Clearwater County Fair Outstanding Senior Citizens named at the fair
Tue, 08/07/2018 - 9:37am
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Two people were honored at the Clearwater County Fair last Saturday morning. These two names will be entered into the State Outstanding Senior Citizen award competition. They will be recognized for their service at the award ceremony at the State Fairgrounds on Senior Day August 21, 2018.
The two names that were announced were James “Jim” Cairns and Crystal Schmitz.
Crystal Schmitz.
Crystal Schmitz was gainfully employed in 1960 at the Court House working for County Assessor John Hulteen and later for County Attorney Aurel Ekvall. She later worked at the Clearwater County Memorial Hospital in the Finance Office. She retired in 1998, and then became a “Full Time Volunteer.”
Volunteering was important to her and now at the age of 85, Crystal is still actively volunteering in so many projects that make her community a “Better Place to Live.” She is like the “Ever Ready Bunny.”
At Faith Lutheran Church, Crystal is active as an usher, greeter, WELCA, the Naomi Circle, the Prayer Shawl project, Thursday Bible Study, The Banner committee and loves to bring fresh flowers for the altar on Sunday morning. She has served on the Church Council, was Head Usher, and is currently in charge of table decorations with her good friend, Marge. Crystal is the first one to volunteer to bring pails of her special potato salad for the food stand at the County Fair plus serving WELCA funerals, pastoral conferences, NELL programs at Faith, the fall Festival suppers and auctions, Cluster 4 meetings, and other Service Group events. When “Fashions of the Centuries” style show was given to the Community she had saved trunks of high fashion and found perfect models to walk down the fashion run-way. It was a success that the All School Reunion Committee requested a “Second Performance” during the next summer event.
The Bagley Senior Center has benefited from Crystal’s volunteerism in delivering “Meals On Wheels” baking and serving desserts at the Fall Festival Smorgasbords, the Valentine Sweetheart Dinners, the Rib Fests, the Signature Pie auctions, Saturday Breakfasts and many other fund raisers.
Crystal possesses a natural talent for decorating. Special projects have included the Clearwater County Memorial Hospital, Faith Lutheran Church plus her own home and now her condo. Her biggest project was to organize and chair the Bagley Beautification Board entitled “Bagley in Bloom” in 2000. As a member of the Bagley Tuesday Study Club, Crystal gained the cooperation of the Rotary and Lions clubs, the Banks; the City Council and the support of the Legion and individuals to “Make Bagley a Destination and not just a Drive Thru.” The Study Club entered this “Bagley in Bloom” project in the Minnesota for Community Improvement Contest. With its merit and success they won First Prize in the General Federations of Women’s Clubs in America in 2002. Today everyone appreciates the many hanging baskets, and several planters that grace the Bagley area which was spearheaded by Crystal.
Crystal is a true humanitarian. She is happy to drive cancer patients to their chemotherapy treatments in Bemidji or patients to eye appointments in St. Cloud or Fargo. She has shared hundreds of casseroles, soups, baked goodies and often times entire meals to many neighbors, friends or those who are struggling at home. The Schmitz “taxi” has provided rides to church, airports, or appointments for so many who can no longer drive. She is a true volunteer, who continues to give and expects nothing in return.
James R. Cairns
Jim is a gentleman of many talents ranging from cooking, gardening, farming, teaching, carpentry, painting and being a mechanic. This humble servant is very versatile. He can go from his mechanical duties to being a hospitable, dignified waiter decked out in a white shirt and black bow tie. When there is a job that needs to be done that requires manual labor, tools and hours of volunteering, Jim Cairns is always there. He is a “People Person.” Today at age 79, Jim continues his “Way of Life” as a volunteer in Clearwater County and beyond.
Just a few weeks ago the landscaping at Faith Lutheran Church needed up-grading. Out of the blue, Jim arrives with his tools, pickup and trailer willing to work. Trimming trees with his chain saw, clearing and mulching. He was a vital part of this volunteer beautification team.
James Cairns came to Bagley in 1964, as a junior high Science teacher. His students were active in the Regional and State Science Fair. During many of those years he also coached Cross Country, with his teams doing very well. He taught his team the true meaning of sportsmanship, yet having fun competing.
Jim has a vivid and on-going hobby of collecting and restoring Ford tractors. He readily shares his knowledge and helps other collectors from Minnesota and other states. In 2014, he received the Outstanding Tractor Display from the Ford/Fordson National Organization.
In August, Jim volunteers many days or weeks at the Lake Itasca Regional Pioneer Farmers show. He is a member of the Board of Directors and an active participant. His volunteering is ongoing before and after the show. His greatest joy is sharing his collection of tractors for visitors to see and appreciate.
Jim’s wife, Joanna, was also a young English teacher, and director of theater in the Bagley School system. Jim and his committee spent hundreds of volunteer hours building numerous stage sets for school and community productions., All-school Reunions always included a musical production. Following Joanna’s untimely death, Jim immersed himself even more into his life of volunteering and helping others. His talents are still very much appreciated and ongoing at the Bagley Senior Center, Faith Lutheran Church, Good Shepherd Church in Clearbrook, Clearwater County Fair, Bagley American Legion Post #16. Veterans Day Programs, cemetery flags, serving Meals on Wheels and the Lake Itasca show.
James Cairns is a loving and caring father to three sons, Tony, Steve and Ross and daughter Shawna. His entire life revolves around his family, his church, his community and Clearwater County.