Mayor proclaims Constitution Week

The Red Cedar Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm, honored Constitution Week at the Austin Public Library last week. Polly Jelinek was the chairperson for the event.

Stiehm read a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week. The proclamation describes the specifics, the history, and the purpose that led to the creation of the Constitution.

A copy of the Constitution was displayed, along with pictures of George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette. Many handouts, such as The Flag Code, The Story of the Pledge of Allegiance, and Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death” speech were passed out. More than 100 small American flags were given to both children and adults. In front of the Library’s Literacy Room was a display of history books and stories regarding the American Revolution and significant events that led to the writing of this historic document. Many church bells throughout America were ringing at 4 p.m. on the 17th, the approximate time the Constitution was signed — the First Baptist Church in Austin was one of those churches.

A tactile USA flag with The Pledge of Allegiance in braille was also on display. Many of our veterans are coming back home with visual impairments. A large 4-by-6-foot American flag was displayed that had flown over the nation’s Capitol on July 3, 2013. This particular flag represents the 238th anniversary of that significant day in American history when George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Mass. This flag gave guests the opportunity to revisit that historical moment.

The U.S. Constitution is the oldest constitution still in active use in the world today and is the basic document of our republic, which protects the individual liberties of all citizens through written law.

Duplicate Bridge

Tournament results for Sept. 18 with four tables played: first place: Bud Higgins and Jim Fisher; second, Dave Ring and Orrion Roisen; third, Marilyn Gesme and Dorothy Hanna; fourth, Helen Ringham and Dick Titus.

Duplicate Bridge is played each Wednesday at noon at the Mower County Senior Center in Austin. All Bridge players are welcome. Call Dave Ring at 507-434-4189 for partnership assistance or additional information.

Brownsdale Study Club

Sarah opened the meeting of the Brownsdale Study Club on Sept. 17 with the reading of the collect, roll call with favorite season and why. Ten members were present. The August minutes were read and approved, and the treasurer’s report was given.

Old business — Final plans for outing on Wed. Sept. 25: 10 a.m. tour IBI Data and guest house; 11:30 a.m. lunch at Langtry Cafe.

New business —Discussed possibilities of a new member; new program books were completed.

Outside reading — LaVonne: What to do about bee stings … The doctor said to put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes. It works on bee and hornet stings. The next morning, no redness, no swelling. The doctor said that the copper in the penny counteracts the sting. It definitely works.

Main Topic —Reva: A story from a granddaughter about her grandmother.

A trip for grandmother’s doctor appointment. A late breakfast of strawberry buttermilk pancakes. Next, a trip to the salon and then some shopping. Each had spent a wonderful day together.

While Reva was working in her garden, a bug landed on her gloved hand. It was a cicada with iridescent and lacy wings. The cicada area known for the buzzing sound the male makes to attract a female. They appear in late May or June. It takes 13 years to develop. Some area called 17 year locusts. The adult cicada mate and then die before winter.