Monday, August 28, 2006

Wright News

08/28/2006

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson August 27, 2006

By the time you read this, school will probably have started or soon will be.  It starts in Cromwell on the 5th of September and I think the same in most schools in the area and the state.  The support of our school-aged students sure is appreciated by the schools and their staff.  Let’s make this year the best ever.

I want to congratulate all the 4-H Clubs in the area and their leaders and 4-H-ers who have worked so hard all year to make it to the state fair.  We sure have a lot of talented kids and youth that display their projects at the fairs in the area.

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wright, Mn celebrated their 100th Anniversary Centennial on Sunday, August 20, 2006.  The service off started with the Sunday School singing.  Former Pastor Roger Mackie led the morning service, and it was followed by a catered meal at noon.  Gwen Koopman and Janet Rode catered it. The servers were from Our Saviors Youth Group of McGregor.  Rev. Don Fondow, President of the Minnesota District was the afternoon speaker. Former Pastor’s Greg Tomhave, and William Moeller, Jr. also participated in the afternoon service.  Melinda Walli provided the special music for both services.  Karen Reid was the morning organist, and Ruth Mackie was the afternoon organist.  Jake Kachinske, President of St. John’s led the afternoon program, which included greetings from former pastors.  Pastor Moller sang in German.  Former Pastors that were there shared memories from when they served.  Pastor Rehwaldt, former vacancy Pastor shared a few words, also.  The afternoon service was followed by cake, coffee, and fellowship.

Amber and Aiden Lehti, along with Elisabeth and Andrew Kachinske are the 6th generation to be members of St. John’s.  It started with Fredrick Groth who signed the original constitution, then Ernest Groth, Russell Groth, Linda Groth Lehti, and her children Jamie and Scott Lehti and Sara Lehti Kachinske.

As part of the celebration, a Centennial addition cookbook was published. They are still for sale and you can contact any member of the Mary and Martha Society to obtain one.  The cookbook contains new and old photos of St. John’s, along with recipes from long ago up to recipes from the “Little Lutherans” of today.

I know there were many dedicated volunteers who worked for a long time to make this Centennial Celebration a success and they all need to be thanked for their work and dedication.

Marlys Bigelow and her son, Robert Bigelow, of Tennessee along with Joyce Hintz of Wisconsin, her son Larry Hintz of Illinois, and Jewel Cole of California, and also Dorothy Groth visited with the Lehti Families on Saturday, August 19th.  Later they all went to visit Mark and Sue Groth, and also saw Phillip, Angela, and Joshua Groth.  Everyone came to St. John’s Centennial the following day.

Also attending the centennial were Vicky and Anne Bigelow of Tennessee, and Dale, Roy and Caroline Borchardt of Oklahoma.  Vicky Hart Anderson of Colorado came to visit her parents and also attended the centennial.

“Congratulations” are in order for Chris Burns, son of Susan Burns, who recently was awarded his black belt in Taekwondo!!  Chris has been a member of the Greenquist Academy in Cloquet for the past 5 years and has spent many hours training in preparation of reaching this goal.  He has now accomplished this important first step.  He recently was asked to participate and attended the “Black Belt Training Camp” held in North Dakota.  He trained hard while there and met many new people.  Chris will continue his training in pursuit of the next level of black belts at the Greenquist Academy.

If you’re going to the Minnesota State Fair or have been there, visit the 4-H Building and say “Hello” to Kari Heikkila!  Kari is a 4-H Ambassador from Beltrami County and will be at the fair for its entire duration.  Kari did very well with her 4-H projects this year in her new county.  She had 13 projects; all received blue ribbons.  Of those projects, she also received 4 Grand Champion ribbons, two Reserve Champion ribbons, two trophies, and was selected for the Herdsmanship Award!  Her cat, Jaeda, aka: Kitty Baby won Grand Champion and received one of the trophies.  Kitty Baby was adopted from the Morrison County Humane Society where it was rescued after having its back legs caught in a trap.  Kitty Baby seemed to enjoy her trip to the fair and all the attention, too.  So, “Congratulations” Kari for a job well done and Kari says, “See you at the State Fair!” Speaking of the fair, the Carlton County Fair is one of the best county fairs in Minnesota.  Many people who visited the Little Red Schoolhouse told me so.  They came from all over the state and some from other places in the world and said that they wouldn’t miss the Carlton County Fair, because “It’s the Best!” We even had a visitor to the Little Red Schoolhouse from South Africa.  Brandon Hartley stopped by.  He is a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from South Africa.  He was impressed with everything at the fair. Brandon is hosted by the Buffalo, Mn District 5950/5960 Minnesota district of the Rotary.

