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1932 Wauzeka graduate says thank you in a BIG way
Former Wauzeka resident and 1932 graduate of Wauzeka School, Lenor B. Zeeh will be the reason for many smiles come May 2003 (and for at least the next 20 years) on the faces of a few Wauzeka-Steuben graduates and their parents.
The Lenor B. Zeeh Charitable $200,000 Trust will provide scholarships for Wauzeka-Steuben graduates for many years to come.
It isn't often that a small school is remembered in such a big way, but Lenor Zeeh of Madison is a gentleman who wishes to help students "get a good start. Most kids have big debts when they get out of college." Lenor is a modern day Good Samaritan.
Lenor was born in Sasketchewan, Canada on Dec. 2, 1914. (Happy 88th birthday Lenor!) Lenor's parents, Albert and Nellie (Blahna) Zeeh were native to this area; however, his mother had relatives living in Canada. The family returned to Wauzeka during the Christmas season and became proprietors of the local grocery store called 'Your Store" located on what would become Hwy. 60 in Wauzeka.
Albert's mother passed away when he was three. Albert's father, trying to cope with five children, decided it was best to give the children away to families who could care for them. Albert lived with the Kesslers - another familiar and respected Wauzeka name. At the age of 14 Albert went out on his own, finding work along the way and eventually settling down with Nellie.
Two more children were born to Albert and Nellie. Their daughter, Illene, married Wilbur Stuckey. Wilbur and Illene took over the store and successfully ran it for many years. Illene passed away a few years ago. Wilbur retired and their son, Allen and his wife, Mary, now run Stuckey's Market. It's a good family tradition.
Lenor's younger brother, Orville lives in Montana. They see each other when possible which isn't too often. Lenor speaks fondly of his family. It is heart warming to hear him speak of his (late) sister and his brother-in-law, Wilbur with whom he visits a bit more often since Madison isn't as far as away as Montana.
Lenor's education was in Wauzeka. He and his class of six other students graduated from those 'ivy halls' in 1932. Of those seven, Marion McCloskey, Bill Kessler, and Lenor Zeeh are still with us in more than just spirit.
Lenor remembers, "Charlie Horton was principal. He insisted I go to university." So he went to UW-Madison pharmacy school for four years.
When asked about expenses, Lenor replied, "The first year Dad said 'Get a notebook, write down everything you spend money for...food, housing, fees, etc.' The first year cost $325." That may not sound like much considering today's expenses, but as Lenor said, "It's all relative."
During those four years he lived in three different rooming houses, of which only one is 
left. There were about 8,000 students on campus compared to about 40,000 today - another reflection of changing times.
Lenor tried to get a job at all four university years. No one would hire him. His sister was going to college in Illinois. It was during the depression; times were very hard. 'Dad said one would have to drop out." That was not in Lenor's plan.
Lenor applied at Rennebohm Pharmacy. He was turned down the first time. On the second try, fate intervened. He somehow was turned over to the private secretary of the man who later became governor...Oscar Rennebohm. Oscar interviewed him "for 10 minutes which felt like one and a half hours. He hired me and I worked for him 45 years."
By the way...this private secretary is still living. She and Lenor keep in touch. They are the survivors of the Rennebohm era.
Lenor said, "I learned a lot from Oscar. Oscar used to say, "Anybody can handle 99% of the customers. But the one who can handle the 1% is the big winner."
The Rennebohm name was carried on 20 stores with about 55 pharmacists. Lenor was with the company 45 years, the last 
20 years in management. Rennebohm also had restaurants but Lenor not involved with them.
In 1980 Rennebohm sold out to Walgreens. Walgreens policy was to not keep employees past the age of 65. Lenor didn't want to work past that age anyway so in a mutual bidding of adieu, he retired.
Lenor married in 1941. He and his wife Katherine had two children of whom both are attorneys. Three grandchildren blessed their lives. Sadly, Katherine passed away 11 years ago.
When asked about the scholarship (yes, we're getting to it!), Lenor said "I've thought of doing this for about ten years. I wanted to do this for Wauzeka School."
Why? "I thought it would please my parents. Basically that's why I'm doing it."
That isn't the only reason. He fondly remembers his former principal, Charlie Horton. 'From Charlie Horton I learned about discipline - how to study to get ahead. He was very strict. He was a great, great teacher and a motivator."
Lenor went on to say, "I called Charlie Horton's widow who said he would be so pleased. Then I called his son Jack who thought it was just fantastic. I told Jack the money goes out a lot in honor of his dad."
What an honor, indeed.
