It's SWCR Christmas Party Month!!!!!
Saturday, November 15, 2025, Teri's House - at 11:30am
Hostess: Teri
Book: None
Activity by Erin Fahey: Stained glass projects
Attendees: Jen, Buffy, Laurie, Sarah, Anne, Pam, Summer and Teri (9)
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Thursday, October 23, 2025, Vet Club, Belle Plaine - Witches on Main - at 5pm
Hostesses: Belle Plaine Chamber
Book: None
Witches attending: Buffy, Laurie, Sarah, Pam, Dawn, & Special guests Amanda & Rhonda (7)
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at River House Kitchen + Drinks, Hutchinson (we had to change locations as Molly's was closed)
Attendees: Laurie, Buffy, Sarah, Pam and Anne
Hostess: Laurie
Book: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Icebreaker: If you would have one witches spell, what would it be?
Pam
Icebreaker: Good health to all around
Books:
Inside the Cartel by Martin Suarez
Year One by Nora Roberts
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts
No Greater Love by Danielle Steel
The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir
The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts
Sarah
Icebreaker: Speed (the speed spell from the book)
Books:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Anne
Icebreaker: Make everything feel better spell from the book
Books:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger
Buffy
Icebreaker: Immortality
Books:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Laurie
Icebreaker: Teleport
Books:
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
A Reaper at the Gate by Sabaa Tahir
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-3
5-2
22/5 = 4.4%
Discussions:
This book was a nice change of pace. Laurie asked us questions:
1. Three words to describe Mika: alone, spirited, unwanted, wishy washy
2. "Some kinds of trauma can't be revisited - and some need to be" What do you think this means?
3. If you had the opportunity to adapt the novel into a film or TV show, who would you cast? We only cast Mike as Mindy Kalng
We also talked about some surprises: the bones and Primrose's sister.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM!!
Next meeting: Thursday, October 23, 2025, Witches on Main, Belle Plaine
Hostess: Belle Plaine Chamber
Book: No book
Dig out your witchy hats and clothes my book club friends. It's time to venture to spooky Belle Plaine for some fun dress-up, shopping, drinking and eating.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Know It All's Bar & Grill, Hamburg
Attendees: Pam, Laurie, Sandy, Jen, Teri, Buffy and Anne
Hostess: Pam
Book: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Icebreaker: Are you aware of anyone who had an affair with a married person, and it worked out?
Sandy
Icebreaker: Yes
Books:
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Buffy
Icebreaker: Yes
Books:
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey
Capture or Kill by Don Bentley/Vince Flynn
Laurie
Icebreaker: Yes
Books:
Am Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
The Poison's We Drink by Bethany Baptiste
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Pam
Icebreaker: Yes
Books:
The Secret by Julie Garwood
Come a little bit closer by Bella Andre
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Shadow Dance by Julie Garwood
To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage
We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates
Anne
Icebreaker: Yes
Books:
Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-4
5-1
21/5 = 4.2%
Discussions:
Talked about Beth. What did we think of her? Who was better for her: Frank or Gabriel? Did any of the story surprise us? (Yes!). Did anyone guess who killed Jimmy? (I don't believe anyone guessed right). Did we think it was an accident or murder? (Many of us thought it was an accident). Were you surprised to learn about Bobby? Do you think the daughter's father is Frank or Gabriel?
Next meeting: September 25, 2025, at TBD
Hostess: Laurie
Book: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine. A Facebook event will be created.
Changed the date of the Christmas Party in November from the 22nd to the 15th.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Lazy Loon Brewing Company
Attendees: Laurie, Pam, Anne and Sarah
Hostess: Laurie
Book: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Icebreaker: Do you know anyone who had boundary issues like our protagonist Sherrie? Life has gotten away from her, and she needs to learn when to say "NO" to people.
Pam
Icebreaker: Yes, I was probably her at one time.
Books:
The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle
Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau
We All Live Here by JoJo Moyes
Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Everything My Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman
Death Row by Freida McFadden
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull
The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
The Mark of the Assassin by Daniel Silva
Summer's End by Danielle Steel
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Anne
Icebreaker: Yes, during Ashton's Senior year, but there were others worse than me.
Books:
Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger
Secret Daughter by Kelly Rimmer
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Sarah
Icebreaker: Relatable. I have felt that way "too busy".
Books:
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Laurie
Icebreaker: See those traits in everyone but maybe not to the extreme as Sherrie.
Books:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sanga Mandan
Eldest by Christopher Palolini
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
If those of who you read the book want to send me your ratings, I will update the minutes.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-0
5-0
Next meeting: August 28, 2025, at Know It All's Bar & Grill, Hamburg
Hostess: Pam
Book: Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine.
