As of this writing, our Travel Club should be enjoying some welcome sunshine while exploring Panama City. It’s much anticipated after the chilly weather we’ve been having this winter.

One of the highlights included passing through the Panama Canal and the chance to see this incredible engineering feat first hand, while learning all about it construction and operation.

We looked forward to riding the dugout canoes to the settlement of Embers.

These people strive to preserve their heritage and love to share their traditional techniques of homebuilding, handcrafts and dances. We also partook in a simple, traditional lunch.

Our stay was at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, which gave us an opportunity to experience much of their culture and scenery. We look forward to sharing this tour with you upon our return.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., On Feb. 26, you are invited to come to our annual Minnesota Coffee And Travel party. This is open to the public and is held at the Mower County Senior Center in Austin.

We will have lots of hot coffee and goodies plus a chance to sign-up for door prizes. A list of upcoming trips will be available.

You may also choose to stay for lunch at our cafe with homemade soup and a sandwiches.

We are excited to book our first trip this spring with the musical “Mary Poppins.”

Details on this and other trips will be upcoming.

There is also the much requested, “Last Potluck Supper,” with those zany Church Basement Ladies at the Plymouth House.

The “Little Mermaid” will be our annual July Chanhassen Dinner Theatre production this year.

Door County and Mackinac Island is on our schedule of longer trips this fall.

This is just a sample of what we have planned for 2014.

Hope to see you there.