Duplicate Bridge Club

Duplicate Bridge Club played at six tables on Oct. 25 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Theresa Baldus and Harriet Oldenberg, first place; Lorraine Quinlivan and Barb Rofshus, second place; Gene Mucho and Ron Peters, third place; Gail and Ray Schmidt, fourth place; Lorraine Lippert and Russ Valle, fifth place; and Larry Crowe and Bud Higgins, sixth place.

Duplicate Bridge was played at five tables on Oct. 26 at the Senior Center. Winners were Tom Flaharty and David Ring, first place; Gus Brandt and Stan Schultz, second place; Larry Crowe and Ray Schmidt, third place; Edna Knobbe and Cleo Osmundson and Eunice Michaelis and Warren Behrends, fifth place.

Players came from Adams; Albert Lea; Austin; Mason City, Iowa; and Rose Creek to play. According to a press release, Duplicate Bridge is a highly competitive card game, challenging one’s skill in the bidding and the playing of the hand. Anyone who is interested in playing, but does not have a partner, can call 437-2750.

Duplicate Bridge is played at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and noon on Wednesdays at the Senior Center. The public is invited to attend.

National Active Retired Federal Employees

National Active Retired Federal Employees Chapter No. 469 met Oct. 11 at Pizza Ranch in Albert Lea. Al Batt was the speaker and talked to the group about time he spent in Haines, Alaska. Committee reports were given. Attendees were reminded open season to make insurance changes is Nov. 14 through Dec. 12. The chapter will not meet in December. The next meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at Pizza Ranch in Austin.

United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women met Oct. 5. Members of Mary Grace Circle presented the program on the history of various composers of hymns. Those participating were Jerry Horswell, Judy Kary, Lea Nolting and Norieta Rippentrop.

President Horswell opened the business meeting by thanking Martha Circle for serving and Mary Grace Circle for the program.

The September minutes and circle attendance were given by JoAnn Seuser. After explaining receipts and expenditures, treasurer Ruth Vermedahl asked the group for input on ordering less copies of Upper Room magazine. Members approved Vermedahl to do so.

Social action person Sharon Nelson reminded members to pray for those on the church’s prayers list and for the nation.

Marcia Moyer reminded the group that the United Methodist Women served afternoon coffee time to St. John’s residents on Oct. 16. Volunteers were needed for dessert and workers.

Carolyn Smith requested that Christmas gifts for Emma Norton Services be at the church by Nov. 23. Horswell cited an article in Interpreter magazine about other United Methodist Church Women that are adopting a local school as part of their ministry.

Members were asked to think of ways to use the L & G dollars and to discuss whether or not to meet in the winter months. The next meeting was scheduled for Nov. 2. Mary Grace Circle served and the program was by Martha Circle.

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at noon for its annual reformation luncheon on Oct. 12 in Bethany Hall. Pianist Joan Holt provided prelude music.

Co-president Janice Lestrud gave the welcome. Hazel Senske based her devotions on Martin Luther, whose life is honored by the church at reformation. Born in 1483, his life was dedicated to promoting the Bible and a life of faith.

Lestud introduced The CDs, comprised of Linda Hill, Audrey Klihn and Julie Quamme, who provided the program. They women are retired choral directors from Rake, Iowa; Bricelyn and Kiester. Among the trio’s selections were versions of “Every Time I Hear the Spirit,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Let Me Be There,” and “Jesus Loves Me.” Brett Pederson, a United South Central senior and grandson of one of the members, sang “What a Wonderful World.” The program ended with the blessing “May You Always.”

Co-president Marge LaFrance conducted the business meeting. The secretary’s report was approved as printed with a motion by Donna Ludtke and seconded by Cheryl Moran. The quarterly report was included with the minutes. Treasurer Virginia Hermanson presented the report, which will be placed on file for audit.

Correspondence secretary Bonnie Trampel had received thank you notes from Al Batt, the Radio Fund and Peace and Power. She also received a newsletter from Global Health Ministries and information from Bev and Earl Thompson about Nepal Social Service Fund  literacy project.

There was no old business.

There were a few changes in Holidays Ahead, which will be Nov. 19. Coffee and goodies will be available from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will also be lefse, baked goods and circle tables. There will not be a used a bit shop. Nancy Sorlie and Mary Stapleton are in charge of a new feature, gift basket silent auction. Groups or individuals can create themed gift baskets of any size.

Julie Gilbertson, representing the Social Ministry Commission, reported on the Lutheran world relief gathering on Oct. 8. She thanked all those who contributed, including the group’s quilters, who sent 144 quilts; and the Sunday school collaboration with FLCW, who assembled 124 school kits. Fifty-five churches participated. Donations included 1,500 quilts and blankets, 2,400 school kits, 500 person care kits, 455 baby care kits, 12 cases of soap and $2,800 cash for shipping.

LaFrance thanked hostess co-chairwomen Hermanson and Helen Lovik and their committee of Marilyn Chafee, Audrey Christensen, Kathy Olson, Arlis Smith, Julie Tonder and Maxine Wignes, who prepared and served the luncheon; greeters Marvis Bryson and Jinni Olson; and Hermanson and Cheryl Moran, who decorated.

Co-chairwomen for sharing and caring, Neva Mathison and Marge Moine, and their committee served five funerals in September.

The TTT Belgian waffle breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today in Bethany Hall and The Arc chili and soup supper will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 in Bethany Hall.

The meeting was closed in praying a prayer by Martin Luther in unison.