School Supplies Collected during 7th Annual Back to School Business Showcase Aug 10
The 7th Annual Back to School Business Showcase will be held Wed, Aug 10 at the Fennimore Memorial building and along 8th Street. Co-sponsored by Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and Friends of Fennimore Elementary School, the Business Showcase is a great way to get the community involved in collecting school supplies to benefit Fennimore students and offer a fun event for youth with outdoor $5 bounce house or $10 for unlimited houses and Euro Jump. Activities held outside from noon to 4 p.m. include petting zoo, cheeky monkey face painting; new activities balloon art and “Dunk Your Teacher” dunk tank.
Friends of the Fennimore Elementary School will serve a brat and hot dog lunch from 10 a.m. until 2p.m. At noon Friends of the Fennimore Community Pool project will hold a bake sale to benefit the pool project. Lengthz Salon, 520 Lincoln Ave, Shawna Bedward and Angie Winkers owner/operators will offer back to school hair cuts from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. for $5 suggested donation (donations used toward school supplies). Walk-in only.
From 4 to 7 p.m. Fennimore Schools will have one of their small school buses parked outside of the Fennimore Memorial building. Help us stuff the bus with school supplies. For each school supply item donated you receive one ticket for a chance to win the a grand prizes. Bonus tickets are offered for the following supplies 50 tickets for special scientific calculator; 20 tickets for Kinder Mats, back packs, flash drive, 5 in 1 notebooks. Earn 10 bonus tickets for Primary journal, dab and stick glue, dry erase markers, composition notebooks, glue sticks, #2 pencils, Crayola markers, colored pencils and water colors. All other donations receive 1 ticket. School supplies will be used to fill backpacks for Fennimore School district student needing assistance. Additional supplies will be donated to the school’s supply closet.
TDS is the platinum sponsor for the Back to School Showcase donating $500 cash plus the Laptop Computer grand prize. Other top prizes include a Chromebook donated by Friends of Fennimore Elementary School, Youth bike donated by Jon Miles, Century 21, Food and Fun package donated by The Sheckler families and $50 Gift Certificate to Children’s Clothesline donated by Nelson Properties. Plus free chances to win door prizes from the business and vendor showcase.
Fennimore area businesses have the opportunity to showcase their products and services during the business showcase from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The business and vendor showcase is in Memorial gym from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. There is no fee to attend the showcase.
Businesses participating in the business showcase include: Bethany Alliance Church, Hammerand Farm Market, Casey’s General Store, Children’s Clothesline, TDS Telecom, Girl Scouts, Grant Regional Health Care, Gunderson Boscobel Hospitals and Clinics, Crossing Rivers Hospital and Clinics, Kev’s Pet World, Head-2-Toe, Southwest Tech, Peoples State Bank, PJ’s Daycare, Just Like Home, Boscobel Family Center of Martial Arts, TNT Gymnastics. Vendors include Thirty-One Gifts, Jamberry Nails, Lindsey Ludvic Photography, LuLaRoe/Michelle Pickel, Pampered Chef and Usborne Books by Beth Keeney.
Crossing Rivers Hospital and Clinics will sponsor a Teddy Bear Clinic. They invite kids to stop by their booth to receive a free teddy bear, handmade by Partners of Crossing Rivers Health, have him checked out by our Clinic medical providers during the Back to School Showcase between 4:30 and 7 p.m. or until all bears are given away. Each child will receive a his/her own health certificate.
NEW for 2016 is the Dunk Your Teacher Dunk Tank – here is the schedule:
- 1:00 p.m. Mrs Ahnen
- 1:20 p.m. Mr McLimans
- 1:40 p.m. Ms Nelson
- 2:00 p.m. Mrs Bunn
- 2:20 p.m. Mrs Langmeier
- 2:40 p.m. Mrs Burkum
- 3:00 p.m. Mr Nutter
- 3:20 p.m. Mrs Hines
Participation Fee – 3 balls for 50 cents or Automatic Dunk $3
Entertainment during the showcase includes: presentation by Fennimore Police Dept, How to Pack a Back Pack Demo by GRHC, performances by TNT Gymnastics, Shine Power Dance Studio and Boscobel Family Center of Martial Arts demonstration at approximately 7 p.m. drawings for business door prizes begin followed by the drawing for the big prize items. Must be present to win prizes.