Changed the date of the Christmas Party in November from the 22nd to the 15th.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at A-Town Tavern, Arlington
Attendees: Buffy, Sarah, Jen, Teri and Anne
Hostess: Anne/Jen
Book: All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull
Icebreaker: Have you ever been stuck in a blizzard?
Teri
Icebreaker: Yes, the Halloween Blizzard. She also remembers her dad always being the one to go into work during snowstorms.
Books:
All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull (not completed yet)
The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin
The Storm of the Century by Al Roker
Jen
Icebreaker: A snowstorm on Christmas Eve when she was in grade school. They canceled the Christmas program last minute due to the storm.
Books:
All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull (not completed yet)
Sarah
Icebreaker: 2010 when the Metrodome roof collapsed under heavy snow. She was with her sisters baking that night and they ended up stuck together doing some baking with a few drinks.
Books:
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull (about 50% finished)
Buffy
Icebreaker: Snowstorm within the last 10 years, before COVID, coming home from work and traffic was at a dead stop on 212 (probably about a mile from highway 41) and the snow was falling so fast and heavy that due to sitting still for a long time, my car was covered, and I could not see out any windows except the windshield.
Books:
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull
Anne
Icebreaker: March 1997 (about), living in ND driving back to ND from the cities during a snowstorm. Had to stay the night in a hotel near Alexandria due to bad road conditions.
Books:
The Doll's House by Lisa Unger
Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger
Red Knife by William Kent Krueger
All Hell Broke Loose by William H. Hull
We all admitted we didn't read every story in the book because some of the stories were repetitive. Lots of hunting stories, cars stalled on the roadways, lost animals (those poor turkey farmers and dairy cows needing to be milked), opening homes to strangers, walking home due to car stalling, staying the night at hotels, schools or even in stalled cars. Talked about topics such as the number of homes that did not have heating or only a single room had heating (no insulation). No notification or alerts. It is a great idea to have the stories written down for historical context, but it wasn't the best type of book to read.
Also, as we talked more then we each started remembering other snow events we were involved in. We talked about the changes in work and now back in the day you were expected to be at work no matter what the weather. Today that is much different. Then we talked about tornados, hurricanes and other weather events. It was a very lively conversation.
Book rating:
1-0
2-2
3-3
4-0
5-0
13/5 = 2.6
Do we need to move the July meeting up a week due to the Sibley County Fair? Please let me know.
Next meeting: July 31, 2025, at TBD
Hostess: Laurie
Book: Boundaries by Henry Cloud
Carvery County Library Book Sales
Chaska - July 26
Waconia - July 11-12
Watertown - July 25-26 and 28
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine.
Changed the date of the Christmas Party in November from the 22nd to the 15th.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Union Trail Brewing Company
Attendees: Pam (with Presley & Tucker), Jen, Teri, Sarah, Buffy and Anne
Hostess: Pam
Book: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Icebreaker: Which woman type would you be?
Pam
Icebreaker: She'd rebel like Moira
Books:
The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle
Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau
We All Live Here by JoJo Moyes
Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman
Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Everything My Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman
Death Row by Freida McFadden
Sarah
Icebreaker: Martha or rebel like Moira
Books:
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Anne
Icebreaker: Martha
Books:
None - currently reading A Handmaid's Tale
Buffy
Icebreaker: Econowife
Books:
None - currently reading A Handmaid's Tale
Jen
Icebreaker: blue wives
Books:
None?
Teri
Icebreaker: Rebel like Moira
Books:
Too many to list here
We jumped right into this discussion, skipping icebreaker and books read for the month! Wow. We talked about the author's Introduction from 2017 (may be in your book, depending on published date). The different types of women represented in the book, which turned into our ice breaker question (see pyramid above). It was a hard book to read, especially with what is happening in the world in regard to women's rights, etc. Many of us would not recommend it as a read to other female friends. Only Pam and Sarah finished the book, while Buffy and Anne are still reading. Sarah started watching the series on Hulu and said it was pretty close to the book so far. Sarah said she would want to be a Canadian!
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-2
4-0
5-0
6/2 = 3
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Northside Grill, NYA
Attendees: Buffy, Pam, Kurt, Sarah and Anne
Hostess: Buffy
Book: The Reaping by Jess Lourey
Icebreaker: Would you want to live in a town in Alku?
Pam
Icebreaker: Absolutely not!
