Sisters gather to celebrate gift shop’s success

October 23, 2009 by

Gift shop manager Jane Wahlmeier cuts cake while Motherhouse administrator Arlys Hubert serves punch during the gift shop appreciation party Friday afternoon.

Gift shop manager Jane Wahlmeier cuts cake while Motherhouse administrator Arlys Hubert serves punch during the "gift shop appreciation party" Friday afternoon.

In just a little more than two years of operation, average monthly sales at the Motherhouse Gift Shop have doubled — and the sisters who have made that happened were honored in an appreciation party this afternoon.

The sugar photograph that decorated one of the cakes was the hit of Fridays party.

The 'sugar photograph' that decorated one of the cakes was the hit of Friday's party.

Jane Wahlmeier, who serves as manager of the small Gift Shop among her other duties, served as the emcee for the informal ceremony. She thanked both the sisters who make and donate all kinds of gifts for the shop as well as those who buy items there.

The hit of the party, though, was a cake baked by development director Martha Bryant and decorated with a “sugar photograph” of the Motherhouse. Sisters were loath to cut into the decoration and ate pieces cut from the entire edge of the cake first.

Items regularly for sale in the Motherhouse Gift Shop include quilted wall hangings and table sets, various items made from bobbin lace, artwork, postcards and greeting cards, knitted and crocheted afghans and crib blankets, jams and jellies, handcrafted jewelry and sculptures. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends during special events.

As other sisters gather in the main dining room, Sisters Rose Moos (from left), Jane Guenette and Charlotte Lutgen admire the home-baked cakes for Fridays party.

As other sisters gather in the main dining room, Sisters Rose Moos (from left), Jane Guenette and Charlotte Lutgen admire the home-baked cakes for Friday's party.

Comments

5 Responses to “Sisters gather to celebrate gift shop’s success”

  1. Karen Lutgen-Cope on September 21st, 2011 12:54 am

    Love all the items made at the Mother House!

  2. Donna Antrim on October 28th, 2009 9:49 pm

    What a beautiful cake! Our dogs, Molly and Amber especially enjoy the “Heavenly Bits” canine treats specially baked by the Sisters of St. Joseph and available in the gift shop. Highly recommended by gourmand doggies :).

  3. Missy Ljungdahl on October 25th, 2009 8:34 pm

    What a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to many. The shop is so impressive and this celebration was too. Wish I could have been there. Thanks, Everyone.

  4. Bette Moslander on October 25th, 2009 10:08 am

    Congratulations to the Gift Shop and all who have contributed to the gift items. Thanks to Jane for managing all the details of a first class gift shop, and the same to Martha whose artistry with cakes makes us all heavier and sweeter.

  5. Loretta A. Jasper on October 23rd, 2009 6:02 pm

    The treasures within gift shop are such a wonderful way for many hands to be engaged in the CSJ Mission and ministry. In addition, acknowledging the work of many hands with a reception of cake and punch is a lovely way to acknowledge that each member is valuable and valued.
    Is this also what is meant by: “it takes a village?”

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