Women Veterans of Freeborn County

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Women Veterans of Freeborn County met Jan. 7 at the American Legion in Albert Lea.

Women veterans present included Ruth Perry, Judi Olson, Deanna Luedtke, Sandy Maiden, Bonnie Ravlin and guest Jane Maiden.

Maiden let the group know they donated over 240 pounds of food to the local food pantry in 2014. However, some of the donations were not weighed.

Maiden enlightened everyone on the origin of some words and how they came into common use.

The women’s veterans license plate became available Jan. 2. It was largely a Woman’s Initiative project and the group thanked them for their hard work in getting the law passed.

There was a short discussion on homeless veterans. There is one homeless shelter in the Twin Cities that is dedicated to women veterans only.

At November’s meeting $60 was collected to help a homeless veteran in Freeborn County. The family chosen declined our offer because they already had plans for both holidays. It was decided that some donors would give their donation to the food pantry and some wanted to have theirs reimbursed. Luedtke will take care of this.

The treasurer’s report was given.

St. John’s Lutheran Community home requested help with escorting residents around and with donations of cake and servers for multiple dates. Maiden made arrangements for herself, Olson and Ravlin to help serve March 8.

Luedtke read various articles of concern to all Veterans, including ones about hooded sweatshirts now available that say “God Found Some of the Strongest Women and Made Them Veterans,”  which cost $39.99; Social Security recipients will get a 1.7 percent cost of living raise; food and med stocks to watch, like Celgene — a blood cancer drug, Regeneron — for macular degeneration, Biogen Idec — for multiple sclerosis and Gilead — for hepatitis; brain research technology used to capture how the brain works at the speed of thought could lead to treatment of depression, strokes and Alzheimer’s disease; cancer treatment where doctors analyze tumors and choose specific treatment for individual patients, and researchers are also using patients own immune cells in ways that essentially turn them into “tumor fighting warriors;” new vaccines, two of which are being tested for fighting Ebola, along with ones for fighting  viruses like flu and other infectious disease; and one about caregivers pushing state legislation that would require hospitals to identify a designated family caregiver and give them specific instructions for care of the patient after discharge.

All members should bring an item of nonperishable food to donate to the food pantry after each monthly meeting. Maiden delivered the donations to the food pantry this month.

The next scheduled meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the American Legion. All women veterans from all services are welcome to join.

 

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 in Bethany Hall. Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt.

Co-President Donna Ludtke welcomed everyone and led the reciting of the purpose statement. Devotions were given by Jinni Olson.

Ludtke led the memorial service, giving tribute to the deceased members in 2014. They included Jessica Lokken, Dawn Omvig, Agnes Dolmetsch, Jeanette Mortenson, Cheryl Siblerud, Esther Dawson, Bernice O’Neal, LaVonne Oftedahl, Viola Greenfield, Sharon Jensen, Lois Jensen, Elaine Loheide, Donna Siblerud, Marian Stencel, Ila Hibbard, Norma Ingvaldson, Vivian Knutson, Charlotte Johnsrud, Eileen Flugum, Bernadine Gregerson, Thelma Hall, Dagnie Weum, Lavina Fellner, Jane Oiseth and Priscilla “Perk” Bergstrom. A token of appreciation was given to their family members in memory of their loved ones.

Special music was performed by Rachel Christianson, who played her harp. Since the anticipation of Christmas is over, the women now celebrate the joy of Epiphany. After a contemplative piece, Christianson played arrangements of the hymns “Bright and Glorious the Sky” and “As With Gladness Men of Old.”

Neva Mathison introduced Pat Mulso, executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, who spoke about genealogy — which has been a passion of hers for 49 years. Research in this field has changed tremendously with new technology and even DNA matches. Mulso encouraged working on family trees, asking questions of family members and coming to the museum to use its extensive resources.

Ludtke chaired the business meeting. The secretary’s report was approved as printed with a motion by Bonnie Schneider and seconded by Bonnie Trampel. Virginia Hermanson gave the treasurer’s report. The report will be placed on file for audit.

Trampel, corresponding secretary, read a thank you from Ann Satre for the Christmas poinsettia. The newsletter “Changing Lives” from Lutheran Social Service will be placed in the library.

Ione Kelly announced that all who wish to have a secret prayer partner this year should sign up after the meeting.

Janice Lestrud appeared on behalf of the FLCW board which had discussed ways to increase attendance at FLCW meetings. She asked that in April each member invite at least one other person who doesn’t normally come to meetings. Cindy Martin requested that the board consider changing the May tea to a Saturday, allowing more women and children to attend.

The group sang the hymn, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” after which Olson gave an offering of prayer of thanksgiving.

Ludtke thanked ushers Neva Mathison, Betty Ruud and Trampel; greeters Gen Montei, Bonnie Schneider and Hazel Senske; and hostesses and co-chairwomen Deloris Fligge and Karin Mattson and their committee of Jo Hanson, Elaine Panzer and Marilyn Johnson.

Caring and Sharing co-chairwomen Carol Frydenlund and Joni Rowe and their committee served two funerals in December.

Announcements included a BERC meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday in Bethany Hall and a Freeborn Lutheran Church blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in Bethany Hall.

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

 

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary No. 552 met Jan. 17 at the Freeborn American Legion hall. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The pledges were recited. The secretary and treasurer’s reports were given and approved.

Anderson presented a bill from the pot luck and bingo party. A motion was made and carried to pay her. Anderson gave a report on the how the pot luck/bingo party went. The number of people attending was up from previous years and a good time was had by those who attended. When the people were leaving, they said that they would be back next year!

A thank you was received from the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin Hospice Care for the group’s donation to “Set Memories Aglow.” The list of organizations that receive donations from the coffee shop was revised for 2015. It was announced that there are still three members who have yet to renew their memberships. The poppy order was mailed off but as of this writing, no poppies have been received.

The community sewing group met Jan. 7 and heart pillows, lap robes and quilts were completed. The auxiliary is looking for girls in the 11th grade in the area to attend Girls’ State. They are also looking for boys in the 11th grade in the area to attend Boys’ State.

With no other business the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Freeborn American Legion hall.