Wright/Cromwell news

Leo Dahlberg Ccelebrated his 86th Bbirthday with a family and friends party at Cardinal Court on Sunday, March 1. We wish him Happy Bbirthday!y.

Happy Birthday wishes also go out to Jake Bok of Cardinal Court in Cromwell. Jake will be 97 years oldon March 11 as he was. He was born in 1923 in Holland. He and has been married to his wife, Ann, for 73 years. He spent his adult life as a farmer, truck driver and worked in the mines. He is best known for gabbing and telling stories. His favorite memory of growing up in Holland was spending time at his grandma’s house and having cats and kittens in bed with him. His most important accomplishment was marrying his wife Ann and he wishes he could have gone to college. He doesn’t know what to attribute his longevity to, but he would like to live another 20 years. His philosophy of life is: “Yesterday is gone, Ttomorrow is yet to come and today is here now and I will live it to the fullest.” Send him cards at: Villa Vista, 1220 Villa Ct Drive, Cromwell, MN 55726.

I was honored to be invited to attend a Minnesota Wilderness vs. Chippewa Steel Hockey game Saturday, Feb. 29 at thein Cloquet Ice Shelter. The Pine Knot News sponsored the game and invited all the folks that contribute to the newspaper to attend this special Leap Year nightDay game. The folks were treated to hors d’oeuvres, desserts, drinks and a warm place to meet and greet each other. The game ended as the Minnesota Wilderness won 5-4, only 16 seconds into overtime. There are 26 teams in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and they are now in their 45th year. In the past five years, close to 1,400 NAHL players have made NCAA commitments. In addition, 32 percent of all freshmen that played NCAA Division I Hockey this past season played in the NAHL. The NAHL is one of the top junior leagues in the world so we are fortunate to have a team here in Cloquet.

The Minnesota Wilderness play five to six home games a month from October to the end of March. The last four home games are on March 13, 20, 21, 26. Our own Jake Kachinske is the play-by-play announcer at these games, which makes a local connection for us.

And speaking of sports, congratulations to our boys and girls basketball teams as they finished another very successful season. Good luck in the play-offs! .

Community Yoga for all ages and abilities takes place at the Cromwell Pavilion on Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon March 2, 9, 16, 23. Cost is $3 dollars a session.

There will be regular Lenten Services at 6 p.m. and Soup Suppers at 5 p.m. alternating with Bethany on March 4, 18, and at Bethlehem March 11 and 25. A First Communion Class will be planned during Lent for third grade and up for those who have not attended a class yet but wish to do so. Call Pastor Deb to register for classes at 218-644-3640 and get the schedule.

Lenten Services will be held at St. John’s in Wright on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM on March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1.

The Bethany-Bethlehem Memorial Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16 at the Villa Vista to pay tribute to residents who have passed away recently, honoring the lives of Ruth Smith, Jeanne Hansen, Allan Karki and Alice Heaton. All area folks are urged to attend. Call Jennie K. Hanson at 218-357-2385 if interested or for more information.

The folks in our area (especially Cromwell) are asked to write letters to our State Sen. Jason Rarick and Rep. Mike Sundin encouraging them to express their strong support for MN Bill Cromwell; STREET LIGHTING. Mail to State Sen. Jason Rarick, MN Senate Building, 95 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55155 and State Rep. Mike Sundin, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155-1298. Including a personal reason for your support is encouraged.

Our local Tri-Community Food Shelf is once again participating in the MN FoodShare March Campaign March 1-April 12. All funds/food stay local and are greatly appreciated. Look for donation receptacles in many spots throughout Cromwell, Tamarack and Wright. Please no expired items. Monetary donations allow access to items for pennies on the dollar through sources not available to the general public. I think the fourth graders at school are also sponsoring a food drive this month so send non-perishable food items and cash to school with your kids and or grandkids. Let’s make this the best food drive ever!

Firearm Ssafety Cclasses are being offered Tuesdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m. from March 17 through April 3 at the Cromwell-Wright school, with range day planned for April 4. Sign in starts at 4:30 p.m. the first night, and a parent/legal guardian MUST ATTENDmust attend the start of the first class!. Call or text the instructors with questions. Lars 218-269-2601 or Isaac 218-821-1627.

There will be a St. Patrick’s Day Ddinner at Bethany Lutheran Church from 4:30-6:30 p.m. March 17. F with a free will offering. Menu is corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots, chicken soup, salad, vegetable tray, desserts and leprechaun punch and coffee.

Make your plans now to attend the Cromwell-Wright Dollars for Scholars annual fundraiser dinner at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Buy tickets at the school or from Ssenior class members. Families are encouraged to attend this very special afternoon event.

That’s all the news from the Edge of Wright. Have a great week and don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead on Sunday some time before 2 a.m. Remember Spring forward!

Editor's note: This is the uncut version of Jennie's column for this week's paper.