10/31/00 - Wouldn't it be nice to have a total fund balance of 1.75 million? That's what the School Board Finance Committee says they have in their budget. Ah, but the details kind of spoil the fun of finding things to do with all that money. There are buildings that need new roofs, a van to be replaced, and some unknowns about the new State Aid Act. Fifteen new computers and fifteen computer upgrades will wipe out $16,000. Another $100,000 is budgeted for the new Declining Enrollment category, but it could go as high as $170,000 "depending on how the formula would work." If the board does as well handling all that money as they did last year, everything should be okay. A representative from the firm that did the 1999-2000 financial audit went through about 50 pages of their report at the October meeting of the school board. He summed it all up by saying he considered it a good report, with only a few suggestions on how to improve record keeping to make the auditors' job a little easier.
The Annual Education Report is almost as complicated as the budget report, with pages of figures showing comparisons between local students and those in other areas of the U.S. Basically, the emphasis last year on improving writing skills was successful. Now reading skills are lower and administrators will be working on bringing those up to more acceptable levels.
Assistant Principal C. Rundle reported there have been two short term suspensions for theft and two for fighting. After a brief "closed session" meeting with a 13 year old student and his parents, the board voted to expel the student for the remainder of the school year. They agreed to reconsider the decision after the second semester if certain conditions are met.
10/29/00 - Looks like someone tried a little early trick-or-treating at the treehouse in Jessica Doboy's yard and got stuck. They'll probably have to stay there until everybody else is done collecting goodies Tuesday evening. Too bad - nice jeans though. If you happen to be around the library or bookmobile the next couple of days check out Sally Harris' bright orange (Halloween orange, not hunter orange) shoes. Sally does a lot of the posters and things at the library and likes to really get involved in the feel of the season.
10/28/00 -Would you DARE to pick a wart off a witch...on a cold, dark, windy night...west of Daggett, just to get some candy? That was one of the requirements to complete a scavenger hunt at a Halloween party hosted by Pam and Dan Koller last night. It's become an annual event, started by Jayne and Larry Lobner seven years ago, for the chidren of relatives, friends and neighbors. When the Lobners moved to Appleton the Kollers continued the tradition and in three years it has grown to include about 40 children and most of their parents.
The youngsters came dressed as vampires, ghosts, devils and witches and prowled the dark corners of the yard looking for 300 candy-filled ghosts hiding in strange places. The dads, some dressed in camouflage, were more interested in deer hunting plans. Don Kozlowski, Brian Sundstrom and Dan Koller were overheard talking about a "big 6 pointer" and hoping the temperature wouldn't go up to about 80 degrees on opening day of hunting season.
After games involving bowling (using little pumpkins), bobbing for apples hung on strings from branches of apple trees, and a mummy wrap contest where teams competed to see who was fastest at turning one of their group into a mummy by wrapping them in toilet paper, guests were treated to sloppy joes and other warm, nourishing foods.
P.S: An unexpected visitor at the party was Mr. Massoni (that guy who used to work at Stephenson Elementary School). Well, the hat and jacket had the " Massoni" look, but the body and face looked more like George Jardeen.
10/26/00 - Debbie Kapplinger, a teacher at Mellen Elementary School, was the featured speaker for the third year in a row at the annual Armchair Traveler portion of the Friends of the Library sponsored Weekend with Friends. Her presentation covered a recent trip to Canada's Maritime Provinces. Doris King, who's not very interested in fishing, whales and seaports and expected to maybe be a little bored, was there. "She's a good speaker and was able to hold everyone's attention...it's fun listening to someone tell about cultures in other parts of the world and surprising to learn the various ways some areas are being modernized," was Doris' not-at-all bored reaction.
10/25/00 - November 4th will be a big day in Stephenson. Many of the churches, craft shops and groups will be having bazaars, serving food and featuring home baked goodies at the annual pre-holiday celebration. People come to town that day to pick up holiday decorations, Christmas gifts and ideas and enjoy a meal with friends. The Catholic church, which puts on a bazaar and salad bar luncheon each year, ran this "positive approach" item in their bulletin. "Gentlemen of the Parish - A few men dishwashers are needed for a fun-filled 3 hours on November 4."
