Seniors lauded for service

Cecelia Anderson and Ron Johnson were humbled and surprised to be honored as the latest recipients of the Calton County Outstanding Senior award. They celebrated the honor at the county fair in Barnum last Friday.

"It's amazing," Anderson said.

"It's a great honor," Johnson said.

That the two received notice for their work volunteering was no surprise to those on the receiving end of their work.

Anderson calls bingo games at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton. She said she takes pride in knowing everyone's name there. "It's important," she said.

Susan Zymslony and Gary Peterson, from the county board of commissioners, take nominations for the annual award. Zymslony talked about both awardees at the ceremony during Senior Day at the Carlton County Fair.

"People have said that Cecelia is the best bingo caller of the century," Zymslony said.

It's the little things. She's loud, so everyone can hear, an accolade Anderson smiles about.

Anderson does a whole lot more in the Carlton community. She helps run blood donation drives, delivers Meals on Wheels, gives rides to those who need them, and is active in her church and the VFW Auxiliary.

She's won statewide awards for her volunteering, but said receiving the county award was much more enriching. "It's from people I know. People I see every day," she said.

It was a big family moment Friday for Johnson, who had his children at the ceremony. He said he couldn't help but give his late wife credit for inspiring him in contributing to the community. Lois Johnson died on Christmas Day in 2022. "Yeah, I got emotional," he said.

A Carlton High School graduate, he's lived in Atkinson Township near Barnum since 1978. His mark there has been with the Barnum Dollars for Scholars program. He's the last founding member of the program that has an endowment of more than $500,000. He called it his greatest legacy, something that will go on "for generations."

He said he's constantly trying to get younger people involved in the scholarship program, which he's placed on a firm footing.

"It's going to continue, and that's what I'm most proud of," he said.

His family goes back to the 1890s in the township, with a general store. He's big on the history of the area and has researched and written about it. He works closely with the Carlton County Historical Society in recruiting of members.

"Ron helps to keep our history alive and accurate," Zymslony said.

He is a U.S. Marines veteran and is active in fundraising for the Barnum American Legion. He retired as the trade development director for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, but recalls wanting to get into teaching history or geography.

"In high school I was known for my photographic memory," he said.

Neither of the award winners will be resting on their laurels.

"I'm 81," Anderson said proudly. "As long as I can keep doing what I'm doing, I will."

Johnson said he was nominated last year for the county award but "kind of forgot about it." He was nominated this year by his longtime neighbors Roger and Sue Gustafson.

"Great people," Johnson said. "Great honor."