City offers Free WiFi at City Ballfields
The City of Fennimore has begun a pilot program evaluating offering public WiFi on broader scale in Fennimore. Currently public WiFi at Derek’s ball field is available within Oakwood Community Park between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. “OakwoodPublicWiFi” There is no password required. This is a free service provided by the City and maintained by volunteers.
The connection is filtered to prevent access to “Adult” content. Parents should monitor their children’s use.
9th Annual Back to School Business Showcase Aug 1
The 9th Annual Back to School Business Showcase co-sponsored by the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and Fennimore Kiwanis organizations will be held Wednesday, August 1. Due to public input, this year’s event will be streamlined with all activities taking place at the Fennimore Memorial building from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Even though you will see several changes to this year’s event the focus remains the same. 1) To get the community involved in collecting school supplies to benefit youth in the Fennimore school system; 2) a vendor showcase which is a great opportunity for Fennimore area businesses to showcase their products and services and 3) a chance to win some great prizes (receive ticket for each school supply donation).
Outside of the Memorial building there will be four carnival games, along with bounce houses. The bounce houses are free of charge, and the games will be $1 a game. Inside the Memorial building gym, the vendors and business showcase will be held. Ashley Walker reports there are some new vendors participating this year.
Once again one of Fennimore School’s small school buses will be parked outside of the Fennimore Memorial building. Stop by the bus to drop off your donation between 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. For each school supply item donated, you receive one ticket for a chance to win prizes.
There are some items of greater need to meet required supplies for certain grade levels.
Donation of the following items will receive bonus tickets for each item as follows: 50 tickets for special 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.
Grand prizes include: a 32 inch TV and chromebook is donated by Fennimore Kiwanis. Century21/Jon Miles is donating a youth bike. Other prizes include an activity pass for the high school, four $25 giftcards from Casey’s, Grant County Fair Pass and Aug 5 circus tickets. Many other prize items are still coming in and will be shared on FaceBook.
Following the entertainment, the drawings for prizes will take place at approximately 7 p.m. Drawings for business door prizes begin followed by the drawing for the big prize items. You must be present to win prizes.
Chamber Hosts Circus Aug 5
The Chamber is sponsoring the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on Sunday, August 5 which will be a great family outing. The circus will be held just east of the Fennimore pool, in the area that generally houses the school buses.
Earlier in the day everyone is encouraged to come watch as the grounds are transformed into a bustling Circus City. Come watch as animals are unloaded, the Big Top is erected, and rigging is prepared for the afternoon performances. It is anticipated the sometime between 9:30 and 10 a.m. the raising of the Big Top will take place; followed by a free tour. Two 90 minute shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. For more information visit their FaceBook page with videos, photos and comments from past sponsors and patrons www.cmcircus.com
Advance tickets will be available at the following businesses: Peoples State Bank, American Bank, Clare Bank, Chamber office, Casey’s General Store and Carr Valley Cheese (summer hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Save by purchasing your tickets in advance which are $10 for adults and $7 for Senior (65 and over) and youth 2 to 12 years of age; children under 2 are admitted free. On show day the tickets increase to $13 and $8 respectfully. Midway box office opens at 1 p.m. along with pony rides, moon bounce, concessions and more.
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce is recruiting some “Grouvie Kids”
The Chamber marketing committee has just invested in a new marketing program designed to help collect photos and videos of events to use in Fennimore marketing materials. The Chamber is recruiting Middle School and High School age students (over 13 years old) to assist the chamber at community functions to take photos and explain what the Grouve marking program is all about and encourage people to get involved. Participants will get a chance to win Fennimore bucks. This is a great way for Fennimore Middle School and High School students to be involved in community service by being one of the “Grouvie kids.” It’s a great activity to include while preparing scholarship applications. Please give me a call for more details.
Fennimore Promotion Projects
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce is often asked where any profits go from events like the Taste of Fennimore, Chicken BBQ and etc. The marketing committee’s investment in the GrouVe marketing program is one example which will help expand our photo and video library for promotion and business recruitment. The chamber recently purchased three kiosks which will be installed at the three ATV/UTV routes coming into Fennimore from Fennimore and Mt Ida Townships. The Kiosks will display community information and maps of where they can find places to eat, purchase fuel, find lodging and highlight community events.
