Carlton Happenings

There are only 25 days until Christmas Day, when families will get together for fun, food and presents. I remember how excited my brother, sister and I were to see the presents we got. For weeks we would look at the “Wish Book” (Sears and Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogs), choosing all the gifts we wanted Santa to bring us on Christmas Eve. Of course, we were happy with any presents we received.

Our Christmas celebration really started between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the Wood Conversion (Conwed, now USG) Christmas party was held at the high school, and every child of an employee was given a gift, a goodie stocking of candy and nuts, and an apple or orange. It was so exciting. My sister still has her Poor Pitiful Pearl Doll, and I think my Life Savers doll with the green hair may be hiding in my attic somewhere.

In days gone by, the Carlton and Cloquet communities would string lights across their main streets. It reminded me of the movie, “A Wonderful Life.” Many people didn’t decorate outside like we do now. Instead, people would put their decorated trees in the front window for everyone to see. They also used a lot of tinsel, like my Grandma Kemi. They did not have electricity, and that was one way to make the tree sparkle. She would carefully save it from year to year.

Now I decorate outside with lighted reindeer, and trees that blink, decorated with blue and other-colored lights. I admit some of the indoor Christmas decorations are up all year long.

• Shop and eat at the annual Christmas bazaar 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 204 Fifth St., Carlton. Enjoy lunch, lefse, baked goods, craft table, next-to-new, and silent auction.

• Christmas lunch with Santa from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Carlton VFW.

• Remember to help fill the toy collection boxes located at local businesses in Carlton. The 29th annual Toys for Carlton Area Kids drive runs through Dec. 8. The following Carlton businesses and organizations will be collecting toys for kids ages 17 years and under: Carlton VFW, City of Carlton, Carlton Wellness Center, Thrivent Financial, Carlton Meat & Grocery, CreativEdge Designs, South Terrace Elementary School, Carlton High School, Inter-Faith Care Center and Pine View Apartments. Donations of hats, mittens, scarves and gift cards are also welcomed.

Other events

• The Four Season Events Center offers an open skate after school to 4:45 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, 2:45 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Helmets required. Open hockey is 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Helmets required for open skate and hockey.

• Classes coming up with Carlton Community Education include yoga, pickleball, painting with Nana’s Paint Nook, and board sign creations. Email [email protected] or call 218-384-4225, ext. 213 for more.

• Learn a new craft 2:45-5 p.m every Wednesday at the Carlton Public Library.

• Cooking at the O’ returns to the Oldenburg House December 29-30 featuring Andrew Walesch, and Dec. 31 with Jason Peterson DeLaire. For more, visit http://www.oldenburghouse.com or http://www.oacc.us.

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