Citywide Garage Sales May 17-18-19
There will be bargains galore in Fennimore during the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and WGLR Annual citywide garage sales Thursday, Friday and Saturday May 17 – 19. A listing of sale locations, days of operation and types of merchandise is available on the Garage Sale page. An ad with list of participating locations was published in the May 14 Reminder and May 17 Times. Garage sale maps are currently available at convenience stores, banks and Carr Valley Cheese. We thank Casey’s General Store for being the official sponsor the garage sale maps.
The City clerk’s office and chamber sends out a big thanks to those who signed up to be part of the official map. Your funds are used to promote the event outside of the area to bring additional shoppers to the community. Sale sites are reminded to turn your yard sign back to the City Clerk’s office or Fennimore Depot Exchange by June 1 to receive your $3 refund on your sign deposit.
Nation of Patriots
The Nation of Patriots Tour is coming to Fennimore. We invite you to join us in Fennimore on Saturday, May 19 at 1:30 p.m. as the Nation of Patriots Tour travels Hwy 18 east into Fennimore. An estimated 400 motorcycles will ride through Main Street to the Fennimore Fire Station.
Download the complete summary of the weekend event.
We encourage Fennimore area residents to line the streets along Hwy 18 east right up 12th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Bring out your American Flags to wave as the tour goes through town. Brechler Lendosky Group has donated 100 small American flags for youth. Flags will be handed out in advance of the tour along Lincoln Avenue.
As motorcycles arrive at the fire station they will be directed to the portion of Jefferson Street from 7th to 8th Street that is closed Saturday until 6 p.m. The Fire Station will be the site of the afternoon celebration from 2 to 6 p.m. Fennimore Firemen and EMT will have beverages and brats available during the afternoon. The Adam Bartels band will provide music during the afternoon. At 2:30 p.m. a formal ceremony begins. Guest speakers include Brigadier General Retired, Richard Lofthouse and 2018 Fennimore High School Student Council President, TJ Kenney. Sydney Whitaker will provide patriotic vocal music. At 2:30 p.m. the Wisconsin Flag carrier will hand off the flag to Dustin Roberts during an official ceremony. The flag will fly outside the Fennimore Fire Department until Dustin Roberts, the second day flag carrier/rider prepares for the Sunday program at the Fennimore Veterans Memorial.
Once the Saturday celebration ends at the fire station we encourage everyone to visit other Fennimore businesses for food, beverages and entertainment. Many of the riders are expected to stay overnight at Fennimore area lodging facilities to take part in the second day ride. The City Council will also allow tent camping at Oakwood Nature Park Saturday, May 19. RV camping is also available at the Oakwood Nature Park RV camp (located along Bronson and County Hwy Q).
On Sunday, May 20 the Friends of the Fennimore Elementary School will host a pancake breakfast held at the Legion hall between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. A small program will begin at 10 a.m. near the Veterans Memorial corner of Lincoln and 8th Street. On Sunday morning, 8th Street between Lincoln and Madison Streets and the 800 block of Madison Street will be closed for motorcycles to line up.
At 11 a.m., motorcycles will depart for the second day of the Nation of Patriot Tour as part of the 110 day tour across the United States. They will travel west on Hwy 18 through Prairie du Chien with their final destination of the Harley Davidson dealership in Waukon, IA.
So what is the Nation of Patriots all about?
Now in their 9th year, the Nation of Patriots Tour™ organizes a national effort that pays tribute to, and honors, all of America’s Armed Forces – Past, Present, and Fallen. This united effort is known as the Patriot Tour™. The tour is a large group of riders which escorts one American Flag on the back of a motorcycle to the first of many destinations.
Nation of Patriots™ is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. They work on a national level to promote the awareness of and financially support the physical, emotional, and economic misfortune that our wounded veterans and their families are living with today and every day. They raise money through their national network and distribute it directly to the families they strive to support. The families are selected primarily through the VA Hospital network.
During the activities Saturday and Sunday, there will be a donation box available for anyone wishing to make a donation. Checks should be made payable to Nation of Patriots. After this weekend the donation box will be at the Memorial building. All donation boxes will be collected by the end of the summer.
Keep in mind the NOPT is a 100% volunteer nonprofit organization. They give 100% of all donations received directly to the veterans they strive to help. They work with VA facilities and many other veteran organizations to help locate and select the veteran families based on specific criteria. If you know of a veteran who may fall into the criteria for help I can help you get in touch with the board.
Thanks to everyone who got on board and helped decorate the community as part of our warm Fennimore welcome to the NOPT. Thanks to the following who donated American flags to double the amount of American flags flying on Lincoln Avenue: Audrey Doan, Carrie Friederick, Jaren and Andre Knight, Margaret Sprague, Jeff and Connie Jackson (2) and Kids Corner Family Daycare, Stitzer Go-Getters 4-H Club, Terry and Cindy Arndt, Rev. Bud Budzinski, Marty and Charity Bray, Nate Flynn, Debra and Midhael Reibsback (2), Emery Bloyer, Brechler-Lendosky Group LLC, Carr Valley Cheese, Casey’s General Store, Fennimore FFA Alumni, Community First Bank.
StoryWalk Project
The members of the Fennimore Optimist organization want Fennimore youth to understand what a Patriot is so they will sponsor a StoryWalk project. Much like the Easter StoryWalks sponsored by Bethany Alliance Church a few years ago, the StoryWalk is for youth and parents to take a walk together and read a book. Cindy Arndt, reports the book selected is “Veterans – Heroes in our Neighborhood” by Valarie Pfundstein. Watch for the book near the Fennimore Fire Station this weekend.
