Monday, September 24, 2007

Wright/Cromwell News

09/24/2007

Wright/Cromwell News By Jennie K. Hanson September 23, 2007

What a beautiful weekend!  The leaves on the trees were so colorful.  We can only wish they would last longer, but then I wonder if we would enjoy them as much if they lasted for months instead of weeks?

The exchange students that live with us and about 15 others scattered around the area spent Saturday on the beach on Park Point taking part in the National “Clean Sweep” the Beach Day.  We covered a couple of miles picking up liter left by careless beach goers.  I was surprised at the little amount of garbage, though.  It was pretty clean and if you didn’t actually look closely, you may have thought it was really clean.  The most commonly found items were cigarette butts, screw top plastic bottle caps and small pieces of plastic.  No valuable items were found, but one group did find a pair of shorts and some other clothing items.  There were also many tourists out on the beach enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Our exchange son, Gwang Ho, just celebrated Chuseok.  Chuseok is one of the year’s most important traditional holidays in Korea. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.  Chuseok is often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving Day.  It’s a celebration of the autumn harvest and a thanksgiving for the bounty of the earth.

Family members come from all parts of the country to visit their ancestral homes.  In short, Chu-Suk is a very big holiday to meet family and give thanks to ancestors.  They wear traditional clothes called “Han-Bok”, because they want to remember their ancestors.  Songpaen is one main food they prepare and Korean wrestling, swinging, jumping seesaw and other folk games used to be played.

Theresa and Bert Korpi want to thank everyone for the cards, gifts, money, phone calls and especially all the prayers for their infant son, Tucker.  Tucker has been suffering with Bacterial Meningitis since he was 7 weeks old.  Tucker is home now, but is still being treated in Rochester, Mn until he totally recovers.  Keep him in your prayers for a full recovery.

Our sympathy is extended to Bob and Sandy Howard on the death of his dad, 90 year old Wilfred J. Howard at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.  He died on September 22, 2007 and his funeral was held in Duluth on September 26, 2007.  It is never easy to lose a parent even if they lived to be 90 years old.

Bob Howard is up and walking around with a leg brace and crutches after successful knee surgery.  Keep healing, Bob!

There will be a Pork Supper at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on this Friday, September 28th starting at 4:30 PM – 7:oo PM.  This is a Thrivent Matching Funds event.

Are you struggling with bills and debt?  If so, attend the Financial Peace University program at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell on Sunday, September 30th.  Call Scott and Melissa Lind at 644-3208 for more information.  I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.

A little girl was born in Cromwell, Mn on September 1, 1902 and she died 105 years and 4 days later on September 5, 2007.  Who was this little girl?  Well she was Johanna “Joan K.” Kokkonen.  She is related to Ben and Laura Keskitalo from this area.  A private funeral was held and her final resting place will be at Eagle Lake Cemetery south of Cromwell.  What a life she must have lived, going from the horse and buggy days with little or no public communication to jet planes and cell phones. 

Another old timer, Walter Heikkila, 97, died on September 3, 2007 in Moose Lake, Mn.  He out lived his wife Margaret; his parents; two sons, Donald and Lyle; and four brothers, Emil, Jonas, Eino and an infant brother; three sisters, Senia Lundeen, Marie Engel, and Sylvia Carlson.

Walter is survived by two sons, Leslie and Linda Heikkila, and Wayne Heikkila; two brothers, Edward and Lil Heikkila and Waino and Lydia Heikkila; one sister, Ellen and Franklin Maki; 7 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Don’t forget to attend the Florian Chmielewski Appreciation Day in Moose Lake on Saturday, September 29th from 1 – 4 PM.

Sunday, September 23, 2007, was a very special day at Bethlehem Lutheran Church as that was the day they dedicated “The Rock”.  Everyone at church went out side to surround the rock which was donated and placed on the church lawn by Art and Mary Aho as a reminder that Christ is Our Solid Rock.  Pastor Janeva Stromberg read a story about the song “On Christ The Sold Rock I Stand” which was also sung by the congregation.  Prayers were said and all in all it was a great event.  Sandy and Tom Nistler with help from Irene Bjorkland served a lunch afterwards.  Stop by to see the rock and the plaque.

