Monday, August 13, 2007

The Wright and Cromwell Area News

08/13/2007

WRIGHT - CROMWELL NEWS BY JENNIE K. HANSON AUGUST 13, 2007

Hi, welcome to the lazy, hazy days of summer.  At least that’s what I’ve always heard about August.

One of the fondest memories of summer for me growing up on a farm in rural Cromwell were the trips to the hayfield during haying season.  My mom would fix a big lunch and then she would load up the kids and drive out to the hayfields.  We would usually sit under some nearby trees for shade and enjoy the homemade sandwiches, cold chicken, cakes, cookies or whatever she would put together for a meal.  We would usually sit and rest after the meal and just enjoy each other’s company.  The men that worked in the field, my dad and Uncle Einar and my brothers, were always covered with hayseeds and sweat.  I always admired their strong muscles and their “Farmer Tan”.  What are you summer memories?

I got a call from Bonnie (Solomon) Potter and she asked me to ask if anyone had an extra copy of the 1957 Cromwellian as hers were destroyed years ago.  She had to move several times and they just didn’t make all those moves.  If you do have a copy, Please let me know.

Are any of your kids going off to college or tech school?  Please let me know as it would be great to write a little about their career choices.

Last week I accidentally bought and tried to use the wrong ink cartridge for my computer printer.  It’s an HP # 94 type, so if you use that type of ink, give me a call and you can have it.  I tried to return it to Wal-Mart, but they won’t take an item back if it has been opened and I don’t blame them.  Who would buy an opened ink cartridge?

Jeff and Star (Houck) Anderson are the proud parents of a son, Phoenix Allen, born on July 23, 2007. Congratulations, all!

Lutheran World Relief is looking for people to help fill school bags for their relief project.  Items needed are Rulers, Notebooks, Scissors with blunt blades, plain pencil sharpeners, pencils, erasers, construction paper, and crayons.  If you can donate any or all of these items please drop them off at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright or let me know.  Bethany in Cromwell is also collecting.

Did you know there are over 22,000 homeless youth in Minnesota? Well, according to statistics there are.  The Lutheran Churches are also collecting items for the Youth Outreach in Duluth.  Items needed for this are: deodorant, diapers, white T-shirts, socks, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, new towels, soap, shampoo, sleeping bags, famine hygiene products, and gift certificates to grocery stores or fast food places.

The Cromwell Harvest Fest Committee is planning their Annual event on September 7, 8, and 9th.  Roger Harp’s name was accidentally omitted from the posters and fliers, as he is the contact person for the crafters.  His number is 644-3430 if you are interested in reserving a spot for Harvest Fest.

Congratulations to Clint Disterhaupt of Moose Lake and Tara Haugse of Tamarack on their upcoming wedding on August 25, 2007 in McGregor, Mn. Parents are Alden and Cindy Disterhaupt and Sam and Kathy Haugse.  Did you notice that both of these last names have a H-A-U in them?  (Hay-You) Interesting?

With the school year only a couple of weeks away, there is a need for anyone who has used guitars.  MaryRose Varo has been teaching guitar lessons and there are some kids who don’t have a guitar and would love to get one so they too could take lessons.  If you can help out, let me or MaryRose know.

Don’t forget to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary for Arnold and June Collman on Saturday, August 18th at Bethany in Cromwell, Mn.

This is also the weekend of the Carlton County Fair so try to take that in, also.

The Farmer’s Co-op Store held their 88th Annual Meeting at the Wright Senior Building on Thursday, August 9, 2007.  The store is doing well, but there have been several unexpected expensives that need to be taken care of. The pump in the well needed to be replaced and now a new heat pump system is being looked into.  Lois Sulkowski was elected new board member as her daughter, Lori didn’t want to take it again and the other board members are Madelyn Adelsgruber, Leland Tippett, Janet Hansen, and re-elected Board Chair:  Jennie K. Hanson. Stop in and see what’s happening at your local store.  There’s a unique country store that you don’t see everyday.

The Huhta Family (that’s Connie’s family) held their 19th Annual Family Reunion at Island Lake in Cromwell with over 55-60 relatives in attendance.  Grandpa Ed helped welcome Dan Collier, Jr. back from Iraq, too. He is the grandson of Goldie and Hulda Huhta.  Dorothy and Howard Saari were also there.

Robert Kedrowski was awarded the Senior Airman Quarterly Award Plaque at Shepherd AFB in Texas recently.

Logan Shiflett is at Fort Benning, Georgia for his Army National Guard AIT Training.  He should be back home by September 14th when he will attend Staples College.

