BITS & Pieces

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

The Thorp Courier

The Thorp American Legion Post and Auxiliary celebrated the 101st Annual American Education Week by hosting those working in the Thorp school system with an open house reception on Wednesday, November 16, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at the Legion Hall. Beverages and snacks were served and door prizes awarded. The American Education Week provides an opportunity to honor all those committed and dedicated to the education of Thorp’s young people. +++ The eight officers of the Thorp FFA celebrated National Thank a Farmer Day, back on October 12, by going door to door to thank 200 local farmers for all that they do to provide quality services to Thorp and the surrounding area. The Thorp FFA made 200 goodie bags, containing two cinnamon rolls and milk, which they gave each framer as they said thank you. +++ From Memory Lane 125 Years Ago (1897) A bell has been purchased for St. Hedwig’s Polish Catholic Church …. and will arrive and be placed in the bellfry in time to be used for the first time on Christmas Eve. The new bell weighs seven hundred pounds.

Courier Sentinel

At the Cadott Village Board Meeting on November 21, John Akar, discussed his idea to sell guns from the former Cadott Medical Center on Main Street, next to the pharmacy. Mr. Akar is originally from Turkey and is planning on importing the guns from that country. Sales would be primarily through online sales. He is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to gain the needed permissions and licenses. In order to get approval for the location, he says he needs a letter from the village. Upon questioning he didn’t know what the content of the letter from the village needed to contain. The Board asked that he have an AFT agent reach out to the village to discuss what is needed. +++ The Cornell School District is moving ahead in getting machines in place to prepare students directly for the job market. The latest piece of equipment is being donated and is a 2011 fiber laser cutter for metal. A grant is being written for a press break that can bend metal. +++ The Cornell Lions Club donated $600, plus popcorn supplies, to the Kids Community Christmas event. +++ On December 2, Roger and Roxanne Copas, owners of Cornell’s City Side Liquidators, celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. +++ Long time Cornell teacher and coach Eino Martino passed away on November 28, at the age of 97. Martino began his teaching career at Shanley Catholic High School in Fargo, N.D., where he coached an outstanding athlete by the name of Roger Maris, who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record with 61 home runs in 1961. Martino had a 32 year teaching and 60 year coaching career in Cornell.

Bloomer Advance

Bohemian Ovens of Bloomer now has a vending machine outlet at Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire. The vending machine is stocked with cinnamon and caramel rolls, blueberry and raspberry croissants and various kolaches. The Fresh Made Simple machine is one half freezer and one half a high powered oven. It takes the par baked items from the freezer and bakes them in a high powered oven for 45 seconds giving you a fresh out of the oven experience. The inventory is monitored remotely and is restocked as inventory begins to run low. +++ Bloomer Community Ambulance Service used grant funds from the Security Health Plan to purchase a rescue ski, used to transport patients from off road environments to a utility vehicle and ultimately to a waiting ambulance.

O-W Enterprise Owen-Withee Football Coach Terry Laube has been recognized for his 200th career win. Laube has been coaching Blackhawk football for 33 years. +++ The Withee Village Board recently voted to raise election workers wages to $10.50 per hour. +++ As the Owen-Withee school additions come to completion there have been a few glitches. One is the flooring in the multiple- purpose room has a surface that the flooring is not adhering to because of moisture issues. +++ The Owen-Withee School District’s Wisconsin Department of Public Instructions report card indicates that the elementary, middle and high school overall “Meet Expectations.” Owen-Withee Schools have an enrollment of 460, with 17.2% having disabilities, 48.3% are economically disadvantaged, and 5.7% have English as a second language.

Tribune-Phonograph

During their November meeting, the Colby School Board discussed the results of their annual district report card from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. For the 2021-22 school year, the district as a whole received a rating of “Meets Few Expectations,” which is the second lowest of five rating categories that are given to schools. +++ The Abbotsford City Council has voted to drastically increase fines for noise violations within the city. The ordinance change calls for a $100 fine for a first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for the third. +++ While The Abbotsford School District “Met Expectations” on its recent Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report card, their overall score was down 12 points from last year when the district “Exceeded Expectations.” +++ Abbotsford School’s FEMA project is well underway. With concrete and rebar in the walls and ceilings, the new gym will serve as a storm shelter for the community, while primarily serving the school district needs.

The Sentinel & Rural News

John McLoone of Stanley has purchased the Sentinel & Rural News from Multi-Media channels as of November 18. According to Multi-Media, the newspaper just didn’t quite fit into their geographical footprint and it was felt John was the right fit. The newspaper serves Owen-Withee, Gilman, Curtiss, Thorp, Greenwood, Abbotsford, Colby and Spencer. +++ There were five community Thanksgiving dinners throughout Clark County. One was held at St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church in Owen. Tri-County – Area Times The 35th Annual Osseo Christmas Parade promoted a theme related to the history of downtown business structures. Historical displays related to the store fronts past were encouraged by the Osseo Area Historical Society.