Carlton news

The Christmas season is upon us, and I finally finished putting up my Christmas lights. Then the storm came with a vengeance and covered some of the reindeer and trees. I will do my best to clear things out before Christmas and the Carlton Holiday Market.

Please take time to visit the Carlton Holiday Market Dec. 7. For more than 30 years before the holiday market started, we held a craft show at Carlton High School. At first, the Carlton Hockey Association organized it as a fundraiser to help with expenses and to make sure all kids who wanted to play hockey could be a part of the team. Crafters from near and far would pay a fee for a space to sell their homemade mittens, candles, jellies, Christmas items and more. The hockey moms would gather Princess Pine and pine boughs to make homemade wreaths to sell as part of the fundraiser. It was a fun time and a great way to begin the holiday season. Eventually, the craft show changed hands and Carlton Community Education, along with Kids Plus, continued to organize the crafters. Santa and kids’ crafts were always favorites. Somewhere along the way, the Carlton Area Chamber joined the event and sponsored a pancake breakfast. Some years, Carlton band members would perform Christmas carols, and other times a special Christmas choir would perform.

Let us honor the past volunteers and take the time to visit the Carlton Holiday Market. The Market is bringing together the Bethesda Lutheran Christmas bazaar, VFW Christmas auction, Magnolia Café, Oldenburg House, Gateway Goods, The Greenhouse, The Third Base and other businesses in Carlton. The Carlton County Holiday Guide schedule of events was available in the Nov. 29 issue of the Pine Knot, and will also be available in local businesses beginning this week. Remember to pick up your passport, and get it stamped at each participating business for a special prize. And don’t forget to purchase your Carlton Holiday Market shopping bag for $3. All proceeds will go to the Carlton Toy Drive and Welcome Home. Come join the Carlton Community Christmas celebration.

For more information, visit the Carlton Holiday Market Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/453388832195144.

Speaking of the holidays … the 25th annual Toys for Carlton Area Kids began Nov. 6 and will continue 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 the Carlton VFW, Carlton High School library, city of Carlton, Carlton Public Library, South Terrace Elementary School office, Inter-Faith Care Center and Pineview, Volunteer Services of Carlton County, Carlton Wellness Center, Thrivent Financial, The Brickyard, Carlton Meat & Grocery and The Oldenburg House. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours. Monetary donations will also be accepted by the Carlton VFW Auxiliary. For more information, contact Leola Rodd, 218-310-6065, or [email protected]. The gifts will be distributed Dec. 14, with the food baskets from the Carlton VFW to families in the Carlton, Wrenshall, Cromwell, Barnum, Esko and Moose Lake areas.

Other events

• Carlton VFW Post 2962: Play Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The meat raffle is held at 6 p.m. Fridays. Proceeds benefit the Post and Confidence Learning Center. Weekly money drawing 6:30 p.m. Fridays. VFW Auxiliary meeting second Monday of the month, VFW meeting last Tuesday of the month; call 218-384-3794 for more information. Poker 7 p.m. Thursdays.

Carlton VFW Christmas auction starts at 12 p.m. Dec. 7 at the VFW.

• Inter-Faith Care Center, Carlton: Ecumenical church service 3:15 Tuesdays, Mass 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, services in the chapel 2 p.m. the first, third and fourth Sundays. Christmas social for residents and their families Friday, Dec. 13. Contact Roxanne for details, 218-384-4258.

• Oldenburg House: Cookin’ at the O, dinner and music 6:30-10 p.m. Dec. 13-14 with jazz vocalist Debbie Duncan, accompanied by Ryan Frane, piano; Matt Mobley, bass, and Glenn Swanson on drums. Mark your calendars for the opening of the Document Spring art exhibit Friday, Jan. 3.

• Carlton High School band concert starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19.

• The Carlton Amateur Hockey Association meets 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the Four Seasons Sports Complex. Meetings are open to the public; please call 218-310-4610 to confirm meeting time and venue. Open hockey and open skating schedules are posted in the lobby and at http://www.carltonhockey.net.

• Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce meetings are held at noon the first Wednesday of the month at the Four Seasons complex.

If you have a special community event in Carlton or know of a special person who should be recognized, please contact Leola Rodd at 218-310-6065 or [email protected].