Our Football team is sure doing well again this year.  It’s also great to see all the community support of all our high school athletes.

The Area Clothing Depot in the old school in Wright has some very important announcements.

First, the Depot will be starting a Pilot Program.  It will also be open on Thursdays from 10 AM – 3 PM starting on October 4, 2007. This will give them more time to get items out on the shelves and racks and also an extra day for people to donate to the depot.

Second:  The Depot will hold their annual coat and sweater give-away on October 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, and 29th.  Remember 2 coats and 5 sweaters per customer, per visit will be given away FREE!

Third and this is really new:  The Clothing Depot has established a new “Hauling Service” for our community.  So if you are moving, cleaning out your house, or just have some items you want to donate, you can call 644-3582 and your items will be picked up by our volunteers.  Items need to be in good condition, household, home décor, dishes, good clothing, etc.  NO COMPUTERS OR ELECTRONIC ITEMS, PLEASE!

The Clothing Depot holds their regular board meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, and visitors are always welcome.  At the last board meeting it was decided NOT TO RAISE PRICES!  Prices will remain at $3.00 a bag except on the first Saturday, Tuesday and now Thursday; which will be $1.50 a bag.  Want a deal!!

Please pick up your dishes left over from the Harvest Fest Smorgasbord at the Pavilion in Cromwell.  Call Kay Smith at 644-3908 to arrange a time.

That’s all the news from Lake Cometothesupperandgotothegame and Hello to all our area Exchange Students!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Wright/Cromwell News

09/17/2007

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson September 17, 2007

There will be a Quilt Show at the Suomalainen Kirkko Cultural Center on Sunday, September 30, from 1-4 p.m. Anyone who would like to have a quilt new or old, on display please call Janice Gran @ 273-4828. Everyone is invited to view quilts and enjoy coffee and friendship.  This is on the old sight of the Kalavala School.

“ What a great reunion!”, “It’s wonderful to see so many”, “This is a most beautiful place to gather and enjoy”, were comments heard at the Cromwell High School 1957 class reunion. Karen and David Pitkanen opened their beautiful home to host the somewhat raucous gathering of class members from Arizona, North Dakota, Missouri and Wisconsin.  Classmates attending were: Arvin Anderson, Henry Baski, Ione Hyde Bolstad, Helen Harp Johnson, Kenneth Kangas, Marvin Karppinen, Jerry Korpela, Frank Line, Duane Maki, Edwin Maki, Peter Martwig, David Pitkanen, Karen Maruski Sarvela, Roger Schake, Charlie Sedlander, Lee Vigness, Carol Korpela Wells and Margaret Olson Webster. A number of spouses also attended.  In addition to Karen and David Pitkanen, those helping to gather addresses, organize and facilitate were Duane Maki, Charles Sedlander and Henry Baski.  A pause for contemplation for nine deceased members was held.  Myrna Smith is very ill, unable to attend. “This is a remarkable event for a remarkable group”, commented someone in attendance.  No one argued about that.  (This paragraph was written by MW)

Did you know that last weekend at the Sustainable Ag Harvest Fest at Duluth, Dan and Margaret Webster were awarded THE FARMER’S VOICE 2007 award?  “For ongoing and tireless dedication to farming, for helping farmers have a voice, for showing an understanding of how farming benefits both farmers and consumers, and for living the Ideals and Values embodied by sustainability.  Margaret was not at the festival, as she was presenting talks related to Finnish Heritage and rural living at the Wirtinen Farm event near Virginia, Mn., and also attending the Cromwell Class of 57 reunion.

