Avenue at Alberta Street. It honors Eddie “The Weatherman” Morgan, whose murderers still haven’t been identified since the Memorial Day 1994 shooting.

It reads, “Eddie ‘The Weatherman” Morgan – May the Sun Always Shine on You.”

Developmentally challenged, Eddie is reported to have lived with his mother and sister on Alberta Street, not far east of where he died at the spot marked by the plaque.

According to media reports, it was 4 a.m. when neighbors heard gun shots, observed three people making their getaway in a car and found Eddie dead or dying.

Opinions about why Eddie was killed floated through the neighborhood and the Portland media in the days and weeks that followed. None have been substantiated, but the general opinion was that his killers didn’t know Eddie.

The sociable, cheerful 46-year-old man walked the length of 42nd Avenue daily. But first, he would call KGW TV’s weather reporters for a forecast. Eddie shared that with the many people he visited, which accounted for his nickname, “The Weatherman.”

“He was a bright spot in people’s day around there,” the Portland Observer in 2019 quoted Pete Parsons, one of the KGW weathercasters.

More than 10 years after Eddie’s death local artists Elvis Nagel & Smith recorded a song about Eddie, “Who Killed the Weatherman?” It’s available for free listening on Spotify.com.

The first of several verses is:

Eddie was as harmless as a child
Walking was the reason
No matter what the season
He was part of the neighborhood
Just like the school and the bank where he stood
Where you shot him down.
Are you ever going to be found?

Editor’s note: Can you identify who placed the plaque and when – and name the person who adds seasonal décor? Send the info to CNewsEditor@ConcordiaPDX.org for sharing in the next CNews Updates column.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters

Renewed energy engages Alberta Main Street

Posted on December 4, 2021 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News
The renewed Alberta Main Street trick or treating appealed to all ages. Above, costume-clad adult sisters: Callie Nipper and Katie, MacKenzie and Wendie Leaper.Directly above Katie Leaper and children
Juniper and Alder scored treats from merchants.

Alberta Main Street surges with new vitality and a renewed effort to develop Alberta Street as a successful and equitable commercial district.

That mission has always been core to the 11-year-old nonprofit. However, the 2018 passing of its dynamic founding executive director, Sara Wittenberg, was a shock. That, and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic left the organization with unsure footing.

Shortly before she died, the organization had been honored with a 2019 Great American Main Street Award.

Today there’s a revived energy among the board of directors. Alberta Main Street is back on track to build opportunities for local businesses and organize events to celebrate the street’s diversity and vigor.

Renewal on the street is in progress with new businesses opening, the return of Halloween day trick or treating and plans for the future. “Alberta Main Street is a nonprofit, but it should still be run as a business,” said new chair Devon Horace, whose career is in business leadership.

Devon moved to Oregon five years ago from New York state to join Nike as technical operations manager. Last year, he earned one of the last Concordia University master’s degrees in business leadership and management. He also directs Horace Consulting Agency to support Black, Indigenous and people of color who start mid-level companies.

He joined the Alberta Main Street board in June. “My thought process is ‘How can I make a difference as a young African American male in Portland?’”

Devon believes his identity and experience are a good fit for Alberta Street with its history as a predominately Black neighborhood.

Celebrating the area’s rich heritage and diversity remains a large focus. Plans for this month’s holiday event Dec. 5 include a Black Santa Claus in a pandemic-safe giant snow globe at the Alberta Main Street office.

“He’s not only for Black kids,” Devon advised. “This is more about representation and expanding upon imagination. Perhaps next year’s Santa will be Asian.”

Devon reported an increase in staff and volunteers is in the works, and the board’s priorities for the next three years are:

  • Collaborating and outreach
  • Increasing partnerships
  • Supporting area businesses.

Woven into those priorities is continuing the strong relationships already established with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Venture Portland and Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon.

For more information about Alberta Main Street’s mission, volunteer opportunities and more visit AlbertaMainSt.org.

