Duplicate Bridge Club

Duplicate Bridge Club played Dec. 13 at the Senior Center in Austin. Six tables played. Play begins at 12:30  p.m. each Tuesday.

Winners were Judy Bungum and Dave Solomonson, first; Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, second; Gene Domino and Rick Stroup, third; Vandy Newman and Bud Higgins, fourth; and Barb Engebretson and Orrin Roisen, fifth.

Five tables played duplicate bridge Dec. 14, at the Senior Center in Austin. Play starts at noon every Wednesday.

Winners were Dave Ring and Orrin Roisen, first; Eunice Michaelis and Warren Behrends, second; Millie Seiver and Jim Fisher, third; Loren Cleland and Bud Higgins, fourth; and Gene Domino and Rick Stroup, fifth.

Women Veterans of Freeborn County

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Women Veterans of Freeborn County met at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at American Legion Post 56 in Albert Lea.

Women veterans present included Judi Olson, Deanna Luedtke, Joan Paczkowski, Marlene Strehlow, Pat Johannsen and Sandy Maiden.

Since November’s minutes weren’t published, the highlights are included in these minutes.

Strehlow was able to join the group this month. It was very nice to see her and her health is improving somewhat.

Ruth Perry made a motion to pay Johannsen for the yarn she uses in her prayer shawls for the annual meeting. It was seconded by Olson and a check was written to Johannsen.

Perry made a motion to discontinue supporting St. John’s Lutheran Community during its coffee and dessert Sundays. It was seconded by Julie Hamson and Luedtke will call and cancel the scheduled March time frame.

The group discussed the possibility of hosting the annual meeting in Albert Lea next fall. It was decided that the group was too small to be effective. Luedtke will notify Diane Mallory.

The December meeting was attended by Bonnie Carlson, Paczkowski, Olson, Hamson, Johannsen and Luedtke.

Unfortunately, Perry was in the hospital during the December meeting.

The group enjoyed a potluck Christmas luncheon. The ladies are great cooks. Luedtke took a loaded plate to Perry, along with a card signed by all the ladies and a bouquet of flowers.

Maiden shared many pictures and details of her California vacation and daughter’s graduation. The group thanked Maiden for sharing.

They discussed various drug and medication costs, and sad that some are insanely priced.

The treasurer’s report shoed $252.32 on hand.

Paczkowski made a motion to reimburse Johannsen for more yarn for prayer shawls in the amount of $38. It was seconded by Maiden and a check was written to Johannsen.

Johannsen made a suggestion that the group try to put aside “goodies” for the three care baskets that are distributed at the fall luncheon. This would include such things as small soaps, tissues or anything usable that would be appreciated in the baskets.

Luedtke gave a report on the new state laws governing caregivers. It covers caregivers from the time their loved one enters the hospital until they transition home. It also included changes in guardianship to ensure that laws are consistent from state to state, tele-health services to assist with medical care via technology, respite care to give caregivers a break and home- and community-based services to provide better access to home care.

Olson took the monthly food pantry donation in, and the group thanked her.

The Women Veterans of Freeborn meet at 11:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 56 on the first Wednesday of every month. They encourage all women military veterans to join them for an informal lunch, discussion and camaraderie.  Call Luedtke at 414-530-3982 if you would like more information.

Ascension Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA

The Ascension Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA had their regular meeting Dec. 11 following worship services. Co-president Denise Sandager began the meeting by handing out copies of the secretary’s report, which was approved. There was no treasurer’s report.

Quilting will begin again at 1 p.m. Jan. 5.

Results of the time and talent bazaar on Nov. 5 were reviewed. It was a great success and volunteers were thanked for their work. It was voted to disburse the funds as approved at last month’s meeting.

It was voted to give the church secretary and janitor Chamber bucks in appreciation of their work for WELCA this year.

The triennial convention will be July 13-16 in Minneapolis. Please see the WELCA bulletin board for more details.

Upcoming events are the Blue Earth River Conference on April 1 in Bricelyn, WELCA officer installation and the next  WELCA meeting, both on Jan. 8.