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September 21, 2005 |
First ever Crawford County Art Festival brings upcoming artists and large crowds to Ferryville
The Crawford County Art Festival, held this weekend in Ferryville's Sugar Creek Park, was well attended by visitors from a wide area. According to Eric Frydenlund, event coordinator, more than 2,000 people enjoyed and purchased from the 40 booths with 50 artists. A grant from the state of Wisconsin Tourism Department provided advertising reaching Cedar Rapids, Milwaukee, and Rochester areas as well as locally.
Plans are underway to have the second Art Festival next year on September 16 and 17 at a location to be announced.
Live music enhanced the atmosphere as well.
Market in the Park, now a Ferryville tradition weekends May through October, ran concurrent with the Art Festival.
Eastman seeks bids for addition to fire station
The village of Eastman and the town of Eastman let bids on Sept. 9 for a proposed addition to the Eastman Fire Station, 112 Shanghai Ridge Road.
Town of Eastman President John Pomerening said that the proposed project is for an 18x60-foot addition to the fire station. The addition would be one bay, which would house two tanker trucks.
The original fire station was built in 1981 and the floor rating is not heavy enough for the two tanker trucks when they are full of water, Pomerening explained.
The two trucks can be stored outside in the summer months when they are full of water but not in the winter.
"With the new addition, we will up the level of our preparedness," said John Kramer, an Eastman Town supervisor. Kramer explained that when the fire station gets a fire call in the winter, the first order of business is to fill the tanker trucks with water, which takes about 15 minutes.
Bids for the project have been let out once before but the bids that came in were rejected by the village of Eastman and the town of Eastman, who jointly own the fire station.
"We're trying to obtain more local interest," said Pomerening, who noted that the previous bids were from contractors whom the village and the town felt were from too far away.
The proposed project would include a pre-engineered metal building with concrete foundations.
Pomerening said that the town and village boards will decide whether or not to approve the project after bids have been received. The deadline for bidding on the project is Sept. 29.
If a bid is accepted and all goes well, Kramer said that the target date for completing the addition will be the last week of August, 2006.
Faith in Action seeking volunteers and care recipients in Crawford County
Faith in Action, a nation-wide interfaith effort to support the elderly and handicapped, is seeking volunteers and care recipients in Crawford County. Faith in Action, which has nearly 1,000 programs nationwide, received a grant in January to begin a program in Crawford County. In April, Leigh Ann Judge was hired as program coordinator. The goal of Faith in Action is to bring together volunteers of many faiths to help people who have long-term health needs or disabilities maintain their independence for as long as possible by providing non-medical assistance with daily activities.
"We have had a very positive response to the program so far," said Judge. She has been working through area congregations of all faiths to find volunteers and care recipients. According to Judge, in the month of August there were eight people who received care, which totaled to 70 hours for the month. The program so far has 16 volunteers committed to helping others in need.
Another measure of Faith in Action's success is the number of business and organizations that support the program, called coalition members. Crawford County already has 36 of these businesses and/or organizations supporting Faith in Action by helping to identify volunteers as well as people who may need assistance, along with giving financial support.
While Judge thinks that these numbers are good for now, she does have longer-term goals for the group. "In the first 18 months we'd like to have 30 volunteers, 40 people receiving services and 40 coalition members," said Judge.
Being a volunteer
A Faith in Action volunteer shares their time and talents with elderly or other people who have long-term health needs. That person may be a neighbor, or someone from a neighboring community. According to Judge, when volunteers join, they go through some training and orientation before beginning their care giving. She went on, "They also indicate what areas they are interested helping in, and then when someone calls in for a service I try to match those up."
Faith in Action volunteer services provided are: friendly visiting, telephone reassurance, transportation, shopping and errands, respite care, light housekeeping, minor home repairs, yard work/snow removal, books on tape for the visually impaired and assistance writing letters or paying bills.
Nationwide, Faith in Action has nearly 1,000 programs, with about 40,000 volunteers serving approximately 60,000 care recipients. Annually, the value of the services provided by the volunteers is nearly $100 million.
Receiving Care
According to data from the Institute for Health Care Research and Policy at Georgetown University, more than 12 million Americans have serious long-term health conditions, which may force them to seek assistance with everyday activities in order to remain independent. The Faith in Action program addresses this need by working with care recipients of all ages. This includes the frail/elderly, children with disabilities, those affected by HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, mental illness and more.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer, care recipient, or to learn more about the program may call Faith in Action of Crawford County at (608) 357-2361.