10/24/00 - Most people who move to this area were raised here or have friends or relatives here.The Monahan family is an exception. Kevin Monahan was the Chief Engineer on the Great Lakes Pulp and Paper building project in Menominee in l995. He became acquainted with our area, liked it, and decided to move his family here. Kevin was recently honored as Father of the Year by the "Fathers Unlimited" group at their annual meeting at the Pullman House. He was nominated by his 15-year old son, Henry. Even though his father works with an engineering firm out of Green Bay and travels a lot, Henry says "he has always been there for me...and has worked hard to earn a living for my mom and I." Henry had a few stories to tell about his dad and his experiences as a scout leader, and the admiration he has for his dad is obvious in the way he talks about him.
The Monahans are originally from northern Pennsylvania and New York state. Henry is a sophmore at Stephenson High School and his mom, Pam, works at Dreamscape Communications.
10/20/00 - Free Ladybugs. Pick your own (with property owner's permission) on the sunnyside of just about any building in the area. The only other way to get rid of them is to have temperatures drop, and we'd rather that not happen for another couple of months. 10/18/00 - A stop by the Hermansville Community Center for their eigth annual Senior Fair this morning was like an early trick-or-treat event for seniors. All of the many health and information booths had lots of pencils, magnets, candy and other goodies for the two to three hundred people expected. But the biggest treat of the day was the chance to get free blood pressure readings, cholesterol screening, flu and pneumonia shots and other medical tests and information. All you needed was a medicare card. Some of the tests required fasting, so that was a good excuse to stop by the kitchen for a samplilng of homemade goodies after completing the tests.
10/18/00 - October Horrorscope: It was too scary to print. But don't smile back at too many pumpkins. Avoid things that look like sheets with little round heads that float around. And if a broom is your transportation of choice and you like pointy black hats, please watch where you are going. Especially avoid telephone poles.
10/15/00 - The October TRIAD meeting in Hermansville on Wednesday got off to a good start. There were 20 to 25 people present. They are working on getting membership identification cards and printed information for prospective donors and have compiled a list of donors. There was an update on the Health Fair, scheduled for that day, which had to be rescheduled for the 18th because of a delay in receiving vaccine for the flu shots which will be available. A booth will be set up at the Fair for distribution of the Files of Life. Dave Keller, of Citizens for Better Care, gave an informative presentation on his organizations work with l5 U.P. counties on handling reports on elder abuse by families, care givers, etc.
But then the politics started. If you are tired of hearing it you can skip this part.
This item was on the prepared, printed agenda for the meeting. It did not just happen to come up unexpectedly: "Scott Parrette, Menominee County Commissioner, made a accusation that Sheriff Tom Unger purchased Files of Life packets with tax payers money. This is a outright blatant lie and uncalled for. Scott Parrette should get his facts straight before he starts accusing people of wrong doing. There wa a initial donation made to start the File Of Life Program. There are business donations coming in now to keep the program going. Scott Parrette owes Sheriff Tom Unger and the Triad Organization a written public apology for his accusations. Where is he getting his information from?" A series of angry and emotional statements followed the reading of the statement. Unger and President Wojakowski claimed they were tired of the politics at every meeting and wanted it to end. They were tired of being "pounded" on everything they said and did and wanted the politics to stop so they could get on with the business of Triad. Several others made similar statements. One or two women calmly suggested handling things with tact and diplomacy. The November 8th meeting at the Daggett Center was announced and the meeting was adjourned. The president then asked the officers to stay at the head table to help compose a rebuttal to the Parrette "accusation."
But...before the post-meeting meeting started, Wojakowski came to me and voluntarily gave me a copy of the agenda for the just-finished meeting. I have read the account of the "accusation", which happened at a different meeting, at a different place, and unless there is a "subliminable" message that I am missing, there was no accusation of Triad officers, boards, committees or members. It appears to have been strictly between Unger and Parette, with no need for a Triad rebuttal.
Wojakowski also handed me a sealed envelope with my name on it and told me to "put that on your news." To be sure I heard right, I asked if he was telling me I HAD to put something he gave me on my news. "Darn right!" was his reply. When I opened it and read it later it was a five paragraph printed report of mostly negative information on Unger's opponent in the coming election. There was no indication of who had researched and compiled the information.
