Monday, June 29, 2009

Wright – Cromwell News

06/29/2009

Wright – Cromwell News By Jennie K. Hanson June 29, 2009

In the last month or so, I wrote some information on two of the late night TV talk show hosts, so thought I better include some information on David Letterman, too.  I’d hate to be accused of discrimination.  So here goes:  David Michael Letterman was born on April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  His father, Harry Joseph Letterman, was a florist who died in 1973; his mother Dorothy Letterman (née Hofert, now Dorothy Mengering), a Presbyterian Church secretary of German descent, is an occasional figure on the show, usually at holidays and birthdays. He has an older sister Janice and a younger sister Gretchen.

Letterman lived near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and enjoyed collecting model cars, including racers.  While he was growing up he admired his father’s ability to tell jokes and be the life of the party.  Harry Joseph Letterman survived a heart attack when he was only 36 years old and Dave was just a young boy. The fear of losing his dad was constantly with Letterman as he grew up.  Harry Joseph Letterman died of a second heart attack at age 57.  (That’s probably why David named his only son Harry.) He is the host of the Late Show with David Letterman, on CBS.  Letterman has been a fixture of United States late night television since his 1982 debut on Late Night with David Letterman; the show debuted on August 30, 1993, only Johnny Carson, one of Letterman’s idols, has had a longer late-night hosting career.  The Show is recorded Mondays at 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5:30 pm, and Thursdays at 4:30 pm. The second Monday episode usually airs on Friday of that week.

Some of the most recent Lake Country Power’s Operation Round- up grants were given to our area - Wrong Days got $500, Bethlehem Quilters got $600, and the Cromwell Area Heritage Center and Library got $1000.  So, as you can see, rounding up your electric bill by a few cents a month really helps so many non-profit organizations.  They also give a over 30 - $500.00 scholarships to area Dollars for Scholarships. 

Ray and Lindsay Lally renewed their marriage vows on June 18th at the Little Brown Church in the Vale.  They were traveling on a Mystery Trip and ended up in Iowa. After the pastor of the church finished telling the history of the church, he called Lindsay and Ray up to the front and asked them to renew their vows, which they did.  It was a very serious service and I was glad to be a witness to it.  They received a beautiful renewal certificate and were so glad to have had this opportunity.  Their reception was held at Culver’s on the way home. 

Our Community Wide Picnic and Quilt Show is planned for Saturday, July 11, rain or shine.  We’ll have a pie eating contest, horseshoe tournament and water balloon fun.  Please meet us under the flagpole at the Cromwell Pavilion for a short program at 11AM.  If you want to participate in our pie baking contest, please bring your pies in a 9” disposable pie tin on Saturday morning between 10:30 - 11:00 to be registered.  Or if you just feel like making a pie without being in the contest, you’re more than welcome to do that too.  For your own comfort, you may want to bring along your own lawn chairs.  It will be fun!

The American Legion Auxiliary will hold their summer Pot Luck Luncheon at Helen Stone’s home on Monday, July 13 at Noon.  Please bring along your own silverware and dishes and your spouses.

The YOT will have their summer Pot Luck Luncheon on Tuesday, July 14 at Noon at the Pavilion.  Please bring a dish to share.

Eric Lake, son of David and Sharon Lake of Tamarack was named to the St. Scholastica Dean’s List for the last semester.  He is majoring in Biochemistry – Pre-Med.

A beautiful final tribute was given for Art Mathias Aho, 92, of Tamarack, MN, on June 25, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright, MN.  His funeral was attended by over 200 folks who were there to honor his memory.  So, to his daughter, Sandy and Tom Nistler and their children, Shawn and Jenny, Bryan and Heather, and Tia and Dan Hayes and their families, and sisters Esther McGuire and Dorothy Tiili, we offer our sincere sympathy.  His final resting place is with God, but his earthly body is in Lakeside Cemetery in Lakeview Township, MN.

St. John’s Lutheran Church will be having VBS July 7,8, and 9th, from 12p.m. - 3 p.m.  Everyone welcome.  Please call Heather Zoeller if you would like to attend.

The other night I couldn’t get on the internet.  So I tried all kinds of stuff including restarting it, etc. and still no connection.  Finally, I followed the cords and found that it was unplugged.  I have to unplug my computer once in a while when it freezes up and the cord to the internet box is right next to it on the power strip, so it had just come loose enough to have no power.  When I looked at the box on the floor, there were no lights on, so just followed the cord and WA LA, plugged it in and all is well!!  I felt like such an idiot.  But as long as it works, so what!

Then, we put the window air conditioner in and that wouldn’t work either, so we tried all kinds of stuff and finally just put in the new one I kept on hand just in case the old one wore out.  Well, that didn’t work either.  Finally we ran a power cord to the back house and got it working.  So, I called Eddie and he came over to see why we didn’t have power to some of the outlets and WA LA, he discovered that the breaker in the power box was off!  Bob had tried them, but not the two top breakers.  Sure glad I didn’t have to pay for a service call to the GEEK Squad for the computer or an electrician for a service call.  I guess we are really getting older and have crossed over the “Fuddy-Duddy” Line for sure now.

