Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Wright News

09/14/2005

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson September 14, 2005

I’ve had a new experience in the past week.  I’m now on-line at home.  For the past year or so, I have been typing the “Wright News” at home on my computer, saving it on a disc, then driving over to my brother’s to e-mail it to the newspapers.  Now, I have the computer with e-mail capability at home and can send the news or anything else whenever I want to. This sure is a wonderful capability and will save me a lot of time, too.  So if you have news for the paper, and want me to include it in my articles, just call me for my e-mail address and I will try to get it in as soon as possible. Thanks.

Last week was an emotional one for me.  Our son Curtis was home for a week from Hawaii and then left on Sunday the 11th.  I was kind of worried about his flying back on September 11th, 911, but he made it just fine.  It’s always sad to see him go, but great to have him home, too.

On Saturday, the 10th, we had a family gathering at our home with pancake breakfast and all the trimmings.  It was so much fun for us to get together.

Then in the evening we went to Mark and Linda Dahlman’s for supper. Rozzie and Fabio were up from Mpls. for the weekend and it was great to see them.  They came up especially to see Curtis and give him a ride back to the airport.  So all in all the weekend was great!

I hear that Cromwell’s Harvest Fest was one of the best ones ever.  There were hundreds of people attending all the events.  There were 55 units in the Parade and over 50 venders in the craft / flea market.  I guess the 2nd weekend in September is a good choice for this event.  It seems that folks come out in droves for the last big event of the summer.

I hear that Barb Dahl won the Chili Cook-off.  It was hard to make a decision, because there were some great chili’s.

It might have helped the Harvest Fest attendance that there was a football game at home, too.  What an exciting game it was!  Albrook fumbled the ball in the first quarter and Cromwell recovered and later made a touchdown, but the extra point kick failed so the score was 6 - 0 for a while, then Albrook scored 2 touchdowns and the score remained 6 - 14 for most of game.  Then, with only a few seconds left in regulation time, Cromwell scored a touchdown and ran in for the 2 point conversion and the games was tied.  The game went into over time and Albrook won the coin toss.  They had 4 downs on the 10-yard line to make a touchdown and they did, but they missed the extra point so the score was 14 - 20 in Albrook’s favor.  Cromwell got the ball, went in for a touchdown and also successfully kicked the extra point so ended up winning the game 21 - 20.  Wow what an ending for our team! Albrook played a great game, too, holding us to just 6 points for most of the game.

The Cromwell/Wright 5th Graders attended the annual Conservation Day at the Cloquet Forestry Center on September 14th.  They went from station to station to learn about our counties forestry business.

Then, on Friday the 17th, the 3rd and 4th Graders went to Aitkin for the Festival of Adventures.  This is also an annual trip and the students go from station to station and learn all about our past history in Minnesota. They learn about the voyageurs, the trappers, the native Americans’ culture, and much, much more.  There are artisans there to show how things were made in the past and lots of original food booths, too.

The parents of 7th and 8th Graders need to be aware that there is no junior high school athletic practices this year on Wednesdays after school.  This is set aside for youth groups, confirmation, and other religious activities. This is something that has been needed for several years. We want to thank the school board, teachers, coaches and parents for this.

The youth group called Shine 24/7 is now having 2 nights a week for the kids to meet.  The 5th and 6th graders meet at Bethany Lutheran on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 5 PM with a light snack provided and the 7th - 12 meet on Wednesdays from 5 - 6:45 PM with a light meal provided.

Sunday school will resume at Bethany and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches on September 25th at the regular times.  All kids 4 years old - 7th Grade are encouraged to attend.  The 4th - 7th Graders in Bethlehem will also receive their Bibles on the 25th.

The Carlton County Retired Educators met at the Little Hanging Horn Village near Barnum on September 13.  They were treated to a delicious meal prepared by Sue Jordan, Chef Extraordinaire.  The menu consisted of Fresh leafy salad with Raspberry vinaigrette dressing, poached chicken on a bed of risotto rice with a tarragon glaze and Blackberry Crème Brulee for dessert.  Sue spent two years in Paris, France at the famous Maxim’s Restaurant as the first female intern.  Maxim’s has been known as the best restaurant in the world. I just talked to Carolyn Krogh and she told me that the Cromwell Class of 1947 met at Embers in Carlton for their 58th Class Reunion.  Only 3 class members were not able to attend, but they all had a great time and even planned their 59th reunion at the Embers for next year on Sunday, September 10th.  Although Carolyn wasn’t even born until 9 years after this class graduated, she was in attendance as the class had invited their teacher, Grace Krogh, Carolyn’s Mother, to attend.  This is the class of Bob Beck, Sulo Walli, and Gerry and Edna Mowers, just to name a few.  This class has also met for a reunion every year for years.  This sure is a great idea.

That’s all the news for this week from Lake Lookingforwardtofall and Hello to all my new on-line friends.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Wright News

09/07/2005

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson September 7, 2005

With school back in session, the fall activities are well underway.  Our football team started out well with a big win over MIB last week and now will face Albrook on the 9th and McGregor on the 16th at home.

Congratulations to the Cross Country Team on a great race at the last meet.

Kyle Smith took 1st place in the 7th and 8th race and Ben Scharnberg (our Floodwood teammate) took 4th in the varsity race.  Every one ran great. Since Floodwood does not have a Cross Country team, a couple of kids have joined our team.

Remember that Open Library begins on September 12th.  The hours will remain the same as last year.  M-Th, 3:30 - 5:30 PM.

