Sunday, July 16, 2006

Wright News

07/16/2006

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson

Boy, this past weekend was a busy one. First off there were all the Wrong Days events and then all the hot, and I mean really hot weather. But no matter how hot we have it here, it can’t be as hot as our soldiers have it in Iraq. So, every time I hear someone say how hot it is, I remind them of our soldiers and they don’t seem to think it’s so bad here after all.

Olivia Warpula was crowned the 2006 Wrong Days in Wright Queen. Her sister Emily, who was last year’s queen, crowned her. Olivia sold over 500 buttons this year and all 5 candidates together sold over 1,900 buttons. Great job gals. Wyatt Jordan, son of Jesse and Crystal was the crown bearer, and Emma Hoover, daughter of Mindy and Jeromy was the flower girl. Karla Olson was in charge of the coronation activities.

This year’s Talent Show was better than ever at Wrong Days. Thanks to Sue Saarem, we had a piano accompanist. She played for Chelsea Thompson of Floodwood, who sang “Only Hope”, and for Amanda Baker, also of Floodwood, who sang “Tomorrow” and “Maybe”, songs from the musical, “Annie.”

Also, on the program were Katelyn, Jessica, and Lindsay Schatz, daughters of Blaine and Jody who did their dance routine called, “Barbie Mix”.

Opening and closing out the program were the trio called “Morning Joy” made up of Kathleen Entner, Deb Switzer, and Sue Saarem. This was also their farewell performance as Sue is moving to Wisconsin August 1st. Morning Joy also did a full concert at the church in Wright on Saturday during Wrong Days.

A donation was taken up at WD for our local wounded soldier, Brian Saaristo, of Wright. Brian is in Walter Reed in DC. His wife and kids are also there with him. His wife is so thankful his injuries weren’t any worse than they are. Now she said when he gets up in the morning, he will have to remember to put on his feet before putting on his shoes. What a great attitude for such a terrific loss. There are donation cans placed around the area for Brian and his family if you wish to participate in helping this deserving soldier. Please keep Brian, Cheryl and their kids in your prayers.

After having a couple of months off over the busy summer the Cromwell Sno-Gophers will be holding a Potluck Picnic at 3 PM on July 22nd, at John and Karen Hafner’s on Eagle Lake. John and Karen are Chairpersons (644-1088) and all members are needed to help with tables and clean up. Please bring your own lawn chairs.

Erv Pettit will have a well-deserved Retirement Party at his home in Cloquet at 39 9th St. on August 5, 1 - 5 PM. Everyone is invited to attend and wish him well in the future. Special note to the Class of 1963 - Please try to be there around 2 PM for an informal Class Reunion. Erv was in the class of “63, but he is also in a “Class by himself!” What a great guy!

The Co-op Store will be holding their Annual Meeting on August 10th at the Senior Citizen’s Building in Wright at 7 PM. The Wright Co-op is probably the only one left in all of Northern Minnesota. If you know of any others, would you please let me know? Thanks.

Don’t forget that St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wright will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary on August 20th. Call Linda Lehti at 357-2641 for details and to sign up for the dinner at noon.

Last week I did something I never thought I would ever do! I put $51.51 worth of gas in my van. I know that’s not the highest price I will ever pay, but it sure was a shock to the system. I really feel sorry for the people who have to fill their tank everyday or every other day just to get to work! I talked to a construction worker who puts $90.00 in his work truck every other day. Wow! Where will it stop?

Even with the high gas prices, people sure don’t seem to stop doing any driving. The highways are full. I guess gas will keep going up as long as people keep traveling and there is gas to buy.

Pastor Matt will be celebrating his last church service in Wright (9AM) and Cromwell (10:30 AM) on July 30th. Please feel free to come to these services and wish Sue and him well on their new calling. There will be Farewell Parties held after each service.

Vacation Bible School will begin on July 31st at 9 - noon at Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell. Please sign up the kids and then enjoy the week. Remember the church is air-conditioned. Helpers are also needed. Call LoriJeanne at 644-1100.

