8th Back to School Business Showcase Wed. August 9
Save the date Wed, August 9 and plan to join in the fun and entertainment for the whole family at the Back to School Showcase. Organizers hope you will enjoy the new location for afternoon activities from noon to 4 p.m. on Adams Street near the Fennimore pool. The business showcase and school supply collection will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Memorial gym. Help fill the bus with school supplies in front of the Memorial building starting at 4:30 p.m.
Download the Back to School Showcase poster
Even though there are several changes to this year’s event, the focus remains the same. 1) involve the community in collecting school supplies to benefit youth in the Fennimore school system; 2) a vendor showcasing Fennimore area businesses and 3) a chance to win some great prizes. The more you donate the more chances you have to win prizes.
The following donations will receive bonus tickets per item: 50 tickets for scientific calculator; 20 tickets for Kinder Mats, back packs, flash drive, 5 in 1 notebooks; and 10 tickets for Primary journal, dab and stick glue, dry erase markers, composition notebooks, glue sticks, #2 pencils, Crayola markers, colored pencils and water colors. Other donations receive 1 ticket. School supplies will be used to fill backpacks for Fennimore School district student needing assistance. Additional supplies will be donated to the school’s supply closet.
Outdoor activities will be held between noon and 4 p.m. west of the pool. Some of the outdoor activities include face painting by Cheeky Monkey, caricature drawings by Lemongrass Art and delicious fried cheese curds prepared by Carr Valley Cheese. Youth may purchase a $5 wristband which gives them unlimited use of Deluxe Bounce House and Obstacle Course.
Lunch is offered near the pool starting at 11 a.m. serving thru 4pm; then at the Memorial building until food runs out. Food is a choice of pulled pork, or pulled beef with chips, and a drink for $5 or $6; sandwiches only $4 and $5 respectfully. Volunteers will deliver to local businesses from 11-1:30 p.m. To help coordinate delivers, please call in advance for carryout orders 608-822-5432 or 822-5140.
Business Showcase vendors include: Gundersen Health, Lularoe/Samantha Goss, TNT Gymnastics, Casey’s, Crossing Rivers Health, Southwest Tech, Pampered Chef/Susan Walker, Grant Regional Health Care, Organo/Teresa Osborne, Tupperware/Liz Lenz, Papazarri/Stephanie Maag, PJ’s Daycare, Younique/Wildtree/Brittney Christman, Cleaver Container/Shelly Winkers, Usbourne/Maegen Johnson, Learn with Me Crafts/Sally Rech, OSD Photography/Olivia Dudenbostel, Itworks/Mari Schneider and Hammerand Farms. Also on hand will be Bethany Alliance Church MOPS (Moms of Pre-school) organization, Dustin Robert/ Roughnecks MC and Rose Cutting/ Aiming for Acceptance display sharing information and A4A project. Entertainment on the stage includes Dance Elite, LLC, TNT Gymnastics and Boscobel Academy of Martial Arts.
Following the entertainment, the drawings for prizes will take place at approximately 7 p.m. starting with business door prizes followed by the drawing for the big prize items. Must be present to win prizes.
Grand prizes include: a Hoverboard and 24 inch TV donated by Fennimore Kiwanis; Cheeky Monkey donated a birthday package valued at $150; Century21/Jon Miles donated a youth bike, Pat & Karen Schroeder and Prairie Farms donated 2 All Ride passes for the Grant County Fair and Rayovac has donated flashlights. Financial sponsors include: TDS/Platinum sponsor, Peoples State Bank/Gold sponsor and Rayovac /Silver sponsor.
Organizers of this year’s Back To School Business Showcase is The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and Fennimore Kiwanis organizations. Net proceeds will support youth projects and needs not covered in the school’s budget.
Fennimore Interactive Location for Fireball Run Monday, Sept 25
The countdown has begun for what promises to be an exciting day in Fennimore. Fennimore has been selected as an interactive location, for the Amazon TV Series, Fireball Run! This Amazon original series is only available to those with an Amazon Prime Membership or by googling Fire Ball Run.
Download Fireball Run information
Some of you may be asking, “What is Fireball Run?”
1. The easiest way to explain it would be one of two ways. It is like an adult treasure hunt and game.
2. Or, it is 40 teams, driving cross-country, competing mile after mile in a legendary, life-sized trivia game.
- To win, they take the road less traveled in an epic quest to re-discover America, searching for unique places, historic artifacts, and extraordinary experiences.
- It is Trivia Pursuit meets the Game of Life meets National Treasure (the movie).
In this year’s episode, the teams will be driving from Eau Claire, to Rochester and then down through Boscobel, Fennimore and then to Dubuque. From Dubuque they will make their way back through Iowa, until they get to final location in Pierre, South Dakota. They picked Boscobel and Fennimore to be dual Interactive Locations. What that means, is that we are a stop along the way, where half of the teams spend some time in each community. This game is a points-based system, with the players accruing points for accomplishing goals, finding locations, bonus locations etc.
But not only is it a game, it is also the largest missing persons recovery effort in the United States where each contestant carries fliers and pictures of a missing child. They have actually found over 50 children from this effort.
