Trinity Lutheran Church Women

The Trinity Lutheran Church Women Christmas meeting and Albert Lea High School chorale performance was Dec. 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church. A short business meeting, coffee and dessert took place at 1:30 p.m.

Co-president Bev Jackson Cotter welcomed guests and spoke of her Christmas memories. She said the fun and excitement was going out every year to pick out that special pine tree and smell she liked so well.

Jo Meyer gave the devotions. She talked about the birth of Christ, the three wisemen, the Magi and the shepherds. The group sang the doxology and lunch was served by Deborah Circle.

After the lunch, Nanciana Jensen presented the 2016 budget. The budget sheets were on each table for members to look at. Jensen explained the budget, and a motion to approve the budget was made by Erna Berthelsen and seconded by Barb Larson. It was approved by all in attendance.

Jensen presented parting gifts from the Trinity Lutheran Church Women to the outgoing co-presidents Jackson Cotter and Larson, and outgoing secretary LaVonne Eggers.

Offerings were taken for the Oaks Indian Mission in Oklahoma and Trinity Lutheran Church Women to help defray expenses. The meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Albert Lea High School chorale performance was at 2:30 p.m. under the direction of Diane Heaney.

Lens and Shutter Photography Club

The Lens and Shutter Photography Club hosted its Nov. 19 meeting in room 465 of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. There  were 12 members in attendance. Cheryl Neilon became a new member.

November’s competition category was “Open.” Members receiving awards were as follows: Bev Oyer, first place for “Lunch Time;” Ron Oyer, second place for “North Shore;” and third place for Carol Haroldson’s “And Baby Makes Three.”

Members receiving honorable mentions were John Eisterhold, Liz Reichl and Linda Eisterhold. Bev Oyer and Darcy Sime received merit awards.

In N4C regional competition, Jim Wendel received an honorable mention in digital pictorial and a merit in digital creative. In the N4C color print category John Eisterhold received an honorable mention. Eisterhold and Ron Oyer each received a merit.

Due to strong winds the evening of the meeting, the outdoor photo shoot was canceled. Sime provided the evening’s refreshments.

The club’s December meeting will be its Christmas party — hosted by Haroldson — so there will not be a meeting at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea this month.

Meetings will resume at 7 p.m. Jan. 21. Anyone wanting more information about the club may call 507-373-2862.

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary met Nov. 21 at the Freeborn American Legion hall.

President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The American flag pledge and the Auxiliary pledge were recited. 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. It was announced that the poppy order has arrived.

Old business consisted of Anderson announcing that the Veterans Day cards had been sent, the tax return had been filed and three members need 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. The starting time of 8:30 a.m. worked out well. Viola Krogsgaard from the community sewing group announced she has various items ready to be sent off to the veterans hospital and veterans home.

The next item of business was the events that took place Dec. 6. They started with Santa coming at 3 p.m. and was sponsored by the Freeborn American Legion. During that time cookies and coffee were served by the Auxiliary. Following Santa was the hospice tree lighting ceremony, which took place at approximately 4:30 p.m. The potluck and bingo party sponsored by the Auxiliary concluded the evening. A letter had been received that the district president would attend the festivities.

The Auxiliary’s annual soup and pie supper will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Freeborn Legion hall. Evelyn Neubauer will make the chili, and Val Seipp will make the vegetable beef and the turkey or chicken noodle. Sonja Honstad will call members to donate pies and/or desserts. The department president is planning on attending.

A discussion was held concerning the coffee shop donation recipients. It was decided to leave the list as is. Anderson will give a new list to Lela Peterson, who is in charge of the coffee shop.

The members would like to thank Peterson and the other volunteers who take care of the community event, which takes place Monday through Friday. Everyone is welcome to stop in for coffee, hot chocolate, tea, pastries and conversation. The hours of operation are 8 to 10 a.m. at the Freeborn Community Building.

A discussion took place about using some of the group’s donation money to have a shadow box built to house various Auxiliary memorabilia that has been given to Anderson. It will take place in April and a local craftsman will construct one. Anderson announced there will be no December meeting.

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Jan. 23.