The Lenor B. Zeeh Charitable Trust has provided a scholarship in the amount of $10,000 per year with a total amount of $200,000 put into the trust. Recipient(s) will be selected from qualified applicants of the Wauzeka-Steuben School who must meet designated standards. The Wauzeka-Steuben School District will select the selection committee for the scholarship.
Applicants must meet certain criteria, including it must be a four year college - no technical school. Lenor indicated to this writer that though he has no say-so in who is selected to receive the money, he can veto the release of money from the bank.
Lenor Zeeh is a very intelligent, witty, common-every-day-person, extremely charming man to speak with and this writer can't thank him enough for the opportunities and doors he is opening for the youth at Wauzeka-Steuben School.Will someone from the class of 2003 endow such a gift in 2074? This writer won't be around to find out. But hopefully, the spirit will live on. 

McGregor artist carves his niche
Drawing inspiration from local landmarks and people, an Iowa artist and engraver is carving his niche in McGregor.
Fred Seger opened his Northern Exposure Studio and Gallery in June at 146 Main St. and has been working hard these past few months to have the studio in 'full swing" by this spring. 
A self taught artist, Seger creates fine art drawings of portraits, houses, churches, nature and other subjects using pen and ink, graphite pencil and colored pencil. He has done pen and ink drawings of all the churches in Prairie du Chien, which can be seen at the Thornburg-Hanson Funeral Home.
In his drawings, prominently displayed in his studio and gallery, one can see that Seger has developed a distinctive style through the use of various techniques, including cross hatching and stippling, a technique that creates pointalism.
In addition to his own work, metal sculptures of fish and other subjects created by an artist friend are also on display at Seger's studio-gallery. 
In addition, Seger does commercial work, including designing and illustrating brochures, creating note cards and the drawing and engraving of landmarks and notable buildings. 
"I am open to all civic commissions for public buildings for engraving work," said Seger, who won a best design and engraving award for an monument engraving in Las Vegas a few years ago. 
One of Seger's most notable engravings is the War Memorial he created for the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Davenport, Iowa. The memorial, carved in granite, depicts scenes from all of the wars the United States has been involved in from the Civil War onward. 
"It's something I am really proud of," said Seger, who noted that schools use the memorial to give history lessons. 
Seger said he had dabbled in art in high school and college, but his career really took off after he displayed his artwork at the McGregor Art Show in 1983. Following the art show, Seger began freelancing and was approached by a monument company interested in his portrait skills for the engraving of cemetery monuments. 
To engrave a likeness in granite, Seger first draws a portrait of the person, which is then transferred to  the monument. He then uses dental tools and diamond-tipped engraving tools to painstakingly etch the portrait in the stone. 
"There are no erasers. It's a one-shot deal in that world," Seger said.
As a tennis pro in Florida, Seger, the Iowa high school state champion tennis player in 1969, encouraged prospective tennis players to be their best. Now, back in Iowa, he is encouraging local artists to work more and to display their work. 
"Many artists can make a living through persistence and practice," Seger said. "I was fortunate to have abilities (athletic and artistic) that allowed me to have fun jobs." 

Everyone can become a member of the 'Carp Family'
Now anyone can become a member of the Carp Family. It is not just for the rich and famous, although they can buy a membership too. Become part of the in-crowd. Buy yourself, your children and even your mother-in-law a membership in the Carp Family. The membership card is attractive enough that you will be pulling it out of your wallet and showing it off to impress your friends and coworkers. Buy one for your boss for the ultimate Christmas present.
The cards are numbered - each card has a different number printed on them. The sooner you get your card the lower number you will get. When comparing your card with other's cards, you can show-off your low number. That could prove you have a quick wallet and they will invite you to the bar with them. It could cause instant friendship!
Beside the card itself, you will be getting carp entitlements. You will find those printed on the backside of the card. Nothing will outdo this as a gift. You probably are wishing you had one yourself. Put it at the top of your Christmas list. They will only be on sale in December, and when they are gone there will be no more this year. The card is so pure, you will not need a letter of authenticity to ensure it is the real thing.
However, the card can not be passed on as an inheritance in the event of the cardholders death. You could designate in your will that a certain percentage of estate monies be set aside to purchase Carp Family Memberships for the surviving family members. 
How to you get these cards? Send your name and address and the names of the people you are requesting cards for (please print) in a self-addressed stamped envelope to Droppin' of the Carp, Membership Card, 128 South Prairie, Prairie du Chien, WI. 53821. Enclose $5 for each membership requested. (They have discontinued the payment plan.)

