Monday, October 09, 2006

Wright News

10/09/2006

Wright News by October 9, 2006

It’s Monday!  Boy what a great weekend we had for Brian Saaristo and his family. A HUGE THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL for a very exciting benefit for the Brian Saaristo Family.  The Pancake Breakfast last Saturday was a huge success.  More than 600 people came from far and near to have breakfast at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  Music was provided by Richard Olson, Bill Haapoja and Mary Rose Varo and presentations by Brad Bennett of KDAL and Commander Rod Erickson of the D.A.V.  The Veterans in the audience helped lead the group in singing “God Bless America” which was very moving and inspirational.  With the donations from the breakfast and other special events, BINGO, Silent Auction and Quilt Raffle, they raised over $15,000 so far and still counting.  There were so many volunteers of all ages and supporters to help make it a success and they couldn’t have done it without all of you!  If you missed the event and still want to help (and help is still needed at the Saaristo’s because they will need to make their home more handicapped friendly) you can still mail your check payable to Brian Saaristo, Northview Bank, P. O. Box 68, and Cromwell, MN 55726.  This was also a Thrivent Matching Funds Event.  So, on behalf of all the Saaristo’s and their extended family, and the planning team, Thanks Again!!

Brian and Cheryl and their kids returned to Wright on Saturday night after a long drive from Washington, DC.  Reports of many cars parked in their yard indicate nothing else but the affection and support this community has for the family.  It must be overwhelming to be cared about by so many.  Brian, Cheryl, Leah and Brian, Jr., our prayers continue and we wish you a thorough recovery and may your complications be as few as possible.

Did you see the new garage going up in the Saaristo’s yard?  It must have been as thrilling as the old-fashioned barn raising with all the “Guys” working together.  How many of you were there?  More that 30?

I just got an E-Mail from Brian himself and he wants to express his heartfelt thanks for all that was done for him and his family. I quote:  “My family and I are home now in Wright.  You may see us outside enjoying the fall weather.  I feel the only reason that I’m here is because of all the prayers and the love of my family and all of you.  Well, See you later. Love Brian.”

Now, we need to get behind 27 year old Matt Hakala who is being treated for 2 types of Cancer for his Benefit Spaghetti Supper to be held on October 28th at the Lost Isle in Carlton, MN from 3 - 7 PM.  Tickets are available at area businesses and at the door.

Lawrence Dahl passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2006.  His funeral will be held at the Methodist Church in Cromwell on Wednesday, October 11th. Joan and Wiljo Walli are back home on Cole Lake after a month’s trip to Finland, Sweden, Germany and Holland.  James and Arlene and Clayton Kauppila of Carlton, MN also accompanied them on the trip.

The Last Chance Horseshoe Tournament was held this past weekend at the Wright Horseshoe Club.  1st Place was Jeremy Wimmer of Pine City, and Roger Harp of Cromwell, 2nd Place was Mitch Nyquist of Duluth and Les Holland of McGregor and 3rd Place to Linda Froehlich of Floodwood and Ron Mead of Rogers, MN.

Many friends and neighbors of Dave and JoAn Bloemendaal and Taylor Bloemendaal attended a Best Wishes Party for them at the home of Mark Jauss on September 30th.  The Bloemendaal’s are moving to Hinkley as soon as their home sells.  JoAn is already working in Pine City, MN.  Thanks Barb and Mark for organizing this fun evening.

Beanie Randa, Manager of the Clothing Depot wishes to announce that October is Coat and Sweater Give-away at the Area Clothing Depot in Wright. Beanie works very hard keeping things organized at the depot and also does most of the cleaning.  Donations are always appreciated, too.

There will be NO SCHOOL on October 18-20 for teacher Workshop and Education Minnesota Convention. (Formerly known as MEA).

Friday, the 13th is Mid-Term time at the school.  Students will be getting grade reports at this time.

The After School Kids Plus kids are selling Raffle Tickets for a hand-made Quilt made by the Wright Homemakers Club. Tickets are available at area businesses and from the kids themselves.

