Fennimore Optimist Organization Adds School Supply Drive to 2019 Night Out
Two popular Fennimore community events will merge for one larger event during the Fennimore Optimist’s National Night Out Event Tuesday August 6.
Each year the Fennimore Optimist organization joins other Optimist’s nationwide on the first Tuesday evening of August to celebrate National Night Out. A free celebration for all ages kids, parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors. Come one, come all this year’s event that will be held Tuesday, Aug 6 starting at 6 p.m.; this year’s event has been moved to Marsden Park.
The Fennimore Optimists will have free lemonade and popcorn (allergen free) along with a free bounce house, face painting, yard games, ice cream treats (for purchase) and more. Another new event for 2019 is a Speeding ticket race with the Fennimore Police Department at 7 p.m. and an outdoor movie “Missing Link” at 7:30 p.m.
Even though you will see several changes to this year’s event the focus remains the same. To get the community involved in collecting school supplies to benefit youth in the Fennimore school system. In addition the more school supplies you donate the more chances you get to win prizes. Receive ticket for each school supply item.
This year’s prizes include: $100 cash donated by the Fennimore Lions Club; a boy and a girl (one each) bicycle donated by Friends of Fennimore Elementary School; a scooter donated by Century 21/Jon Miles; Family movie pass donated by PJ’s Daycare; Echo Dot & Fire TV stick donated by Nelson Properties, 2 fully packed backpacks donated by Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics and a Fire 7 Tablet donated by Fennimore Optimist organization.
Fennimore Community Awards
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC) have been recognizing Fennimore area volunteers who have helped to make Fennimore are great place to live, work and play since 1981.
FACC is pleased to announce those who were recognized during the Community Awards ceremony July 9 as part of the activities of the FACC Annual Chicken BBQ.
- 2019 Citizen of the Year – Jeff Hagen
- 2019 Business of the Year – Tina Frye – Tina’s BarkN Beauties
- 2019 Family of the Year – The Tom Kenney Family
- Organization of the Year – Fennimore Industrial & Economic Development Corp
- 2019 Chamber Board Award for Exemplary Service – Dennis Cooley
See the Chamber Community Awards page for complete details on the recipients and photos.
Calling for 2020 Calendar of Events
Believe it or not it’s time for me to start collecting dates for 2020 activities. If you or your organization has an event planned please contact me by phone 822-3599 or email promo@fennimore.com with the date, time, location, fee or any special information no later than August 30, 2019.
I will be sharing the information with the WI Dept of Tourism, Grant County Travel Planner, Hidden Valley magazine along with the Fennimore website calendar. Please note it is my policy to only submit information provided to me. From experience I’ve found it is not a good idea to assume an event will be a certain date. Thanks in advance for your help to be sure we have accurate information out there.
Legion Flag Burning Aug 8
The Fennimore American Legion will hold their annual flag burning ceremony Thursday, Aug 8 near the Legion. Members Fennimore 4-H, Fennimore Boy and Girl Scouts are part of the annual ceremony. Anyone wishing to have an American flag disposed of properly is asked to drop off at the flag box just outside the front door or give to a Legion member.
The Fennimore Legion is pleased to announce their recent change in officers, they include: Commander: Curtis Cole, 822-6449; contact Curt to rent the Legions Annex. 1st Vice Commander, Mike Reinsbach, 2nd Vice Commander, Dan Stewart Adjutant, Emery Bloyer, 988-6633, Finance Officer, Sheldon Bartels Chaplain, Mike Reinsbach, Sgt. at Arms, Rickey Staskal, Sgt. at Arms, Peter Finnegan Membership Chairman, Curt Freymiller and Historian, Peter Finnegan
Grant County Fair Aug. 11-18
Spend a few hours or several days at the Grant County Fair, Aug 11 through 18, held at the Lancaster fairgrounds located on County Hwy A. Be sure to check out all of the 4-H & FFA exhibits featuring projects from Grant County youth. These projects are great learning experiences preparing youth to be our future leaders here in Grant County. There are also daily and nightly activities and entertainment. Check out the schedule online http://www.grantcountyfairwi.org/
Southwest Tech Prepares for Fall Classes
Summer is passing by very quickly; the staff at Southwest Tech is busy preparing for the fall semester. Move in day for students living in campus housing is Friday, Aug 16 with the first day of class starting August 19.
Join me and members of the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce in welcoming the students and staff back to campus. Fennimore area businesses that would like an opportunity to take part in Charger Fest (formerly the fall picnic) are asked to contact Robin Hamel. This is a great way to introduce your business and products to students as well as staff. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come basis.
Fennimore Jr Fair – Aug 24
One of the newest additions to the Jr Fair is shooting sports the fair committee is working with Southwest Tech to hold this event at the College’s shooting range. The activities are held on Thursday evening, Aug 22 starting at 5 p.m.
Friday evening will be used as the set up night at the High/Middle School starting at 5:30 p.m. At that time inside fair entries can be put in place until 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug 24 is Jr Fair Day with fair exhibits placing at 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m..; the food stand will also open at 8 a.m. For additional information check out the Jr Fair book which can be found online at the Fennimore School District website.
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 fun feature is a water filling station in the pavilion next to the bath house.
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 museum’s. 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 Larry Beer 822-6858 or Greg Ashmore 822-6167..
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
Summer is in full swing which means we are getting close to some of the highest temperatures of the year. For those who do not have access to air conditioning to get a little relief from the heat Fennimore has the following cooling centers that are open to the public:
- 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.
- Devine Rehabilitation Center, Beth Keeney, 1850 11th Street, 822-6100, they are open to the public from 8 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 2. 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.
Unwanted Recycling Bins and Garbage Cans
Town & Country Sanitation has offered the City the use of a 50-yard dumpster for the removal of unused or unwanted recycling bins and garbage cans.
This dumpster will be located at the City’s Street Department Shop near the intersection of 7th Street and Jackson Street. The dumpster will be dropped off the morning of Thursday, July 18th and remain there until Thursday, August 8th.
Residents will have access to this dumpster to get rid of any bins or cans that are no longer needed. Bins and cans made of plastic as well as bins and cans made of other materials will be allowed in the dumpster. Please do not put any other refuse or garbage in this dumpster, it is intended to let us get rid of our old bins and cans only.
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 5:00 to 6:30 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 or would like to hold pickleball at another day or time contact Mary by her cell phone 802-249-2572.
Grant County Master Gardeners Garden Tour August 15
The members of the Grant County Master Gardeners are excited to announce that something new has been added for their next meeting on August 15 at Fennimore. Come join the group at our first stop at 6:30 PM at the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum located at 1135 6th Street, Fennimore WI. We will be viewing the progress taking place at Marsha Schneider’s project of creating a pollinator area for the garden at Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum.
The museum is easy to find. It is located just behind Subway, 615 Lincoln Ave. Fennimore that is HWY 61.
From there we will go to Chris Swan’s to hear about her Hugelkultur beds. See how the art and science of the Hugelkultur, the ultimate in raised bed gardening method, has been successful for Master Gardener volunteer. Below are Chris’s directions to her house.
Travel two miles north of Fennimore on HWY 61 towards Boscobel. Turn left on Robin Road. Travel 1/4 mile to Birdseye road and turn left on Birdseye Road. Swan home is first home on right on Birdseye Road. 14065 Birdseye Road.
Registration is not required for the free tour for garden enthusiasts. A business meeting for Master Gardener volunteers will follow the tour of Chris’s gardens.