August Business Spotlight features The Cottonwood Supper Club and Sports Bar
The Chamber’s featured Business Spotlight for August is The Cottonwood Supper Club and Sports Bar. Pat and Reggie Reynolds are pleased to have their son Tyler and wife Amy and their children Jaxson and Lyla living back in the area and involved in the business.
The Cottonwood is open Wednesday – Sunday offering their famous salad bar and daily specials in the bar and dining room; Thursday night is half price stone fired pizza (dine in only). They are a perfect location to hold your next get together from weddings, anniversaries and class reunions to funeral meals call and talk to Pat, Tyler or Amy for more details. Recently a ATV/UTV route has opened with direct access off Roosevelt Street through the crop ground waterway. The Reynold’s family welcomes customers.
Fennimore Community Pool
Have you stopped by the Fennimore Community pool this summer? Normal pool hours are 1 to 8 p.m. seven days a week; that’s right the pool is open straight through for convenience of patrons. Some of the unique features of the pool include bubbler, zero entry (like walking from a beach into the water), basketball hoop and two diving boards. There are plenty of lounge chairs and seating along with two shelter areas to get out of the direct sun. An onsite concession stand also offers cool treats. Bring your water bottle to stay hydrated; another new feature is a water filling station in the pavilion next to the bath house.
Pickleball Lessons
Looking for a different type of exercise for you, your family and even grandparents? Mary Benoit, local Fennimore resident, would like to share her interest in pickleball with area residents.
Mary will offer the opportunity to play pickleball on Wednesday evenings starting at 5:30 p.m.. The game will be played on the tennis courts located on the east side of Marsden Park. Again, pickleball is a great game for all ages so bring out the entire family. No experience necessary, equipment will be provided. There is no fee to participate. If you have more questions for Mary, her cell phone is 802-249-2572.
Fennimore Fall Decorating Contest
The Chamber marketing committee is encouraging businesses to decorate the town as a warm welcome to Fall travelers and Fennimore’s fall events. The chamber will sponsor a Fall decorating contest as part of their “Fall Into Fennimore Savings” promotion (formerly Bob on Into Fennimore) and the other community events including Homecoming, Heritage Day at Museums, Farm Toy Show and Pancake Breakfast. Fall into Fennimore Savings days are September 27 thru September 30. All of the museum’s heritage day festivities will be held Sunday, September 30.
Get those creative ideas going and be sure to register to participate by September 17. Watch for full details online www.fennimore.com/chamber and more details will be coming.
Fennimore Brochures Hot off the Press
The new Fennimore brochures will soon be hot off the press. Volunteers are encouraged to help us get the brochures out to other communities at their museums and attractions and chamber and visitor centers. If you are willing to help, give me a call 608-822-3599.
Fennimore Museums Are Open
Looking for something to do this summer? Just a reminder the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum and Fennimore Historical Railroad Museum are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Following Labor Day both museums are open weekends only the months of September and October. Tours are also available at other times by making reservations in advance. Volunteers are always welcome at both of the museums. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Doll and Toy Museum at 608-822-4100 or Mary Davis 608-822-3466 or for the Railroad Museum contact Greg Ashmore 608-822-6167 or Chuck Stenner 608-485-2408.
Looking for a fun way to celebrate a child’s birthday? Set up a time for a group tour of one or both of the museums and then have a picnic on the museum grounds.
Cooling Centers
With Summer in full swing we are experiencing some of the highest temperatures of the year. For those who do not have access to air conditioning, Fennimore has the following cooling centers that are open to the public to get a little relief from the heat.
- Dwight Parker Library, Cathy Smith, 925 Lincoln Avenue, 822-6294 is open Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.
- Southwest Tech, 1800 Bronson Blvd, 822-2401 contact Dan Imhoff for space available, hours open Monday-Thurs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Good Samaritan Society, Grant Nerison, 1850 11th Street, 822-6100, they are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, meals are available at guest price.
Fennimore Area Writers Group
The Fennimore Area Writers group will meet on Friday, August 3. Meetings are held between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. at the meeting room at Hardees. Everyone is encouraged to join in the meeting. Bring along your own writings, your favorite writers or just come enjoy others writing. FAWA is for all ages; we welcome all family members to participate.
Next week the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce will have their monthly newsletter in the Fennimore Times in place of this column. Any event information that needs to be published before August 9 should be sent directly to the Times.