The family of George Balsness would like to thank everyone who attended George’s funeral.  They are grateful for all the cards, and wishes of sympathy for them.  Your friendship is appreciated. George was a very unique gentleman.  He was born on October 6, 1915 in Cromwell to Thomas and Hazel Schmitt Balsness.  He was the 2nd of 8 children.  He graduated from Cromwell High School in 1934.  After graduation, he entered President Roosevelt’s newly formed Civilian Conservation Corps.  He served for 3 years at the Kabetogama Camp near International Falls, MN.  In 1937, George began a new job as a Postal Clerk in the Cromwell Post Office for the next 4 years.  In October of 1941, George accepted a position in Washington, D. C. in the Insurance Claims Dept of the Veteran’s Administration.  2 months later Pearl Harbor was attacked. The claims department was kept very busy from that until the end of WWII. In 1952, George was able to transfer to a job he really loved.  He became a surveyor’s assistant with the National Parks Service.

He worked outdoors at many parks, memorials, and monuments in the Washington, D. C. area.  George had many interesting stories to tell of his Washington, D. C. experiences and really enjoyed telling them.

George retired in 1971 and returned to Cromwell in 1972.  In Cromwell, he was very active in the senior citizens, Forest Hill Cemetery, Bethany Lutheran Church, and was a volunteer driver and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was Carlton County’s Senior Citizen of the year in 1986.

George spent the last 3 years of his life at the Villa Vista Care Center in Cromwell.  He was thankful for the excellent care he received, the kindness of the staff and especially enjoyed the musicians who performed.

George was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Dorothy, Bernice, Betty, Lila, and Bud and survived by his sister Rose and brother Floyd and many nieces and nephews.

Our sympathy to the family of Joe Karpik of Floodwood who died at age 78 on August 9, 2007.  Joe was Karen Tamminen’s dad.  Karen is married to Bruce Tamminen and they also live in Floodwood with their three kids, Scot, Emily and Kyle. It is never easy to lose a parent.  Our sympathy to all.

Ten teams from Cromwell, Floodwood, McGregor, and Mountain Iron participated in a 3 on 3 basketball league this summer.  Cromwell’s Gray team won Division II with a record of 8-2.  Team members were Kaylee Johnson, Brittany Johnson, Ann Collman, Lenore Collman and Christina Stenson.

That’s all the news for this week from Lake Gotothefair.

Monday, August 06, 2007

The Wright and Cromwell Area News

08/06/2007

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson August 6, 2007

Hi, Welcome August!  I’ve heard so many folks commenting that it’s August, then the county fair and then summer is over.

Well, to many of you this is probably true.  As I sit down to write this, there are less than 30 days left till school starts and the fair will already be over in 2 weeks!  So, I’m sure it seems that summer will be over too soon.

The United Methodist Church held a Pie Social/Silent Auction/Music Event last Friday night and it was great.  The pies were wonderful the music was inspirational and the Silent Auction held many surprises.  Among these was an original painting by my mom, Katharine Dahlman.  Of course I got it and will be grateful to the folks who donated it to the auction.  I got to thinking about all the paintings mom did over the years and wondered where they all are?  She started painting in the early 1970’s and continued till she was 84 years old.  So if you have an original Katharine Dahlman and no longer have a use for it, please let me know, as I would be interested in acquiring it.  The members of the UMC Thank everyone for attending and the support of this event.  The money will go towards paying the fuel bill this winter.

John Sathre, formerly of Wright, along with the rest of the 3rd yr and staff of Masters Commission will be here on Friday, August 10th.  The schedule right now is to be in the Ma and Pa Day parade with the West Side float and then Saturday night doing something at West Side I believe at 7 pm.  Sunday, they will be leading the Service at West Side 10 AM.  Free afternoon in Duluth and Sunday eve at The Encounter Youth for Christ center. On Monday they will be teaching a drama workshop at 10 AM at West Side, which is open to all churches. Monday eve is to be a bon fire at Homeland Ranch (Tim and Vicki’s).

Jennie Sathre writes. “ It was really nice to be at Wrong Days.  Tell Beanie again what a great Job she is doing. I am so glad to see The Depot doing exactly what God intended. The Gospel music was very good. My favorite Hymn when I was a little girl was In The Garden and I haven’t sung it in quite a while. It brought tears to my eyes to know that God sung that to me so long ago and continues to sing it today. Bless you for bringing such a gift to me and others.”

There will be a 50th Anniversary Celebration for Arnold and June Collman at Bethany Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 18th at 2 P.M.  You are welcome to come help them celebrate this milestone in their lives.  They will be pleased by your presence, and have requested “No Gifts Please”! Did any of you see the photo of Lonny Gervais and his granddaughter, Aurora, in last weeks Duluth News Tribune?  Sure was cute! I think it was in the July 31st issue.  Lonny and Sandi’s daughter, Carrie married Andy Knutson a couple of weeks ago, too.  Congratulations to all. Also appearing in the paper (DNT) was Dorothy Groth and most of her great grandchildren on July 31st.  She has 11 of them.

Kiiera Anderson and her cousin Lexy also went to Bible Camp this summer. So, all together there were over 10 kids that were able to attend this summer.