“We’re back,” Devon said. “We’re here to stay, and we’re here to make things better.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

 

Simple concept aids food insecure

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News, Volunteer Opportunities
Portland Food Project volunteers collect donations from their neighbors. In four of this year’s six planned events, they gathered more than 95,000 pounds of items for local food pantries. The next pick up is Dec. 11. Left to right are local volunteers Peggy Concillo; Nick, Alice and Rebecca O’Neil; and Erin Cooper. Photo by Nancy Varekamp

It started as a handful of people collecting 237 pounds of supplies for food-insecure Portlanders from 14 donors in 2012. In 2019, Portland Food Project volunteers collected donations from about 1,500 households that totaled nearly 114,000 pounds of food.

Donors buy one extra grocery item a week, save those for an every-other month collection, then put them in supplied green project bags outside for pick up.

Last year, the pandemic caused a reduction in pick ups that resulted in a drop to nearly 82,500 pounds. But donors increased their financial contributions. And just the first four collections – of six – this year have resulted in more than 95,000 pounds of food.

Peggy Concillo joined the citywide, all-volunteer project five years ago. The Alameda resident and other local neighborhood coordinators collect food from Concordians and residents across the city the second Saturday of each even-numbered month.

The food is divided between 19 Portland area food pantries. Among them are nearby Northeast Emergency Food Pantry, Sharon Community Services and Home Forward at Dekum Court.

The nonprofit organization’s success lies in the neighborhood coordinators, according to Peggy. “They are an amazing bunch of people. They keep the project going.”

They come from all walks of life Peggy joined soon after her retirement as an educator.

“I wanted to do some volunteering, and I knew I wanted to do something different than being in schools. It sounded like a great concept, and it sounded easy,” she said.

“This is a local thing, building your own community and your neighborhood. People feel like they’re having a direct connection, a direct impact in their own community.”

To become a donor or neighborhood coordinator, visit PortlandFoodProject.org. At the same website, financial donations are accepted. In fact, enough money was donated late last year to enable the project to purchase groceries for an extra distribution to pantries in January.

Most coordinators start out as donors, then form their own routes of nearby households, then grow their routes to 15-30 donors.

According to project estimates, coordinators spend four to five hours every other month. That includes reminding their donors when to expect them, picking up the filled green bags from donors’ porches, leaving bags for the next pick up and delivering donations to a drop-off site.

At latest count, 42 other towns across the country have initiated programs modeled after Portland’s. Some of those are in the new hometowns of former Portland Food Project volunteers.

“Our motto serves other areas just as well as Portland,” Peggy explained. “Sharing food, building community.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

Innovation is Mimosa hallmark for 20 years

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses
For 20 years, Austin Raglione’s Mimosa Studios at 1718 N.E. Alberta St. has operated as a family business. Recently, several family members gathered to paint their own ceramic items. (Left to right) They are son and grandson Kyle and Cameron Chown, Austin, daughter Gabriella Raglione, and daughter-in-law and grandson Allison and Kingston Chown. Photo courtesy of Mimosa Studios

Like many businesses in the Alberta Arts District, Mimosa Studios pivoted its business strategy in the early days of the pandemic and supplied offerings to-go. Other businesses packaged meals. Mimosa boxes contained fired ceramic pieces, paints, glazes, pallets, brushes and instructions.

That strategy appealed to longtime customers, and it attracted new ones who sought activities to pursue at home. It also helped keep the paint-your-own pottery shop stay afloat so owner Austin Raglione could usher in its 21st year this month.

The beginnings of the business were also innovative. “In 2001, this was the emerging arts district, and I just wanted to be part of that community.” She offered space for different activities.

“This was a place for people to come in and talk about art, bring in their own crafting things – knitting, sewing, painting. By customer demand, it quickly became a paint-your-own studio,” Austin explained.

