Nation of Patriots Passing Through Fennimore May 27
Now in their 8th year, the Nation of Patriots™ 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 Patriot Tour™ traditionally begins during Memorial Day weekend. A massive group of riders escorts one American Flag on the back of a motorcycle to the first of many destinations. Upon arrival, the flag is transferred to the new escort. The next day the Flag is escorted to another designated location, and then continues on for over 110 days, through all 48 continental states. The Flag finally makes it full circle and lands right back in WI where several thousand Americans gather to honor America’s Military members and raise support for those wounded in their service. This is the Patriot Tour™. It is estimated that more than 150,000 riders will participate in the 2017 tour.
This year’s ride will begin at 11 a.m. at the Madison Harley Davidson dealership escorted by State patrol. The front bike will carry the American Flag followed by an estimated 300 – 400 riders coming through Fennimore shortly after noon on Saturday, May 27. They plan to have a brief stop to fuel up and reorganize any additional riders (cars/trucks also welcome) that would like to be part of the ride en route to the Waukon IA Harley Davidson business. May 27 is the first day of the 110-day Nation of Patriots ride .
Once the riders arrive in Fennimore they will turn north on Jefferson Street between 12th and 8th Street for reorganization and their turn to fuel up at Kwik Trip. Anyone wishing to join in are asked to fill out a tour release form; a $5 voluntary contribution is expected. Please note the east side of Jefferson Street will be designated as a No Parking Zone between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to residents living along the route. For more information and to follow the route check online http://www.nationofpatriots.com
A little history on the Nation of Patriots
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 work to unite Americans beneath the banner or Flag and behind the men and women serving in the Armed Forces. They raise money through their national network and distribute it directly to the families we strive to support. The families are selected for us mostly through the VA Hospital network.
They are a 100% volunteer nonprofit. They give 100% of all donations received directly to the veterans we strive to help. We work with VA facilities and many other veteran organizations to help us locate and select the veteran families based on specific criteria.
Fennimore Memorial Day Services May 29
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 29. 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. This year’s speaker is Tino Novinska, long time Fennimore resident and Veteran.
Special recognition of Fennimore Area WWII Veterans is planned as part of the program; all are encouraged to attend. The Fennimore American Legion and Fennimore Times have collaborated to use the bios of veterans that have been published in the Fennimore Times. The bios have been turned into a short video recognizing nearly 140 area WWII Veterans. Copies of the video are also available to the public for a nominal fee (contact Peter Finnegan).
The Fennimore School band will provide music. Following the program, Veteran’s will visit seven Fennimore area cemeteries.
Fun Fest June 2 & 3
Fun Fest 2017 promises to be fun for all. See the schedule and more information on the Fun Fest page of this website or find Fun Fest on Facebook. The theme for this year’s Fun Fest is “Flashback to the 80’s”.
Run/Walk — Break out your legwarmers, day-glo clothing and aqua net and join us for this year’s Flashback to the 80’s Run/Walk on Friday June 2 at 7:00 p.m. The Run/Walk will have the same route as last year starting by Volunteer Field located in the Fennimore Business Park ball park area. Again this year there will be a 1 mile interactive kids race. You are encouraged to pre-register on-line. Registration forms are also available at Suppz Gym. Registration also available the day of run. There will be a limited number of tee shirts available the day of the event.
Kindschi Pedal Tractor Pull — One of the newest events to be added to Fun Fest is the Kindschi Pedal Tractor Pull. This is a sanctioned event that qualifies youth for state competition. The pull is for youth 4 to 12 years of age, both boys and girls are encouraged to participate. Each participant will receive a participation award along with trophies for first, second and third place in each category. Fun Fest is sponsoring this activity; all pedal tractors will be provided. All youth need to do for this free activity is register by 10 a.m.; the pull starts at 11 a.m. and will be held along LaFollette Street near the ball diamond area.
