By Cleo Kottwitz, cdk13@socket.net, Columbia, Missouri
 
COVID-19 has cancelled various travels we had planned for 2020, but we are doing O.K. and keeping busy. A couple of years ago we registered as "future residents" at the Lenoir Woods Retirement Community here in Columbia. We did an overnight in a guest house in August to check it out and enjoyed it. The best part was Carolyn Steinhaus contacting other residents, and they met with us in the small park shelter for conversation, including Mel West, Bruce Jeffries, Linda Maynard, and James and Marie Powell.

Since February we have been part of a race relations group with MUMC members partnering with members of Russell Chapel CME. It has been a remarkable learning experience and new friendships. We completed the book study, Healing Racial Divides by Terrell Carter, and continue to meet dealing with various local issues. Plans are under way for a Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Tulsa and Little Rock next summer.

Yesterday was a beautiful, 85 degree fall day, and we enjoyed a fall colors tour, including Bland, St James, Maramec Spring, Steelville, Cuba, Owensville and Hermann. Lunch at Sybill's in St James was a treat!

Greetings and blessings to all,

Cleo