Wright News

08/28/2006

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson August 27, 2006

By the time you read this, school will probably have started or soon will be.  It starts in Cromwell on the 5th of September and I think the same in most schools in the area and the state.  The support of our school-aged students sure is appreciated by the schools and their staff.  Let’s make this year the best ever.

I want to congratulate all the 4-H Clubs in the area and their leaders and 4-H-ers who have worked so hard all year to make it to the state fair.  We sure have a lot of talented kids and youth that display their projects at the fairs in the area.

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wright, Mn celebrated their 100th Anniversary Centennial on Sunday, August 20, 2006.  The service off started with the Sunday School singing.  Former Pastor Roger Mackie led the morning service, and it was followed by a catered meal at noon.  Gwen Koopman and Janet Rode catered it. The servers were from Our Saviors Youth Group of McGregor.  Rev. Don Fondow, President of the Minnesota District was the afternoon speaker. Former Pastor’s Greg Tomhave, and William Moeller, Jr. also participated in the afternoon service.  Melinda Walli provided the special music for both services.  Karen Reid was the morning organist, and Ruth Mackie was the afternoon organist.  Jake Kachinske, President of St. John’s led the afternoon program, which included greetings from former pastors.  Pastor Moller sang in German.  Former Pastors that were there shared memories from when they served.  Pastor Rehwaldt, former vacancy Pastor shared a few words, also.  The afternoon service was followed by cake, coffee, and fellowship.

Amber and Aiden Lehti, along with Elisabeth and Andrew Kachinske are the 6th generation to be members of St. John’s.  It started with Fredrick Groth who signed the original constitution, then Ernest Groth, Russell Groth, Linda Groth Lehti, and her children Jamie and Scott Lehti and Sara Lehti Kachinske.

As part of the celebration, a Centennial addition cookbook was published. They are still for sale and you can contact any member of the Mary and Martha Society to obtain one.  The cookbook contains new and old photos of St. John’s, along with recipes from long ago up to recipes from the “Little Lutherans” of today.

I know there were many dedicated volunteers who worked for a long time to make this Centennial Celebration a success and they all need to be thanked for their work and dedication.

Marlys Bigelow and her son, Robert Bigelow, of Tennessee along with Joyce Hintz of Wisconsin, her son Larry Hintz of Illinois, and Jewel Cole of California, and also Dorothy Groth visited with the Lehti Families on Saturday, August 19th.  Later they all went to visit Mark and Sue Groth, and also saw Phillip, Angela, and Joshua Groth.  Everyone came to St. John’s Centennial the following day.

Also attending the centennial were Vicky and Anne Bigelow of Tennessee, and Dale, Roy and Caroline Borchardt of Oklahoma.  Vicky Hart Anderson of Colorado came to visit her parents and also attended the centennial.

“Congratulations” are in order for Chris Burns, son of Susan Burns, who recently was awarded his black belt in Taekwondo!!  Chris has been a member of the Greenquist Academy in Cloquet for the past 5 years and has spent many hours training in preparation of reaching this goal.  He has now accomplished this important first step.  He recently was asked to participate and attended the “Black Belt Training Camp” held in North Dakota.  He trained hard while there and met many new people.  Chris will continue his training in pursuit of the next level of black belts at the Greenquist Academy.

If you’re going to the Minnesota State Fair or have been there, visit the 4-H Building and say “Hello” to Kari Heikkila!  Kari is a 4-H Ambassador from Beltrami County and will be at the fair for its entire duration.  Kari did very well with her 4-H projects this year in her new county.  She had 13 projects; all received blue ribbons.  Of those projects, she also received 4 Grand Champion ribbons, two Reserve Champion ribbons, two trophies, and was selected for the Herdsmanship Award!  Her cat, Jaeda, aka: Kitty Baby won Grand Champion and received one of the trophies.  Kitty Baby was adopted from the Morrison County Humane Society where it was rescued after having its back legs caught in a trap.  Kitty Baby seemed to enjoy her trip to the fair and all the attention, too.  So, “Congratulations” Kari for a job well done and Kari says, “See you at the State Fair!” Speaking of the fair, the Carlton County Fair is one of the best county fairs in Minnesota.  Many people who visited the Little Red Schoolhouse told me so.  They came from all over the state and some from other places in the world and said that they wouldn’t miss the Carlton County Fair, because “It’s the Best!” We even had a visitor to the Little Red Schoolhouse from South Africa.  Brandon Hartley stopped by.  He is a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from South Africa.  He was impressed with everything at the fair. Brandon is hosted by the Buffalo, Mn District 5950/5960 Minnesota district of the Rotary.

Another surprising thing happened at the fair.  I met a guy tamed Charles Williams.  He is a 1st cousin, once removed, of Frank Mauk.  Frank Mauk lived where Lonnie and Sandy Gervias live now.  He was a bachelor and didn’t get out much, but I remember him and it was nice to visit with one of his relatives.  I have Charles’ address if you would like to talk to him sometimes.

I just got off the phone with Edna Samuelson and she gave me the Arrowhead Transit Mini Bus Schedule.  The bus leaves Wright on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from the Co-op Store at 8:55 AM and goes to Cloquet.  It returns around 1:00 or 1:30 PM.  The bus also goes to Duluth on the 2nd and 4th Fridays.  It leaves Wright at 8:55 AM and leaves Duluth around 2 PM getting back to Wright around 3 PM.  The cost for the Cloquet trip is only $3.00 and the Duluth Trip cost is $3.70.  You must call Edna Samuelson the day before to sign up and they need at least 5 passengers to make the trip.  The bus holds up to 18 passengers and is fully handicap equipped.  The bus also stops in Cromwell at the Villa Vista or where ever you need to be picked up.

Just let Edna know your needs. There still may be room for you to go on the Chmielewski Funtime Reunion Tour to Branson.  It leaves Cloquet on September 24 and returns on the 29th.

Just give Jackie a call at 1-800-737-9516 for more information. Last but not least, Don’t forget Harvest Fest at Cromwell on September 8, 9, and 10th.  Come on out, join the fun and celebrate the wonderful summer we have had here in the northland! Household Hint: Keep a supply of inexpensive surprises, gift-wrapped of course, for the older child when the new baby receives a gift. T hat’s all the news from Lake Toobusytothink and Hello to all the folks who attended St. John’s Centennial Celebration.  Please Email me at with your news. Thanks, jkh