Gleanings from DeSoto

I learned of the death of Geraldine Haun. I’ll never forget how kind and caring she was to my daughter, Karan. My sympathy to her families.

Martha Callo families have our sympathy, also. Martha was always such a nice lady-no matter where you saw her she would speak to you and made inquiries to our families.

On Thursday, the DeSoto Lutheran WELCA had a quilting day for World Relief. There were five of us and we tied and sewed up ten quilts that day. We had our business meeting and our usual potluck meal.

Pastor Libby was pleased to have her father, Rick Howe, spend the Easter holidays with her.

A very famous landmark was torn down las week, to make space for parking. The Viroqua Dairy was founded by Forrest Connor in 1937, when the dairy was a cross the street from it’s present location. In 1939, he built the present building and served the public very well. The highlight of the day was to go to the dairy and have milk shakes. When I was in high school, we went there for a special treat at noon. They had so many varieties of ice cream - my favorite was orange pineapple. When the aging unit offices were in the old Vernon County Teachers College, I walked up there every day to have my orange-pineapple cone. For some reason, they quit making that flavor and I was so disappointed. When I was employed at attorney, Wayne Schlintz’s law office, most every day during the summer months, he would send me to the dairy to purchase an ice cream for each of us. His favorite candy bar was the Heath Bar. They were such refreshing refreshments. Then, people who liked to bowl had many a good time there. When it became a Vernon County meal site, seniors enjoyed their meals there and there were many special events during those years. I would say the building served the community well.

The St. Charles Parent Teachers Organization sponsored a carnival which is to be held at the school on April 10th. Proceeds from this event will benefit all the grades attending that school.

On April 10th, the Luren Singers from Decorah presented a concert at the Temple Theater in Viroqua. This was to commemorate the Bethel Home for serving the community for 50 years. On April 19th, there will be the Bethel Home Salad Luncheon.

The 23rd of April at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in La Crosse will be hosting the WELCA Spring Convention.

On April 30th, the DeSoto Lutheran Church will sponsor a meatball supper at the DeSoto Community Center, and the proceeds will go to the new addition to the church.

Baptized at the Freeman Lutheran Church today, was Adam Fogelson.

Parents and teachers were invited to the DeSoto High School on Thursday evening, April 7th, to hear the well known author, teacher, Corwin Kroneberg present. “Strategies That Teach Kids Responsibility”. He has been a teacher for 30 years.

Jenny Nettles, a DeSoto Area School teacher was awarded the 2005 Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship. She will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the school will receive an additional $1,000 grant.

Earning a certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards was Kristin Berra of the Prairie View School.

The elections are over. Now campaign promises must be fulfilled. Obviously, a little piece of the Social Security fund was promised thus, the push for \the dismantling social security nationally. The media says, “No wonder the stock markets are salivating at the thought of more money to play around with?”

Mr & Mrs Ryan Nelson and Ariel spent the weekend at the parental home of David and Patricia Olson and visited with Norma Olson, their grandmother.

On April 4th, I along with many other senior citizens attended the Yesterday’s Youth program. Our circle attended in lieu of our regular circle meeting and then my sister-in-law, Barbara Berg from Decorah, IA presented “Norwegian White Dress.” My niece, Sue Severson picked up my sisters, Ardis Severson and Frances Dahlke and took us down there. My brother, Stanley Berg and his wife, Ceil, came later. After Pastor Dennis Hollemeier showed us an interesting film of him, his wife, and two children tour for Lutheran World Relief. We enjoyed an excellent dinner. Due to the HIV/AIDS, there are a great number of orphans. The government builds the schools, but the parents pay the teachers. Now, orphans cannot attend school because of having no parent unless someone adopts them. They planted a tree which is named for the planter. It was interesting to see how the people lived, how they are being taught to raise gardens, etc.

After Barbara’s presentation, the Red Hat Ladies “Boot Scooting Grannies” from the Harry J. Olson Senior Center in La Crosse put on a toe tapping line dancing program for us. Mr. Kvigne led us in a sing a long of the oldie songs. On Sunday, he had been honored with an open house at Utica Church for his 40 years of being their organist. Their appreciation gift is a trip for him and his wife.

The German Edelweiss Restaurant is back on the Tuesday through Sunday brunch schedule beginning April 1, 2005.