Focusing on Fennimore
Fall has come rushing in with Wisconsin’s fifth season – Oktoberfest that is. If you would like to know about all the fall events going on throughout the state the best places to enjoy the Fall colors link in to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website TravelWisconsin.com
Fall is off to a GREAT start here in Fennimore… Great numbers came out to participate in Fennimore’s Heritage Day activities at both Fennimore museums Sept 29. The FFA and Alumni had a good crowd at the Memorial building for the pancake breakfast and Farm Toy Show respectfully. The 4th Annual Giant Pumpkin Contest sponsored by the Pumpkin Growers took place also along Lincoln Avenue near Hilltop Bar and Grill. The Pumpkin Growers report this year was a big success coming in with 10,110 # pumpkins being weighed in. Fennimore are residents Kim and Bob Govier came in as this year’s champion with giant pumpkin coming at 858# pounds.
Each year the Giant Pumpkin Growers organization donates to a community cause. This year the club made a $500 donation to both the Fennimore Veterans Memorial Park Dog Park and Marsden Park both of them who have ongoing perpetual care for these Fennimore Treasures.
Fennimore Utility Celebrates Public Power Week is October 7 – 11.
Join Fennimore Utilities at the Fennimore Memorial Building for a week of refreshments and chances to win door prizes as Fennimore Utilities celebrate Public Power Week. Win a chance to get credit against your utility bill among other door prizes. A complimentary luncheon will be served on Friday October 11th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Memorial building gym. This year door prizes will be drawn as part of Friday’s lunch; need not be present to win.
Fennimore Utilities wishes to recognize and send a thank you to the following Fennimore area businesses who donated items for the meal. BD’s Eagles Nest, Bender’s Foods, Carr Valley Cheese, Casey’s General Store, Creative Appeal Sweet Shoppe, Friederick’s Family Restaurant, Kwik Trip, Hilltop Bar & Grill, The Lemon Door, Second Shot Saloon, Timothy’s Café,
Benefits of Living in a Public Power community include: low rates, high reliability customer responsiveness, community focus, economic development and local control. Fennimore has been a public power community since 1904; a partner with Focus on Energy since 2008, bringing energy efficiency opportunities to customers.
The City of Fennimore’s electric utility, worked through their electric buying group UMMEG, and has entered into a 25 year power purchase agreement with Butter Solar to buy all electricity produced at the local solar farm. Promotions Coordinator, Linda Parrish , shared “the solar farm will supply approximately 18 percent of Fennimore’s annual electric needs. The City currently purchases 22 percent of their electric needs from wind energy, bringing us up to 40 percent of Fennimore Utilities annual electric needs being produces by renewable energy. This far surpasses the city’s goal of 20 percent renewable by 2020.”
Fennimore’s city-owned electric, water and sewer utilities offer highly competitive rates and dependable service can save businesses substantial operating dollars. The low cost of doing business is key to the profitability of Fennimore area businesses.
Fennimore – 100 Years of Progress
Recently the City of Fennimore recently turned 100 years as a City. Local volunteers Margaret Sprague and Ingeborg Froiland have spent many hours tracing the history of the City of Fennimore. Photos, stories and memorabilia are now on display in the front hallway of the Fennimore Memorial building from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday thru Friday, Oct 11.
The public is encouraged to stop by and view the multitude of information which is sure to bring back fond memories to those who have grown up in the Fennimore area. The displays will be on display until Friday, Oct 11 at which time Fennimore Utilities are planning a free lunch for utility customers as part of Public Power week.
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce News
Chamber Annual Meeting October 10
The Chamber will hold their annual meeting on Thursday, Oct 10 at Southwest Tech. The noon luncheon will feature assorted sandwiches, homemade potato chips, pasta/fruit salad, beverage and desert. Missed making your reservation? Contact the Promotions Coordinator 822-3599 or promo@fennimore.com.
Agenda items will include election of officers and board members and presentation of the chambers 2020 budget prepared by the chamber board. Jason Wood, President of Southwest Tech, he will share information on the Southwest Tech economic impact study and the economic impact the college brings to the region.
October 25 Business and Education Summit Held on Campus of Southwest Tech
Mark your calendar and make your reservation today for the 14th Annual Southwest Wisconsin Business and Education Summit! This year, it’s all about new partners at the table to help grow our region. The Summit will be held Friday, Oct 25 in the Lenz Center of Southwest Tech between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend the summit; registration is required.
The day will consist of morning presentations on the future workforce, manufacturing, retention strategies and tourism as well as provide ample time for collaboration between private and public partners. Contact the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce for more details.
Registrations are now being accepted on the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College website:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019BusinessEducationSummit from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30. p.m.
October Events in Fennimore
Southwest Tech Fright Night, Thursday, Oct. 24
Held at Southwest Tech’s Public Safety Complex – east of the main campus on Hwy 18. Event runs from 4 to 7 p.m.; hosted by Southwest Tech Criminal Justice Studies program Blue Line Club. It is Free to all ages. Activities include face painting, fire and tractor displays, pumpkin smashing, and easy in-door Trick or Treating. Come join in all the fun!
Halloween Hoopla Sunday, Oct 27
Members of the Fennimore United Methodist Church invites everyone to come join in the fun at their Annual Halloween Hoopla Free community event. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Oct 27 with activities taking place between noon and 1:30 p.m.
Popular events include Trunk or Treating in the FUMC back parking lot, games, photo booth, food and fun. Halloween Hoopla is a safe place for children to trick or treat. Lots of fun for all ages. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Fennimore PD Announces Official Trick or Treat Hours
The Fennimore Police Department has announced the official time for Trick or Treating in Fennimore will be Thursday, Oct 31 between the hours of 4 to 7 p.m. Parents are encouraged to think safety when putting Halloween costumes together as well as the use of flashlights for children’s safety. Residents who want trick or treat guests are asked to turn on their porch lights.
Check fennimore.com calendar of events for more details on activities going on in Fennimore. Information is added on a regular basis as they become available so visit the site often.
October is Manufacturer Month
Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month so let’s all promote and recognize one of the state’s top industry throughout the month.
Manufacturing is the number one contributor to Wisconsin’s economy, producing $63 billion in total output in 2018 – 19 percent of Wisconsin’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, the state’s more than 9,000 manufacturers employed 475,000 people in 2018.
