Carlton Happenings

If you are a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, you know that school will be starting on Tuesday, Sept. 6. We are excited for our kids, and remember how we felt on that first day of grade school or junior high way back when.

The Carlton community has a long history of having a school within the city. The citizens of the Village of Carlton petitioned for a school on Sept. 18, 1871, and became District No. 2. A small wooden structure was built and one teacher, Miss Flora Lafan, was hired. Eventually, two more teachers were added, but in 1895 the school burned down. A new two-story building was constructed, and in 1907 it also burned down. By 1908, a two-story red brick building was built and five teachers were hired. That school also burned down Feb. 16, 1915, due to faulty electrical wiring in the basement. At the time the school was being fumigated because of a scarlet fever scare, which did not have anything to do with the fire. A new brick school was ready for students by January 1916, at a cost of $42,000. A portion of this school still remains, and a more-modern addition was added in 1969 that is still in use today, according to “Carlton Chronicles” by Francis M. Carroll.

The Carlton VFW Auxiliary is planning its annual “Dream Garage Sale” fundraiser for 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 9-10. Want to donate? Call Linda at 218-428-0496. No clothing or shoes, please.

Other upcoming Carlton events

include:

• Harold’s Hogfest 12-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 outside at the VFW. $8 per plate, free for kids 5 and under. All proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

• Deer hunters banquet Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Four Seasons Complex

• VFW car show 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, VFW parking lot

• Downtown Carlton Trick or Treat 1-3 p.m. Oct. 29

• Pannukakku (Finnish oven pancake) and sausage breakfast 8-11 a.m. Oct.10, Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 Fifth St. $8/adult, $4/child. Come support this scholarship fundraiser and enjoy some Finnish pancakes.

Ongoing

Veterans interested in joining the Carlton VFW Post 2962 and/or the Carlton VFW Auxiliary, please contact the VFW at 218-384-3794. Weekly VFW events include bingo at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; free pool and darts on Sundays; poker at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and a cribbage tournament at noon Mondays. There are cash drawings at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday and a meat raffle at 6 p.m. on Fridays.

City of Carlton council meetings are at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. The public is welcome to attend. The meetings are held at the city offices in the old civic center building.

Four Seasons Sports Complex and Event Center board meetings are held at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. The public is welcome. The Sports Complex also collects aluminum cans, which may be put into the trailer located on the south side of the complex. Check out the schedule of events at http://www.fourseasonsofcarlton.com or http://www.carltonhockey.net.

Lions meetings are at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at the VFW. Dinner is served. Contact Betsy Anderson at 218-255-5457 for more.

Volunteers wanted. A group of community members are still making plastic mats for the homeless out of clean plastic shopping bags. The group meets at Bethesda Lutheran Church 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays. Bring bags to the Northwoods Credit Union in Moose Lake and Cloquet, and Bethesda Lutheran Church. Contact Mary Saarela for more info at 218-393-2693.

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