Books:
The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden
One by One by Freida McFadden
The Locked Door by Freida McFadden
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
Too Late by Colleen Hoover
What the Light Touches by Xavier Bosch
That Bird Has My Wings by Jarvis Jay Masters
The Cherokee Rose by Tiya Miles
An Unladylike Secret by Amita Murray
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
Sarah
Icebreaker: Absolutely not!
Books:
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Anne
Icebreaker: No! I'd be murdered.
Books:
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
Buffy
Icebreaker: No, but I'd definitely like to spy on the townspeople.
Books:
The Reaping by Jess Lourey
Healing Wounds by Diane Carlson Evans
It was so nice to see Sarah and have her joining us. It's been years - HA HA!
We discussed the opening scene of the book: 1984 at Sandwich Rock. What do you think happened? Do you believe in the veri noita (Finnish Blood Witch). Oh, my those masks. The murder of the Korhonen Family was terrifying. We talked about how scary/weird the town of Alku is - people watching from the windows, behind their curtains or what the...was going on at the church? The CCTC (Carlton County Treatment Center) is a nursing home for serial killers! We talked about who we thought the killer (the veri noita) was. Why did the killer do what they did? We also talked about the local cop, Emery, and his connection to the town. We all agreed that Harry's mother should not be allowed to foster children. Twist at the end: Do you think Frank (the cult leader who Van had been raised by) kidnapped Caroline, Harry's sister?
The Reaping was the murder of the all the children of the original seven families in Finland in the 1800s by the disloyal Finished villagers after they had defeated the veri noita. This caused these seven families to flee Finland and settle in northern Minnesota. The adults in Alku tell the children, "if you stray from the path of obedience, the veri noita will know. She will demand another reaping."
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-1
4-2
5-1
16/4 = 4
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine.
Changed the date of the Christmas Party in November from the 22nd to the 15th.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at El Loro in Waconia
Attendees: Laurie, Pam, Buffy and Anne
Hostess: Anne
Book: October Baby by Eric Wilson
Icebreaker: Were you aware of abortion survivors?
Laurie
Icebreaker: No
Books:
Bible Translations for Everyone by Time Wildsmith
Changeless by Gail Carriager
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves by the Arbinger Institute
Blameless by Gail Carriager
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Buffy
Icebreaker: No
Books:
October Baby by Eric Wilson
Pam
Icebreaker: No
Books:
Drop Dead Sisters by Ameila Diane Coombs
Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino
Do Not Disturb by Frieda McFadden
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh
October Baby by Eric Wilson
Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover
Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
Anne
Icebreaker: No
Books:
Copper River by William Kent Krueger
October Baby by Eric Wilson
We discussed if Hannah should have been told she was an abortion survivor. We discussed her instant need to find her biological mother once she found out she was adopted. Some of us felt the book ended abruptly with no closure. Discussed Hannah being a premature baby (20 weeks) and a twinless twin. She had a baby brother, born with one arm due to the botched abortion. He lived 4-8 months. Felt this could be the reason she felt she was missing something her entire life. Discussed her illness and possibly the cause having to do with her premature birth. The coincidences in the book that lead to her finding her bio mom in the big city of Mobile, Alabama (breaking into the abandoned hospital only to be caught by the only cop who knew the nurse who worked at the abortion clinic where Hannah's bio mom went). Talked about her overprotective father.
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-2
4-1
5-0
10/3 = 3.3
Next book picks and hostess months
If anyone is interested in hosting book club for August 2025, September 2025, January 2026, February 2026, or any month after, please reach out to me by April 6, 2025, otherwise, we will go forward with the plan we discussed tonight at book club.
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Grey Fox in Green Isle
Attendees: Laurie, Buffy, and Anne
Hostess: Pam (Buffy was acting hostess)
Book: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Icebreaker: Play two rounds of Zut (read the book to find out what it is). Round One Topic: Stringed Instruments - Anne won this round. Round Two Topic: Tools - Laurie won this round.
Laurie
Books:
Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriager
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriager
Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriager
Leadership and Self Deception by the Arbinger Institute
Grave Importance by Vivian Shaw
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Anne
Books:
None
Buffy
Books:
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Sorry Pam, we didn't get to any of your questions, but we did discuss the book. We talked about how much we did not like the Bishop. Talked about the sad story of Nina and her wonderful daughter Sofia, though Sofia's story ended better than her mothers. The general's aide-de-camp, Richard Vanderwhile. Yes, the man at the embassy in Paris that Sofia visited. We talked about the sacrifice Alexander Rostov made on behalf of his dear friend, Mishka. It's the reason Alexander is under house arrest at the hotel Metropol. And Mishka's famous last words before his end: "Who would have imagined," he said, "when you were sentenced to life in the Metropol all those years ago, that you had just become the luckiest man in all Russia." The Russian he dined with monthly in the yellow room, Osip, who enjoyed American movies. Anyone want to watch Casablanca? All the years covered in this book is fascinating and really made me think about having to stay inside a place for all those years (1922-1954). Alexander was lucky to at the Metropol with all it's important guests who were fascinating characters in themselves. Oh, and the goose story from the 4th floor. And, who was the mysterious woman Alexander met up with in his hometown at the end of the book?
