Monday, May 19, 2008

Wright Cromwell News

05/19/2008

Wright Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson May 19, 2008

Clyde and Roxy Homstad became new grandparents times two in April.  A Grandson, Hunter Lee Baars was born to daughter Sara (Homstad) and husband Dan Baars on April 9th.  And exactly one week later a granddaughter Larissa Rae Homstad was born to son Dustin and wife Linnea (Anderson) Homstad on April 16th.  All are doing well, and enjoying every minute as parents and grandparents.

Mary Purcell’s granddaughter, Krista is in the hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. with a deep vein thrombosis.  Her mother, Dianne, has flown down to be with her.  She graduates in a couple of weeks from college—we will put her on the prayer list up here.

Jasper Beseman was laid to rest on Saturday, May 17,2008 in the Catholic Cemetery in Wright, Mn.  He died on February 16, 2008 and had to wait for a spring burial. May he Rest in Peace.

Dolly Niemi’s sister was also buried on Saturday in the Catholic Cemetery in Wright.

Speaking of the Catholics, Karen Dahl informed me that they have a piano and church organ for sale as they are getting a mechanical musical machine for the music at the church.  Please Call Karen at 357-3611 if interested. They must go, so Best Offer will be considered.

Volunteers are needed to help Ray Gurske plant over 3,000 plants on the bank at his home on Tamarack Lake on June 7th.  Please call him if you or your group can help him out.

A Senior Dance at the Pavilion will be held on Thursday, May 22nd from 1-4 PM.  Music provided this time by Mr. Morgan.

Do you think gas is expensive?  Well actually it’s only about 25 cents a cup.  Coffee at our local restaurants is over $1.00 a cup, so coffee would be over $25.00 if you bought only one cup with no refills at a restaurant.  Wonder if that makes us feel any better?

The Senior Awards Banquet was held at the school on Friday, May 16th.  This year’s Valedictorian is Kristy Groth and the Salutatorian is Ronni Pihlaja.  Many other awards and scholarships were also given out with over $20,000 in total scholarships given.  Megan Shelton and Adam Smith were selected to the National Honor Society.  They were inducted at this event, too.

There will be many graduation parties coming up this weekend and next.  There are 26 seniors in Cromwell-Wright who will graduate on Friday, May 23rd at 8 PM.

They Did It!  The students in Mrs. Lea Tiili-Anderson’s class have reached their goal of collecting one million one pop tabs.  It has taken several years to reach this goal, but they did it!  Ronald McDonald was at the school to visit the kids and thank them for the tabs.  The tabs will be donated to the Ronald

McDonald House in Mpls.  So, since 1989, the students in the Cromwell Wright area have collected over 2 million tabs as my 4th graders collected a million tabs back in 1989.  The kids are still collecting so keep the tabs coming to help others in need.

On Sunday, May 18, 2008, five young people were confirmed from Bethany and Bethlehem Lutheran churches and one young man received a certificate of attendance.  Those confirmed were Jaime Marie Bridge, Damian Michael Carlson, Kaicee Elizabeth Hakala, Dylan Tauno Johnson, and Marlene Rose Wester.  Gwang Ho Lee received a certificate of attendance for his year of attendance at confirmation classes.  Because Gwang is an exchange student, he is not permitted to make any life changing choices, so therefore he was not able to be a confirmed Lutheran.

Brooke Christine Aili and Orrie Robert Bergstedt were United in Marriage on May 18, 2008 at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko, MN by Pastors Bruce Bergstedt and Gary Kangas.  Parents are Philip and Julie Aili and Keith and Cynthia Bergstedt.  Brooke choose her sister Erin as her Maid of Honor and her sister Anika Aili as her Junior Bridesmaid.  Her friends Lindsey Lindteigen, Brittany Carlson, Laura Smith and Erica Bryant were the bridesmaids.  Orrie choose his cousin, Nicholas Bergstedt as his Best Man and Groomsmen were his brother; Buckley Bergstedt, friend; Tyrel Messer, Brother of the Bride; Alex Aili, and cousin of the Groom; Benjamin Bergstedt.  Ushers were Jordan Johnson and Cody Hendrickson, friends of the Groom.  Personal Attendants were Maggi Newell and Amanda Norgren, friends of the bride. Music was provided by Robin Johnson, Ruth Juntunen, Diane Juntunen, Jim Erickson and Kerry Juntunen.  The congregation also sang 3 hymns in this very traditional wedding.  A reception was held at the Greysolon Plaza in Duluth. The newlyweds will be at home in Cloquet, MN.

The Carlton County Retired Educators will be meeting at the Eskimo Pies Restaurant in Esko on Tuesday, June 10th at 11:30 AM.  They will hold their meeting there and also have sign up sheet for working at the Little Red School House in Barnum in August.  Then they will proceed to the Esko Historical Buildings for a tour of their exhibits.  All newly retired teachers and staff are also welcome to attend.  CCRE is an organization of retired teachers, administrators and staff. You can call Jennie Hanson for more information at 357-2385.

