WRIGHT-CROMWELL News

As I sit down to type this week’s news, it’s the last day of 2018. As the years go by, they just go faster and faster — at least that is how it is for me. There may be others who dread the days, as they just seem to drag on and on, but if you keep yourself busy with meaningful activities, time will pass and it will all seem good.

First off, I want to wish my good friend Lindsay Lally a very happy birthday today, Dec. 31. She has been a dear friend for so many years that it’s hard to think of a time when we were not friends.

When you think of your friends, I’m sure there is a warm spot in your heart and you are thankful for all the friendships you have enjoyed over the years. We all have had dear friends who have passed away too and we miss them, but are so grateful for having had them in our lives. And with that in mind, the annual luminary service will be held at the Villa Vista on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. All area residents are welcome to attend and pay tribute to your loved ones who passed away this year, or any others you may want to remember. Luminary bags are available for $1 each and your loved one’s name will be placed on the luminary. The Cromwell Community Choir will be part of the service, along with the Bethany Memorial Committee which holds memorial services six times a year at Villa Vista for residents who have died since the last service.

We also want to extend our sympathy to the family of Tom Risacher, 90, who died Dec. 16, 2018 in Bloomington, Minn. Tom and his late wife Ivona lived on Tamarack Lake for several years before moving to Bloomington.

Also passing away was Kent Hutar, 67, of Ham Lake, Minn., brother of Don Hutar of Wright, on Christmas Eve Day, Dec. 24, 2018.

Do you still have your Christmas wreath on display? Well, Marsha Peterson is looking for them to reuse for next year, so instead of tossing yours out, just drop them off by your mailbox or at the post office. I know she will appreciate them.

The Women of Bethlehem Lutheran will be going to Bann’s in McGregor for their Christmas get-together, which was delayed due to unexpected circumstances. So, come to worship on Jan. 6, stay for the meeting, and then carpool to Bann’s for fun, food and fellowship! Your friends are welcome to come along too! The guys can come, too, I guess!

Have your read “The Red River of the North” series by Lorraine Snelling? I hear they are a great read and Marion Larsen has them, but is missing a couple of volumes, so if you borrowed them from her, she’d like them back.

Community Coffee Fellowship will resume at Bethany Lutheran Church on Mondays, 8:30-10 a.m. They did not meet over the holidays.

A new mothers’ group, The Holy Strollers, will be meeting Jan. 9 at Bethany in Cromwell 6-8 p.m., for moms of kids infants through 18 years old. This faith-based group is non-denominational, and all mothers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Call Liz Kabus at 218-428-6733 or Jana Anderson at 218-460-6793 for more information.

The price of a first-class postage stamp will be going up to 55 cents on Jan. 27 (while the cost for the second ounce will be going down from 21 cents to 15 cents), so get your Forever stamps now and save 5 cents a stamp.

Even if more and more folks are sending e-cards, I did receive a substantial number of Christmas cards this year. I always like getting them and I enjoy them more after Christmas than before. Then I take the time to reread them and enjoy them more when I’m not quite so busy.

The next YOT meeting will be on Jan. 8 at 12 p.m. at the Cromwell Pavilion and the first YOT dance will not take place until March 28.

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.

I have only one resolution: to rediscover the difference between wants and needs. May I have all I need and want all I have.

So, my simple hope for you in 2019 is this simple poem: “May your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, angels protect you, and heaven accept you.”

Happy New Year!