Veterans Day
The Fennimore American Legion encourages the public to join them for the annual Veteran’s Day service on Friday, November 10 at the Fennimore High School. The public should arrive at the high school by 10:30 a.m. The service begins just prior to eleven; a moment of silence will take place promptly at 11 a.m. Music will be provided by Fennimore High School students.
Speakers include local veteran Curt Cole and a representative from Fennimore High School. Music will be provided by FHS students.
Here is a little trivia to share — there are 21.4 million veterans in the U.S.; in Wisconsin alone there are 409,000 veterans. Wisconsin also boasts 65,000 Veteran owned businesses.
Later that day, Fennimore Legion members and their spouse/guest will come together as a group for a potluck supper starting at the Legion at 6 p.m. This is a time when Legion members and guests take time to reflect and honor veterans who have passed away within the last year.
Highway 61 Road Project Celebration
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and Lancaster Chamber have plans underway for a celebration to recognize the upcoming completion of Highway 61 between Fennimore and Lancaster. The celebration will be held Monday, Nov 20 at 1 p.m. and will be held at Tim Slack Auction and Realty located at the junction of Hwy 61 and Circle Road. Light refreshments will be served.
The road project began in May 2017 and is scheduled to be finished within the next couple of weeks. The road project ran from Lancaster City Limits Street to Fennimore’s south city limits.
The project resurfaced US 61 and also included the widening of highway shoulders, added several passing lanes, and extended culverts. The project was “Open Construction” which meant all roads were open to businesses throughout the entire project due to traffic flagging operations during construction.
Both Chambers wish to thank H. James Construction, WisDOT and subcontractors for the excellent job on the road project. The Chambers also want to recognize the Grant County Resource committee for approving a grant which offered the chambers and businesses the opportunity to offer co-op advertising with road construction updates throughout the road project.
Grid Iron Chili Supper
This year’s Chili Supper will be held on Monday, November 13 at Hickory Grove Golf Course. Serving runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 with youth under 5 eating at no charge. Tickets are available at the door.
42nd Annual Chamber Christmas Creations Craft Show Nov 25
Come one, come all to the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce 42nd Annual Christmas Creations Craft Show and Sale. More than 45 vendors will be on hand offering a wide assortment of handmade craft items perfect for holiday decorating and gift giving.
The one day show is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 25. Admission is free and is held at two convenient locations, the Fennimore Memorial building gym (860 Lincoln Avenue) and Fennimore Elementary School gym (860 Madison Street) please use the 8th Street entrance to gym.
At the Memorial building just across the hall from the gym in the Legion Annex Legion Auxiliary members will be serving food from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with both breakfast and lunch menus.
Craft Show shoppers are also encouraged to “Shop Fennimore First” and take advantage of specials being offered by Fennimore area businesses during our two-day “Shop Small – Win Big” promotion. Watch for business participating and their specials as they become available.
Shop Local and get the chance to win big with paid out in Fennimore bucks. Simply fill out a form at any of the participating business locations on starting November 18 thru December 14 . Prize money made possible by the generous sponsors.
American Express Small Business Saturday Nov 25
In 2010 American Express started promoting their Small Business Saturday promotion. Each year more and more shoppers have participated. An estimated 88 million people “Shopped Small” in 2014. This year could be even bigger!
In order for communities to grow and survive our small businesses need to thrive. This is the third year Fennimore has signed up with American Express to be part of their Small Business Saturday. Actually we are suggesting you “Shop Small”. We thank American Express for providing the chamber and Fennimore businesses with their Small Business Saturday kits. You will notice large banners, rugs and canvas bags around town which were all provided free of charge to any business that requested them.
We realize you probably can’t purchase every item on your holiday list here in Fennimore. However if you visit our businesses you may be surprised at the wide assortment of merchandise and services offered locally. Remember it is up to all of us to do our part to keep Fennimore thriving and our businesses profitable. Just think if you could purchase 50% of your gifts locally what a difference it could make right here were we live, work and play. Whenever there is a fundraiser or event for a special cause, local businesses are the first place asked to donate. It’s our turn for payback by “Shopping Local.”
Unity Tree Lighting Saturday Nov 25
For 24 years City folk and Country folk have gathered at the Unity Tree located between Dwight Parker Library and the gazebo for the Unity activities. Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive at 6:10 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony to following.
Following the lighting of the tree, entertainment and refreshments will follow at the Memorial building in the Legion hall.
Businesses, organizations, families and individuals are encouraged to sponsor lights on the tree in memory of or in honor of someone for a $5 donation per recognition. Registration forms may be found at local places of worship, banks, City office or Dwight Parker Library. The deadline to have your sponsorship listed on the flier is Saturday, Nov 18.
