United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women of Albert Lea met May 3 in the fireside room.

Merle Stensrud opened the meeting with a piano selection of an original composition by her grandson, Noah Walton.

Members of Mary Grace Circle presented the memorial UMW program, “Love is as Strong as Death.” United Methodist Women members who have died this past year were Lou Denzene, Barb Haeska, Micki Miller, Evelyn Smith, Lavonne Olson, Gladys Wagner, Bernice Tolbers and Barb Ganske. Members of the group shared memories of those friends.

Minutes of the April meeting and circles attendance were read by secretary JoAnn Seuser.

Treasurer Ruth Vermedahl gave the treasurer’s report. She will pay the balance of the Southern Prairie District dues and the Upper Room subscription.

Social action chairwoman Sharon Nelson asked for prayers for the people affected by recent tornadoes and flooding in the South.

Judy Kary, sunshine chairwoman, reported that seven cards were sent in April.

Reading program chairwoman Judy Hargrave reported on a book titled “A Man Called Ove.” She recommended it to all readers.

Stensrud asked if better communication about United Methodist Women could be given to new UMC members. Stensrud will contact church council members.

The “A Day Apart” retreat will be on Tuesday at Open Door United Methodist Church in Kiester. Further information will be posted in the narthex on the UMW board.

The meeting was closed with the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer.

Mary Grace Circle will serve at 9:30 a.m. and the program, which will be led by Just Three, will be at 10 a.m.

Duplicate Bridge Club

Duplicate Bridge Club winners from May 30 were Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, first place; Vandy Newman and Bud Higgins, second place; Edna Knobbe and Rick Stroup, third place; Loren Cleland and Dave Ring, fourth place; Gail and Ray Schmidt, fifth place; and Larry Crowe and Jim Fisher, sixth place.

Winners from May 31 were Dave Ring and Orrin Roisen, first place; Larry Crowe and Jim Fisher, second place; Gail and Ray Schmidt and Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, tied for third place; and Loren Cleland and Bud Higgins, fourth place.

Duplicate Bridge plays at 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday and noon Wednesdays at the Senior Center in Austin. All bridge players are welcome. Those who need a partner can call 507-437-2750.

Freeborn American Legion

There was standing room only for the annual Memorial Day program May 29 at Freeborn Community Hall/Fire Hall in Freeborn. Forty-five percent of the Freeborn American Legion members were present to host the service.

The service was emceed by Ted Thisius and the reading of the names of area veterans buried in Freeborn Cemetery and Freeborn veterans buried elsewhere was given by Dale Grotson.

Membership certificates were presented to Art Christiansen for 70 years, Jim Beach for 50 years and Thisius for 50 years.

Tom Pagenkopf, lieutenant colonel of the Army Reserves, gave the address and the Legion then went to Freeborn Cemetery to decorate the graves. The graves at Hatch Cemetery had been decorated earlier in the morning. The gun salute was given by the Freeborn American Legion.