Wojakowski also informed me that I was wrong about 500 Files of Life being the amount originally authorized to be ordered. "It was always 1,000," he said. Apparently he has forgotten that I was sitting across the table and about 2 seats to his right at the September meeting when he announced 500 Files were received. When Tina Nast, Triad Coordinator came up behind me and told him it was 1,000 he did an obviously surprised double-take and quickly made the correction.
These things took place at a Triad meeting. At a Senior Center. I don't believe the Centers were set up to provide meeting facilities for groups engaged in these kinds of activities who try to bully seniors into doing what they want, or who assume some seniors are suffering from loss of memory, or are just stupid, and will believe whatever they are told. It is not the normal attitude or atmosphere at these sites. And the whole concept of Triad is to PROTECT seniors from that kind of treatment.
10/10/00 - Jack White, Supervisor for Holmes Township, and Doug Oitzinger, Mayor of Marinette are being honored this week as winners of the Wal-Mart sponsored American Hometown Leadership Awards. Wal-Mart recognizes over 300 communities throughout the country by presenting each winner's community with a $1,000 grant in their honor. White is one of only two people to win the award in the U.P. Winners are recognized for outstanding civic accomplishments by elected officials who serve local governments in communities with a population of 25,000 or less. The grant money is earmarked for commuity improvement projects to help boost the economic vitality of the area.
10/8/00 - A big dark cloud loaded with snow arrived in Gaastra about the same time I did Friday afternoon. I was there to attend the annual conference of the U.P. Writers' Assoc. in Caspian on Saturday, I don't know why the cloud was there. To show off early, I guess. It snowed so hard for a short time you needed headlights to see a few feet ahead. Luckily it didn't last long but the snow was still pretty visible all day Saturday. About 38 writers were there, so it was a good opportunity to meet interesting people. This area was well represented. Peggi Carrier of Stephenson, is the newly elected president of the group. She also will continue doing the newsletter. George Collison from Wallace will serve another year as secretary-treasurer and there were others from Stephenson, Menominee, Marinette, Carney and Powers there as well. The group has an annual "slump-buster" meeting in February or March and plans to have it in Stephenson in 200l. The next annual fall meeting will be in Iron Mountain.
10/6/00 - Participants in the Menominee YMCA pool's Pump & Power exercise program got an extra workout yesterday. They not only stretched and toned various muscles, they also exercised their minds. Instructor Terri Falkenberg, who usually calls out directions loud and clear, was suffering from laryngitis and didn't say a word during the hour-long workout. She acted out each of the procedures standing on the edge of the pool and encouraged participants to call out the verbal instructions, making sure they got the names of the muscles and body parts right. Needless to say it soon turned into a comedy routine, or an adult game of charades, enjoyed by observers as well as the participants.
10/2/00 - TRIAD Update. Those things don't happen overnight. You don't hear that phrase very often - unless you've been going to TRIAD meetings where President Wojakowski has used it at least once at about every meeting. At the August meeting when I asked if it wasn't strange that, after being warned for months not to give money to solicitors without getting something in writing, that now TRIAD was going to solicit donations without having anything in writing to give prospective donors, I was told they'd be working on that but those things don't happen overnight. At an earlier meeting when they were discussing a program of volunteer greeting at the courthouse and I suggested it might be good to have a committee look into the details I was told it would take a while to get organized as this doesn't happen overnight. (Incidentally, those things were not noted in the meeting minutes. Neither was Ungers financial update at the August meeting or the reading from my column and the letter of rebuttal reading at the September meeting. The September meeting minutes say "Sheriff Unger gave us a telephone number..." but Unger was not at the meeting. There was also a progress report on the Boy Scout's activities, although that was not mentioned at the meeting.) Here is a quote from the writer of the rebuttal letter, the person who had TRIAD sponsoring the wrong program: "Most programs take thought and fortitude if they are to become successful, this does not happen overnight." Someday someone may admit to writing that unsigned letter, but I won't hold my breath. As both President Wojakowski and the confused unsigned letter writer would say, "those things don't happen overnight."
If you have any comments or suggestions, please take a minute to write H. Barb Upton.
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