The Lendosky Acts of Kindness Donor Fund has donated the funds to allow Fennimore to be a participant. So now the Chamber and a group of volunteers are busy preparing for the Sept 25th event.
As an interactive destination, it is our job to make Fennimore look like the greatest place in Wisconsin, for two hours. We need your help. The Chamber is sponsoring a “Fall Decorating Contest” to present a welcoming and MEMORABLE experience as they drive into Fennimore. The members of this competition are famous actors, CEO’s, people of importance, etc. We look at this as an opportunity to possibly raise awareness for our community and how great of a place it would be for them to possibly invest or relocate.
These contestants also get bonus points (trust me, they all want to win, so they all want bonus points) for spending $100 in the community, non-gas. They will be driving some beautiful and interesting vehicles through our community and will be here for 2 hours. They will park in the 800 block of Lincoln Avenue and Suppz parking lot.
So this is what we are looking for:
- Food – we are serving 75 Fireball contestants and filming crew.
- Items for welcome gift bags.
- Fall Decorating of Businesses and community.
- Welcome Greetings on all digital signs and sandwich boards.
- Volunteers to help during the day with food, serving and clean up.
Please contact Steve Lendosky 608-822-6111 with any questions and to volunteer or donate to this huge Fennimore project.
More information can be found at these sites:
http://fireballrun.com/
http://www.fireballrun.com/events/2017-big-country
http://fireballrun.com/registration/interactive-towns
https://www.facebook.com/fireballrun/
Chamber Sponsors Fall Decorating Contest
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce Marketing is sponsoring a Fall Decorating Contest. Our goal is to invite tourists to stop and shop while passing through Fennimore on their way to Gays Mills Apple Fest and Warrens Cranberry Fest that weekend. Along with Fennimore Schools Homecoming and Museums Heritage Day and Toy Tractor Show and last but not least the Fireball Run coming through September 25.
Details include registration forms sent to the Chamber office by September 11, 2017. Decorating must be done by noon on Monday, September 18. Be creative! Decorate store windows, light poles (caution you can’t obstruct sidewalks or site of traffic ). Decorations should remain up at the least through September or even into October. Send in a photo by Sept 19 for the first round of judging. Prizes include: 1st Place – 2018 Chamber Dues (Value $110 to $350); 2nd Place – $50 and 3rd Place – $25
Download the Fall Into Fennimore decorating contest registration form
For more information or questions, please contact Joy Bussan at 608-822-6416 or email at joy@carrvalleycheese.com
Fennimore Optimists Sponsor National Night Out August 1
The Fennimore Optimist organization will hold their Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug 1. The family oriented event will be held at Arborvitae Park between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Bounce slide, Karate, Fire & Rescue and K9 unit part of activities. An outdoor movie “Boss Baby” will begin at dusk. Food will be available for purchase. Everyone is invited to attend this family friendly community activity.
Highway 61 Road Construction Report Aug 1
prepared by Jay Adams – Project Manager
Road work continues to progress towards Lancaster on the USH 61 project with topsoil stripping operations reaching Liberty Ridge Road and even further to the south. Earthwork and culvert pipe extensions/replacements will soon follow along with slope widening.
Back to the north, box culvert extensions continue along with landscaping and restoration work.
With every week, the new pavement and end of the project gets closer. Expect continued delays under flagging operations as work progresses towards Lancaster and milling/paving work commences the later part of August and into September.
As always, slow down, pay attention to flaggers, avoid distracted driving and wear your seat belt! Please watch your speed and pay attention to flaggers in the work zones. Safe travels!
Fennimore and Lancaster Market Nights
Fennimore and Lancaster Chambers continue their Market Nights from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
- Aug 10 and Sept 14 in Fennimore on the grounds of the Fennimore Railroad Museum.
- Aug 24 and Sept 28 in Lancaster at the Shopko parking lot.
The Chambers remind everyone that businesses located on Hwy 61 will always be open for business! We thank you for your continued support.
Fennimore Chamber of Commerce Hosts Pool Party Aug 17
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce will host a pool party on Thursday, Aug 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fennimore Community Pool. Chamber members, staff and volunteers who have assisted with Chamber sponsored events and activities are encouraged to attend. The party is planned as a “Thank You” to everyone who has helped to make chamber sponsored activities successful. Those interested in learning more about chamber membership are also encouraged to attend. Light refreshments and a social time will be held. The event will be held rain or shine in the pool pavilion.
Download the Pool Party invitation
Let’s all enjoy the wonderful new community pool and celebrate the opening of the pool; a proud accomplishment of the entire community.
Fennimore Rocks! All over Fennimore that is!
Fennimore residents out taking a walk have an even greater opportunity for a fun experience. As a popular Facebook Group “Fennimore Rocks!” has painted a large number of rocks and have placed them all over town. This fun summer activity was started by Sarah Torgerson and is enjoyed by MANY kids throughout the community! People can find the Group on Facebook by searching Fennimore ROCKS!! and clicking Join Group! You can play without Facebook too!!
It is just fun to post pictures of the kiddos with their Rocks on the Facebook Group Page!
Youth are encouraged to keep a rock or two, paint more and then place rocks in new and different locations. What a fun way to spend time as a family while also getting some great exercise and enjoying our beautiful city together. Keep Rockin Fennimore!
