Monday, November 26, 2007

Wright/Cromwell News

11/26/2007

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson 11-26-07

Winter is officially here as I took my grandkids sliding last weekend.  Well, actually we went sliding mostly on grass and a little dusting of snow, but the kids didn’t seem to mind.

Mary Rose Varo has a small blonde, upright piano, in EXCELLENT shape and HOLDS A TUNE VERY well.  If you know of anyone who might want one please give her a call.

Mary Rose Varo wants to publicly thank Rod Walli for donating two used guitars recently for her guitar students.  These should be of great help in getting area kids interested in playing the guitar. Thanks, Rod!  Also, if you have a guitar you can donate to this cause, please let Mary Rose know.

I just got home from the most wonderful experience.  Robert and Ulla Suhonen were at the Evangelical Free Church in Wright sharing their message of hope and salvation.  They are in the mission field and will be here for only another 5 weeks before returning to Austria. 

Robert and Ulla Suhonen will be speaking at Bethlehem and Bethany Lutheran Churches on Sunday, December 2 at the regular 9 AM and 10:30 AM Worship Services.  He and his wife, Ulla and son Josef have been here for the past few months and are living with his mother, Vera Suhonen.  They have really enjoyed getting together with so many area residents, attending football games and school events, and just absorbing the Minnesota culture again.  It has been great having them around, too.

Robert mentioned how different words can be interpreted when you are living in an International Culture.  For example, when he was trying to explain to his son that you actually have to walk on a “Deer Drive” and hunters “Sit in their Deer Stand.  I guess when you really think about some of the words we use, it would be very confusing to someone just learning our language.

I was telling our exchange students that I was going to a “Baby Shower” and they couldn’t figure out why I would like to go to see a baby take a bath?  I had to explain that a shower was a lot of gifts for the baby.

If you miss these opportunities to hear the Suhonen’s, ladies you are invited to attend the Annual Women’s Christmas Party at Bethlehem Lutheran church on Wednesday, December 5th at 6:30 PM.  Ulla Suhonen will be the guest speaker.  Just bring a table favor to exchange, goodies for the lunch, and a guest.  Should be a great evening of fun and fellowship.

The Mary and Martha Society at St, John’s will have their Christmas Party at 3 PM on December 6th.  All area ladies are welcome to attend. !

Get well wishes go out to Raymond Line who has been under the weather for a time.

The Wright Farmer’s Co-op Store will be holding their Annual Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, December 8th at the store and on December 7th at the Feed Mill.  Stop in and sign up for some door prizes.  Coffee and Goodies, also.

The Area Clothing Depot will be holding their Annual Christmas Customer Appreciation Day and 15th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, December 15th.  Please stop in for coffee, goodies and door prizes.  More about it next week.

With Christmas just a few weeks away, please keep Fred Olesiak on your Christmas card list along with any other shut ins or elderly.  It’s always a good idea to send cards to the residents at the Villa Vista, too.  I’m sure they would appreciate hearing from any of you.  If you don’t know a resident at the Villa, just address the card to “Any Resident”, Villa vista circle, Cromwell, Mn 55726.

Don’t forget to order your 2008 Cromwellian Annuals this coming week.  They can be ordered by calling the school.  The cost is $40.00 for most students, or $35.00 for Senior Class members, and for ordering 2 books per family.  $30.00 if you order 3 or more books per family.  A $15.00 nonrefundable deposit is needed for each book ordered.  After December 14th the price will go up $5.00 per book.

Boys Basketball practice started this past Monday and the girls started a couple of weeks earlier.  Won’t be long now till the games start.  They sure make the winter go faster when there are games to attend.

The cyclone that slammed into Bangladesh’s coast with 140 mile per hour winds killed at least 3,000 people.  As most of you know, Sonet, our exchange student from Bangladesh is worried about his country, but he knows that his family is safe from these storms as they live in the capital, which is inland.  He does worry though that prices will be very high on many products in Bangladesh due to shortages.  Relief workers are still struggling to bring aid to the areas devastated by the storm.  It is so sad to see the reports on television of all this devastation.