Another surprising thing happened at the fair.  I met a guy tamed Charles Williams.  He is a 1st cousin, once removed, of Frank Mauk.  Frank Mauk lived where Lonnie and Sandy Gervias live now.  He was a bachelor and didn’t get out much, but I remember him and it was nice to visit with one of his relatives.  I have Charles’ address if you would like to talk to him sometimes.

I just got off the phone with Edna Samuelson and she gave me the Arrowhead Transit Mini Bus Schedule.  The bus leaves Wright on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from the Co-op Store at 8:55 AM and goes to Cloquet.  It returns around 1:00 or 1:30 PM.  The bus also goes to Duluth on the 2nd and 4th Fridays.  It leaves Wright at 8:55 AM and leaves Duluth around 2 PM getting back to Wright around 3 PM.  The cost for the Cloquet trip is only $3.00 and the Duluth Trip cost is $3.70.  You must call Edna Samuelson the day before to sign up and they need at least 5 passengers to make the trip.  The bus holds up to 18 passengers and is fully handicap equipped.  The bus also stops in Cromwell at the Villa Vista or where ever you need to be picked up.

Just let Edna know your needs. There still may be room for you to go on the Chmielewski Funtime Reunion Tour to Branson.  It leaves Cloquet on September 24 and returns on the 29th.

Just give Jackie a call at 1-800-737-9516 for more information. Last but not least, Don’t forget Harvest Fest at Cromwell on September 8, 9, and 10th.  Come on out, join the fun and celebrate the wonderful summer we have had here in the northland! Household Hint: Keep a supply of inexpensive surprises, gift-wrapped of course, for the older child when the new baby receives a gift. T hat’s all the news from Lake Toobusytothink and Hello to all the folks who attended St. John’s Centennial Celebration.  Please Email me at with your news. Thanks, jkh

Monday, August 21, 2006

Wright News

08/21/2006

Wright News By Jennie K. Hanson August 21, 2006

The Cromwell High School Class of 1947 will hold their 59th Class Reunion luncheon on Sunday, September 10, 2006 at Applebee’s Restaurant in Cloquet. Class members and their guests can RSVP to Carolyn Krogh at 644-3670.

Zula Matalamaki wants to thank everyone for all the birthday cards she received in the mail and also for the wonderful 80th Birthday Party she had at the Bethany Lutheran Church.  She thanks her family for putting on the party and to all her friends, relatives and neighbors from the Cromwell, Wright and Floodwood Area.

Congratulations to Walt and Esther Berg on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. They will celebrate at the Moose Lake Evangelical Covenant Church from 1 - 5 PM on August 27, 2006.  Walt was the former Methodist Minister in Cromwell for many years in the 1980’s.

Anyone out there want guitar lessons?  Well, we have found a guitar teacher.  Mary Rose Varo will be offering guitar lessons for beginners after school starting this fall.  Call her at 644-0920 to register or for more information.  If enough kids and adults register early, the classes could start as soon as September.  Otherwise they will probably start in October - December.  It all depends on the interest.

School will be starting on September 5th with a full day of classes.  We will be having several new teachers and a new principal.  The new principal is Mr. Tom Cawcutt (Mr. C) and he began working at the school on August 18th.  Mr. Cawcutt came to Cromwell from Moose Lake School and just got his Administrator’s License this spring.  He is married and has two daughters. He graduated from Carlton High School in 1995, so he is pretty young, but young is good!  We hope he has some new ideas and will enjoy working in this community.  He is also an avid runner, hunter and fisherman, so he should fit in well around this area.  Stop in the school to say Hello and Welcome to Cromwell-Wright!

Grace and Carolyn Krogh took a recent trip to Alpine, Utah to attend the wedding of Grace’s Grandniece Eliza Payne to Gavin McDermott of London.  The outdoor wedding was followed by an elegant dinner and completed by a show put on by family members and close friends with songs and stories.  Eliza, a recording jazz singer, sang ballads to her husband like “My Funny Valentine” and “Our Love is Here to Stay” and other family members wrote and performed a variety of other wonderful music.  After a honeymoon trip to Japan, the couple will reside in London.

During Grace’s weeklong stay, it was an excellent time for her to visit with her sisters and their families at the Snowbird Lodge in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City.  Other Krogh family members in attendance were Linda and Jon Krogh of Hutchinson, Mary and Raymond Walz of Redwood Falls, MN, and Emily Walz of Northfield, MN.  The mountain lodge was at 8,000 Feet elevation, which didn’t seem to bother Grace much as she climbed on the trails.  The family took a tram ride to the 11,000-Ft peak, which revealed mountain top views in every direction.  Grace said, “It was a wonderful trip and so nice to be with the family!”

FOREST HILL CEMETERY NEWS ALERT!

