Area photographers win honors from camera club(2009/07/03) Gail Hemker of Barre Mills, Barbara Gates of Holmen and Owen Johnson of Onalaska were among the winners of the La Crosse Camera Club’s annual awards presented at the club’s annual year-end banquet earlier this month. More than 700 images qualified for judging in the contest.
Brice Prairie Scout troop treks to Bahamas(2009/07/03) A contingent from Brice-Prairie-based Boy Scout Troop 21, consisting of 10 boys and two adults, spent part of June on a memorable excursion to the Bahamas.
Special Olympics athletes fare well at state contest(2009/07/03) There’s a lot of gold in the Coulee Region these days. Many of the 17 area athletes participating in the 2009 Wisconsin Summer Games for the Special Olympics in Stevens Point came home with a lot of hardware wrapped around their necks.
Bookkeeping biz about more than crunching numbers(2009/07/03) Part of the changing makeup of Holmen is a growing presence of professionals bringing their expertise to the community. One such business is 14 years old, but new to the Coulee Region.
LIBRARY NOTES: You can feast on books with insights on eateries(2009/07/03) At one time or another we have all eaten at a fine restaurant (now, in this economy less than before). Unless you have worked at one, you might have no idea what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve recently read three books (one fiction, two nonfiction) that will give you a whole new outlook on the business of fine dining, although after reading these three books you might never eat out again.
Military sets up camp at Luther High School(2009/06/30) It looked like a military invasion at Luther High School, as Army trucks, gear and soldiers swarmed over the school, the gymnasium and parking lots for a Homeland Defense training exercise.
Aviation fan recounts exploits of WWII’s Doolittle(2009/06/30) Hollywood made a movie about it, numerous books have been written about it and now Doolittle’s Raid on Tokyo — the first retaliatory strike against the Japanese after Pearl Harbor — is the topic of the Holmen Area Historical Society’s July 1 meeting.
Salute to the 4th also farewell to Amy Mills(2009/06/30) Staying true to her enthusiastic and rousing energy, La Crosse Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro Amy Mills directs her last performance at this year’s Salute to the Fourth on June 28. This year’s salute will be full of high-energy sound, song and stomping by local musicians and dancers as well as the LSO performers.
Gretchen’s Grub(2009/06/30) Keeping with the theme of using fresh, local foods in season, this week’s column features three more ideas for strawberry treats. Use these ideas for dessert or a refreshing snack. Local strawberries are approaching their peak season at local pick-your-own markets and grocery stores, with the season generally lasting to about the first week in July.
Library notes: Discover Jane Austen in new ways(2009/06/30) I first read, and fell in love with, Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” in high school. I always wanted to know more about the story and what happened to those beloved characters after the wedding vows.
Weekend ham radio event is planned(2009/06/30) When a California city’s fiber optic cable was cut this spring, the only communications available for emergency service and hospitals came from “ham” radio operators.
Events honor former town administrator(2009/06/30) The first Tim A. Dienger Memorial Golf Scramble and dinner will be Saturday, June 27, at Drugan’s Castle Mound Country Club in Holmen. In addition, a dinner and silent auction will be held the same evening.
Onalaska dads leave legacy for loved ones(2009/06/23) Through the lost art of letter writing, a group of Onalaska fathers recently communicated some powerful messages to their families. For four months, the men met at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska as part of a national ministry called “Letters from Dad.”
Explore nature on a rainy day(2009/06/23) While a rainy day may seem to be a good time to take it easy and stay under shelter, many critters stay quite active even though they get wet doing it. Some people may even be more likely to be out and about on a drizzly day where we can easily observe them. Early last week I decided to check out Goose Island on just such a day to see what animals still were active in the rain.
West Side Girls eager for Miss Wisconsin Pageant(2009/06/23) Six area women, poised and confident, showed off their beauty and talent June 10 in the western Wisconsin version of the Miss Wisconsin Pageant.
UW-L students uncover artifacts in Onalaska(2009/06/23) ONALASKA — Last week found 19 well-tanned students from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse digging in the dirt. Under constant sun, but moderate temperatures, the students were excavating centuries-old food and garbage depositories, trying to document segments of an ancient culture before developers plow the site asunder.
Holmen garden tour(2009/06/23) A mountain goat would feel right at home in Cindy Gartner’s backyard garden.
Gretchen’s Grub(2009/06/23) Our garden is producing a bountiful crop of fresh greens and ripe, flavorful strawberries are plentiful in area stores and at road stands. This light and refreshing salad can be made in 10 minutes or less using these ingredients.
Nature’s way encompasses both joy and sadness(2009/06/16) By now, I imagine that many of you have seen baby birds trying out their wings and exploring the world with their parents. A baby mourning dove and a baby robin have both fluttered awkwardly around in my small back yard. A mourning dove parent sat calmly nearby and watched as I photographed the young one, but the robin parents put up a huge fuss as I merely walked toward my car.
Banana Bars top recipe in recipe contest(2009/06/16) More than 50 people from throughout La Crosse County attended the 2009 Dairy Recipe Contest sponsored by the La Crosse County Association for Home and Community Education on June 5.
Library notes: ‘Ender’s Game’ a classic for all ages(2009/06/16) Recently I reread a book I first enjoyed while attending college. I have encouraged all four of my children to read this book and they have all enjoyed it and others by this author very much. So, recently when I was searching for something to read, I thought I would try “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card again.
Onalaska woman realizes elusive diploma dream(2009/06/10) Willie Mae Gillespie has been to Paris. She’s been to Hawaii. She’s accomplished many things she never dreamed she would accomplish. But one goal eluded her until this week.
Storytelling trio looks at the ‘boomer’ life(2009/06/10) From garter belts to go-go boots, poodle skirts to mini-skirts, three area women bring life to the confusion that beset America in the 1950s and 1960s in an encore performance of “Three Boomer Broads: Remembering While We Still Can.”
RIDGERUNNER REPORTS: It’s egg-laying season for mother turtles(2009/06/10) I saw my first nesting turtle of the year while driving through Goose Island the day after Memorial Day. The female painted turtle was the only one I saw that day and she surprised me by beginning to dig a nest only moments after I saw her. She seemed rather unconcerned by my car though she clearly knew it was there.
LIBRARY NOTES: Book helps readers make good food choices(2009/06/10) If you’re like me, grocery shopping is a chore — something that has to be done, not something you want to do. My go-to guide for grocery shopping is a book called “Eat This Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide” by the editor of Men’s Health magazine, David Zinczenko.
FAMILY MATTERS: Parents need to look to find TV downside(2009/06/10) Most parents at one time or another have used the television as a babysitter. Even if only long enough to throw in a laundry load or fix dinner, most, too, have felt guilty about it.
ODD WISCONSIN: The first telephone calls(2009/06/10) People take instantaneous communication for granted today. But when telephones were new, people thought they were magical.
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