Little Miss and Mister Contest — There are still openings for youth living within the Fennimore School district to participate in the Little Miss and Mister contest. Youth who have just completed 4K through 1st grade are encouraged to participate; entry deadline is May 25. Entry fee is $5. Contact fennimorefunfest@hotmail.com or call Jessica Peterson 608-778-2625 or Shelly Winkers 608-822-5448. Prizes include: 1st place Male and Female – new bike; 2nd $25 in Fennimore Bucks; 3rd place $100 Fennimore Bucks. All contestants will receive a goodie bag.
Chamber Flea Market — The Chamber is still signing up vendors for the Flea Market, please contact Ashley Walker at Peoples State Bank 608-822-3248. Vendor Space: 12 x 20’ Outside Space on the soccer field by EMC. Cost is $15 for Friday, $30 for Saturday, and $40 for both days. Hours are Friday from 6pm-10pm, and Saturday from 8am to 10pm.
Car Show & Cruise is back by popular demand. The Car show, sponsored by Krantz Auto Parts, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The show will include 7 stock classes from 1900 to 2017; 13 other classes for trucks, bikes, street rods, rat rods, modifieds, customs, imports, corvette, Camaro, Mustang and MOPAR. Trophies for farthest traveled, Red’s pick Best of Show, largest club participation, Kingpin Car Club pick. For more details call Red 608-379-1138.
Parade — The parade will be held Saturday evening starting at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Flashback to the 80’s.” Businesses and organizations are encouraged to enter a parade entry. Advanced registration is extremely helpful in lining up the parade and judging.
Auction — Immediately following the parade, Fun Fest will auction off the chainsaw creations. The Fennimore Area Foundation will also have items to auction with proceeds benefiting the Fennimore pool project. Come prepared to bid on some great packages and auction items.
Bands — Fun Fest will have two bands this year. Friday night’s live music is provided by TraveAce and the Generators and Saturday’s live music is Two for Tuesday Band.
Fireworks will be held Saturday evening at approximately 10 p.m.
Other activities include Thundershowers jump houses, garden tractor pull, car show, kickball tournament, chainsaw carver and more. All Fun Fest activities will be held in the Fennimore ball diamond and business park area. There is something for everyone at Fun Fest. Mark your calendars and plan to attend with family and friends. Check the Fun Fest Facebook page for more details.
Fennimore Area Foundation Announces Auction
Following the Fun Fest parade on June 3 at approximately 6:30 p.m., an auction will be held to benefit the Fennimore Community pool project. A partial list of auction items include: a surprise item provided by Mayor Boebel; American Girl Doll, Lea; Quarter of processed beef; several Milwaukee Brewers packages; Rick Kelly framed print; several area golf packages; Q Casino Package, Mystery Box of Cash; 2 loads of Gravel, Wisconsin Dells package; Deer Valley Package; Ertl Toys; Wisconsin Badger Football Tickets; Spurgeon Winery Package; Taste of Fennimore Area Gift Certificates; Beer Signs; Metal Lawn ornament; Potosi Brewery Package; Sub a month for a year; lunch a month for a year at café; Quilting item; Pies, donated by three famous pie makers; Serendipity Spa Package; and a drill. Complete list with donors will be printed in Fennimore Times May 25 and June 1.
Fennimore Community Pool Ribbon Cutting June 4
Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the Ribbon Cutting activities at the new Fennimore pool planned for Sunday, June 4. Activities begin at noon, refreshments will be served. Please note the progress on the new Fennimore pool is running on schedule and it appears the pool will open on Sunday, June 4 or shortly thereafter. A new heater will be installed; the water temperature must be at least 65 degrees for the pool to open.
Those wishing to purchase season passes for the pool may do so at the City Clerk’s office or at the Fennimore pool once it is open. Information on 2017 pool fees may be found on the Swimming Pool page of this website.
Fennimore Community Blood Drive
The Fennimore American Red Cross Community Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, May 25 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.
Fennimore Museum’s Open for the Season May 27
The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum and Fennimore Historical Railroad Museum will open for their 2017 seasons beginning Saturday, May 27. 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 Mary Davis 608-822-3466 or for the Railroad Museum contact Greg Ashmore 608-822-6167 or Chuck Stenner 608-485-2408.
