St. John’s Auxiliary

St. John’s Auxiliary met at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 19 in St. John’s chapel. President Jan Jerdee welcomed everyone and read the poem “Autumn.” The group sang “Abide With Us, Our Savior,” accompanied by Irene Goskeson on piano.

Auxiliary secretary Bonnie Schneider read the minutes of the September meeting and also the treasurer’s report. Reports were approved.

A motion was made and seconded to meet quarterly beginning in January of 2016. The motion was approved.

Volunteer Coordinator Carla Reichel reported there were 898 volunteer hours for September. She also announced some of the activities for November including the Emmons lutefisk dinner on Nov. 10; Veteran’s Day breakfast at 8 a.m. Nov. 11; Thanksgiving service on Nov. 25; and Christmas decorating at 8 a.m. Nov. 30.

Vice President Les Harmon read the names of residents celebrating October birthdays and then the group sang the birthday song.

Churches thanked for serving Sunday coffee were United Methodist, Hayward Lutheran, Pickerel Lake Lutheran and Bear Lake Lutheran.

The program was provided by Ascension Lutheran. Irene Anderson played many old time music songs on the accordion.

The Table Prayer was sung.

The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

 

Lens and Shutter Photography Club

The Lens and Shutter Photography club had its last meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 in Room 465 in the lower level of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. There were 10 members in attendance. Cheryl Neilon was a guest.

October’s competition category was graffiti. Members receiving awards were Mitch Pederson, first place for his entry, “Color My World.” Pederson also received second place for his “Eye Catching Walk.” John Eisterhold received third place for his entry “Falling Bricks.”

Members receiving honorable mentions were Linda Eisterhold, Ron Oyer and John Eisterhold. Carol Haroldson received a merit award.

Pederson received an honorable mention at the N4C year end awards for his panoramic entry titled “ARE Alley.”

The club newsletter editor Jim Wendel received an honorable mention for his newsletter entry into the N4C end of the year newsletter competition.

Wendel also gave a demonstration of Photoshop Elements and provided refreshments for the evening.

The group’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in Room 465 in the lower level of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. November’s competition category is open.

The club meets the third Thursday of the month from September through May. Anyone who would like more information can call 507-373-2862.

 

Grapevine Twist

The Grapevine Twist Square Dance Club hosted a dance on Oct. 10 at the Senior Center in Skyline Mall Plaza. Mary Mehus was the caller and called to over two squares. A potluck was served after the dance. Servers for the evening were Connie and Floran Peters. There was also a dance on Oct. 24. Ernie Auringer was the caller and cheese and fruit were served at the dance.

The Grapevine Twist Square Dancers danced for Autumn in the Village on Sept. 20 at the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

 

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary
No. 552

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary No. 552 had its meeting on Oct. 17 at Freeborn Legion Hall. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance and the auxiliary pledge were recited. The secretary and treasurer reports were given and approved.  The per capita dues and the junior dues were motioned to be paid and motion carried.

The group received information on its district president’s project for this year and will donate to her worthy cause. The treasurer will take care of this.

The group still has a few members who have not yet renewed their memberships for this year.  Anderson will add a note to the next newsletter.

The auxiliary’s plans for the community coffee time event set for Nov. 21 were finalized. Serving will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and the meeting will follow.  Pastries, coffee and juice are on the menu and will be served to the public free of charge.

Anderson asked if the group was going to send out veteran appreciation cards again this year to the members of the Freeborn American Legion. The answer was yes. Anderson will take care of this.

Anderson announced that she has invited both the district and the department presidents to upcoming events. Anderson told the members that if anyone is interested in receiving the district newsletter per e-mail that she can send in their e-mail address. The letter comes once a month.

The next meeting will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 following the community coffee time.

 

Women Veterans of
Freeborn County

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Women Veterans of Freeborn County was on Oct. 7 at American Legion Post No. 56 in Albert Lea.

