Wright News

05/21/2007

Wright News by Jennie K. Hanson

Hi and Congratulations to all of your area high school graduates.  The seniors in Cromwell will graduate on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 8 PM.

There were thousands of dollars in scholarships given out at the Senior Awards Banquet on Friday, the 18th at the school.  Heidi Smith was named Valedictorian and Alyssa Granholm was named Salutatorian for this year. There was only a 10th of a point separating these fine students.  Logan Shiflett was awarded the Perfect Attendance award for 13 years of Perfect attendance.  He never missed a day in grades K – 12th Grade.  Are there any others that can beat this record?

Did you ever wonder why the graduates wear those caps and gowns?  Well, I did until I found a story explaining the meaning behind them.  Now, I don’t know how true this story is, but I thought it was very interesting. THE LEGEND OF THE CAP AND GOWN Author Unknown

Long ago, in ancient Greece, when formal education was for the very rich or the very determined, a wise old teacher was approached by a group of noblemen.  “Our sons have completed their studies, and it is time for them to return to their homes and live in the style befitting their station. Tomorrow we will present them at a great banquet.  Be sure they are appropriately dressed in their finest robes and jewels.”

The following day, the banquet hall was filled with royalty and nobility dressed in dazzling finery.  The great moment came when the students entered with their beloved teacher.  A cry arose from the crowd, for here were their young men dressed, not in the garments of the noble, but in simple sack-cloth robes, each carrying a mortarboard - - the mark of the common workman.

“What is the meaning of this?” cried the noblemen.  “Our sons were to be dressed in their finest garments!” The wise teacher replied, “But they are! Your sons are dressed in the clothing of the mason, for their destiny is to build.  Some will build cities, some will build lives - - but all will be builders on the solid foundation of knowledge!”

And to this day all graduates were a cap and gown, proudly symbolizing the value of education, and the fact that they are builders of their future and the future of the world.

Jennie Waisenen, Bonnie Kahara, Dorothy Groth, Linda, Christie, & Amber Lehti, along with Sara and Elisabeth Kachinske attended the Mother-Daughter Luncheon at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in McGregor on Saturday May 12th.

Our sincere and deepest sympathy to the family of Walter Victor Hakala, 77, of Cromwell, Mn, who died on May 12, 2007 in St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Mn.  He was married to his wife Joyce for 52 and ½ years and together they raised their 9 children.  So to his wife, Joyce, and his children, Wally and Mary, Crystal, Herman, Ed and Linda, Sheryl and Dan, Gail and Tom, Laurel, Muriel, Amanda, the his 17 grand children and 5 great grandchildren, keep Walter in your hearts and memories forever.  His funeral was held at Bethany Lutheran Church on May 15, 2007 with Pastor Janeva Stromberg officiating. Pallbearers were Wally Hakala, Jr., Chester Darris, Curtis Hakala, Kyle Smith, Jordan Smith, Matthew Hakala, Ed Hakala, and Herman Hakala.

By-the-way, Zona Turja said that Walter’s death made the 25th Gold Star on her autographed table cloth.  She has over 100 autographs on her dining room tablecloth and when a person who has signed the tablecloth dies, they get a Gold Star.

On Friday, May 18, 2007, I had some of the high school students write notes of sympathy to their Art Teacher Rachel Matuszak-Weizenegger on the recent death of her husband, Peter Weizenegger.  I was amazed at the depth of understanding and sympathy they felt for Ms. Matuszak.  Here are just a few of the comments they made to her.  I will not identify the writers out of respect for them.  “I feel terrible about your loss and I am very sorry.” “Just wanted to say sorry for your loss and I hope you can move past it.  Thank you for teaching me in your classes through the years. You taught me a lot.” “I am deeply sorry for your loss.  I know there is nothing a person can say in words how sorry I am for you.” “I am so sorry for your loss.  I don’t know the pain you are going through, but I do know that there are people in Cromwell that are here for you.” “ Sorry about Peter.  I met him once and he was a great person.  You will get through this one day at a time.  I know you are strong enough to get through this.  Take it easy, you are in my prayers.” “Hey, Ms. Matuszak, I heard what happened and I’m very sorry to hear that.  You’re a great teacher and you never do anything wrong for your students and you don’t deserve this.  I just hope you can go on with your life teaching people, and doing all the other stuff you enjoy.”

I attended the Memorial Service of Rachael Matuszak’s husband Peter on Sunday the 20th at the Tweed Museum at UMD.  There were several others from the Cromwell-Wright area along with many others from the Duluth and surrounding area.  Some of Peter’s artwork was on display.  Peter would have been 60 years old today, the 20th.

