Carlton happenings

I hope everyone had a happy Valentine’s Day. As I recall, in Miss Otteson’s first-grade classroom we would get a brown paper lunch bag to decorate with hearts, construction paper and artwork to hang on our desks or in a special place in the classroom. On Valentine’s Day my classmates and I would put a card in each of the bags. Most of the cards were purchased at the local Ben Franklin Store in Cloquet, and addressed to each classmate. Toward the end of the day, each class in the Garfield Elementary School would have a party with treats and time to look at the special Valentine cards. It was always a special day for my classmates and myself.

Veterans interested in joining the Carlton VFW Post 2962 and/or the Carlton VFW Auxiliary, contact the VFW at 218-384-3794. Please consider becoming a part of this community organization. Check out bingo on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., and the meat raffle on Fridays at 6 p.m. The Nicholson-Sellgren Auxiliary is offering two $500 Johnson/St. Maine scholarships. Contact Cecelia Anderson, 2111 County Road 4, Carlton MN 55718, or call 218-393-0589 for more information.

The Carlton VFW post is at 124 Chestnut Ave.

City of Carlton council meetings are at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. The public is welcome to attend. Contact the City of Carlton at 218-384-4229 for more information.

If you are interested in serving on the Carlton Area Public Library board, contact Bethany at 218-940-5831 for more information, or stop in at the library at 310 Chestnut Ave. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Monday, 1-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Learn a craft at Present Wednesdays, 2:45-5 p.m. every Wednesday until the end of the school year. There are also take-and-make projects that can be picked up and taken home.

Four Seasons Sports Complex & Event Center board meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month at the Four Seasons Complex. The public is welcome to attend. The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 21. Check out the schedule of events at http://www.carltonhockey.net. The complex and event center is available for small or large events. Contact me at 218-310-6065, for more information.

Open skate is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting after school, to 4:45 p.m. Family open skating is available to the general public from 2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. most Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Sundays. Open hockey is 12:30-2:30 p.m. most Saturdays. Helmets are required for everyone. The Four Seasons Complex is at 90 Chestnut Ave.

The Carlton Hockey Association is looking for used skates and hockey equipment. Equipment should be slightly used and in good condition. Contact Danielle, 218-590-1569 or Leola, 218-310-6065.

For information on Carlton Community Education classes and community events, contact Daisy at [email protected] or call 218-384-4225, ext. 213.

The Carlton Area Lions meet at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays at Carlton VFW. Dinner is served. Contact Betsy Anderson at 218-255-5457 for more information. The next Lions Burger Night is 5-7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Carlton VFW.

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

Volunteers wanted: The Bethesda Mat Makers are still making plastic mats out of clean plastic shopping bags for those in need. They meet 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Carlton. Contact Mary Saarela for instructions to work from home. Bring bag donations to Northwoods Credit Union in Moose Lake and Cloquet, and Bethesda Lutheran Church. Contact Mary Saarela, 218-393-2693.

Bethesda Lutheran Church collects brown paper grocery bags for a nonprofit thrift store; new greeting cards for residents at Inter-Faith Care Center, Carlton Place and Pineview Apartments to use. Contact Stephanie Erickson-Russell, 218-384-4501.

The Bethesda meatball supper will be held 2:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Takeout available. Tickets available in advance at the door.

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

“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.” ~ Albert Camus