At last, the cold has relaxed its grip and we are able to get outside. We can look forward to the first day of spring on March 20, and even further to the first day of summer on June 20. Don’t forget to move clocks forward an hour on March 14.

Although the pandemic and cold weather has kept many of us home, the Carlton community, school and organizations are beginning to plan for some events. The All Night Grad Party committee is selling pasties through the Magnolia Café in Carlton. The take-and-bake pasties come in pork/beef/rutabaga, vegetarian and gluten-free varieties. The cost is $7.50, with 20 percent of the sales going to the grad party. The deadline to order is Feb. 28. Call 218-499-5911 or order online at http://www.magnoliacafe carlton.com.

The Carlton High School National Honor Society is sponsoring a Bundles of Luck online silent auction of St. Patrick’s Day-themed baskets through March 12 to benefit the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank in Duluth. Proceeds will help those who have struggled with food needs throughout the pandemic. Baskets and sponsors are listed on Carlton High School Facebook page. Contact Haley Adkins at [email protected] for up-to-date information.

A group of community members are still making plastic mats for the homeless. Volunteers, who started the project about three years ago, crochet mats from strips cut from clean plastic shopping bags. About 700 bags are needed to make a mat about 6 feet long. The group meets from 9-11 a.m. every Tuesday at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton. Bring bag donations to Northwoods Credit Union in Moose Lake and Cloquet when lobbies open again. Volunteers are invited to contact Mary Saarela at 218-393-2693.

Veterans interested in becoming members of the Carlton VFW Post 2962 or the Carlton VFW Auxiliary should contact the VFW at 218-384-3794. Weekly events: Bingo on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m .; meat raffle on Fridays at 6 p.m .; free pool and darts on Sundays; and poker on Sundays at 7 p.m.

The Four Seasons Sports Complex & Event Center board meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. The public is welcome to attend. The next meeting is March 17. For event schedules, check out http://www.fourseasonsofcarlton.com and http://www.carltonhockey.net.

The Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce meets the first Thursday of every month. Due to the pandemic, the meetings are being held virtually. For more, visit http://www.carltonchamber.com.

Carlton Area Lions Club meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the Carlton VFW. Dinner is served. Contact Betsy Anderson at 218-255-5457 for more information.

The Carlton Recycling Shed is open 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Please observe social distancing, and wear a mask.

The Carlton Wellness Center in Carlton is open for those who want to get in shape for spring and summer or want to keep those muscles and joints in motion. Hours are 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 218-384-1115 or visit carltonwellness.com. Drop-in day passes are available for $10 for those interested in trying out the facility.

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