By Dorothea Schlappi

Our prayers go out to the Pat and Johnny Bratcher family in the recent death of Mae Hoskins (Pat’s mom). She had been sick for some time, may she be at peace.

Barbara Bastin visited Rev. Rolland Bentrup in Lexington last week. She reported that he was in good spirits but can’t feed himself. He is 91 years old and in an assisted living apartment. He will be remembered as the minister of the Lutheran Church in Ottenheim for many years. Anyone wishing to send him a card can send those to: 690 Mason Headly Road, Lexington, KY 40504. He’d be glad to hear from you.

Eunice Schlappi reported from down under (Australia) that the weather there was beautiful. It is late fall but the azaleas and other shrubs are in full bloom, lots of palm trees, looks like Florida. The country is a day ahead of us and they do speak English, but drive on the wrong side of the road, which is very confusing.

So many farmers are losing cattle and calves, the extreme cold is so hard on animals. It is also hard for them to get water when frozen – running springs, some ponds and creeks provide water.

St. Sylvester Church in Ottenheim will be having three fish fries during Lent. The first one is Feb. 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A whole meal plus drink and dessert is $6 for adults, $3 for children six to 12, and children five and under are free. The proceeds will go to the building fund for a new church.

Take care in this cold weather and God be with you.