Monday, July 14, 2008

Wright/Cromwell News

07/14/2008

Wright/Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson July 14, 2008

Hi, I just got back from Walnut Grove, Mn for the annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Days and Pageant.  Yes, I took my granddaughter, Tayiah and we took off on Friday morning with severe weather warnings in affect, but that didn’t stop these two hardy Minnesota gals.  I guess if Laura and the Ingalls family could travel by covered wagon all the way from Pepin, Wisconsin to Walnut Grove in the 1870’s, we could face a predicted storm in our mini van.  I almost felt like the mini van is like a covered wagon when you think of all the stuff we had packed in there “Just In Case!” I had been to the pageant 4 years ago and almost froze, so I had enough clothes to survive a winter storm with us.  Luckily, we didn’t need any of those.  The weather at the pageant was fantastic.  It was warm and we had just enough wind to blow any mosquitoes away.  The pageant doesn’t begin until 9 PM, so they can use special effects like fire and special lighting.  This pageant has been taking place since the 1970’s and is put on by a huge community of volunteers.  There must have been over 100 people, of all ages, who volunteer to make this event happen.  They only pay the director and the lighting and sound specialists and all the rest of the profits go back into the Pageant improvements.  All in all, it’s a wonderful event and takes place for 3 weekends in July.

Jill Dahl welcomed her exchange student sister, Astrid, from Norway this past week.  It was great to meet her at the Co-op Store over the weekend.  I’m sure Jill and Astrid really enjoyed their time together.

Have you ever noticed those celebrity advertisements for milk?  Well, I’ve been collecting those Milk Mustache ads since 1995 and was wondering if anyone else out there does this same thing?  I must have over 200 different ones and am still collecting, so if you see one, please save it for me, but try not to fold or wrinkle it. Thanks.

Vacation Bible School will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell the week of August 4 – 8th.  If you want your children to attend or if you can volunteer to help, please call the church to sign up.  The number is: 644-3640.

Don’t forget to attend Alice and Kenny Lake’s 50th Anniversary party on July 20th at the Cromwell Park Pavilion.  1 – 4 PM with music by the Chmielewski Fun time Band.

Sweet Harmony will be performing at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright on Saturday, July 19th at 2 PM in conjunction with Wrong Days in Wright this coming weekend!

The Cromwell Class of 1952 will be meeting at the Tower – Tap in Kettle River on Saturday, July 19th at 6 PM.

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.

Our sympathy to the family of Arne Takkunen, 93, who died recently.  Arne was the brother-in-law of Aldur and Betty Johnson as he was married to Aldur’s sister, Ruth Johnson.  Arne and Ruth would spend a lot of time in our area in the summers and he will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Berries, berries everywhere!  Well, not really, but there are berries at Fink’s again this year.  Just give them a call for the best picking times.

I remember when I was first married in 1970 that I would pick wild strawberries along the roadsides and there were years when I picked gallons of berries.  Wonder where all those berries went?  I don’t see any anymore.  Maybe it’s global warming!  I doubt it, as things change so who knows?

Have a great week, enjoy these warm summer days and make plans for the County Fair.  The Carlton County Fair will be August 14 – 17th this year.  Yes, it’s almost August and the summer is going fast, but then it always does.

While in Walnut Grove I met a gal named Caroline and she said to say “Hello” to Lloyd and Linda Shelton.  She said she was on a trip with them to Europe in the 1970’s and is still good friends with them.  Caroline was our tour guide at Walnut Grove.  It always impresses me that wherever you go, you seem to meet folks you know, or who know folks you know.  I also met Denny Farah from McGregor as he and his family were in the Marshall area at a family reunion.  Small world!

There are several area students attending Summer School this month.  The Elementary have Summer School in August.  Then school will resume on September 2nd, the earliest possible date, with it starting right after Labor Day.

By the time you read this, Lonnie and Sandy Gervais should be new grandparents again.  Both son, Tom and Destiny and daughter, Carrie and Andy are expecting at anytime now.

They say, “No news is good news”, and this week seems to be short on news, so it must all be good.

That’s all the news from Lake Attendwrongdaysthisweekend and Hello to all the folks that are planning class reunions this weekend during Wrong Days in Wright!  And a very special Hello to BV, stay well! 

