Monday, October 06, 2008

Wright-Cromwell News

10/06/2008

Wright-Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson October 6, 2008

First I want to thank my readers and contributors for all the help and encouragement over the past years in writing the news. It was 26 years ago in October (1982) that I started writing the news for Beseman Township after Tillie Solomon stopped writing.  I wrote for a few years for her and then for my old 4th grade teacher Kai Kelly Kent and then for Eleanor Spicer (who had taken over for Helen Benson) and now for Kathy Entner and the Cromwell News.  And, yes I still have copies of all those articles, somewhere.  It has been great fun writing every week and keeping the community informed of events and my thoughts as well.  It is always hard to write those sympathy articles, though.  But I know it helps everyone to know how much our little communities band together in joy and sadness.  There is no place like a small close knit community to live in.  It’s great!!  So, on with the news.

Jake Kachinske and Pastor Koopman attended the Brainerd Circuit Forum Sunday afternoon at Mission of the Cross church in Cross Lake.

There was no church at St. John’s on October 5 as Pastor Koopman was on vacation.  In his absence, Rev. James Milchner of Confessional Lutheran Education Foundation conducted joint services in McGregor.  He also gave a presentation on the work of ELEF during coffee fellowship after the service.  Sunday School took place as usual at the 9:30 time.

The Mary and Martha Society will meet one week later in October because of Pastor Koopman’s vacation. They will meet at the church on October 9th at 1:30 PM. 

Karen Reid is recovering from eye surgery to repair a macular hole called Vitrectony.  Keep her in your prayers.

I was asked to announce that here will be NO Hunter’s Supper in Tamarack this year!  The folks at the first Presbyterian Church are just getting too old to keep it going and there aren’t enough young people to carry on.

Long time resident, Betty K. Johnson, died at the Villa Vista on September 27, 2008.  She was born on September 12, 1919.  A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

I know that there must be more news for this week, but I’m in a hurry and must get this mailed off.  Have a great week from Lake Hurryandhurry. 

Monday, September 22, 2008

Wright - Cromwell News

09/22/2008

Wright - Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson September 22, 2008

This is probably one of my favorite times of year.  I love the fall and all its colors and crisp air.  I also look forward to my favorite TV programs coming back on the air again.  I hope everyone else is enjoying fall, too, as it won’t be long and winter will be upon us.  I’m sure we can all wait for that.

And speaking of fall, the Cromwell – Wright Football teams will be having a 20-year reunion on October 3rd at the home football game vs. McGregor.  This was the year that all those terrific state championships really got started.  So if you were on any of those tournament teams, (1988 thru the 2000’s) plan to attend this home game.  I hear there will be a special presentation at halftime that evening.  This is the 20 year Anniversary of the first football team in Cromwell history to go to state.

The Lakeside Community Club will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Lakeside School on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the schoolhouse from 1 – 4 PM.  Come on out and help them celebrate 100 years in the community, look over lots of memorabilia and enjoy refreshments.  Folks are asked to dress in the favorite style of any decade.  There will be a program at 2 PM.  Feel free to bring photos or any interesting school related items to share.

Tim and Milyssa Aho celebrated their birthdays at the Americinn in Carlton with lots of friends and family on Sunday, September 21st, 2008.  They are both in 6th grade and just turned 12.

Ray and Lindsay Lally and Jennie and Bob Hanson met Tony and Bev Krall for lunch in Carlton on the 18th.  They had a great time catching up on what’s going on in their lives.

The Cromwell Area Historical Club began in 2001 when Judy Koivisto began formally collecting the area history.  She has been storing these items in her home and will be soon moving them into the new Cardinal Court for display. If you want any information on the history of the Cromwell area, Judy will most likely have it.  If you have information or items to add to the collection just let me know and I will get a hold of Judy for you.

