Year in Review

June 7, 2017

The Red Lake County

Central High School had their Commencement Program on Friday, May 26th, with 22 students graduating. 

Despite the 49 degree temperature and the light mist falling, the Plummer Legion held its traditional Memorial Day program at the Plummer Park. The mist stopped but it didn’t get any warmer. Some thirty to forty people were gathered for the service with a few opting to view from their vehicles.

Oklee's Memorial Day program was held on May 29th, 2017 in the Red Lake County Central High School gym. Commander Rick Dulka opened the program with the Oklee American Legion Post 159 Advanced the Colors. Chaplain Don Stenberg gave the invocation, the audience accompanied by Holly Vettleson, sang “My County Tis of  Thee”. Commander Dulka introduced the speaker for this year’s program, Father Adam Hamness.

Red Lake County Rebels Track and Field Team honored its athletes with recognition on May 31st in Red Lake Falls. Ten athletes and one manager received letter awards and twenty athletes and one manager were recognized with participation certificates.

Sub Section 8A Champs for Boys Softball were: Phil Sorenson, Zach Benson, Ben Cardinal, Chase Schmitz, Josh Casavan, Brandon Klipping, Kurt Larson, Mason Hanson, Derek Peterson. Coach Chris Nelson, Brandon Wiskow, Zak Kennett, Hunter Schmitz, Ethan Vettleson, Adrien Verbout, Matt Vettleson, Austin Jensen, Coach Gary Casavan, Nate Hofstad, Coach Alex Carlson.

June 14, 2017

Pastor Margaret Jacobus will be retiring from the Oklee Lutheran Parish. Her last Sunday will be Sunday, June 18th. Being at the Oklee Lutheran Parish was Pastor Margaret’s first call parish. She was in Nebraska for one year for an internship. Pastor Margaret will be moving to Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Tanya Hanson from the Red Lake County Soil Water and Conservation District (RLC SWCD). Hanson reported there were no legislative updates on the Buffer Strips or funding for the Buffer Strips. She needed approval on 2 shoreline permits for Enbridge to work on pipes on Section 2 of Lambert Township.

Five RLC Track members going to state: (L to R) Zoe Russillo, Julia Bernstein, AJ Jones, Ashley Longtin, and MaKenzie Williams.

This Wednesday evening, the Legion and Auxiliary will be holding a meeting at the Veteran’s Park to honor veterans, living or dead. It is Flag Day, so hope everyone remembers to fly their flags. They will be having a lunch after the program. This is the time to bring a worn-out flag as the Legion will be burning them.

Melody and Dan Brustad moved on Wednesday to Big Lake, MN. They taught in Plummer for 35+and 36 years respectively. 

June 21, 2017

The Elder Awareness Fair drew many people to the Brooks Community Center on June 15th. The day started with coffee, rolls, socializing, and the chance to look at informational booths. 

It has been an exciting week in Brooks. The preparations for Father Matt Schmitz’s first Mass went into full gear. The Mass was a great success on Sunday morning. Many priests and deacons from all over the United States, and even one from Africa were here to help Matt celebrate the Word of the Lord. 

Tuesday, there was wild weather. We had about 50 mph winds and rain. Some lost trees, large branches etc. Up north 2-2 ½ inches of rain and 69 mph winds with tree and roof damage. Some places had bad hail.

Black bears have been seen in our area. A reminder about feeding birds: it can draw in bears. They are hungry and can be dangerous if they have cubs or get cornered.

The Red Lake County Red Hats met at the Lakeview Bar and Grill Restaurant in Mentor on Friday. An honored guest was present this month, Joyce Rock who was the first Queen Bee of the Red Hats. She was the one who started Red Hats in the County. She now lives in Crookston.

June 28, 2017

Marie Johnson started her internship with the Oklee Herald on Tuesday, June 6th, and will be on the job until mid-August. She will be a part of the 2017 Pohlad Internship Program. As the Herald intern, Marie will be working part-time at 20 hours a week for 10 consecutive weeks. Her duties will include office hours and attending/covering community happenings to include in each weekly paper. 

The American Legion presented the Colors at the opening ceremony for the Red Lake County Fair. Sydney Melby sang the National Anthem.

The new sign, renaming the north park is now in place. During Market Day last year Scott Sundrud and Jack Sundrud were presented with the honor of naming the Oklee North Park, the "Omar Sundrud Memorial Park".

The Office of the Registrar at the University of Minnesota Crookston recently announced its list of spring semester 2017 graduates. Graduates in the Class of 2017 included: Nicole Dudycha, of Oklee, MN (56742) earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources.

About 65 kids & others enjoyed the Wild Things Zoo Attractions program as part of the Summer Reading Program in Red Lake Falls at the Library. Several of the unusual animals included “Bingo” the dingo - a New Guinea Singing Dog, a giant tortoise, a parrot, a red baby fox with a completely white coat, and two baby alligators.

4-H Participants from Red Lake County that attended 4-H Camp are Harmonee Buckholtz, Emma Knott, Quinnlyn Kenfield, Kaydon Kenfield (4-H Camp Counselor), Jacob Harmoning, Coby Knott, and Sharon Weiss (4-H Program Coordinator). The 4-H Members from Red Lake County attend the Sand Hill Lake 4-H Camp near Fosston, MN. 0n June 11-12, 2017. 

Iona Berry was honored with a 90th Birthday celebration, put on by her children, Donald and Suellen along with grandchildren and others who did a bang-up job planning the party. A large crowd gathered at the community hall. Iona reported it was not only a birthday party, but it was joined in with a Berg semi-annual reunion.

Wow, what a cold weekend. Sweatshirts and jackets were the norm for almost everyone. At an appreciation picnic on Saturday and with the cold north wind blowing plates away and the cold weather, it was no fun to sit and visit with friends and neighbors. It was a good time to stay home and snuggle in a blanket.