Kiwanis Clubs install new officers

The new officers for the two local Kiwanis Clubs of Austin began their terms for the 2016-17 year on Oct. 1.

The Early Risers Kiwanis Club meets weekly at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays at The Eagles Club in Austin. The new officers are Mark Nibaur (president), Celeste Ruble (president-elect), Cindy Jensen (secretary-treasurer) and Rick Young (club PR).

Early risers have three signature fundraisers: Fall apple sales, Mother’s Day Belgium Waffles and monthly Saturday Bingo at The Eagles. The current project is Kids Closet at all Austin Public Schools, kindergarten through fourth grande and the Community Learning Center.

The Noon Kiwanis Club meets weekly at noon on Wednesday at the Historic Hormel Home. The new officers are Scott Lewis (president), Adam Hock (president-elect), Dale Larson (treasurer) and Laura Tjomsland (secretary).

Noon club holds a raffle each spring, collaborates with Early Risers for Mother’s Day Waffles, Fall Peanut Sales and Pizza Ranch Tip Nights. Two annual events are Pinewood Derby and the summer track and field event. Recently completed projects were the greenhouse at Woodson Kindergarten Center, microscopes for the Jay C.Hormel Nature Center and Mad Margaret books for the Science Fair Mentoring Project.

Membership is open to all and visitors are always welcome.

Y’s Women’s Club

Y’s Women met Nov. 10 at the Hormel Historic Home. Randy Klein, area director of Our House Senior Living presented the program on dementia and Alzheimer’s.  We enjoyed learning interesting facts about the disease and some of the causes of dementia. Randy told of many ways to communicate and deal with people with this disease.

Y’s Women will sponsor a luncheon and card party Nov. 17 at noon at the Hormel Historic Home.

Members brought items  that will be given to the Salvation Army food shelf.  We will also support the Hy-Vee Holiday Dinner program.

Hostesses were Sue Apold, Connie Olson and Char Plantikow.

Our December meeting will be a trip to the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis on Dec. 8, weather permitting. In case of bad weather, we will then meet at the Hormel Historic Home at 4 p.m. for a hors d’oeuvres potluck. Callers will call with information.

Duplicate Bridge

Tuesday, Nov. 8, six tables played at the Mower County Senior Center. First place, John Leisen and Rich Stroup; second place, Vandy Newman and Bud Higgins; third place, Gail and Ray Schmidt; fourth place, Joyce Crowe and Millie Siever; fifth place, Edna Knobbe and Kathy Leisen; sixth place, Larry Crowe and Ron Peters.

Wednesday, Nov. 9, four tables played. First place, Larry Crowe and Jim Fisher; second place, Eunice Michaelis and Warren Behrends; third place, Vandy Newman and Ron Peters; fourth place, Joyce Crowe and Millie Siever.

Players were from Austin, Albert Lea, Adams and Rose Creek. All bridge players are encouraged to join us at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and noon on Wednesdays.