Women Veterans of Freeborn County

At 11:30 a.m. June 1, the regularly-scheduled meeting of Women Veterans of Freeborn County met at American Legion Post 56 in Albert Lea.

Women veterans present included Judi Olson, Deanna Luedtke, Joan Paczkowski, Ruth Perry and Pat Johannsen.

The treasurer’s report given.

The group discussed taking friend Marge Lukehart to lunch Thursday, when she had planned to be in Albert Lea. Olson made a motion to pay for her lunch and Johannsen seconded it. The motion was carried. The group planned to meet at 1 p.m. at Trail’s Travel Center on Interstate 90 if that time is alright with Lukehart and her daughter. Luedtke will call them.

The Morin Lake Days parade is Saturday in Alden. Luedtke  sent in the application and will drive. All are to meet at about 5:45 p.m at the American Legion.

The Albert Lea parade is on July 3. Luedtke sent in the application and will drive. All are to meet at 4:45 p.m at the American Legion.

Paczkowski has volunteered to host a cook-out at 4 p.m. July 13 for all women veterans. Those present each selected a dish to bring.

Commander Wes Halverson 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 meets at 11:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 56 on the first Wednesday of every month. The group would encourage all women military veterans to join them for an informal lunch, discussion and camaraderie. Due to the parade on July 3, the group has cancelled its July meeting. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 3. For more information call Luedtke at 414-530-3982.

 

National Active and Retired Federal Employees

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 469 met April 12 at Pizza Ranch in Austin. Paul Spyhalski spoke on the history of the Southern Minnesota Baseball League. Committee reports were given. Members were also given information on the National Active and Retired Federal Employees state convention, which was May 24 and May 25 in Willmar, and the national convention, which will be Aug. 28 through Sept. 1 in Reno, Nevada.

The next chapter meeting will be Tuesday at Pizza Ranch in Albert Lea. The speaker will be Al Batt.

 

TOPS MN Chapter 797

TOPS MN Chapter 797 has announced its April and May division winners.

April division winners were Gina Wadding, Division 1; Janice Schroeder, Division 2; Rose Rolands and Laureen Hahansee, Division 3; Pat Sorenson, Division 4; and Darlene Kenison, Division 5.

Weekly biggest losers for April were Barb Solberg, week 1; Sorenson, week 2; Frieda Johannsen, week 3; and Rolands, week 4.

Paul Sorenson won four stars and Schroeder was the bingo winner.

There was a paper shower for Peggy Indrelie and a fruit shower for Lorraine Wallace.

May division winners were Schroeder, Division 2; Betty Gavle, Division 3; and Sorenson, Division 4.

Weekly biggest losers for May were Wallace, week 1; LeAnn Jones, week 2; Schroeder, week 3; and Sorenson, week 4.

Wallace was recognized for four weeks of consecutive loss. Gavle was the bingo winner.

There was a coin shower for Indrelie, a fruit shower for Nancy Jenson and Schroeder and a paper shower for Ardis Bang.

April shower contest winners were KOPS Jenson, Bang and Indrelie and TOPS winners were Wallace and Solberg. Runners-up were Gavle and Schroeder.

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 Minnesota 979 meets Thursday mornings at the Senior Center in the Skyline Plaza to weigh in and learn about healthy lifestyles.

 

American Legion Auxiliary

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 56 met at 7 p.m. June 1 at the American Legion. The meeting was opened with a salute to the flag. Acting Chaplain Carol Smith offered a prayer. Taps was played and a moment of silence in the memory of the group’s dead was observed. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and one stanza of the national anthem was sung. The preamble to the American Legion Auxiliary was read by all.

Secretary Ange Larson called the roll of officers and gave her report from the last meeting. Treasurer Deanne Adams gave her report. Both reports were approved.

Committee reports were given by Larson. Two citizenship awards and two scholarships were given at the Albert Lea High School awards night. Recipients were Jay Skaar, Karina Stripe, Alyssa Christianson and Lindsey Nelson.

Bonnie Schneider reported there were 336 members as of May.

Audrey Johannsen thanked those who helped offer poppies to the public on May 20.

Karen Cibert announced that back-to-school supplies in the amount of $1,052 were donated and 325 pounds of after-school snacks were collected. Cibert announced she be accepting back-to-school supplies again this year starting in July. Items needed include glue sticks, backpacks, erasers, plastic desk boxes, No. 2 pencils, wide-ruled tablets, among other items. In September the group will collect after-school snacks again. The group then played a variation of bingo, called Blemoosh. The group also collect pop tabs, milk moolah, box tops for education and Country Hearth UPCs. They can be brought to the club.

National Security Chairwoman Betty Anderson is still collecting coupons to be sent to troops.

The incoming commander of Post 56, Robert Friday, was a guest and said a few words. He asked for help from the Auxiliary on July 3 and July 4.

New officers for 2016-17 are Bonnie Schneider, president; Larson, secretary; Adams, treasurer, Kim Thomas, chaplain; Carol Smith, sergeant-at-arms; Carol Olson, historian; and Smith and Cibert, executive board. The group still needs a first and second vice president. Installation of officers will be at 7 p.m. June 20 at the club.