Monday, June 30, 2008

Wright/Cromwell News

06/30/2008

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson June 30, 2008

TALENT NEEDED:  There is an urgent need for talent for the talent show at Wrong Days in Wright on Friday, July 18th at 7 PM.  Please contact me - Jennie Hanson at 357-2385 or email me at if you can help out with the talent show.  There will be a Steak Fry at 5 – 7 PM, the coronation of king and queen, the talent show, pie social and FIREWORKS at Dusk!

Plan to attend the two Concerts at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell on July 6th and July 11th.  The July 6th Concert will take place at 10:30 AM and music will be preformed by the Hitch Family.  This is a family of very talented singers and musicians.

The Journeymen will be in concert at Bethany in Cromwell on Friday, July 11th at 7 PM.  There will be a Free Will Offering at each concert.

Weston and K.C. Gregg and Christine and her son Clayton, were in the area visiting friends and relatives the week of June 16th.  It has been 15 years since he last made a trip to the “motherland”!  The stars have finally aligned just right, and with the help of Uncle Bush and his stimulus check, he headed up to visit everybody, and to see Grandma Hanson.  They stayed at Vivian and Cloyce Murdock’s home in Wright and then on Thursday they had reservations for the train ride out of Duluth that evening. They headed back home Friday morning, the 20th.

Barb and Tim Dahl spent a few days in the cities visiting daughter Amy and Ryan Sportel. They attended a celebration at the Veterans hospital for their son-in-law, Ryan. He graduated from the University as a Nurse Anesthetist. Ryan has accepted a job at the Red Wing Hospital.

Rick and Sue Olesiak, Jim and Karen Dahl, Bill, Shelly, and Emily Hendrickson spent a week vacationing in the Black Hills. They brought their horses and went trail riding and camping. Karen had a misfortune with her horse and spent time in the hospital out there. Get well Karen!

Here’s a note from Bonnie Suhonen:  “Just thought I would drop a line and let you all know that our son, Benjamin asked Natalie to marry him. So I now have a happy engaged man and a future wonderful new Daughter-in-law.  I am very happy for both of them and we welcome Natalie into our very small quiet reserved family (and don’t anyone tell her different).  Natalie’s full name is Natalie Tvinnereim.  Her Mother and step-father live in a town north of Fargo called Hillsboro. Crystal thinks the wedding should be in Hawaii, I think it will be in Fargo!”

Here’s a note from Jon Sloan which I thought I’d also share:  “How’s it going?  Glad to hear that another school year for Cromwell/Wright has ended well.  We still have another week and a half.  Our last day for K-11 is on June 11th, and our graduation is this Wednesday.  I had to go around and help the seniors that are graduating fill out their surveys that the Mpls. district is requiring from them, so I was busy driving back and forth between both school sites.  I’m planning on switching to full-time hours for my security job this summer.  I don’t have to teach Tae Kwon Do in Lakeville this summer, so that’ll cut down on gas costs for me. Jan is still busy at Cargill as well as the fabric store.  We’ve been working on some landscaping projects around the house.  We took out a section of our chain-link fence and had a gate installed so we can get our mower from the front yard to the back yard.  We had a small hailstorm hit on Saturday afternoon, and I worked on Sunday afternoon raking and cleaning off the deck and the driveway.

I’m going to be testing for the rank of 1st Gup in Haidong Gumdo soon, and I’m trying to get ready for my 5th degree black belt test in Tae Kwon Do.  I’m thinking I’ll be testing in late summer or early fall for that.  When I nail down a test date, I’ll let you know.  I’ll be helping with some demonstrations this summer, including a couple weekends at the Renaissance Festival.

I’m still working on my comics when I get the chance, and I’ve been involved with a few projects alongside a few other Minneapolis cartoonists.  These have been a lot of fun, especially being able to collaborate with the other artists.”

The Area Clothing Depot will be having a “Special Bag Sale” during Wrong Days in Wright.  You can fill a bag for $1.00 on July 19th – 10 AM – 3 PM only.

Lawrence Berg recently had surgery on his ankle and reports that the surgery went well and he is on the mend.  He still has pain, but it is getting better as each day passes.  There was a bone fragment that was larger than the surgeon thought is was and it severed a tendon.  He thanks everyone for the cards and prayers.

There were a bunch of gals that went to the Plymouth Playhouse to see Church Basement Ladies 2 on Wednesday, June 25th.  It was put on by the Northland Funeral Home.  Those that went were: Dee Debele, Sue Koivisto, Carol Eliason, Gloria Manninen, Jeanne Hansen, Kathy Olson, Bev Peterson, Gerry Aho, Sandy Henry, Selma Houck, Beatrice Heikkila, Lydia Heikkila, and Madelyn Adelsgruber.

