An Intimate Evening of Wine, Bites & Connection
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 * Grapeful Wine Bar
Join us for a festive and flavorful evening as we gather at Grapeful Wine Bar for a special December Social Event!
Owner and Wine Director, Stacy Hanson, will be our guide as we enjoy a tasting of four expertly selected wines (or alcohol-free wines), each paired with a seasonal small bite, and learn how each wine complements its pairing in both flavor and style. It’s a relaxed and educational evening designed to spark conversation, connection and just the right amount of cheer. Whether you’re a wine lover or just wine-curious, this event offers a fun and flavorful way to wrap up the year together.
Our guide: After a 30-year career in corporate marketing, Stacy followed her passion for wine and community, opening Grapeful in August 2024 as a space to bring people together through wine and shared experiences. She holds a WSET Level 1 certification and curates seasonal wine menus, food pairings and events designed to make wine approachable and engaging for everyone.
In 2025 Stacy was honored as the Owatonna Business Women’s Woman of Achievement, recognizing her leadership, entrepreneurship and commitment to creating meaningful connections in the community.
Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance on-line:
The ticket link is now LIVE on the Grapeful Online Ordering System. Please use this link:
https://order.toasttab.com/order-and-pay/grapeful-wine-bar/8/
Guests should choose “Order on your own” and then the event tickets will be listed. Look for the AAUW logo and description: AAUW December Social as the name.
It’s time to pay our dues!
Dues for the coming year are:
$74 Association + $9 State + $10 Branch = $93 total. Please send a check for $93 to Kay Oberle, 50 18th Place NE, Owatonna, MN 55060. Check payable to AAUW Owatonna Branch. (deadline is June 30, 2025)
For the coming year $84 of your annual dues will be tax deductible.
Membership voting concluded and did NOT pass on AAUW Bylaws Change to open eligibility to remove degree requirements for membership. Thanks to all who took the time to vote. Per the AAUW Election page:
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- The open membership initiative did not pass. Changes to AAUW’s bylaws require 2/3 majority (66.6%) to pass. AAUW members voted 65.1% to approve the measure, just shy of passing.
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Our officers for 2025-2026:
President: Mary Schwanke
Co-Program VPs: Alana Bunkers & Julie Fiske
Membership VP: Mary Overlee Olson
Secretary: Sandi Tobin
Treasurer: Kay Oberle
Co-AAUW Funds: Trudy Severson & Shelly Rockman
Finance: Eileen Newhouse
Visibility: Nancy Vaillancourt
Webmaster: Linda Hoffman
Fundraising (Taste): Mary Cronin & Linda Hoffman
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Dues for the coming year are:
$74 Association + $9 State + $10 Branch = $93 total. Please send a check for $91 to Linda Boorman, 1250 Edgewood Place, Owatonna, MN 55060. Check payable to AAUW Owatonna Branch. (deadline is June 30, 2025)
For the coming year $84 of your annual dues will be tax deductible.
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Here are the vendors for this year’s Taste event.
Be sure to thank them for their support – and support them!
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- Basilleo’s Pizza
- Candullo’s Coffee
- Costas
- Grapeful Wine Bar
- Mizuki Fusion
- Mon Ferment
- Old Town Bagels & Café
- Owatonna Eagle’s
- Owatonna Elk’s
- Spare Time Entertainment
- Steve’s Meat Market
- Taqueria Jalisco
- Torey’s
Thanks to Thrivent Financial for supporting some of our Taste-related expenses.
Attendees gather at the Owatonna Eagles for Taste of Steele County, sampling a wide array of offerings from local businesses. (Josh LaFollette/southernminn.com)
Rachel Lee, of Steve’s Meat Market in Ellendale, serves up snacks at Taste of Steele County, an AAUW Owatonna fundraiser that supports scholarships for local women and girls. (Josh LaFollette/southernminn.com)
Jennifer Candullo, of Candullo’s Coffee, hands out samples at Taste of Steele County. (Josh LaFollette/southernminn.com)
Tom Lester from Basilleo’s Pizza dishes up some his delicious pasta at the Taste of Steele County.
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