Download the Back to School Showcase poster.
Chamber Announces Community Awards
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing area residents who have made a difference in the community for 35 years. During the recent Chamber Chicken BBQ the 2016 awards were presented as follows.
Citizens of the Year
Ingeborg Froiland has called Fennimore home since 1968 when she moved to the area starting her career as Librarian at the Fennimore Elementary School. This began her 48 years of dedication and commitment to The City of Fennimore. The nominator wrote “You ask how this person is actively involved in the community? I say what is she NOT involved with and what does she not support?”
Connie Neal has been a resident of Fennimore for over 15 years when their family moved to the area for Connie to be the Director of the Doll & Toy Museum. She became actively involved in the community, Grant County Tourism and Tri-State Tourism organizations. Connie is a loyal Chamber supporter and believes that our small city has much to offer. Connie has been a champion for the museum since 2006 when the Doll and Toy Museum came under new management as the Friends of the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum.
2016 Family of the Year
The Rob and Karla Rands family was recognized as the 2016 Family of the Year. As lifelong residents, they’ve been involved in numerous groups and activities and are a huge asset to the community. Generous volunteers with time, talents and resources to improve and benefit the community, Karla and Rob’s family includes two children who live with their families in Fennimore. They include daughter Racheal Loy and children, and son Ryan & Holly Rands and their children.
2016 Business of the Year
The Good Samaritan Society – Fennimore has been part of the community since January 22, 1968. That’s 48 years and counting. Administrator Karla Witzig expressed appreciation on behalf of the Good Sam board of directors and entire staff. From day one the leadership and staff have been actively involved throughout Fennimore by volunteering in community activities such as Kiwanis, 4-H groups, all area churches and of course the Chamber of Commerce. The Good Sam has been involved in activities such as Fun Fest, Lincoln Avenue flower planters, hosting Grant County meal site, homecoming parade, Women on the Move, and many veteran’s programs.
The nominator wrote “The center employs approximately 100 people and offers a training site to Southwest Tech nursing students. They provide the total package to the community – employment opportunities, housing for those on limited income and housing for those who are not. They also offer onsite outpatient therapy and host the local Grant County meal site for Fennimore. Finally they offer long-term care for the frail and elderly and those who need acute rehab to get them back into their own homes.” They do all this living up to their motto “In Christ’s Love, everyone is someone.”
Smurfing Around
Alert – The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum has been invaded by a large group of smurfs! That’s right every place you look there is another Smurf in one of the display cases. The Friends of the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum have decided to make some fun out of it so they created a scavenger hunt to see how many and who can find all of them. Those who are successful will receive a prize from the Doll and Toy Museum’s gift shop.
Featured exhibits at the Doll and Toy Museum include a special exhibit of Cast Iron Toys on loan from Torry and Kay Groves of Livingston. The collection includes horse-drawn fire trucks, trucks, road construction equipment, fire trucks and cars. Also featured is an excellent collection of games and puzzles, as well as the Smurfs.
Have you heard the Doll and Toy Museum is offering season passes this year? That’s right an adult pass is just $5 compared to normal admission of $3. Youth rates are $1.50 per visit or just $1.50 if you ask for a season pass….that’s right youth with a season pass can visit as often as they like throughout the season. Have a little fun while enjoying the wonderful collection of dolls and toys at the Museum.
Both Fennimore Museums are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Labor Day. What are you waiting for….go check them out. There is no specific fee to visit the Railroad Museum, however donations are appreciated and are the way they cover overhead of keeping the Railroad Museum open for all to enjoy the history of the narrow gauge rail that ran near Fennimore and the economic impact it had on the area’s economy.
