Monday, June 09, 2008

Wright/Cromwell News

06/09/2008

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson June 9, 2008

Welcome Summer!  Yes, we’ve had a lot of rain and foggy days, but we sure do enjoy the beautiful days we do get.

It was a day like that we said our final farewell to our host son, Sonet Chowdhury.  He flew from Duluth to Washington, DC on Sunday, June 8th and flies back home on the 13th.  He was very reluctant to leave our home and the USA.  He goes back to the most corrupt government in the world.  His chances of making it in life in Bangladesh aren’t good, but we tried to encourage him to do his best and never give up trying to make a difference in his country and for his family.  He would love to come back to the USA and make Minnesota his home, but there will be a lot of things to do to make that happen.  Getting a Visa is difficult in his country as there are so many Government Officials to convince.

His advice for our students is to take advantage of all the opportunities you have here as there are so many young people all over the world that don’t have these same opportunities.  There are 150 million people in Bangladesh so good jobs are hard to find and most do not find any jobs.  Oh, Bangladesh is about the size of Wisconsin, so it is a very crowded country.

Gwang Ho Lee, our other host son, flew back to South Korea on June 4th.  It took him 21 hours to get home and when he arrived, his mother didn’t recognize him at the airport.  He had grown 2 – 3 inches taller and his hair was longer and lighter so he had to tell her who he was.  He was happy to be home and ready to continue his education there.  He will go to regular school for a year, then the military for 1½ year and then study for 3 years at a school that is 18 hours a day for 6 days a week.  He has to do this to be able to get into college, which is very important to him. It will be fun to follow his accomplishments in the next few years.

Gwang Ho and Sonet want to thank you all so much for all the ways you made their stay in Minnesota so memorable. Thanks from Bob and me too! You were all great!

Barb Hart and her daughter Jody and 3 granddaughters Amy, Kelly, and Kari just returned from a trip to Branson, Missouri. While there they stopped at Lamberts in Ozark, MO the home of the only “Throwed Rolls” restaurant.  For those of you who have been there, it’s quite an experience and for those who haven’t been there, it’s hard to explain except that if you want a hot roll, they throw it to you from across the room and you have to catch it.  Oh, there’s tons of food too.  They also went to 5 shows, the Titanic Museum, and to the newly opened Branson Landing with a lot of stores on the riverside.

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 and surrounding areas are celebrating their 100th Anniversary this summer.  This means that the Northview Bank in Floodwood will he holding a picnic on Thursday, June 26, 2008 from 4 – 6 PM at Floodwood’s Riverwalk Pavilion and 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.  You can bring your own lunch or bid on a picnic basket – hot dogs will also be available.  But, there’s more.  We’ll have homemade pies and a pie baking contest and also homemade ice cream.  There will be lots of games for people of all ages and abilities, such as a gunny sack race, 3-legged race, tug-of-war, arm wrestling, checkers, cribbage, Frisbee toss, volleyball, watermelon seed-spitting contest and much, much more.  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.  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.

This is a little Old News, but I thought it should be included in the news.

“My name is Missy Parker and I was the Directing Coordinator of the Music Instructors of MN Annual Contest and Festival that was hosted by the Cromwell School on Saturday, April 19th.  This contest began over 15 years ago and I have never had a wonderful venue such as this.  Applicants compete in piano, voice and new this year, guitar.  The entire staff was extremely friendly and helpful, taking that extra step to make sure we were well attended to.  It could not have gone better!  I had many compliments. Everyone seemed to have a good time.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your kindness and support.  Cromwell-Wright School is a “Pot of Gold” on the other side of the rainbow.  Bless you all, Missy Parker.”

Mellisa Lind graduated from Bemidji State College on May 16, 2008 Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.  Husband Scott and children, Ethan, Everett & Macey, as well as Mom & Dad, Rick & Julie Houck are very proud of her.  She’s been a busy girl the last 4 years!

Here’s some news about Bob Silverness’s son Anders.  He is graduating from Proctor High School in the 95th class to do so this June 8th.  He was active in Robotics as a successful grant writer, maintained the web page and went to the nation competition in Florida two years ago.  In athletics, he ran cross-country for 5 years - ending in the 90th anniversary year of that sport in Proctor this year, curled for 5 years winning numerous titles including second place in Chisholm this year - losing to the second rate state team by one point, ran track for 4 years, played summer soccer since first grade, and on the golf team his senior year.  He is an Eagle Scout and a head acolyte at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth.-(Active with Sunday School classes and the nursery as well) Anders was active in both Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church’s and Forbes Methodist -Proctor youth groups.  During his junior and senior years he has earned 22 college credits and is nearing completion of his private pilot’s license.

