Freeborn County Republicans are planning a garden party from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at the home of Al and Pat Arends, 1645 Massee St. Laura Broad, state representative from New Prague, will speak. Hors d’oeuvres and dessert will be served. Tickets are $5 per person and available at Addie’s Floral & Gifts and Doyle’s Hallmark. Here, organizers of the event relax in the Arends garden. Seated, from left, are Dorothy Erlandson, Marlene Behle, Pat Waters and Nancy Wright. In back are Pat Arends, Jan Overgaard and Patti Elwood.