Rebecca Sash, VAN contributor Ever since I was five years old, I spent my summers and school breaks at my grandma’s house. No matter the day, you could always find her with a book in hand. She …
Our Voices
Veda Kanitz: A Role Model for Grassroots Activism
By Rose Lindquist, VAN Contributor I’d like to introduce you to an extraordinary human, and someone I have worked with in various capacities since last June: Veda Kanitz. With over 42 years as a …
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Kipitaakii (Old Coyotes)
Embracing my foolishness, my creativity, my strength, and my knowledge By Mia Bremer, VAN Contributor Kipitaaki, translated from the Blackfoot language, means “old-lady” or “old-coyote.” …
Voices from Our Community on Operation Metro Surge
The Vital Aging Network asked people to tell us about their experiences as Operation Metro Surge spread across Minnesota. Older adults are patrolling schools, supporting vulnerable families, …
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On Immigration
By Bob Held, VAN Contributor We’re told: About refugeesComing to the U.S.And Europe.With their diseasesCrimes, insanity.Raping our women,Eating our puppies,Taking our jobs.Displacing …
Aging with Gusto Sessions in Oakdale and Stillwater
We are pleased to present two Aging with Gusto series this February and March that are open to everyone. Aging with Gusto is a series of facilitated discussions that strive to ignite more …
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Being a Part of a Group Is Good for You, and Might Be Essential for Democracy
VAN’s new Vital Voices discussions are one way to get involved By Julie Roles, VAN co-chair This weekend I watched the 2023 documentary “Join or Die” about the work of author Robert Putman (it’s …
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Questioning Assumptions: Where Change Begins
By Donna Comer, Vital Aging Network volunteer Once a week, I sit with a small group of high school students — eight of us gathered around a table — ready to take on whatever question their …
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