The “Friends of the Library” project will be the recipients of funds raised from this year’s Unity project
Fennimore Bucks Make Perfect Gifts
Can’t decide what to buy for hard-to-buy for persons on your holiday list? Fennimore Bucks make perfect gifts for everyone of all ages. Fennimore bucks may be spent the same as cash at any of our 100 plus chamber members businesses. Fennimore bucks make a quick and easy gift while also supporting Fennimore Chamber members businesses. Fennimore Bucks are available starting at $5 and up; there is no processing fee added compared to charges for many of the gift cards. Fennimore Bucks order forms are available online under the chamber button. Call ahead or email your order and the bucks will be ready for you to pick up at the Promotions Coordinator’s office. If it is more convenient, send a stamped self-addressed envelope and they will be mailed to you. Orders received by Tuesday, December 19 will be processed in time for Christmas giving.
Please note the Promotions Coordinator’s office will be closed Dec 22 through January 2, 2018.
Fennimore Chamber Holiday Party
The sixth annual Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday party will be held on Wednesday, Dec 13 at The Cottonwood Supper Club. Chamber members and guests are encouraged to come enjoy refreshments and take the opportunity to network and socialize with other successful Fennimore businesses between 5 to 7 p.m.
Cookie Walk – Dec 9
Members of the Bethany Women’s Group will host their annual Cookie Walk on Saturday December 9 from 8 to 11 am. or until they are sold out. Come early for best selection. The cookie walk will be held in the Legion Annex in the Fennimore Memorial building.
Choose from three box sizes, small for $7.99, medium for $9.99 and large boxes $11.99. Cookie helpers assist with filling boxes as shoppers choose their holiday favorites. Simplifying your Holiday baking, giving a sweet holiday gift or buying a box just to enjoy are all good reasons to visit the cookie walk. Proceeds are used to fund camp scholarships and mission projects. For more information, call the Bethany Alliance Church at 608-822-6946
Fennimore Lions Club Birthday and Anniversary Calendars
The Lions Club is now collecting birthday and anniversary information for their March 2018 thru February 2019 community calendar. Please email info to garycham@tds.net The cost for each calendar is just $5 and proceeds are used to support a wide variety of community projects, organizations and events.
Currently Kim Streif serves as Fennimore Lions Club president; Gary Chamberlain is Secretary and Larry Novinska is in charge of media. Want to do something good for your community and also feel good about yourself? New members are always welcome to join the Fennimore Lions Club, contact any of the officers listed above. Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. and are held at The Cottonwood.
Here is a sampling of support the Lions have extended to the community: Fennimore Rescue Squad, Fennimore Fire Department, Unity Tree, Trick or Treat bags for grade school, Stuff the Bus during Back to School business showcase, Boy Scouts, Post Prom party, Come for Supper Community meal, Doll & Toy Museum, Marsden Park, Dwight Parker Library, Fun Fest, Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Champion Games, Badger Camp, Fennimore High School scholarship, local road cleanup among other activities.
Visit the Fennimore Lions Club website to learn more about the great things they do throughout the year. The Lions Club’s Lucky 26 drawing is now in progress, a list of winners is listed on their website.
Alternate Side Parking begins November 1 and runs through April 1, 2018.
Vehicles shall not park on the North or West side of any street in the City of Fennimore during any hours between midnight and 7 a.m. on odd numbered sides of the street on odd numbered days. Vehicles shall not park on South or East side of any street in the City of Fennimore during hours of midnight to 7 a.m. on even-numbered days of the month.
Recently there have been some exceptions added to winter parking in the City of Fennimore. Physicians on emergency calls are exempt. Winter parking restrictions do not apply on portions of the following streets
- 1200 block of 7th Street;
- 1200 block of 11th Street; and
- 1200 block of Cleveland Street.
- At a time with no snow on the travel lanes and/or intersections of the City streets for the previous 48 hours.
Keep in mind the day starts at midnight. For questions, please contact the Fennimore Police Department 608-822-3215.
Happy Thanksgiving
As we prepare to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday it is only fitting for all of us to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for. Fennimore is a great place to live, work and play. That doesn’t happen by accident it is made possible due to our local leadership efforts along with everyone in the community. I’m so proud of how the community came together with several recent food drives to collect food for those who need some extra assistance at this time.
This column isn’t large enough to list separately all of the volunteers, organizations, business owners and managers I’ve had the opportunity to work with during the past year. I’m wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving. I look forward to working with everyone in 2018.
City offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, Nov 23 and 24.
Residents living on the west side of Lincoln Avenue are reminded that garbage pickup will take place on Wednesday, Nov 22 rather than November 23.