A huge Thank You to all that volunteered their time to the Harvest Fest Steak Fry last week.  Without all the volunteers it would impossible.  Also, a thank you to all that helped with the community clean-up.  It was a success.  We hope to do it again in the future.  Harvest Fest.

Also a big Thank You to those who attended St. John’s Annual Summer Dinner on the 26th. 

Wrong Days will again be held on the weekend of July 17th – 19th with the coronation of the Queen on Friday night after the Steak Fry and Pie Social.  This will be followed by a talent show and special Teen Event put on by the youth group at West Side Church and Fireworks at Dusk.  All the other regular events will take place on Saturday: Parade, Smorgasbord, Button Drawings, Flea Market, Arts and Crafts, Kids games, softball tournaments, family and class reunions, etc.  Buttons are on sale at area businesses and with the queen candidates.  There will also be $1.00 Bag Day at the Area Clothing Depot on Saturday, the 18th. 

Don’t forget to stop by the new Cardinal Court in Cromwell and check out the Cromwell Area Heritage Center and Library on the ground level.  They also have Cribbage every other Friday at 2 PM on July 3 rd, July 17th and 31st and B-I-N-G-O on the 3rd Monday of the Month at 6:30 PM.  You can also schedule your meetings, family gatherings, showers, etc. if interested.  Just call 644-3331 for more information.  Also, get those quilt squares done and turned in. 

Several folks have mentioned to me that they are sorry that there isn’t a “BIBLE” store in the area.  Well, there is a store in the Village Square Mall near Bridgeman’s in The Duluth Mall area called “Jesus is Life Bookstore.” It is very small, but has tons of great religious stuff.  I usually find some very interesting things there when I stop in, so give it a try and I’m sure you will be happy you did. 

‘Why is this sentence interesting?  “I do not know where family doctors acquired illegibly perplexing handwriting, nevertheless extraordinary pharmaceutical intellectuality counterbalancing indecipherability transcendentalizes intercommunications incomprehensibleness.” Each word has one more letter than the word before it!  Neat, Huh?

What’s the next number in this series of numbers? – 335443554 __?  Answer next week. 

Our sincere sympathy to the family of Keith Olson, 35, who died as a result of a motorcycle accident.  More information next week. 

That’s all the news from Lake LookingforwardtoWrongDays and Hello to all of Betty Johnson’s and Art Aho’s families. 

Monday, June 22, 2009

Wright-Cromwell News

06/22/2009

Wright-Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson June 22, 2009

Here’s a little trivia about Father’s Day.  The idea of Father’s Day was conceived by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909.  Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father’s Day celebration — June 19, 1910, proclaimed by Spokane’s mayor because it was the month of Smart’s birth.

The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.

Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.

On June 1, 2009, Barclays Capital, the investment banking business of Barclays Bank PLC, announced the appointment of Dean Maki, son of Franklin and Ellen Maki, as Head of US Economic Research and Chief US Economist. Based in New York, Mr. Maki is responsible for analyzing and forecasting the US economy and monetary and fiscal policy.

“Dean’s experience and deep knowledge of the US economy is valued by our clients worldwide,” said Larry Kantor, Head of Research for Barclays Capital. “In his new role, Dean will take full responsibility for our US economic research, including policy, analysis and forecasts.”

Previously co-Head of US Economic Research for Barclays Capital, Mr. Maki joined the firm in February 2005 from JP Morgan Chase, where he was Vice President of Economic Research responsible for forecasts of Federal Reserve policy, the federal budget and Treasury debt issuance. Prior to this, he was a US economist at Putnam Investments and a Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Board, where his research focused on the relationship between household balance sheets and consumer spending. His research has been published in a number of academic journals.

The Carlton County Council on Aging meeting was held on June 22nd at Grace Baptist Church at 601 – 14th Street, Cloquet and opened with the pledge to the flag. The CCCA will meet on the 3rd Monday from June – November at Grace Baptist.  Meetings start at 10 AM and last about an hour.  They usually have a speaker with age appropriate information for the group. The guest speaker on the 22nd was Debra Topping, Fond du Lac Elder Advocate.  She taught “Tai Chi for Arthritis”.  New members are always welcome to attend.  Next meeting will be on July 20th. 

St. John’s Lutheran Church will be having VBS July 7,8, and 9th, from 12p.m. - 3 p.m.  Everyone welcome.  Please call Heather Zoeller if you would like to attend.

St. John’s Lutheran Church held their annual Sunday School Picnic on June 14th at Jason & Heather Zoeller’s.  Services were held outside at the pond, followed by potluck picnic.  The children provided singing entertainment and played several games - water balloon & egg toss, 3-legged race, and an obstacle course with a slip-n-slide.

St. John’s Lutheran in Wright will be holding their Annual Ham Dinner on Friday, June 26th starting at 4:30 PM.

