Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Wright News

06/01/2005

Wright News By Jennie K. Hanson June 1, 2005

Boy, where did the month of May go?  I guess with all the graduations, it just went.  And now I suppose the summer will go by just as fast as it usually does.

School let out for the summer today, June 1st at Cromwell-Wright School. The kids sure seemed excited for their last day and are now looking forward to swimming lessons, little league, Bible Camp, etc.  I sure hope the kids have a save summer, as there are so many things for the kids to get involved in that could be unsafe.

Twenty-three seniors from the Cromwell-Wright School graduated on Friday, May 27th.  The Graduation ceremony was held at the school and it was quite impressive.  This year’s Valedictorian was Janel Jordan and the Salutatorian was Sara Lind.  Three other awards were also given out at graduation they were Shawn Lind for Service, Kyle Smith for Citizenship and Sara Lind for Leadership.  A slide show was shown and was created by Krystal Mootz.  The Choir sang “I Hope You Dance”, A special Trumpet Solo was preformed by Senior, Dan Nobis, the band under the direction of Christine Lamb played the Processional and Recessional and guest speakers were John Koenig - Math Teacher and Seniors: Janel Jordan, Lucas Johnson and Cody Scavezze.  Supt. Herb Hilinski along with School Board members Shari Hutar, Brenda Hutar and Charlie Maki presented the diplomas.  A lot of the seniors celebrated by having their Grad Parties the next day.

It was also great to have a new speaker system and the new stage curtains up and in use for graduation.  Some of the excess levy money was used for these two projects.  The school plans to get more estimates before the gym walls can be repaired.

Little League has started again for the summer.  The teams this year are McGregor, Tamarack, Wright, Floodwood, Cromwell, and Jacobson.  Games started on Tuesday May 31st with games on Tuesdays and Thursdays till June 30th.  Cromwell will play at Wright on June 9th and Tamarack will play at Wright on June 14th.

Paul Johnson’s funeral was held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 28, 2005. He died on May 22, 2005.  Pastor Matt Saarem officiated and music was provided by Sue Saarem and Pastor and Mrs. Hal Kamppi.  Pastor Kamppi mentioned in the service that he had been talking to Paul before he died and Paul had been thinking about whether he would live or die.  Then he told Pastor Kamppi, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and you know something?  Whether I live or whether I die, I win.” The “Paul” Bearers were Larry Hamren, Lawrence Line, Lynn Groth, Stanley Strand, Phillip Stenson, Donald Smeby, and Mark Dahlman.  Our sympathy is extended to Paul’s sister Patty, her husband Edwin Lund and their children and grandchildren.

Our sympathy also goes out to Senator Becky and Gene Lourey and their whole family on the recent death of their son, Matthew in Iraq.  It is hard to even imagine the loss they must be feeling at a time like this.  A Public Memorial Service was held on June 3rd, with later interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors.  May God bless this family and all the others who are facing the same tragedy in their lives.

All Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members and their families are invited to the annual picnic at Chub Lake Park, Carlton, on Thursday, July 28th at 5 PM - Rain or Shine.  Hamburgers, brats, soft drinks will be provided. PLEASE BRING A SALAD OR DESSERT TO SHARE. Musical entertainment will be provided by Lorren Lindevig.  There will also be prizes, pontoon rides, swimming, etc.  You mush register in advance by calling Steve Hallgren at 218-384-4400 or 1 877-584-4440.

A private Retirement/Going Away get together was held at the school on June 2nd for the faculty and staff to help honor and thank Bill Freiermuth, Lisa Donelson and Judy Wunch for their years of dedicated service to our school district.  These three people will surely be missed around our school and if you see them, please thank them, too.  Bill taught 5th grade, Lisa was the Media Specialist, and Judy was Speech.  Good luck now in whatever you choose to do in the future.

The next meeting of the Carlton County Retired Educators will be on Tuesday, June 14th at 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the old Washington School just North of Esko, MN.  Lunch will be at noon followed by a short meeting and program.  The featured speaker will be Rachael E. Martin accompanied by Ruby Thomson.  Rachael will put on a living history portrayal of a Swedish Immigrant Woman who worked as a maid at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. The portrayal takes place in 1916. Rachael will be assisted by Ruby on the piano with Swedish music.  New members and visitors are always encouraged to attend.  Members, please bring a friend if you want this time, as this is a really special program.

Last week, my husband Bob and I celebrated our 70th Wedding Anniversary. That seems like a really long time for two people that aren’t even 70 years old yet, but the way I figure it, I’ve been married for 35 years and so has Bob, so that makes 70 years.  There are times when it actually seems like 70 years, too, but then I often wonder where the years went because it seems really short, too.  We celebrated by going to graduation parties in the area.  We also took a trip out east in April as part of our anniversary.  It seems that there is never enough time to do everything, so we just take the times we can to relax and enjoy each other.  Bob especially enjoys the yard and gardening now that he’s retired.  He also goes fishing whenever he can.

