The Grapevine Twist Square Dance Club

The Grapevine Twist Square Dance Club hosted a dance on Jan. 9. The group had two squares dancing most of the evening. There were 11 members and eight guests in attendance. The group thanks the guests and everyone who came out to dance. Wayne Kubicek was the caller. He ended the dance with a “Virginia Reel.”  A potluck was served by Al and Norma Hoerler. The next dance will be at 7 p.m. Saturday with Ernie Auringer calling.

 

Ascension Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Rev. Mark Boorsma installed the following Ascension Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association Officers for 2016 at the 9 a.m. church services Jan. 10: co-presidents Lola Evans and Denise Sandager; secretary, Lorraine Schaper; treasurer, Cheryl Venem; Mission in Growth, Joan Anderson; Mission in Action, Ruth Furland and Alice Jensen; Mission in Community, Lynn Hestness; prayer coordinator, Elaine Struck.

Following the church services, the Ascension Lutheran Church Women of ELCA had its monthly meeting. Sandager opened the meeting with devotion. Evans conducted the meeting. The secretary’s report was read and approved. Correspondence was read from Nepal Social Service. Committee reports were given. Anderson talked about ways to share the group’s Gather magazine. Furland reported quilting will be at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Quilting is open to all who can come help. Hestness reported on the recent activities she has done. In old business, a second vote was taken and approved to change by-laws on donating to the education committee for purchasing Bibles for Ascension students. In new business, the WELCA booklets for 2016 are being printed and will soon be delivered. Doris Guenthner will set up a time to cut and roll bandages. Members are asked to bring in white sheets. The next meeting will be after church services Feb. 14. The meeting was adjourned with a prayer.

 

Lodge No. 44 Zare Zapadu

Lodge members met on Jan. 4 at the American Legion in Glenville. After a delicious potluck supper, all 38 members recited the Pledge of Allegiance with Vice President Dan Belshan presiding. There was a moment of silence for those who had passed away. This month the group installed its lodge officers as well as its trustee. Secretary Joe Pacovsky read the minutes from the Dec. 6 meeting and it was approved as read. Dennis Rayman, treasurer, reviewed the current checkbook balance as well as bills. They were approved as read, too. The group received thank you cards from individuals who received Christmas goodie plates and the Ronald McDonald House for the donation.

Brian’s Elder Care of Albert Lea also sent a thank you to the YELL! Group for the great time they had in December when members played bingo, listened and sang Christmas carols and ate Christmas cookies with the residents. Lodge member Frances Kycek updated the group on cards she had sent during the month. The group thanked her for her work.

The group has a new group member, Ann Estes. The group is glad to have her as a member because she is helpful and a great asset to the organization. The group welcomed her and extended their appreciation for everything she does.

During the meeting, YELL! Group members made sunshine cards for a local nursing home. The annual pancake breakfast will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 6 at the American Legion in Glenville. Members are encouraged to attend. The group will also have a bake sale as a fundraiser for the YELL! Group.

The monthly door prize winner was Kycek. The next lodge meeting will be Feb 1 at the American Legion in Glenville. The potluck will begin at 5:30 p.m. Members are asked to bring a dish to pass and plan to attend.

 

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Jan. 13 in Bethany Hall. Co-president Marge LaFrance welcomed everyone. Donna Ludtke gave devotions about a Christmas creche. Members were told, “In this unpredictable, uncertain world, Jesus is our source of strength — the message of hope, born in a manger. Reminder for the New Year — spread the good news to others.”

As a group, the FLCW purpose statement was read.

Joan Holt installed the 2016 officers and executive board. Co-presidents are LaFrance and Janice Lestrud; vice-president, Jo Hanson; secretary, Julia Tonder; corresponding secretary, Bonnie Trampel; treasurer, Virginia Hermanson; assistant treasurer, Gen Montei; and past presidents Joyce Fredin and Ludtke.

Ludtke introduced Shirlie Brownlow and Tim O’Shields who provided the program “Angels,” which included visual projections of art/paintings. Brownlow gave an informative presentation about the creation, characteristics and classifications of angels and angel visitations in the Bible, all supported by verses from scripture. O’Shields played an original composition and accompanied the audience in singing several familiar songs throughout the program.

LaFrance and Lestrud led the memorial service in tribute to the deceased members in 2015. They include Darice Hamberg, Lorraine Slette, Hazel Bennett, Joy Sanders, Darla Christianson, Nylene Wasmoen, Harriet Sola, Beverly King, Beatrice “Beady” Stensrude, Ardell Anderson, Shirley Yokiel, Patricia Dockham, Susan Laite, Twyla Laite, Gloria Walk, Helen Helland, Anna Oberg, Donna Thon, Dolores A. Stovern, Lois Drommerhausen, Helen McMullen, Carol Ann Jacobson, Lavonne “Bonnie” Bonnerup, Deloris Emery, Martha Flugum, Jeanette Johnson, Ilene Blowers, Jeanette Olson and Genevieve “Gen” Vollum.

The secretary’s report was approved as printed with a motion by Nancy Jenson and seconded by Neva Mathison. Hermanson gave the treasurer’s report.

Trampel received thank yous from the Dale Sorenson family, a pastor, the parish nurses, the FLC radio fund and Mt. Carmel Ministries. The Lutheran Social Service newsletter and Interchange issue from Women of ELCA will be available in the library. There was also a report from Nepal Social Service Fund.

Members were reminded to furnish muffins on the second Tuesday of the month for Youth for Christ.

The 2016 FLCW program booklets have been printed and are available for all members. Lestrud will be signing up secret prayer partners. LaFrance thanked past co-presidents Ludtke and Fredin for their leadership this past year; the board has given a donation to Peace and Power in their honor.

The hymn “Give to Our God Immortal Praise”” was sung during the offering after which Donna gave the offering prayer.

LaFrance thanked the ushers Mathison and Bonnie Schneider; greeters, Phyllis Hamborg and Marge Moine; hostesses co-chairwomen Arlis Smith and Helen Lovik and their committee of Marian Ahneman, Deb Hanson, Sharon Johnson and Lestrud.

Co-chairwomen Carol Frydenlund and Joni Rowe and their committee served two funerals in December.

The annual meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Stone Soup will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Arc Waffle Breakfast will be at 9 a.m. Jan. 31 in Bethany Hall. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten Season Feb. 10.

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