Lens and Shutter

The Lens and Shutter Photography Club had its Dec. 19 meeting and Christmas party at the home of Carol and Ken Bergelson with club president Darcy Sime presiding. Eleven members and guests were in attendance.

The December competition category was iconic landmarks. Members receiving awards were John Eisterhold, first place for “Freeborn County Courthouse;” Sime, second place for “Mt. Rainier Washington;” and Mitch Pederson, third place for “Split Rock Lighthouse.”

Receiving honorable mentions were Carol Haroldson, Sime and Pederson. Members receiving merit awards were Haroldson, Carol Bergelson and Alison Witter.

In N4C News it was announced that the club newsletter received first place recognition for the club year of 2018 to 2019. Jim Wendel, the newsletter editor, received the award.

Other members receiving awards in N4C competitions in November were John and Linda Eisterhold and Sime.

The next meeting was at 7 p.m. Thursday. The program was macro photography by Sime. Members and guests were reminded to bring their cameras.

Anyone interested in learning more about photography is welcome to attend the club meetings. The group meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea in room 465 on the lower level.

 

Duplicate Bridge

Duplicate bridge was played Jan. 7. Nine teams vied for places and prizes at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Jim Fisher and Dave Ring, first place; Larry Crowe and Bill Momsen, second place; Edna Knobbe and Rick Stroup, third place; and Vandy Newman and Ron Peters, fourth place.

Duplicate bridge was played Jan. 8 at the Austin Senior Center. Winners were Larry Crowe and Jim Fisher, first place; Vandy Newman and Ron Peters, second place; Tom Flaherty and Stan Schultz, third place; and Dave Ring and Rick Stroup, fourth place.

Duplicate Bridge is played weekly at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and noon Wednesdays. Players come from Austin, Adams, Rose Creek, Albert Lea, Northwood and Mason City. On Jan. 8, the group welcomed a team from Blue Earth. The early start Wednesday is to accommodate players with longer travel distances, allowing them to get home before dark, especially during the winter.

The primary goal of these sessions is to advance the game of Duplicate Bridge, a game which has been associated with cognitive benefits for those at risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Duplicate bridge is a competitive game in which players vie for both places and prize money. All bridge players are encouraged to compete and are not obligated to become members to do so. Those who need a partner can call 507-437-2750 to guarantee their seat.

 

TOPS MN Chapter 979

TOPS MN Chapter 979 has announced its division winners for November and December. The November division winner was Sandi Ouederkirk, Division 4.

Weekly best losers were Barb Solberg, week one; Aisha Heard, week two; and Ourderkirk, week three.

Weekly incentive winners were Rosie Leegaard, LeAnn Jones and Mary Louise Wirkus.

The November contest was a raffle. Winners were Ouederkirk, Lois Goodnature, Peggy Inderlie and Fredia Johannsen.

Challenge winners were Katie Koziolek, Betty Johnson and Wirkus.

Showers took place for Freida Johannsen and Peggy Inderlie.

December division winners were Koziolek, Division 3; and Wirkus, Division 4. December quarterly division KOPS winners were Darlene Hauge, Johannnsen, Wirkus, Fern Rockwell and Inderlie.

Weekly best losers were Pat Sorenson, week one; Johnson, week two; and Sorenson and Koziolek, week three.

Weekly incentive winners were Hauge and Johnson.

The December contest was a raffle. Contest winners were Johnson, who won twice, Janice Schroeder, Laureen Hohansse, Rose Rolands, who won three times, Ouederkirk, who one twice, and Sorenson. The holiday contest winner was Ouederkirk, who received $3 and also won December bingo. Holiday KOPS winners were Hauge, Johannsen, Rockwell, Daniel and Mary Louise Wirkus, who all received $1. December challenge winners were Darlene Kenison, Laureen Hohansee and Johnson.

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. Thursdays in the Albert Lea Senior Center in Skyline Plaza to weigh in and learn about healthy lifestyles.