A Salute to Fennimore Area Volunteers During Volunteer Week April 23-29
“Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!”
– author unknown
National Volunteer Week is a yearly week of recognition for the many, many people in the U.S. and Canada who give generously of their time and resources to a huge variety of causes. The week has a history in Canada dating back to the time of the Second World War, when women were celebrated for their part in supporting the war effort on the home front. In the United States, Nixon established National Volunteer Week in 1974. Each year, the current president issues a special proclamation in honor of volunteers. A number of awards are presented for outstanding service including the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Points of Light Tribute Awards. The week is used to bring awareness to the contributions of volunteers and to encourage more people to donate their time to a local, national, or global cause.
As we prepare to celebrate Volunteer Week I think it is only appropriate to share the following article I have on file that was sent to me from Jim Stoeffler long time chamber and economic development board member. Jim recently retired from a long career at the Rayovac Fennimore location.
Volunteerism
Volunteerism – the broadest and maybe the most meaningful definition of volunteerism is doing more than you have to because you want to, in a cause you consider good. Volunteerism is an important exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer,
you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. It is the voice of people put into action. These actions shape and mold our community into what it is today and more importantly will shape and mold the present into the future of our community, a future that we all want to be proud of.
Some of the recent year’s natural disasters have highlighted the invaluable contributions of volunteers in our communities. They have volunteered their time, energy and skills to save lives and to rebuild communities. We only need to look in our own community to see the impact of volunteerism, the volunteer fire department or EMS, volunteers at the nursing home or supporting the food depot, sports booster organizations or school volunteers, the Optimist, Knights of Columbus or the Kiwanis and Lion’s club, Friends of the Fennimore Elementary School, Friend of Dwight Parker Library, Chamber of Commerce or Fennimore Foundation, Church youth groups or ministering to others, and the list could continue. What is important is that it recognized that it is really all of these organizations and individuals volunteering their
time and skills that make our community of Fennimore so strong.
Mayor Richard Daly stated, “Volunteers are not servants. Volunteers are partners working together for improving America’s future.” I say, volunteers are the lifeblood of the community, people working together to serve others needs and in doing so shape, mold and strengthen our community. Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.
It is a time when there is much need in our community, our nation, and our world, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference or not.
“In every community there is work to be done; in every heart there is the power to do it.” – Marianne Williamson
Where is your heart?
Highway 61 Project Starting Soon
If you’ve driven Highway 61 between Fennimore and Lancaster recently you may have noticed survey crews, lots of flags and new power polls along the road way. After years of study and planning it is finally our turn for Hwy 61 rebuild. The project will start at Fennimore City limits to Lancaster City Limits. The project is expected to begin in early May and run throughout the summer. We will see some changes to the Hwy 61 and McGahn Road intersection and several areas offering 3 lanes for passing.
On March 31 it was announce that H. James Construction from Fennimore was awarded the road project. We are all very happy a local company and Chamber member business will be in charge of this project. Peter James told me this is an “Open Construction” project meaning that there will always be one lane open for travel. This project will be similar to the road project between Lancaster and Dickeyville which took place a few years ago. During construction the roadway will be 11 ft wide; there will be flag persons helping with traffic flow.
There will be a public meeting approximately one week prior to starting road construction that is open to businesses and land owners affected by the road project. I will be sharing information on the meeting as it becomes available.
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and Lancaster Chamber will also work together with QueenB Radio and Morris Newspapers on a promotion “Open for Business” in support of businesses. It is our goal to get the message out about the status of highway travel, business specials and community activities. Both communities are planning to host a “Market Night” (similar to an outdoor Farmers Market) once a month June through September. A large ribbon cutting ceremony will be held once the road project is complete. Please contact the Promotions Coordinator’s office or your local radio/newspaper sales person.
Fun Fest June 2 – 3
Fun Fest committee members are busy planning for Fennimore’s largest community festival. This year’s Fun Fest will be held Friday and Saturday June 2 and June 3. Watch for more details coming soon or follow them on Facebook.
Members of the 2017 Fun Fest Committee include: Jeff Hagen, John & Sarah Torgerson, Jessica Peterson, Shelly Winkers, Jim Alderson, Mitch Tollefson, Red Kreyer, Kaleb Pagel, Matt & Gabe Fry, Nathan Napp, Shannon Winkers.
Fennimore Chamber Plans to Host Flea Market
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Flea Market on Friday evening June 2 and Saturday, June 3 in conjunction with Fun Fest. The fee to participate is $15 for Friday, $40 for both days or $30 for Saturday only. Vendor space is 12 ft x 20 ft., registration needed no later than May 31 ,2017. The Flea Market will be held between the ball diamonds and EMC in the business park. Space is limited and is filled on a first come basis. For more information contact Ashley Walker at Peoples State Bank or by calling 608-822-3248.
Ashley Walker, Chamber Board member and Flea Market committee chair is currently accepting registrations. Vendors offering flea market items, antiques/collectibles, handmade craft items and direct sales distributors are all welcome.
New Fennimore Brochure Project
Fennimore Chamber of Commerce is working with the staff at the Grant –Iowa County Shopping News to produce a new Fennimore brochure/ map. The map will be made possible through ads in the brochure.
A limited amount of ads are available and will be sold on a first come basis. Check in with your Shopping News sales representative in regard to an ad for your business. The timeline for the brochure project will be ad sales ending by the end of April, final proof by May 2 with printing taking place the week of May 9 and distribution taking place by Memorial Day weekend.
