Monday, October 08, 2007

The Wright - Cromwell News

10/08/2007

The Wright - Cromwell News by Jennie K. Hanson October 8, 2007

You’ve probably all seen them lately.  They’re everywhere.  They are crawling across the roadways and highways.  What are they, you may ask?  Well, I’m talking about the annual migration of the Woolly Bear Caterpillars.  You know those cute little fuzzy black and brown caterpillars that seem to be going nowhere at this time of year.  It doesn’t seem to matter which way they are traveling, but there they are.

Well, there is a legend that goes along with these little creatures.  Folklore tells us that these fuzzy critters can forecast winter.  As the legend goes, expect a mild winter if woolly bears wear a broad reddish-brown band across their middle.  But if the bug’s decked out mostly in the black that starts at its head and rear, it’s time to plan an extended Southern vacation.

Science tells us that the reddish-brown can simply reflect a woolly bear’s age and feeding habits, but I prefer to believe the legend.  I did see a woolly bear this week that was almost all black, so look out, it could be a very hard winter!

The latest online seasonal forecast offered by the experts at the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center calls for an increased chance of above-normal temperatures this winter, so we’ll see who is more accurate, the woolly bear or the scientists?  Check back with me next spring.

Yvonne Peterson informs me that her sister, Myrna Smith Knight, 67, died on September 19, 2007 in Denver, Colorado.  Myrna was in the class of 1957 and would have dearly wanted to attend her 50th Cromwell High School reunion this year, but was just too sick.  Myrna leaves behind a loving family of husband, Dean Knight; son, John and Gail Nelson; daughters, Robin Nelson, Beth Nelson and Pamela Holmgren; brothers, Leo Smith, Gerald (Birdie) Smith, and Albert “Skip” (Mary) Smith; sisters, Yvonne Peterson, and Peggy (Bob) Decaigny, and several grandchildren.  Family and friends met at Bethany Lutheran Church after her ashes were buried on Friday, October 5, 2007.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Hartley Anderson, 77, of Prairie Lake, Mn who died on October 1, 2007.  Hartley worked at the Duluth School District in Elementary Education for over 30 years.  He leaves behind his wife, Dorothy; 4 children and their spouses and 4 step-children and many grandchildren and great grand children.  His funeral was held on October 6, 23007 in he Lincoln Park Community Church in Duluth, Mn.

There will be a gathering of friends and family at the home of Dwaine Bruchu in Wright on Saturday, October 13th from 2 – 4 PM.  Dwaine, 56, died on September 22, 2007.

We want to wish Fred Olesiak a very Happy 50th Birthday on October 11th.  Fred was one of my 1st 4th Graders, so you know how old that makes me?  You can send him a belated birthday card or just a greeting from time to time at:  Fred Olesiak 224177, MCF, 2305 MN BLVD St E, St. Cloud, MN 56304-2424.  Thanks, I’m sure he would appreciate hearing from all of you.

Barb Dahl wants to announce that her son, Allen and his wife Liz Dahl just had a new baby girl.  Ella Louise was born on September 28th, 2007.  Little Ella is welcomed into the family by her sisters Claire and Alaura and brother Keenan.

It was nice to see so many pictures of Andrew French in the latest Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce News.  Andy helped welcome several new businesses to Cloquet and it is great to see another one of Cromwell – Wright High School’s graduate’s doing so well.

Recent visitors at Doug and Margaret Sewell’s was Margaret’s daughter, Kathleen and husband Urs Eggenschwiler of Switzerland with two of their oldest company employees who were given an all expense paid two weeks vacation trip to America including all the western parks, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.  Then they flew to Mpls and toured the city and were shown where Kathleen grew up and went to school.  They also came to Doug and Margaret’s for a dinner including her uncle George Westerlund.  Then they traveled to Duluth to see Lake Superior, took a cruise on the lake and up to Two Harbors.  The Swiss people certainly enjoyed their first trip to America.  The next evening, Doug and Margaret met them all in Cloquet for supper.  Margaret says that their visits were short, but very much appreciated.  Two days later, Doug’s daughter Diane and her daughter Rachel came over for the day and dinner.  That was also a fun day.

Please remember to attend Art Jauss’ 90th Birthday Party at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cromwell on Saturday, October 27th from Noon to 3 PM.  Art’s actual birthday is February 2, 2008, but do to the unpredictability of winter, he is celebrating a little early.

Diane Hansen and Bob and Sandy Howard will be welcomed into membership at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on October 14, 2007.  These folks have been very active in the church and now want to become official members.  WELCOME!

If there are others that want to join a church in the area, please contact their respective pastor’s as I’m sure you would be welcome to get involved in a church family.

Our football team keeps on winning, but McGregor sure gave them a run for their money last Friday night.  The night was cold, rainy and very windy, but that didn’t stop hundreds of folks from attending the game at McGregor.  The final score was 23 – 20, but the game could have gone either way.  Let’s hope we can keep winning without any major injuries.

Also, remember that Friday, October 12th is Parents night for Football and Cross Country.  There will also be a brief recognition for Keith Bergstedt’s induction into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame during half time of the game.

There will be NO SCHOOL on October 18th and 19th and November 5th.  School Conferences will be on November 7th and 8th starting at 3:30 PM.

The Wright Seniors will be holding a Cash BINGO on Saturday, October 27th at 7 – 9 PM.  Please were costumes if you like.  There will be a mystery guest, so come and try to figure out who he or she is!

The Community Craft Sale is just around the corner.  Plan to attend on November 3rd at the Cromwell Wright School from 9 AM – 2 PM.  Call Peggy Olson at 644-3746 or Pauline Strand at 644-4713 if you want to sign up for a spot at the craft sale.

The Area Clothing Depot, located in the old Wright School, has a FREE coat and sweater give-away on October 16th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 30th.  The depot is now open on Thursdays from 10 – 3 also.

From time to time the depot gets requests for free clothing from area residents.  The depot policy states that requests for free clothing must be in writing from the person or organization making the request and what they need.  (Such as t-shirts, large sizes, etc.) Then the staff of the depot will be responsible to fill that request.  There is a 3-bag limit.  Remember that on the first Saturday, Tuesday and now Thursday of the month the cost is only $1.50 a bag, (other days it’s only $3.00 a bag) so you can really get a bargain on those days.  The depot has kept prices the same for over 10 years now, so please respect our policies.  Donations have also been coming in very nicely, thanks so much for making the depot a success.  The next regular monthly Depot meeting is at 3 PM on October 16th.  Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings.

The area Boy Scouts will be out and about selling Popcorn until October 31st.  This year they will deliver the popcorn when you order so this should be more convenient.  They will also be selling popcorn at the Clark Station on Saturday, October 13th.

The Mini Bus goes to Duluth on the 12th and 26th and to Cloquet on the 18th.  Call Edna Samuelson, at 357-2701 to sign up.

That’s all the news from Lake Igotuptooearlytodothenewstoday (4AM) and Hello to all the Cribbage players in the area.  Remember Cribbage at Lake Side on October 11th and 25th at 7 PM this month!