Fennimore Museums Open May 28
The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum and Fennimore Historical Railroad Society Museum will both open for their 2016 season on Saturday, May 28. During the summer both museums will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily including holidays through Labor Day.
The Fennimore Historical Railroad Society Museum, 610 Lincoln Avenue, features memorabilia from Fennimore’s unique narrow gauge railroad past. The narrow gauge rail line operated in the area between 1878 and 1926, far longer than most 3-foot gauge lines in Wisconsin. During that time a narrow gauge train affectionately known as the “Dinky” chugged through the winding Big Green river valley from Fennimore to Woodman, on the Wisconsin River.
One of the new features at the Railroad Museum is mastodon bones found in 1897 by young Harry Anderson. On his way to do fieldwork near the narrow gauge rails at Anderson Mills, Harry found two pre-historic bones. These bones were donated to the Museum in 1993 with little information. Recently, with the help of UW Wisconsin Genealogy Museum curator Carolyn Easton, the 117-year mystery has been solved in regard to the Mastodon bones and their connection with the Boaz Mastodon on display in Madison’s Genealogy Museum.
The Railroad Museum has a new four-color brochure which showcases the many features of the museum complex. This new brochure replaces the original brochure that has been used since 1993 when the museum opened. The new brochure was made possible with matching funds from a Grant County Resource grant. Anyone interested in helping distributing these brochures to travel centers are asked to pick them up at the museum or the Promotions Coordinator’s office.
A miniature train which operates on a 15″ gauge rail with 700 feet of track on the museum grounds offers miniature train rides to children. Miniature train rides are available weekends only – weather permitting. Tickets for train rides are $1 each and are available at the museum. There is no set admission fee to tour the museum; donations are appreciated and are used to help Railroad Society members cover operational costs and maintenance of the museum. For more information, see the Railroad Museum webpage or call 608-822-6144.
The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum, located at 1135 6th Street (behind Subway), showcases collectible dolls and toys from around the world. The museum incorporates heirloom dolls and toys which are both owned and on loan to the museum. A visit to the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum is like taking a walk down memory lane. The Doll and Toy Museum is air conditioned and handicap-accessible. For additional information call 608-822-4100 or visit www.dollandtoymuseum.com
This year the Doll and Toy Museum will offer season passes to encourage repeat visits to the museum. A day pass of adults and teens is $3 or a season pass is $5; youth admission is $1.50 for a day pass or they may choose to ask for a season pass for the same price. Children under 5 are admitted at no cost.
The Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum board is excited to begin another season. Word has been received that the museum has been invaded by Smurfs. That’s right, there are more than 60 Smurfs hiding among the exhibits. So many Smurfs that the Friends of the Doll and Toy Museum have decided to make a contest to find out who can locate all of them. Students may make multiple visits to complete the Smurf contest.
One of the special featured displays for the season is a large turn of the century Cast Iron collection of toys on loan to the museum from a Livingston resident.
2016 marks a decade since the Friends of the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum group was organized. Since 2006 the Friends has become a non-profit organization and have relocated into a new building leased $1 per year from Randy and Paula Sheckler. Thanks to generous donations and hundreds of volunteer hours, they have made many updates and changes including new siding on the building.
Both of Fennimore’s Museums are run strictly by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Mary Davis for Doll and Toy Museum at 608-822-4100, or Chuck Stenner for the Railroad Museum at 608-485-2408.
Friends Sponsors Annual Pie and Ice Cream Social
Join members of the Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum as they sponsor their Annual Pie and Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, June 1. The event will be held at St Peter Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall (1075 Adams Street) between the hours of 6:30 and 8 p.m. Come enjoy an assortment of homemade pies topped off with ice cream. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Doll and Toy Museum.
Fennimore Community Pool
Have you heard the news? The Fennimore pool season begins Tuesday, May 31, offering daily swim and classes to Fennimore area residents and guests. To sign up for Fennimore Swimming lessons or purchase season pool passes, stop at the City Clerk’s office, 860 Lincoln Avenue, weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by making special arrangements by calling 608-822-6119. Check out the Swimming Pool information online.
The other good news is the City Council has approved the latest concept drawings for the new and remodeled swimming pool and bath house as presented by the Swimming Pool Design and Negotiations Committee. These concepts will now move forward into final design stage as it is still anticipated to start construction on the pool later this summer once the pool closes for the season. See more information about the new Fennimore Community Swimming Pool.
Lincoln Avenue Planters
Thanks to the volunteers who assisted with planting the Lincoln Avenue Planters – Cindy Arndt and her day care students, Mindy Johnson, Karla Witzig, Teresa Zart, and Linda Parrish.
Thanks also to City of Fennimore employees who brought the planters and benches out of storage for us. We also want to share our appreciation to those who purchased the flower planters and benches that adorn Lincoln Avenue. They offer a warm welcome to area residents as they pass through our Main Street.
The Chamber purchased the plants from Sugar and Spice Hummingbird Greenhouse with funds raised through fundraisers such as the Taste of Fennimore. The Chamber thanks everyone for their continued support of the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce so they can in turn support the community.
