Submitted by Debby Walters, BBBGC

BALDWIN, WI – During World War II a Blue Star in a home indicated that a son or daughter was away at war serving their country while a Gold Star indicated a family that lost a loved one in service.

In 1945, the National Garden Club (NGC) began a Blue Star and Gold Star Marker program to recognize the men and women who have served our country, and it has continued throughout the years.

As a NGC member, the Botany Belles and Beaus Garden Club (BBBGC) proposed installing a Blue Star Marker Memorial to recognize all who have and are serving our country to the Baldwin American Legion and Auxiliary Post 240 and a partnership was created.

After much planning, the groups are ready to move forward with the project. The memorial will be in Windmill Park and the Village of Baldwin is helping with the project. The memorial will include the Blue Star Marker, a raised planter, a sidewalk and surrounding patio area, a bench, and flagpole similar to the attached photo.

To personalize and help fund the memorial, the public has the opportunity to purchase an engraved brick honoring a veteran or an important person in their life. The bricks will be included in the sidewalk leading up to the memorial. Two sizes of bricks are available, a 4” x 8” for $100 or an 8” x 8” for $150. The That’s My Brick company located in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin supplies the bricks, and the first order goes in on July 1, 2024.

If you are interested in purchasing a memorial brick, this is the website: thatsmybrick.com/bbbgardenclub or brochures are available at the Baldwin American Legion Post 240 or contact Ruth Anderson (715-222-1248) for ordering information.

The goal is to have the Blue Star Marker memorial dedicated this fall.

Submitted by Molly D. Flaten, WESTconsin Credit Union

WESTERN, WI – To help aid those in our community facing food insecurity, the WESTconsin Credit Union Spring Food Drive will kick off on Monday, March 11, 2024, and run through Saturday, March 23. WESTconsin will accept donations of non-perishable food items in all offices. Additionally, monetary donations can be made at any WESTconsin office with a Member Service Representative or through drive-ups, or by calling the Service Center at (800) 924-0022. Proceeds will be distributed to 15 different community partners across western Wisconsin.

“Monetary donations are especially valuable because information shows food pantries have great buying power with monies available to them, and for every $1 in cash, they can purchase up to $10 worth of food,” says Stephanie Rasmussen, WESTconsin Credit Union Chief Experience Officer. “Last year, we raised nearly $2,400 and collected 1,564 non-perishable food items. That money allowed local pantries to buy nearly $24,000 worth of food for those in need. We are hopeful this upcoming food drive will make that same level of impact.”

WESTconsin Credit Union has been serving members since 1939, and membership is open to anyone who lives or works in the Wisconsin counties of Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Washburn, or the Minnesota counties of Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Wabasha, and Washington, with a $5 minimum deposit in a Membership Savings Account.

Credit unions are financial institutions owned by their accountholders, and member funds are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) up to at least $250,000.

SPRING VALLEY, WI – The Wandering Ewe Pub and Eatery, formally known as longtime Spring Valley establishment of Sneaker’s Pub and Eatery, held their grand reopening under the new name on Friday, March 1. 2024.

After looking to add an addition to the facility, owner Heather Landin closed the doors in February of 2023 to begin the updates. This included finishing the addition, adding doors, a porch, and polishing the terrazzo floors. The extensive work required plumbing, electrical and heating work as well as HVAC additions to run the micron air filters installed in the space.

While originally planning to reopen in June of 2023, some delays made the construction take longer than expected.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the March 7, 2024 issue of the Sun-Argus newspaper. Click to subscribe for convenient delivery by mail, or call (715) 778-4990. Single issues are also available at area newsstands and our office in Spring Valley, WI.

Submitted by Dan Richter, Public Information Officer, DATCP

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is issuing a public health alert for Bacon Cheddar Beef Burgers produced by Nilssen’s Foods in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. This alert is due to the product being misbranded and containing undeclared allergens.

The aforementioned product (Bacon Cheddar Beef Burgers) contains two known allergens, hydrolyzed soy protein and anchovies, which are not declared on the product label.

The product was sold at Nilssen’s Market and at grocery stores in Burnett, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, and Washburn counties on or before February 27, 2024.

DATCP is issuing this public health alert to ensure consumers with an allergy to soy and/or fish are aware that this product should not be consumed.

No illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming this product. Anyone with signs or symptoms of a foodborne illness or allergic reactions should contact their doctor.

Consumers who have this product can discard it. Consumers and media with questions about this public health alert can contact Jordan Nilssen, Nilssen’s, Inc., at (715) 263-2513.