October Announces Public Power Week
Once a year, the public power industry takes a week to toot its own horn — Public Power Week 2020 is set for Oct. 4 to 10.
Led by the American Public Power Association (APPA), Public Power Week is a national celebration that recognizes the contributions of community-owned electric utilities while seeking to educate customers nationwide about the distinct advantages that public power offers. We encourage all member utilities to use Public Power Week to remind your customers that they are part of something special.
More information about Public Power Week
Shop Small – Shop Fennimore First
There’s never been a more important time than NOW for all of us to Shop Small and Shop Fennimore First. From now thru October 28 the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC) is giving those who shop locally a chance to win Fennimore bucks. The more you shop the more chances you have! It’s easy to participate. Make a purchase at FACC member business that displays the “Shop Fennimore First” poster. Fill out an entry sheet and staple your receipt and turn in the blue box found outside Memorial building or return to FACC office, 850 Lincoln Avenue, Fennimore WI 53809. Each Wednesday Sept 30 thru Oct 28 one lucky winner will receive $20 of Fennimore bucks. On Thursday Oct 29 all entries will be combined for one lucky winner of $100 in Fennimore bucks. Prize money for the Fennimore bucks is sponsored by MidWest One Bank – Fennimore branch!Fennimore bucks may be spent the same as cash at more than 100 FACC business locations (listed on the checks).
September 30 winner was Jeremy Holthaus from Fennimore. He signed up at Fennimore Vet Clinic.
American Legion Announces Plans for October
Members of the Fennimore American Legion have announced plans for their October 8 monthly meeting. In keeping with their regular meeting schedule the Legion members will hold their annual flag burning ceremony on Thursday, Oct 8 starting at 5 p.m. Legion members hold the event once a year for proper disposal of American Flags which are worn, torn or faded.
The public is encouraged to drop off their flags at the Fennimore Memorial building by depositing in the Flag disposal box found just outside the north front door of the Fennimore Memorial building or place at the door of the Legion hall. The flag disposal box was installed in memory of J.D. & Marian Phillips with loving memory of Marlin, Daniel and Mary.
Discover 4-H This Fall!
With the beginning of a new school year comes the beginning of a new 4-H year, and this year, Grant County 4-H is making it easier than ever for families to experience the fun of 4-H. Through the Discover 4-H program, families with children in 5 year old Kindergarten through 5th grade can join a virtual 4-H club which will meet once a week for six weeks – Thursdays at 6:30pm from October 8 – November 12. Each club meeting, held via Zoom, will last about 30-60 minutes and will include a hands-on project activity that will be led by a local 4-H Educator. Project activities will focus on the topics of Foods & Nutrition, Nature, Robotics, Art, Electricity and Sewing.
For more information on Grant County 4-H, please contact Charisse Orth, 4-H Program Coordinator, at Charisse.Orth@wisc.edu or call the Extension Office at 608-723-2125.
Help Find Fennimore’s Biggest Tree
Time is running out to enter the Biggest Tree contest sponsored by the Fennimore Tree Board. Have you discovered the biggest living tree in the City of Fennimore. The motive behind this is to promote a love for trees in our community. Submit Entry to City of Clerk’s Office at 860 Lincoln Avenue no later than the deadline October 16, 2020. The announcement of the winner will be made October 30, 2020.
For questions, please contact Margaret Sprague 608-822-3470 or gsprague@tds.net
Fennimore Fall Decorating Contest Successful
Fennimore merchants did a fantastic job on their entries for the Chamber’s Fall decorating contest. The response from everyone has amazing, people have stopped me on the street and sent emails. Marketing committee members handed the judging over to three members of the beautification committee three volunteers who reported they found judging to be a challenge because every business did a great job.
Those receiving awards are as follows:
1st Place to Serendipity Salon and Day Spa; they received $100 Fennimore bucks
2nd place went to –Automotive Development LLC; they received $50 Fennimore bucks
3rd place went to – Timothy’s Café; they received $25 in Fennimore bucks
Community Awards Nominations Due by October 15 Do you know a person, family, business or organization whose efforts have made a positive difference in the Fennimore community? FACC is currently accepting nominations thru October 15. Nomination forms are available online fennimore.com/chamber or at Birkett Chiropractic. Due to challenges from COVID-19 details will follow with regard to how the awards will be recognized this year.
