Carlton happenings

Happy Halloween to everyone. The Carlton Chamber members and area businesses will be coming together to put on the outdoor “Downtown Carlton Trick or Treat” event 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Businesses not located in downtown Carlton can set up in the heart of downtown, along the sidewalks of Chestnut Avenue/Highway 210. Kids, put on your best costume and come out to trick-or-treat. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

Businesses and community members will also be participating in a scarecrow contest. Claim a light pole on Chestnut Avenue in Carlton and attach your scarecrow to the pole. (Do not use screws or tape. Zip ties and rope can be used.) The scarecrows can go up at any time and must be displayed by Oct. 30. Voting will take place on Facebook on Halloween. There will be a cash prize for the winner.

The Chamber asks that scarecrows stay on the poles through part of November until Lions Club members put up the Christmas lights. The contest is open to members of the community. Participants must sign up at carltonchamber.com.

For more information about joining

the Chamber or the Halloween events, check out the Carlton Chamber website at carltonchamber.com.

Carlton VFW Post 2962 will be a busy place in the upcoming months.

VFW Post 2962 will offer a carryout Veterans Day dinner. Roast beef dinners will be served to-go starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The meal will be served by the VFW Auxiliary. All veterans eat for free (must show DD Form 214). Guests pay $8 each; children age 12 and younger pay $5. Get your name on the signup sheet at the VFW post. For more information call the Carlton VFW at 218-384-3794.

For more than 50 years, the Carlton VFW and its Auxiliary have been collecting donations to assist veterans, families of veterans that are deployed, residents in nursing homes and veterans facilities. This year, due to the pandemic the annual Christmas auction fundraiser will not be held. The Carlton VFW will still need help from the community and businesses. Monetary donations will go into a Christmas account, and donation items will be on display at the VFW for either a silent auction or some other means of raising funds. All donations, large or small will be very much appreciated.

Speaking of the holidays, the 26th annual Carlton toy drive will proceed this year, with limited dropoff sites. It will begin in November and end in mid-December. Dates and dropoff sites will appear in this column once they are finalized. For more information, contact Leola Rodd at 218-310-6065, or email [email protected].

In other news, the J.M. Paine Presbyterian Church in Carlton and the First Presbyterian Church in Wrenshall have consolidated to form The River’s Edge Church located in Carlton on Chestnut Avenue.

The Carlton County recycling shed is open 2-6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Please observe social distancing for the safety of the employees and community members who are also using the recycling area. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Everyone be safe, wear a mask and wash your hands.

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