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

Minutes from the last meeting were read. The group updated each other about their families.

The group had a special guest this month. An employee from the Veterans Affairs office joined the group and gave them some background information. She will help develop a letter of invitation to all women veterans and send them out. Luedtke will contact her to set up a time frame.

The group received a letter of request for a donation of $100 to the Ride Share program. After some discussion the group decided they were unable to provide the requested amount to its meager budget. Paczkowski made a motion to donate $25. The motion was seconded by Lukehart. Luedtke will forward a check.

The group discussed Veterans Day but made no firm plans.

Luedtke read a letter inviting the group to participate in the Christmas tree display at Northbridge Mall. The theme is Winter Wonderland. The group decided to participate and Luedtke will make the arrangements.

Luedtke shared an article about the changes in long term care in the 2015 legislative session. She said there is a shortage in professional caregivers such as nurses and aides. Due to the shortage, some facilities are suspending admissions. It has been determined that there are about 2,800 vacant nursing facility jobs in the state. Reforming nursing facility reimbursement is also an issue. Chronic underfunding and a piecemeal approach to funding for more than a decade have weakened providers making it nearly impossible to provide competitive wages and benefits. The state of Minnesota currently ranks eighth in having the largest shortfall of reimbursement. Lastly, there is a need to create a sustainable funding model for home and community based service such as assisted living. State funding for this has fallen far short of actual need causing shortages of caregivers.

Providers want to continue to preserve access to the most independent setting possible. The payment reform proposal, which was passed by the 2015 legislature and signed by Gov. Mark Dayton fully implements a new operating payment system on Jan. 1, 2016, for the Minnesota nursing facilities that participate in Medicaid. This will provide $138 million in additional funding to nursing homes over the next two years.

Nancy Halvorson at Senior Resources has the caregivers program and Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea has contact with the VA for veterans with 70 percent disability.

The commander would like to see more women veterans at the monthly meetings.

Olson will ensure that the food donations are delivered to the food pantry.

The Women Veterans of Freeborn County meet at 11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 56 in Albert Lea. The group encourages all women military veterans to join the group for an informal lunch, discussion and camaraderie. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the American Legion. For more information call Luedtke at 414-530-3982.

 

United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women met Oct. 7. Judy Hargrave of Martha Circle read scripture relating to teaching children.

Carolyn Smith, also of Martha Circle, introduced Southwest Middle School Principal Steve Kovach and the school’s social worker Reese Drunkenmiller. Kovach and Drunkenmiller talked about the ways of Albert Lea United Methodist grant money is being utilized. The grant funds Bless the Children, an ongoing program between UMW and Southwest Middle School.

Jerry Horswell, president, thanked Hope Circle for serving and Martha Circle for the program. The secretary and treasurer’s reports were given. Adean Turner gave several readings reflecting on the Holy Communion. Fern Urbatsch shared an article from World Outreach magazine. It provides many opportunities to serve in mission in the United States and around the world.

Marcia Moyer thanked workers and those who provided dessert when members served afternoon coffee Sept. 27 at St. John’s Lutheran Community.

Hargrave reported on the two books, “Season of Salt” and “Yellow Star.” Both are available from the UMW book cart.

Smith read an article from the Emma Norton Service Newsletter. A list of Christmas gifts that can be purchased for the Emma Norton Home is posted in the narthex.

Norietta Rippentrop reported that the furnishings and equipment committee had ordered new large spoons and paring knives.

Marilyn Beckmann reported that there will be instillation of the new officers at the November meeting.

Smith and JoAnn Seuser will assemble the new circle books that will be printed by Jodi Bromeland. Circles are urged to turn in information for the books as soon as possible.

Marcelle Erntson talked about attending the Southern Prairie District meeting in Worthington. She purchased the new program book for 2015-16 year, which can be used by circles for general meetings and 2015-16 study books.

The next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with Mary Grace Circle serving and the program provided by Hope Circle.