1/31/00 - Once upon a time...this morning actually, I had a bit of a run-in, literally, with some nasty, crusty, deeper snow that was successfully masquerading as just another part of the driveway of a friend who I planned to take on a trip to Marinette. Luckily, after I tried clearing some of the snow from the area of the wheels with a stick and then tried, unsuccessfully, to move either backward or forward a few times, this tall, dark, handsome young man in a pickup truck , who had been working in the woods nearby, showed up. He took a few mintues to kick away some of the snow in front of my car, then moved to the back and pushed a few times and that was the end of the problem. He smiled and waved and got back in his truck and disappeared. I know it sounds like a typical dream of someone with a severe case of cabin fever, but it really happened just off a country sideroad out east of town. I won't give an exact location as there may be quite a few cabin fever sufferers who would gather out there and the poor man would never get his logging work done.
1/25/00 - Some of us use this time of year to hibernate. Others, like the FFA Alumni Group use it to start thinking seriously about spring projects. Sunday, March 26th is the date of their 2nd annual Consignment Auction and there is a lot of planning and work involved. Like other groups, this one has a tendency to assign the most 'interesting' jobs to people who aren't present at a meeting. That's how Mike Erdman got the Port-a-Potty assignment. Molly Kass got the Insurance responsibility the same way and probably considers herself lucky. Cheryl Scarborough volunteered to see that hamburgers and hot dogs are available, along with lots of hot coffee. Pat Wehner and some of the students will get signs up and Monty Tuinstra will oversee Public Relations and Advertising projects.
The auction will be held at the Becker/Havelka building located on the corner of County Road 338 and Highway 4l again this year. Items like farm, lawn and garden equipment, household items, tools, recreational equipment, antiques and collectibles and almost anything OTHER THAN clothing, guns or live animals are acceptable for sale. Dennis Gruzlewski (753-4154), Barry Wehner (753-4192) and Monty Tuinstra (753-4913) are in charge of Sales and Finance and will be happy to answer any questions and provide auction guideline information. This is the group's primary fund-raiser to support the 65 FFA students at Stephenson High School with local projects and travel costs for competions and events downstate.
1/19/00 - A TALE OF TWO MEETINGS. About 15 years ago I was doing news for an area newspaper and went to a meeting of the Timbermen's Assoc. Members arrived early to socialize, bringing food donated by their wives. There was a bar set up in one corner of the room. "Is this a meeting or a party," I wondered as I refused an offer of a mixed drink and took a seat way in the back, close to the door. The party ended when the meeting started. This turned out to be the most orderly, relaxed, productive, well run, informative meeting I have ever attended. Every committee had a report, whether it was on recent legislation affecting their work or what games to play at the annual picnic. Topics for discussion were explained briefly but in detail. Officers and members participated openly in discussions and were willling, even eager, to provide extra information after the meeting. I realized many had been active Future Farmers of Amerca (FFA) members when we were in high school and had learned how to conduct and participate in meetings while members of that organization.
----------------------------------------------------"Welcome...as your elected officials, members of the Board encourage your attendance and your interest in the operation of the schools," says the handout members of the public can pick up, along with a copy of the agenda, when they attend a Stephenson School Board meeting. The January meeting had l9 items on the agenda. They went through 17 of them in under 25 minutes. There were no committee reports and very little discussion or explanation. A letter survey to kindergarten parents, listed on the agenda, was explained briefly as "only a rough draft" and intended only "to get fresh feedback from parents, no decisions have been made." That followed a complaint from a parent who felt a kindergarten class shouldn't have more than about l7 children instead of the 27 now assigned to one teacher. (Who will re-write the letter? Why? When will it go out? Who will analyze the results? There were similar complaints in previous meetings. At that time the Board said they were aware of the problem, had studied all options and made the best decision for parents, teachers and students. Are there new options? If not, why do a survey? They didn't say.)
The agenda listed "School Showcase" and "Board member appreciation month." Supt. Kalhoefer said the Governor had designated January as School Board Appreciation Month and each board member received a "small token" of appreciation. (From who - the governor? Mr. Kalhoefer? The students? The school staff? Was the "small token" an alll-expense-paid family weekend on Mackinac Island for board members or a No. 2 pencil with the Governor's name on it and lead that breaks every time you try to sharpen it? They didn't say.)
Motions to accept a revised General Fund Budget and the resignations of Pete Blair (after 28 years) and Robert Nordin (35 years) were passed without comment. Another, concerning the Early 4's program, was discussed and explained.
Item IV. E on the agenda was "The Sup't is requesting an executive session for his evaluation" and the board left the room. They did say others in the room could stay until they got out, but almost everyone left saying the session could take an hour or more and then they would just formally adjourn the meeting. (Why was the Sup't being evaluated? They didn't say. It was assumed it was just an annual evaluation but it's a weird world sometimes and when you get minimal information...)
Did someone say we "encourage your attendance and your interest..."?
