Wright/Cromwell news

There are a couple of new phrases that I have added to my vocabulary, including “social distancing.” Folks are now staying home as much as possible and getting to know their kids and spouses in a whole new way. It’s time for lots of spring cleaning and maybe even doing some letter writing and lots of phone calls or instant messaging. What would most of us do without the technology we are using? I just hope those folks who do not have this capability will stay connected and active.

Angela Dahlman Sandoval Luna writes: “Anyone else wake up in a panic because their alarm clock didn’t go off and think, ‘Boy, I had the weirdest dream,’ only to realize the craziness was our real life right now? So lucky that I can stay home and all I need to do is to be safe and help others.”

Julie Shelton writes: “Just participated in our Facebook Live Sunday morning [email protected] worship service. Eases my mind, offers hope in these uncertain times. Please keep your faith. It is uplifting and anxiety reducing. Thank you so much, Pastor.”

All area churches have had to suspend regular worship and Lenten services. So pastors have had to get creative and lead worship via the internet. Pastor Deb Hanson Carlson, from the area Lutheran congregations, leads her services on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

Jana Anderson is posting a Sunday School lesson on YouTube each weekend too.

There is an opportunity to hear our former pastor Jim Gronbeck as he leads worship from his church in Battle Lake on Facebook. Pastor Jim was at Bethany and Bethlehem from 1984 to 1991.

“Get well” wishes go out to Sue Walli Shelerud, who had surgery on her feet after an accident with a 900-pound car hoist March 18. She won’t be able to put any weight on her feet for two to three months. She sends thanks via Facebook: “Taking it a day at a time. ... Thank you for the thoughts and prayers.”

Our sympathy to Herb Hilinski on the recent passing of his brother, Richard A. “Dick” Hilinski, 71, formerly of Esko, who died March 19 at Sunnyside Care Center in Cloquet. A memorial service will be held in July at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko.

Our sympathy to the family of Linda Mary Loumanen, 69, of Cloquet, who died March 21 in Villa Vista Care Center in Cromwell. Linda was born Dec. 27, 1950, in Cloquet. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

I was saddened to hear that Kathy Roach, 80, of Duluth passed away March 26. The Lallys, my grandkids and I, and several other area folks went on several mystery trips with her when she ran the Top Hat Travel Company. She was a great tour guide and her husband, Doc, was usually the bus driver.

Happy birthday to Siiri Peterson who will be 95 years young April 9. Please feel free to send her a card of congratulations at 5762 Eagle Lake Road, Cromwell MN 55726.

Tim Bury, manager at the Farmers Co-op Store in Wright, asked me to let people know they can call in an order for curbside pickup. Otherwise, volunteers can deliver your groceries on Thursdays if ordered by noon. If you are willing to volunteer or want to order groceries, call the store at 218-357-2251 or email [email protected]. Let’s all get together and support our area businesses.

Minettie at the Village Pump Saloon in Tamarack is offering curbside deliveries of food if you call in an order at 218-768-7867.

I read that Aluma-Lite fish houses from Soderblom’s in Cromwell are being used in Duluth at Essentia Health as temporary COVID-19 test centers.

The Area Clothing Depot has decided to close for the time being. Please save your donations for a later date.

I heard one way to show support in this time is to tie a red ribbon onto a tree, to show you are praying for our country and those who may have the virus.

I got a call recently from someone who said he was from the Medicare patients assistance service and wanted me to give him some of my personal information. I called him out, as this is a scam, and he tried to convince me it wasn’t, but after I repeated my distrust, he hung up. Be wary of these scam calls. If Medicare needs your information, it will send you a letter.

Remember, the Wright post office lobby is open 24 hours a day, and the Saturday counter hours are 7:45-8:45 a.m. Please take the time to write some cards and letters to area friends or folks at the Villa Vista/Cardinal Court at 1220 Villa Court Drive, Cromwell MN 55726.

A couple of weeks ago I got a Census form in the mail. I filled it out and it will be on its way this week. We all really need to mail our forms or go online to do it so we won’t have to be personally visited by Census takers at our doors.

That’s all the news from the Edge of Wright. Be careful and stay safe.