Monday, January 05, 2009

Wright Cromwell News

01/05/2009

Wright Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson January 5, 2009

As I sit down to type this week’s news, it’s January 5th, the 12th Day of Christmas.  The days sure seem to fly by.  It’s only a few days now until our new President, Barack Obama is sworn into office on January 20th, 2009.  One of the Christmas gifts I got this year was a talking Obama doll and I’m not going to listen to his messages until January 20th when he is actually the president.  I also got a self waving American flag that plays several patriotic songs and that is really fun to watch and listen to.  I’ll probably bring it to the Villa Vista on my next visit to share with them.  It’s always fun to share new and unusual things with the residents.

Does anyone know anything about the Evangelical Free Church in Wright before Oct. 1972?  I heard that it was a Methodist Church at one time but don’t know when.  Also, Judy Koivisto would like to know what else was in this building. She’s hoping to hear something before Jan. 8th.  Thanks!

The Cromwell Area History Club is hoping to get back on track in January.  They’d like to get the rest of the articles into binder books before they move to the new part of Villa Vista - Cardinal Court.  They are giving the club one of the seating rooms for the historical club but don’t know when they will be able to move in.  If anyone would be interested in helping, call Judy Koivisto at 644-3752.  She still needs some missing yearbooks but will get back to us later on that. 

I got an email from Gary and Sherry Fischer in Las Vegas and they write:  We had 3 of our grandchildren here for several days.  We are pooped. We had a good time.  They and the big kids, our kids, were all here for dinner over the holidays.  They all stayed in a hotel for the week but the 3 kids stayed with Fischer’s for several of the days.  Between the 3 kids and the dog things got pretty wild for a while but they all had a great time.  New Year’s Eve at Grandma and Grandpa’s will be remembered, I am sure.  They played games, saw a movie, went to a couple of buffet’s, saw a DVD, etc.  It was fun.

The weather in Vegas has been chilly but sunny every day.  It is in the 30’s at night but up into the 50’s during the day.  The kids hiked Red Rock Canyon twice.  Everybody had a good time although 9 people in the condo is crowded at meal time.  We went to a Casino Furniture sale a while ago and bought a bench for the guest room. 

Arsalan (our exchange student) and I went to Coon Rapids for a couple of days to visit with my niece and her family.  While there we toured the Cathedral of St. Paul.  This is truly a magnificent building and it was the first time I saw it.  It was opened in 1915 and should stand for centuries.  The Cathedral is one of the greatest artistic masterpieces of our nation.  It enshrines priceless mosaics from the Vatican as well as windows and sculptures by some of the greatest American Artists of the past century.  Each year over 200,000 visitors come to see this cathedral and are inspired by its beauty and architecture.

I’m sure many events were canceled or postponed because of the most recent storm, but it didn’t turn out as bad as they predicted.  I guess it’s like Leo Dahlberg told me years ago:  “If you are going to live in Minnesota, you have to learn to drive in Minnesota!”

Alyssa Sorenson and Matt Farley, of Tamarack, McGregor, MN were married at the Bethany Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 3, 2009 despite predictions of very bad weather.  The church was full and everyone made it to the church on time.  Alyssa is the daughter of Russ and Betty Sorenson and Matt is the son of Lisa Farley, Jerry Farley and Bill and Ellen Courier.  The bride chose Robin Lake as her Maid of Honor and the Groom chose Derek Beachum as his Best Man.  Other attendants were Kaija Sorenson, Jill Pelto, Tammy Johnson, Jeremy Thoennes, Miles Sorenson, and Eric Lake.  The Ring Bearer was the couple’s son, Calan Farley and Flower Girls were Hunter Sorenson and Layla Kangas.  Ushers were Beau Sorenson and Jared Marsyla.  A reception was held at the Community Center in McGregor, MN. 

Thirty-six area folks traveled to Ames Iowa to watch Hannah Tuomi, daughter of Jackie and Davie, play in a game against the Iowa State Cyclones on January 3rd, 2009.  Vanderbilt lost 55 to 51, but it was great for Hannah to have all that support at the game. We all had a great visit.