Anders also has works at Bridgemen’s in Duluth and the Pike Lake Golf Course.

That’s all the news from Lake Quitehouseandemptynestagain.  Hello to all the parents of the recent high school graduates.  You sure did a great job raising your kids and with their grad parties.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Wright/Cromwell News

06/02/2008

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson June 2, 2008

They say: “No News is Good News”, well last week that must have been true because I took a week off from writing and sending in the news.  I guess with all the graduations, grad parties, etc. there wasn’t enough time for me to write any news.

Yes, school is out for another year and our seniors have graduated.  This was the first class that never attended the Old Wright School, even for pre-school, I think.  It’s been 14 school years in our “New” School.  But then, the Class of 2008 is the 82nd graduating class from Cromwell – Wright School.  The first graduation class was in 1926.  I have that old annual and it’s always fun to look back at them as I have almost all of the Cromwellians.  I also came across my Aunt Alice Dahlman Brady Carter’s 1928 diploma from Cromwell High School.  It’s in pretty good condition, too.  So on May 24th, 2008, her diploma was 80 years old.  If anyone has any of these old things from the school and no longer wants them, please give them to Judy Koivisto for the Cromwell Area Historical Club.  They will be preserved and displayed for others to see and read. 

And speaking of the past, my mom, Katharine Dahlman would have been 90 years old on June 5th.  She has been gone for 4 years already.  Where did that time go?

So, to all my readers that are 90 or over, congratulations for a good life lived and many more years to come.  Reaching the age of 100 is really a milestone, but reaching 90 is also quite an accomplishment, too.  Does anyone know the oldest person in our area?  Could it be someone at the Villa Vista?  I know that Ann Vorderbruggen is over 100.  Call me if you know of others.

There were several deaths in the area lately and we want to extend our sympathy to them all.

Reg Lally, father of Ray Lally died on May 14th, 2008 at St. Mary’s after complications from a fall done his basement stairs in March.  Reg was well known in our area as he attend many community events over the past.  We offer our sympathy to Ray and Lindsay, and also sons, Dennis and wife Brenda, and son Reggie and also granddaughters Annie, Megan, Christine and Jessica and their children and spouses.  Reg was one of the many WWII Veterans who are dying everyday in our country.

Our sympathy to the family of Gloria Jylka-Bishop, 74, who died on May 26, 2008 in Moose Lake, Mn.  Her funeral was held on June 2nd.

Ruth Larson Jonland, who grew up in Cromwell died in Thornton, Colorado last week.  She had been in a nursing home for many months and went to her final reward.  She is survived by her husband, Spencer, 3 children, and several grand and great grand children.  Her only brother Bob, died several years ago.

Long time resident of Cromwell and Wright, Lillian Anderson, age 86, died on May 29, 2008 in her home in Wright.  She is survived by her children, Arvin (Bonnie) Anderson of Duluth, Eugene (Joey) Anderson of Wright, Tony (Francine) Anderson of Salmon, Idaho, John Anderson of Cromwell, Judy (Dave) Johnson of Barnum, and Yvonne (Bill) Unkelhaeuser of Carlton, 21 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.  Her funeral was held on June 2, 2008 at Bethany in Cromwell, MN.

And lastly, to the family of Sonja Asp Egerdahl, 92 formerly of Floodwood, Mn.  She was a resident at the Villa Vista for several years and will be dearly missed there.

The Luminary Committee and representatives from the local cemetery associations in the Cromwell & Wright area are planning to have a family fun day and would like to extend an invitation to all to join them for a Community Picnic on July 5th (Saturday) from 11 – 3 at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  You can bring your own lunch or bid on a picnic basket – hot dogs will also be available.  But, there’s more.  They’ll have homemade pies and a pie baking contest and also homemade ice cream.  There will be lots of games for people of all ages and abilities, such as a gunny sack race, 3-legged race, tug-of-war, arm wrestling, checkers, cribbage and much, much more.  This event will be held rain or shine so mark your calendars now. They 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 or are available to help put this event together, please don’t hesitate to call Jeanne Weimer 343-5059 or Carolyn Krogh 644-3670 or Linda Larson 644-3484.  Stay tuned to this column for more information.

