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.

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Wright News

05/17/2005

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson MAY 17, 2005

With only a few days left now of the school year, things seem to be winding down in the area.  But then again, all the usual summer events are also just getting started. I’m sure most of us are looking forward to summer and warmer weather.  But so far, there have only been a few days of warm weather here.  So, for those of you who read the Wright News and live far away from our area, please help us get some of that warm weather, soon.

May 15th, 2005 was a really big day for the folks who attend Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell.  Please read on for the details.

I’m sure some of the area folks who attend Bethany Lutheran Church were surprised when Lori Jean Super and Gary Niehorster got married in church during the regular church service on the 15th of May.  Everyone who attended also was welcome to stay for a reception in their honor after the services.  Gary and Lori Jean will make their home in Cromwell in the old Sally Parviainen home on Hwy 210 just west of the school.  Congratulations to these newlyweds and may God Bless you for many, many years to come.

Nathan Carter Eliason, son of Greg and Christine Eliason was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church on May 15, 2005.

Johanna Stenson, Kaicee Hakala, Lucy Super, and Jaime Bridge received First Communion at Bethany in Cromwell on May 15, 2005.

May 15th was also the last day of Sunday School so the children sang in church and received awards for attendance and their memory work.

Graduation will be at the school on May 27th, at 8 PM this year and it seems that most of this year’s graduates will be having their grad parties on Saturday, May 28th from noon to 3 PM.  We will all have to move pretty fast to make it to most of them.

Oscar Eliason has been serving on the Carlton County Extension Committee for the past 9 years and is now stepping down from that position.  Oscar talked about his years of service and recalled his early days as a time of great learning that resulted in many changes.  His most memorable recollections include meeting and getting to know people from other parts of the county, and working with various county commissioners throughout the years. Thanks, Oscar for a great job well done!

Did anyone notice that in last week’s Voyageur Press (May 10th) the front-page of the 2nd section featured the flowers of Sulo and Delores Walli?  They were the beautiful blossoms of the clematis.  The Walli’s have had this plant for 6 years and the blooms usually outnumber the leaves.

The Cromwell Community Arts Group will be holding a Talent Show on June 17 at the Harvest Fest Steak Fry from 6 - 7 PM at the pavilion in Cromwell.  Anyone wishing to enter can call Jeanne at 644-3593 or Sam at 390-2974.  Cash prizes will be awarded.

The Clothing Depot is in need of your donations at this time.  Please drop them off on the 1st landing when you can and thanks in advance.  They can especially use children’s clothing and household items.  Brown Paper Bags are also needed at anytime.

The ladies at Bethlehem Lutheran have concluded their quilting for this year, but will try to start up again in the fall.  They made 54 quilts this year for Domiano, and LSS.  Some are also donated locally to those who need them. They will be needing sewing thread, material, backs, and batting.  If you can help out by donating any of these items, please call me and I will help you out.

Speaking of quilting, Jake VonDeLinde has been helping out the ladies this winter with quilts, too.  He has made over 60 - 70 quilts in the past few years.  You should see them, they are just great.  This is a great hobby for a great guy.

A funny thing happened the other day.  I was wearing a Cromwell Cardinal’s football sweatshirt, the one that they made in 1996 when we won the State Championship, when my 7 year old grand daughter turned and looked at me and asked; “Why do you have a muffin on your sweatshirt, Grandma?” I guess she thought the metrodome looked like a muffin.  That sure was cute and after taking a better look at the shirt myself, I could see how she could mistake the dome for a muffin.

That’s all the news from Lake Congratstothegrads and Hello to Lori Jean and Gary and all your family.