Think Spring! The weather has given us hope that spring may be closer than we think. The days are getting longer, the sun is shining and people are greeting each other with a smile. (I am trying to be optimistic.) Somebody once told me that a smile is a nice gift to give, and it doesn't cost anything.

I would like to wish everyone Happy Saint Patrick's Day on March 17 and Happy Saint Urho's Day on March 16!

Some of you are probably wondering about St. Urho's Day. The legend of St. Urho is the invention of Richard Mattson, a Finnish-American, from Virginia, Minnesota. He was an employee of Ketola's Department Store in the spring of 1956. He created St. Urho when asked by coworker, Gene McCavic, why the Finn's did not have a saint like the Irish St. Patrick, who cast the snakes out of Ireland. The original day for celebrating St. Urho was May 24, but was later the day before St. Patrick's Day so the Finns could celebrate for two days. On St. Urho's Day, the Finns wear Royal Purple and Nile Green; I wear any purple and green in my closet and my St. Urho's pins.

In the original "Ode to St. Urho" written by Gene McCavic and Richard Mattson, St. Urho cast out "tose Rogs" (those frogs) out of Finland by the power of his loud voice, which he got from drinking "feelia sour" (sour whole milk) and eating "kala mojakka" (fish soup). In the Finnish language "Urho" also means "hero" or simply "brave."

Eventually the legend was changed by Dr. Sulo Havumaki, a psychology professor at Bemidji State College, to state that St. Urho drove the grasshoppers away from Finland by using the following incantation, "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go from hence to Hell." This way the grape vines were saved.

In other Carlton news, Inter-Faith Care Center announced the crowning of its King and Queen for 2020. Celebrations were held Feb. 14, during the Valentine's Day party and Sweetheart Social. Family and visitors were in attendance, and entertainers Cindy Crestick and Brett Borg made the celebration more special. Inter-Faith: King Don H. & Queen Ellen L. Special care unit: Queen Theresa S.

A local has a new location. Sheryl's Golden Shears has moved to 110 3rd Street, Carlton (formerly the Bank Building). Take the time to check out Sheryl's new location and wish her well.

Are you interested in volunteering in our community? Four Seasons Sports Complex board meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Four Seasons Complex. Contact any board member if you are interested in becoming a board member or visit http://www.fourseasonsofcarlton.com.

Connect with Nature using the iNaturalist app. Learn how on Thursday, March 19th, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Carlton County Transportation Bldg, Hwy. 61. Cost: $5 at the door, 18 and under are free. Joe Walewski, Director of Naturalist Training at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and 4 other naturalists will present. Call the Extension Office to pre-register 218-384-3511.

Other Events

-Carlton VFW Post 2962 holds various events, including bingo every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Bingo and a meat raffle on Fridays at 6 p.m. Play Poker, Pool & Darts on Thursdays starting at 7 p.m. and free pool and darts on Sundays. There's a Steak Fry on Saturday, Jan. 18.The VFW Auxiliary meets on the second Monday of the month and the VFW meets on the last Tuesday of the month. Enjoy Jason & Andy Acoustic, 8 p.m. to midnight March 20. On March 22, the VFW will hold a Speeds Men's Single Tournament with sign up at 11 a.m. and games at noon. Cost $10. Call 218-384-3794 for more info.

-Oldenburg House: Get your tickets for Cookin' At The O jazz/blues dinner with Jason Delaire on March 20, 21, from 6:30-10 p.m. Reservations required.

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Fond du Lac Reservation and Carlton County, April 21 at the Small World Summit. Sign up now. Open to all Carlton County schools and the Fond du Lac Reservation.

Document Spring 2020 KICK-OFF, is April 2 at Zeigeist, 222 E. Superior St.,Duluth. Admission is free. Advance registration at: oacc.us

Find out more about upcoming events for the Oldenburg House at info.oldenburghouse.com.

-Carlton Schools: Spring Break is March 23 – 27.

The Carlton JR/Sr High School Choir Concert, starts at 2 p.m. Sunday March 15 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Carlton. All are welcome.

Kindergarten Round-up at South Terrace is March 13. Session 1 runs from 9-11 a.m .; Session 2 from noon to 2 p.m. RSVP with the school secretary, Lea Barrett by Friday, March 6, at 218-384-4225 (Ext. 210) or [email protected]

-Carlton Area Public Library will have a Spring Craft at 1 p.m. March 24

Winter Reading Program ends March 31. Turn in your reading logs! For information call 218-384-3322 or [email protected]

-Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce meetings held on the first Wednesday of the month at noon in the meeting room at the Carlton County Volunteer Services in Carlton.

-Inter-Faith Care Center: The Inter-Faith Care Center's Annual Spring Rummage Sale is set for Friday, April 3, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 4th, 8 a.m.-noon. Donations needed. Please NO clothing, child seats or electronics. Baked goods appreciated. Proceeds benefit the Life Enrichment Services Department of IFCC and Carlton Place. Contact Roxanne Hedlund at 384-8404 for more information.

Inter-Faith crowned its 2020 royalty on Valentine's Day, including King Don Has well as Queen Theresa S. (???) as special care unit royalty.

-Mark your calendars for the Chicken Swap on April 25 in the Four Seasons Complex Parking Lot.

Editor's Note: This is the uncut version of Leola's column from this week's paper.

If anyone has a special community event in Carlton or a special person that should be recognized, please contact Leola Rodd at 218-310-6065 or [email protected].