Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Wright News

08/16/2005

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson August 16, 2005

Had they lived, my parents, Katharine and Wallace Dahlman would have celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary today, August 16.  They were married in 1939 and only had a couple of years together before WWII broke out.  During these war years they looked to the future and had 3 children. I was the 3rd of their 5 children and was born just after the war ended in August of 1945.  I am not considered a “Baby Boomer”, but just about.  I think my parents must have had a lot of courage to bring children into the world during those war years.  They must have been optimistic and looked to a better and brighter future for themselves and their children.

So with those thoughts in mind, I hope and pray that the war we are fighting now will soon be over and our soldiers can come home safe and sound.

Speaking of my late parents, my mom’s first cousin, Alvin Johnson of Floodwood died on August 12, 2005 at age 72.  His funeral was held on August 17th at the Catholic Church in Floodwood.  Alvin and his wife Violet (VandeNest) would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on August 27th.  Our sympathy to her and their 3 surviving children, 3 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and his 4 sisters.

The Tri-Community Clothing Depot held their regular meeting on August 16th and it was decided that no more huge donations are needed at this time. That means the warehouse is full and they need time to get those things out before any further pick-up loads come in.  Smaller donations are welcome as long as they are left on the first landing of the old Wright School.  PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE DONATIONS OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OR JUST INSIDE THE FIRST FLOOR DOORS.  Last week donations were left outside and they got rained on and ruined.  Also, NO COMPUTERS OR COMPUTER PARTS ARE WELCOME.  They have no way of getting rid of them and the landfill charges $25.00 per item and that is way too expensive for the depot to deal with.

Speaking of the depot, the average income is around $500 to $600 per month.

Expenses can go as high as $300 - $400 a month, so the depot is doing well.  It also helps when people give extra cash donations.  Last year the depot donated over $2000 to charitable groups in the area.  So, thanks for all the support.

The Clothing Depot is also in need of more volunteers to help work on Tuesday and Saturday.  Please call me if you are interested.

The new Clothing Depot Officers are President: Jennie K. Hanson, Vice President: Marlene Almquist, Secretary: Shirley Walli, Treasurer: Carmen Martin, and Board Members: Art Jauss, Bob Hanson, Roxanne Norton, Ailie Costello and Jennie Waisanen.  There are also several other volunteers which are very much appreciated.

Don’t forget to attend the Bethany Family Night on August 24th at 6 PM for the Potluck or 7 PM for the program: Jasen with an “E” Concert.

Vacation Bible School, held in Cromwell the week of August 8 - 12th was a huge success.  There were over 75 kids in attendance and the theme this year was “Serengeti Trek.” Where kids are Wild about God!  The kids were divided into 4 Safari Crews and then went from station to station to learn about the stories in the Bible.  Leaders this year were Lynn Odegaard, and Julie Hedin, along with over 35 volunteer teachers, helpers and crew leaders.  The whole church was decorated with a jungle theme and they even had a 6-foot tall giraffe, huge trees and many, many posters and stuffed animals.

One of the projects this year was a treasure chest for donations to go towards getting things such as phone cards for our local guys serving in Saudi and Iraq.  The kids and their parents donated over $250.00 in change for this cause.  WOW! That was great.

There will be a special worship service at both Bethany and Bethlehem on Sunday, August 28th at their regular services.  A group called “Simple Grace” the Jim Hitch Family will be doing the service on that day.  Please feel welcome to attend at 9 AM in Wright or 10:30 AM in Cromwell to be blessed by them. There will also be an early service at 7:45 at both churches that day.

Earl and Marlene Almquist will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on September 17th from 2 - 5 PM at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell.

Bob and Yvonne Peterson have been selected Carlton County Senior Citizen’s of the year for 2005.  They will be honored at the Fair on Friday, August 19th.  Congratulations to you both.  When I think of Bob and Yvonne, I think of the word, “Teamwork.” They work together, tirelessly for any cause that comes their way.  Each one doing their part and getting the job at hand done.  They both told me that “They help out because it’s needed, and not for any special recognition.  It’s what God would want them to do.” Well, Bob and Yvonne, we all want to thank you for all your years of helping and this is only a small way to show our appreciation.

Wayne Thom was named “Minnesota Trapper of the Year” on Saturday, August 6th, 2005 at the Minnesota Annual Trapper’s Convention held at the Barnum Fairgrounds. Wayne was selected especially because of his work with youth on teaching the art of trapping to them.  There were several thousand trappers and their families at the convention this year.  There were Demonstrations, Vendors, the DNR, dancing, an auction, traps for sale, raw and tanned hides for sale, representation from the National Trapper’s Association, and the USA Fox and Fur was represented.  The Trapper’s association also donates many hides to schools for educational purposes.

Also attending were Wayne and Liz’s children and their families.  Dave, Mary and Alyssa Thom, Tim and Bonnie and Matt, Jacob, Adam and Elle, and Mike’s son’s Robert and Sean.

There are also a few up-coming events to keep in mind.  School starts on September 1st, The Harvest Fest in Cromwell will be the weekend of September 9th - 11th, and I’m sure football, cross country and volleyball are all underway at this time.

I want to especially thank everyone who helped out at the Little Red Schoolhouse this year at the Carlton County Fair.  This school is staffed by volunteer retired teachers from the area and the schoolhouse is well received.

