First Lutheran Church Women

First Lutheran Church Women met at 1:15 p.m. Jan. 8 in Bethany Hall. Prelude music was provided by Joan Holt.

Bonnie Trampel welcomed everyone and led the reading of the purpose statement.

Devotions were given by Marlene Behle who talked about Helen Keller and her 49-year relationship with Anne Sullivan, which emphasized love and service to others.

Joyce Fredin and Trampel led the memorial service in tribute to the deceased memebers in 2013. They included Edna Aakre, Opal Bang, Marie Brackey, Lillian Dudley, Lucille (Lucy) Hanson, Arline Hanson, Beverly Hoium, Rhonda Koziolek, Evelyn Larsen, Irene Myre, Beatrice Olson, Peg Pechacek, Virginia Pentz, Sylvia Satter, Mildred Sigurdson, Bernice Stevens, Bernice Thompson, Sheila Walk and Mildred Wing. Hymn No. 75 “Bright & Glorious is the Sky” was sung by everyone.

Neva Mathison introduced Paula Wilson, funeral director at Bonnerup Funeral Service, who gave an inspirational presentation based on “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. The dates on a tombstone reveal the beginning and end of life, but what matters most is the dash between those years. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. We choose how we live, the essence of life, savoring the moment.

In the business meeting, the secretary’s report was approved as printed by a motion from Bonnie Schneider and seconded by Fredin. It will be placed on file. Virginia Hermanson gave the treasurer’s report.

In the absence of the corresponding secretary, Marge Moine reported that the group received thank you letters from Al and Nancy Stoa, Ann Satre, Rebekah Sousa, Jane Maiden, Neva Mathison, Anna Moberg, the FLC radio fund and the Salvation Army. Trampel also expressed her thanks to the group. Newsletters received will be placed in the library.

There was no old business.

In new business: Members may sign up for new secret prayer partners. Gen Montei is sending a card from the FLCW to member Martha Flugum for her 100th birthday.

The group sang hymn No. 479 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” during the offering. Phyllis Hamborg gave the offering prayer about epiphany.

Trampel thanked the following: ushers Sharon Johnson, Marge LaFrance, Moine and Betty Ruud, greeters Tep Christensen, Shirley Christopherson and Phyllis Hamborg, hostesses co-chairpersons Helen Lovik and Arlis Smith and their committee Marian Ahnemann, Jean Grube, Deb Hanson, Sharon Johnson and Janice Lestrud.

Caring and sharing: Co-chairpersons Carol Frydenlund and Joni Rowe and their committee served two funerals in December.

In anouncements: The Martin Luther King program was moved to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Riverland, Friends at First was at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 21) in Bethany Hall, ARC waffle breakfast was at 9 a.m. today (Jan. 26) in Bethany Hall, Stone soup will be at 6 p.m. with the annual meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 28) in Bethany Hall, and a blood drive will run from 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in Bethany Hall.

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

 

Freeborn County 4-H

The Freeborn County 4-H wanted to take an active role in National Reading Day on Jan. 23. It wrote to the Minnesota Beef Council asking for donations for books to be used for this day. The council responded with great enthusiasm and gave the club enough books that were donated to each classroom that the Freeborn County 4-H has after school programming in. The books donated were part of the Awesome Agriculture series. The club is thankful for the positive supporters in the great state of Minnesota. It hopes that the classrooms that received the books read the books to their classes and got excited about National Reading Day. For questions about National Ready Day, the donation from the Minnesota Beef Council or the Freeborn County 4-H call its office at 377-5660.

 

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary 552

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary met on Nov. 16 at the Freeborn American Legion Hall. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance and the auxiliary pledge were read. Anderson also read a prayer. The secretary and treasurer’s reports were read and approved. It was motioned and approved to donate to the Freeborn Area Hospice program and to the Brain Science Center. Lexi Munkberg, who was the auxiliary’s Girls’ State representative, gave a very interesting and enthusiastic report of her time spent at state. Old business consisted of Anderson announcing that the Veterans Day cards had been sent, the tax return had been filed and that there were three members who needed to renew their membership. New business began with a discussion on how the community coffee time had gone that morning. It was decided to do it again next year but possibly change the starting time. The community sewing date was at 10 a.m. Jan. 9. Viola Krogsgaard announced that she has 10 heart pillows and 10 neck pillows ready to be sent off. The next item of business was the events taking place on Dec.1. It started with Santa coming (sponsored by the Freeborn American Legion) and during this time cookies and coffee were served by the Auxiliary. Following Santa was the hospice tree lighting ceremony. A potluck and bingo party sponsored by the Auxiliary concluded the evening. The Auxiliary’s annual Soup N’ Pie was scheduled for Jan. 18 at the Freeborn Legion Hall beginning at 4 p.m. Evelyn Neubauer was to make the chili and Val Seipp was to make the vegetable beef and the turkey noodle. Dixie Johannsen called members to donate pies and desserts. The district president planned to attend. Anderson announced that there was no December meeting. The Auxiliary received a monetary donation. A discussion was held concerning how to use this donation. An idea was to replace what is currently trying to grow in the front of the Legion Hall. This area would be landscaped with rock and flower barrels. More will be decided in the spring. The next meeting was scheduled for Jan. 18. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.

 

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary 552

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary 552 met on Jan. 18 at the Freeborn American Legion Hall. There were nine members in attendance. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The pledges were recited. The secretary and treasurer’s reports were given and approved. Anderson presented a bill for stamps, mailing of coupons and from the potluck and bingo party. A motion was made and carried to pay her. A monetary donation was received from the Freeborn Booster Organization with part of the money to be used for the coffee shop as items are needed. Anderson gave a report on the how the potluck and bingo party went. The number of people attending was down from previous years but a good time was had by those who attended. When the people were leaving, they said that they would be back next year! The list of organizations that receive donations from the coffee shop was revised for 2014. Anderson will be submitting an article about the coffee shop for the Frisbee, which comes out in February. It was announced that all members have now renewed their memberships. The poppy order was mailed off but as of this writing, no poppies have been received. The next community sewing date will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 with a potluck to follow. All are welcome to attend and spend time making quilts and enjoy fellowship. At the January sewing date, there were seven quilts made. The auxiliary is looking for girls in the 11th grade in the area to attend Girls’ State. They are also looking for boys in the 11th grade to attend Boys’ State. Anderson read information about the Armed Forces Center which is located at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. With no other business the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Freeborn American Legion Hall.