There have been a lot of rumors going around that the Food Shelf and the Area Clothing Depot are moving or even closing.  Well. THEY ARE NOT!  They will remain right where they are for the time being, so if you need them, just go to the old school in Wright and see for yourself that they are open and ready for customers.
The price increase on bags at the Depot has not seemed to deter any business either.  Thanks to the loyal customers and donations, the CD will remain open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 AM – 3 PM. 

The Cromwell-Wright School will be holding their School Board Election at the same time as the national election on November 4th.  Those running for school board are Lola Joy Hakala, Jerri L. Haugan, Doreen Warner, Steven L. Bridge, and Walter Collman.  I haven’t heard how many seats are open or who is going off the board.

Remember that the school is again publishing the Bus Bulletin, so you can go to the school’s website or pick one up at area businesses to keep up on what’s going on at school and the community.

The Cromwell YOT is planning a fall bus trip to Jay Cooke Park to enjoy the turning leaves on Tuesday, October 7.  We’ll rent a bus that will meet us at the Cromwell Pavilion at 10:00 a.m.  Your cost for the bus trip should be nominal and we’ll stop in Wrenshall for lunch.  If you’d like to reserve a seat, please contact Carolyn at 644-3670.  Our next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14.

The Cromwell-Wright Luminary committee is planning their annual holiday doings for Saturday, December 20.  Exciting ideas will be discussed at our next meeting on Sunday, October 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Pavilion.  You are most welcome to join the planning team.  Also, we plan to decorate the city streets of Cromwell with luminaries in December and could use your help in collecting clear milk jugs.  The opaque white jugs don’t let the light shine very bright.  There is a new drop off box is at the Pavilion in the small booth outdoors that is used for the tractor pull registration.  Please drop off your rinsed out milk jugs there – with or without labels – and our area youth will make the jugs into luminary magic.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Elsa Piirainen of Cromwell celebrated her birthday on September 12th with friends Miriam Alander, Ruth Karki, Denise Myers, Carolyn Schatz and Helen Stone.  Her son Richard, grandson Matthew and his girlfriend, Andrea, celebrated with her the following Sunday.  Happy Birthday, Elsa!!

Here’s a little puzzle I got on the internet.  It’s titled: Who Am I?
I am 42 years old, I love the outdoors, I hunt, I am a Republican reformer, I have taken on the Republican Party establishment, I have five children, I have a spot on the national ticket as vice president with less than two years in the governor’s office.  Who am I?  The answer is at the bottom of this column. Enjoy guessing.

Our sympathy to the friends and family of Ruth Sjodahl who passed away on September 8, 2008.  Her funeral was on September 11, 2008, but I have no further information as I didn’t see it in the area papers.  If you have any information, please call me.  But, we do know that Ruth will be dearly missed by her wonderful friends in Wright.

The Immaculate Catholic church is having a Hunter’s Mass on Saturday, October 4th at 5 PM.  It will be followed by a Chili Feed with corn bread and pie.  Cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids.  Special St. Hubert medals will be available for purchase as he is the patron saint of hunters.

Kathleen Lowry was in church on Sunday at Bethlehem Lutheran.  She is in the area visiting and also shared special flowers in memory of her mother, Eunice who would have been 100 years old on October 11, 2008.  It was great to have Kathleen back with us again.

The play, “Harvey” will be presented by the County Seat Theater on September 25 – 28th and Oct. 2 – 5 in Cloquet, Mn.  Prices are $15.00 for Adults and $13.00 for Students.  Call soon for reservations as the tickets go fast.  Call: 218-591-0049.

There will be a Benefit Dinner at Bethany Lutheran for the family of Angel Holm.  Angel recently passed away and she is survived by her husband and 3 young sons.  The dinner is planned for Friday, November 7th from 3 – 7 PM and volunteers are needed.  Please call Joey Anderson at 644-3786 if you can help out.