The community offers our sincere sympathy to the family of Craig Winfield Johnson who died on December 29, 2008 at the age of 58.  He was born in Sleepy Eye, MN to Marjorie and Rev. Winfield Johnson.  Craig went to school in the twin cities.  He served in the US Air Force as a medical helper in the Vietnam War.  He was a CNA at Mercy Health Care in Moose Lake, MN.  Craig married Laura A. Cain on April 22, 1995 in Malmo, MN.  Craig is survived by his wife of 14 years Laura; daughters Devon and Ashley; his parents Marjorie and Winfield Johnson; sisters Roslyn (Gill) Haincock and Kathy (David) Olinger; brother Ron (Jean) Johnson and many family members; also Patches his shadow.  A memorial service was be held on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM in Handevidt Funeral Home.

Carolyn Krogh has informed me that the Cromwell YOT is planning to host Driver Safety classes in January and February.  For those of you who have previously participated in the “Alive 55” program from the AARP, there will be refresher courses held on Thursday, Jan.8 –or- Wednesday, Jan 14 –or- Thursday, Feb. 12 from 9 AM until 1PM.  Each session will be held at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  To keep current in this program, you need to take refresher classes once every three years; each participant could be eligible for a reduction in their auto insurance rates.  Space is limited so if you’d like to attend any of these sessions, please contact Carolyn at 218-644-3670 or Lindsay at 218-644-3739.

The regularly scheduled monthly meetings for Cromwell YOT for Jan., Feb., & March have been canceled.  The next regular meeting will be the spring Pot Luck luncheon in April.  All YOT dances will be held on the regular (4th Thursday) dates as scheduled for Jan., Feb., & March.  So, the first dance will be on January 22, 2009 with the Fat Dutchman providing the music.

The Cromwell-Wright American Legion Auxiliary meetings for January & February have been canceled.

The first Senior Dance of the year will be on January 22, 2009 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion from 1 – 4 PM.  Music provided by the Fat Dutchman.

The next Arrowhead Mini Bus goes to Duluth on Friday, January 9th and January 23rd.  The Mini Bus goes to Cloquet on Thursday, January 15th.  Call Edna at 357-2701 to sign up at least the day ahead of time.  Remember if the mini bus day falls on a holiday, there is no bus that day. 

If any of you have news for this column, please call or email me.  Thanks for all the news in the past years and for reading this and thanking me for my efforts.  It is truly an honor to write and report the area news and it’s also a lot of fun, too. 

That’s all the news from Lake Weatherforcasterscanbewrong and Hello to Ole Shock Fodderson and Mrs. Coots, you know who you are!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Wright - Cromwell News

12/29/2008

Wright - Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson December 29, 2008

As I sit down to write the news it’s December 29th, 2008.  This year was very remarkable in many ways and now we look forward to 2009.  There will be many changes in the next year and the one that may affect folks the most is a new Pastor at Bethany and Bethlehem Lutheran churches in Cromwell and Wright.  Brandi Hacker has been called and has accepted the call and will be moving in soon.  She will start her first services on January 25th, 2009.  Because of annual church meetings, church at Bethany has been changed to the 9 AM time and at Bethlehem in Wright at 10:30 AM.  So keep that in mind when meeting her for the first service. 

One thing I usually do at the beginning of a new year is to go through my blank checks in my checkbook and put the new year in the date area so I don’t forget and put the wrong year in that space.  This saves a lot of scratching out and also reminds me to put “2009” on other places that require the date.

Carolyn Krogh has informed me that the Cromwell YOT is planning to host Driver Safety classes in January and February.  For those of you who have previously participated in the “Alive 55” program from the AARP, there will be refresher courses held on Thursday, Jan.8 –or- Wednesday, Jan 14 –or- Thursday, Feb. 12 from 9 AM until 1PM.  Each session will be held at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  To keep current in this program, you need to take refresher classes once every three years; each participant could be eligible for a reduction in their auto insurance rates.  Space is limited so if you’d like to attend any of these sessions, please contact Carolyn at 218-644-3670 or Lindsay at 218-644-3739.

The regularly scheduled monthly meetings for Cromwell YOT for Jan., Feb., & March have been cancelled.  The next regular meeting will be the spring Pot Luck luncheon in April.  All YOT dances will be held on the regular (4th Thursday) dates as scheduled for Jan., Feb., & March.  So, the first dance will be on January 22, 2009 with the Fat Dutchman providing the music.

The Cromwell-Wright American Legion Auxiliary meetings for January & February have been cancelled.

