The VINE Memoir Group celebrates years past

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The VINE Adult Community Center has various groups and activities that help seniors keep active and out of isolation. One of these groups is the VINE Memoir Group. The group was started in 2011.

They started out slowly, but now they have about 20 to 25 people going every Tuesday for 2 and a half hours.

The group not only shares memoirs, but they also share their lives. And, if one of them is sick, hospitalized, or so on, the group supports them.

“I feel like there’s any member of the group I can call at any time for help or encouragement,” said Cathie Atchley, member of the VINE Memoir Group. “And it’s just wonderful.”

During the pandemic, they even collaborated together and wrote a book called “Preserving Memories,” which raised over $10,000 for VINE.

On Tuesday September 10, they held a meeting and get together at Spring Lake Park to reminisce about the days during the pandemic.

“This group refused to quit meeting, so we kept coming to the park, and we met as long as we could,” said Linda Good, facilitator of the VINE Memoir Group.

It was also a chance to celebrate one of their member’s 90th birthday. Anita Dietrich is one of their oldest members.

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