Women Veterans of Freeborn County

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Women Veterans of Freeborn County met at the American Legion in Albert Lea Nov. 5.

Women veterans present included Ruth Perry, Judi Olson, Julie Hamson, Marge Lukehart, Pat Johanneson and Deanna Luedtke.

Olson let the group know that Wes Halverson will be the commander next year. He would like to see some coordination among the different military groups. He also commented on the flag program.

The minutes of October’s meeting were read as well as the treasurer’s report.

All members should bring an item of non-perishable food to donate to the food pantry after each monthly meeting. Olson delivered the donations to the food pantry this month.

Luedtke read a thank you note from Ruth Perry for the flowers sent for her sister’s funeral.

Lukehart made a motion to pay Johanneson for the yarn she uses to make the prayer shawls that she donates to the gift baskets. It was seconded by Perry and the motion passed. Luedtke wrote Johanneson a check for $45 to cover the cost of yarn.

Luedtke shared the brochure about the Million Veteran Program. This deals with volunteer vets undergoing a simple physical and gene documentation to study how genes affect health. This is an experimental program begun by the VA system. Luedtke has signed up for it and has an appointment Dec. 3 at the Minneapolis VA.

Sponsoring a needy veteran for Thanksgiving was discussed. It was decided to pursue the issue. Luedtke will check with Hy-Vee to see what they charge for a complete dinner for three to four people. It was decided to help out the Rudy Adams family if they would like to help. A total of $60 was collected to pay for this dinner.

The next regular meeting will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Joanie Paczkowski’s home. It’s encouraged that all women military veterans join for an informal Christmas celebration, discussion and camaraderie. Call Luedtke at 507-373-9792 for Paczkowski’s address or for more information.

 

American Legion Auxiliary

The American legion Auxiliary Unit 56 of Albert Lea met at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the club dining room. The usual opening ceremonies were held. The Chaplain led in prayer.

The speaker from Sibley Elementary informed the group as to what the Milk Moolah, Education Box Tops, milk caps and pop tabs do for the benefit of school projects. It is very worthwhile so keep bringing those items.

The secretary and treasurer reports were given and approved.

The children and youth chairman asked the group to bring in healthy snacks for after school until Nov. 15. They were taken to Brookside for distribution to local schools.

The National Security chairman asked everyone to remember an emergency kits in their car for winter. Five boxes of coupons have been sent to the troops and everyone is asked to keep bringing them in.

The education chairman will honor and thank teachers in District 241 during National Education Week from the American Legion Auxiliary.

A leadership training course was at the club Nov. 1. The department led the course. Twenty-one women from District 1-2-3 were in attendance, eight from the local unit.

The 95th auxiliary birthday was Nov. 10, Veterans Day was Nov. 11., American Education Week was Tuesday through Friday and Thanksgiving is Thursday.

Recommendations from the executive board that were voted on and passed were donations to the auxiliary emergency fund, hospital auxiliary fund, community hospice tree, Presbyterian and Salvation Army food shelves, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Albert Lea Firefighters Education Program and Department President’s Project.

One verse of “God Bless America” was sung and the chaplain led in prayer.

The meeting was adjourned.

Lunch was served by Karen Cibert, Children and Youth chairwoman.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 1 in the club dining room. A memorial service will be held. The executive board will meet at 6 p.m.

 

VFW Auxiliary

The Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Freemond Madson Post 447 met at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10. The First District President Cheryl Hermanson of Cannon Falls was present to inspect the auxiliary books and the work of the auxiliary. She praised the group for the work they’re doing and gave some beneficial ideas.

President Franne Camerer presided at the meeting and it was voted to continue the meeting starting at 6:30 p.m.

One thousand poppies were purchased to be used for decorations and for the public.

There is always use for quilts at the VA and veterans’ homes so donations will be taken to get them to the needy places if anyone wants to help.

The regular December meeting will be a potluck for both post and auxiliary at 6 p.m. Dec. 8.

A Christmas party for all VFWs, Albert Lea Legion, SAL, DAV, Yellow Ribbon members and families will Dec. 13.

The first district meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Wabasha with District President Cheryl Hermanson presiding and Kathy Fystrom as the department representative. Honored that day will be auxiliary secretaries and treasurers.

The Minnesota VFW midwinter conference will be Jan. 23-25 at the Minneapolis Marriott Hotel. Poppy displays will be judged.

The post served lunch and Nina Cole won the door prize.

 

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Nov. 12 in Bethany Hall. Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt. Co-Vice President Joyce Fredin welcomed everyone and led the reciting of the purpose statement.

Devotions were given by Jane Loge on the theme of thankfulness and praise for God’s abundant blessings.

Neva Mathison introduced the program provided by Gail Thurnau and Mary Wayne who appeared as Lena and Mena, all the way from Norway. They entertained with their upbeat humor, jokes and music including “Try to Remember” and “Side by Side.”

Fredin conducted the business meeting. The secretary’s report was approved as printed by a motion made by Bonnie Schneider and seconded by Bonnie Trample. Treasurer Virginia Hermanson gave her report.

Julia Tonder shared received correspondence: thank yous from Good Earth Village and REACT, and an invitation to attend an appreciation dinner for Teen Challenge Dec. 4 in Minneapolis. Newsletters from St. John’s Lutheran Community, Youth for Christ and Plymouth Youth Center will be placed in the library.

Jinni Olson, co-chairwoman of the luncheon at Holidays Ahead, needs more workers and three more desserts. Diane Damerow, chairperson of Holidays Ahead, has more poster available. All activities will be in Bethany Hall. Crafts will be in the multipurpose room, there will be used-a-bit room but no used-a-bit plus this year. Circle No. 35 will do the morning coffee.

Fredin emphasized two items. First, two vice presidents are still needed to fill the slate of FLCW officers for next year. Secondly, the Rev. Al Stoa needs help with visiting shut-ins. Each circle is encouraged to provide two people to help with this. Jackie Sletten shared what a blessing it is to visit with those who are homebound.

Trample read a history for the thank offering, an opportunity to show gratitude for God’s blessings. Everyone participated in reading the Litany of Thanksgiving, led by Mathison, and circles presented their thank offerings.

The hymn “Praise and Thanksgiving” LBW No. 409 was sung during the collection of the offering, after which Deloris Fligge gave the offering prayer based on 1 Chronicles 16:8. “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name: make known among the nations what He has done.”

Fredin thanked the following: ushers Marilyn Chafee and Carol Olson; greeters Marlene Behle, Gen Montei and Hazel Senske; and hostesses chairperson Kathryn Olson and her committee of Mavis Bryson, Carol Colstrup, Nancy Fulfs and Beverly Nelson.

Co-chairpersons Behle and Lois Jensen and their committee served six funerals in October.

The FLCW December meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. instead of 1 p.m. due to the Advent Adventure noon meal and concert.

The Advent workshop is 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Bethany Hall.

Lighthouse Event Center will present Simple Gifts with the Bill McLaughlin holiday concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at First Lutheran Church.

Advent Adventure will be Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Devotion and prayer will be at 11 a.m. in Bethany Hall. Lunch will be at 11:30 a.m. in Bethany Hall. Reservations are required by noon the Monday before. The recital will be from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. There will be a stroll through the Creche Walk at 1:15 p.m.

The meeting was closed by singing the table prayer and praying the Lord’s Prayer.