Thorp Superintendent starts ‘Cardinal’s Corner’

The Thorp Courier

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& Pieces NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

Angie Hanlin, Superintendent of the Thorp School District, has begun “The Cardinal Corner” in The Thorp Courier. It is her intention to provide information as to what is happening in the school district and to let district residents know the accomplishments and highlights of the staff and students. +++ The Town of Taft is offering two one-time scholarships in the amount of $500 to each of the three school districts serving town residents – Gilman, Stanley-Boyd and Thorp. Verna Brown, a former property owner in the township, upon death, gifted the property to the town. The town sold the property and thus the Verna A. Brown Scholarships. Applicants will need to write an essay on, “The Benefits of Paying it Forward." The township is honoring the former property owner and in giving the scholarships is promoting the spirit of giving back to one’s community. +++ Jennifer Nolechek, a familiar face at Nolechek’s Meats has retired after working at the business for 46 years. On Friday, February 4, customers were invited to stop by and celebrate her retirement and enjoy some Sweet Memories cake.

Courier Sentinel

Kaleb Sonnentag, has been named the 2022 Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award winner at the Cadott High School. The recipient is chosen because they exemplify the qualities of leadership, dependability, service and patriotism. +++ The Cadott School District’s annual audit, by Baker Tilly, received an unmodified, or a clean audit opinion on their financial statements. It was noted that the district's fund balance at the end of 2021 was just over $1.8 million, up $84,000. +++ Cadott defeated Neillsville-Loyal-Greenwood 50-25, to claim the Cloverbelt Conference Dual Meet Wrestling Championship.

Bloomer Advance

First time Bloomer Speed Rope Jump competition winner this year was John Joles, who jumped 62 jumps in 10 seconds. This year’s speed rope jumping contest was held on January 29. Joles, a sixth grader at Regis Middle School, won first place at the 61st Annual Speed Rope Jump Contest. The contest was not held last year because of COVID. +++ Maxine Kawell celebrated her 100th birthday in style, wearing a crown and her 1941 high school prom dress. The dress was purchased in Madison for $8.00. + ++ The Bloomer/New Auburn Food Pantry named John and Audrey Shipman as their 2021 Volunteers of the Year.

The Sentinel & Rural News

Kyle Westaby of Owen, recently won a new Chevy Silverado Trail Boss in the opening drive contest sponsored by Kwik Trip, the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Chevy Dealers. Westaby couldn’t believe that he won considering there were 1.6 million that entered the contest. The win came at a rough time in Westaby’s life. His mother contracted COVID, around Halloween (2021), and died just 20 days later, at age 59. His dad is blind and thus lost his main source of support and had to move in with Kyle's family. He said the truck helps the family out financially, but is also something positive after a rough stretch. +++ The Murder Mystery Theater event held in Owen on January 14 and 15, netted a $6,000 profit that was split between the Owen-With ee Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Revitalization Committee.

The Tribune-Phonograph

From the discussion that took place at the Curtiss Village Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, it is evident that leasing village land to RWE Renewable Energy for a transmission line is far from a done deal. Village board members have numerous issues and concerns that need to be addressed before a contract can be concluded. +++ The Colby City Council is exploring raising alderman and the mayoral salaries in an effort to possibly attract more candidates to serve in public offices. In recent years, it has been more difficult to find people willing to run for the positions open. The question was raised as to how their alderman/mayor wages compared to that of other communities. No one could remember the last time the council increased wages for those serv- ing in public offices. The city clerk reminded council members that they could vote on raises, but they could not receive any raise until they were re-elected. +++ A couple of special events taking place at the Abbotsford Public Library: On February 11, at 6 pm, there will be a youth winter luau and on February 14, from 3-5 pm, crafters of all ages are invited to make a perler bead valentine to give as a gift or keep for themselves.

O-W Enterprise

On January 31, the Owen-Withee Area Chamber of Commerce and the Owen-Withee Area Development Corporation held their 19th annual gathering. About 30 people were present to hear the reports of success of the Development Corporation that started a revolving loan fund to help businesses. To date, the organization has loaned out $209,169 and over $179,000 of that has been paid back. The group’s next big event will be the Business Expo scheduled for Saturday, April 2, from 10 am to 2 pm. Businesses will be limited to only one space this year to allow more participants. The last Expo held in 2020 had over 700 people visit. +++ Derek Engelbretson has opened a garage in Withee where he repairs and maintains small engines, including snowmobiles, four wheelers, chainsaws, lawnmowers and ice augers. Prior to his local business, he worked seven years for Power Pac in Marshfield.

Tri-County – Area Times

Breanna Wier of the Osseo-Fairchild/Augusta/ Fall Creek Tri-County prep wrestling team placed third in the first-ever WIAA State Girls Wrestling Tournament held recently in La Crosse. She returned to the OFAFC line-up for the Cloverbelt Conference meet held at Cadott on February 5. +++ The Osseo- Fairchild Dance Team, won sixth place at the Wisconsin Association of Cheer and Pom Coaches Western Regional Meet in Hudson on Saturday, January 29, which qualifies them for the state meet to be held in La Crosse.

Buffalo County News

The Mondovi Conservation Club’s Ice Fishing Contest returned this year to its Mirror Lake location. In 2020, dredging the lake caused the club to hold a “No Ice Fishing Contest” format and last year due to COVID, a virtual contest was held. On Sunday, February 6, the newly named contest, the Steve Larson Memorial Ice Fishing Contest, honored the late Steve Larson. who organized the contest for 47 years. The contest featured $20,000 in prizes. +++ Gilmanton School District is holding off on expanding its sports cooperative with the Independence School District. +++ Alma has set up a special account for managing donations of money earmarked for improvements and aesthetic enhancements of BuenaVista Park, that overlooks Alma and the Mississippi River. An anonymous $1,500 contribution prompted the creation of the beautification fund.