A Salute to Fennimore Area Volunteers During Volunteer Week April 10-16
“Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!”
— author unknown
National Volunteer Week in the United States was first established via Presidential Proclamation signed by Richard Nixon in 1974. As we celebrate Volunteer Week, I think it is only appropriate to share the following article that was sent to me by Jim Stoeffler.
Volunteerism
Volunteerism – the broadest and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteerism is doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good. Volunteerism is an important exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. It is the voice of people put into action. These actions shape and mold our community into what it is today and more importantly will shape and mold the present into the future of our community, a future that we all want to be proud of.
Some of the recent year’s natural disasters have highlighted the invaluable contributions of volunteers in our communities. They have volunteered their time, energy and skills to save lives and to rebuild communities. We only need to look in our own community to see the impact of volunteerism, the volunteer fire department or EMS, volunteers at the nursing home or supporting the food depot, sports booster organizations or school volunteers, the Knights of Columbus or the Kiwanis and Lion’s club, Friends of the Fennimore Elementary School, Friend of Dwight Parker Library, Chamber of Commerce or Fennimore Foundation, Church youth groups or ministering to others, and the list could continue. What is important is that it recognized that it is really all of these organizations and individuals volunteering their time and skills that make our community of Fennimore so strong.
Mayor Richard Daly stated, “Volunteers are not servants. Volunteers are partners working together for improving America’s future.” I say, volunteers are the lifeblood of the community, people working together to serve others needs and in doing so shape, mold and strengthen our community. Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.
It is a time when there is much need in our community, our nation, and our world, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference or not.
“In every community there is work to be done; in every heart there is the power to do it.” – Marianne Williamson
Where is your heart?
Thank You Mayor Stenner for your leadership and 26 years of service to The City of Fennimore.
Mayor Charles W. Stenner has retired after 26 Years of Service to the City of Fennimore. Charles (Chuck) Stenner was born and raised in Fennimore where he graduated from Fennimore High School. He attended Northeast Technical College in Green Bay and then returned to Fennimore where he married Mary Ann Brechler. They have one adult son Kevin. Chuck worked for a local agribusiness prior to starting his own business Stenner Jewelry Store on Fennimore’s Main Street. Chuck retired from Cabela’s a year ago.
Chuck knew at an early age he was interested in playing a leadership role in City government. His first term as Fennimore Mayor began 1972 and ran through 1988. In 1972 Chuck was the youngest person to serve as Mayor in the state of Wisconsin. In 2006 Chuck tossed his hat back in the ring when Mayor Richard Rogers announced he would not seek re-election. Thinking of full retirement Chuck encouraged city council member, Ryan Boebel to run for mayor. When Boebel took out paperwork to run for Mayor in December 2015, Chuck decided it was a good time for him to retire as Mayor.
Chuck’s other passion has been being actively involved as a charter member of the Fennimore Historical Railroad Society Museum where he serves as treasurer and volunteers numerous hours each year in upkeep of the building and grounds, greeting visitors who stop by the museum for tours and rides on the miniature train. Chuck’s sister Linda Gray, retired in Fennimore and has also served as city council member. Wife Mary Ann has many family members in the Fennimore area. Their son Kevin lives in the Appleton area. When asked what he plans to do, Chuck plans to spend a lot of time riding his bike (motorcycle) exploring the Tri-State area. Best wishes as you take some well deserved time off and new experiences.
Fun Fest Bar Olympics
Committee members for Fennimore’s Fun Fest, our largest community celebration, will host Bar Olympics fundraiser Saturday, April 16. The Bar Olympics will be held at seven Fennimore bars. Ten teams have signed up to participate. Bar games and side activities begin at 10 a.m. starting at Hickory Grove Golf Course. The Olympics begin with sign-in at 9:30 a.m. at Hickory Grove Golf Course where a putting challenge will be held. Other locations and games include: The Cottonwood where pool will be played; BD’s Giant Jinga ; Second Shot game is darts; Hilltop will offer foosball; The Silent Woman will have bean bags, and Fennimore Lanes will have bowling. The public is encouraged to attend. For additional information contact Jim Alderson 608-485-2889 or Steve Hagen 608-822-5213.
