FROM THE CORNER

BY DAVID JANKOSKI

Our community has suffered another loss of a true servant.

Marian (Voytovich) Walsdorf has left us with a lot of space to fill. In the 50 plus years I have known her, she has served our community in many ways. One of the first times I was aware of her gracious hosting ability was when the community was trying to attract a young dentist, and Marian agreed to host a gathering for him and his wife to meet community leaders. Everything was well ordered and the food was delicious. Having ridden to work with her for over 32 years, needless to say I have heard of her trials, tribulations, joys and sorrows over those many years.

Her years as Director of Food Service at the Northern Center in Chippewa Falls provided many challenges that she successfully maneuvered, although not pleasing everyone in the process.

She needed to make hard decisions and stick with them. And the path to a decision did not always come easy for her. In her retirement years, she became a community servant as a member and leader of Our Lady of Victory Hospital Auxiliary, an active member of the Stanley Area Historical Society, serving annually as a docent, a member/supporter of the Holy Family PCCW, and in a leadership position in the Stanley-Boyd Alumni Association, where she helped develop the Annual Reunion’s Silent Auction, that successfully raised funds to award annual scholarships to Stanley-Boyd graduates. Marian’s retirement years generously provided our community with her time, talent and treasure. This article says little of the proud mom she was of her children and grandchildren. Rest well ye faithful servant. We are going to miss you in so many ways.

*** Here are some of the “Institution Updates” provided at the October 20, Community Relations Meeting held at Stanley Correctional Institution. +++ Bids have been received for an Armory remodeling project, with a pre-construction meeting expected to be held in January 2022. +++ It is hoped that groundbreaking for a new Health Services Unit will take place in late 2022/early 2023. +++ LED lighting upgrades are occurring throughout SCI.

High mast lights and exterior lights have already been converted to LED. +++ 89% of the inmates have been vaccinated and about 50% of the staff. Staff must pass a COVID screening when coming to work and everyone still has to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Regular testing of staff also occurs. Visiting resumed in July, but Zoom visits remain an option. Overall, SCI has returned to normal operations. +++ Statewide correctional institutions are struggling with synthetic marijuana incidents, with the drug being infused in or sprayed on paper, which makes it difficult to detect. Smoking it, or ingesting it, often causes an overdose requiring administration of Narcan. The Department of Corrections is moving to have an outside vendor, who will photocopy mail, that will then be given to the inmate and the original will be shredded. All inmates involved with illicit drugs are held accountable for the expenses incurred in their treatment, receive a conduct report and risk losing contact visiting privileges for a period of time. +++ K9 searches for drugs periodically take place in the institution. The most recent one resulted in 11 law enforcement K9 teams involved.

*** AARP calls on older adults to be on the alert during the holiday season, for increased fraud attempts that pop up during this time of year. Scammers often try to take advantage of one’s generosity by posing as representatives of legitimate charities. I personally never give a donation over the telephone or internet.

Admittedly, that may be an age related thing, but we get enough solicitations for the charities we donate to via the mail. Sometimes, I think our mail box exists solely for such solicitations.

You give to one, and before long every charity in the country seems to get your address!!

*** While on the subject of fraud and scammers, here are some things the government does not do, according to the ARRP Fraud Watch Network. The federal government does not call you unsolicited and ask for personal information, as they already have your Medicare and Social Security numbers. +++ Any important communications usually come by mail. Serious contacts also do not come through social media, text or email. +++ No government agency will ask you for an upfront payment before send- ing you a benefit, grant or refund. +++ Federal law enforcement agencies will not bully you into providing personal information or bank account numbers. +++ Agencies do not take payments in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Keep your guard up, and hang up on anyone trying to get you to do the things mentioned above!!

*** Here’s wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. If weather permits we hope to be celebrating as a family with the daughter and son-in-law in Appleton.

*** Community observations: Christmas is coming! Last week I saw the city crew putting up the Christmas decorations on Broadway. +++ The campgrounds at Chapman Park is being decorated for Christmas. +++ Many homes have already been decorated after taking advantage of our nice November weather. Some even have their lights on already. +++ Workmen at the four duplexes being built on the old high school (Dodge School) site are busily connecting utilities that have to go in the ground. +++ The 48 apartment units being built on East Pine Street have had the roofs shingled and the roadways have been blacktopped. +++ Broadway Boutique parking lot was full of cars last Friday and Saturday. Undoubtedly, hunters’ wives are on an outing while the hubby is away.

*** Smile time. When you get older, lack of pep is often mistaken… Mistaken for patience! +++ A student burst into his profes- sor's office and says, "Professor Stanley, I don't believe I deserve this “F” grade that you’ve given me!” To which Professor Stanley replied, “I agree but unfortunately it is the lowest grade the University will allow me to award.” +++ Happiness is not something you postpone for the Future; it’s something you design for the Present. +++ A strong young man at a construction site was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen.

After several minutes, the older worker had enough. “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is,” he said. “I will bet a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that building that you won’t be able to wheel back. “You’re on, old man,” the braggart replied. Let’s see you do it.” The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, “All right, Dumb Arse, get in." +++ A father of five children had won a toy at a raffle. He called his kids together to ask which one should have the present.

“Who is the most obedient?” he asked. “Who never talks back to mother?” Who does everything she says?” Five little voices answered in unison. “Okay, dad you get the toy.”