Her creative genes were nurtured as a child under her grandmother’s mimosa tree in Texas – hence the studio name. Just as Austin followed in her grandmother’s love of arts, so did her children. Her daughter, son and daughter-in-law have all helped operate the studio while it has grown across the years. “My grandson is 6 so he probably won’t start working there until he’s about 15,” she said with a laugh.

More tables were added – with pre-pandemic seating for 25 – and paintable shapes inventory increasing from 25 to 300. To accommodate social distancing, painters are limited currently to 15.

Customers continue to order the to-go kits online at Mimosa-Studios.com or visit the studio to select their supplies. “To-go kits will continue to be a cornerstone of our business,” Austin reported.

When she opened the shop, Austin began a tradition of building community partnerships. First she invited neighborhood children to paint tiles that still decorate Mimosa’s facade. That effort has been followed by donating hundreds of items to auctions to support nonprofits and more to local schools and incarcerated women.

To celebrate 20 years of community service, beginning Oct. 1, customers may select from 25 items hand-painted by Mimosa staff and designate from among three charities to receive the proceeds. On the anniversary of the shop – Saturday, Oct. 23 – 20% all sales proceeds will go to the Northeast Emergency Food Program.

For the holidays, Austin and her staff will continue their more recent tradition, “Paint a Tree, Give a Gift.” Through that project, $10 is donated from the sale of each Christmas tree and menorah to Raphael House to purchase gifts for children.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

LCEF seeks ‘like-minded’ buyer

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Gordon Riggs Posted in Concordia News, CU Sale
The land, the buildings and everything inside them are part of the Concordia University property sale – including the George R. White Library & Learning Center. Current owners reported to CNA they want to sell the campus as one piece for “highest and best use” to a “like-minded” buyer. Photo by Gordon Riggs

The owner of the Concordia University campus wants to sell it to “like minded” owners for “the highest and best use.”

Those terms peppered a Sept. 2 video conversation between Concordia Neighborhood Association (CNA) representatives and two Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) officials.

LCEF took ownership of the property in the June foreclosure after Concordia University had defaulted on nearly $38 million in loans. Since the college closed in April 2020, neighbors have asked what will become of the property. Answers to several questions posed by CNA were answered by Bart Day, LCEF president and CEO, and Rick Lauer, LCEF Real Estate Solutions senior vice president.

Can a buyer make a totally different use of the property? “The highest and best use is the easiest transition,” pointed out the LCEF president.

The property is zoned campus/institutional. “When new owners want to change the zoning, there’s usually a lot of pressure from the surrounding areas, and we’ve seen that take years in some cases,” Rick explained. “We’re not interested in pushing this out for years.”

The LCEF leaders also said they want to sell the campus as one unit. That includes not only the property and buildings, but also the fixtures, furniture and all other contents in the buildings. They pointed to that strategy in Boise when “like minded” University of Idaho College of Law leaders purchased the Concordia University Law School campus.

What Bart again called “like-minded people” have expressed interest in purchasing the Portland property, although he declined to name them or the price being discussed.

“We’re not looking to windfall some huge cash off of this sale,” he said. The goal is to cover the debt.

Another Concordia University creditor, Hotchalk, has attempted to delay the sale until its lawsuit is settled for the $302 million it claims Concordia University owes for an online education system. Hotchalk filed a similar suit to delay the property sale in Boise, but the Idaho court dismissed it.

Judgment on the Hotchalk suit for the Portland property from the Multnomah County Circuit Court didn’t arrive before press time. Visit ConcordiaPDX.org/CUSale for the judge’s order.

Meantime LCEF has a full-time maintenance person on the Portland property. “We are trying to keep a presence of people working on that campus to show that we’re actively engaged in it,” Rick said.

The LCEF representatives said they cannot, however, allow local groups to use the property. For insurance reasons, they continue to decline requests from organizations that used the grounds and facilities previous to when the university closed.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

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