Monday, December 17, 2007

Wright-Cromwell News

12/17/2007

Wright-Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson 12-17- 2007

Well, it’s almost the last week of the year and by the time you read this, it probably will be the last week.  This has been a year of changes, so many changes for so many families in our area.  And now with the death of Mary Aho on December 13, 2007 another family will be affected by major change.

Mary H. Aho, 83, of Tamarack, Mn was laid to rest on Sunday, December 16th.  Over 200 relatives, friends and neighbors attended her funeral held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright, Mn.  Pastor Janeva Stromberg officiated, Jo Schneider was pianist, Ken Peterson sang “You Have Come to the Lakeshore” and “On Eagles Wings”, and Mary’s great grandchildren, Alex, Isaac, Luke and Harrison sang “Jesus Loves Me”, which was very touching.

Mary will be deeply missed by her daughter Sandy and husband Tom Nistler and family and especially by her husband, Art.  May the wonderful memories of Mary stay with you all.  As I heard someone say at the funeral:  “Mary was a real lady with a Capital “L”. 

Suzy and Lucas Goodin’s baby daughter, Kieriahna Lalaith will be baptized on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, Mn.

There will be NO SCHOOL from December 22 – January 1st, 2008.  No After School Program on the 21st either.  School will also get out early on December 21st at 1 PM.  I sure hope the school students, teachers, staff and administration have a very wonderful break and come back January 2nd refreshed.

The latest Pool tournament held at Leonard Aho’s had some interesting results.  1st Place was Chester Anderson and Cal Nelson, 2nd Place was Henry Oja and Lincoln Hansen, and 3rd Place was Les Richards and Randy.  There were 14 teams and a good time was had by all. 

I got a nice email from Jon Sloan and he writes:  “Hope things are going well with you and the family.  Things are busy down here.  There’s one more week left after this before the kids leave for Winter Break.  I’m at the North City, Inc until Jan. 25.  Then I go back to the South location.  Teaching has been going ok, and things are going all right with my security job on the weekends.

Jan (Jon’s wife) is still at Cargill; I think she’s been there now about 14 years.  She still works at Hancock Fabrics on Saturdays.  Yes, we lead pretty busy lives.

I’m still teaching and training in Tae Kwon Do.  I’ll be eligible to test for my 5th Degree black belt around June/July.  I’m also training in Haidong Gumdo, a Korean sword art.  I’ll be teaching sword classes this next year at least one of the two TKD schools I help teach at.

Jan and I were able to come up north for Thanksgiving, and we’ll probably come up to visit on Christmas Day.

Hope your holiday season hasn’t gotten too busy for you.”

St. John’s Lutheran in Wright will be having Christmas Eve services at 5:30 p.m.  They will be having joint services with Our Saviors in McGregor for New Years Eve.

Christmas Eve Candlelight services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright at 10 PM and at Bethany in Cromwell at 8 PM.  Please feel welcome to attend either of these services.

Due to our Food Shelf Wishing Tree at the Bethlehem Church getting a rather late start, they will keep it going through January.  Thanks for any donations you can make.

Art Jauss writes to say:  “I really appreciate your having done a history of the Clothing Depot. There were parts that I had forgotten (Channel 6 and Becky Lowry coming, for example); but others parts I do remember are that Cyndy Bergsedt, Mary Oja, Mary Purcell, Bea Jauss and I among others were involved from the outset as was our current manager, Dardanelle(Beanie) Randa....It should be said that Yvonne Davis and Jennie Sathre were spark plugs and movers and shakers also from the beginning.  It was Jennie Sathre who helped to set the tone for the Depot’s operation. The mission, as spelled out in the Articles of Incorporation, “Is to provide that the Depot is organized exclusively for charitable and religious purposes, specifically to uphold the dignity of all users....and to encourage community involvement.’’

