Year In Review...

May 5, 2021

RLCC Elementary had two winners in the VFW Auxiliary Youth Art Contest. Harper Morinville received Honorable Mention ($10 prize). Violet Tvedt 1st Place Winner! Her drawing has been sent on to the District VFW Auxiliary for judging at that level.

On Monday, May 3rd, work began on the Oklee Street project. The County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 53 (1st Ave), Main Street and 2nd Ave (CSAH 22) in Oklee were reconstructed 20 years ago and are in need of reconditioning.

April Caught Being Good winners were: Brielle Reinbold, Emily Rathsack, William Mostrom, Chayton Lamb,  Marvin Stauffacher and Brooklyn Anderson.

Rebel Particpants were:  Wakely Bryl, Chase Nelson, Isiah Olson, Gerald Melin, Brody Moen, Matt Renner, Everett Svendson, Jake Duden, Carter Williams, Owen Chervestad, Connor Duden, Maverick Nelson, and Peyton O’Neil. Managers: Ella Moen & Aurimy Olson and Caden Lee.

The Red Lake County Rebels baseball team had their first game of the season against the Crookston Pirates on the 16th.

The Red Lake County Rebels track team had a meet on Tuesday April 29th, 2021 in East Grand Forks. The girls team finished 6th place overall and the boys team finished 7th place.

What a real treat we had on Sunday this week. The weather was wonderful. Not many kids get such a nice day to be receiving their first Holy Communion as did the children of St. Joseph’s of Brooks.

May 12, 2021

Quilts were on display at Salem (above) and Zion (below) that the ladies of the Oklee Lutheran Parish made this winter. They were blessed on April 25th services. They made 77 quilts and have been sent off to various places. A job well done by the ladies.

Red Lake County Rebel Boys Track and Field’s Gerald Melin broke the school record in the high jump with a jump of 6’0 on Tuesday at the Bagley Track and Field meet. The jump of 6’0 broke the previous record of 5’10 set by Ryan Melby in 1993.

Gov. Walz announced timeline for lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

Jim DuChamp from Plummer was honored for 30 years as a volunteer Firearm Safety Instructor. He has shared his passion as an outdoor sportsman, with the importance of safety to generations of young people in the area.

RLCC Elementary Students of the Month are Lily Baker (5th & 6th) Dylan Soglo (3rd & 4th).

The Red Lake Country Central Mustangs Wrestling team had two seniors. Zach Howard and Tristyn Ferguson, Zach Wrestled half the year and had to miss the second half due to an injury. Tristyn finished the season by making it past sections to advance to Super Sections, where he took 4th place. Paul DeHate was the only junior on the team. Paul made it to the section tournament but lost out.

Everyone is still waiting for rain. It is critical in many areas. I hope this changes soon. Some lawn mowers have done their first cutting. 

Hope you had a great Mother’s Day. It was a real treat to have coffee and rolls after services and to catch up on the neighborhood news. It seems that we all were ready to hear more than just the news we heard on the radio. 

May 19, 2021

The Senior Class of 2021 that attended the prom: Daniel Guillemette, Andrew Gryskiewicz, George Duden, Levi Flatgaard, Eric Gieseke, Brock Tvedt, Jeremy Kruchowski, Morgan Plante, Katie Suchy, Karena Melby, Bella Russillo, Emily Kolstoe, Gavin Galkowski, Isaiah Aquino, Trystin Ferguson, Janae Olson, Bailey Culkins, Kari Bachand, Adriel Bakken, Faith Hanson, and Brody Moen.

Frankie Latimer took over the as Red Lake County 4-H Educator and Jeff Lytle, who was the RLC 4-H Educator Interim was off on a new adventure.

Even though the CDC has announced that if you have received your last vaccination two weeks ago, you don't have to wear a mask, there will be some places that will require masks.

Red Lake County Central High School hosted its annual academic banquet on April 6, 2021. This year’s honored guest was Charity Wicks, a 1998 Oklee High School graduate who spoke to the students via video message. Ms. Wicks spoke on how having her small town education helped her achieve big dreams.

Congratulations to Chuck Simpson who has been a Plummer American Legion member for 50 years.

What beautiful weather. It seems that the fishing opener was a great success this year with warmer weather than usual and the snow stopped for the opener, unlike some other years. I hope everyone was able to fill out this year.

We still haven’t been blessed with rain this month. The clouds went over and we could see many others got showers, while we are still dry. This is the driest its been since 1895 in North Dakota and Minnesota.

It is Memorial Day weekend and a wonderful story about Harry D. Shetterly, Technician 5th Grade Medical Detachment was the feature story.

Red Lake County Central Graduation will be held Friday, May 28, 2021 at the High School in Oklee. The ceremony will honor twenty-four seniors. The Class Motto of the 2021 seniors is “Stay Positive, Test Negative.” The Class Colors are emerald green and white, and the Class Flower is a white Lily.

Local Artist Jesse Olson is inspired by nature The birds have always been calling…it just took him all these years to realize…his calling. 

The senior class recently nominated the 2021 yearbook to Suzie Gunderson on Awards Day May 12. Brody Moen presented the award to Mrs. Gunderson in front of the school. 

The Red Lake Country track team had a meet Saturday, May 15, in Thief River Falls. The girls' team finished 6th overall with 15 place winners. 

As of four p.m. on Thursday, we had one inch and 2/10ths. A very nice rain. Some of it came very fast. Now the crops will grow, and the grass will be hard to keep up with.

In Argyle they received up to 6 inches and maybe more. In Tabor the fields are under water. Northwest of us the soil is heavier and they may have problems with that much water at once. 

June 2, 2021

On a cool evening for the end of May, families and friends gathered in the Red Lake County Central High School Gymnasium, nicely decorated for this special occasion. Four pillars draped with green material and white flowers made a grand entrance for the senior class.

Karena Melby and Adriel Bakken (on guitar) performed the musical number "History" as performed by One Direction.

Essentia Health eases visitor restrictions - Beginning Thursday, May 27, two adult visitors per patient will be allowed in our clinic and hospital settings, including emergency departments. Visiting hours remain between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Arik and Andrew Johnson recently graduated from Concordia University St Paul. Arik with a B.A in Business Management and Andrew with a B.A in Finance. Parents are Jeff & Kathy Johnson of Inver Grove Heights, MN and Grandparents are Jr. & Bev Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN.

6th Grade students promoted to 7th grade were: Brandon Steinkopf, Thor Thompson, Benji Bramer, Jett Hanson, Alexa Chervestad, Violet Tvedt, Brennan Sauer, Arlo Svendsen, Olin Eskeli, Graceyn Kvasager, Jordyn Almendarez, Lexus Waldal, Natalee Hendrickson,  Xavier Sams, O’Rian Rude, Jack Dodson, Ethan Lee, Jackson Morinville, and Olivia Benson.

Continued next week.....