By Tom Meyer

MARTELL, WI – The Friends of the Martell Schoolhouse are presenting another fun musical event at the old Martell Schoolhouse on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Two outstanding groups will be sharing the spotlight.  First, “Safe at Home,” (Jay Scoggin, Steve Maxwell, Steve DeLapp, and Kathy Nyeggen) a spin-off of “Stealin’ Home” which was a past favorite of audiences at the Schoolhouse. “Safe at Home” is composed of an accomplished group of musicians, delighting audiences with an eclectic mix of original music and old favorites.

After a brief intermission, “Darlene and Kenny” will once again raise the roof with their high-energy selection of pop and country hits. They are both dynamic and talented musicians. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes!

The music will start at 4:00 p.m. and wrap up around 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Consider bringing a cushion to make our folding chairs a little more comfortable for you.

The Friends of the Martell Schoolhouse are looking forward to having you join us for this special event to enjoy some great music on a fall Saturday afternoon in the country! The Schoolhouse is located right on Hwy. 63 between Baldwin and Ellsworth on thee east edge of Martell.

Submitted by Adam Kastonek, Public Information Officer, St. Croix County

ST. CROIX COUNTY, WI – St. Croix County is proud to share the success of the 2025 Funds for Foster Care Gala, held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 45th Parallel Distillery in New Richmond, Wisconsin. The event raised $7,070 to support foster families and children in St. Croix County, Wisconsin.

This achievement was made possible through the efforts of the organizers Connecting Communities Inc., event sponsors, and the many community members who attended. Funds raised from the Gala will go directly toward essential needs, enrichment opportunities, and everyday support for children in foster care and the families who care for them.

“The success of this event would not have been possible without the collaboration between our Foster Care Team and Connecting Communities Inc. Their efforts to engage local businesses and community partners were truly remarkable. Fostering is not an easy responsibility, and it makes a tremendous difference when families receive the extra support and appreciation they deserve. We are grateful for everyone who came together to make this evening memorable and to support children in foster care.” – Michelle Leccia – St. Croix County Children Services Administrator

The evening brought the community together for dinner, music, raffles, and inspiring stories, all in support of children in foster care. A highlight of the evening was hearing directly from foster parents and families in St. Croix County. Guests learned about the joys, challenges, and life-changing experiences of fostering—from welcoming children into their homes to watching them grow in safe, supportive environments.

Leading up to the event, the County’s Foster Care Team recorded interviews with foster families to share their experiences with others who may be interested in fostering. These families described how fostering has transformed their perspectives, built lasting relationships, and created opportunities for healing and hope.

You can learn more and watch these videos at: sccwi.gov/Foster-Care.

By Julie Huebel, Pierce County Historical Association

ELMWOOD, WI – This is a Wild story, literally. W is for Wild…John Wild (1834-1915) was born in Germany and came to the United States with this father, Johan (1796-1871) and brothers in 1852 when he was 17 years old.  He and Theresa Sterr (1838-1922) were married in 1856 and had nine children. John served in Company A of the 45^th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War. Of his nine children, two moved to Pierce County, John, Jr. and Frank. Frank ran a threshing operation after settling in the Elmwood area.

John, Jr. (1856-1939) was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin and married Theresa Weix (1856-1922) in 1877 there while still living in Dodge County. They had moved to Rock Elm Township soon after by 1880. They are buried in the Poplar Hill Cemetery. John and Theresa had a son Lewis (1879-1959). The Elmwood history book mentioned a patent Lewis had, I was able to find the paperwork for it online. The section in the book, “Life in the Valley: Elmwood’s First 100 Years,” reads: “In 1908, Lewis Wild, of Elmwood introduced his “Glide” road machine. Lewis patented and marketed this machine that combined a light road grader with the King Drag Principle; one man could operate it, and one man could draw it.” The design patent was filed July 16, 1908, with the patent being issued on November 17 of that same year.

Frank (1858-1943) was also born in Dodge County. He married Theresa Weix in Dunn County in 1881. The Wild brothers married Weix sisters. They farmed in Rock Elm Township. He served as the Elmwood Village President from 1923-1926. One of Frank’s sons was Edward (1893-1983). This was adapted from an article written by Edward Wild in 1974 for the Elmwood book:

“About 1910 a bunch of farmers got together and decided they wanted to handle their own livestock, so they formed the Livestock Shipping Association. Elmwood had a railroad that ran two trains a day from Weston to Woodville. They had a fair stockyard and a good scale. This was located just north of the old elevator. Fred Kendall was the first shipping manager. When Mr. Kendall was elected county treasurer in 1916, he gave up the shipping job and was succeeded by Charles Fedderly. They elected me (Ed Wild) for the job in 1921. All the stock came in wagons that had to be unloaded, sorted, weighed and yarded. We had to hustle because the train was due out at two o’clock. Our shipping association was the biggest one in the state at one time. There were no trucks until about 1928 when I left the association and was hired by some meat packers. At first, they (the farmers) took their stock to Elmwood, but it wasn’t long before they began hauling to St. Paul, Minn. The shipping association got smaller and finally when the storm of 1942 took out the railroad bridges it ended.”

Kami (Miller) Johnson wrote the story of her grandmother’s life, titled, “A Brief History of a Wild Woman”.  What a great title! Her grandmother was Nona Lewis (1930-2022) who married Frank Wild (1927-2010), a grandson to the Frank Wild mentioned above. Shared by Frank and Nona (Lewis) for the Elmwood book, Life in the Valley: Elmwood’s First 100 Years:

“Wild Frank and Mary Wild bought 80 acres from James Churchill in section 9 of Rock Elm Township in 1883. He (Frank Wild) later purchased 120 acres in section 4 from D. E. Burgess. Frank and Mary’s sons, George and Ed, farmed together for a number of years. They (Frank and Mary) also had a daughter Amelia who married John Rhiel (furniture and undertaker business). In 1970, George’s son Frank and wife Nona (Lewis) took over the farm. They had three daughters: Kathy, Jean and Mary. Kathy and her husband Mike Miller took over the farm in 1990. The dairy herd, which Mike manages, was gradually converted to Holstein. Frank Wild operated a threshing machine in the neighborhood from 1890-1901. The dairy barn on the home farm was built around 1897 and still stands. The Wild brothers (George and Ed) raised registered Guernsey. Ed Wild owned the farm in Section 4 and George and Frank had the farmland in Section 9. Ed Wild worked for the Elmwood Livestock Shipping Association, which started around 1910. In 1919, George and his wife Julia (Jacobson) took over the home farm, which they operated until 1970. They continued raising Guernsey cattle and had a few sheep, pigs and chickens. George was very involved in getting the Farm Bureau started in Pierce County. He also sold Farm Bureau insurance. After he retired, he started raising leghorn chickens, sometimes as many as 1,000. They always sold eggs until the storm of 1980 destroyed the chicken coop.”