Cromwell-Wright News

Well, here it is, only 11 days until Christmas — so, do you have everything done for this big event? I’m hoping most of you are almost ready, and some of you may even have been ready for weeks now; but as for me, that’s not happening, at least not yet.

Oh, I do have our Christmas tree up and lit, but that’s only because I never took it down last year. Seems much easier to just unplug it from the end of January till the first of December, than it is to take it down and put it away. I used to do that, but by the time Christmas rolled around the next year, I couldn’t find the tree and had to buy a new one; so this way, I always know where it is and it costs less, too!

Besides, it’s one of those 3-foot-tall trees and it sits on a table by the living room picture window, so it doesn’t take up as much room as one might think. We also don’t buy many gifts and hardly receive any on Christmas or Christmas Eve either, so we don’t need any room under the tree for them. Our kids are all grown-up, and even the grandkids don’t come to our home for Christmas, so it’s rather nice to just have the lone tree in the house.

Years ago, when our kids were growing up, they would go out into our woods and harvest a live tree, drag it home and spend hours putting it up and decorating it. Then, the cat or one of the kids would knock it down by accident and we’d have to start all over. One year it even fell right on top of our youngest child. Boy, did he get scared and scream for all he was worth. From then on, we would anchor it to the wall with string or wire, which worked, but made it harder to take down after Christmas. And all those holes in the wall didn’t look good either.

Then, there was the year that we had our neighbors over for Christmas Eve Dinner. When we exchanged gifts, each of the three guys gave each other a pair of those gold work gloves. All the same brand, size and color. Sure got a chuckle out of that one.

I’m sure most of you have similar stories when you think back on previous Christmases, so jot them down and share them with the family. This could even be considered a special kind of gift to the future.

And with that in mind, here is a story I received from Marian Kukkola Reed, a former resident of Cromwell who grew up here, which gave me another look into the past: Here’s what she wrote: My folks and I always drove to my mother’s folks in Chisholm where the aunts, uncles and cousins would gather. The house was tiny; but by sitting on the floor and every spare chair, we all fit. Everyone got a gift from everyone, so it was a haul. Grandma would wait to open hers as she watched us all. Then she’d open hers, carefully taking each piece of colored paper off without tearing it, folding each piece to be used later, and saving bows and ribbon, which she’d carefully place on the stack of paper. And whatever she received, she thanked and exclaimed about how nice the present was. When I was in high school, she’d send me up into the attic to wrap her presents. (We always arrived in the afternoon before the rest of the mob showed up.) There was the paper from last year, many pieces that had been used more than once. Perhaps I’m silly, but I also save the paper from Christmas. I spend time carefully removing tape and cutting the torn bits off. I enjoy being able to use it, although I’m not saving it because I’m a penny pincher: I just like to reuse the beauty and remember my grandmother.

I also got this email from Scott Thudin of Florida: “Good Morning all, Just wanted to wish my Bethlehem family a Merry Christmas. I’m very grateful to be able to celebrate this one. I had a close call last week. I ended up in the ICU down here. I had a DVT blood clot in my right leg, which moved into both my lungs. After some interventional surgery and a high dose of blood thinners in the ICU they got my vitals back to normal. Now I’m on blood thinners for maintenance at home. God Bless you all and Merry Christmas!!” I guess we can be grateful for the quick action of the medical profession and that Scott is on the mend.

Thanks are in order to Villa Vista and Cardinal Court for the wonderful Christmas family night held Dec. 6. This is always such a special event for the residents and their families.

The recent play at the Encore in Cloquet was dedicated to the late Harold Haapoja. Harold appeared in many of their plays and he will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Harold. The play, “The Game’s Afoot” was wonderful as usual. So much talent in our area.

I recently sent a text to a friend telling her that I was on my way home from UMD. Well, Siiri spelled UMD like this: “You M.D.” Guess you have to double-check your texts before pushing “send.”