The Kid’s Plus After School Program is now located in the old Life Skills Room in the high school. Lois Sulkowski is the program director and Jerri Haugan assists her.  Also helping this year are Americorp members, Deanne Smith and Heather Cahoon.  Lori Sulkowski will not be back this year as she was the 2005-2006 Americorp worker last year.  They started up on September 11th and have had a variety of special events along with helping the kids with homework, etc.  The ASP is FREE to all Cromwell-Wright students grades K-6th Grade, but the program does cost a lot.  Donations are always welcome to keep the program going.  If you feel the future of our students is worth supporting, please buy a quilt raffle ticket or send a donation to the school.  Thanks in advance!

Mark your calendars for October 29th at 10:30 AM at Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell for “The Gospelmen Quartet”.  They will be singing Southern Gospel and Traditional Gospel flavor.

Nine area folks attended the AARP 55 Alive Refresher Course at the school on October 6th.  The class was taught by Mr. Smalley of Moose Lake. Bill and Marcia Pocernich will be hosting a Bible Study for 9-12th Graders at there home two Saturdays a month for the next two months.  They will meet from 9 to 10 AM.  Call them at 644-3660 for more information.

The Community Craft Fair is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th at the school 9 AM - 2 PM.

Please try to attend the Harvest Cash BINGO at the Wright Senior Center on Saturday, October 14th from 7 - 9 PM.  Refreshments will be served. Thrivent Supplemental Funds are applied for.

It’s Here!  The Grand Timber Bank of McGregor, Mn.  Yes, the State Bank of McGregor has changed their name to GTB.  It’s only their name that is changing; all other services will remain the same!

Household Hint: Don’t throw away those odds and ends of breakfast cereals. Put them all together in one box crush and use in meatloaf, meatballs, salads and casserole toppings.

That’s all the news from Lake Gettingreadyforwinter and Hello to everyone who participated in the Saaristo Fund-raiser.  You are fantastic!!

Monday, October 02, 2006

Wright News

10/02/2006

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson October 2, 2006

As I sit down to type this week’s news it’s with a tinge of sadness.  You see, today, October 2nd would have been my dad’s (Wallace W. Dahlman’s) 90th Birthday.  He died 25 years ago at the age of 65.  At the time I thought he was old, but now as I approach this same age, it seems young.  He had a lot of living left to do, but it was not to be.  So, I guess we all need to live every day as if it’s our last, but enjoy all the big and little things in our daily lives.

Last week my husband Bob and I went on the Lake County Power Company’s Wind Tour in South-Western Minnesota.  We started out by going to Elk River and toured the energy plant there.  This plant is fueled by the garbage from the 7 county surrounding area.  Then we took the bus to Mankato where we stayed for the night.  The next day we went to Trimont, MN and toured the wind towers.  (In 1959, the communities of Triumph and Monterey formed the community of Trimont.) There were over 600 people at this tour.  We were served a meal and then listened to several speakers about the wind towers. The busses took us out to the farm fields where we were actually given the chance to go into the base of a wind tower.  There are 67 towers in the Trimont area and they each cost over one million dollars each.  The towers are 328 feet high, rotor diameter of each wind turbine is 231 feet, 10 % longer than the wingspan of a Boeing 747 - 400 Jumbo Jet.  They used more than 348 cubic yards of concrete to complete each of the plants’ wind turbine foundations.  These towers can supply electric energy to 29,000 area homes.  This tour will be offered again next September, so watch for the notices in your electric bill and try to sign up.  It is well worth the trip and was fun getting to know some of our members in our area electric cooperatives.

Do you know Harold Haapoja?  Well he sent me a notice about a Finnish Singer who is coming to Duluth on Saturday, October 14th at 3 PM.  Viktor Klimenko will be performing at the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle, 1515 West Superior Street.  He has a unique multicultural background, displays a distinguished repertoire, including a wide variety of music in several different languages.  His performance will feature Finnish and Cossak songs, melancholy gypsy music, passionate Russian romances, hymns, well loved Hebrew dances as well as gems of gospel and classical music.  Viktor was born in a POW camp in Russia in 1942 and later immigrated to Finland. Sounds wonderful, Harold!