“Mention should be made of others who have made major contributions to the Depot. Marlene Almquist was a great contributor with her volunteering, doing the display cases and being our parliamentarian. Mary Purcell, after being part of the charter group and a volunteer, has been a great cheerleader and monumental contributions were made by Bud Olson.  It was he who got the majority of our racks for display of the clothing from a department store in Moose Lake that went our of business....And lastly, it must be said that “our” little dynamo, Beanie Randa, is the life and breath of our Depot.  She has given her all to the development and wonderful place that it now is.”

The Area Clothing Depot will be CLOSED for Christmas vacation.  That means that they will not be open on December 22nd, 25th, 27th, 29th or January 1st.  They will resume regular hours on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008.  Thank you so very much for your donations and patronage.

The Depot took in over $ 8,000 dollars this year.  There were higher expenses, because of the move downstairs, but they were able to keep prices the same as they have been for over 10 years now.  No “Price Gouging” there.  The Depot’s Goal is to provide good used items at a very reasonable price.

Last month I took the “Are You Smarted that a 5th Grader” Quiz on the computer and guess what?  I am officially smarter than a 5th Grader.  I even have a certificate to prove it.  You can take this quiz on the internet and let me know if you made it.  It was a fun challenge and since I never taught higher than 4th graders, I feel pretty good about passing the 5th Grade test!

The Wright Senior Center will be having a “Toes R Us” foot care clinic on January 2nd at 11 AM.  Then you can have your blood pressure checked at 12:30 PM and following the business meeting, Sheriff Kelly Lake will be present to talk and answer questions at 1:30 PM.  All are Welcome.  You don’t have to be a member to take part in any of these events.

Then there are a few last minute announcements from this week’s Bus Bulletin: Basketball is well under way now and there will be basketball during Christmas vacation.  The boys will play in the Pillager Holiday Tournament on the 27th and 28th and the Girls will be at Lakeview Christian Academy on the 28th.

The Cromwell-Wright School 1st Semester will end on January 17th.  There will be NO SCHOOL on January 18th and 21st for Teacher Inservice.

Just a thought: If you think gas is expensive, try Egg Nog.  It’s over $10.00 a gallon.

I’d like to end the column with some advice from Santa.

All I Need To Know I Learned From Santa

1. Encourage people to believe in you.

2. Always remember who’s naughty and who’s nice.

3. Don’t pout.

4. It’s as much fun to give as it is to receive.

5. Some days it’s ok to feel a little chubby.

6. Make your presents known.

7. Always ask for a little bit more than what you really want.

8. Bright red can make anyone look good.

9. Wear a wide belt and no one will notice how many pounds you’ve gained.

10. If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you’re very important.

11. Whenever you’re at a loss for words, say “HO, HO, HO!”

That’s all the news from Lake Twothousandsevenisalmostgone and Hello to all the kids who are anxiously waiting for Santa to arrive.  Remember the Reason for the Season and do something to help others this week.

Monday, December 03, 2007

The Wright / Cromwell News

12/03/2007

The Wright / Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson December 3, 2007

Yes, It’s December!  We made it, at least most of us made it.  There have been so many deaths in our two communities this year that it makes one wonder how we will get along without so many of these wonderful people.  Everyone who lost a loved one this past year is still in mourning and probably wondering how they can get through Christmas without their loved ones.  Well, my dad died on December 21, 1981 and we had his funeral on Christmas Eve Day, and I took comfort in knowing that dad would spend Christmas with Jesus that year and every year from then on.  There’s a little poem that seems to say it all:  I love you all dearly, Now don’t shed a tear, I’m spending my Christmas, With Jesus this year.

It’s time again for Cromwell’s 3rd Annual Memorial Luminary Night.  On Saturday, December 8, there will be luminaries to light up the town of Cromwell, beginning around dusk.  Christmas carolers will stroll down main street around 5:00 PM.  (If you’d like to join them, please dress warmly and meet at the Country Inn Café at 4:45 PM.) Hayrides will be available and Santa is clearing his busy schedule to make an appearance.  Look for him or his reindeer downtown.  In addition, there will be a Live Nativity scene from 5:00 – 7:00 PM in the Aate Parviainen Park, by the Clinic building.  Personalized memorial luminaries will be lit along the Pavilion walk.  We’ll also have a community program inside the Pavilion at 7:00 with music and readings, followed by refreshments.  It’s a good night to see your friends and neighbors, remember your loved ones and share the holiday spirit.  See you there!