What’s the most requested gift grandparents want for Christmas? They want you! They want visits from their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Time is all they ask, not material things, so I guess that’s one gift that is always appropriate. Think about it!

How many candy bars can you name from the following list? Example — A famous swashbuckling trio of old: Three Musketeers. Here’s a few more: Galaxy? Red planet? Not laughing out loud? Can’t hold onto anything? A famous author? A famous New York street? Twin letters? Round flotation devices? Dry cow? What bees make? Nut happiness? Have fun with these. Answers next week, if I remember.

Church news

Extreme Teens Christian Youth Group event (grades 6-9): Hayride and hot chocolate 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Jesse and Jana Anderson’s farm. Bring a friend, everyone is welcome! Dress to keep warm, we will be outside the entire time. Contact Liz Kabus, 218-428-6733 or Jana Anderson, 218-460-6793 with any questions.

The recent Bazaar at Bethlehem was very well attended, and they want to thank everyone who participated in any way. This is always a very special community gathering and it seemed that everyone loved it. The winner of the quilt was Bev Vigness; the $25 gift certificate from Farmers Co-op went to Alice Gurske; and the box of Sees chocolate to Sulo Walli.

School news

There will be a Santa Shop at the Cromwell-Wright School Dec. 17-19 and Dec. 21, opening at 9 a.m. and closing one half-hour after school. It will also be open on Wednesday, Dec. 19 after the elementary Christmas program for one half-hour. (There is no Santa Shop Dec. 20.)

There’s open gym at the school 5:30-7pm on Sundays. If you have any questions, call or text Brett Cahoon at 218-590-0474 or Lee Shelton at 218-428-5024.

Volunteers NEEDED: Cromwell-Wright School seniors will host the annual Christmas dinner for students and staff Friday, Dec. 21. We need adult volunteers to supervise all elementary students for recess 11:35 a.m. to 1 p.m. on this day. If you are available and interested in helping out, please contact the school office at 644-3737. Thank you!

It was nice to see that Kannon Korpela and Drew Libbon were chosen as Duluth News Tribune Athletes of the year, but we were not surprised, as these young men did a great job representing our school in football this year.

The school shop class made two really unique boats this year. One is concrete and the other one is steel, and both have carried Cromwell-Wright students on open water. The steel one works well, while the concrete one would be better as a flower planter. Oh, and they are for sale. Just call the school for information at 218-644-3737, extension 3114.

Other news

The Holy Strollers: A new mothers’ group will begin in January! Any mother with kids, newborn through age 18, in the Cromwell-Wright area is welcome to attend; second Wednesday of each month, 6-8 p.m. at Bethany Church. Questions can be directed to Liz Kabus, 218-428-6733 or Jana Anderson, 218-460-6793.

Participate in community yoga 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at the Cromwell Pavilion. Any questions, call Ann Markusen at 218-428-3300 or email [email protected].

Reminders

Dec. 14-15 and 19-21: “One Christmas Carol” at the Encore! Performing Arts Center & Gallery in Cloquet. Showtimes: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15; 7 p.m. Wed.-Friday, Dec. 19-21; 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23

Sun. Dec 16: Monroe Crossing in concert 2 p.m. at the Encore

Tues. Dec. 18: High school music concert at 6 p.m.

Wed-Friday, Dec. 19-21: Lake Country Power Holiday Cheer at the Kettle River Service Center

Wed. Dec. 19: Advent services at St. John’s, 5:30 p.m.

Wed. Dec. 19: Elementary Christmas program, 6 p.m.

Sun. Dec. 23: Bethany Church cantata candlelight service, 6 p.m.

Mon. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve candlelight service at Bethlehem, 4 p.m.

Tes. Dec. 25: Christmas Day service at Bethany, 10 a.m.

Sun. Dec 30: Bill and Kate Isles perform at the Encore

That’s all the news from the Edge of Wright – have a great week!