Community Invited Fennimore Memorial Day Services May 30
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 30. All veterans and veteran organizations 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. Pastor Bonnie Weise will present the invocation. This year’s speaker is Tammy Derrickson, daughter of Donald L. Smith, who was killed in Vietnam in 1967. Tammy never had the opportunity to meet her father, Donald Smith, and she will share her story during the brief program.
The Boy Scouts will provide a short program and Fennimore School band will provide music. Following the program Veteran’s will visit seven Fennimore area cemeteries. A light lunch will be served to veterans and their spouses after visiting all of the cemeteries.
The Legion Auxiliary invites the public to come early and enjoy a light breakfast. Auxiliary members will serve biscuits and sausage gravy, hot cinnamon rolls, coffee and juice in the Legion Annex starting at 7:00 a.m. until the time the parade begins. All donations from coffee/rolls will benefit the Poppy fund. American Flags (3×5) will also be available for purchase at a cost of $20 at the Memorial building that day.
Fennimore Legion Meeting
The next monthly meeting of the Fennimore American Legion will be Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Legion Annex. Commander, Bob Griffith, encourages all members to attend the meeting as several timely items are on the agenda including plans for the Fennimore Veterans Memorial dedication. For more information, contact Bob Griffith at 608-822-6193
Flag Day Official Dedication of Fennimore Memorial Park
The Fennimore Memorial Park Committee and City of Fennimore cordially invites the public to join them for the official dedication of the Fennimore Memorial Park (corner of Lincoln Avenue and 8th Street) in Fennimore, Wisconsin. The dedication will be held at June 14 at 6 p.m. A reception will follow the ceremony in the Legion Hall. Dennis and Sarah Lendosky made a generous donation to complete the fund raising for the project making it possible for the Memorial flags to be flown officially on flag day June 14. There has been a perpetual care funds account in place; those wishing to make a donation toward perpetual care may drop off funds at American Bank or send to Merry Cooley or Dagna Doan.
Congratulations and a pat on the back to everyone who donated funds for this project. It continues to show that by working together we are able to accomplish GREAT things in Fennimore!
Fun Fest June 3 and 4
Fennimore’s largest festival Fun Fest will be held Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4.
The public is encouraged to cheer on their favorite volleyball team starting at 6 p.m. on Friday night at the ball diamonds. Other Friday activities include Hammerschlaugen, magician, chain saw carver, inflatable rides and concessions and at 7 p.m. the Super Hero Run/Walk. Although the deadline has expired to receive a t-shirt, registration may be done in person at Suppz Fennimore gym or on line www.fennimore.com or Friday night starting at 6 p.m.
Saturday’s events include a girls softball tournament, kickball tournament, car show, Little Mr & Ms Fennimore announcement, chain carver, disc golf tournament, garden tractor pull, magician, dance performance, music by Mike McAbee.
The Fun Fest parade will be held Saturday at 5:30 p.m. followed by an auction of chain saw carvings and a band “The Freezers Band” starting at 7 p.m., 1/2 barrel throwing contest at 9 p.m. followed by fireworks at dusk/10 p.m.
All registration forms, dates and times of activities is listed on the Fun Fest webpage.
Farm Family of the Year
It’s time once again to nominate your favorite farm family for QueenB Radio’s Farm Family of the Year. Nomination forms are available in Fennimore at Jim’s Building Center. Deadline is Friday, June 3. The 2016 farm family of the year will be announced during the Grant County Dairy Breakfast, June 12.
Grant County Dairy Breakfast June 12
The annual Grant County Dairy Breakfast will be held at the Grant County Fair Grounds in Lancaster on Sunday, June 12 serving runs from 7 a.m. to noon. The all-you-can-eat breakfast menu includes pancakes, ham, honey, applesauce, cheese, ice cream, coffee and milk. Tickets are $5 for 12 and over, $2 for children 6 to 11 a with youth under six no charge.
Come visit with friends and neighbors, enjoy a delicious breakfast and see machinery from the Grant Antique Collectors Club, machinery display, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board booth with free ice cream. There will also be children’s activities, free blood pressure checks and the announcement of WGLR Farm Family of the Year 2016. The dairy breakfast is sponsored by the Lancaster FFA Alumni and will be held rain or shine.
Fennimore Writers Organization
The Fennimore Writers Organization meeting will be held Friday June 3 at The Cottage Baker. Please note the meeting time has changed and is now held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Fennimore Firemen’s Steak Feed
Fennimore Fire Department will host their annual steak feed Saturday, June 11 at the Fennimore Fire Station, 1070 8th Street. Serving begins at 4:30 until all steaks are sold. A beverage stand is available to purchase beer, pop and water.
Members of the Fennimore Fire Department are there for us for fire and rescue services. Let’s all turn out for them by supporting one of their largest fundraisers.
Fennimore Golf Outing
The Fennimore Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing will be held Monday, June 13 at Hickory Grove Golf Course. Shot gun start at 3 p.m. Pre-registration needed by June 6 by calling Rick Nelson 608-988-6612. See the 2016 Golf Outing Poster.