Register for Citywide Garage & Sidewalk Sale – May 18-20
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and QueenB Radio 97.7 are proud to sponsor Fennimore’s Annual Citywide Garage Sales May 18, 19 & 20. Suggested garage sale time frames include: Thursday May 18 from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 19 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 20 from 7 a.m. to noon. (See more information on the Chamber Citywide Garage Sale page)
Garage Sale Registration forms will be available starting Monday, April 17, or at American Bank, Clare Bank and Peoples State Bank, Fennimore Times and City Clerk’s office. Those planning to hold garage sales need to bring completed forms and fee to the City Clerk’s Office no later than Tuesday, May 9 to be included in the official printed maps, website and Times/Reminder ads. Their yard sign will be assigned and picked up at that time. Current hours for the City Clerk’s office is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Those who are unable to come into the office during business hours are encouraged to drop payment off in the utility payment slot (located just inside of the front south door of the Memorial building) and then call 608-822-6119 to make arrangements for sign pick up. On Monday, April 24 there will be extended hours at the Promotions Coordinators office until 5:45 p.m.
The fee to participate is $3. Return the yard sign to the City Clerk’s office or The Depot Exchange by June 1 and the $3 sign fee will be refunded.
Citywide Garage Sale committee members include the City Clerk’s office, Denise Deaton-Tolzman/QueenB Radio, Jackie Divall and Kara Stewart with assistance from the Promotions Coordinator. Special thanks to assistance from Jackie DiVall who has been volunteering a day a week at the Promotions Coordinator’s office we have NEW garage sale signs. I think everyone will be impressed with the improved signs.
The City of Fennimore chairs this committee in an effort to encourage residents to turn unneeded items into cash and reduce items in landfills and weekly recycling. They also encourage garage sale participants to donate unsold items to the Fennimore Depot Exchange or a charity of their choice. The Depot asks that all sale tags are removed, if you would like to use your donation for tax purpose, please ask for a form. The Depot’s motto is “Recycling Goodness.”
CF Breakfast Sunday, April 23
Now in its 12th Year the Annual Cystic Fibrosis Breakfast benefit for Cayden, Trinity, Cooper and Teagan Topel will be held Sunday, April 23 with serving from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fennimore Memorial building in the Fennimore Legion Hall. Serving pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese curds, applesauce and beverage. Save a dollar by purchasing tickets in advance at a cost of $7 for adults, $6 for students and children 5 and under no charge. Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Phyllis Doan 822-6808. Also that day there will be silent auction items and a 50/50 raffle.
Cayden, Trinity, Cooper and Teagan Topel are the children of Chris and Tiffany (Doan) Topel, Jefferson Wisconsin residents; local grandparents are Phyllis and Bill Doan. Four of the Topel children were diagnosed as infants with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder affecting lungs and digestion. There is no cure for CF, but researchers are getting close and the need for money to continue their work is critical. All proceeds will be raised for the “Topel Quad Squad” Great Strides for CF team and donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
City Water Hydrant Flushing Week of April 17
The utility department will be flushing mains and exercising hydrants the week of April 17 through April 21. You may notice some discoloration and a slight taste to the water, but this should clear up in a couple of days. Please refrain from doing laundry if any discoloration is noticed in your water.
Citywide Clean Up Days
The City of Fennimore will hold their spring clean up days on Friday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, April 22 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. This is a great time to tidy up your homes and yards after the long dirty winter.
This event is for City of Fennimore residents/taxpayers only. The City will be accepting non-freon appliances, small amounts of demolition material—less than 1 cu. yd. (plaster, drywall, paneling, etc), excess garbage, furniture and scrap metal. Items must be taken to the Recycling Center at 1305 Bronson Boulevard for disposal. A City employee will be at the site to direct residents where to dispose of the materials. Dumpsters will be provided and you must place items in the appropriate dumpsters. You will also be asked to register with the City employee on duty. No TVs, computer monitors, batteries, tires, hazardous materials, appliances with freon or liquid paint will be accepted. There will be no curbside pickup of these items during the week. No material will be accepted after 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 22.
Spring Clean Up at Prairie Cemetery
Spring Clean up at the Prairie Cemetery is currently in progress through Sunday, April 30. Anyone who has placed items on graves is reminded to remove items you wish to save as soon as possible. Due to strong winds over the winter, some items have been blown off monuments. Please check with the cemetery caretaker if you are missing a special item as some items have been rescued. The caretaker is generally at the cemetery during the week in the morning hours.
Just a reminder of rules and regulations at Prairie Cemetery . Flower arrangements and other grave decorations will be removed as they become unsightly. The City reserves the right to control all plantings growing within the Cemetery, including the right to remove as necessary. Trees, shrubs or flowers may not be planted. Disposal of rubbish on roads, adjoining graves or elsewhere is prohibited. Please use disposal containers provided.
All flowers (cut, silk or plastic, wreathes or other ornaments left on the grave sites that interfere with mowing will be removed by cemetery personnel. Parking on grass area is prohibited. Cemetery hours are from dawn to dusk.
Crafting for a Cause
A spring craft and vendor show is planned to benefit Gwen Arms-Myhre who has breast cancer. The craft show will be held at the Fennimore Memorial building Saturday, April 29 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. A silent auction will be held between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A live auction will be held at 5 p.m. Those interested in donations or need more information are encouraged to contact Angie Monroe, 608- 732-4322.
