The severe February weather has been raising havoc in many parts of our country, but we have been in touch with our Branson Friends and contacts in travel and they said they feel fortunate that the damage there was not nearly as severe as in many areas.

The theaters that were hit by the tornado will be up and running by April and June for the hotel which was hit the hardest. No lives were lost and the cleanup had begun immediately.

Our plans to take our tour in November has generated a lot of enthusiasm and the deposit is due by July 1 to confirm your reservation.

 Upcoming trips

•March 29: Minneapolis Bachmanns downtown flower show at Macy’s. Reservations due by March 15. Our travel is open to all ages and to the public. We are all getting Spring Fever and it certainly will seem like spring when we are surrounded by the fragrances and blossoms there. Lunch and free time will be downtown, on your own. Departure time is 7:30 a.m.

•April 18-20: “Five Countries without a Passport,” tour. Reservations due by March 19. It will be like the trip you didn’t take this Winter, there still are openings.

•April 26: “Art in Bloom,” will be the theme at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This weekend event held each year hosts, “talented floral designers and enthusiastic flower lovers, who love what they do and want to share the beauty we live with every day.”

There will be lectures and floral arrangements in settings to compliment the paintings and art work there. You can choose many areas of your interest and stroll on your own. We will allow all the time needed to spend there on our first visit. We still do have openings. We are excited to offer this first-time visit for our group of travelers.

Our schedule for 2012 is available at the Senior Center, and also in our March newsletter. Please call our travel number 507-438-3946 (Evie) or 507-433-9391 (Doris). Our office hours at the Mower County Senior Center are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.