Carlton Happenings

Welcome back to all the students attending Carlton schools on Tuesday, Sept. 5. We are excited for our kids, and remember how we felt on that first day of grade school or junior high way back when. I wish all of the students a wonderful and successful year.

The Carlton community has a long academic history. The citizens of the Village of Carlton petitioned for a school on Sept. 18, 1871, which became District No. 2. A small wooden structure was built, and one teacher, Miss Flora Lafan, was hired. Eventually, two more teachers were added, but in 1895 the school burned down. A new two-story building was constructed, and in 1907 it also burned down. By 1908, a two-story red brick building was built and five teachers were hired. This school also burned down, on Feb. 16, 1915, due to faulty electrical wiring in the basement. At the time the school was being fumigated because of a scarlet fever scare, which did not have anything to do with the fire. A new three-story brick school was constructed in less than a year, and ready for students by January 1916, at a cost of $42,000. A portion of this school still remains, and a modern addition was added in 1969 that is still in use today, according to Francis M. Carroll in his “Carlton Chronicles” book.

The 24th annual Carlton memorial scholarship golf scramble is Sept. 16 at Big Lake Golf Resort. Call Big Lake Golf at 218-879-4734 to sign up.

Other happenings

The Carlton VFW Auxiliary’s Gigantic Garage Sale fundraiser is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9. Donations can be made by contacting Linda at 218-428-0496. No clothing or shoes, please.

City of Carlton council meetings are at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. The public is welcome.

Lions Burger Night is back. Friday, Sept. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Carlton VFW.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association-Carlton County banquet is Sept. 20 at the Four Seasons Complex.

Downtown Carlton Trick or Treat is 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. For the communitywide scarecrow contest, design and display your scarecrow by noon on Oct. 28.

Regular events

Carlton VFW Post 2962 — Veterans interested in joining the Carlton VFW Post 2962 and/or the Carlton VFW Auxiliary, contact the VFW at 218-384-3794. Check out bingo on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and the meat raffle on Fridays at 6 p.m.

Four Seasons Sports Complex & Event Center public board meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at the Four Seasons Complex. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 20. The Four Seasons also collects aluminum cans in the trailer on the south side of the complex.

Needed

Bethesda Lutheran Church Collecting for a Cause: pop tops off aluminum cans for Ronald McDonald House, brown paper grocery bags for a nonprofit thrift store, and new greeting cards for Inter-Faith Care Center, Carlton Place and Pineview Apartments for residents to use. Contact Stephanie Erickson-Russell at 218-384-4501.

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