Food Pride to close their doors by the end of month
"It all comes down to the fact that the retail grocery market is more than the demographics of this community will take," said Mick Kneeland, owner and manager about the closing of Food Pride. The only grocery store on the north end of town will be closing their doors by the end of the year. In the 1950s, the store was located where Orion computers now is at Commerce Court Mall and was part of the Piggly Wiggly franchise. They moved to their present location in 1962. In 1995, they became part of the Food Pride franchise. The store has 75 part-time and full-time employees. Several of the employees have been with the store for more than 35 years. Kneeland has been part of the Prairie du Chien community for 22 years, and has owned and managed Food Pride for the last 10 years. He also owned Fennimore Foods for several years, but he sold that store earlier this fall. He says his plans for the future are uncertain right now. "I have really enjoyed the people... " said Kneeland. "The employees and the customers." He added, "Prairie du Chien people have been very kind to me and I would like to thanks them for their patronage and support." There are currently no plans for the soon-to-be empty store. "Those of us who do not drive are very sorry to see it go," said Grace Nagle, one of the many elderly persons who live in nearby apartment buildings. "It's a shame that all this came about." She added that many older and handicapped folks will miss the store, including residents of Blackhawk Apartments, Steiner Terrace, Liberty Place, Bluffview Apartments and RiverCrest Apartments. There will be three grocery stores remaining in town all of which are located on the south end of town - Dick's Supermarket, which opened in 1986, Aldi, which opened in the mid 1990s, and the WalMart SuperCenter, which opened in spring of 2002. Food Pride is currently running specials during their going-out-of-business sale - watch for advertisements in the Courier Press for information.

Area high school seniors to get a taste of their future reality
Reality can sometimes bite, but that can be a good thing as many area high school seniors will soon find out. Through a new program, Prairie du Chien, Seneca and Wauzeka seniors will be getting an eye-opening dose of reality through a new program that is designed to teach many practical lessons as the students get ready to venture forth on their own. Wally Byrne of CESA 3 is helping area teachers in coordinating the program, which had great success as "The Reality Store" in La Crosse. Prairie du Chien family education teachers Brenda Moses and Dana Einck, along with learning disabilities teacher Lisa White, are very enthused about the program, in which students will be put into a "real life" situation where they will have to balance their chosen lifestyle, budget, spouse and children, among other considerations. Einck explained that students will be randomly assigned a marital status, with spouses income, along with number, age and custody of children. The students will choose a job in the area they think they might like to pursue. Along with the typical income for that particular job in Prairie du Chien, the students may also be saddled with debts related to obtaining that job, such as student loans. The students will have five preparation days during which they will be taught how to balance a checkbook, balance their budget, the various aspects of buying a car or a home and other practical applications. After the five prep days, students from Seneca, Wauzeka and Prairie du Chien will come to Prairie du Chien High School on an as yet undetermined date in April for a "Reality Store" type of scenario, such as La Crosse schools held last year. Although the name "Reality Store" will not be used, the concept is the same. Students will enter the gymnasium for one day of real life simulation. There will be approximately 30 business people from Prairie du Chien in the gym, including bankers, insurance agents, travel agents, lawyers, store owners, realtors and many others. According to each students' marital and family status, budget, income and other factors they will have to decide how and what to pay for, including necessary items such as clothing, food, housing, transportation and child care, along with other items such as life and health insurance, gas, heat, electricity, phone bills, credit card payments and household products. They will also make decisions about luxury items such as cable television, vacation and leisure activities and pet care. The students will also have to pay taxes, deposit checks at the bank, choose to rent or buy a home and whether to purchase a new or used vehicle, among a myriad of other everyday life decisions. Also, a policeman will be in the gym and may pop up at any time to write the student a ticket, which will have to be paid for, as will accidents or other unforeseen emergencies that may be inflicted upon a student in the "store." A student cannot exit the store until they have less than $200 in their checkbook and had visited all the stops. "It's an excellent program," said teacher Lisa White. "It'll be exciting to see how the students do in 'the real world.'" Teacher Brenda Moses, who observed the La Crosse program, said, "The kids and the administration were very positive about it, the kids took it very seriously." Teachers Moses, Einck and White, said that the students at La Crosse were very impressed with what a family had to do to get through a typical bill-paying month. After the store, the teachers will have a follow-up session with the students, discussing what mistakes they made and what they learned. Other teachers at Prairie du Chien High School involved in the program are Kathy Pettit and Kayla Mezera. Organizational meetings for the program began about two months ago and will continue to be held in preparation for the culminating event at Prairie du Chien High School in April.