Eagle scratches from 2017

(July-December, continued from last week.)

July – Centennial keepsakes made by Betsy Saurdiff. The Rychlock boys were in it to win it, placing 1st for their age group in a tractor pull at ‘Back to the 50’s’ car show. ‘Behind the Scenes’ with the Grygla Eagle, Grygla Post Office and Grygla Lion’s Club. Northwood Church holds annual picnic. Garden Valley Education Foundation awards school technology grants, including Goodridge and Grygla Schools. Goodridge Summer Reading program holds many fun family activities. Youngsters attend numerous church, music and sport camps. Mavis Olson retires from the Skime store. Vandals destroy fencing on private property and Sem WMA in Marshall County. Goodridge Freedom Festival brings art and entertainment to our area. Gatzke All-School reunion is held at the Bruce and Diane Lunsetter residence. The 26th Annual Grygla Open is held at Oakcrest Golf Course in Roseau. Marshall County Fair is another success! Back Behind the Barn Boys: Part 1, The Early Years. Mike Mickelson performs in “The Boys Next Door” at NCTC in TRF. Goodridge 4H members enter projects at the Pennington County Fair, while Grygla 4H members enter items at the Roseau County Fair. Grygla organizations benefit from over $94,000 in Beltrami County Con-Con funds. 

August – An inside look into the Goodridge Historical Society and what they do. The “Because I can” project is a wonderful heartfelt way one local family turned a tragic situation into an amazing organization. Grygla Library hosts author Elisa Korenne at a book and ballad event. “Robert the Magician” puts on a show at the Grygla Library. Summer basketball league comes to an end. Anthony Loken, participating in summer Acceleration, sets a new school record in the deadlift with 570 lbs. Logan Tinnes shares his month-long European adventure with the Grygla Eagle. A rare snowmobile makes its way back to Gatzke after 25 years. Grygla Library hosts Jared Sherlock, professional magician and illusionist. Carter Torgerson and Charlie Olson won 1st place and $500 for biggest catfish caught during the EGF “Cats Incredible.”Alicia Osse, Christian Loken and Blake Rychlock complete their School Patrol Captain training at Legionville, north of Brainerd. Local newspapers celebrate 150 years of community! Back Behind the Barn Boys: Part 2, The Later Years. Doris Cleven and Harold Klamar celebrate August Senior Birthdays. Grygla Fire & Rescue stay busy putting together 85 commemorative benches for the Grygla Centennial. Grygla resident, Lolit Neuschwander, becomes US Citizen. Two Goodridge alumnae, Ashley Nerhus and Amy Halvorson, combine lifelong friendship and professional expertise by running the TRF Chamber of Commerce together. Grygla Senior Citizens take a trip to Itasca State Park and climb aboard the Chester Charles II for a river cruise. Grygla Library hosts “Wild Things Zoo Attraction!” 100 years and counting…a weekend-long celebration is held for the Grygla Centennial! 

September – Ralph Lee, 80, loses life in accident on his farm. School begins, in addition to the Chargers football and volleyball season! Saphire’s Courage tour includes a stop at the Goodridge School. Congressman Collin Peterson attends annual Fourtown/Grygla Sportsman’s Club picnic. Andrew Sundberg and Jana Nelson begin teaching at the Grygla School. Amber Sundberg and Tomas Loberg begin teaching at the Goodridge School. Locals join in the fun by banding ducks at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge. 17th Annual Saddle Up for St. Jude event at Bemis Hill. Shantel Verbout named MCAC North, Hitter of the Week. Alison Satre named MCAC North, Defensive Player of the Week. Nearly 100 years later, John Franzman’s altars are still in use today. Grygla Coop mural painted in Hallock. LYO plays a big part in our small community. Grygla High School crowns Clayton Irlbeck and Trystan Jelle as their 2017 Homecoming King and Queen. Goodridge High School crowns Ben Groven and Kendra Jensen as their 2017 Homecoming King and Queen.

October – Saphire’s Courage tour includes a stop at the Grygla School. Daniel Polansky in his 5th and final year with the Bison herd. Area youth celebrate National 4H Week. Gary Miller, Goodridge, has an impressive display of vintage gas pumps. Chief Master Sargent Mitch Johnson is in his 29th year of service in the United States Air Force – he presented an American Flag to the Grygla High School that flew over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Folks enjoy exploring Agassiz during National Wildlife Refuge week. Karen Longtin and Leland Thomas celebrate September Senior Birthdays. Grygla Merchants grill out for their annual tailgate party. Many attend the annual Lutefisk supper in Grygla. The Jensen Sisters and Jordynn Johnsrud, all young musicians from Goodridge, have a busy performance schedule around the area. Erin Monson and Megan Thompson receive scholarships as part of the 2015 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant. In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, Smokey Bear visited the Grygla Kindergarten room and the Grygla Fire Department visited for ECFE family night. Shantel Verbout reaches 500 kill with the Northland Pioneer Volleyball team. Officer Kyle Lusignan is part of the Fridley Police Department and was selected to be a canine handler. Kids around the area have a successful youth-hunt weekend! Volleyball “Pink Out” night benefits four Charger family members. Marlyn Sistad celebrated October Senior Birthdays.

November – Grygla High School awards five students (Bailey Watne, Minnesota Mile; Maci Bakken, HOBY; Lucian Tinnes/Abby Kiesow, ExCEL; Lucian Tinnes, Boys State; Abby Kiesow, Girls State; Alaina Monson, AAA). Veteran’s Day programs are held at both the Grygla and Goodridge Schools. A special Veteran’s Day article: Wally Byklum’s time in service coincides with major historic events. CP Holiday Train to make a stop in TRF. The Fall Sports Banquet for athletes/families is held. American State Bank makes $1000.00 donation to the Grygla/Gatzke Food Shelf. Chargers basketball jamborees kick off the 2017-2018 season. Many impressive bucks shot around the Goodridge/Grygla/Gatzke area this hunting season. Iron Chargers receive invite to State Robotics competition. Grygla and Goodridge Schools recognize American Education Week. Holiday craft and vendor shows are a hit at the Grain Bin Café and Yo-Hawn’s. Hilda Rue celebrated her 100th birthday. 

December – Grygla Jaycees plan Santa day, chili cook-off and Bingo night. Many families attend annual Santa Day in Goodridge. Partners for Fish and Wildlife program holds informational meeting in Grygla for private landowners. The Jensen Sisters travel to Tennessee to perform a Christmas Show at the Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. Betty Ostby, Gloria Sistad, Ernie Isum and Loren Lusignan celebrate November/December Senior Birthdays. Grygla ECFE holds Christmas supper for families. Grygla Lion’s Club prepares a large spread and delivers meals for their yearly Christmas Eve dinner. Many donors show up for the Holiday Blood Drive at the Grygla Community Center. Grygla K-12 students take in a movie infused with kindness and acceptance. Longtime Machinewell employees are given service awards at their holiday party. Eva Hest, Rease Stratton and Billy Wikert are the winners in the American State Bank Christmas drawing. It’s been 14 years now that “The Grinch” (Bryan Grove from American State Bank) has read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to the Preschoolers and Kindergartners at the Grygla Elementary School. The generosity of others makes Marshall County Christmas projects possible.