By MYRNA FAUSKA
Happy New Year! I’m still amazed that we are in a new century. When I think back to my teen years, early 20s, and even my 30s, the year 2000 seemed like science fiction, not something I would live to experience. And now 2016 is almost history and 2017 is hot on its heels. Our prayer is for a good year for us all.
In the meantime, Evelyn Zirk and son Jerry enjoyed a happy weekend, beginning on Friday, when Nadine Preuss brought them cookies, Lynn Nelson came across the road with gifts, Debbie Wolfgram visited, and Frieda Jacobson also brought gifts. On Christmas Eve, Ev and Jerry joined Bruce and Julie Zirk of Dutch Hollow at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Reedsburg for the service. On Christmas Day, they were at the traditional dinner at the Gaylen Hoefs farm.
Steve Schumann with Deb Wood and family picked up his mom Ruth and went to Reedsburg for Christmas dinner with Mike and Vickie Schumann and family. Luke and Amanda Schumann drove from Tomah to be with their grandma, dad and uncle.
On Thursday afternoon, we enjoyed a visit with my husband Dave’s classmate Vernie Hemerley and wife Lucile, who came from Tomah to see us. On Sunday after church, Dave and I went to Elroy for the community Christmas dinner at Grace Lutheran Church.
Ron and Arlene Garvens attended the Kendall Lions’ Christmas party at the Grain House Eatery in town Tuesday evening. On Thursday, Jason and wife Carley Garvens arrived from Madison and spent the night with his grandparents.
Randy Parkhurst came from Orfordville, Wis., Saturday and took parents Jim and Mary out for lunch at the China Buffet in Mauston. On Sunday the Parkhursts and Garvens were in Elroy for Grace Lutheran Church’s Christmas dinner. We also saw Esther Vlasak and son Steve, along with several other friends and acquaintances.
Christmas is a time to spend with family, so Roland and Vicki Koenig went to Seattle to spend the holiday with daughter Jenni and their son Greg with Meg.
On Monday, Lynette Vlasak and Sally Dana joined Chip and Mary Marty at Royall Elementary School’s Christmas program, where Layla and Brett Marty performed. On Tuesday, Sally was at the Kendall Senior Dining Center for the birthday club, and in the evening, she and Lynette attended the Kendall Lions party at the Grain House Eatery.
On Christmas Eve, Layla and Brett Marty were in St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church’s program, and parents Chip and Mary were there with Mya, as were grandparents Bob and Karen Marty and the Zellmer and Vlasak relatives. On Sunday, Allan and Heather Vlasak, Lynette Vlasak and Sally Dana joined Lowell and Arlys Zellmer and family for dinner at The Ranch at the head of Johnnycake Hollow. Later they all came to Chip and Mary’s for dessert.
As you can see by the above, the South Siders had a wonderful celebration of Jesus’ birthday, and we hope that He was pleased with the parties and family gatherings in His honor. Now we are facing a new year, and we pray God’s blessings on us all as we look forward what He has in store for us in 2017. Keep CHRISTmas in your hearts all year. Amen.