Fennimore Run for Fun
August 11 will be the last Run for Fun for the 2016 season. The popular Fennimore Runs for Fun are held at the Dean Ashmore farm located south of Southwest Tech at the junction of Bronson Blvd and McGahn Road. Youth 14 and under and those who wish to walk begin at 7 p.m. with all other participants starting at 7:30 p.m.
Fennimore Swimming Pool
Area residents have been enjoying a summer of fun and recreation at the Fennimore Swimming pool. The projected last day for the Fennimore pool to be open this year is Thursday, Aug 18. Watch for more details on activities including the end of the year pool party.
Council Approves Final Concept Drawings for New Pool
The City Council has approved the latest concept drawings for the new and remodeled swimming pool and bath house as presented by the Swimming Pool Design and Negotiations Committee. The Council recently approved plans and specifications and have authorized the bidding process to begin. It is anticipated to start construction on the pool later this summer. The timeline is to have the new pool facility ready to open close to Memorial Day 2017. View the pool plans on the New Community Swimming Pool page. Once at the site click on the 2016 Pool Information brochure for a timeline on the project and many more details on the project.
Fennimore Construction Updates
In an effort to keep Fennimore residents informed on status of road and utility projects in the City of Fennimore Director of Public Works (DPW), Dennis Biddick, asked WebWise Design to create a special link to City Construction Updates. Click the link found on www.fennimore.com homepage. Check it out…
How’s your Internet Access?
The Wisconsin State Broadband office is asking Wisconsin residents and business owners to give input through a survey available online. For more information about the survey go to http://www.psc.wi.gov/broadbandsurvey.htm
If you are unable to access the website, please call toll free: 877-360-2973
Members of Fennimore Industrial & Economic Development Corp encourages the public to give input to help us (as well as the PSC) better understand the needs of businesses, residents and visitors to the area. FIEDC is interested in submitting a broadband grant by next Spring’s deadline. Committee members are currently gathering information and researching a partner to work with on this important communication tool.
Fennimore Bob on Into Fennimore Shopping Promotion
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce marketing committee is once again making plans for their Fall shopping promotion “Bob on Into Fennimore!” The promotion will run Sept 22-25.
Some of the other activities taking place during the fall harvest promotion include: Saturday, Sept 24 Trinity Evangelical Free Church family event at Arborvita Park, The Kingsmen group will provide music in the park from 3 to 5 p.m. Watch for more details.
Save the date for September 24 for the Annual Tailgate Party at the Hilltop from 4 to 9 p.m. They will have lots of raffle items and some very exciting new live auction items. Watch for a sale bill soon. They will offer a pork sandwich meals for sale. We look forward to having a large turnout again this year as they continue to raise funds for Fennimore pool project.
Southwest Tech to kick off 50th Anniversary with Charger Golf Classic
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College will turn 50 years old on July 1, 2017. To kick off the celebration, Southwest Tech will host the 50th Anniversary Charger Golf Classic on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Deer Valley Golf Course in Barneveld, WI.
The classic will be played as a best ball with four-person teams. The 18-hole shotgun start is scheduled for noon while the 9-hole shotgun start will begin at 2 p.m. For those not interested in golfing, volleyball and bean bag tournaments are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. A social and program will begin at 4 p.m. and will include the college’s 50th anniversary celebration plans and vision for the future.
Registration and information on how to become a sponsor can be found at: www.swtc.edu/golfclassic or please contact Kim Schmelz at 608-822-2379 with any questions.
Veteran’s Memorial Dedication
The Fennimore Memorial Park Committee are pleased to invite the public to join them during the Veterans Memorial dedication on Sunday, Sept 11 at 1 p.m. The dedication service will take place at Memorial Park, corner of 8th and Lincoln Avenue.