2019 Year in Review...

July 3, 2019

At the Snorre Lodge in TRF, a program about the Setesdal Laget was held. It began like this...The Sons of Norway was organized as a fraternal benefit society by 18 Norwegian immigrants in Minneapolis, MN on January 16, 1895. This fraternal benefit society meant Norwegian immigrants had an opportunity to band together to help each other out in emergencies (a type of insurance), to help in the adjustment of moving to this country, to provide social activities, but also to RETAIN their Norwegian customs and heritage...Bjorgulv Bjornaraa is credited with being the backbone of the early Setesdals Lag.

Dave Olson, long time Oklee resident, returned from Arizona this spring with a passion for the game of pickleball, and a willingness to share that passion with others by teaching the game to anyone interested in learning the rules. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. 

We didn’t get much rain, only a little over a half inch for the weekend. But we are thankful that we did get that. The bears are out in force lately. 

July 10, 2019

There was lots of Seniors playing Bingo at the Red Lake County Fair Senior Day held in the Hall. Lots of great prizes were won. The Area on Aging served a light lunch and coffee.

Rydell Refuge had an archery blowout unit with safety arrows at the RLC Fair and people of all ages enjoyed the display.

The weather for the Fourth of July was perfect, not too hot or cold, It was sunny, and not too windy. You can’t order weather like that, it was bestowed on us.

Saturday, June 29th, was Jean Carpenter’s 95th birthday party, decorated with a Birthday Fiesta theme. Kids enjoyed the pinata’s filled with candy, even a two year old joined in.

Iona Berry had guests for a few days. Suellen and Scott from California. Scott’s class from school days was having a celebration. 

July 17, 2019

The American Legion Honor Guard was in the Plummer 4th Parade and is a wonderful service to military families. They go to military funerals to honor their fallen comrades with the American flags flying behind them.

Many Grand Champions were pictured in the Oklee Herald this week: Sidney Olson, Grand Champion in Photography, Fine Arts, Clothing Construction, Indoor Gardening, Quilts; Reserve Champion in Clothes You Buy, Fashion Revue, Child and Family Development, and Food Preservation and Kendra Rondorf, Grand Champion in Food and Nutrition, Fine Arts, Performing Arts; Reserve Champion in Food and Nutrition, Arts and Crafts, Photography, and Needle Arts, just two of the many kids participating.

The Huot Hustler’s 4-H Club performed their Share the Fun skit at the Red Lake County Fair. The title of the skit was “A 4-H Made For Me.” They were able to perform their skit at the Minnesota State Fair on August 28th.

The Class of 1979 gathered on the weekend of July 6-7 and had a great time reminiscing. Pictured were: Jeff Stenberg, Jackie (Solien) Edinger, Dave Olson, Keith Swenson, Scott Spong, Guy Mathson, Kevin Koralewski,Joe Parenteau, Mary (Cyr) Allton, John Radniecki, Anita (Hanson) Vettleson. Glenda (Rustan) Strand, Lynette (Bruggeman) Haugen, Toni (Flatgard) Johnson, Linda (Dessellier) Roisland, Mark Fournier, Greg Parenteau, and Zach Fore.

It is a hot day but the rain has stopped for a while. We needed the rain, but it came in such a large dose at one time.

July 24, 2019

On July 9, the Chester Township board gathered for the monthly meeting and also said goodbye to one of the township board members, Ambrose Beaudoin. Beaudoin was presented a plaque in recognition & appreciation of his 40 years of dedicated service as Chairman to Chester Township from 1979 to 2019. 

Clayton Larson’s family reunion was on Saturday, the 13th. They got together at Tri-River museum. Clayton’s youngest brother came earlier in the week to visit. He wasn’t able to be here for the family reunion. He lives in Washington.

July 31, 2019

Josie and Randy Myhre received recognition for being the Red Lake County Farm Family of the Year. Randy grew up farming with his father, Duane. While still in high school Randy recognized his desire to live his life farming and in 1978 he started renting his own land. Over the years, his operation grew with the help of his wife, Josie, and their children, along with Randy’s dad, brother and uncle. Currently, the Myhres farm 1,600 acres.

The Oklee Pickleball Club is planning a round robin tournament to be held during Oklee Market Day, Saturday, August 10th.

The Red Lake County Rebels boys varsity basketball team continues to have success in tournaments this summer. They took second in the Fergus Falls Tournament.

At the 4-H Awards Show on Sunday, June 30th, Paige Olson, Grace Smith, Quinnly Kenfield and Sydney Olson modeled their 4-H clothing projects. 

The Cote family reunion in Red Lake Falls was held a week ago and it was great to see many of the cousins where fun and family stories and histories were shared.