BITS & Pieces

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

The Sentinel & Rural News

The big news out of Thorp, is that Thorp Super Valu owners Doug and Cheryl Niemuth are selling the business to Hometown Grocers Association, a subsidiary of Festival Foods, a family owned company with over 30 stores throughout Wisconsin. It was emphasized that the new ownership is a branch off Festival Foods, but they are not Festival Foods. The employees are expected to remain and long time employee Scott Barth will be running the Thorp Store. The deal is expected to be completed January 10, 2023. +++ On November 28, students in the Owen-Withee School District were served in their new cafeteria. The school’s new storm shelter addition houses a kitchen and cafeteria. +++ The Owen Downtown Revitalization Committee is looking into moving its Autumnfest event to earlier in the year. Why? Weather being so unpredictable when it is currently being held.

Courier Sentinel

The Cadott Village Board, at their December 5 meeting, received an update on the proposed business that would sell guns in the community. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms has informed the village they can approve the business as long as the village does not have an ordinance against selling guns. The village can thus approve the business contingent on the applicant receiving ATF licensure. +++ The Cornell Police Department is one of only three police departments in Wisconsin that have its staff fully trained in emergency medical responder courses and licensed with the Cornell Area Ambulance Service. +++ The Cornell Lions Club, at its November 9 meeting, welcomed four new members. +++ A Courier Sentinel editorial encourages consumers to remember to put their shopping dollars to good use, reinvesting in their community and look to independent and community based businesses for their holiday needs, rather than through online retailers. +++ The Cadott Library has been named the winner of the “East Asia in Wisconsin Library Program” competition and as a result received $1,000 to purchase East Asia drama, film and anime. With the funding, 27 items have been added to the library’s collection.

The Thorp Courier

The City of Thorp is advertising for bids to upgrade their Wastewater Treatment Plant. Among the work to be accomplished: Modification of a holding lagoon into two aerated lagoons, a new lift station/headworks building, a concrete treatment structure, and SCADA upgrades. +++ The Thanksgiving Dinner, served out of the Abundant Life Church in Thorp, was another great success. This year twenty turkeys were prepared and a total of 410 meals were served. Abundant Life Church has hosted the dinner since 2017. +++ The 43rd Annual Fantasy Bazaar, held on December 3, at Thorp Schools, was the place to go for unique gifts for those special people on your list. The annual event is sponsored by the Thorp Catholic School. +++ Thorp High School has a new organization — The Book Club. It has as its ultimate goal to read books and share information. The club is excited to also organize community service projects. In October, they partnered with the Thorp Public Library to participate in the Thorp Trunk or Treat event where they distributed candy, bookmarks, and information about the public library. In November, the club held a Book Donation Drive. The drive brought in 967 new or gently used books. The books were donated to the Thorp Food Pantry for distribution. +++ From 125 Years Ago (1897) The ox team, for years and years, the only means used of skidding logs in the lumber woods is going out of use. We understand the Northwestern Lumber Co. has discarded the ox team altogether and this winter is using horse teams entirely for skidding purposes.

Bloomer Advance

The New Auburn Area Development Corporation recently welcomed two new businesses to New Auburn. Both are owned and operated by 2021 graduates of New Auburn High School. December 2 ribbon cuttings were held at Newman Goomin, owned by Memphis Newman and CLC Woodworking, owned by Brady Bischel. +++ Shop local and while your doing so look for “Bloomer” The Christmas Elf. Each day between December 1 and December 23, “Bloomer” will be placed at a different business. Clues as to the daily location will be on the Bloomer Chamber/Visitors Center Facebook page. Then, go to the business and get an entry blank to drawings to be held on December 23, for $100, $75 and $50 as well as other prizes. The contest is sponsored by the Bloomer Chamber and Bloomer Promotional Committee. +++ The Annual Bloomer Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service was held at the First Congregational Church with five local clergy participating. The offering of $559 was given to the Bloomer/New Auburn Food Pantry.

O-W Enterprise The Owen-Withee Elementary School collected 801 personal care items for homeless veterans in the Twin Cities. Grades competed to see who could collect the most items and the 5th grade won, as they collected 261 items. Among the items collected were shampoos, lotions, soaps, toothbrushes, and deodorant. +++ In Clark County the total deer harvest in 2022 was 6,991, with 4,762 being antlerless and 2,229 with antlers. That compares with a total harvest of 5,592 in 2021, with 3,202 antlerless and 2,390.with antlers.

Tribune-Phonograph

The Abbotsford City Council denied a request for a “no charge” water/sewer connection to a privately owned property when street work is being done in 2023. The connection would have been from the opposite side of the street and was established to cost $4.500. Several arguments by the property owner, for the city assuming the cost were rejected.

The Clark County Press

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department has a new therapy dog, a gift from Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles in Osseo, WI. The three month old puppy is named “Haven,” which means “a place of safety or refuge. +++ In light of the bomb threat in early November, the Neillsville School District has created a new app that can be downloaded on any smartphone device. The app has many useful features, including a new notification system for parents. Plans are to use it to provide immediate notification of parents of any event or concern.

Buffalo County News

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, Mondovi/Eleva Strum Wrestling Coach Randy Pongratz notched his 300th career duel meet win.