A Memorial Service was held for Betty Johnson, 89, on Saturday, June 19, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright, MN.  She was born on September 12, 1919, and passed away on September 27, 2008.  The pastor they planned on conducting the service was called away for a family emergency, so Betty’s daughters took over and did a wonderful service for their mom.  There was lots of music, which Betty loved, and many tributes to this grand lady.  Her honorary Pall Bearers were her grand children:  Emily Hutchings, Carrie Lee, Mandi Lee, Zachary Johnson, Anjuli Shah-Johnson and Graham Miller.  So, to LeAnne, Gwendolyn, Wendy and Carolyn, and the whole family, we offer our sincere sympathy. 

Raymond R. Holm, 81, Died on June 12, 2009 in the Villa Vista in Cromwell, MN.  His wife, Eleanor preceded him in death.  He is survived by his brother George and Trudy Holm and sister Elma Norris of California and several nieces and nephews.  His funeral was held at Atkins-Northland on Friday, June 19, 2009 and was laid to rest at the Eagle Lake Cemetery.  His nephew Mike Martin conducted the funeral.  Our sympathy to all.  He will be missed at the Villa.

Mary Oja and family would like to express their thanks for all the kindnesses to their family during the recent death of Niilo Oja.  All are appreciated! 

In case you haven’t heard, the Community Luminary Committee is hosting a Community Wide Picnic, to be held on Saturday, July 11, from 11 - 3:30 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  This will be a great day of family fun & games.  Grilled burgers and hot dogs will be available, along with homemade pie and homemade ice cream.  We will start our day under the flagpole with a brief All-American program, followed by a baby parade.  Anyone four years or younger can dress up their strollers, trikes or bikes in a red, white & blue theme are invited to stroll down the Pavilion driveway.  There will also be a pie baking contest, arm wrestling contest, horseshoe competition and much more.  Some contests have entry fees which will be turned into prize money.  Other games include volleyball, wheelbarrow races, watermelon seed spitting and lots more fun.  Make a date on your calendar so you don’t miss any of the fun with your family and friends.  If you or your business are able to send a donation to help reduce our expenses, please let us know so we can include your name in our recognition program.  Any questions can be directed to Linda Larson at 218-644-3484 or Carolyn Krogh 218-644-3670.  See you there!

There will be a picnic pot-luck luncheon for the American Legion Auxiliary members at the home of Helen Stone on Monday, July 13 at Noon.  Please bring a dish to share, your own dishes, and a spouse or special friend.  Beverages will be provided.

JUHANNUS was celebrated out at Sheriff Lake on Friday, June 19th with over 50 people attending.  Juhannus, as the summer solstice is called in Finnish, referring to the commemoration day of John the Baptist or Johannes, is the initiation of all Finnish summer ambitions. It is a holiday that is a quasi holy day, vehemently kept apart for special occasions such as family reunions, weddings and christenings, and is by far the best time to visit Finland to view her in her verdant summer dress.

Days before the holiday, preparations begin. On the home front, it means cleaning the entire house inside and out, and cutting or purchasing tender green-leafed, fragrant branches of birch trees that will be tied in bunches to adorn doorways and porches to bring the summer’s glories even closer home. The Finnish flag is also cleaned and pressed, so that it can fly gloriously bright against the azure skies all through the nightless night. National costumes are brought out of the attic to air out and are readied for the year’s most important national outing.

In the towns and villages, the building of the kokko, a huge bonfire, commences. Old boats and cast lumber are used to fashion the distinct conical shape of the kokko. Excitement builds as the silhouette rises on a prominent location near water there is always water nearby in any town in Finland, a lake, a pond, a river, a stream. Children especially rejoice in the prospects of watching the kokko burn late into the night at the appointed hour.

That special incineration of the bonfire happens on the eve of Juhannus, but not before lengthy entertainment and feasting have taken place.  Folk songs, accompanied by the national Finnish instrument Kantele, a lute-like musical implement first mentioned in Kalevala, the Finnish national epic dances known as tanhut, brought to life with the call of accordions and fiddles and rendered by skillful performers dressed in their colorful regional national costumes, both men, women and children alike, and audience participation in some raucous polkas and waltzes precede the hour of burning.

So, how did you celebrate the first day of summer?  Let me know so I have some news for next week! 

I’ll close out this week’s news with a couple of Father’s day jokes.  “Things My Dad Would Never Say.” Such as:  “Can you turn up that music?” “Go ahead and take my truck. Here’s 50 bucks for gas.” “I LOVE your tattoo. We should both get new ones.” “Here, you take the remote.”

Going to Disney World :  A little boy says:  “Hey Grandpa!, can you make a noise like a frog?” Grandpa: “I think I can do that. Why?” Boy: “‘Cuz Dad says when you croak, we’re going to Disneyworld!”

That’s all the news from Lake Happy Juhannus and Hello to Jacob and Kerstin.  Keep on reading the news!!