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 Wright at 8:15 and Cromwell at 8:30 in the morning and returning about 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!!

Our next Y.O.T. meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 10th.  Our guest speaker will be Ann Markusen, who will describe her recent teaching traveling adventures.  Hope to see you there!  Games are at 1:00; meeting starts at 1:30 at the Cromwell Pavilion.

The Forest Hill Cemetery Board of Cromwell would like to thank everyone that participated in the clean-up day and to all of you who worked so hard to make the cemetery so beautiful!  Also thanks to those that came out to the Memorial Day service.  Just a reminder, too, that if you have placed any artificial flowers on the ground, they need to be removed by June 15, according to our protocols.  If you have flowers, real or artificial in baskets set up above the ground or from shepherd hooks, they will be OK until the end of the season.

The Carlton County Retired Educators (CCRE) will be meeting on Tuesday, June 10th at 11:30 AM at the Eskomo Pizza Pies Restaurant in Esko for their regular meeting and election of officers.  After the meal and meeting they will be touring the Esko Historical Buildings.  This will also be the sign up day for helping at the Little Red Schoolhouse at the Carlton County Fair in August.  New members or visitors are always welcome to attend.

For the past several years the voters in the Cromwell/Wright School District have approved the Excess Debt Service Levy and they will be asked to again approve this levy in September.  This money was originally approved by the voters in October of 1999.  A YES vote will allow the school district to continue to keep our local “excess” debt service levy (taxes) in the district.  Some of the examples of how this money has been used are as follows:  Bleachers in the gymnasium, insulation, vapor barrier, and masonry work on east wall of the gym, Gym-Weight Room Curtains, New bus garage, Annual technology updates and replacement, sound systems in the auditorium and gym, small equipment garage, copy machines, classroom desks and cabinets, sidewalk repairs and replacement, school bus, and the Gym was painted.  All of these much needed improvements would not have been possible without this referendum.  More details will be coming out at a later date.

The 2nd Annual Karl Kalli Memorial Golf tournament will be held at the Cloquet Country Club on Friday, August 1st.  All proceeds will go to the Cromwell Athletics Activity Fund.  Any questions, call Keith Kalli at 357-2311.

Mrs. Wester has a reminder that next year’s 7th and 8th Graders will need to be collecting insects and leaves over the summer for their fall science classes.  10th Graders will need leaves and wild flowers.

Summer Open Library hours will be on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 12 PM.

As most of you know, we have had two exchange students living with us this past school year.  Well, there is an opportunity for anyone in the area to also host a student or two for the next school year.  All you have to do is call Sue VanGuilder at 218-390-3970 or e-mail her at There are students from countries like Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland available and looking forward to finding homes in Minnesota.

Sonet and Gwang Ho will be leaving for their home countries this week.  Gwang goes back to South Korea on June 4th and Sonet to Bangladesh on June 8th.  They both, along with Bob and I, would like to thank everyone for all their kindness, friendship and gifts over the past year.  The time they spent in our area will change their lives forever and hopefully for the good.  So, THANK YOU ALL!

The next Harvest Fest Steak Fry will be held at the Cromwell Pavilion on June 20, from 4:30 – 7:00 PM.  Hot Dogs will also be available.

A Father’s Day Brunch will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on June 15th after church.  All father’s and sons will be honored at this special event.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

There sure were a lot of grad parties over the past two weekends.  We were able to attend several of them and it sure seems like everyone enjoyed them all.  We are so proud of our graduates and wish them only the best in the future.

St. John’s Lutheran in Wright will be holding a church supper on Friday, June 13th, from 5 – 7 PM.  They will also be having their Annual Rummage and Bake Sale during Wrong Days on July 18th and 19th, so start saving items for the sale that you can donate.

The Mini Bus goes to Duluth on June 13th and 27th and to Cloquet on June 5th and 19th.  Call Edna at 357- 2701 the day ahead to sign up.  With gas prices so high, more and more folks are taking advantage of the Mini Bus, so call early if you plan to ride as the bus could fill up!

That’s all the news from Lake Wakeupandwarmup and Farewell to Sonet, Gwang Ho and the other exchange students in the area!