I read with great interest the story in the Duluth News Tribune about little Katherine (Kat) Lower, the young daughter of Jeff and Mary Lower that died of a congenital heart defect, at only 5 years of age.  Jeff has written a book about his daughter called “Kat’s Magic Bubble”.  Jeff’s book will be available at a book signing at the Blacklock Gallery, 521 Folz Blvd in Moose Lake on December 1st from 10 AM – 1 PM and at the Lake Theater on Elm Street . 

Chris Burns has just returned from a trip to Seoul, South Korea, training on the Olympic Grounds.  He was accompanied by Master’s Bruce, and Todd, and Mr. Doug, plus 6 others.  Chris was awarded with a 1st Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, Certified Dance Instruction in Korean Sport Dance and Alumni From Korean University for Sports Massage.  The above were invited by Great Grand Master Moo yon yo a 9th Degree Black Belt in Tai Kwando.  This was quite an honor and privilege to be invited to come to Korea and meet the Grand Master and train under him.  A few sight seeing trips done, but all with the Korean Flair.  He enjoyed the Korean Cuisine, when he had some break time, but most of his time was spent with practice, practice, practice!  Chris’s flight was from Duluth to Mpls, to Tokyo, Japan and then to Seoul, S. Korea.  Many thousands of miles on this trip.  He says it was an awesome trip and he thanks those who made this trip possible.  His trophy and award wall just keeps growing.

Don’t forget to get in the Christmas spirit by attending one of the Concerts put on at Grace Lutheran church on Sunday, December 9th at 3 PM or at Holy Family Catholic church in McGregor on Friday, December 14th at 7 PM.

The 3rd Annual Memorial Luminary Service will be held at the Cromwell Park Pavilion on Saturday, December 8th at 7 PM.  Santa will be there and hayrides will be available. There will also be a live Nativity Scene.  Homemade soup and bread will be available for sale, too.

Little Phoenix Allen Anderson was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran church on Sunday, November 25th.  He is the son of Jeff and Star Houck Anderson.

Congratulations to Burhan and Amanda Smith Altan on their recent wedding.  A reception was held in their honor on November 24, 2007 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.

The Mini bus goes to Cloquet on December 8th and 20th and to Duluth on December 14th and 28th.  You know the drill, just call Edna Samuelson the day ahead to sign up.

On Saturday, December 8 there will be a Bake Sale at the Cromwell Hometown Family Food store, 9:00 – 1:00.  Come and find some holiday goodies made by the Cromwell United Methodist Women and their friends.

The Forest Hill Cemetery Association will create personalized luminary bags for the December 8th evening service at the Pavilion again this year.  To have your loved ones’ names included please contact Carolyn Krogh 310-8357 or 644-3670 or Sheryl Smith 644-3927.  A donation of $1 per name would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

On Sunday, December 16, 10:30 a.m.  Cromwell United Methodist Church will hold their annual ‘Hanging of the Greens’ service celebrating the traditions and songs of the season.  All are welcome to join us! A pot luck luncheon will follow for those that want to stay after the service.

The prize winners of the American Legion Auxiliary Raffle for 2007 from the drawing on November 3rd were Wendy Quick (1st place = Quilt made by Kari Heikkila) and Kathleen Mowers (2nd place = Fireside Inn Gift Certificate).  A huge thank you to all that participated in selling or buying tickets.  The funds raised will help honor veterans and promote Americanism in our area.

Well, that’s all the news from Lake Thankfulforthesuhonens and Hello to all the Christmas Shoppers who braved the crowds on Black Friday.  Closing thought: “A Day Hemmed in Prayer never Unravels.” Have a great week! 

Monday, November 19, 2007

The Wright/Cromwell News

11/19/2007

The Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson November 19, 2007

As I sit down to type this week’s news it reminds me of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.  Several years ago, at least 15 to 20 years ago, I asked my 4th grade students to ask their parents where they were when Kennedy was assassinated.  I knew I was getting older when one of the parents wrote back that she had no idea where she was on that fateful day as she was only 6 months old at the time.  That really made me think about how much older I had gotten since the assassination.  I’m sure most of you that are older can remember where you were on November 22nd, if not, you have heard your parents or grandparents tell about their experiences on that day.  Where were you?

