TOPS MN Chapter No. 979

TOPS MN Chapter No. 979 has announced its division winners for January and February.

January division winners were Lorraine Wallace, division 3; and Judy Thorson, division 4.

Weekly best losers were Rosie Leegaard, week three; and Betty Hanson, week four.

Lottery contest winners were Fern Rockwell, Frieda Johannsen and Rose Rolands.

Holiday contest winners were Daniel Wirkus, first place; and Mary Louise Wirkus, second place.

Wallace, Leegaard and Aisha Hear had over one pound of weight loss.

KOPS in black were Peggy Indrelie and Nancy Jenson.

February division winners were Hanson, division 3; Mary Louise Wirkus, division 4; and Daniel Wirkus, male division.

Weekly best losers were Leegaard, week one; Shirley Schuster, week two; Schuster, week three; and Hanson, week four.

There was a paper shower for Ardis Bang.

Lottery contest winners were Mary Louise Wirkus, Barb Solberg, Johannsen, Janice Schroeder and Mary Louise Wirkus.

Bingo winner was Betty Gavle.

Four stars winner was Schuster.

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.

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary met at 9 a.m. March 17 at Freeborn Legion Hall. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The American flag and the auxiliary pledges were recited.

The secretary and treasurer reports were given. Both reports were approved as read.

The bills were presented and approved.

The poppy order has not yet arrived.

The group received a reply from the Boys State candidate and Anderson sent in the form and the check that she received form the Freeborn American Legion gambling fund. The group did not receive a reply from the Girls State candidate.

The office list will be completed and mailed to the department and district offices by Anderson. Anderson will be the president; Sonja Honstad will be the secretary; Evelyn Neubauer will be the treasurer and membership chairwoman.

Anderson brought out the annual reports, and all began the work of getting them completed. She will put the finishing touches on them and mail them off.

It was announced that the Freeborn Sons of the American Legion will host a spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. today. They will serve spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, coffee and lemonade. Proceeds go to keep the flags flying in Freeborn.

It was also announced that St. Casimir’s School in Wells will host its major fundraiser on April 14.

The next auxiliary meeting will be at 9 a.m. April 21 at the Freeborn America Legion Hall. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Mansfield 4-H Club

The Mansfield 4-H meeting was on March 10 at the bowling alley in Forest City, Iowa. The club enjoyed bowling and pizza, and had its meeting after. The meeting was called to order by Vice President Tage Suhr. Roll call was given — three adults, four children and one guest was present. Secretary report was given an excepted by Raven Suhr. Treasury report was given excepted by Caleb Songstad. The club discussed share of the fun, leadership outing dates and the dates of the 4-H camps. For new business, the group talked about the livestock workshop, rabbit show that’s in Austin and a dog orientation in April. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be at Mansfield Town Hall, which will be their spring cleaning day, at 5 p.m. April 8.

First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Feb. 14 in Bethany Hall with President Donna Ludtke presiding. Joan Holt provided the prelude music.

Ludtke welcomed members and guests. Devotions were given by Holt. She spoke about how appropriate she felt it was that Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day were on the same day this year. She shared a cut-out of a heart with a cross in the middle, which the Rev. John Holt has used to show the perfect love that God has for His children. Holt gave each person two nails to take home and encouraged members to place them where they are visible during the season of Lent, as members follow the journey to the cross.

Ludtke then led the group in the reading of the First Lutheran Church Women purpose statement.

Joyce Fredin introduced the program speaker, Karen Cibert, who is in charge of the back-to-school supplies and healthy snacks fundraiser programs through the American Legion. She told about getting involved in this project after realizing there is a need for the programs for children and families in the community. There is a 51 percent poverty level in the community. She coordinates the fundraising of back-to-school supplies and healthy snacks with the elementary schools in the school district so that all children have supplies and snacks available to them. The social worker in each school district is her contact and helps distribute these supplies and snacks. They also help by sending food items home when needed. Cibert gave the members a flier with the list of back-to-school supplies needed and a flier with a list of healthy snack suggestions. These can be dropped off in a marked box at the Legion or at the church office.

The group sang the hymn, “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.”

Ludtke called the business meeting to order. The secretary’s report was approved by a motion made by Bonnie Schneider and secoded by Diane Damerow. Motion was carried. Cindy Gandrud presented the treasurer’s report. Corresponding secretary Bonnie Trampel reported that the group received thank yous for monetary gifts from Mt. Carmel, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association and Good Earth Village. The group received newsletters from the Satres missiony family and from Youth for Christ.

Jo Hanson reminded members to buy/sell Herberger’s Community Days coupon booklets. The sale of the booklets are a total profit for the mission project.

Schneider reminded members of the St. John’s Auxiliary meeting on Feb. 19 in the old chapel.

Gandrud reported on the 2018 budget and proposed distribution of excess funds for the year. They were approved at the Feb. 7 meeting. Hanson made a motion to accept 2018 budget and distribution of funds. Neva Mathison seconded. Motion carried.

Following a suggestion that First Lutheran Church Women should be giving school supplies locally, Damerow reminded members that half of the fall school kits were given to local schools.

Cindy Martin made a motion to change the August meeting time to Sunday afternoon to allow more to attend. There was no second to the motion. Motion died.

The hymn “There is a Name I Love to Hear” was sung during the regular offering followed by the offering followed by the offering prayer given by Holt.

Ludtke thanked ushers, Mathison and Hanson; greeters Helen Lovik and Arlis Smith; and hostess chairwoman Schneider with her committee of Phyllis Hamborg, Cheryl Moran, Virginia Thompson and Bonnie Trampel.

Caring and sharing co-chairwomen Bonnie Anderson and Deloris Fligge and their committee served two funerals in January.

Holiday’s Ahead crafters will meet at 9 a.m. Monday mornings in Bethany Hall. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Blue Earth River Conference Spring Event will be April 7 at Salem Lutheran Church.

The meeting closed with the table prayer and the Lord’s prayer.