When is Jeremy Adelsgruber’s Grad Party? Please let me know so I can get it in the news.

A Farewell Party/Get together was held at Lindsay Lally’s on Wednesday, July 19th for the teaching staff who are leaving the school this year.

Our Post Master, Kathy, is out for a few weeks as she had surgery on July 11th. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Barb and Russ Hart took a trip to Itasca State Park and walked in the headwaters of the Mississippi. Russ had never been there before. On the way back they stayed at the Cooper Hotel, that’s their daughter Jody and Craig’s home in St. Cloud.

By the way, Russ’s back is better after spending at least a month in lots of pain and agony.

Congratulations to Geri Pfisthner and Ken Lind who were married on July 3rd, 2006.

Bob and I attended the 1955-1956 Class Reunion at the Fireside on Saturday, July 15th. More about that next week after the pictures are developed.

If there were other area reunions, please let me know. I know that some of the classes are getting together every year. I think Aurelia Hemmila’s class had a reunion, too.

Household Hint: Don’t discard that ballpoint pen just because it won’t write until you try this. Light a match and heat the ballpoint. Now see if that doesn’t restore the flow of ink. Most of the time, it will.

That’s all the news from Lake Trytostaycool and Hello and Farewell to all our school staff who will be leaving us for new adventures in your lives. Good Luck and stay in touch!

Monday, July 10, 2006

Wright News

07/10/2006

Our Congratulations are in order for Wade Delwyn Shane Schultz, son of Bob and Marilyn Schultz, and Courtney Kay Messer, daughter of Scott and Dulcie Messer, who were married on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, Mn.  The wedding took place at 4 PM with over 200 people in attendance.  A reception and dance was held at the Cromwell Park Pavilion after the ceremony.

Pastor N. Matt Saarem officiated.  The couple’s daughter, Ryanne Rose Schultz was the Honorary Flowergirl.  The Maids of Honor were Kori Remington and Charmayne Messer.  The Bridesmaids were Jessica Messer, Lisa Harding and Nicole Lindemann.  The Best Man was Bill Asp and the Groomsmen were Chad Schultz, Talon Johnson, Alex French, and Quint Schultz.  The Ushers were Dakota Messer, Bradley Messer and Danny Nyberg.  Wade’s brother, Quint Schultz, provided special music on his Trumpet and his sister-in-law, Destiny Schultz, was the organist. There were many others who helped make this a very special day for Wade and Courtney and they want to thank everyone who came and made their day so memorable.  They also wanted to thank those who sent greetings but were unable to attend.

The newly weds are making their home just North of Cromwell while Wade finishes his schooling and building their new home.  May God Bless them now and for many years to come.  By the way, they were married on the 6th year, the 7th month and the 8th day, so their anniversary should be easy to remember: 06-07-08.

The Cromwell-Wright Area Rummage Sales went really well over the past weekend.  There were at least 16 sales in all.  Maybe this will become an annual event on the 2nd weekend in July.

Because of all the area rummage sales, the Area Clothing Depot has gotten a lot of new donations, so please stop in to see what they have.  Remember donations are welcome, but NO COMPUTERS OR COMPUTER PARTS!  Leave donations up on the 1st landing of the old Wright School on the South entrance.

A memorial service and burial was held at Eagle Lake Cemetery for Sulo Mononen, 71, of Salo, Finland, who died on May 13, 2006, on July 2nd, 2006. His family and several classmates attended.  Rod and Ann Markusen Walli sang The Wayfaring Stranger, Rod also read a poem that Sulo had translated into English, several folks shared memories of Sulo, the group sang Amazing Grace and his sister Siiri played Taps on the Recorder.  Sulo’s ashes were placed in a Finnish Birch Urn and then buried in the family plot. A reception was held at Siiri Peterson’s after the service. Sulo was born in Cromwell in 1934 and attended school in Cromwell graduating in 1952.  Sulo went on to college and taught English and Music in McGregor, Drumond, WI, and Chicago. He had lived in Finland for the last 34 years.  Sulo is survived by his sisters Aina Larson of Cloquet, Mae Graff of Wright, Siiri Peterson and Anita Bill Conklin both of Cromwell and many other nieces and nephews.