The Cromwell Post Office will be having a Customer Appreciation Day on Wednesday, December 12, 8 AM – 12 PM. Coffee, juice and “holiday” goodies will be served.  Everyone is welcome.

The Area Clothing Depot will be having their Annual Holiday Customer Appreciation Day and 15th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, December 8th from 10 – 3 PM.  (The date in the paper last week was wrong, it’s really on the 8th!) There will be drawings for coupon books, and holiday goodies to eat. 

THE AREA CLOTHING DEPOT CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY

The Area Clothing Depot started in November of 1992 at the old Creamery building in Cromwell, Mn.  State Senator Becky Lowry came and donated many items and also helped with sorting.  Pat Andarko of Bruno came and a Crew from Channel 6 also came.  The Depot was open on Thursdays from 11 AM – 4 PM and on Saturdays from 10 AM – 3 PM.  Drop-off points were at Warm Homes and the Villa Vista.  Volunteer helpers were still needed back then.  Items would sell for a minimal price to help with the rent, fuel and lights.

The Depot moved to the Old Wright School on December 29, 1993.  The people who helped move were Beanie and Walter Randa, Brenda Soderbloom, Bob Davis, Jennie, Jim and Jon Sather, Paul Johnson, Ray Kirzy, and Ailie Costello.  The Clothing Depot opened for business upstairs of the Wright School on April 30, 1994.  Rent was $125.00 a month back then.

In the summer of 2007, the Depot moved to the lower levels of the Old Wright School.  There were many, many hours of volunteer time making the move possible without interrupting the hours they were open.  They have also set up a special Savings Account (Building Fund) for the future, so if someone would like to make any special donations to that it would really be appreciated.

Currently the rent is $350.00 a month and the hours are 10 – 3 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  Prices are $3.00 a bag with the exception of $1.50 a bag on the 1st T, TH, and S.  Some items are individually marked, but most are by the bag. The Current and Long-Time Manager is Beanie Randa, The Officers and Board Members are:  Jennie Hanson: President, Art Jauss: Vice President, Shirley Walli: Secretary, Vivian Murdock: Treasurer, and Jennie Waisenen, Judy Gilbertson, Ailie Costello, Bob Hanson, and Mary Oja: Board Members.  They also have many current active volunteers doing the sorting and displaying which are Dorothy Groth, Trudy Holm, Gwen Koopman, Sheena Rachel, Cloyce Murdock, Madelyn Adelsgruber, Marie Cieluch, Janet Sworski, Lisa Lund, Brenda Soderbloom and others I may have missed.  Leo Dahlberg has been helpful in doing some of the hauling.  They lost a very dedicated volunteer back in March when Roxanne Norton passed away from cancer.

The Depot has also donated thousands of dollars over these past many years to worthy causes in the area such as the After School Program, Spanish Trip, Post Prom, Athletics, Friends of Animals, Carlton Youth Center, Dollars for Scholars, Tri-Community Food shelf, State Tournament appearances, Youth groups, and United Way of Carlton County.  In 2006 they donated $1650.00.

Donations are coming in at a good clip and they thank everyone who has donated so generously.  They DO NOT want Computers or computer hardware as it doesn’t sell and they have to pay to get rid of it.

So if you’re out there, Becky Lowry, Please come to the Anniversary Celebration on December 8th and bring your son, Tony and his family, too!

The Wright Feed Mill will be having Customer Appreciation Day on Friday, December 14th.  Stop in to see what Jeff is up to!

The Farmer’s Co-op Store in Wright, MN will be having their Annual Christmas Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, December 15th. (Also, wrong date in the news last week, sorry!) Come in and sign up for door prizes and have some coffee and goodies on the store.  Thanks for all your support over these 86 years or more.  With the high gas prices, it is so great to have a store in town.  A big Thank You goes out to all the employees at the store, too.  You are the ones that keep it running so smoothly.