Absentee Ballot Information
News from Debi Heisner – Fennimore City Clerk
New rules have been received from the elections board. The first day to vote in person by absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 20. This is a change from October 19. To be eligible to vote you must be a resident for 28 days that is an increase from the days previously announced.
Fennimore Fire Departments Announces Fall Fundraiser
Due to COVID the Fennimore Fire Department’s all Firemen’s Dance is cancelled. The Fire Department is replacing the dance with a gun and other prize raffle. Tickets are now available from any fire department member. Price is $10 for one ticket or 3 for $20. The drawing will be held at the fire station on Saturday Oct 31 at 10 a.m. sharp. Need not be present to win!
Our loyal Fennimore Fire Department is there at a moment’s notice to help us. Let’s all support them on this fundraiser.
Suggested Trick or Treating Hours
The Fennimore Police Department officially sets the date and time for trick or treating in the City of Fennimore. A recent FACEBOOK POST from Chief French has set the date of Saturday, October 31 as follows: Unless prohibited by official order, Trick or Treat hours will be 3pm to 6pm on Saturday, October 31st. CDC and WI DHS safety recommendations for Halloween activities can be reviewed in the following links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community.htm#-halloween
Only participate in this activity to your level of comfort. Let’s find creative ways to make this holiday tradition a fun and safe event for the whole community. Enjoy and be safe!
Time For Snowmobile Safety Classes
Wisconsin is the birthplace of snowmobiling and continues to offer some of the best snowmobiling opportunities you are likely to find, especially in northern Wisconsin.
More than 200,000 registered snowmobiles hit Wisconsin’s 25,000 miles of groomed trails each winter, which means safety is an important part of the ride.
Fall is the ideal time to take the first step of preparing for the upcoming snowmobile season by completing the safety course. The safety course seeks to ensure snowmobilers of all ages are safe while they are having fun on the trails. The course is required for operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1985 and who are 12 years of age or older.
Snowmobile safety is critical. In 2019, 16 fatal snowmobiling accidents occurred, with the top contributing factors being speed and operator error.
The safety course costs $10 and includes six hours of classroom instruction with two optional hours of hands-on instruction or a simulated ride. For those age 16 and older, the course may be completed online.
To register for a classroom course or an online version, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/Education/OutdoorSkills/safetyEducation
WEDC “We’re All Innovating Contest
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is sponsoring the We’re All Innovating Contest to recognize and promote the creative ways startups and small businesses are adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The We’re All Innovating Contest will provide a total of $3 million to approximately 195 winners selected through a competitive process to support new business models and technological innovations, from specific health-related solutions to technology that addresses how we’re changing the way we live, learn and work. Top winners in the categories will receive a maximum of $68,000 to take their ideas forward.
“Despite the pandemic, Wisconsin’s culture of innovation is thriving,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “The We’re All Innovating Contest will support those who have taken it to the next level, celebrating the individuals who own, run or started businesses to take COVID-19 on. They hustled to meet their customers’ needs or anticipated what new ones might be.”
In its Wisconsin Tomorrow report to lawmakers and Governor Evers this summer, WEDC identified support for innovation as one of its top priorities to help advance the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Funding for the contest will come from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The We’re All Innovating Contest aims to provide funding for both new and existing companies that have introduced innovations responding to direct health and economic impacts of COVID-19; launching new innovations, including business models and best practices for operating during COVID-19; and providing access to capital statewide, including rurally located and ethnically diverse entrepreneurs.
The competition is open to new and established businesses with 50 employees or less. Businesses may enter in one of the following categories of innovation:
- Technology innovation to address COVID-19 impacts on health
- Technology innovation to address COVID-19 impacts on businesses
- Service and business operation innovations to respond to COVID-19 disruption
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. For additional details and to apply, visit wisconsininnovates.com. WEDC is working with the Wisconsin Technology Council and judges across the state to process and evaluate applications for the contest.
The We’re All Innovating Contest is the latest effort by WEDC to assist small businesses in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. WEDC distributed more than $65 million in CARES Act funding to nearly 26,000 businesses under the We’re All In Phase 1 grants this summer. Additionally, WEDC provided more than $2.5 million in state funds to diverse businesses under the Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant program and $5 million to microbusinesses through the Small Business 20/20 program.
To keep up to date on all COVID-19 details and grants click on the COVID Link found on fennimore.com homepage.