They started out by having a light breakfast served at Northland’s Fireside Room before departing to the Playhouse.  When they arrived in Plymouth they were served a wonderful buffet lunch, followed by the play.  After that they headed home, stopping at Culver’s in Forest Lake for an ice cream stop!

It was a fun day!! And Yes, I did get to see this play!  Don’t miss it!

The YOT will hold their summer Pot Luck at their July meeting on Tuesday, the 8th of July at Noon.  Hot dogs and buns will be provided.  Please bring a dish to share and some good ol’ summertime stories.

For those of you attending the Finn Fest on July 25th, the first bus will be picking up passengers in Wright at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 8:15 and the Cromwell Pavilion at 8:20.  The second bus will come directly to Cromwell.  Plan to be at the bus stop at 8:00 to get the best seats.  We will return at approximately 4:00 p.m.  There are 52 folks signed up for the trip so get ready to have a great time!!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Wright will be hosting a concert on Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. at the church during the Wrong Days festivities. The local group, “Sweet Harmony” comprised of Diane Hansen, Deb Switzer, and Kathleen Entner accompanied by Julie Hansen will be performing. All all welcome to attend.

Kenny and Alice Lake will be honored with a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party at the Cromwell Park Pavilion on Sunday, July 20th from 1 – 4 PM.  The Chmielewski Band will be providing music and everyone is welcome to attend.

The Class of 1955 and 1956 will be meeting on July 19th at the Fireside in McGregor for their annual class reunion at 5 PM.

The Class of 1941 will be meeting at noon for a Pot Luck Picnic at the Stone Farm north of Cromwell on Saturday, July 19th.

I got a letter recently from a U of M student and he wanted to know how the Cromwell Cardinals got their nickname, “Cardinals”?  I guess I am wondering, too.  If anyone knows the history of the Cardinals, please let me know?

Our Community (Cromwell-Wright) Picnic scheduled for Saturday, July 5th from 11 – 3 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion has some excitement in store for you and your friends and families.

There will be a Pie Baking Contest, an Arm Wrestling Contest, Volleyball, Checkers, Cribbage, Scrabble, Bean Bag Toss, and Horseshoes going on throughout the day.  Other games like Sack Race, 3-Legged race, Wheelbarrow race, Tug-of-war for teams up to 6 players, Shoe Kick contest, Watermelon Seed Spitting contest, and Running races (for all ages) will be scheduled through the day.  An up-to-date schedule of events will be available at our local businesses and on the sign-up boards at the event.  All this and a Kissing Booth too.  This event will be held rain or shine so mark your calendars now.

This celebration is put together with the help of the Luminary Committee and representatives from the local cemetery associations in the Cromwell & Wright area. If you aren’t able to attend, but want to send a tax-deductible contribution, please send your donation to the Cromwell Luminary Fund at the Cromwell Northview Bank.

We are planning to have a family fun day and it will be an alcohol-free and pet-free event.  Our Patriotic activities will begin promptly at 11:00.  For more information, please don’t hesitate to call Jeanne Weimer 218-343-5059 or Carolyn Krogh 218-644-3670 or Linda Larson 218-644-3484.  Be prepared to have some fun!!

There is a bus trip to Pepin, Wisconsin the weekend of September 12-14th to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder birthplace and see the play “Little House” at the Guthrie Theater for anyone interested in going, please contact me and I’ll give you all the information.  I’m signed up and it sure sounds like fun!

I’d like to end with a quote from Ray Lally after telling Lindsay to hurry up and stop looking at all the exhibits at the museums in Kansas on the mystery trip.  “Lindsay, it doesn’t matter if you miss something, cuz you wouldn’t know it if you missed it!” Sounds a little like Yogi Berra doesn’t it?

That’s all the news from Lake Lotsoffuntocomethissummer and Hello to all our summer visitors!!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Wright/Cromwell News

06/16/2008

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson June 16, 2008

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Dorothy Hakala, 68, on the death of their mother. Dorothy’s, memorial service was held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, MN on Monday, June 16, 2008.  She is survived by her loving children, Lola, Nancy, Bill, Jill and Tom.  brother Jack, and sister Kathy, 13 grand children, 6 great –grandchildren and special loved ones.

My long time friend and resident at the Villa Vista, Wanda Woolums died on June 10th, 2008 at the Villa Vista.  Wanda was one great gal and was also a great Foster Grandparent to many 4th graders over the past 12 years since she moved to the Villa.  I will miss her smile and grace when I visit the others at the Villa now.  Thanks for being my friend, Wanda!

The Midsummer Celebration at Suomalainen Kirkko will be on Sunday, June 22 at 1:00, potluck dinner, maypole, bonfire, silent auction- donations are welcome for this fun event. Music will be by The Moose Lake Community Band, Jarvenpaa Singers and Kantteleen Soittajat. For more info call Janice Gran 273-4828.

