Duplicate Bridge

Six tables played duplicate bridge on Oct. 17 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Barb Engebretson and Orrin Roisen, first place; Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, second place; Theresa Baldus and Harriet Oldenburg, third place; Sophie Ehrhardt and John Laurie, fourth place; Russ Valle and Lorraine Lippert, fifth place; and Larry Crowe and Bill Momsen, sixth place.

Ten teams played duplicate bridge on Oct. 18 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Loren Cleland and Bud Higgins, first place;  Barb Rofshus and Lorraine Quinlivan and Vandy Newman and Ron Peters, tied for second place; and Gail and Ray Schmidt, fourth place.

Duplicate bridge is played at noon on Tuesdays and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Senior Center in Austin.

Players come from Adams, Rose Creek, Albert Lea, Austin, Northwood and Mason City. Those who would like to play, but need a partner, may call 437-2750.   

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary     No. 552

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary No. 552 hosted its regular meeting Oct. 21 at the Freeborn American Legion. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance and auxiliary pledge were recited. The secretary report was given and approved.

The per capita dues and junior dues have been paid. The group has four members who have not yet renewed their memberships for this year. Anderson will add a note to the next newsletter. The group has two new members.

Plans for the community coffee time event set for Nov. 18 were finalized. Serving will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and the meeting will follow at 10 a.m. Pastries, coffee and juice are on the menu and will be served to the public free of charge.

Anderson asked if the auxiliary was going to send out veteran appreciation cards again this year to the members of the Freeborn American Legion. The answer was yes. Anderson will take care of the cards.

Anderson announced that she invited the district president to the group’s upcoming events. The district president responded that she would be at the community coffee time in November and possibly at the group’s December event.

The sewing needs list has been received and was given to Viola Krogsgaard, who is making heart and neck pillows for the places that are in need of them.

Anderson told the members if anyone is interested in receiving the district newsletter per email they need to provide her with their email address.

The next meeting will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 18.

St. John’s Auxiliary

St. John’s Auxiliary met at 10 a.m.  Oct. 17 in St. John’s Chapel. The meeting was called to order by President Les Harmon.

Prayer was given by the Rev. Mark Boorsma of Ascension Lutheran Church. Janan Beenken, vice president, recited the purpose statement of St. John’s Auxiliary, which was “God has a purpose for us to help our patients.”

Treasurer Patti Kimble gave a review of what the group has purchased to help patients. All funds the group receives are spent on residents, including Christmas presents, decorating, gardening and other needs that arise.

There were 18 area churches represented at the meeting. Those who attended were thanked for coming and hearing how important they are for the auxiliary to continue its programs for the residents. A letter will be sent to all churches with meeting minutes, information and sign-up sheets for Sunday coffee. The group also needs more volunteers.

Quarterly meetings will take place in 2018. Meetings are scheduled at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19, May 21, Aug. 20 and Nov. 19, 2018, in St. John’s Chapel at the old campus.

Cindy Gandrud volunteered to be the auxiliary pianist for the meetings.

Communications will be sent to persons on the church list. Members are asked to keep the list and phone numbers up-to-date.

Bonnie Schneider, secretary, said it was very important to continue programs for the residents.

Lois Anderson from Salem Lutheran Church said the auxiliary was organized on Jan. 16, 1961. She said the things the group does for the residents are very important and believes the group needs to work together to ensure the services they provide continue.

Jan Jerdee from Ascension Lutheran Church asked for participation in the group’s programs. She said volunteers were needed for a chairperson for auditing, Christmas decorating, historian duties, nominating and Sunday coffee.

Carla Richel, volunteer coordinator for St. John’s, said coffee and desserts were needed for Sunday coffee. Desserts can be cookies, bars, cakes, pie or other desserts. A cash sponsorship may also be given.

Darrel Meyer, St. John’s board member from Trinity Lutheran, would like to see more communication between the board, auxiliary and churches so programs can continue.

A Q&A session took place and various churches had suggestions, which will be taken into consideration. Any other suggestions would be accepted.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.