1/16/00 - Stephenson Elementary School cooks Rae Lynn Thoune and Nancy Francour like to have fun on the job. Rae Lynn deliberately makes spelling mistakes on the monthly menu listing published and posted each month. The first student to find them gets a pencil and a free lunch. Students also get a special cupcake on their birthday. Those with summertime birthdays get theirs on their 'half ( 6 mo.) birthday." Mrs. Berman, who teaches 5th grade, prepares and posts a monthly calendar of birthdays and half-birthdays to be sure none are missed. At various times of the year students are also given the opportunity to bring important people (family and friends) to lunch to share a bit of their world. In November the cooks hosted a Formal Thanksgiving Lunch where everyone dressed up for the occasion and younger students were escorted to lunch by the 6th graders.
1/15/00 The Marinette-Menominee Christian Women's Club "blasted off" into the new millennium in style. Well, actually, everyone showed up for the January meeting in casual clothes to participate in the "Fitting Into the New Year" exercise session led by Diana McMann of "Fit Happens" of Menominee. She's one of those women who looks like an 18-year old but has a son in college. So you listen closely to her suggestions and come away determined to do those simple, easy exercises that require only available equipment like a left foot and a right foot. Others on the program were the Sweet Adelines' quartet and speaker Pyllis Hoppe from the Green Bay chapter of this naional organization. Meetings are primarily social gatherings with programs that provide food for the body (this time it was a healthy brunch), mind and soul, without pressure to follow any particular religious teaching. The mid-county area was well represented. Anyone wanting to attend the Feb. l5 meeting at noon at the Best Western in Marinette can call Barb W. in Stephenson at 753-2305. Free nursery service is provided for pre-school children during the meeting.
1/12/00 - Guess what, all you people with January birthdays and not much spending money! At about 2 p.m. today Daisy Schwittay brought several bags of donated items to the Stephenson St Vincent de Paul Center, along with a USED BIRD CAGE, just like your horoscope said you would be looking for. It is there, free for the asking, but if you don't want to look like a cheapskate you can drop a few quarters in the donation box before you leave.
1/10/00 -"Y2K, Millenium bug, that's all I ever hear. It turns out there was never really anything to fear. Now they say it will occur as Feb. 29 draws near. Why, and how, and what will happen is not very clear. And if nothing happens when leap year comes, still it would appear, The warnings may continue; since the millenium starts NEXT year!" A member of the local Writers Unlimited Group (also known as the WUGs) offered that rhyme at their annual dinner meeting at Camp Shakey last Saturday. Another had a thank you message for the members for their "careful critiques, witty discourse, intimate tete-a-tetes, spontaneous suggestions, verbal hugs and ulimited support." And, since it is a very open, relaxed and laughter-filled event it seemed appropriate for someone some of you might recognize to offer this month's not-too-serious horoscope: "People born in January are cheapskates, but only because they were much too generous in December. Those born on the l5th are one day older than those born on the l6th, but it doesn't matter because they are still all cheapskates. This will be a memorable month for all of them, no matter how hard they try to forget it. If you were born in January you will buy a used bird cage before midnight on your birthday. Your lucky number is 4450199825446. Watch for it everywhere."
1/7/00 - The main topic of discussion at the Stephenson City Council meeting last night was the near completion of the Water Project Update in the city and the completion of paperwork involved. Only a few minor problems remain. Those will be corrected and a final check will be made again in the spring.
Motions to amend the budget by transferring $l5,000 from the Major Street Fund to the Local Street Fund to cover street construction costs, and to take $13,250 from the General Fund balance and put it in the General Fund Disbursements account to cover work done on the snow plow truck last September were approved. The Council also authorized payment of $44,764.24 to 44 vendors for materials and services.
Dale Parrett reported the ice rink is in good shape. It is open to the public from l2 noon to l0 p.m. daily. Ken Marklein is checking to see if the heat tapes are working properly on the water tower and also reported receiving a complaint from a city resident about water damage to their basement following backup of a sewer drain near the Post Office.
1/4/00 - The Jim Mottto family on River Road and the Leo Fitt family on Gerue Street were first place winners in the Stephenson Residential Christmas Lighting Contest, according to Jean Getzen who heads the Project Stephenson group that sponsors this and other city beautification undertakings.
Second place winners are the Ron Mireau family on Willow Street and the John Sandhals on US-41. Third place went to Mary Ann Brabec on Lynch Street and the Scott Monette family on Willow Street.
Prizes this year will be provided by the North Country Bank and Trust of Stephenson. First place winners receive $100 U.S. savings bonds. Second and third place winners receive $50 and $25 bonds.
Getzen also commended Uta Rasmssen and Bonnie Beaudoin for decorating the park area where the railroad station used to be. Ray LaPointe of Ingalls donated trees used on the wagon and logging sleigh and the women worked in the rain to complete the project. Helene and John Svinicki donated the tree in front of City Hall - all of which helped "make our season bright."
1/2/00 - Stephenson survived the switch to the new century just fine, probably because most of us are more concerned about nature than technology. Today the skiers, sledders, snowmobilers and winter walkers are all happy with the new snow. If it continues or turns to sleet and freezes all of the school kids will probably get one more day off from school.
Newsweek magazine ran a sample of the front page of news reported on the web in the year 2034. One of the headlines is "Florida Capsizes Under Weight Of Elderly" and the list of other articles has one on "Cooking With Insects." Maybe if we all start cooking with insects now we'll lose enough weight to keep Florida above water and none of us will ever again have to make a New Year's resolution to diet.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please take a minute to write H. Barb Upton.
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