Austin Cotillion Club

Imagine a wide staircase with the banister entwined with green pine, roping dotted with hundreds of sparkling lights, where upon the landing, stands a 7-foot St. Nick himself, waiting to greet each member of the Austin Cotillion Club arriving for another great time of socializing, dinner and dance.

Betty and Otto Volkert, chairman of this December dance at the Austin County Club commented, along with others, how beautifully the staff at the country club decorates for Christmas, giving us a heartwarming atmosphere. The brilliantly lighted Christmas tree stands 14 feet tall and the double-faced fire place is ladened with fanciful golden trimmings.

The evening begins with a social hour which could be compared to the camaraderie of a family reunion, which is what Terry and Diane Doresey, treasurer, thought as do other longtime members. More recent members, such as David and Sally Arrindel of Rochester, Minnesota, considers cotillion, “A lovely break in the middle of the work week to join a group of friendly and welcoming people … meeting a new set of friends.”

Everyone enjoys the dinners, selected by the committee. Our Christmas dinner included the harvest salad, chicken and salmon in delicate sauces, French green beans and almondine. The potato bar was a big hit, too. As we sit at our eloquent table the background music is playing softly to allow audible conversation. As the meal is finished the band plays on to draw us out onto the dance floor.

Barry’s Rush Hour renders a variety of music to satisfy the novice as well as the more accomplished dancers with swing, cha-cha, polkas, Latin American, waltzes and in addition, for those who favor their own style from their high school days — that works too. Madelon Collette said, “whether you are dancing or observing, it is a fun place to be.”

We all agree, as Dwight and Becky Ault stated, how favored this community is to have a beautiful place to go for dinner and dance and to socialize with old friends and to make new ones.

Cotillion Club meets five times a year. Our next dance is scheduled for May 5, 2015. We are always welcoming new members and invite you to give us a try. Call John and Marge Murach at 433-1590 for more details.

Merry Christmas.

 

Duplicate Bridge

Tournament results for Dec. 3 with five tables played: First place, Orrion Roisen; second place (tie), Jim Fisher and Bud Higgins; Third place Gene Domino and Rick Stroup; Fourth place, Vandy Newman and Dr. Gene Muchow.

Tournament results for Nov. 26 with four tables played: First place, Vandy Newman and Ron Peters; second place, Gene Domino and Rick Stroup; third place Barb Engebretson and Connie Johnson.

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. The annual Christmas party is at 11 a.m. on Dec. 17 at the Mower County Senior Center. Pizza will be served.

 

Golden Age Club

Hazel Baldner, chairperson, conducted the monthly meeting of the Golden Age Club on Dec. 3.

Chaplin Dee Murphy read the poem, “Signs of Autumn.”

Lucille Stratton made the motion and seconded by Mary Ann Davis to accept the secretary and treasurer’s reports as read.

Lunch was served by Karen Machacek.

Cards (500) was played at nine tables. December birthdays will be celebrated by Dorothy Cummings, Lonnie Murphy, Jacky Hottner, Elaine Reynolds and Jane Gesch.

Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join.

 

Apold Music’s Winter Recital

Apold Music held their winter recital on Sunday, Dec. 7.

Performers included: Kaitlyn and Lauren Riskedahl duet (piano), Wyatt Grubbs (piano), Kaitlyn Riskedahl (piano), Myra Kraemer (guitar), Lauren Riskedahl (piano), Elijah Basurto (piano), Cortney Christianson (piano), Kory Klouse (drums), Lydia Wilde (guitar), Grace Vortherms (piano), John Rowe (guitar), Emma Haugen (piano), Riley Haugen (piano), Lydia Baron (piano), Ashley Conradt (drums), Julie Sucha (guitar), Judy Lopez (piano), Gabby and Xinyu Wang (piano), Jerry Li (piano), Christi Tate (guitar), Michael Lee (piano), Alayna Jovaag (piano).

Teachers are Bill Apold — drums, Susan Hays — piano and Darlene Keyser-Turner — guitar. Special thanks to Tom Keyser and Doug Bathke.