The fall colors are painting our community with beautiful gold, red, orange and yellow leaves. The changes make us feel excited about getting outside to get that last-minute yardwork completed or to just take a walk with family and friends on the Munger Trail in Carlton. Halloween will be here before we know it.

To celebrate the day, the Carlton Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Downtown Trick or Treat in Carlton. Businesses and organizations will be setting up booths on the main street of Carlton, and giving out treats to all the ghosts and goblins from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. There is also a scarecrow contest open to community members and businesses. For more information about the Carlton Chamber and events, go to http://www.carltonchamber.com.

For 30-plus years, Harold Ankrum has been spearheading fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year Harold and his many volunteers and sponsors held three events to raise money for St. Jude: Four Corners for St. Jude, raising $10,000; Harold’s Golf Fiasco scramble, $28,000; and Harold’s Hog Roast, $3,600. A donation of $40,000 will be made to the St. Jude Hospital. Harold thanks all the volunteers for their help and dedication to St. Jude fundraisers. Thank you to all of the members of the community and surrounding area for their donations and support. And good news for those of us who missed the pancake breakfast — it will be back in 2022.

The Carlton VFW Auxiliary and Post 2962 “dream garage/rummage sale” was a huge success. The sale grossed $8,556.94, thanks to the many shoppers who found wonderful treasures to take home. A big thank-you to all the volunteers who helped collect donations, set up the sale and took care of the many customers. Your help and dedication were very much appreciated. The VFW had the opportunity to pay it forward. Many of the items that did not sell were donated to other organizations: jewelry was donated to Inter-Faith Care Center memory care; books were given to St. Michael’s Catholic Church; bedding and blankets were sent to the Churches United in Ministry for the homeless; and the Pine Habilitation and Supported Employment (PHASE) program in Sandstone, which supports disabled individuals and prepares donated items to be delivered to area thrift stores. Next year’s sale is Sept. 9-10, 2022. If you would like to donate items, contact Linda at 218-428-0496. Donations will be accepted next spring.

The Carlton High School blood drive is Friday, Oct. 29, starting at 7:30 a.m. Contact Denise at 218-384-4225 for more information or set up an appointment.

The Ladies of the Kaleva sponsors a pannukakku (Finnish pancake) breakfast Monday, Oct. 11 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 Fifth St. N. in Carlton. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy some Finnish pancakes and sausage. $8 adult, $4 kids. Proceeds toward scholarship fund.

The Carlton Wellness Center in Carlton is open for those who want to get in shape for the holidays or want to keep those muscles and joints in motion. Hours: 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. Day passes are available for $10. The Wellness Center is now offering massages; for more information or to set up an appointment, call 218-340-4885.

For information about the Oldenburg House bed and breakfast and scheduled events, visit http://www.oldenburghouse.com or http://www.oacc.us.

Local churches are back to in-person services: The River’s Edge Church (formerly J.M. Paine Memorial Presbyterian Church) 10 a.m. service; Bethesda Lutheran Church, 9 a.m. service; St. Francis Church, Saturday Mass 4 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday and Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m.

Events from our neighbors in Moose Lake include cribbage 12-3 p.m. Tuesdays at Senior Dining Moose Lake and 1-4 p.m. at Caribou Coffee. All welcome. Bring boards and cards in case extra is needed. Questions, email Rita at [email protected] or call 218-485-8727. Must be fully vaccinated to attend.

The Carlton toy drive will be happening again this year. We will be working with the Carlton VFW Auxiliary, and the focus is on helping veterans and their families in need. The collection boxes will

be out mid-November to mid-

December. Please keep the toy drive in mind while you are out shopping. Your generous donations will be greatly appreciated.

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