47th Gays Mills Apple Festival held this weekend
The 47th annual Gays Mills Apple Festival is set for the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25.
The Apple Festival will include a parade, arts and crafts, a huge flea market, a 2-mile run and a 5-mile run, a horseshoe tournament, a pancake breakfast, live music and a lot more.
Those who wish more information can call (608) 735-4810.
September 19, 2005 |
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Hawk Watch set to soar for
21st year
The 21st Anniversary Celebration of the annual Hawk Watch at Effigy Mounds National Monument will be held Sept. 24 and 25. The Hawk Watch has grown to become quite an interesting, entertaining and informative event over the years. More than 1,800 people of all ages and backgrounds attended the two-day event last year to view exhibits, interact with presenters, participate in educational games, and, of course, view the many different species of hawks that migrate overhead by the hundreds, if not thousands. "This is one of Iowa's premiere birding events," said Pam Kester, Hawk Watch Coordinator. The annual Hawk Watch is free of charge and is a great family event offering activities for all ages. The Chautauqua Series at Effigy Mounds at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23 serves as an unofficial kickoff to the Hawk Watch. The evening Chautauqua this year will be "Birds of Prey in Peril." All living organisms face the risk of extinction and those attending the Chautauqua will meet some endangered raptors and learn about the factors that have caused their populations to decline. The presentation will be conducted by the Raptor Education Group from Antigo, Wisconsin in the visitor center indoor auditorium. The Hawk Watch will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25. The schedule is as follows: 8 a.m. "Early Birds Bird Hike with Upper Iowa Audubon's Dennis Carter" Visitors may join Dennis for some wonderful morning birding for fall migrating warblers, songbirds, and others. This hike may last up to two hours, but hikers may return early if desired. 9 a.m. Video, "World of Raptors" Visitors may join Morley Nelson as he guides them through an intimate portrait of the power and beauty of North America's hawks, eagles, and falcons. (indoor auditorium) 10 a.m. "Winged Wonders" Have you ever met an owl face to face? What about a hawk? A falcon? Patrons can meet some of Wisconsin's common, but rarely encountered birds, discover what a raptor is, hear their stories and learn what they can do to ensure that these birds remain a significant part of the ecosystem. (Raptor Education Group, outdoor amphitheater, located directly behind the visitor center) 11 a.m. "Hawk ID for Beginners" This program will give the basics on identifying different hawks in flight. People may take this opportunity to learn some key field marks in a fun atmosphere, and create their own ID guide. (Mike Havlik, indoor auditorium) Noon, "Hunters of the Sky" Kay Neumann of SOAR will talk about birds of prey basics. Keen eyesight, a specially-equipped beak, and strong talons set raptors apart as hunters. Patrons may join Kay with her barn owl, red-tailed hawk, Peregrine falcon and broad-wing hawk for a closer look at what makes raptors unique and essential links in the natural food chain. (outdoor amphitheater, located directly behind the visitor's center) 1 p.m. "Night Moves" Owls are regal raptors of the night sky. On silent wings, they stalk their prey. Visitors may discover features unique to these mighty birds that are so seldom seen. (Raptor Education Group, outdoor amphitheater) 2 p.m. "Falconry Hunting with Hawks" Hawk Watch visitors can learn some of the basics about the sport of falconry in the United States. Maggie Jones, a falconer since 1984, will give a slide presentation about hunting with trained raptors in pursuit of wild game. She will also discuss the state and federal laws governing the sport and the knowledge, skills and dedication of time needed to pursue it. (Maggie Jones, indoor auditorium) 3 p.m. "Wonderful World of TV" A turkey vulture, a tea kettle, a rainbow, an oven, a pumpkin, a flamingo, a garbage can, a compass, a balloon and fingers. What do all these items have to do with each other? Visitors can find out when they discover the wonderful world of turkey vultures. (Raptor Education Group, outdoor amphitheater, located directly behind the visitor center) SUNDAY, SEPT. 25 10 a.m. "Hunters of the Sky" Kay Neumann of SOAR will talk about birds of prey basics. (outdoor amphitheater, located directly behind the visitor center) 11 a.m. "Wonderful World of TV" (Raptor Education Group, outdoor amphitheater, located directly behind the visitor center) Noon "Hawk ID for Beginners" 1 p.m. "Falconry Hunting with Hawks" (indoor auditorium) 2 p.m. "Winged Wonders" (Raptor Education Group, outdoor amphitheater) 3 p.m. "Big Owls Hoot, Little Owls Toot" Visitors can join legendary presenter Mike Havlick for a fun and factual look at owls. Owls hold a special place in our lives, dating back to Greek mythology. Visitors can get to know some of these nocturnal predators, their incredible adaptations to night-hunting, and find out why they