The Y.O.T. (Young Old Timers) Club of Cromwell is planning an excursion to Finn Fest in Duluth on Friday, July 25.  We will have a bus to take us to the DECC leaving from Cromwell at 8:30 in the morning and returning at 4:30 in the afternoon.  The cost for the bus ride, if you care to join us, is $6 per person.  We also have made arrangements for group discount admission tickets for Friday, regularly $30 per person, discounted to $20.  If you would like to order a ticket or reserve a seat on the bus, please contact Carolyn at 644-3670.  I’ll need to order the tickets no later than Thursday, June 12th to get the discount.  This offer is open to all area residents. There is a wide variety of events scheduled for each day.  Friday, they also expect to have President Halonen from Finland speak at 10:00.  Come along and join us!!

Wright Little League meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Wright ball field.  T-Ball will be on Tuesdays only from 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Housewares are needed for the Area Clothing Depot.  Please drop them off on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays.  Thanks in advance for any and all donations.

The Luminary Service Committee meeting will be held on May 27 at 7:30 PM at the Pavilion.

The other night we were watching “The Rifleman” on satellite TV and Bob was asking me some questions about the stars of the show, so I went to the computer and looked it up.  Chuck Connors was the star and he was born Kevin Joseph Aloysius Connors on April 10, 1921.  He died at age 71 on November 10, 1992.  He was an athlete before becoming a movie star.  He was a professional baseball and basketball player and even played for the newly formed Boston Celtics and later joined the Brooklyn Dodgers.  In 1951 he joined the Chicago Cubs and played 66 games as first baseman and occasional pinch hitter.  He started acting in 1952 and stared as Lucas McCain as “The Rifleman” from 1958 – 1963 with Johnny Crawford who played his son Mark.

That’s all the news from Lake Happytohelpoutourneighbors and Hello to all our area graduates. Make it a great week! 

Monday, May 12, 2008

Wright – Cromwell News

05/12/2008

Wright – Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson May 12, 2008

It’s “Poppy Time” again!  Take the time to support our Veterans by buying a poppy from one of “Poppy Collection Cans” that are in numerous businesses in Wright and Cromwell.  For a small contribution, you can help support programs for those that fought to protect your freedom! Your gift will be used by the American Legion Auxiliary unit in the Cromwell-Wright area.

Wear your poppy with pride to pay tribute to all veterans.  Let Freedom Ring!

Also, the American Legion Auxiliary of Cromwell-Wright will be hosting a BAKE SALE on Saturday morning, the 17th of May. Locations will be at BJ’s Gas station in Wright, and at Hometown Family Foods in Cromwell.  Please help us support our veterans.

The Cromwell Methodist Church is looking for a gently used laptop computer with `Windows XP and a 17” screen.  Other software is not required as it will be used for record keeping purposes.  If you have any leads on available laptops, please call Carolyn Krogh at 218-310-8357 or 218-644-3670.  Thanks for your help!

A pancake breakfast was held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wright, MN on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 from 8-11 AM in honor of the Minnesota opening fishing weekend.  50 people were served during the three-hour event.  $581.00 was brought in through free-will donations from attendees.  A bake sale was held in conjunction with the breakfast.  Over $100 of the total amount brought in was from the bake sale.  Church members volunteered nearly 200 hours in preparation for, during, and after the event.  Funds raised will be used for church repairs.  Supplemental funds were applied for through Thrivent Financial.

Cromwell had a great performance on May 4th put on by Dancin’ Stars and Shooting Stars Dance Program.  Instructor Angela Sandoval-Luna, a former graduate of Cromwell High School, taught the ballet, tap, and jazz lessons in Cromwell from January to May.  Angela said that it was really fun to get back to teaching.  Angela taught dance lessons in Cromwell and other surrounding towns for 9 years or so before moving to Colorado to teach elementary school in 2001.  She has just returned this year with her husband Eddy, and two boys: Mateo, age 2 and Adan, age 1.  She wasn’t planning on resuming the lessons in Cromwell but was convinced to do it and was really glad she said yes. “It’s really great exercise for me as well as the kids.  The kids also practice flexibility, rhythm, listening, and coordination.  It’s great.” There were 25 kids (5 preschoolers, 7 kindergarteners, 7 first graders, 1 second grader. 3 third graders, 1 fourth grader, and 1 fifth grader.  Does that equal 25???) who took lessons.  Each dancer learned and performed 5 dances in the recital and put on a terrific show.  Angela’s sister, Suzy Goodin also had her dance competition group from Cloquet come to help out and perform a jazz dance towards the end of the show.  Angela says that she’s sad to see the lessons end and is already working on songs and ideas for next year.  Floodwood Community Ed. has also recruited Angela to teach dance lessons.  She will teach at both schools next year.  It looks like a lot of kids will get the opportunity to learn a new skill next year.

The 3rd – 6th Graders at Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright received their Bibles on Sunday, May 11, 2008.  Those receiving their Bibles were Milyssa and Tim Aho, Jake and Presley Sleyster, Olivia and Eli Warpula, Chloe Larson Samantha Hansen, Hannah Line and Kiiera Anderson. The whole Sunday School also sang for the congregation and enjoyed a couple of Children’s Sermons.  May 18th will be the last day of SS at Bethany.

