Wright-Cromwell News

Welcome to the New Year! Wow, it’s 2013 already. Where did the last decade go? I guess as so many folks say, the older we get the faster time goes; at least that’s what everyone says to me.

Did you get a chance to read the article in the Duluth paper about Paul Webster and his blacksmithing classes? He is truly an artist with metal and wants to pass that skill on to others. The story was in the Dec. 23 issue. “The way a person magnifies the goals and values they have is by teaching others and sharing with others,” says Paul, 48, who doesn’t wear gloves when he forges. “The tradition is to work bare-handed. It’s a 2,000 year old tradition and it’s hard to argue with those.” Paul learned his skills while working for Arms and Armor in Minneapolis.

The 2013 Cromwellian yearbook is now on sale at the school. The cost is $45 so place your order before Jan. 15. There is a discount for multiple copies for families. Call or stop in at the school to place your order.

A pancake breakfast fundraiser to benefit TRIAD will be held Jan. 11 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Barnum Senior Center. The TRIAD members will also have their monthly meeting at 10 a.m. after the breakfast. Thanks for all you do to support TRIAD! New members are always welcome to attend these meetings.

The Cromwell-Wright One-Act Play team has been working hard at preparing for this year’s one-act competition in January. They will perform a hilarious one-act play that will knock your socks off! Mark the evening of Jan. 23 on your calendar! Certain items are needed to enhance the performance. If you have anything on the following list that you would be willing to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Call Christie Eliason at 218-644-3595 if you have any questions regarding any of these items. Needed are Mickey Mouse ears, feather boa, baby doll, lanterns (like a mining dwarf might carry), toy apple, flashlights, giant appliance boxes, wigs of all sorts, large capes, and old fairytale books. Thanks so much for supporting the performing arts in Cromwell!

Do you shop at our local Co-op store? Well, if you do, keep saving those purchase receipts as there may be dividends in June or July for those who turn in their sales slips later this coming year. Watch for signs at the store for when to turn in the slips.

The Luminary Service was held Friday, Dec. 21, at the Pavilion in Cromwell. Walter Collman and several others helped with this event. Special music was provided by Lenore Collman, Lindsay Lally read a special story, and Pastor Brandi gave the message. I read the names of those who passed away this past year and a lunch was provided. Oh, Santa (Kevin Davis) made an appearance, too. This is a very meaningful program and the committee thanks everyone who purchased luminary bags or helped in any way.

Virginia Flattum, 93, died on July 17, 2012. Here’s a message from her cousin Jerry Flattum: “My cousin Virginia Flattum has lived in the Cromwell-Wright area since the 1940s, her husband Clarence worked on the railroad there as a section foreman. I know that when she died, she did not want any funeral services or obituary written. She was a simple person living a simple life, but Virginia had a generous heart. Virginia had no children and the fortune she accumulated was left to the people of Cromwell-Wright with a very generous gift to the Cromwell Fire Department, friends and church.”

Deaths in the Cromwell-Wright area in 2012: Helen Beseman Kzaley, 86, Jan. 12; Eunice A. Lake Harder, 80, Jan. 12; Calabe Taber, 1 day, Jan. 15; Alvin Aho, 79, Feb. 1; Richard Jokimaki, 84, Feb. 2; Karen Maruski Sarvela, 72, Feb. 3; Oliver Kankaala, 91, Feb. 5; Catherine Casperson, 50, Feb. 11; Irene Iverson, 91, Feb. 27; Roy Beck, 84, March 6; Marlys Groth Bigelow, 92, March 13; Vera Suhonen, 87, March 22; Mary Anderson Katzmarek, 74, April 28; Fabian Heckman, 79, May 9; Sarah S. Horton, 66, May 10; Hilda Nivala, 95, May 19; Unto Arnold Kahara, 87, May 25; Elaine Thudin, 61, July 10; Virginia Flattum, 93, July 17; Betty Lou Hotchkiss, 78, July 23; Ida Esther Adelsgruber Larson, 74, Aug. 6; Lil Evenson, 81, Aug. 8; Bertha Irene Hill Borchardt, 84, Aug. 22; Mary Thom, 41, Aug. 31; Lyle Tiili, 65, Sept. 5; Chuck Bolen, 75, Sept. 11; Florence Elizabeth Carlson Maki, 88, Sept. 12; Rose E. Zacher, 89, Oct. 1; Kathy Olbekson Kampa, 47, Oct. 19; Robert Scharnberg, 85, Oct. 22; Gunnard Kinnunen, 92, Oct. 29; and Edna Murto, 85, Nov. 22.

That’s the news from Lake Happynewyeartoall! And hello to all my readers and to any new readers of this column.

Tags: local columns, wright-cromwell news