Freeborn 4-H

The Freeborn 4-H Club met at 5 p.m. Dec. 8, 2012, at the Freeborn American Legion Hall. Vice president Chris Anderson called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken with five members and three parents present. There was no secretary’s report. The treasurer’s report was given by Chris Anderson.

Sandy Anderson presented numerous bills to be paid. They were from the food stand in July up to the present Christmas party. She also presented a bill from Renee Chicos for banner and booth supplies from the county fair. It was motioned and seconded to pay these bills.

Sandy stated that enrollment needed to be completed by Jan. 15.

Sandy handed out the club’s meeting dates and 4-H member’s addresses to those present.

The group discussed what community pride programs they would like to do this year. They will be selling red geraniums. Sandy will order 100 of them. The club will have its annual food shelf drive, probably in March. The group wants to make tie blankets and possibly give to the Red Cross or else use in silent auction baskets. The members also want to deliver cookies for the elderly around town. This may take place in April or May. The club plans to plant flowers in the barrels around town and down by the lake. Sandy will write a letter to the Freeborn American Legion Gambling Fund to help pay for the flowers for this project. One of the newer projects will be to help the Heritage Society with the new museum. The ground needs to be leveled and grass planted around the new building. Also, the old building needs to be painted.

Announcements for upcoming events at the county level were given.

The next meeting was at 4 p.m. Jan. 13.

The meeting was then adjourned. The annual Christmas party then started with a dice game and the winning of prizes. Pizza and pop were furnished by the club and enjoyed by all. There were numerous craft sheets available to do along with three crafts to make.

 

Annual Freeborn County Republican convention

The annual Freeborn County Republican Convention was Feb. 3 at the America’s Best Value Inn.

Katie Jacobsen of the leadership team called the convention to order followed by Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.

Following regular business of the convention, Al Arends, chairman of the nominating committee, placed into nomination for two year terms the following candidates for the leadership team: Katie Jacobsen, Susie Miller, Carol Nelson, John Forman, Ken Petersen, and Mike Dettle. All were duly elected. Arends is fundraising chairman and Jim Munyer was reelected treasurer.

Guest speaker for the day was Rich Murray, former state representative. Murray was welcomed and presented with a small token of appreciation for his faithful and dedicated service.

Delegates were asked to name three top national and state issues. In both cases the debt, spending cuts, balancing the budget, less regulations, more non-governmental jobs, and national defense were all leading issues.

Brian Ducklinsky and Eric Larson will work as team leaders to co-ordinate better communication.

 

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met Feb. 13 in Bethany Hall. Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt. Co-president Bonnie Trampel welcomed everyone to the February meeting.

Holt gave devotions for the February meeting on God’s love as evidenced in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

As a group, the purpose of the group was read.

Trampel introduced Julia Tonder who sang lovely Lenten seasons selections accompanied by Marilyn Chafee.

Jinni Olson introduced Patti Hareid, who is the public relations representative for Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. She gave a most interesting and informative program on the “Integration of Mayo.” Hareid also answered several questions that were important to the members of the group as well as guests attending the meeting.

The secretary’s report had been distributed prior to the meeting and was approved and placed on file.

The correspondence report was presented by Donna Ludtke and she reported on the thank yous from the Salvation Army, the ECLA, Jane Maiden, Al Christensen and Good Earth. Ludtke also mentioned the presentation, “Devoted Hearts” which is scheduled for April 26 and 27 at the Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester. There will be three different speakers at the event.

Old business: Church Women United is officially disbanded. The 2013 First Lutheran Church Women’s 2013 program booklet was distributed to all attending. Table cloths for the small tables which the group uses for its meetings in Bethany Hall were ordered and hopefully will be in soon.

New business: The group was reminded of the blood drive that was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 15. The budget, which had been included with the minutes, was reviewed and upon motion by Shirley Strand and seconded by Holt was unanimously approved. Also, the excess funds report was reviewed and upon motion by Ludtke and seconded by Ione Kelly, this report was also approved. Marge Moine suggested that the group purchase nine dozen teaspoons along with 12 dozen forks. A motion was made by Jane Loge, seconded by Gen Montei and unanimously passed that the group purchases these items for an amount of $717.09. A sign will be placed in the kitchen as there has been several items missing and in order to use any item in the kitchen, people need to check with those in charge before the item is taken from the kitchen.

The group sang hymn No. 324, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” as the offering was received. The offering prayer was given by Phyllis Hamborg.

Thank yous to: ushers: Deloris Fligge and Helene Westrum, greeters: Shirley Christopherson, Hamborg and Hazel Senske, hostesses: chairwoman, Loge, and her committee, Bev Grotsun, Vonnie Oftedahl and Ann Satre, caring and sharing: co-chairwomen, Fligge and Karin Mattson and their committee served five funerals in January.

Announcements were made. A blood drive was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 15. Special Lenten services scheduled for February are Ash Wednesday, soup and sandwich lunches at 11:30 a.m. in Bethany Hall, Lenten musical meditations at 12:15 p.m. in the sanctuary beginning Feb. 20, evening Lenten meals at 5:15 p.m. in Bethany Hall and Lenten worship at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

The meeting closed with the Lord’s prayer and said the table prayer before lunch was served.

 

Freeborn County Genealogy Society

The Freeborn County Genealogy Society met Feb. 11 at the Freeborn County Historical Musuem. Discussion was held on changes to the society bylaws, a library lock-in slated for March 18 and an upcoming trip to Salt Lake City in October. Lunch was served by Pat Goldman and Jane Maiden. The program was on genealogy “brick walls.”

 

Wa Tan Ye Service Club

The February meeting was called to order by president Dorothy Wedge. Roll call was taken. JoAnn Holstad read the minutes and also gave the treasurer’s report. Both were approved and placed on file.

Delores Weller read a letter from the Christmas tree festival thanking the group for participating. It also included information about next year.

The group collected $26 for the food shelf.

Wa Tan Ye week is March 10-16. The group will be selling dish cloths at the Northbridge Mall on March 9.

The group ushered at the Albert Lea Community Theatre on Feb. 14.

The district meeting will be April 6 in Cresco, Iowa.

Together the group read the Wa Tan Ye code of ethics and the meeting was adjourned. Weller was the hostess for the meeting. The next meeting will be on March 4.

 

TOPS

The TOPS Minnesota Chapter 979 announced its December and January winners.

Shower: Ardus Sanderson

Division winners: Janice Schroeder, Sandi Oederkerk, Schroeder, Rose Rolands, Oederkerk, Mindy Christenson, Keith Porter and Fern Rockwell.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a nonprofit weight-loss support group. There is no diet plan but support with others on the journey to health and wellness.

TOPS MN 979 meets at 9 a.m. on Thursdays at the Senior Center in the Skyline Plaza to weigh-in and learn about healthy lifestyles.