Fully Rely on God

On Dec. 5, with a temperature of 43 degrees, 43 people boarded a coach bus in Albert Lea with Dale Matson at the helm.

The bus, sponsored by Fully Rely on God of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, headed south of the border on Interstate 35.

Fifteen games of Deal or No Deal were played on the bus. Winners were Betty Gulbrandson, Rhonda Jacobson, Carol Bertelson, Dorothy Kirsch, Darlene Tue, Nancy Harris, Donna Stolaas, Jodie Johnson, Sandra Johnson, Cindy Olson, Dominic Olson, Jerry Jensen, Stacy Jacobson, Olivia Harris and Janice Dempewolf.

A Christmas stocking from the Albert Lea Convention and Visitor’s Bureau was given to each person on the bus. In the bags were coupons from Slumberland, DQ South, KFC, Arby’s and Pizza Ranch, all of Albert Lea.

The group reached the destination of Christmas by the Lake in Clear Lake, Iowa, and Matson parked the bus so riders could see the lighted Christmas parade. The fireworks shot over the lake from the bus. The group also toured Main Street and saw a variety of Christmas activities. The Chamber of Commerce in Clear Lake helped with arrangements and provided prizes on the bus.

After the fireworks the group loaded back on the bus and headed back to Pizza Ranch in Albert Lea where they dined before Lowell Elmer led the group in singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the Pizza Ranch staff.

The next Christmas by the Lake bus trip is planned for Dec. 3, 2016. The event is always scheduled on the first Saturday in December.

The next FROG party will be for Valentine’s Day. The group will enjoy pizza, pop, 12 games of Norwegian bingo and an ice cream buffet on Feb. 6 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.

 

St. John’s Auxiliary

St. John’s Auxiliary met at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14 in the St. John’s chapel. President Jan Jerdee welcomed everyone. Auxiliary Secretary Bonnie Schneider read the minutes of the Nov. 16 meeting. Treasurer LeAnn Knutson gave the treasurer’s report.

The auxiliary meetings in 2016 will be at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15, May 16, Aug. 15 and Nov. 21 at the chapel. Volunteer Coordinator Carl Reichel reported 946 hours for November. Day care had eight hours, one You & Me Club and one sing-along.

Activities Director Shirley Leeman listed the activities scheduled for January of 2016 as follows: Jan. 5 La Sasse, Jan. 8 folk music with Robert Coates, Jan 9 music with Dunnell Lenort, Jan. 15 country music by Debbie Norland, Jan. 22 music with Jonny Bird, Jan. 28 Kent Larson, and Jan 29 storyteller Bev Jackson-Cotter. Events are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The winter carnival will be at 1 p.m. Jan. 28.

Vice President Les Harmon read the names of residents celebrating December birthdays. Tim O’Shields led the group in the birthday song.

Churches thanked for serving Sunday coffee were Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Ascension Lutheran Church and East Freeborn Lutheran Church.

The program was provided by O’Shields. the minister of music, worship and arts at First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea. He told the story of Jesus’ birth with music, a piano and handbells. O’Shields also led the group in singing many familiar Christmas hymns.

O’Shields closed the meeting in prayer.

 

Lodge No. 44 Zare Zapadu

Lodge No. 44 met Dec. 6 at the American Legion in Glenville. Members enjoyed a potluck dinner with 40 members present. In the absence of President Dan Rayman, Vice President Dan Belshan presided over the meeting. The first order of business was the election of officers. The officers are the same as last year and are as follows: Rayman, president; Belshan, vice president; Jo Pacovsky, secretary; and Dennis Rayman and Marcella Nelson, treasurers. The trustees will be determined at the January meeting. Dennis Rayman provided the treasurer’s report and it was approved as read.

The YELL! Group went to Brian’s Elder Care in Albert Lea on Dec. 5 and played bingo and sang Christmas carols together. Afterwards, they enjoyed homemade Christmas cookies together.

At the meeting, there were four visitors: Robert and Bob Baley of Lodge No. 38 Zare Svobody of Austin; Rose Foss of London, Minnesota; and Stanley Vomacka of White Bear Lake.

The lodge has decided that for every check there will be three signatures — that of the president and the two treasurers — regardless of the check amount. There was no update on the house the group bought, but the neighbor will be taking down the bad trees.

The group will have its annual pancake breakfast March 6 at the American Legion in Glenville. Group members are asked to attend.

The 2016 Czech Fest will be Sept. 10 and Sept. 11 and Mollie B. will perform. The group is planning to have a Czech meal and church service on Sunday. Group members are asked to mark their calendars.

The lodge will also sponsor an ad in the Glenville-Emmons yearbook. At the meeting members collected items for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester and The Salvation Army food shelf in Albert Lea. In addition to the 78 pounds of food collected, the group donated $250.

Members brought in Christmas cookies, kolache, candy and various fruits for the Christmas gift plates, which will be given to individuals in the community. The group delivered 18 plates. Lodge member Bonnie Belshan gave a Christmas reading regarding the Czech Fest. She was thanked for doing so. The door prize winner was Roger Rayman. The meeting was concluded.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at the American Legion in Glenville. Members are reminded to bring a dish to pass.

 

Mansfield 4-H

The Mansfield 4-H club had its December meeting at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Helland home. The meeting was called to order by President Austin Suhr. Roll call was taken and seven members and six adults were present. The secretary’s report was given by Raven Suhr. The treasurer’s report was given by Jacob Songstad.

Raven Suhr and Adam Suhr attended the fall leader training. Kris Songstad noted that members needed to be re-enrolled before the new 4-H year.

The next meeting is at 5 p.m. today at Mansfield Town Hall. The meeting was adjourned.

Snacks were enjoyed and white elephant gifts were exchanged, as well.

 

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary hosted a potluck and bingo party Dec. 6. The party was preceded by Santa’s visit, the reading of the Hospice tree names and the Hospice tree being lit. There were approximately 40-45 people partaking in the potluck and just about as many for the bingo. The group played bingo for more than an hour. They handed out over 200 prizes and everyone won several times. The group would like to thank Jeff Dahlen for doing the calling of the numbers. Next year’s potluck and bingo party was scheduled for Dec. 4, 2016.