Volunteers have been hard at working with new changes at both museums. At the Railroad Museum volunteers have enhanced the original train layout left to the Museum from the Delmar Gildersleeve family. They have expanded the layout, added rock formations and 800 handcrafted trees thanks to the help from Harvey Sheets from Seneca and Tim Pirie from Richland Center. All buildings now have lighting and the train layout is now fully operational for enjoyment of youth and those young at heart.
Across the street, the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum has an impressive cast iron display on loan from a Livingston resident. Many of the display cases have been switched out with new dolls and toys from the Museum’s large inventory. A visit to the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum is like taking a walk down memory lane bringing back fond memories for more than three generations of days spent playing with toys.
Fennimore Chamber Golf Outing June 12
Plans are underway for the Chamber’s Annual Golf Outing on Monday, June 12 at Hickory Grove Golf Course starting at 3 p.m. Those wishing to serve as Hole Sponsors are asked to contact committee chair, Steve Lendosky by Friday, May 26. The deadline for golf registrations is Monday June 5. The Chamber invites chamber members and guests to participate in the annual chamber golf outing. The fee is $40 for Golf and Dinner per person,$30 for Golf and Dinner for those with their own cart, or $12 for the meal only. The meal will be served around 6:00 p.m. Don’t have a 4-some – let us help make a team. Contact Steve Lendosky 608-822-6100 or steve@brechlerlendosky.com
The Chamber is also accepting door prizes, trinkets from your business, gift certificates, purchased prizes or anything else you would like to give away that evening. There will be raffles, team mulligan, hole prizes and a putting contest for Brewers tickets prior to the tee-off. You will be able to purchase a team mulligan as well. Everyone has a chance to win something.
Chamber Hosts Market Nights
The Fennimore Area and Lancaster Chamber of Commerce will host Market Nights during the Hwy 61 road construction. The intent of the Market Night is to create a family friendly activity and venue for local vendors to sell produce/plants and craft items.
Market Nights in Fennimore will be held the second Thursday of each month and in Lancaster on the fourth Thursday. Vendors setup begins at 3 p.m. with the events running from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Jalisssa Zentz will serve as the Fennimore Market Manager. The fee to participate is $10 ($7.50 for chamber members) or $35 for all four markets. Those wishing to sign up to be a vendor are asked to contact Jalissa at 608-379-2016. The Fennimore Historical Railroad Society Museum will also be offering train rides for youth for a nominal fee.
Annual Pie & Ice Cream Social June 14
Save the date for the Friends of the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum Annual Pie and Ice Cream Social. This year’s social will be held on Wednesday, June 14 at St Peter Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1075 Adams Street, Fennimore. Serving will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ice cream and many yummy homemade pies will be offered. Note the church is air conditioned, bug free and handicap accessible.
Grant County Master Gardener Volunteers Planning a Bus Trip
Grant County Master Gardener will sponsor a bus trip on Tuesday, June 27. Get away for a day by taking a bus trip to the Chicago Botanical Gardens. This trip is open to all garden enthusiasts. The Grant County Master Gardener Volunteers have chartered a bus that will be leaving Bloomington with stops at Lancaster, Platteville, and Darlington with arrival at 10 a.m. The bus will leave the gardens at 4 p.m. for the return home with a quick stop at Belvidere Oasis on the way home.
The cost of the trip, including bus fare and a 35-minute tram ride, but does not include your meals, is $45.00. The gardens are a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world’s great living museums and conservation science centers. Visitors will find 27 gardens and 4 natural areas. Reservations with check payable to GCMGA must be sent to Connie Larson, 5913 Dietrich Heights, Cassville, WI 53806 by June 1. See more about the Master Gardeners on their website, http://grantcountymastergardeners.weebly.com/.
Concert at the Park July 25 – Tickets on sale!
Tickets for the Concert at the Park to be held at the ballpark on Tuesday July 25 are now on sale. Go to the DoIt4Derek website to order tickets online, read the bios of the bands, and see the complete information. Tickets are also available at Brechler-Lendosky Insurance office and several other locations in Fennimore.