The next Senior dance will be held at the Cromwell Park Pavilion on June 26th from 1 – 4 PM Music will be provided by Virginia Shogren.

A Pueblo, Colorado man was killed on I-25, south of Pueblo.  Gary Dennis Aho, 44, died on May 15, 2008.  He is survived by his wife, Kathy Aho; Mother, Evelyn (Heikkila) Aho, brothers Dane (Susie), and Jeff.  Also survived by his uncle, Wesley (Ann) Heikkila from Wright, MN.  Gary was born on December 24, 1963 in Cloquet, Mn.  He owned and operated Gary Aho Trucking.  He also was an avid hunter, and Harley rider.  Gary was blessed with the waters of baptism, embraced in tender love, now welcomed to where he will enjoy peace and joy in God’s presence forever “On Eagles Wings”!

WOW! What a wonderful convention! The Women of the ELCA held their 21st Annual Convention on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Duluth, MN on June 6th and 7th, 2008.  Over 250 women from the North East MN Synodical Women’s Organization were in attendance for this annual event.  Everyone was inspired by the keynote speakers, Mary Sam, who spoke on racism and justice issues and Inez Torres Davis spoke on becoming on anti-racist organization.

Sunny Johnson, President, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby, presided over the Convention. They conduct business, elect their leaders and collect items such as quilts, school kits and sewing kits for Lutheran World Relief.  Items for street outreach, offerings and Beanie Babies for Honduras were also collected.  Offerings taken included $8604 for the Penny offering. This is used for women and children in need.  The Silent Auction $1794 will be used to help fund the Women attending the Triennial Meeting in Salt Lake City in July.  $5,312.02 was raised for Project Comfort to ship in kind quilts and kits.

This year’s theme verse was “And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1John 5:15

Here are just some of the comments found on the evaluations of the convention: “Wow- what a wonderful convention! Thanks to each and everyone for your contributions! Together you planned an awesome, inspiring, uplifting meeting, best convention, very well organized, great speakers, wonderful music, liked the Chaplain, loved the worship services, the keynote speakers were terrific, - no complaints on housing, or food etc., friendly registration, loved the Bulletin of Reports, etc., etc.” So you can tell why so many women go to convention and then continue to return year after year.

The whole convention was a special event in the life of the Women of the ELCA.  So if you want to know more about convention, please try to attend the first Friday and Saturday of June - 2009!

The Cromwell Harvest Fest Committee is having a Steak Fry on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 4:30 – 7 PM at the Pavilion.  Prices are $10.00 for the steak dinner and $3.00 for the Hot Dog dinner and Ice Cream for dessert.  They also need volunteers to help so please call Kay Smith at 644-3908 if you can help out.

The Northview Bank in Cromwell will have a picnic on Wednesday June 25th from 11 AM – 2 PM in the park near the bank.  These picnics are for all members of Northview Bank so come on out and enjoy a picnic meal and fellowship with each other.

We would like to extend an invitation to all to join us for a Community Picnic on July 5th (Saturday) from 11 – 3 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  We are planning to have a family fun day and it will be an alcohol-free and pet-free event.  If you would like to come to the planning meetings (each Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Pavilion) or are available to help us put this event together, please don’t hesitate to call Jeanne Weimer 218-343-5059 or Carolyn Krogh 218-644-3670 or Linda Larson 218-644-3484.

We got an email from Gwang Ho Lee and he arrived home safely after about 21 hours.  His mother did not recognize him has he deplaned.  I guess he was taller and his hair was much lighter and longer and then almost everyone getting off the plane was Korean.  He had to tell her who he was!  He writes: “I’m feeling not that strange except I’m not going to school for a while.  Anyway, I’m little beat busy for preparing about high school.  Oh well, it was time for dinner, I’m hungry, Jennie.” Gwang stayed in his room a lot, but when he would come out he would announce: “I’m Hungry!” So, we gave him the nickname: “Hungry!”

Anyway, it’s pretty quiet here without the boys, but also good to have the quiet, too.  Sort of like when the grandkids come and stay a week or more and then when they leave it’s good, too.

Here’s a tribute to Dads as I forgot to wish them a Happy Father’s Day last week.
My Father

When I was ...

Four years old: My daddy can do anything. 

Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.

Six years old: My dad is smarter than your dad.

Eight years old: My dad doesn’t know exactly everything.

Ten years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different.

Twelve years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn’t know anything about that. He is too old to remember

his childhood.

Fourteen years old: Don’t pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned.

Twenty-one years old: Him? My Lord, he’s hopelessly out of date.

Twenty-five years old: Dad knows about it, but then he should, because he has been around so long.

Thirty years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he’s had a lot of experience.

Thirty-five years old: I’m not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.

Forty years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise.

Fifty years old: I’d give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I

didn’t appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him. Author Unknown

That’s all the news from Lake Howhighwillgasgo? And Hello to all of Dorothy Hakala’s family.