Monday, July 07, 2008

Wright–Cromwell News

07/07/2008

Wright–Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson July 7, 2008

Thank you to those who participated in our First Annual Community Picnic held at the Cromwell Park Pavilion on Saturday, July 5.  Over 100 folks turned out for a day of food, fun and frolic.  The prize winners of the Pie Baking Contest in the fruit pie category include Carole Eliason (1st) for her Rhubarb Custard pie; Elaine Crouch (2nd) for her Apple pie and Trish Peterson (3rd) for her Blueberry pie.  The cream pie prize winners were Kathy Peterson (1st) for her Key Lime pie, Jeanne Weimer (2nd) for her Lemon Chiffon pie, and Yvonne Peterson (3rd) for her Banana Cream pie.  Yum, Yum!  Anyone that tasted a home made pie or homemade ice cream was also a winner!  The winners of the Horseshoe contest were Darvin Lussier & Linda Lussier (1st place) and Al Clark & Jarrod Oliver (2nd place).  Events such as arm wrestling, kick-the-shoe contest, tug-of-war, and water balloon volleyball were very popular.  There were so many other contest winners – you know who you are – so we won’t list them all here.  A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this party happen.  We couldn’t have done it without you.  It was as much fun to plan as to participate in; something tells me we’ll do it again next summer.  Thanks, again!

Our sympathy to the family of Daine K. Laucamp, 60, of Tamarack, Mn.  She died on June 28, 2008 in St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth after a long battle with ovarian and peritoneal cancer.  She leaves behind her husband, Rob of almost 40 years and daughters Trish, Katy, and Leah and families.

Congratulations to Randy and Elaine (VanDorn) Thudin on their 35th Wedding Anniversary on June 30, 1973.  Randy was the former Principal at the Cromwell-Wright School.

Speaking of Principals, Mr. Tom Cawcutt had decided to move on to Barnum to become their Elementary Principal.  He was in Cromwell-Wright for the past 2 years and we will miss him and also thank him for his time with us.  Good Luck on your new venture!

I got a letter from Elsa Piirainen and she got a letter from someone who wants information on Otto Walta, who came from Finland and lived by Rice Lake.  The person wants to talk to family members of brothers Ed and Jalmar Walta.  If you have any information, write to : Snellington Press, P. O. Box 6553, Mpls., MN 55406 or call collect to 612-729-1134. 

An Open Letter To Mr. Ron Carlson, Mr. Bruce Pogatchnik and all area Northview Bank employees:

I want to thank you and all the Northview Bank employees for the wonderful service over the past years you have been in the Cromwell, Wright, and Floodwood area.  We couldn’t do without you!!  Your staff is great and very much appreciated in the bank.

I also want to take the time to thank you from the Cromwell-Wright Senior Class of 2008 for the miniature diplomas that they received for graduation.  Our exchange son, Sonet was very proud to receive his and so were we.

It seems that thanks is not always enough to say, but know that we appreciate all you do for the community.

Also thanks for the coins and picnic during your 100th Anniversary Celebration – The coins will be treasured for a long time.

I do not know who won the big drawings, but I’m sure they also appreciate their winnings.

And one last thing, thanks for the Kid’s and Teen Club Contests over the past year.  It keeps my grand kids interested in saving and competing for prizes, too.

You are all a real asset to the communities you serve and know that someone out there appreciated all you do!!  From Jennie K. Hanson

Please stop in the bank and any other businesses in the area and thank them for all they do in our communities.  They are asked time after time to donate to the area community events and we want them to know that their donations are really appreciated!

There was a great response to the Hitch Family - Simple Grace Concert at Bethany Lutheran on Sunday.  The enthusiasm of this family is truly contagious.  If you missed that concert, there is another chance to attend the next concert on Friday, July 11th at 7 PM at Bethany in Cromwell.  The Journeymen will be in concert and everyone is welcome to attend.

“Sweet Harmony” will be in Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright on Saturday, July 19th at 2 PM in conjunction with Wrong Days in Wright.  “Sweet Harmony” is comprised of Diane Hansen, Deb Switzer and Kathleen Entner accompanied by Julie Ann Hansen.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Vacation Bible School will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on August 4-8 from 9 AM to Noon for ages 4 through those going into 6th Grade this fall.  Please call the Church @ 644-3640 to register or volunteer to help out.

As part of the Annual Wrong Days in Wright celebration in July, the Area Clothing Depot will have an Open House on Saturday, July 19th from 10 AM – 3 PM.  Special for the day will be a $1.00 a Bag Sale.  Cake and coffee will be served.  The Area Clothing Depot is located in the old Wright School, south entrance.  Donations are always welcome, too!

I’m not sure how accurate this next information is, but I did get a number you can call for the CELL PHONE DO NOT CALL LIST.  It’s 1-888-382-1222.  I guess it is or will be legal for telemarketers to call cell phones in the future so you will want to keep these to a minimum.  I hope it works out for you.

That’s all the news from Lake Summerisgoingtoofast and Hello to all the folks attending Wrong Days next week.