Sunday, May 20 Pancake Breakfast
On Sunday, May 20, the public is encouraged to come out again. The morning begins with a pancake breakfast at the Legion with serving from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The breakfast is served by the Friends of the Fennimore Elementary School with matching funds granted by St. Mary’s National Catholic Society of Foresters (up to $1500). Proceeds from the breakfast will be used to purchase additional handicap accessible play ground equipment at the Fennimore Elementary School. Fennimore restaurants will also be open serving up their delicious breakfast menus.
FHS Student Council & Collision Specialists Sponsors Car Wash & Detailing
Collision Specialist, 415 Jefferson Street, is the site for a Car Wash and Detailing event this Saturday, May 19. They are accepting appointments between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Call 822-4171 to make an appointment. Minimum donation is $30 per vehicle; proceeds go to the FHS Student Council.
Fennimore Community Blood Drive
The Fennimore American Red Cross Community Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, May 24 at the Fennimore Memorial building (860 Lincoln Avenue). Donation hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Bring a friend and help save lives together. Blood is especially needed this time of year, so please schedule your donation today 1-800-Red Cross.
Good Sam Steak Lunch on May 24
The Grant County Cattlemen will be cooking up delicious steak sandwiches/meal deals from 11 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 24. Proceeds benefit the new chapel fund. Dine in or carryout. Call to order 608-822-6100
Fennimore Museums Open for the Season May 26
The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum and Fennimore Historical Railroad Museum will open for their 2018 seasons beginning Saturday, May 26. Both Museums will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through 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 Dagna Doan 608-822-4226 or for the Railroad Museum contact Greg Ashmore 822-6167 or Chuck Stenner 608-485-2408.
Fennimore Memorial Day Services May 28
As you make plans for your Memorial Day holiday you are encouraged to make your attendance at the Fennimore Memorial Day service one of your highest priorities on Monday, May 28. All veterans and veteran organizations and scouts are encouraged to take part in the parade, please meet at the Legion by 8:45 a.m.
The Memorial Day parade begins at 9 a.m. starting at the corner of 11th Street and Lincoln Avenue. The parade travels north to the Fennimore Memorial building where a Memorial Day program will be held. Merry Cooley will serve as the speaker during the day. Peter Finnegan has been hard at work putting together an awesome video of Fennimore area veterans who served in WWI 1914-1918 – the US got involved in 1917. This video was made possible by
Sheldon Bartels and family who found and saved a shoebox full of photos when cleaning out his grandparents home. Peter wanted me to give a shout out to other area residents who may be finding photos from Fennimore’s past. Upcoming Memorial Day videos are planned for Korea era veterans, Legion members and events over the decades and Viet Nam era veterans.
Fun Fest June 1 & 2
Fun Fest 2018 has many new activities planned which promises to be fun for all. See the Fun Fest poster with the complete schedule.
Some of the new events for 2018 include: 3 person bed races on Friday and Saturday night. New events for Saturday include UTV/ATV Disc Golf Tournament; Paint a Piggy Bank sponsored by People’s State Bank along with many of the popular activities. The latest poster released by Fun Fest is Bed Races, scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7:30 p.m. Each team consists of 3 person team at least one must be a female. There is a best team costume award. All beds are provided by Fun Fest. Fee to participate is $15 per team, members must be 16 or older. Hurry and sign up fast as there is only room for 12 teams. Double elimination both days, 100% pay back. Call Jeff 608-822-5237 or email fennimorefunfest@hotmail.com
Back again this year is a Fun Fest raffle offering some great prizes. Fun Fest will conclude on Saturday evening with the Memorial Lantern release at 9:30 and fireworks at dusk (Sunday is the rain date). Fennimore Area Foundation will also hold an auction following the parade on Saturday evening.
Fun Fest would not be possible without the hard work of the community who actually work year round in the planning process. 2018 Fun Fest committee members include: Chairman, Jeff Hagen; Entertainment Coordinator, John Torgerson; Car Show Coordinator, Red Kreyer; Treasurer & Vendor Coordinator, Shelly Winkers; Event & Grounds Coordinator, Mitch Tollefson; Little Mr. & Miss Fennimore Coordinator, Jessica Peterson; Kickball Coordinator, Jim Alderson; along with committee members, Kaleb Pagel, and Matt Fry.
Crossroads Riders, Inc Membership
With the nice spring weather finally arriving we are starting to see ATV vehicles out and about so drivers are cautioned to keep an eye out and to share the roads and streets. Fennimore has a newly organized ATV club, the Crossroads Riders, Inc. They are recruiting new members; dues are $30 for the year or $50 for two years. Those interested in joining should send their name, address, phone and email to the club’s treasurer Sandy Wiest- 14991 Smokey Hollow Road, Fennimore, WI 53809. Membership forms are also available on the bulletin board at the Memorial building.
The club meets monthly the fourth Wednesday of the month (except November & December). Their next meeting is Wednesday, May 23 the meeting starts at 6 p.m. at The Cottonwood. Other officers are: Gary Northouse, President 608-485-0851; Joe Smith, VP 608-642-6418; Karla Witzig, Secretary 608-822-6916; Sandy Wiest 608-732-0606.