Spring Getaway
Lake, Gardens, Art, History, Shopping…Oh My!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Bus leaves promptly at 8:30 a.m.

We will begin our day at Noerenberg Memorial Gardens on the shore of Crystal Bay of Lake Minnetonka. Grain Belt founder Frederick Noerenberg and his family built their estate here in 1890. The gardens are widely regarded as one of the finest formal gardens in Minnesota.

Then we’ll tour the Minnetonka Art Center. The Center’s purpose has been to help groups of Minnesotans – particularly families and children – make art a part of everyday life. We will tour the studios and see diverse projects in progress.

The Art Center will provide us with lunch in their private dining area – perhaps on the terrace, weather permitting. You can complete your visit here by visiting the Center’s gift shop.

Excelsior was founded in 1853 by colonists from New York. The city is a unique blend of old and new. In Excelsior we’ll ride the Minnetonka Trolley, tour the trolley barn where we will view the restoration in progress, and hear the history of the effort to preserve these cars, which were built in the late 1800s through early 1900s.

There will be time to visit a variety of antique and specialty shops before boarding the bus for our return trip to Minneapolis.

Reservations begin April 14 at the Gale or mail a check to Marlene Baldwin (make checks out to AAUW Minneapolis).

Spring Getaway: St. Cloud

Tuesday, June 18
Departure time: 8:30 a.m.
Return time: 5:00 p.m.

From illuminated manuscripts to formal gardens, a wonderful day is planned for you. Begin the day with a visit to St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville. Tour the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library which has the largest collection of microfilmed medieval manuscripts in the world. The Library is the home of the acclaimed hand-written and illuminated St. John’s Bible. Learn about the making of this Bible and view some of its gorgeous pages. The Library also has a charming gift shop.

After lunch in the Great Hall, tour St. John’s Benedictine Abbey, a beautiful, contemporary structure designed by renowned architect, Marcel Breuer. View the largest stained glass window in the world and a magnificent bell tower.

During the afternoon, visit the Munsinger and Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud. They are two distinct, adjacent gardens on the banks of the Mississippi River. Munsinger gardens are informal, with many shade-loving plants. It dates back to 1915 when the city purchased the site of an old sawmill to become a park. The Clemens garden consists of six gardens including The Virginia Clemens Rose Garden, the White Garden, the Treillage Garden, a Rest Area Garden, a formal garden and a perennial garden. The gardens include a Renaissance Fountain, historic log cabin, gazebo, lily pond, and gift shop.

Join us for a wonderful tour – we may not “tiptoe through the tulips,” but we are going to “stop and smell the roses!”

Spring Getaway: Faribault

Tuesday, June 4
Bus departs at 8:30 a.m.

Please join us for a day in Faribault! Did you know that Faribault:

• was bigger than Duluth in late 1800s?
• is home to the Tilt-a-Whirl?
• claims the first Episcopal cathedral in the United States?
• is home to Marlon Brando’s alma mater?

Tour includes:

• Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior
• Faribault Woolen Mill – wool is turned to blankets
• Lunch at historic Depot
• Paradise Center for the Arts – theater and gallery
• Cheese Cave where you can purchase goodies
• Shattuck-St.Mary’s – internationally known private prep

Reservations beginning April 15 at the Gale or mail to Marlene Baldwin. Checks please to AAUW.