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce Marketing Campaign Focuses on Service Businesses
During the 2015 Business Walk retention visits, service related businesses indicated they would like to see the chamber sponsor a promotion to benefit service related businesses. During the Chamber’s March 10 membership meeting members heard an update from the marketing committee and plans for a new campaign that began this week “Thank You Fennimore Businesses”. This is a joint project between Fennimore Times/Reminder, Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and twelve service related businesses. Each week a half-page ad in The Reminder and The Times will feature a photo of their business taken by Barb Romberg Photography and a brief news story about the business. Collision Specialists is the first of twelve businesses to be recognized.
Funding for marketing of the Fennimore community and businesses is made possible through chamber dues and fundraisers like the recent “Taste of Fennimore.” FACC marketing committee hopes you will enjoy learning more about Fennimore area businesses and their employees. For more information contact Chamber President Rick Nelson (988-6612) or Morris Newspapers Sales Representative Brian Muldoon (822-3912).
Fennimore City Wide Garage & Sidewalk Sales May 19-21
Save the date for Fennimore’s official City Wide Garage Sales Thursday May 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 20 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 21 from 7 a.m. to noon. City Wide Garage & Sidewalk Sales are sponsored by the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce, QueenB Radio. Committee members in charge of registrations, yard signs and map are the staff at the City Clerk’s office. This is a perfect opportunity to turn unused items into cash. 2016 Garage Sale Registration forms should be returned to the City Clerk’s office to pick up your yard sign. Deadline to be included in the map is Tuesday, May 10.
Fennimore Community Theatre April 15-17
Members of the Fennimore Community Theatre have been practicing for weeks. They are proud to present “That’s The Spirit” by Tim Kelly the weekend of April 15-17 at the Fennimore Memorial building gym. The deadline for the Friday and Saturday Dinner Theater has passed. Tickets will be available at the door ($7) for the Sunday April 17 matinee starting at 1 p.m.
CF Breakfast Sunday, April 17
The Annual Cystic Fibrosis Breakfast benefit for Cayden, Trinity and Cooper Tople will be held Sunday, April 17 with serving from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fennimore Memorial building in the Fennimore Legion Hall. Serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese curds, applesauce and beverage. Save a dollar by purchasing tickets in advance at a cost of $7 for adults, $6 for students and children 5 and under no charge. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Phyllis Doan 608-822-6808. Also that day there will be silent auction items and a 50/50 raffle.
Cayden, Trinity and Cooper Topel are the children of Chris and Tiffany (Doan) Topel, Jefferson Wisconsin residents; local grandparents are Phyllis and Bill Doan. Three of the Topel children were diagnosed as infants with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder affecting lungs and digestion. There is no cure for CF, but researchers are getting close and the need for money to continue their work is critical. All proceeds will be raised for the “Topel Trio” Great Strides for CF team and donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Citywide Clean Up Days
The City of Fennimore will hold their spring clean up days on Friday, April 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, April 23 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. This is a great time to tidy up your homes and yards after the long dirty winter.
This event is for City of Fennimore residents/taxpayers only. The City will be accepting non-freon appliances, small amounts of demolition material – less than 1 cu. yd. (plaster, drywall, paneling, etc), excess garbage, furniture and scrap metal. Items must be taken to the Recycling Center at 1305 Bronson Boulevard for disposal. A City employee will be at the site to direct residents where to dispose of the materials. Dumpsters will be provided and you must place items in the appropriate dumpsters. You will also be asked to register with the City employee on duty. No TVs, computer monitors, batteries, tires, hazardous materials, appliances with freon or liquid paint will be accepted. There will be no curbside pickup of these items during the week. No material will be accepted after 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23.
Spring Clean Up at Prairie Cemetery
Spring Clean up at the Prairie Cemetery is currently in progress through Sunday, April 24. Anyone who has placed items on graves is reminded to remove items you wish to save as soon as possible. Due to strong winds over the winter, some items have been blown off monuments. Please check with the cemetery caretaker if you are missing a special item as some items have been rescued. The caretaker is generally at the cemetery during the week in the morning hours.
