Carlton happenings

As I write my article, the weather has taken a turn for dark clouds, overcast and rain (again). We are all waiting for the sun to shine and dry out our yards so the raking can begin. On Monday, May 10, the City of Carlton Public Works will gather the bags of leaves and last fall’s yard debris from community yards, to be added to the compost pile at the recycling shed. Carlton High School students and staff are volunteering to rake community members’ yards and pick up trash Friday, May 7. If you need to have your yard raked or want to volunteer, contact me at [email protected] or 218-310-6065 for more information and/or to be added to the list. Community members must be located within the city limits of Carlton.

Another sign of spring is the Carlton Chicken Swap this Saturday, April 24 at the Four Seasons Complex parking lot, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Harold’s Fiasco will raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, May 2 at the Four Corners in Carlton. Stop by to give a donation to St. Jude’s.

Beginning in the spring and through the summer, the light poles on Carlton’s main street are adorned with beautiful hanging flower baskets. Twelve years ago, Jim Fahrenholz from the Green House proposed hanging flower baskets on the light poles to the City of Carlton. Each basket is sponsored by a business and/or community member, and is watered and fertilized by the Green House all summer long. This year the baskets will be filled with colorful petunias and calibrachoa. There are 22 spaces available. If you are interested in sponsoring a basket, contact the Green House at 218-384-4732 for more information. Your flower basket sponsorship will help to make Carlton the best it can be.

The farmers market will be returning to Carlton this year. They will be located at McFarland Park on Tuesdays 4-6 p.m. beginning June 22. The park is located on Highway 210 across from the Four Seasons Complex.

More plastic bags are needed. A group of community members are still making mats for the homeless, as featured in the Pine Knot a couple summers ago. Volunteers started about three years ago, cutting plastic shopping bags into strips and crocheting the strips into mats. It takes about 700 bags to complete a mat about 6 feet long. The group meets at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays. Bring bag donations to the church, or to Northwoods Credit Union in Moose Lake and Cloquet when their lobbies open again. Volunteers are invited to contact Mary Saarela at 218-393-2693 for more information. Crocheters are wanted.

Other Carlton happenings:

Carlton VFW Post 2962 Honor Guard will be participating in memorial services at area cemeteries on Memorial Day, May 31.

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 at the Carlton VFW include Bingo on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., a meat raffle on Fridays at 6 p.m., free pool and darts on Sundays, and poker on Sundays at 7 p.m. The VFW is accepting ongoing donations (no clothing, though) for their rummage sale Sept. 10-11 at the Four Seasons Complex. Contact Linda Kaehler at 218-428-0496.

Four Seasons Sports Complex and Event Center board meeting at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. The public is welcome to attend. The next meeting is May 19. For event schedules, check out http://www.fourseasonsofcarlton.com and http://www.carltonhockey.net.

The CMH Auxiliary rummage sale is scheduled for May 21-22 at the Four Seasons Complex.

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 Lions will hold Burger Night 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 21 at the Carlton VFW. Purchase tickets for the Lions’ annual plant sale from Lions members. The plants are supplied by the Green House.

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.

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. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

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.

Find out more about Oldenburg House events at http://www.oldenburghouse.com or http://www.oacc.us.

Happy Mother’s Day on May 9! Hopefully, soon we will be able to give our moms the hugs they deserve.

Everyone have a great day and THINK SPRING! And be safe, wear a mask and wash your hands.

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