If the temps dip too low, having winter fun in Minnesota can often be a matter of trying to make lemonade out of lemons! Learning how to do that can be tricky. So in the late 70s, Augsburg offered a self-directed interim class, authorized by then-dean Charles Anderson, to beat the winter blues. Entitled “Recreation and Conditioning for Minnesota Winter,” the class included working out in Si Melby, then going outside for winter sports—cross-country and downhill skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and even ice fishing.
At an Augsburg event two years ago, six Auggies in attendance realized that the entire group from that 1978 interim class was present, so they gathered for the picture above. They are, left to right: Donadee (Melby) Peterson ‘78, a big fan of winter activities and currently in Oslo, Norway, where her Auggie husband, Tim Peterson ’76, is serving as an interim pastor; Noreen (Walen) Thompson ‘78, a retired medical device marketing vice president, in front of husband Steve Thompson ’78, a retired US Bank vice president; LuAnn (Hedman) Wingard ‘79 in front of husband Tom Wingard ‘78, who together own a large family-run potato farm operation near Elk River, Minnesota; and Bev (Ranum) Meyer ‘78, a retired actuary in benefits consulting. Bev’s husband, Dennis J. Meyer ’78, also an Auggie grad, is a retired marketing executive who serves on the Board of Regents.
For some, this class has been fondly remembered as a reason to stay in Minnesota and enjoy the winter weather.
Gather your friends and make plans to join us at the first-ever All-School Reunion on September 26, 2020!