Amy Stratton (front left) enjoys a massage at this year's Women's Expo from Marcia Jonas. In back Shelly Popkes massages Diane Gustafson.
Massages, hair makeovers, cholesterol checks, blood pressure checks, non-alcoholic drink taste testing and gardening and chocolate demonstrations were all a part of the day's activities. Sherry Kurtz from KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls hosted a women's issues discussion.
During the Women's Expo, Mrs. Minnesota Sue Nelson presented Luverne's Ruth Pickett with the Rock County Woman of Excellence Award. Pickett is the second winner; Jane Wildung received the award last year. Pickett recently retired from her job as the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program Coordinator for 25 years. Pickett's nomination letters said about her: "Ruth has worked with the RSVP Program in Rock County for 25 years. We currently have 267 volunteers at 36 sites. Ruth knew most of her volunteers and knew what kind of things they liked to do. She is responsible for making the Rock County RSVP program the well-known and respected program it is today. Ruth's ability to match a client with the appropriate volunteer has made the RSVP experience great for both client and volunteer.
Ruth served many consecutive terms on the District 2184 Community Education Advisory Council, representing the senior citizens of the community. Very rarely did Ruth ever miss a meeting, and if she had to be absent she always informed the director. This represents a loyalty not only to those she represented, but to the community education program as well. Ruth played a very prominent role in helping establish the Alumni News. Perhaps the many qualities Ruth possesses have been mentioned. But in any case, she has demonstrated many of the qualities the Rock County Family Coordinating Council is trying to instill in our community's youth today: friendship, caring, kindness, responsibility, honesty, courage, patience, honor, wisdom, respect, perseverance and sharing. It is my honor to have known and worked