What better way to spread holiday cheer than to carol at the homes of friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Several local carolers turned out Friday night to do just that.  The music was well received and it was a fun way to get in the Christmas spirit.  They all gathered at Winter’s Bar (formerly Lismore Bar) for snacks and appetizers to end the evening.

Joyce Erdman celebrated Christmas on Saturday with her daughter Pam and Mark Luettel with a noon dinner at the home of Corey and Tara Luettel and Ainsley, Oliver, and Leo in Faribault. Other guests were Keith and Emily Luettel and Blake of Minnetonka and Bruce and Lindsay Meyeraan and Ian, Aiden, and Ava of Luverne. It was a great day and Joyce enjoyed watching the great-grandkids open their gifts.

The American Legion Auxiliary prepared a “good cheer” basket last Wednesday evening before their meeting.  When delivering the basket, members also add a little conversation and friendly face.  The Auxiliary has been preparing “good cheer” baskets for over fifty years! The number of baskets has decreased from over 30 per year to just a one this year.

Ellen & Alan Henning hosted an early Christmas gathering at their home on the December 16-17 weekend. Family that gathered together were: Jared & Ashley Baszler and Jack and Logan of Brookings, SD; Sarah & Lucas Darling and Kamryn and Carter of Brandon, SD; and Joe & Ashley Henning of Lismore.

Jim and Kris Weidert with the help of Olivia and Nina hosted the Weidert relation for Christmas at their home. On Christmas evening it was a smaller gathering of just the Weidert “girls” and their spouses/friends: Jeff & Lacy Osborne of Brainerd; Mike & Melissa Einck & Mari & Molly of rural Wilmont; and Stuart Rogers of Reading.

Christmas Eve at St. Anthony’s…there are many words that could describe the church decorations, the Christmas message, and the music, but BEAUTIFUL seems to sum it up.  Father Rick Colletti celebrated a memorable Christmas Eve Mass.  Cantors filled the church with beautiful Christmas music before Mass began, complete with Nick Lorang on the trumpet.  Mark Loosbrock sang a song that has become a St. Anthony Christmas tradition, “O Holy Night”. Fr. Colletti commented on the decorations and music, and praised and thanked all of those involved in the liturgy. He is so thankful to be in a parish cluster with so many helping hands.  It was such a blessing to have a Christmas Eve Mass in our beautiful church!

Celebrating Christmas Eve together at the Lismore Legion Hall was the family of the late Melvin & Darleen Lutmer.  Those able to attend were:  Frank & Debby Wieneke, Tom & Christy Preuss and Michael & Jennifer, all of Adrian; Amber Preuss of St. Paul; Luke & Tracy Sursely of Sioux City, IA; Dave & Deb Lutmer, Cody Lutmer and Jeff Lutmer, all of Lismore; Will & McCall Lutmer and Sutton of Sioux Falls, SD; Dylan Johnson of Brandon, SD; Roxy Scholl of St. James; Dave & Joyce Kanten of Fulda and their granddaughter, Olivia; Rick & Linda Lutmer and Katie and her friend, AJ all of Omaha, NE; Patty & Mike Buysse of Lismore and their granddaughter, Alyx; Lori Delano and Doug Woolridge of Annandale and Randy & Barb Lutmer of Louisville, KY. Winners of the 12-team beanbag tournament were:  Mike Buysse & Cody Lutmer-1st; Doug Woolridge & Tracy Sursely-2nd place. Other Christmas Eve Day guests in the Wieneke home were: Rick & Linda Bartl of Aberdeen.

Veryl & Avis Stoffel hosted an early Stoffel Christmas on Saturday, December 23rd at their home. Alan & Ellen Henning and Veryl & Avis enjoyed Christmas Dinner at the John & Chris Rokeh home in Brandon, SD.  The Hennings along with Randy & Karen Honermann of rural St. Kilian continued their long standing tradition of gathering on Christmas evening.

Ray & Shirley Wieneke enjoyed having a house full of their family to celebrate Christmas together.  They were: Ryan Wieneke of St. Peter; Rhonda & Troy Dammer  and Lakin, Brynn & Hadley of Ramsey; and Renee & Travis Oertli and Reid & Alex of Golden Valley.

Get well wishes to Harry Spidel (formerly of Lismore) as he is hospitalized in Mission, TX for pneumonia.

Joyce Erdman hosted Christmas Day noon dinner for those able to attend.  They were: Pam and Mark Luettel of Adrian; Lindsay and Bruce Meyeraan and Ian, Aiden, and Ava of Luverne; Peggy and Mark Meyer of Rushmore; Alyssa Meyer of Brandon, SD; Logan Neyens of Wilmont; Gail Erdman of Primghar, IA; Randy Egenes of Hawarden, IA; Justin and Meredith Jonas and Brooke and Claire of Sheldon, IA; Danielle and Elliot Apland and Peyton, Abbie, Callie, and Jewel of Chester, SD; Mike Erdman of Lismore; Jessica Erdman and Bob Slinger and Montana and Ezekiel of Rushmore; Megan Erdman, Amber Erdman and Christian of Worthington and Laura Erdman and Collin Schickling of Ellsworth. Evening visitors were Randy and Marissa Erdman and Roland and Roree of Lake Wilson.  It was truly a great Christmas weekend!

Christmas guests in the home of Bill & Gloria Carlberg were Brian & Erin Wieneke of Puyallup, Washington. The Wieneke’s were guests of honor at a wedding reception/baby shower.  Their first child is due in the spring.  Many friends and relatives were in attendance. They also celebrated Christmas Eve at the home of Norma Carlberg of Adrian.

Celebrating Christmas in the Mark and Jeanne Loosbrock home were their children and their families: Andy & Kristy Loosbrock and Ross, Gavin and Veronica of Luverne; Jessica and Mike Fedt of Sioux Falls, SD; and Matt & Chris Loosbrock and Landyn and Claire of Lismore.

LISMORE NEWS