School pictures will be taken on Thursday, September 15th starting at 8:30 AM.  Preschool pictures will be taken at noon.

Have you been saving those milk caps, soup labels, and pop tabs, etc. for the school?  Well, you can start turning them in now. Thanks in advance.

Heather Maki of Cromwell, daughter of Charlie and Pam is the recipient of the Swenson Foundation’s chemistry scholarship for the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  The Swenson Foundation scholarship is a full tuition, fees, and books scholarship that is renewable for four years.  Wow, that is really great for one of our school’s alumni. It goes to show that our school is doing a great job for our students who really apply themselves.

Jackie Bloemendaal, daughter of Joan and Dave has graduated from college with a B. S. in Applied Math in just 3 years.  She said she got her love for math from her teachers and especially from Mr. Bill and Mr. Koenig.  She will be honored with a family party at her parent’s home on September 18th. Congratulations, Jackie!  Job well done!

Sara Lind, daughter of Carrie and Wayne, attended the Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) program for freshman and transfer students at Bemidji State University in July.  Sara is a freshman.  SOAR is a day-long orientation program that gives students the opportunity to meet individually with an academic advisor, undergo academic assessment, evaluate class placement recommendations, identify university academic expectations, be involved in small group discussions focusing on residential campus life and register for fall classes.

By the time you read this, the Harvest Fest will be over, but the memories will last a lot longer.

Speaking of memories, I will remember for a long time my 60th Birthday party on Labor Day.  This was also shared with my grandson, Justin LeBlanc, from Cloquet, and son Curtis Hanson, from Honolulu, Hawaii, as they both graduated from high school and college recently.  There were many family and friends that attended and we all appreciated their joining us at the church.

My brother John Dahlman and wife Mary were here from Denver, Colorado, sister Margaret Taylor and husband Howard came from Midway township, and also brother Mark and Linda from Wright, Aunt Irene Bolstad, along with so many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and family.  I want to thank those who helped in the kitchen, especially Margaret Webster, Marilyn Schultz and Sharon Lake.  It’s nice to know that I have so many friends.  So, thank you all who came, gave gifts, and or helped out in any way.  You are really appreciated.

Our son, Curtis was home for a brief visit from September 4 - 11th.  We picked him up in Mpls. on the 4th and his cousin, Rozzie and her husband Fabio Obando brought him back to the airport on the 11th.  It sure was great to have him home with us.  He is now working for a by-weekly newspaper in Honolulu doing their Web Page and their on-line advertisements.

Our sympathy to the family of Leonard Eugene Finnila at age 75 years, 11 month and 25 days, of Wright, MN, who died on August 28, 2005 at his home in rural Prairie Lake Township with his family by his side.  He was born on September 4, 1929 to Oscar and Dekla (Oja) Finnila.  He just made his 50th Wedding Anniversary by one day, as he and Donna were married on August 27, 1955.  His funeral was held on September 1, 2005 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Henry Koopman officiating.  Music was by Sue Jobe. So to his wife Donna, sons, Dale of NY, David (Luann) of Burnsville, Calvin of Wright, and Ronald (Nancy) of Northfield and daughter Elaine (George) Hatfield of Fremont, CA and his 6 grandchildren, and brother Allan Finnila, may your memories of Leonard be only great ones.  He will be missed by you all.

On Friday, September 16th the 3rd and 4th graders will be going to Aitkin, MN for the annual Festival of Adventures and William Aitkin Fur Post Rendezvous.  This is a wonderful day of events and displays for our students.  I have attended several times and would encourage everyone to go to this event.  It is also open to the public on the 17th and 18th.

The Bethlehem/Bethany Lutheran Shine 24/7 Youth Group will be starting there fall and winter program on Wednesday, September 8th.  They will be meeting every Wednesday from 5 - 6:45 PM.  This year the youth will be divided up into teams and each team will be responsible for specific parts of the group.  Such as meals planning, devotions, clean up, etc. if you have youth ages 5th - 12th grades, please encourage them to join or at least attend when they can.  Call Peggy Olson or Joey Anderson if you have questions, or if you would like to help them with this very worthwhile group.

The Carlton County Retired Educators will be meeting at the Little Hanging Horn Village near Barnum on Tuesday, September 13th at 11:30 AM.  They will be served an authentic French meal and then tour the grounds of the Village with the owner and chef.

The Kids Plus After School Program will resume on Monday, September 12th right after school on Mondays-Thursdays. Registration forms are available at the school.  For your child’s safety, they must be picked up from the After School program classroom.  They are also looking for donations of cash or other supplies such as glue, craft supplies, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, 100% juices, and peanut putter.  If you have any left over craft supplies that you think would come in handy to the program, just bring them to the school and drop them off.  Thanks in advance!  Volunteers are also welcomed.

Sunday school has resumed at St. John’s Lutheran at the 9:30 AM time.  Their church services are at 10:30 AM.  Sunday school will resume at Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright on Sunday, September 25th at 9 AM.  New kids ages 4 years to 7th Graders are welcome to attend.  Also volunteers are welcome to help, too.

Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary party for Earl and Marlene Almquist on Saturday, September 17th, 2 - 5 PM at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell.  Congratulations to this fine couple.

Ted Youker will be doing the worship service at Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright on Sunday September 18th, at 9 AM.  He will be speaking about his experiences in Africa.  He spent 3 weeks there recently and has lots to share.

That’s all the news from Lake GreattohaveCurtishome and Hello to everyone that attended or sent cards for my 60th.