Carlton news

Now that Halloween has come and gone, we can look forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. There are some among us who groan and “bah humbug” about the holidays, but there are others, like myself, who will be putting up a Christmas light display for all to enjoy. My family has been putting up lighted trees, reindeer, blow-up snowmen and strings of lights on the house since the 1990s. This year my gratitude goes out to Mark Larson, Stanley McKibbon, Nikki Rackliffe and Lucy Rackliffe for giving up an afternoon to string new LED lights on my house. Now my job will begin. I will be putting out all of the other lighted decorations before the snow flies. I encourage all Carlton residents to light up our city by decorating.

The Carlton Holiday Market is set for Saturday, Dec. 7. It will bring together past events and add new ones for Christmas shoppers to find that unique gift. The market will offer shoppers locally grown and homemade crafted items at The Green House, Gateway Goods and CreativEdge. As in the past, the Bethesda Lutheran Christmas Bazaar, the VFW Christmas Auction and the Oldenburg House Holiday Market will also be held. More events are being planned, and if you are interested in volunteering or want to participate, contact Emily at 763-226-6828, or Margaret at 218-380-2587. There will also be a planning meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Magnolia Café.

The annual “Toys for Carlton Area Kids” will begin Nov. 6 and run through Dec. 11. Please donate a new unwrapped toy, hats, scarves, mittens or a gift card for children ages 17 and under. Drop off locations are: Carlton VFW, Carlton High School library, City of Carlton and Carlton Public Library, South Terrace Elementary School office, Inter-Faith Care Center & Pineview, Volunteer Services, Carlton Wellness Center, Thrivent Financial, The Brickyard, Carlton Meat & Grocery and The Oldenburg House. For more information contact, Leola Rodd, 218-310-6065 or [email protected]. The gifts will be distributed Dec. 14 with food baskets from the Carlton VFW to the families of the Carlton, Wrenshall, Cromwell, Barnum, Esko and Moose Lake areas. Monetary donations are accepted by the Carlton VFW Auxiliary.

Veterans Day — Monday, Nov. 11 — includes veterans being honored at Carlton High School from 9-10 a.m. in the large gym. All veterans and their families and community members are invited to attend. The Carlton VFW will have a program at 5 p.m. and a roast beef dinner at 5:30 p.m. The dinner is free for veterans. The Inter-Faith Care Center will also have a Veterans Day social. Contact Roxanne, 218-384-8404 for details.

If you have a special community event in Carlton or want to see a special person recognized, contact Leola Rodd at 218-310-6065 or [email protected].