Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary No. 552 started the new year with its meeting Sept. 16 at the Freeborn American Legion. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance and the auxiliary pledge were recited.

Anderson gave the secretary’s report, and it was approved as read. The treasurer’s report was also given and approved.

The poppy report from May was given under old business. The group decided on its poppy order for the coming year and they will be ordered by the treasurer.

Memberships were discussed. The group still has a few members who have not yet renewed. Anderson will be notifying them in the next newsletter.

Anderson announced that the new department president is Donna Arends and the new First District president is Cheryl Nymann. Anderson will be inviting the Arends to the group’s upcoming events.

There was a lot of new business. It was stated that next year the national auxiliary will be taking $3 more from each member, and therefore the group will need to increase its yearly dues by $3 for next year.

The date for Community Coffee Time was set. It will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Legion. The group’s monthly meeting will follow afterwards.

Santa/Hospice tree lighting/Christmas potluck and bingo party will be on Dec. 3 at the Freeborn American Legion. Santa will arrive at 3 p.m. and his visit will be sponsored by the Freeborn American Legion. The auxiliary will serve coffee and cookies while Santa is there. The Hospice tree lighting ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. with the reading of the names to be remembered. The auxiliary pot luck will follow at approximately 5 p.m. and bingo will begin at approximately 6 p.m. The entire community is invited attend. No one leaves bingo empty handed and it is free to play.

The date for the auxiliary annual soup and pie/dessert will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Freeborn American Legion.

The group dispersed some of theauxiliary funds from the poppy and general funds by donating to the department president’s project, to the $5 bill shower, ALA Hospital and to the Christmas gift shop. The group also donated to the First District president and Junior Auxiliary district presidents’ projects.

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Oct. 21.

Tops MN Chapter No. 979

Tops MN Chapter No. 979 announced its July and August winners.

July division winners were Mary Louise Wirkus, Division 2, 3.8 pounds; and Laureen Hohansee, Division 4, 2.8 pounds.

Weekly biggest losers were Barb Solberg, week one, 6.4 pounds; Janice Schroader, 3.6 pounds, week two; Elayne Wichmann, 1.6 pounds, week three; and Barb Soper, week four, 3.2 pounds.

August division winners were LeAnn Jones, Division 3, 1.2 pounds; and Donna Rice, Division 4, 3.8 pounds.

Weekly biggest losers were Shirley Schuster, week one, 2.6 pounds; Judy Thorson, week two, 4.6 pounds; Wirkus, week three, 6.6 pounds; Wirkus, week four, 6.4 pounds; and Rosie Leegaard, week five, 2 pounds.

Do and draw contest winners were Betty Johnson and Nancy Jenson.

There was a paper shower for Betty Hanson

Tops — 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 MN Chapter 979 meets at 9 a.m. on Thursdays in the Albert Lea Senior Center in Skyline Plaza to weigh in and learn about healthy lifestyles.