The 2008 Senior Class of Cromwell – Wright School were honored and giving a blessing at Baccalaureate on Sunday, May 11, 2008 at Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell.  Mary Rose Varo sang a special song to them about letting your candle shine and light the life of others, too.  It was a beautiful and meaningful service.

Mason Hansen became a Daddy.  Augustus Allan Hansen was born Wednesday, May 7th, 2008, weighing 7# 15oz. and 22 inches long in Charleston, SC.  Besides having a broken clavicle (which is common) both Gus and his Mom Stephanie are doing great.  If Gus would have arrived one hour and 33 minutes sooner he would have been born on his grandparents, Janet and Reese Hansen’s 30th Anniversary, but I guess he wanted his own special day.

Little Gus’ maternal grandparents are Steve and Robin Schmidt of Tennessee and Great Grandparents are Lincoln and Jeanne Hansen of Wright and Steph’s grandparents, too.

Gwang Ho Lee and Muksud “Sonet” Chowdhury were surprised and honored at church on Sunday when they each were given a hand made quilt by the Bethlehem Quilters.  They were wished a wonderful life and these quilts will remind them of their year in Cromwell and Wright.  They return to their home countries in early June, so if you see these guys wish them the best in the future.

The men of Bethlehem Lutheran served Strawberry Shortcake in honor of Mother’s Day on May 11th.  Scott and Kim Thudin also gave all the ladies a beautiful red carnation corsage as a special gift.  Thank you all!

The Villa Vista will be holding an Official Ground Breaking on Monday, May 19th at 1 PM.  Please feel free to attend this very special event.

Margaret Olson Webster will show her books and prints on March 18th at Tweed Art Gallery on the campus of the University of Minnesota after being nominated for a Northeastern Book Award.

Sunday, May 18th will be Confirmation at both Bethany and Bethlehem churches at the regular worship services.

The Senior Class of Cromwell-Wright School honored their parents and teachers at a catered dinner at the Pavilion on Wednesday, May 7th.  Eric Arnold, son of Marsha Walli gave an appreciation thank you speech and here are a few quotes from that speech. 

“I have been selected to express our thanks and sincerest appreciation to all the parents and teachers sitting here today, and also to those who were unable to make it.  This dinner is for you, in recognition of all the little and not-so-little things you’ve done for us.  Throughout the last 18 years, you have always been there for us, even sometimes when you had better things to be doing, which I’d imagine was quite a bit.  God only knows how you put up with us all these years but we’re glad you did.  And because you did, we are who we are today.  I think our class will agree that the people of Cromwell and Wright are some of the nicest, and most decent people of this country.  It’s because of your selfless devotion to our often-unappreciative well being that has turned our senior class into all the wonderful people I know.”

“Now we have the opportunity, with this humble dinner, to do something for you.  It’s not even close to enough to even begin to thank you, but we would like you to know that we do remember all the things you’ve done for us, and we understand that it wasn’t always easy.  You’ve raised us to be honest, generous, hard working, loyal, kind and compassionate people, and we like to think we get all that from you.  You’ve taught us all to read, write, add and subtract, and you even struggled through fractions, but most importantly you’ve taught us right from wrong, and that is the one thing that we are going to take with us into our fast approaching new lives.  For all this and for so much more, Thank You so much and enjoy your dinner!”

So on behalf of the teachers and parents, we want to thank the senior class for this dinner and for being such a fine class.  We will miss you next year!

There was a full church for the Annual Bethlehem Mother Daughter Tea on Saturday the 10th.  Diane Hansen led in singing “Amazing Grace” and she was accompanied by the “Amazing” Grace Krogh, age 94!  Grace also played of the other music.  Eileen Keen also gave a very neat message for mothers and daughters of all ages.

Our Sympathy to the family of Vi Koivisto Lahti, age 85, of Cromwell who died on May 10, 2008.  Her funeral will be held on May 14, 2008 at Bethany Lutheran in Cromwell.  So to her son, Kenny and wife Sue Koivisto, and daughter-in-law, Judy Koivisto and all family and friends, our sympathy is with you all.

I’ll never forget a time when Bob and I were on a trip through Yellowstone Park and we were passed up by a car with a bumper sticker that said: “Where the heck is Cromwell?” so we followed that car till it stopped and then jumped out to see who was in the car and low and behold it was Vi and Dauno!  We had a connection with them ever since that time.  Whenever we would meet, we would talk about that chance meeting in Wyoming.

And one last item.  Minnesota celebrated its 150th Birthday on Sunday, May 11th.  Did anyone even notice?  If you’re interested this birthday is called the Sesquicentennial.  Now that’s a new word to learn to spell! 

Every week when I sit down to write the news, I think there isn’t much to write about and then it seems to grow and grow!  I hope you enjoy some of my long winded articles, and some weeks will be much shorter, too.

That’s all the news from Lake Congratulationstoallseniors and Hello to all their parents and families!