I recently got an e-mail from Michael Cronky and he writes:  “I am doing fine, as well as my family.  My wife, Kim and I have been married 10 years now. I waited to get married, so did she. We met in ‘94.  We have 4 kids.  Olivia – 10, Phillip – 8, Clairissa (Clair/Bear) - turns 5 on 12/1, and Katharin (Pinky) - turned 4 on 11/10.  We live in Burns Twp, which is the northern most end of Anoka County just outside of St. Francis. 20 minutes from Isanti.

I spent the first 10 years after HS in the restaurant business, started cooking ended up bartending alot then entered Bar Management.  Left that in 1994 to work for Hennepin County Bureau of Social Services.  Been there ever since.  I am currently the Liaison between the County and the Social Security Administration office and vice versa. Best part about the job is I work from my home. No commuting! It’s 30 miles one way to Downtown Mpls, and with gas the way it is now, ouch, that would hurt.”

I still have strong ties to Wright MN. I have a Cabin Trailer on Tamarack Lake, on my Grandfathers old property. I still do a lot of fishing and hunting up there. Or should I say I still put a lot of worms on kids hooks and sit in the middle of the woods a lot a look at trees

Well I suppose I will be speaking with you from time to time. Indirectly or directly.

Glad the connection was made!  Hope things are well with you?

Joel Swenson and Nancy Purcell were united in marriage at the Cromwell Bethany Church on November 24, 2007. Their family and friends surrounded them with their love and support while Janeva Stromberg performed the ceremony.  Congratulations to these newlyweds!

STRIKEPOINT RETURNS TO BETHANY on Sunday, December 9th at 7:00 PM (Cookies at 6:00 PM) (A Freewill offering will be collected)

Have an early supper at home, and then join them between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. for fellowship and to share your favorite Christmas Cookies before the concert. (Please bring a dozen Christmas Cookies to share)

At 7:00 p.m., after filling yourself with those delicious cookies, they will move to the Sanctuary for an evening of Handbell Christmas Music along with a variety of other music on Handbells.  A Strikepoint concert is guaranteed to provide a fast-paced, high energy, rollicking good time!  If you need a ride to or from the concert, please call “Called to Care” at 644-3103.

There are still plenty of tickets for the 7 PM Holiday Dinner and the “Christmas Story” performance at Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell on December 15th.  The 5 PM performance is sold out.  Please call Debbie at 644-3780 or Julie at 644-3956 to reserve a ticket.

The Tri-Community Food Shelf is in dire need of donations and especially cash donations.  Just drop off donations at the Co-op Store, Sheldon Larsen or Ken Peterson. It seems to get harder and harder to deep up with requests and any help you can give is welcomed.

The Cromwell-Wright School will be holding a Book Fair the week of December 8th – 14th.  Just stop in the Library and maybe you can get a few gifts for your children and grandchildren for Christmas.  This sale will be open before the Elementary Program on December 12th, too.

The girls basketball team did a great job at their first home game vs. Cherry and the 1st boys home game will be on December 21st vs. McGregor. There are sports schedules at the school if you haven’t gotten yours yet.

Robert, Ulla and Josef Suhonen will soon be leaving for their home in Vienna, Austria after a 6-month leave from Operation Mobilization.  They want to thank everyone for their faithful prayers and support for their family and they appreciate it more than you will ever know!

When they go back, they will be involved as European Supervisors for Bethany Global Internship Program and the OM AIDSLINK.  If there is any way you can help them financially in their ministry, please contact them and any support will be appreciated.

Household hint: You can cut dry SOS pads in half with scissors and make them go twice as far.

Bible Verse for the week:  All things work together for good to them that love God.  Romans 8:28

That’s all the news from Lake Boythatwasalotofsnow and Hello to all the people in the area that are doing musical concerts.  Your voices really enhance the season.