Bob and I had a chance to go out to Bob and Yvonne Davis’ home on Rice Haven Road and see the wild rice operation there.  Mark and Nolan Wester own and run the operation now, but Bob still does a lot of the work, too.  It sure was interesting, but very hot and dusty work.  It gives you a deeper appreciation for all the work it took the Native Americans to make wild rice edible in the early years before machines could a lot of the work.

Thomas Joseph Miller of Cromwell, Mn was honored at an Eagle Scout Ceremony on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  Mayor Dick Huhta was Master of Ceremonies, Trish Riel, Committee Chair, gave the Invocation, and Scoutmaster, Kyle Riel convened the Court of Honor.  Other participants were Chris Anderson, Asst. Scoutmaster, Eagle Scout, Marty Bush and members of the Cromwell-Barnum Scout troop.  Ken Kangas presented Tom with a special hand carved diamond willow walking stick which he made himself and gives to each Eagle Scout at their ceremony.

Donna Rae Lehti left this world on September 14, 2008, after a courageous battle from pancreatic cancer.  Her kindness, wit, wisdom, and cooking will be truly missed by all who knew her.  So to her husband, Donald of 45 years and her daughters, Lisa and husband Steve Olson and Jaime and husband Dustie Wosmek and grandchildren, Dylan and Kayce Wosmek and family and friends we bid a fond farewell to Donna.  Her daughter, Jaime, said it best with the following remarks and remembrances of her mother.

“When I was a teenager, I came and went as I pleased, knew everything I needed to know, and thought my mom totally didn’t understand me at all.  When I became a mother myself, I came to the interesting conclusion that my mom was a GENIUS – as selfless Genius!  Piano lessons, violin lessons, gymnastics, band girl scouts, Sunday school, confirmation, volleyball, speech, slumber parties, birthday parties, roller skating, prom dresses and graduation parties.  She did all of this for us without complaining – because that’s what mother’s do.  They give and give and when the time is right, they let us go and hope they did the right thing.

Another interesting fact I’ve learned is that mothers turn into a different creature altogether when they become grandmothers!  Grandma’s are always happy, they know all the silliest songs, and always have great big hugs for the babies.  My Mom was there when my son was born, and from that time on they were attached by an inseparable bond.  Dilly will always be the apple of her eye.  When Tootsie came along, almost two years later, every hope and dream my mom ever had came true.  I think, really, because my mom always used to tell me “someday you’re going to have a daughter and she’s going to be just like you” .. and for those of you who remember me when I was little, You’ll be happy to know my daughter talks just as much as I did.

Dylan and Kayce spent a lot of time with Grandma Donna, who early on decided she didn’t want her grandchildren in daycare, so she made the decision to drive almost 100 miles a day to make that possible, She was always ready to color, play outside, and was, I’m pretty sure, the reason my kids still throw up their hands in the air and yell” Come on Down!” (Donna loved the “Price is Right”)

So, thank you Mom … For making me do my best, and loving me when I didn’t.  For making me practice my music lessons: they come in handy.  For letting me make mistakes, although you might’ve mentioned that rye flower is not the same as regular flour when my friends and I were making cookies.  For telling me high school boyfriends didn’t matter, because one day I would find my Prince Charming.  For letting me wear your wedding dress.  For making the best spaghetti in the entire world, For giving us the gift of a mom at home.. and for giving dad the opportunity to create the funniest game in the world … “Who wants to wake up Grandma??  I love you, Mom!”

I know the news got a little long this week, but I felt it was important to include the feelings of a grateful daughter.  We hear so much about the delinquent kids in the world and it’s nice to hear from those that turned out so good.  Thank you Jaime for this fine tribute to your mom and for letting us all share it.

That’s all the news from Lake Leavesturningcolors and Hello to Pastor Janeva for all she does to help keep this community on a solid foundation.  Your work is truly appreciated!!

Oh, the Answer to Internet puzzle is :  I am Teddy Roosevelt in 1900.  Bet you thought it was Sarah Palin.  Isn’t it funny how history repeats its self!