Last Chance: We sincerely hope you plan to attend all or part of the Brian Saaristo Benefit Day at the Cromwell Park Pavilion on Saturday, October 7th. Pancakes are served from 7 AM - 1 PM.  Silent Auction from 11 AM - 3PM, and BINGO from 1 PM - 3PM.  Brad Bennett from KDAL Radio will be there part of the time as well as many other veterans and veterans groups.  You can still donate things for the auction or BINGO prizes, so just call Carolyn Krogh at 644-3670 or send your financial donations to the Northview Bank in Cromwell, 55798.  Please wear Red, White, and Blue for the day!

The Cromwell Area YOT will be going out for a lunch date on October 10th. Call Carolyn at 644-3670 to reserve a place on the bus.

There will be a CASH BINGO at the Wright Senior Citizen Center on Saturday, October 14th starting at 7 PM.  This is a Thrivent Matching funds Event.

There were several area folks honored recently at the Carlton County Volunteer Services Recognition Event held at Esko on September 19, 2006. Those honored for many hours of volunteer service were Lois Jobe, Mary and Niilo Oja, and Jennifer Sathre at the Gold Level with 500 volunteer hours a year or more; Ailie Costello and Dardanell (Beanie) Randa at the Silver level with 250 - 499 hours; and Madelyn Adelsgruber Yvonne Davis, Art Jauss, Sheldon Larsen, Zula Matalamaki and Shirley Walli at the Bronze Level with 100 - 249 hours.  We all know that there are many, many others who volunteer many hours in the community and they are also appreciated.  The entertainment for the evening was Tom Cawcutt, Sr. father of our new Principal, Tom Cawcutt, Jr.  A turkey dinner with all the trimmings was served.  Yum! Yum!

The next Mini Bus leaves Wright at 8:55 AM on October 13th to Duluth and October 19th to Cloquet.

There will be a Benefit for Matt Hakala on Saturday, October 28th at Lost Isle in Carlton, 3 - 7 PM.  Matt has two types of cancer.  Please mark your calendars for that and also look for posters and tickets at area businesses so you can sign up.

The area Boy Scouts are in the process of selling popcorn for their annual fundraiser.  Please support your local Boy Scouts by purchasing Popcorn from them.  Call Doreen Warner or me if you want to order by phone.

I was in the Eagle Lake area a week ago or so and noticed that the eagles on Eagle Lane are missing.  Where are they?  Did they fly south for the winter?

The Area Clothing Depot located at the old school in Wright will have a Coat and Sweater Give - Away during the whole month of October.  You can get 2 coats and 5 sweaters per visit per person in October.  They will also be going back to the $3.00 a bag except for the first Tuesday and Saturday in October.  We are getting a tremendous response to the depot.  Folks from as far away as California have found us and there are many folks coming from the surrounding 100-mile area.  Thanks for coming and supporting the Depot.

The next home football game will be on October 12 with Floodwood.  That should really be a good game. So far Cromwell-Wright is undefeated.

There will also be a Cross Country Polar League Event on October 12th at the Black Bear in Carlton.

The Cromwell-Wright Volleyball Team took 1st Place in the tournament held in Cromwell on September 30th.  Great job Girls!

The next PTA Meeting will be held at the school on October 9th at 7 PM. Soup and Sandwiches will be served in the cafeteria, too.  New members wanted!

The Cromwell Community Craft Sale is fast approaching!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 4th 9 AM - 2 PM.

Trapper Education Classes will be held on October 8th, 15th, and 22nd at Wayne and Liz Thom’s from noon - 6 PM.  Register by calling 218-644-3593.

The Bethany Lutheran Church will be holding their Annual Hunter’s Supper on Friday, November 3rd at the church.

The American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring a Blood Drive on October 18th from 3 - 6 PM at the Farmer’s Co-op Store in Wright.  Call Mary Jo at 357-3613 to sign up.  New donors are always needed.

Household Hint: For a wonderful pin cushion, cover a ball of steel wool with material.  It will sharpen your needles and pins at the same time. Remember:  “When life gives you scraps, make quilts.”

Email your news to Thanks!

That’s all the news from Lake Herecometheasianbeetles and Hello to all the folks who attended the Brian Saaristo Benefit Day.  Thanks for coming and supporting this fine young man and his family.