Just a reminder of rules and regulations at Prairie Cemetery. Flower arrangements and other grave decorations will be removed as they become unsightly. The City reserves the right to control all plantings growing within the Cemetery, including the right to remove as necessary. Trees, shrubs or flowers may not be planted. Disposal of rubbish on roads, adjoining graves or elsewhere is prohibited. Please use disposal containers provided.
All flowers (cut, silk or plastic, wreathes or other ornaments left on the grave sites that interfere with mowing will be removed by cemetery personnel. Parking on grass area is prohibited. Cemetery hours are from dawn to dusk.
Stitzer Trivia Night
Mark your calendar and gather your trivia teams for an evening of fun. The 8th Annual Trivia Night to benefit the Stitzer Park is scheduled for Saturday evening April 23. Trivia Night begins at 7 p.m. at the Stitzer Firehouse. Teams consist of eight people ages 12 and up. To register your team, call Rhonda Hughey at 608-943-8451. Team up with friends and family or become part of a “Wild Cat” team.
St. Paul Liberty Ridge Pancake Breakfast
St. Paul Liberty Ridge Church (located on Hwy 61 – 6 miles south of Fennimore) will hold their annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the church hall on Sunday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. A bake sale will also be held during the event.
Friends of Fennimore Elementary School Hanging Basket Sale
Friends of Fennimore Elementary School will be holding their annual Hanging Basket Sale on Saturday April 30 from 8 a.m. until noon in the Catholic church parking lot off of Highway 18. FFES is partnering with Sugar and Spice again this year to offer beautiful baskets for sale. Baskets are $22 each or 2 for $40. Proceeds from the fundraiser are used to sponsor events like reading trivia, the carnival, and family movie night. We also purchase supplies for teachers like rugs, chromebooks, storage containers, school supplies, and more. For questions on the sale, please contact Christina Winch at 608-822-7806.
Southwest Tech is hosting Auto and Tractor Show and Swap Meet
Southwest Tech is hosting an Auto and Tractor Show and Swap Meet on May 7, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by the students in the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish, Auto Technician, and Ag Power and Equipment Technician programs. The Ag and Auto Clubs will also be providing a food stand.
One of the features will be an appearance by Ringbrothers; they own and operate a collision and repair shop and design one or two custom built cars a year. The Ringbrothers have rocketed into the top ranks of American car builders over the past decade, winning numerous design awards including the General Motors award for “Best Chevrolet of Show” at the 2014 SEMA Show, and back-to-back Goodguys Street Machine of the Year awards.
This event is free and open to the public. Vendor space is available at $10. For more information or to rent a vendor space, call Southwest Tech Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Instructor, Greg Wubben, at (608) 822-2605 or visit www.swtc.edu.
Fennimore Veteran’s Memorial Dedication June 14
The Fennimore Legion Auxiliary members are pleased to announce they have reached their financial goal to cover the costs related to the Fennimore Veterans Memorial. They are planning to hold a dedication service on Tuesday, June 14. Names of Fennimore area Veterans are currently being engraved on the tablets, installation of the tablets will be the final step to complete the memorial. Save the date of June 14 when the flags will fly at the Memorial for the first time; watch for more details to come.
WI Dept of Tourism Requesting Fall and Winter Activities
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is asking Wisconsin Extranet partners to submit information on community events taking place from September 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017. If you belong to a organization that is hosting an event during that time frame, please send the name of event, location and details including time, admission, photo of event along with a person to contact for additional questions. Events that are of major interest to the public will be considered for inclusion in the Wisconsin events guide. Deadline to submit info is May 20, thank you for your input. Please email the information to Linda Parrish, promo@fennimore.com.
Get Active in Grant County
UW Extension has recently updated their “Get Active in Grant County” guide. The guide lists just some of the many wonderful, affordable opportunities for active play in Grant County. The information is available online http://grant.uwex.edu/ to explore the possibilities for fun! A desk copy is available at the Promotions Coordinator’s office and at Dwight Parker Library.