Wright/Cromwell news

The volunteers at the Villa Vista/Cardinal Court were invited to stop by May 15 to get a plant as an appreciation gift from owners Julie and Mike Peterson. They usually have a volunteers breakfast at the facility in May, but due to the pandemic, they distributed the plants outside instead. A Duluth television station was there to record the event. More than 70 plants were given to those who stopped by.

The owners, staff and residents want to thank all the faithful volunteers who do so much with the residents every year and hope that things can resume to normal soon. So, residents and staff, hang in there. Stay safe and know that you are missed.

Julie Hedin writes ,: “Thank you. It was great coverage for our community. We may be small but we have so much to give … and that is what our volunteers from all of our surrounding areas do for us: give in time and talent. We couldn’t provide our residents such quality of life without all of our volunteers who make a difference every single day. We are truly blessed with the best. Thank you,

volunteers.”

As so many of you have been spending many more hours at home, I’m sure you have come up with new and better ways of doing things. I learned that if I put a dozen eggs in a pan of cold water, heat them on high for 25 minutes, then immediately dump out the hot water and cover with very cold water, cracking the shells a bit, the eggs are done perfectly and the shells just slip off the hard boiled eggs with no problem. Now we have hard boiled eggs on hand whenever we want one, and this makes it easy to make egg salad for sandwiches or potato salad.

We as a community congratulate our 2020 senior class at Cromwell-Wright High School. Your graduation experiences have been drastically changed, but know that the community is with you now and into the future. Parents, please let me know your plans for your graduating senior. If there will be any special events that we can take part in, let me know.

The 2020 Cromwellian yearbooks have arrived and can be picked up at the school. Just give them a call (644-3737) and they will bring the books out to the benches in front of the school for you to pick up.

We are now in a new normal. I participated in a Zoom meeting of our executive board of the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota on May 14. There were a few glitches, but all in all it worked out very well. And I didn’t have to spend two days getting to and from the meeting in Anoka. Now, I also have a doctor’s appointment via a phone call this week. The wonders of technology.

We wish Pat Chambers a happy 90th birthday on May 30. Cards can be sent to Pat at 1884 S. Utah Drive, Casa Grande AZ 85194. Wow, she was only 40 when Bob and I got married 50 years ago on May 30. Where did all those years disappear to?

Eddie Sandoval-Luna’s food truck will be in Cromwell at the old cafe location on Sunday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please come out and support this local business during this pandemic.

The Bethany Beacons women’s group will hold its plant sale Saturday, May 30 starting at 9 a.m. in the parking lot at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell.

As of this time, there are no plans for Vacation Bible School as it will depend on social distancing guidelines.

Many of you reading this column spent many wonderful weeks attending Bible camp. I myself attended Camp Vermilion near Cook for several summers and even served as a camp counselor one summer. So, it is with that in mind that I relay the disappointing news that the Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry board of directors voted at its April 3 meeting that Camp Hiawatha, Camp Vermilion and their associated programs will be temporarily closed until further notice.

The decision is based on current and expected restrictions and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and the State of Minnesota. Ramifications include cancellation of all summer on-site, Canoe Country, and day camp programming for 2020; cancellation of all retreats and community events through June 30; and temporary furloughs of year-round ministry staff. July and August groups will be contacted no later than May 31 to review the current situation.

We’ve also heard recently that Girl Scout camps will not take place this summer.

I just got an email from Sue Walli Shelerud, who is recovering from an accident. She wrote: “I had my eight-week post-op visit and X-rays. All is healing well in my feet. In two weeks I will be picking up my orthotics for my feet, followed by a physical therapy appointment to begin walking with a walker. The surgeon said walking will be a slow and gradual process, but all is looking good. We are feeling thankful and encouraged. Thanks everyone for the healing thoughts, prayers and encouragement. I know I will come out stronger on the other side of this journey.”

The Carlton VFW Post 2962 Auxiliary and Honor Guard will be at Eagle Lake Cemetery on Memorial Day for a ceremony at 7:30 a.m. It plans to be in Cromwell shortly after that.

The Veterans Memorial stone marker in the Wright Park cemetery has fallen over. It was caused by the shifting of the ground under the base. We hope it can be righted before Memorial Day.

I want to end this column with a dedication to all the soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom with the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by Canadian physician and World War I soldier John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead, short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Since 1923, the VFW has sold poppies to raise funds for veterans and their families.

That’s all the news from the Edge of Wright — stay safe.