Heather Zoeller wrote me a quick note about how St. John’s Lutheran Sunday School Christmas Program went.  The program was on Sat. Dec 20, they were afraid that they would have to reschedule the program because of the weather, but it was moved up an hour to make sure everyone would get home before it got too dark.  The kids did a wonderful job reciting their lines and singing many great Christmas songs.  Amber Lehti did a spectacular job of playing guitar with some of the heart warming Christmas carols.  The kids that participated were Amber and Aiden Lehti, Michael and Lacie Zoeller, and Elisabeth and Andrew Kachinske. After the program was complete, retired Pastor Lawrence Cain, from Villard, MN led the group in a closing prayer, followed by the children singing Happy Birthday for Jesus.

After the program was over, everyone gathered together to have a light meal and wonderful fellowship.  This program was a wonderful success and they look forward to doing it again next year. 

Bruce Stierna has been suffering the effects of a fungal infection in his brain for the last several weeks.  So far, antibiotics and antifungal medications have had little or no effect.  This week, (December 22nd) he suffered a stroke and had to undergo brain surgery to stop the bleeding.  When they operated, they also removed a mass, which they hope contained most of the infection.  Bruce’s prognosis for recovery and return to his former lifestyle is not good, and the doctors do not expect him to regain consciousness for some time – if at all.  We all know what prayer can do, and we hope that everyone who knows Bruce and those who wish they did will add their voices to our conversations with God to heal our friend.  We ask for his comfort and peace of mind.

How many of those Christmas Family letters did you get this year?  I got several and really enjoy getting them.  It’s sometimes the only time of year to catch up on friends and family. 

We got one from the Gronbeck’s and here is a short update on them.  Jim is still pastor at Zion Lutheran in Battle Lake, and Julie continues to work at the school there. Matthew, graduated from North Dakota State U with a degree in computer engineering and is employed at Summit Group.  Andrea is a junior at Southwest, MN State U, majoring in Elem. Ed., and Kirsten is a senior and enjoying her last year at Battle Lake High School.

A gift of money was received in Honor of Yvonne Davis that went to the Area Clothing Depot.  Thanks to Jean and Clark Paradise for this gift. 

Our sympathy to the family of Wally Randa, 64, who died on December 22, 2008 at his home in Wright, Mn.  Wally died on his and wife Beanie’s 45th Wedding Anniversary.  His funeral was held at Handevidt Funeral Home in Cloquet on Saturday, December 27, 2008.  Several of Wally’s favorite songs were played on CD, his granddaughter; Danielle read her memories and Sam Clark Officiated at the service.  Wally leaves his loving wife, Dardanelle “Beanie” and sons: Walter and Tina, Eugene, and daughter: Stacey and Ben Bonderson, and their families; brothers, Dennis, Richard, Daniel and Jack and sisters Shirley and Susan and brothers-in-law, Clinton Hakamaki and Ronald Rosbacka and many nieces and nephews and watch dog, Punky. 

As most of you know, Pastor Janeva Stromberg has moved on and will take a brief vacation before taking on another interim pastorate.  In honor of her service to our area, both Bethlehem and Bethany held farewell gatherings for her on Sunday, December 28th.  Many words of thanks and friendship were given and as part of the thanks in Wright, I even rewrote the words to an old familiar song called: So Long, It’s been Good To Know You and sang it to her with the help of the congregation on the Chorus.

So, here are the words I wrote:

So Long It’s Been Good To Know You Rewritten by Jennie K. Hanson
on the occasion of Pastor Janeva’s last Sunday with us.  December 28, 2008.

We’ve sung this song and we’ll miss you so much
We hope you are happy, We’ve enjoyed your touch
You loved us and cared and your life you have shared
And now you must be moving along, Singing
Chorus:
So Long, it’s been good to know you,
So Long, it’s been good to know you,
So Long, it’s been good to know you,

And now you’ve got-ta be drifting along.
We will miss you in church and in daily life
We will miss your caring during all of our strife
But, We’ll carry on and go on with our lives
You were there for us and helped us survive.
Chorus: 

We thank you again for all that you’ve done.
You’re presence was felt to each and everyone
We depended on you to show us the way
And now there’s only one thing we can say!
Chorus:

Your family was there along the way
They supported you both night and day
They helped you survive two very long years
They embraced you during the laughter and tears.
Chorus:

We thank you so much and we’ll continue to pray
You showed us the Savior each and every day.
We’ll pray for you in the morning and night
And we’ll proclaim the Lord’s Holy Might.
Chorus: 
So Long, it’s been good to know you,
So Long, it’s been good to know you,
So Long, it’s been good to know you,
And now you’ve got-ta be drifting along.

So, that’s all the news from Lake Takeabreak and enjoy 2009.  I think it will be fine. Happy New Year!