I was wondering where and when the Class of 1957 is having their 50th reunion?  Please let me know.  Also the class of 1955 and 1956 will be celebrating every year from now on at the Fireside in McGregor on the Saturday afternoon of Wrong Days in Wright.  This year they will get together on July 21st . Call Alice Lake for more information if you need it.

The 3rd graders again made all the posters for “Poppy Day” in Cromwell and Wright.  Check them out in the area business.

The family of Mike Nobis would like to thank everyone in the community for all the thoughts, prayers, and contributions for Mike when they were needed most!  God Bless! From the Nobis Family.

The family of Josh Jones would like to thank everyone for the support they gave for Joshua.  It has been very touching to see how many people care about our family and how many people loved Josh.  He had so many good friends.  It is through the grace of God that we are moving on from here, day to day.  From Cary, and Verlena Jones and family.

Be sure to stop in and wish Mary Jo Stenson good luck on her retirement at the school on Thursday, May 24th, from 2 – 4 PM.  Mary Jo has worked at the school for the past 36, yes, 36 years!  That the equivalent of going to school from grades 1 – 12, 3 times, plus the time she went originally.  So Mary Jo has been in school for at least 48 years!!  No wonder she’s so smart!  Anyway, Good Luck and really enjoy your retirement!

There will be an “Open House” Graduation Party for Kari Heikkila on Saturday, June 9th from 1 – 3 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wright for family, friends, and classmates.

The PTA sponsored Track and Field Day will be on June 1st at the school. Volunteers are needed for set-up etc.  You can call Cindy Richards at 357-2312 or Deanne Smith at 644-3310 to volunteer.

Heidi Smith, Taylor Super and Megan Hibke were inducted into the National Honor Society on Friday at the Senior Awards Banquet.  Congratulations!

Congratulations to Lt. Brandon Burns, who recently earned and received his “silver wings” after graduating from military pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas.  Brandon’s grandpa, Wesley Heikkila, did the honors of pinning on Brandon’s wings.  While in training, each member of the graduating class received approximately 200 hours of flying instruction, 60 hours of flight simulator training, and over 500 hours of classroom instruction in the areas of flight procedures, applied aerodynamics, aircraft system, and weather. Brandon’s next step is to proceed to another base for additional training on a specific type of aircraft.

Attending the graduation events were his wife, Lt Rebecca Burns, from Bethesda Navel Hospital, MD, Grandparents: Ann and Wesley Heikkila, Brandon’s Mom, Susan Burns; brother, Chris and sister, Kari.  Flying in from Syracuse, NY was Brandon’s brother, Shawn and from Ft. Collins, CO, Rebecca’s parents, Jerry and Kathy Simpson.

Brandon graduated from Cromwell High School in 1999, enlisted in the Air National Guard, then transferred to the Air force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, graduating in 2005.

Devon and Mandy Egge, along many other Title I kids attended the Annual Spring Fling at the school for kids and parents on May 8, 2007.  Parents were invited to have breakfast with their kids and attend a meeting after breakfast.  Summer activity books were handed out along with the up-to-date changes that are coming up for Title I.  Principal Tom Cawcutt was there along with Title I staff, Sandi Gervais, Brenda Korpela, Claudia Thomas, and Melinda Ferry.  Lead Teacher, Rachel Matuszak was unable to attend due to the illness of her husband.

The After School Program ends on May 24th.  We want to thank the ASP Staff for all their hard work and creativity this year.  It is really appreciated and needed!

Our sympathy to the family of Eileen Smith Walters, 77, of Dover, Mn who passed away on May 17, 2007.  She is survived by her husband, Glenn, three sons, and one daughter.  She moved to Cromwell in 1940 and attended the Cromwell School.  She is also survived by brothers, Garld (Helen) Smith of Stillwater, MN, Erwin Smith of Cromwell, Eugene (Patricia) Smith of Cloquet, Mn, and Clarence, Smith, Jr., of Cromwell.  Sisters Marjorie (George Ihrke) of Dover, Mn and Lori Kisler of Elk river, MN and numerous nephews and nieces.  Funeral services held on Monday, May 21, 2007 At St. Matthew’s Church in St. Charles, MN

We had cake & coffee Sunday, May 20 for Heather Zoeller at St. John’s in honor of her graduating with her Masters Degree in Early Education from Concordia College in St. Paul.  On Saturday May 12th she attended her graduation ceremony in St. Paul - those in attendance were - Her husband, Jason and children Lacie and Michael; her parents Rev. Larry & Pat Cain. Her mother-in-law, Charlene Zoeller and sister-in-law Jana Zoeller.  Karen Reid was also in attendance at Heather Zoller’s graduation.  Rev. Larry Cain (Heather’s dad) has back pain and will be having surgery soon.

That’s all the news from Lake Plantthosegardens and welcome back hummingbirds. Get those feeders out!  The birds are hungry!