The Mini bus goes to Cloquet on Thursday August 16th and to Duluth on August 10th and 24th.  Call Edna Samuelson at 357-2701 to sign up in advance. The bus stops in Wright, Cromwell and the Villa Vista.

Lake Country Power is again taking a bus to Bismarck, ND to the Coal Creek Station on September 12-14th and then September 18 – 19th to the Wind Farm Tour in Trimont, MN.  Sign up soon or you will “Miss the bus!” Go to their website at www.lakecountrypower.coop sign up or get more information or you can call 1-800-421-9959.

Art Jauss was honored to be one of the Grand Marshal’s at the Hey Days Parade in Tamarack on August 4th.  I think the other Grand Marshal was Rob Laucamp’s mother.

Leo Westerlund celebrated his 93rd birthday on Sunday, August 5th with his family in New Brighton. Mr. Westerlund was the Valedictorian of the Cromwell High Class of ‘33. He is one of the oldest living alumnus of the school. Leo was in Cromwell recently to visit his Brother George, Sister Margaret and Brother-in-law Doug Sewall.

Do you have an I-35W story to share?  I’m sure many of you knew someone who had used that bridge the day of the collapse.  I know that my niece and nephew and their 2 small daughters had just cone over it the day before it collapsed.  I also heard that Mark Bauman was working on the bridge that day, but didn’t happen to be on it when it went down.  Please email me with your stories to share.

Congratulations to Earl Riggs, Esther Broadway, Wilmer Martin, Esther McGuire, Mary McAllister, Harry Seppanen, Carl Pohjola, and Dora Huhta who will be celebrating their birthdays this month at the Villa Vista.  Please feel free to send them cards as I’m sure they always enjoy getting mail.

I was at the bedside of George Balsness, 91, when he passed away on Friday, August 3, 2007.  I had just happened to stop by to see him and then he died. His brother Floyd and sister-in-law Joyce were also there when he died. His funeral was on August 7, 2007 at Bethany Lutheran church in Cromwell, MN.  George was preceded in death by his brother Bud, and his sisters, Bernice, Lila, Betty and Dorothy.  George is survived by his brother Floyd (Joyce) and sister Rose Zacher.  George lead a very interesting life.  He worked in a CCC Camp, and worked in Washington, DC at the National Park Service for over 30 years.  He worked on the grounds of the White House starting when Franklin D. Roosevelt was the President. He retired in 1971 and moved back to his hometown of Cromwell.  George was a real asset to our area.  He kept the History of Cromwell alive and well.  We will all miss him.  He was a kind and gentle man.

The next Senior Dance at the Cromwell Park Pavilion will be on Thursday August 23rd from 1-4 PM.  Les Harkonen is scheduled to play for the dance.

Mayor, Dick Huhta has asked me to announce that on August 22nd, there will be a meeting at the Cromwell Park Pavilion at 6:30 PM on a report that is out on the Comprehensive Land Plan Study that the City of Cromwell has and at 7 PM people concerned will be able to ask questions or make comments with your elected government representatives.  Please Attend!

There will be an Organ Recital at the Bethany Lutheran Church on August 14th at 1:30 Pm.  The Bethany church as purchased a new church organ and the former owner will give a performance, so it should be great.

Siiena Lee Anderson, Daughter of Lea (Tiili) and Tom Anderson, was Baptized on July 29, 2007 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright, MN by Pastor Janova Stromberg.  Her sponsors were Blaise Johnson, a cousin from Colorado, and Brandy Connelly, Lea’s friend from Illinois.  Grandparents are Connie Lind and Joey and Geno Anderson.  God Bless this little one.

Has Logan Shiflett gone into active duty in the military?  Please let me know if he is in training or on active duty.  Thanks.

It may be hard to believe, but August 4th, was the 5th Anniversary of Skye Rinta’s untimely death.  I visited her grave and noticed that some fresh roses were placed on the headstone that day.  Her memory is still with so many.

Please remember to register at school soon if you have new students that will be attending Cromwell/Wright School this fall.  School resumes on September 4th.

Wesley Heikkila says, “Thank You, Thank You” for all the calls, visits, cards and prayers while recuperating from a total hip replacement.  His health has been restored!

Kari Heikkila will be attending Carthage College this fall majoring in Nuro Science and doing research into Stem cells.  She recently graduated from Bemidji High school 10th in a class of over 300 students and was also the youngest in the class.

Get well wishes go out to Marian Wydra after recent surgery.

Dennis Cieluch and the whole Wrong Days committee want to send out a special Thank You to Cody Goranson for his unwavering help during Wrong Days this year and for all his help in the past years.  Dennis says he couldn’t have done his job with out Cody!

The Area Clothing Depot has really picked up a lot of business since they relocated in the Old Wright School.

That’s all the news from Lake Gotothefair and Hello to Leo Westerlund and the family of George Balsness.