2020 Year In Review...

May 13: 

RLCC Commencement is set for Friday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the HS gym in Oklee. Except for it isn’t. “We have spent a number of weeks in trying to plan for just how a Graduation ceremony might play out,” states Randy Pederson, RLCC HS Principal.

Ross Arlt from Plummer was surprised for this 40th birthday on April 30th when three fire trucks and many friends did a drive by birthday surprise for him.

Mother's Day is a little different with Covid-19 being here. Many were not able to get together with their mothers or daughters due to this. So across the country, many were visiting via phone calls or video chatting.

The weather has been cool but it should be warming up now this coming week. Looking forward to the warmth of the sun and the furnace not running.

May 20:

Red Lake County Central High School’s Class of 2020 will have their “curbside” Diploma Presentation starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22. The 29 Graduates and their parents will be lining up east and north of the school prior to the start of the ceremony. Cones with pictures of the Graduates will be in alphabetical order at designated positions for the cars to be on the ready for the presentation.

There was no American Legion Memorial Day presentation so the Honor Roll of names was in the paper.

At the April 14th board meeting, Red Lake County Board Chairman, Al Remick, recognized Nancy Amberson, County Assessor, for 40 years of service and acknowledged her retirement effective April 3, 2020. Nancy received an etched clock for her 40 years of service.

Some of the farmers have been seeding this past week such as wheat and corn. The rainfall was minimal which helped for those that were seeding.

May 27:

On Sunday, May 17, Salem Church held a drive thru reception for their high school graduates, Sidney Olson and Sophia Linder. The short program was held outside on the north side of the church while folks stayed in their cars or near them, keeping in mind the social distancing of the day.

At the May 8th Red Lake County Commissioner Board Meeting, Shelly Nelson was sworn in as the County Assessor.

On a beautiful Friday night, May 22nd, the Red Lake County Graduates were led through Oklee after receiving their diplomas from Principal Randy Pederson and taking a photo with their parents in front of the RLCC School sign in front of the High School. Afterwards the headed to Plummer. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

There is no party to attend, the the children of Norman & Ione Nelson wished them a Happy 65th and encouraged people to wish them a happy Anniversary.

On Thursday the 13th, there was a surprise birthday parade for Wavell Sorenson's 80th. Her daughters Sheila and Becky passed out doughnuts and cupcakes while cars passed through the yard.

June 3:

Plummer American Legion hosted Memorial Day 2020 with some new twists because of the Covid19 pandemic. The location was changed from the park as in past years to Main Street. The program was presented in the open space to the east of the Legion Club. Audience members sat on benches, chairs or vehicles on the other side of the street, each family social distancing from others.

June is bursting. The trees are blooming especially the flowering crabs. They are so beautiful this year and so are all the flowering trees. The blossoms are why we plant them and bring joy every time I see them. Many people have had time this year, so I will admire the gardening they did this year. 

Some churches have opened up after so many weeks of closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Governor Tim Walz announced on May 20th the phases in his Stay Safe Plan, including a cautious, strategic turn of the dial to allow limited outdoor dining at restaurants and bars starting June 1, 2020. The Governor also announced that salons and barbershops will be allowed to open June 1 at 25 percent occupancy to ensure the safety of both the employees and the customers inside.

June 10:

Leona Eleanor Christianson's family encouraged people to drive by her home honking and waving to wish her a happy 100th Birthday on June 15th.

Summer weather is here and it came in like a bang It seems we never get a gradual warming up of our area. It is cold and the snow is here and then we get a cold spring, and then bang, it's hot & humid.

I think we got enough rain now too, but more is predicted until Wednesday. Hope it decides to miss our area. Farmers and gardeners are now delayed until the fields and gardens dry up.

Wilma Arlt celebrated her 94th birthday on May 28th, Friday. Mary and Lee Arlt, Cindy and Lowell, Gary and Cindy Arlt came as well as some grandchildren. They had lunch and birthday cake.

What a storm last night. We were lucky that all we need to pick up is branches but I am sure others are busy with even more work. Another storm is predicted. It hit at about 10:20 pm. The wind howled for about 10 minutes which seems an interminable time when you are in it. Maybe this will settle the weather once it is all over. Sure do not care for all the windy days.

June 17:

The RLCC Girls Basketball Team recently presented their team awards: HUSTLE AWARD: Brandie DeHate - MOST IMPROVED: Cari Bachand - FREE THROW PCT AWARD: Kia Bachand-73%/Calyssa Eskeli-74% - CO-MVP: Jenna Pahlen and Kia Bachand - TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Jenna Pahlen - MUSTANG PRIDE AWARD: Sidney Olson and Calyssa Eskeli - SENIOR AWARDS: Presented to Sophie Linder--Manager, Jenna Pahlen, Calyssa Eskeli, Brandie

Over 3 inches of rain hit the area for a number of days with cold temperatures in the 60's. The Lost River was not over the banks, but it was close. 

Things are rather quiet around the area but things are starting to open up. Unfortunately, the numbers of Covid are going up also, sometimes quite fast. That is what many states are experiencing and some have started to pull back some, trying to keep the number low.

Continued Next week...