Did anyone see the article in the Duluth Budgeteer, written by Matt Souja and published on 11-09-07, about Rock Climbing at UMD?  Well, if not, here are a few of the details from the article.

When Kaija Webster first started at UMD, students would see the climbing wall and ask, “What’s that?”

“Now when they come they ask ‘Where’s the climbing wall,’” said Webster, the climbing coordinator at UMD.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, the Northland has many different destinations for rock climbing enthusiasts.

UMD is a great place to start.

“It’s one of the oldest climbing walls in a university in the country,” Webster said. “That stems from this area being in the Midwest, it’s kind of a climbing destination because we’ve got cliffs all over the North Shore and around town.”

Over the years, rock climbing has steadily grown at UMD and elsewhere.

Some of the reasons for the change in attitude is due to an abundance of climbing walls at places such as malls, high schools and stores, among other places, Webster said.

The wall at UMD is not only for students, but community members as well.

“We get a mix,” Webster said. “For a long time I had a volunteer from the community (helping with the program). She was in her 50s. So everyone from her down to kids as young as 3 have come and climbed.”

To find out more information about different climbing destinations in the area, visit www.mountainproject.com.  Kaija is the daughter of Margaret and Dan Webster of Rural Wright. MN.

Our sympathy to the family of Helen Marie Tveit, 78, of Floodwood who died on November 16, 2007.  Helen’s husband, Arnold was my mother’s 1st cousin so our family knew her well.  Helen was very active in the community and will be missed by all who knew her.  Her funeral was held on November 20th, at Hope Lutheran Church in Floodwood, MN.

There will be an “Open House” Wedding Reception for Burhan and Amanda (Smith) Altan at the Cromwell Pavilion on Saturday, November 24th from 2 – 5 PM.  Congratulations to the newlyweds.

The Cromwell-Wright American Legion Auxiliary will hold their Holiday meeting (pot luck) at the home of Lindsay Lally on Monday, December 10th at 12:00 Noon.  Bring a small $5-$6 gift for the exchange and a couple of inexpensive gifts for the swap game.  See you there!

The Forest Hill Cemetery Association will create personalized luminary bags for the December 8th evening service at the Pavilion again this year.  To have your loved ones’ names included please contact Carolyn Krogh 310-8357 or 644-3670 or Sheryl Smith 644-3927.  A donation of $1 per name would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Please put December 5th - 6:30 PM on your busy December Calendars as that is the night of the Annual Bethlehem Lutheran Ladies Christmas get-together.  Ulla Suhonen will be the guest speaker and there will be other forms of entertainment, too.  Bring a table favor to exchange and also goodies for the Pot Luck Coffee and goodies table.  This will take place at church.  Please feel free to bring a guest.

Remember to bake some homemade goodies for the Cookie Packing day on December 15th 9 AM at the church, too.

The Mary & Martha Society Christmas party at St. John’s will be on December 6th at 2:30PM, at the church. Everyone is welcome!

“The Best of the Past” is the title of the 20th Annual Christmas Concert presented by the Grace Lutheran Church Choir and the McGregor Area Community Singers will take place on Sunday December 9, at 3 PM at Grace Lutheran Church and again on December 14th at 7 PM at the Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

You are invited to “Come To The Inn” on Saturday, December 15th at 5PM or 7 PM as the Bethany Lutheran Church of Cromwell presents the “Christmas Story”.  This is a holiday dinner at 5 or 7 PM.  Reservations are needed in advance so call Deb at 644-3780 or Julie at 644-3956.

The Cromwell-Wright School Yearbooks (Cromwellians) will be going on sale as of November 26th.  Prices are $40.00.  Call the school or stop in to order yours before they are all gone.

Did you know that the Area Clothing Depot is now open on Thursdays from 10 – 3.  This is an additional day so try to stop in and check them out.

Many, many students were honored at the Fall Sports Pot Luck Event held at the school last week.  Thanks athletes for making the fall so exciting for your family and fans.  You are the greatest!

That’s all the news from Lake Getoutandstartyourshopping and Hello to the coaches of all the fall sports teams.