Have a Great week from Lake Happytogetbackonaschedule and Hello to Berice Gresczyk and all your family.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Wright News

08/10/2005

Wright News By Jennie K. Hanson August 10, 2005

This has been a very busy week for my family and me.  I’m sure it has for you and yours, too.  It seems that summer is no longer those “lazy, hazy days”, but those busy, crazy days.

It started out last week with my mother-in-law having medical problems. Then, with all that is involved with Vacation Bible School things really got busy.  And now with the county fair and school resuming, it will probably not slow down anytime soon either.  Oh, well, I guess that’s what Grandmother’s are for.  So I better enjoy it when I can.

I hope everyone is remembering to write to our guys in Saudi and Iraq.  As this war goes on, it seems that we forget that we have men serving our country, but we need to pray for them and let them know we care and appreciate them, so much.  They are really missed at home, too.  Trent and Trace Mowers will be 21 years old on August 14th.

Dean and Crystal Goranson are proud to announce the birth of their 2nd son, Wyatt George Goranson on July 21, 2005, weighing in at 7 lbs, 14 oz.  He has a big brother Jaeger Dean.  Their address is 20230 Rhoda Ave., Welch, MN. 55089-9550 if you’d like to send them a card. Wyatt’s grandparents are Mark and Linda Demenge of McGregor, Keith and Debbie Goranson of Wright, and Richard and Patty Johnson of Floodwood.  Great Grandmothers are Pat Peterson and Lillian Palo of Wright, Ramona Goranson of Cloquet, and Helen Johnson of Iron River, Michigan.

This whole community wishes to offer our sympathy to the family of Margaret Elizabeth Smith on her recent death on August 7, 2005.  Although shed died at the age of 92, her very dedicated family will miss her.  I say dedicated because Margaret spent the last several years in the Sunny Side Health Care Center in Cloquet and at most times was unable to talk.  Her family came to visit almost every day over those years to keep her informed on what was going on.  Margaret is survived by her children, Yvonne and Bob Peterson of Wright, Myrna and Dean Knight of Denver, Colorado, Peggy and Bob DeCaigny of Cloquet, Leo of Proctor, Gerald and Berty of Barnum, and Albert and Mary of Phoenix, her sister Tillie Franseen Caron of Vancouver, Washington, and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Congratulations and a very Happy 50th Birthday to Crystal Hakala of Cromwell.  A party was held in her honor on Sunday August 14th after church at Bethany Lutheran. Her actual birthday is August 16th, so you can still send her a card.

There are over 70 kids attending Vacation Bible School in Cromwell from both of our communities.  The teachers and staff are doing an excellent job teaching the kids how to be Wild about God.  This year’s theme is the Serengeti Trek and they are learning that God is the King of Everything. Julie Hedin and Lynn Odegaard are the leaders this year along with many, many volunteers.

Mary and Larry Purcell’s soon, Dan is undergoing treatment for cancer and is in a hospital in Helena, Montana.  His family would greatly appreciate it if you sent him a card.  His address is Dan Purcell, Room 316, St. Peter’s Hospital, Helena, Montana 59601.  Let’s all pray for successful treatment for Dan.

Don’t forget to put Cromwell’s Annual Harvest Fest on your calendar of events.  It takes place this year on September 9 - 11th with the usual schedule of events starting with the Steak Fry on Friday night.

Russell French, Amy Houck, Mike McNulty, and Wendy Shabiash were recently named to the Dean’s List at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet for the Spring Semester.  Requirements for earning dean’s list honors include maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or higher while completing 12 or more credits during a semester.

Don’t forget that you are always welcome to attend Bible Study at St. John’s in Wright at 7 PM. on Thursday evenings.  They are studying the theory of evolution now.

I received a letter in the mail last month telling me that there is a book being published on the history of girl’s/women’s basketball in Minnesota. Several years ago, the authors of this book came to Cromwell to interview some of our first girl’s basketball players.  I attended this meeting along with Gladys Clark, Mae White, Alice Carter, Eileen Grover and several others that I can’t remember at this time, but I’m sure you might remember some of the gals who played basketball in those early years.  I am looking forward to getting this book which will be available in October.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy for your family, the address is: Daughters of the Game, McJohn Publishing, LLC, P. O. Box 390042, Edina, Minnesota, 55439-0043.

A couple of weeks ago, Margaret Olson Webster was a featured guest on the “Help Me Rhonda” Show on the 610 AM radio station.  She was being interviewed about her most recent book, “Are All the Hero’s Gone?” I haven’t seen the book yet, but must get a copy soon.

Did you know that the members of the Carlton County Retired Educators volunteer at the Little Red School House every year.  They take turns doing 2-hour shifts, they greet the people and help the youngsters see how school used to be in the early 1900’s.  Stop in for a visit.  You may even see one of your former teachers there.  This year the art work displays will be from the Moose Lake Schools.

I will be leading an early morning worship service at Bethlehem Lutheran on the last Sunday of the month from now on.  This service will be from 7:45 - 8:30 AM.  Please try to join us for this informal way to worship the Lord.

There will be special music at both Bethany and Bethlehem on August 28th at their regular worship services.  Be there for a chance to enjoy this wonderful entertainment and witness to our faith.

That’s about all the news I have for this week except that school will resume on September 1st, Football practice will start this week and gardens will need to be harvested soon.  Have a great week from Lake Tohottotrot and Hello to all of the family members of the late Margaret Smith, and we’ll see you at the fair.