with Luann Emerson, Village Clerk

SPRING VALLEY, WI – The Village of Spring Valley, Wisconsin held a Public Hearing followed by the November Regular meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in the Council Chambers at the Village Hall. All Trustees were present as was the Village President and Clerk. The following is the Unofficial minutes of the hearing and meeting.

Public hearing to approve 2024 General Fund budget. All postings and publications were verified. No residents came to review the budget on file in the Clerk’s office. No residents appeared for this public hearing. Public hearing was left open for 15 minutes, Board meeting continued at 6:15 p.m.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the November 9, 2023 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.

with Jeff Swanson, Woodville GarageBar

WOODVILLE, WI – The inaugural JuleFest (pronounced “yule”) Celebration presented by the Woodville GarageBar will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in downtown Woodville, Wisconsin. This celebration of lights will feature a festive holiday parade, a traditional tree and Village lighting ceremony, the arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus, and a fireworks display. Following the outdoor event, guests will be invited back to the Woodville GarageBar for photos with Santa, festive drinks and food, and a special holiday-themed DJ/karaoke night on the GarageBar stage.

“There are places people can go and either drive or walk-through a lighted holiday display,” said Jeff Swanson, owner of the Woodville GarageBar. “Our idea is to create the biggest, small town holiday celebration of lights in the area by encouraging our friends and neighbors to decorate their Jeeps or their side x sides and parade them through the streets of Woodville. And since there isn’t a local fireworks display in Woodville on July 4, we figured finishing the event with a wintry fireworks display would put the exclamation point on the festivities. We know the holidays are a time for gathering and this is a perfect way to do something fun with your family and friends and to come together as a community.”

Nominations are open for official “Tree Lighter.” Look for red nomination boxes around the Village and suggest a fellow Woodville resident who you think should be recognized as this year’s official “tree lighter.” A tradition with the Village for a number of years, this is an opportunity to recognize someone who makes a difference for the community.

Boxes will be collected on Thanksgiving weekend. Registration is open for the Inaugural 2023 Woodville JuleFest Parade. The parade is open to anyone with a festively decorated UTV/Side x Side or Jeep. To coordinate the number of entries and the parade route and timing, anyone who is planning to enter must notify the Woodville GarageBar no later than Saturday, November 25.

Registrants only need to supply a contact name, phone number, and type of vehicle being entered. You can register by stopping into the bar or via email at: fun@woodvillegaragebar.com.

“Best Of” Categories: Awards will be made to four of the best, most creative parade entries. The categories for entry are: 1) Most Festive. 2) Best Representation of Wisconsin. (Most Wisconsin). 3) Funniest. 4) Overall Best of Show.

Schedule of Events – The overall schedule of events may be adapted once final entries for the 2023 Woodville JuleFest Parade have been received and the overall length of the parade is determined. In general, the schedule of events is as follows on Saturday, December 2: 5-5:45 p.m. – Holiday parade through Woodville. 5-5:45 p.m. – Gathering in Arthur Best Amphitheater.  5:45 p.m. – Arrival of Santa & Mrs. Claus. 6:00 p.m.- Short program and Official Tree Lighting. 6:05-6:20 p.m. – Fireworks display. 6:30-7:00 p.m. – Santa & Mrs. Claus Meet & Greet at Woodville GarageBar. 7:00 p.m. – “Best of” Parade Award Ceremony at Woodville GarageBar. 8:00 p.m. – Holiday DJ/karaoke.

Lucky Paws Midwest Fundraiser – This year’s charitable partner will be Lucky Paws Midwest. Each year, the Woodville JuleFest Celebration will look to support a local organization and use the event as a means to help raise necessary funds. There will be several ways participants can donate and support this important organization. Lucky Paws anticipates having some lovable pets for viewing and adopting at the outdoor event. For more information on Lucky Paws, please visit their website at luckypawsmidwest.org.

For information on the Woodville JuleFest Celebration please contact Jeff Swanson at: jeff@woodvillegaragebar.com or via phone at 612-306-7768.

with Melissa Walthall, Park View Community Campus

WOODVILLE, WI – Construction has begun on the much-anticipated expansion of Kids View Learning Center at Park View Community Campus in Woodville, Wisconsin. The discussion and planning for the expansion began about a year ago. The expansion will add 20 additional spots to the Kids View Learning Center, bringing the license capacity to 70 children. Currently they are full at 50 children.

Park View has received a $5,000 Compeer Financial grant toward the cost of this expansion.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the November 9, 2023 issue of the Woodville Leader 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 Jerry Poling, Marketing Communications, University of Wisconsin-Stout

MENOMONIE, WI – Nicole Baker has received the University Staff Employee Appreciation award for October at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Baker, of Elmwood, Wisconsin is a custodian lead in the Academic Custodial department at Stout. She has worked at UW-Stout for 3½ years. As a lead, Baker works in buildings throughout campus and helps set up for special events.

The individual nominating Baker stated, “Nicole goes above and beyond the daily tasks to really take care of her buildings and her people. She is thorough and proactive in her service to our building, which is one of the more challenging facilities to take care of.

“In addition to being a cleaning professional, she is an expert with logistics and process improvement. Nicole recommended a facilities equipment change that was very low-cost and which made our building much safer. She often makes suggestions that improve safety, efficiency or both. Nicole has a professional, helpful and collaborative attitude and is really deserving of this award.”

Each employee of the month receives a certificate of recognition and a gift presented by Chancellor Katherine Frank.

The award, in its 18th year, was established by the Chancellor’s Office and is co-sponsored by the University Staff Senate.

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes. Learn more via the FOCUS2030 strategic plan.

Congratulations to Nicole Baker and thank you for all you do for UW-Stout!