Book rating:
1-0
2-0
3-0
4-2
5-1
13/3 = 4.3
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine.
For those hosting upcoming book clubs, if you know where you want to host club at, please let me know and I will update the Facebook invites.
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SWCR Book Club met on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at A-Town Tavern, Arlington
Attendees: Laurie, Buffy, Dawn, Pam and Anne
Hostess: Laurie
Book: Twin Cities Prohibition by Elizabeth Johanneck
Icebreaker: Who is your favorite bad guy/gangster?
Buffy
Books: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Trickster's Point by William Kent Krueger
Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger
Windigo Island by William Kent Krueger
Manitou Canyon by William Kent Krueger
Sulfur Springs by William Kent Krueger
Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger
Twin Cities Prohibition by Elizabeth Johanneck
Fox Creek by William Kent Krueger
Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger
Icebreaker: Based on the book, the local Jewish gangsters - Kid Can (Isadore Bloomenfeld), Yiddy Bloom, Jap Gleckman, Eddie Green
Dawn
Books: Witches of New York (a book series)
The Throne Witches
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Icebreaker: Bonnie and Clyde; Al Capone
Pam
Books: Untamed by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Hunted by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Tempted by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Burned by PC Cast and Kristin Cast
Adam & Evie's Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman
Down River by John Hart
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
Hand of Evil by J. A. Jance
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts
Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
Twin Cities Prohibition by Elizabeth Johanneck
Anite De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Hawaii by Jill Foran
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
Hawaii (American the Beautiful) by Deborah Ann Kent
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
Queen of Diamonds by Beezy Marsh
If You Tell: A Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen
The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman
Icebreaker: Ma Barker
Anne
Books: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Twin Cities Prohibition by Elizabeth Johanneck
Icebreaker: Billy The Kid
Laurie
Books: Gray Seas by Hailey Edwards
Gray Days by Hailey Edwards
Gray Dawn by Hailey Edwards
Fire with Fire by Destiny Soria
At Graves End by Jeanine Frost
To Catch A Storm by Mindy Mejia
Howls From the Dark by ?
The Dragon Keeper by Mindy Mejia
The Redemption of Boaz Prichard by Hailey Edwards
Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J. K. Rowling
A Hint of Frost by Hailey Edwards
Martin Luther Renegade and Prophet by Lyndal Roper
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
How to Rattle an Undead Couple by Hailey Edwards
Mage Assassins and Other Misfits by Annette Marie and Rob Jacobson
Vampirates 3 by Justin Somer
The Witch Walker by Carissa Weaks
The Legend of Arniston House by T. L. Huchu
The Ebony Gate by Julia Vee and Ken BeBelle
The Power of the Other by Dr. Henry Cloud
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J. K. Rowling
Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Blood Jade by Julia Vee and Ken BeBelle
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw
Twin Cities Prohibition by Elizabeth Johanneck
Fire Bourne by Aisling Fowler
Fire Bourne: Starling and the Cavern of Light by Aisling Fowler
Vampirates; Immortal War by Justin Somer (have read all 6 books in the series to Jackson)
Dreadful Company by Vivian Shaw
Dragons Oath by P. C. and Kristen Cast
Icebreaker: Dillinger
Discussed the book, the people and the places. Talked about those who went on the local ghost or gangster tours. Pam took note of all the speakeasy's mentioned in the book, but sad to report many aren't in existence any longer. Buffy was surprised by the large number of Jewish gangsters in the area. Talked about the corruption, what we knew compared to knowing now after reading the book. Wabasha Street Caves. Dawn shared a book she has called The Minnesota Road Guide to Gangster Hot Spots by Chad Lewis. Anyone interested in checking out some sites?
Caught up with Dawn. Super great seeing you at club! Gave Pam a card and gift card from SWCR Club for the passing of her sister.
Book rating:
1-0
2-1
3-1
4-2
5-0
13/4 = 3.25
Book Club Updates:
Decided to no longer host a book during the month of October as we will continue to participate in Witches on Main in Belle Plaine.