There will be an article in area papers that will give you more details on the current rules and protocols at the Forest Hill Cemetery.  A mailing list of current family contacts will be kept up to date.  Please let us know when you move.  Contact C. Krogh at 5459 Krogh Road, Cromwell, MN 55726.  Any feed back to the Forest Hill Cemetery Board can be directed to President Carolyn Krogh, Grounds Supervisor, Roger Harp, or any of these board members: Sam Clark, Kathy Entner, Joyce Hakala, Walter Hakala, Ebba Hedin, Judy Koivisto, Peggy Olson, Bob Peterson, Yvonne Peterson, or Sheryl Smith.

Our sympathy is extended to Kim Hoadley and Diane Hoadley Ahlers on the recent death of their mother, Lucile J. Hoadley.  Lucile died on August 13, 2006 in Pharr, Texas at the age of 84.  The Harold Hoadley’s lived in this area when their children were in high school.  Harold died on October 25th, 1995.

Larry Purcell’s Memorial Service was held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, MN on Saturday, August 19, 2006. Larry died in his home on August 9, 2006 at 81 years of age. Special music was by Bob Schultz; Organist was Julie Hansen, and officiating were Pastor Milan Davig and Jennie K. Hanson. Several family members gave heartfelt tributes to their dad and Art Jauss shared a eulogy.  Larry’s ashes were buried at the Wright Public Cemetery and the ladies of Bethany Church served a lunch after the service.  So, to his wife Mary of 58 years and his children, their spouses, the grandchildren and great grand children, we offer our sincere sympathy. RIP Larry! Deb and Robert Switzer have asked me to ask anyone who wishes to have a float in the Harvest Fest Parade to contact them as soon as possible so you can get a form and enter the parade.

The Annual Harvest Fest will be held at Cromwell on the Weekend of September 8th 9th and 10th.  There are information sheets all around town to let you know what’s going on and when.

Last week I worked at the Little Red Schoolhouse at the Carlton County Fair along with several other retired teachers from Carlton County.  We volunteer there every year and help make the fair the great fair that it is.  Well, anyway, Mark and Kris Griffin and came into the school on Sunday, August 20th, 2006 and donated a 48-star flag.  It was a flag that had flown over the Monson School for many years.  He didn’t know how old it was, but it is in good shape and will be hung up in the school next year.  Mark wanted us to make sure that the flag was given on behalf of John and Ellen Hecker.  If you have any information on the Monson School, I would appreciate it, as it would be interesting to make a poster near the flag so everyone would know the history of the school and the flag.  I would also like to get a picture of the school if that is possible.  Just call, write or e-mail me with any information you may have.  Thanks in advance.

We will also take other old school items for display at the Little Red Schoolhouse.  They will be marked and put on display at the fair.  Old school photos are especially needed.  They can be copies or originals. The members of the Carlton County Retired Educators will be meeting at the Northwoods in Barnum on Tuesday, September 12th at 11:30 AM.  They register first, have a nice luncheon, a short business meeting and then will be entertained by Jan Jader.  She will tell of her world travels.  New members are always welcome to attend and especially newly retired teachers and staff are encouraged to come and see what the CCRE is all about. They only meet 4 times a year and their only other job is to volunteer at the Little Red Schoolhouse at the Carlton County Fair in August.  Please try to join them. I just got word that Marlene Almquist dislocated her hip and will be laid up for awhile. Marlene and Earl have a 4 and 1/2 year old German Shepherd that is a real handful! So on August 9th, 2006, when Marlene was going to take the dog out, she had to get the cats behind closed doors or the dog would kill the cat. There was one cat that paid no attention to Marlene and laid down right on the dining room floor as if to say, “Come and get me!” So when Marlene bent over and tried to pick up the cat, she dislocated her left hip badly!  She went to the Moose Lake Hospital by ambulance and then on to St. Mary’s in Duluth where the doctor who did her hip replacement surgery was able to put it back in place.  She has no broken bones but will be wearing the brace she had last year for a while.  I wonder what happened to the cat and the dog for that matter?  I guess the moral of the story is “Don’t slip your hip to save a cat!” We hope you get well soon, Marlene.

Erv Pettit would like to thank everyone who attended his recent retirement party.  He was glad so many took the time to come and wish him well.

Judy Koivisto and Kathy Entner are looking for old band and/or cheerleading uniforms for the Historical Club’s float at the Harvest Fest on September 9th.  Please let them know if you have any that can be worn in the parade.  They will be returned!

I just heard from Zona and Gene Turja.  They are doing well.  Gene gets bored, so they go someplace almost everyday, and Zona’s eye problems have been solved.  She’s had to have a couple of surgeries on her eye, and now it is finally very good.

Household Hint: Drawer knobs wobbly?  Paint the screw with fingernail polish before inserting it.  When the polish dries, it will hold the screw tightly.

That’s all the news from Lake Let’sgetreadyforschool and Hello to Marlene and Earl!  Stay well!