Year in Review....

December 5: December 13th is the day for fun with the Holiday Train coming to Plummer with musical show featuring The Trews and Willy Porter.

The American Legion Auxiliary met on November 27 at the Oklee Hall for their annual Christmas Potluck Luncheon and to bag candy for Santa Day. Shirley Dessellier made four nice lap robes and Oklee Quilting did the stitching. They will be presented to the Fargo VA hospital to be given to veterans who are patients there.

The 10th grade students of Red Lake County Central High School made biome projects for their biology class.

Many students from area schools in grades fifth through eighth were chosen to attend the annual Creativity Festival at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, MN

Red Lake County Central Student Council hosted the 2018 Northwest Division Fall Summit. This year 16 schools took part in the summit, consisting of 283 students and 23 advisors. Students took part in group discussions on the topics of fundraising, interacting with younger students, communication, homecoming, helping the community, returning to school from the summer, and suicide prevention in the roundtables.

It is colder than usual this year but the snow isn’t that bad right now. Who knows what could happen yet before the holidays.

December 12: Red Lake County Central School Readiness classes from both Oklee and Plummer took a field trip to the Peatland Red Potato Company. It is a potato farm and wash plant located north of Gully. There was a lot to see and learn about potatoes. Each child brought home a “HUGE” potato from Peatland Reds.

The custom of burning the Yule Log goes back to, and before, medieval times. It was originally a Nordic tradition. Yule is the name of the old Winter Solstice festivals in Scandinavia and other parts of northern Europe, such as Germany.

Saturday, December 1, Mustang wrestlers attended the Alfred Olson Memorial Invitational in Fosston. The Mustangs had four placing varsity wrestlers, each wrestling in four different classes.

The Red Lake County Rebels beat the Fisher-Climax Knights 74-64 in their first game of the year. In the first half the Rebels outscored the Knights 34-27, and in the second half the Rebels again outscored the Knights 40-37.

The weather has been super and promises to be nice all week. It is not hot by any means but above the donut is okay. The other shoe will drop eventually but this is a nice respite before the real cold sets in.

December 19: A retirement party for Red Lake County Commissioner’s David Sorensen and John Lerohl was held December 11th. Both Commissioners served Red Lake County from 2007-2018.

Red Lake County Board Chairman, Dave Sorensen, recognizing employees at the December 11th board meeting for their years of service with Red Lake County. There were: 

Mike LaCoursiere- 5 years, County Attorney; Kevin Brevik- 25 years, Deputy; Dave Sorensen and Angie Lundeen-5 years, Human Resources, Teddi-Ann Pray- 10 years, Social Worker; Penny Grove-25 years, Social Services, Holly Crandall-5 years, Chief Deputy Auditor, Kristi Nelson- 5 years, Social Services Director; Ben Largis- 10 years, Dispatch Leader; Kelly Brekke- 10 years, Deputy; and Mary Jo Schmitz- 15 years, Social Worker.

The Huot Hustlers 4-H club held their annual Christmas party with the residents of Sunview Center in Red Lake Falls on December 9th at 1:00 pm. There were five members, five guests, and five adults present. The residents and 4-H members decorated felt wreaths, stars, and Christmas stockings with various decorations including pom-poms, buttons, stickers, and bells. They also made pom-pom penguins.

Can you believe this weather? Keep it up Mother Nature. It has shortened the winter considerably. Yes we had some snow last week and also has melted a good share of it too. With the warmer temps though be very hesitant to go ice fishing right now. The ice is very iffy as to its strength and ability to hold up under foot. 

December 26: CP Railroad Holiday Train personnel presented a check for $4500 to Catherine Johnson from Inter-County Community Council for local food shelves in the area. Also on stage was Plummer Mayor Jim DuChamp.

The Holiday Train was a huge turnout in town, 800-1000 people. The music was nice and lively. The people enjoyed eating at the Hall. Also many toured the Tri River Pioneer Museum. Eric Mickelson sang Christmas Carols and played the guitar. The many cars on the train were so pretty.

The Sharon Rosten family (Tracy, Catherine and Aaron along with their father Byron) donated their mother’s children’s books at the Holiday Train celebration.

Dave Person received a plaque for his 12 years of service to the Red Lake County Central Board of Education.

Jody Duden was recognized by the Minnesota School Board Association with a Leadership Development Certificate of Accomplishment for completing Phase I, II and III trainings.

RLCC Mustang, Kia Bachand, was named to the all-tournament team after the NCTC Girls’ Basketball Tournament the week of December 10-15.

The Red Lake County Mustangs played the Fosston Greyhounds at Fosston on Monday, December 17th. The Mustangs won by a score of 52-44.

Yesterday was the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. We are fortunate to have such nice weather lately. It will make the winter go faster. Today we woke up to snow falling down. Maybe the snow is welcome for the snowmobilers.