Wright/Cromwell news

As I’m putting the finishing touches on this news column today, it’s my 75th birthday! That’s three quarters of a century! Or 27,394 days old, counting the 19 leap year days I added. My birthday was Aug. 31, and it sure feels weird getting to this age. When I was just 15 or 16 years old I never even thought of getting this old. But the years just keep rolling along! Now, we have to pray for a cure for Covid in the near future, although I think it may take another year or more.

We don’t go anywhere except to doctor’s appointments and my therapy, and Bob has a nurse and therapist coming to the house once a week, but that ends this coming week. My therapy will last for at least 20 more sessions or about 10 weeks, depending on how well I do. Sure wish I felt better, though. It’s hard to get my work done at home, as I tire out quickly and have to sit and rest for a while then start in again, but I do push myself as much as I need to.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Emaleigh Olesiak too. She gave me a yarn bracelet several years ago, and I still wear it to remind me of what a great young gal she is! Have a great year, Emaleigh!

Friends and family are invited to attend the memorial service for Tom Gresczyk at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Split Rock Township near Kettle River on Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m., with his burial at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery just north of the tracks in Wright. Safety will be observed, so wear a mask, and try to stay 6 feet apart. A gathering will follow at the Wright Senior Center.

The Cromwell Area Community Club is recruiting contestants for the annual Minnesota Sings competition. The past two years, Joey Kotiranta has represented us and placed in the top tier at state. We have signed up and paid for our sponsorship this year.

Here's the call and process for this year's “virtual" competition: Minnesota Sings is a competition between cities throughout Minnesota, designed for amateur vocalists. There are two divisions, for contestants 13-20 years old, and those 21 and older. In each division the first-place singer wins $3000, second place wins $2000, and third place wins $1000. Contestants will film and send their performances to the local team of judges, who will then submit the entries to Minnesota Sings. After approval by the panel of judges, videos will be put up on the Minnesota Sings YouTube channel. The winners will be selected from those videos by two judges who reside outside of Minnesota. Contestants can sing to a backing track or they can accompany themselves on guitar or piano or some other instrument. Since this is a singing contest, you will be judged only on your vocal talent. The song must be memorized and cannot exceed five minutes, and the lyrics have to be family-friendly. You can sing any type of music. Once you have your performance filmed (please make sure the audio sounds good) email it to [email protected]. A team of us from the club will select our contestants. Our local deadline is Sept. 10, and the state submission deadline is Sept. 20. The state winners will be announced on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Ann Markusen has resumed teaching yoga at the pavilion 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday. Wear a mask upon arriving and leaving, and take your yoga gear home with you. There's plenty of dance floor space to be appropriately distanced, so no mask wearing is required during yoga. Please don’t use the Pavilion bathroom so that they don't have to disinfect afterwards.

Most of us have realized there are some good things that have come out of the pandemic and quarantine. I know that my life has slowed down quite considerably, and I’m sure it’s that way for the rest of you too.

So, I got to thinking about baseball and all the changes our Minnesota Twins and other teams have had to adjust to. There is something else I’ve noticed while watching the games. Most of you have probably heard the saying, “There’s no crying in baseball” — well, now there’s no spitting in baseball either. At least I haven’t seen a single player spitting since coronavirus restrictions. As I’ve always felt that spitting, including spitting sunflower seeds, is a pretty gross habit, I am happy to see this tradition go by the wayside! Now let’s keep it from ever starting up again.

Alice Lake and Dick Sandness will be moving into Cardinal Courts soon. They must quarantine from the other residents for 14 days, so letters and calls are appreciated. Alice has five compression fractures in her back. The pain hasn’t been very controllable so far. They will be having an auction sale sometime in October, and will know more after they meet with the auctioneer next week. For now, cards can be sent to them at 1353 Award Blvd, Wright MN 55798 or to 1197 Villa Vista Circle, Cromwell MN 55726.

Please add Lorraine Beck to the residents at Cardinal Court, 1197 Villa Vista Circle in Cromwell. I’m sure she would enjoy a card or letter too.

Remember, you can send me your news at [email protected], or call 218-357-2385.

That’s all the news from the Edge of Wright … stay safe, and please wear a face covering when in public. And remember to vote.