have such a strong presence in our myths and legends. (outdoor amphitheater, located directly behind the visitor center) The above schedule is subject to change, for more information, prospective patrons may call the Effigy Mounds visitor center at 563-873-3491. The Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in Northeast Iowa just two miles north of Marquette on Highway 76. Food for thought, book highlights area cafes For those interested in good food, good people and a good atmosphere when dining out, several Prairie du Chien area cafes are mentioned in a new guide book, "Cafe Wisconsin," which lists 133 of the state's best small town cafes. Among the cafes described by author Joanne Stuttgen are the Hayseed Cafe of Wauzeka, the Unique Cafe of Boscobel, the Hungry House Restaurant in Prairie du Chien, the Rivers Cafe in Cassville and Our Little Restaurant and Bakery in Fennimore. The book is the second edition and was published in October of 2004. Stuttgen explained that the book came about when she wrote the first edition in 1993. She was living in Eau Claire and as an avid bicyclist, went on many a "pie ride" with her friends. They would pick out a small town, bike there and check out a cafe or two along the way. Journeying to and enjoying many a good small town cafe with good down home cooking gave Stuttgen food for thought so to speak and the idea for the first book was born. This latest book is a completely new book, however, says Stuttgen, and includes many cafes that were not in the original. In researching the book, Stuttgen embarked on a 12,000-mile food foray across Wisconsin, by car, of course. In doing so, the author, who has a Ph.D.. in Folklore from Indiana University, not only sampled many a good meal, but gained an appreciation for small town "cafe culture" as well. "There is definitely a pattern of behavior associated with small town cafes," said Stuttgen, who noted that cafes serve as an important gathering spot for many of a town's residents. For many retired men and women, the small town cafe may be the most important event in their day, noted Stuttgen. Men may sit and drink coffee, play cards, shake dice and generally "shoot the breeze" for several hours each day in their favorite cafe. Stuttgen said that often the women will also share camaraderie in their own groups, along with enjoying a good, old fashioned, slow-cooked meal. "For many widowers who were married a long time, it is their only way to get a good home-cooked meal," Stuttgen said. In fact, most cafes will have meals prepared in advance for regular customers whom one can set their watch by. She also noted that the daily rituals can "have tremendous meaning" in that serious issues such as the medicare system and how to cope with retirement may be very important to those who are a bit younger and haven't yet faced the implications of their impending retirement. Also, if someone is unexpectedly missing from their favorite stool, the cafe owners and patrons know that something may be wrong. Stuttgen said that talk in a small town cafe is generally very amiable and that everyone is soon included. "It is hard to be a stranger in a small town," she said. "Even though serious matters may be discussed from time to time, people usually talk with humor and laughter." Stuttgen visited eight or nine cafes each day while doing research for her book and along the way became what she described as a "real cafe snob". "I can spot a frozen pie at 10 paces," she said with a laugh. "And, I'm a very discerning cheeseburger eater. There are many different kinds of good burgers." After having visited 400 to 500 cafes throughout Wisconsin, one would naturally wonder if Stuttgen had a hard time keeping her weight down. "I exercise a lot," she said in noting that she went from 125 pounds to 145. She has since shed the extra 20 pounds and is back to normal. Of course Stuttgen had kind words for the area cafes that helped her gain a few pounds as well as some insight into cafe culture. "The food is excellent," she said of the Unique Cafe in Boscobel, which is owned by Doyle and Nancy Lewis. "They make their own pickles and the people are tremendous." Stuttgen noted that the Unique Cafe has a charming personality and a flavor of the past with a wide variety of antiques housed in an old limestone building. Stuttgen said that the Hayseed Cafe in Wauzeka is fairly new and was started by two neighbors, Corky Meade and Beth Groom, who set up their popular business in an old funeral home. The pair got the idea for a cafe after sampling a salad that one had made during a yard sale. The Hungry House in Prairie du Chien was a cafe when it was included in Stuttgen's first cafe book. It has since moved to Marquette Road and has expanded to become a full-fledged restaurant. The Hungry House is owned by Dennis and Connie Riebe. Of the Rivers Cafe in Cassville, Stuttgen said, "I would not hesitate to drive 100 miles out of my way to eat there. Besides great food, Stuttgen noted that a cafe's success also depends upon the personality its owners. "They have to be willing to be out front," she said. "People like to banter with the owners.
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