Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

I’ve had some pretty strange things happen to me lately.

On Feb. 6, I motored to McGregor to visit a friend and take another friend out to lunch when a strange, feral cat appeared in my van. I was in the parking lot at the Fireside and when I backed up and started to head for the highway, a cat jumped from the back seat into the front seat, then onto the dashboard, snarling and hissing like it wanted to take our heads off. It happened so fast that we opened a window and the cat took off like a bolt of lightning and ran toward the Country Meadows Motel. I thought it was one of our cats from home, but wasn’t sure. Who knows when it got into the van? It could have jumped in on Thursday as my friend and I were getting ready to head out, but we didn’t ever see anything unusual. We had opened the van doors several times before the cat appeared. When I got home it seemed like one of our cats was missing, but then today when I looked out on the deck, there were still four cats eating, and I know we have had only four cats for quite a long time. It’s still a mystery, so if anyone in McGregor is missing a cat, it may be lurking around the Fireside or the motel. I hope it finds a home and doesn’t get run over on the highway.

Then, on Friday, Feb. 7, I went back to subbing in Floodwood for the first time since my knee replacement and found out that the students thought I had died. Even some of the staff thought so, because around the time Jeanne Hansen died, I had written about her in the paper, with my photo at the top of the article, and they just assumed it was I who died. And this is the second time that they thought I had died: the first time was a few years ago when the Lake Country Power Newsletter featured me in a story, and part of the story talked about my tombstone, which is located in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Cromwell. When the students saw the photo of the tombstone, they just assumed I had died then too. Needless to say they were surprised when I walked into the building, very much alive! I guess one just has to laugh about such things, but when the real time comes for me to pass away, maybe no one will believe it.

As they say, “You just can’t make this stuff up!”

Get-well wishes go out to Julie Hutar Hedin and Marion Larsen, who recently broke bones by falling: Julie on the ice, and Marion at church. I guess one just can’t be too careful since there is so much ice under the snow in parking lots, etc. I used to think that just old people walked like penguins in the winter, and now I’m one of those people, so be careful!

Community yoga is done for the month of February and resumes next month. Sessions are Monday, March 9, 16 and 23 at the Cromwell Pavilition, 11 a.m.-noon. and are for all ages and abilities. Cost is $3 per session. Questions? Call Ann Markusen at 218-428-3300 or email [email protected].

Parents, please be aware that school bus drivers will not be leaving the bus stop until they physically see someone is home. All student bus changes need to go through 4.0 bus service. Please contact Jessica Larson at 763-286-6835 or [email protected].

Congratulations to Megan Smith and Emaleigh Olesiak, who will compete at the state fair in March! Way to go, girls ~ Mrs. Wester

Thank you to the families that attended B-I-N-G-O night Feb. 3.

The after school program’s annual School Store fundraiser is underway. New this year: addresses will be submitted by email, and only six instead of 12 addresses are required. There is lots to choose from online. This fundraiser supports our elementary classes and after school program. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

There will be a blood drive 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Call 218-644-3737 to register.

The Cromwell-Wright Dollars for Scholars soup/sandwich fundraiser is 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 in the school cafeteria. Thank you for your support.

There will be no school Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents Day. Teachers will have in-service.

I’ll close with a bit of Valentine trivia.

Who are the partners of the following twosomes? Lancelot and ? Romeo and ? Scarlett O’Hara and ? Robin Hood and ? Tarzan and ? Samson and ? Anthony and ? Annie Oakley and ? Johnny Cash and ? Mickey and ? Bambi and ? Snow White and ? Lucille Ball and ? Donald Duck and ? Pocahontas and ? Simba (from “The Lion King”) and ? Ronald Reagan and ? Sonny and ? Adam and ? Lady and The? Thelma and ? Jack and ? Forrest Gump and ? Bonnie and ? Han Solo and ? Napoleon and ? Clark Kent and ? Dumb and ? Wile E. Coyote and ? Dick and ? Tweedledee and ? Shrek and ? Homer Simpson and ? Fred Flintstone and ?

Have fun with these and try not to google them unless you are really stumped.

That’s this week’s news from the Edge of Wright. Happy Valentine’s Day and Have a great week!