FROM THE CORNER

It was a rather eye opening read that Chippewa County still has $10.8 million of federal dollars, from the American Rescue Plan Act money, that remains unspent. Chippewa County Admin- istrator Randy Scholz has developed preliminary spend propos als for that money that will go to the Chippewa County Board for review at their February Meeting. His list includes $260,000 for new playground equipment at Otter Lake, Pine Point, and Round Lake county parks, $40,000 to add a fishing dock at Otter Lake Campgrounds, $30,000 for automatic firewood dispensers at Ot ter Lake, Pine Point and Morris Erickson, and $24,000 to replace picnic tables at the four parks. While all these sound like great wish list projects, missing from the list is the development of the Stanley Industrial Park with infrastructure that would further enhance the ability to attract jobs in eastern Chippewa County.

Charlie Walker, our County Economic Development Coordinator, has been telling this community for years that is what is necessary for job locations in Stanley. I hope someone is advocating for funding a project like this that has been an evident need for a long time. This seems to be the time, there is a need and there seems to be money available.

*** Congratulations to Michael Karlen, who recently signed to play football at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI.

Northern Michigan is a Division II school and a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. As a Stan- ley-Boyd Oriole, he made 15 field goals, including one 52-yards during the 2021 season, which is a school record. His kicking record also includes 70 extra points. His laurels include being named a two-time Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State kicker and a three time All-Cloverbelt Conference honoree at kicker. The school’s location should enable his parents and friends to see him play at least some home games. Good Luck Michael.

*** A recent interesting read was that La Crosse based Kwik-Trip has purchased a building and has presented plans for remodeling it into what is rumored to be a daycare center, for the children of its La Crosse area employees. The proposal includes caring for 168 kids and a staff of 40. The building was reported purchased by Kwik Trip for $2.6 million. As of this writing, Kwik Trip has not publicly confirmed its planned use of the building. Perhaps, another perk to attract workers in a tight labor market.

*** Speaking of Kwik-Trip, their new store and car wash in Thorp celebrated its Grand Opening last week, February 7 through February 13. The business is located on the site of the former Courtesy Ford dealership. It is in an ideal location, an easy on-off from Highway 29 and thus should draw considerable highway traffic. It is certainly amazing how Kwik-Trip's reputation has customers driving even a distance to get to one of their stores.

A few years back, not knowing how far we needed to drive, we drove off Highway 29 at Shawano, at least three miles to get to their store, which turned out to be on old Highway 29.

*** In the hard to believe category! The National Chicken Council, which represents chicken producers, claimed that Americans would consume $1.42 billion wings during the Super-Bowl Game. Did you do your part? I know I didn’t.

*** Did you know? History advocacy Day in Wisconsin is February 23. What is that you ask? It is a united effort to advocate for the Wisconsin Historical Society and local history organizations (like the Stanley Area Historical Society). It’s an effort to let state legislators know the importance of preserving history for future generations and to thank them for their continued support of the work state and local historians do with the resources provided them by their patrons and through state tax dollars. +++ Life in the 1500’s: Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle and guests got the top, or “upper crust.” * There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.

*** COVID has affected many peoples differently. Most directly were all the people who actually were diagnosed and suffered from its affects of the disease. Of course, the most affected were the ones who lost their lives. Many businesses were also affected. It was recently announced that the Ho-Chunk Nation would not be paying a per capita in February. Which simply translated indicates that COVID has had an impact on Ho-Chunk casinos revenue. Active gamblers at their casinos obviously are not coming, not coming as often, or not spending as much. What this really means is that the 7,760 Ho-Chunk tribal members eligible for per capita payments will be missing a payment in February.

It is also being reported that for the financial health of the Ho- Chunk Nation, they have decided they will move from temporary layoffs to permanent layoffs in the various businesses and services where they once had individuals employed.

*** The week of February 7-11 was National School Counseling Week. Congratulations to all area school counselors and thank you for the job you do, especially during these difficult times.

*** Recent talk around the community has included comments on individuals who constantly complain about the work people do as it relates to serving on the school board, city council, town board, library board and county board. Very few are willing to serve, some try repeatedly and are rejected for various reasons and some only criticize or nit pick at those who do step forward and provide their time and talent. Congratulations to all public servants and thank you for your service. To those who have noth- ing to do but criticize, GET A LIFE!

*** Smile time. Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors. +++ It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

+++ The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. +++ When you get to your wit’s end, you'll find God lives there. +++ People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church. +++ Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever. +++ Quit griping about your church, if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong. +++ God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? +++ To make a long story short, don’t tell it. +++ Peace starts with a smile. +++ I don’t know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

+++We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

BY DAVID JANKOSKI