Wright News

01/10/2006

Wright News by January 10, 2006

God Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference.  These word sure hold true lately for me and my life.  We have been going through the ups and downs of raising children again since our son and his two kids have moved back home.  For the most part it’s going pretty good, but Grandma and Grandpa sure do get tired.

Our sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Vivian Gladys Tuomi age 70, who died quite unexpectedly on January 5, 2006 at Moose Lake, Minnesota.  George and Vivian had been married for over 51 years and they have 3 sons who survive her.  They are Michael and Patricia of Little Canada, David and Jackie of Thornton, Colorado, and Peter and Monica of Blaine.  A fourth son, Steven preceded her in death. Vivian’s funeral was held on January 9, 2006 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, MN with Pastor Matt Saarem officiating and music provided by Julie Hansen and Sue Jobe. May her family hold dear all their special memories with Vivian and may they take comfort in knowing how much you all meant to her.

A Memorial Service was held for Harold Junior Gilbertson at the Cremation Society of MN in Mpls on Monday, January 9, 2006.  Harold died on December 29, 2005 at the age of 79.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Congratulations to Sarah Lindquist, formerly of Floodwood, who just graduated from The College of St. Scholastica on December 17, 2005 with a Masters of Education Degree.  Ms. Lindquist teaches 2nd Grade at Churchill School in Cloquet.

Congratulations to Jeff Gronner on being named Channel 3 and 6 Sportzone “2005 - Prep Coach of the Year!” Jeff who teaches and coaches at the Cromwell Wright School took the football team to a 2nd place finish in 9-man Football in just his 2nd year as head coach.

News from Battle Lake, MN - Former Cromwell - Wright Pastor Jim Gronbeck and his wife Julie and children are doing well.  Their son Matthew is busy going to college at NDSU in Fargo.  He is a junior already and continues to work in Computer Engineering.  He may be doing an internship in Mpls this coming summer.  Matt also enjoys woodworking - building a desk, shelves, and doing some “homeowner type” projects at the house in Fargo.

Andrea is a senior in high school.  She bought her first car, a dream car - a 2000 Olds Alero.  She is interested in going to college next year with a leaning towards elementary education.  She went on a Spanish trip last summer to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Their youngest, Kristen is a freshman and is always doing something.  She is involved in volleyball, basketball, and softball.  This keeps her parents running to games most of the time.  This coming summer she will be going on a school choir trip to NY City and chaperoning her dad to the national ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio.

Jim’s mom has moved into an assisted living and getting along quite well. Julie works at the school as a Para in the Title program and an ESL Teacher. Jim is still at Zion Lutheran as pastor and it will be 15 years this May that they left our little community.  We still miss them, but are glad to know they are doing well.

Nicole Suhonen was home over the Christmas holidays, too.  She has been working in Orlando, Florida for Campus Crusade for Christ.  She has seen over 300 students make a decision to accept Jesus as their Savior during the Spring Break Conference.  She was also able to attend the baptism of her niece, Josie Jo Suhonen.

Josie Joe Suhonen was born in October of 2005 to Brandon and Melissa (Nelson) Suhonen.  She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Christmas Eve by Pastor N. Matt Saarem.  Her God Parents are Teri and Lee Shelton, and Jordan and Nicole Suhonen.  Her grandparents are Rob and Julie Nelson and Roger and Kim Suhonen.

Last week I got a call from my brother in California.  He said that he and his wife Ann had just attended the “Holiday Program” for his 7-year-old son, Sean.  There was not a single mention of the Word “Christmas”, or “Jesus” in the whole program.  When the kids got up to sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, it went like this:  “We wish you a Merry Solstice, We wish you a Merry Solstice, We Wish you as Merry Solstice, and a Happy New Year!” Wow, we’ve come a long way from the Christmas Programs I used to be in 50 years ago.  I can still remember having to memorize the whole Christmas Story from the Book of Luke for one program when Kai Kelly Kent was my teacher.  We would also have the Christmas Pageant with shepherds, angels and Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus.  I guess I’m not saying that we should still do all that, but after all the reason for the season is JESUS!

That’s all the news from Lake Sunnyandcolder and Hello to all my email readers.  By the way, you can read the “Wright News” on my new Web site at
jkh.cwhanson.com if you like.  Check it out, Lots of the Previous Wright News articles that I have written will be on this sight and I will also be doing some free-lance writing on this sight in the future.  Have a great week!