Robert and Ulla Suhonen and son Josef, of Austria, are planning to move to Wright in June of 2007.  Robert is cutting back some of his duties with Operation Mobilization in Europe and will be living and working in our area for a several months next summer and fall.  Josef plans to attend school in Cromwell next fall and will enjoy getting to know his cousins better in the area.  The Robert Suhonen family made a trip to the Czech Republic for several days in early July to help out in an Operation Mobilization Teen Street Team.  Josef and four of his friends were also attending this as well.

Pastor Matt and Sue Saarem have purchased 3 acres of land near Amery, Wisconsin and ordered a modular home.  They have a general contractor who will do the well, septic, basement and other general house building jobs. They have even met their new neighbors and are excited to start this new chapter of their lives.

There will be a Community Farewell Party (Potluck) for the Saarem’s on July 30th, 2006 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell just after Pastor Matt’s last service at approximately at 11:30 AM. The area churches have been invited as well as all community members.

Bethlehem Lutheran will also be having a Farewell for Pastor Matt and Sue after services on July 30th in Wright.  Come for church at 9 AM and stay for the Farewell to the Saarem’s.

Vacation Bible School will be held at Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell the week of July 31 - August 4th - 9 AM - noon.  Kids 4 years old to 6th Graders are welcome.  Teachers and helpers are still needed, too.  Please call the church at 644-3640 or Lorijean at 644-1100 to pre-register.

Congratulations and Best Wishes go out to Linda Larson of Cromwell on her recent retirement from rural mail delivery.  She was featured in the Duluth News Tribune on July 4th, 2006 in the Local News Section.  Linda is now enjoying retirement by spending some of her days out in the hayfield.  She was the rural carrier for 34 years starting in 1972 after her mother-in-law, Dorothy Larson fell sick.  The Larson Family has been delivering the mail since Fred Larson delivered it on horseback in the winter and on motorcycle in the summer.  This month ends a long-standing tradition of a Larson Family member delivering the mail in the Cromwell area.  Wow, it must be over 75 years in the same family.  I wonder how many pieces of mail they delivered over all those years?  It must be over a million or maybe millions for sure. Good luck Linda in your retirement!  You can walk out and get your own mail from the mailbox for a change.

There sure will be a lot of changes at the school this fall.  There will be several new teachers or long-term subs this fall.  First, Dr. JoAn Bloemendaal, Principal at Cromwell-Wright School, is leaving for a new job in Pine City, MN.  Then, I have heard that Ms. Pearson, Spanish, and Ms. Granholm, 6th Grade, are taking maternity leaves of absence.  Ms. Brumwell, Computer and Bookkeeping, and Ms. Jerde, Special Ed have resigned to take other jobs.  Lindsay Lally will be retiring at the end of December.  Judy Koivisto will not be coming back as the Green Thumb worker either.  If there are other changes, please let me know.

The Carlton County Fair will be held in Barnum August 17th - 20th, 2006.  I am looking for volunteers to help out in the Little Red School House.  The Retired Teachers of Carlton County man this building during the fair, and as our group is getting older, we need volunteers to sit in the school for 2 hour periods and greet the visitors and just give out general information on the schools in the county.  Please give me a call at 357-2385 if you can spare a few hours.  You don’t have to be a former teacher, you can be a teacher or anyone interested in education in our area.  Thanks in advance.

There will be a 100th Birthday Party for Anna Dahlberg of the Villa Vista Care Center on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 1:30 PM with Loren Lindevig entertaining.  Her actual birthday is July 26th.  Come on out and help Anna Celebrate this monumental event in her life!

That’s all the news from Lake Changesaregood, Hello to Wade and Courtney and families and Have a Great, Great Week!