That‚s all the news from Lake Enjoyyoursummer and Hello to Bill, Lisa, and Judy.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Wright News

05/25/2005

Wright News By Jennie K. Hanson May 25, 2005

Last week I had the chance to do some subbing at the Floodwood School. First I was in the 5th Grade for two days and then in the Special Ed. Room. The kids in 5th grade were getting pretty restless on the 2nd day, so we decided to have an airplane flying contest.  The students were given a regular piece of typing paper and had a few minutes to fold and design their planes.  Then we had test flights followed by the contest.  Each student had to fly their plane in groups of 4 or 5 kids and the plane that flew the shortest distance got an elimination check mark.  After three check marks, they were eliminated.  This went of for several rounds until finally it was just Colton, Justin and Cassie left.  The other students got pretty excited when Cassie was eliminated and ended up in 3rd place.  It took two more flights and Colton became the winner with Justin coming in in 2nd place. After the contest, the whole class realized that it wasn’t always how you made your plane, but how you threw it that mattered the most.  Colton had a very good throw and seemed to know just the right time to release his plane for the greatest distance.  All the kids seemed to enjoy the contest and learned that the best time is had when everyone tries their best and has a good time cheering for each other.

Then on the third day in Floodwood, I also happened to be there when the school had a “911 Lockdown”.  This was a very interesting experience.  At about 1 PM a voice came over the intercom announcing that this is a 911 Lockdown.  Everyone was to immediately leave the halls, return to their rooms, lock their rooms, cover any windows and go to a part of the room that was away from the doors.  I didn’t happen to have any students at the time, but there was another adult in the room with me, so we followed the directions and waited for an “All Clear” over the intercom.  It took about an hour for the “All Clear” to come and we spent the time wondering what was really happening.  After school the administration filled in the teachers and staff on what caused the lockdown and everyone went home safe and sound.

I was really impressed with how the whole situation was handled and felt very confident that the school could handle any situation that would come their way.  Even if there was no real threat (which no one knew for sure) at the time of the lockdown, everyone took it very seriously.

The Kid’s Plus After School Program has concluded for this school year. They want to thank everyone for their donations and support, but at this time they are short of their budget for next year.  They do plan to continue the program beginning next fall, but please be aware that if you know of any sources of funding, or are interested in writing a grant, your help is really needed.  We want to keep the ASP going as it gives so much help to both students and parents.

A lot of pounding hammers were heard on April 21st when Wright Senior Citizen’s Bob Hanson, Ray Gurske, and Bud Olson came to the ASP and helped the kids make birdhouses.  Thirty After School kids made either a wren house or a bluebird house to take home and put up in their yard.  The kids had a great time and so did the guys that helped them.

Dr. David Nichols will be ministering at the Sawyer Chapel in Sawyer, MN on June 3 - 5th2005.  Services will be on Friday and Saturday at 6:30 PM and on Sunday at 10 AM.  The Sawyer Chapel is 1 and 1/2 blocks south of the Sawyer Store on County F and Hwy 210.

As Memorial Day rolls around, I always like to stop and take the time to remember my former students who have passed away.  Even though I taught school for 32 years, there are way too many names on the list of those who have died way too young.  This is a somber reminder of how precious life is and how important it is to treasure the time we have with each other.  May God Bless the family members of these dearly departed.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Paul Henry Johnson on his recent death.  Paul battled cancer for the past few months and died in Moose Lake on Sunday, May 22, 2005.  His death is truly an end of an era.  His funeral was held at Bethlehem Lutheran on May 28th.  I’ll try to have more details next week.

The Hjalmar-Alto #429 Cromwell-Wright Auxiliary says “Thank You” to each and everyone who supported their Annual Ticket Raffle.  Winners are: 3rd prize: Gift Certificate to the Fire Side in McGregor to K. Anderson, Moose Lake, 2nd Prize table runner made by Geri Aho to Jeannie Beredahl, North Branch, MN, and 1st Prize: Quilt to Mary Risacher, Bloomington, MN.

The ticket sale money goes toward hospitalized veterans, Veterans Day coffee and donuts at both restaurants in Wright and Cromwell, and projects that develop during the year of 2005-2006, flags when persons would like to purchase to support by flying our symbol of red, white, and blue.  Don’t forget to fly the flag!

Join the Auxiliary. Come and see what it’s all about.  Members Welcome! The next meeting is June 13th 7:30 PM at the pavilion in Cromwell.  No meetings in July or August and the State Convention is in Moorhead, MN July 21-23 this year.

I’d like to close my news this week with a message to our men and women in the military on active duty and those veterans’s who sacrificed so much for our country in the past.  We will remember your outstanding courage and commitment to freedom.  And we will be thankful for fine Americans like you who have given so much to our great country.  Please know that we support you and will be thinking of you now and forever.  May God Bless You and God Bless America.

That’s all the news from Lake Endofanera and a special Hello to the family of Paul H. Johnson of Paul’s Auto Sales in Wright.