Gleanings from DeSoto

Our WELCA meeting was held at the church on Thursday. We tied several quilts for World Relief, had our potluck meal and a business meeting. We are to furnish cookies at the Bethel Home on April 17th.

Our sympathy goes to the families of Richard Mellem, on his death last week. Richard and his family lived in the Victory vicinity several years ago.

Our sympathy is extended to Marian Whitney, her siblings and families of the death of her brother Melvin “Joe” Whitney last Saturday. Funeral services are to be held on Wednesday at the New Hope Methodist Church.

New Hope’s Spaghetti supper went very well on Thursday evening. And the Retreat Sportsman Club held their annual Show on Saturday evening.

On April 4th, my sister-in-law, Barbara Berg will be presenting part of the afternoon program of Yesterday’s Youth at Sugar Creek Bible Camp. The Red Hatters will also be performing.

Also, while I think of it, my brother, Rev. Donald Berg, who belongs to the Decorah Luren Singers, will be performing in Viroqua on April 10th. More details to come later. They will also be in Norway during 2005 performing concerts.

I heard a comment the other day which is funny, but partially true. When an Oscar winner steps up to the podium, he thanks all the people he stepped on all year long.

Last week was FFA Recognition Week. We honor the DeSoto Area High School members which includes more than 40 students (girls and boys). Their organization does a lot of good for the community, especially their greenhouse activities.

This coming week is Bus Driver’s Week. These people are a necessity for our students to get their to their educational destinations in a safe, loving way.

We congratulate Penny and Harold Henkel, Jr. who purchased the Harry Klumph property. Harry returned to Cedar Rapids where his daughter resides .

On February 20, the youth of the DeSoto/Freeman parish had the opportunity to go to the Sugar Creek Bible Camp, where Vernon County’s Humane Society spoke on careers with animals.

The council members of the DeSoto Lutheran Church were installed during the February 27th worship service.

Pack 31 of the Boy Scouts attended a winter camp at Camp Decorah at Holmen, WI. It was an overnight deal, Friday, March 4 to Saturday, March 5. They all enjoyed outdoor activities. However, they slept in a heated lodge, accompanied by one parent. And since the pack did such a good job selling popcorn, the weekend was free. This young group of boys is a very busy group as on Sunday, March 6th, Shelia’s den and Opal’s den met at Opal Mander’s home. From there they went to homes in DeSoto with flyers asking for non-perishable food items. On Saturday morning, March 12, Sue’s den and Mary’s den will meet at Opal Mander’s home to pick up these items and deliver them to the New Hope Church food pantry.

By the way, Shelia tells me a nice crowd attended the Annual Blue and Gold Banquet at the Prairie View School on February 20. This was to commemorate the Diamond (75th) anniversary for cub scouting.

The DeSoto Middle and DeSoto High School art students will be exhibiting their art at the LaCrosse Public Library between March 5 and March 30th.

On March 5th there will be an Education Fair with displays, demonstrations and performances by students, teachers and educational personnel at the LaCrosse Valley View Mall if they wish to participate.