Ephraim: 1886 postcard donated to history group
Tad Dukehart came up with a real find on eBay. It’s a postcard sent by Anders Pettersson, one of the early pastors of Ephraim Moravian Church (he spelled it with two s’s on his postcard, but we’ve always seen it with one “s”). It’s written in German and sent to someone in Germany, dated June 1886. We have it only because it was sent back postage-due. Tad has donated it to the Ephraim Historical Foundation.
Election on Tuesday
This next Tuesday is spring election day, folks! Don’t forget to vote. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the village offices, located at Norway Street at County Q.
Book discussion
Vote early in the morning Tuesday and then head to the Village Hall for an inter-generational discussion of the book "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen. It starts at 11:30 a.m. All ages welcome to join in discussion or just listen in. Refreshments.
Library donation
Mary Ann and Dick Rosonke were in town last weekend and stopped at the Ephraim Library to drop off a generous check from Jane Olson’s estate; Mary Ann is one of Jane’s sisters. Jane was a fierce advocate for our library. Thank you, Jane! (photo attached—Mary Ann Rosonke, Mary Sawyer, Librarian, Dick Rosonke) By the way, if you still have to do your taxes, stop by the library and you can pick up IRS forms there.
Grandson in innovation challenge
A team of four Iowa State aeronautical engineering students is the sole U.S. entry in the worldwide “Fly Your Ideas” aviation innovation challenge organized by Airbus in partnership with UNESCO. The winning team is looking at a grand prize of about $32,000. Iowa State aerospace engineering sophomore Jack Stanton (grandson of Ephraim’s Gary Stanton) explained that teams of three to five students brainstorm an idea in the first round of competition to innovate and possibly “reinvent the future of flight.” In the second round, which is almost over, teams look at how to implement their ideas, refine concepts and build mockups. This team has designed a foldable airline seat to free up the center aisle and speed up placing bags in overhead compartments. The extra room “basically doubles the aisle” to help other passengers quickly move past and save boarding time.
Only five teams go on to round three, and they fly those teams to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. Jack said he wanted to become an aerospace engineer because he really liked math and science. He also accompanied his father and grandfather (Gary), who are both certificated pilots, on flights. Good luck, guys!
Church news
» Katie Dahl is hosting a “Sit Around Singing” sing-along at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in north Ephraim at 7 p.m. April 6. It’s a lot of fun — all are invited to join in.
» If you love singing, mark your calendars for a Moravian Choir Concert with guests from the Moravian Music Foundation at 4 p.m. June 25 at Ephraim Moravian Church.
Climate change
The Climate Change Coalition of Door County will host a screening of "Time to Choose", a new documentary on climate change and the efforts underway to prevent its worst effects, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay. The program is free and open to the public; donations are gratefully received. The movie spans five continents to discover what scientists say is the greatest threat to life on our planet. "Time to Choose" focuses not just on the urgency of the climate change problem, but on the innovators, leaders and ordinary people who are fighting to change the world for the better. And it’s a call to action for everyone to join in this epic battle for our own future.
Pastor, wife in care facility
Patty Fess of Bethany Lutheran Church reports that the Rev. Marty Ruge and his wife, Lola, are now sharing a room at a care facility and that Marty's recovery is a work in progress and his spirit remains positive.
Milestones
Birthdays this week include Bob Davis and Wastewater’s Russ Salfi (April 1), Chick Peterson and Joan Lewis (April 5), Joanne Rankin and Nancy Burlend (April 6), and Eric Kordon (April 7).
Contact Diane Kirkland at dianekirkland@charter.net.