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Luverne actresses Brenda Winter and DJ Luethje returned to the Generations stage Thursday night as the popular “Marlene and Darlene” who had the audience of over 300 people rolling with laughter.
The May 11 event marked the fourth annual performance for the hapless elderly sisters who drove their “Toyota from Leota” to help Generations raise money for its operations.
“It was an amazing and fun show,” said Generations president George Bonnema.
“These talented ladies have a way of coming up with one-liners and facial expressions to support their conversation that is uniquely their own.”
Auctioneer Yvette Vander Brink joined the comedy act incorporating the auction of 10 “beautiful, elegant cakes donated by local specialty bakers,” said Bonnema, who also donated his famous carrot cakes for the auction and the raffle.
The cake auction contributed $4,150 to the overall evening receipts of $13,000, which will be used for programming expenses at Generations.
“The Generations event team members express their sincere appreciation for the people who supported and attended this great event,” Bonnema said.
Among the fundraising efforts that evening was the raffle of a quilt started by the late Sandy Winter (Brenda Winter’s mother) before she died last fall.
Marian Schneekloth and other Generations quilters finished it in time for the event on May 11, which happened to be Winter’s birthday.
Her husband, Gerald, and their children and grandchildren were in attendance.
Mortgage burning
In addition to the fundraising event, the Generations board burned their mortgage (in a large glass jar) to represent the total repayment of the loan plus interest to purchase the building.
It cost $975,000. They borrowed $600,000 at 4.24 percent, which meant another $27,000 had to be paid for interest on the loan.
As the audience applauded the burning mortgage, Bonnema reminded the group that Generation’s expenses are ongoing.
“The membership dues are still needed to pay the light bill,” he said. “That’s another $1,540 per month —times 12 months, so we’re looking at $18,480 per year just for utilities.”
That’s in addition to snow removal, property maintenance and other expenses, Bonnema said, explaining that fundraising efforts are ongoing.
But he stressed that Thursday’s fundraiser was for activities such as music, dancing, live music, cards, speakers, coffee and cookies, puzzle tournaments, make-and-take projects, SAIL fitness classes and more.
Generations takes in revenue through renting out the building for private parties, weddings, reunions, graduations and other occasions.
Also, Lutheran Social Services rents the kitchen and facility to serve senior diners in the area — roughly 20 to 60 people who eat lunch Monday through Friday.
LSS kitchen staff and volunteers also package and deliver home-delivered meals to Luverne, Adrian, Worthington, Pipestone, Hardwick, Jasper, Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen.
In all, the Generations kitchen serves 4,000 meals per month. Last March, 4685 meals were prepared.
Bonnema said the Generations organization mission statement is to “Live Well and Age Well,” and new members 55 and older are welcome to join “for nutrition, education, recreation, socialization and fitness.”
The Generations Facebook page lists events and menus for each month.