HISTORIC FARM HIT BY FIRE

A benefit to help Tad Walli withstand losses he suffered from a farm fire during the summer will be held at neighboring LAKESIDE School/Clubhouse. The event will feature wild rice soup, home made bread, and other foods. It will be held on Tuesday, September 25th. The farm is the first farm homesteaded in Lakeview Township (Carlton County). Now it is the last remaining dairy farm in that township.  Food will be served beginning at 4:30 PM, ending at 6:30 PM (sharp) to prepare for the next event:

STORYTELLER/WRITER TO ENTERTAIN AND INTERVIEW

Philip Neese will tell school stories and interview locals for a story on Lakeside and Nelson Lake schools.  Neese will entertain at 7:00 PM, following the Walli benefit at LAKESIDE School/Clubhouse on Tuesday, September 25th.  Neese writes for the Newshopper, after editing his state wide professional newspaper before retirement. He’ll welcome stories from all, but especially from those who attended one of those schools.  It should be a fun evening of sharing stories. Events are being held on one night so that busy people my combine a great supper and entertainment in one event.  A short Lakeside meeting follows, one discussion point will be possible change of cribbage day of the week and time.

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Lyle Hart, 79, who died on September 13, 2007 at the Villa Vista Care Center. Lyle was born in 1923 in fine Lakes Township to Clarence and Hazel Hart.  Lyle and Nina’s son Wesley and his brother Neil preceded him in death. His funeral was held at St. John’s Lutheran church in Wright on Saturday, September 15, 2007 with his cousin, Judy VonDeLinde singing a solo.

Lyle will be dearly missed by his wife: Nina, children: Tim and Gail Hart of Floodwood, MN, Victoria Addison of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Wanda and Dan Karppinen of Cromwell, MN, and Pamela and Bob Rahja of Floodwood, MN and also 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

There will be a night of singing and music at the Evangelical Free Church in Wright on September 29th starting at 7 PM.  Everyone is invited to attend.

There will be another Senior Dance at the Cromwell Park Pavilion on Thursday, September 29th from 1 – 4 PM with Mr. Morgan.  This is the second to the last dance for the year, so please try to come out and attend.  The last dance of the year will be on October 25th.

There will be a Chili Feed Fundraiser for Kevin Davis on Saturday, September 22nd from 1 – 4 PM at the Island Lake Park – Cromwell.  There will be live music, prizes, chili and fixins and of course, Kevin Davis.

Confirmation will begin on Wednesday, September 19th from 3:30 – 5:00 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church.  All youth in 7th, and 8th grade or older are invited to attend.  If your child has not been confirmed and would like to attend, please have them come on Wednesdays.

There will be a Pork Supper at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Friday, September 28th from 4:30 – 7 PM.  Please try to attend.

Sunday School has resumed at St. John’s in Wright at 9:30 AM with regular worship services at 10:30 AM.  They also have a Thursday night Bible Study at 7 PM.

There will be an “Appreciation Day” in honor of Florian Chmielewski on Saturday, September 29, 2007 in Downtown Moose Lake from 1 – 4 PM.

Open Library starts on September 17th from 3:30 – 5:30 PM.  This is open to the community as well, so try to visit your local school library.

The school also has a website you can visit and the address is: http://www.cromwellwright.k12.mn.us

Wayne Thom has been elected as the MN delegate to the National Trappers Association. Wayne & Liz attended the NTA Convention in Goshen, Indiana in late July. It was a wonderful experience getting to meet people from all over the United States. Following the NTA Convention, Wayne attended the MN Trappers Association convention in Bemidji. MTA is the sponsoring organization for the Trapper Education classes.  As a service to communities, the MTA provides the materials for the classes without cost and uses volunteer educators who have completed a Trapping Education course. Wayne and Liz host trapping education classes at their home each fall.

Wayne and Liz are also happy to announce the marriage of their son, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Thom to Lisa McGhee of Milton, FL on September 10, 2007. Mike is stationed at Whiting Naval Air Station, working in Security. Lisa is employed by TRX and American Airlines They hope to come home in late January or February to meet family and friends. Wayne and Liz and Mike’s boys traveled to Florida in August to visit Mike and Lisa. It was a nice trip but HOT.

Liz retired...again..July 1...and is looking forward to the next chapter of life. It’s starting out busy.

That’s all the news from Lake Gooutandlookatthecoloredleaves and Hello to all our athletes and their families!