Submitted by Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Director of Marketing & Development, Adoray Home Health & Hospice

BALDWIN, WI – Christa Walz, Executive Director of Adoray Home Health & Hospice, announced last week that Adoray has been recognized by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Superior Performer” for achieving an overall caregiver and family experience score ranking in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients nationwide for the 2024 calendar year.

For the second year in a row, Adoray ranks among the top 20% of hospices nationwide — the only provider in Western Wisconsin to achieve this distinction.

Out of 85 registered hospice agencies in Wisconsin, only three received this honor for 2024, and Adoray is the only hospice provider in Western Wisconsin to achieve this distinction two years in a row, earning the title of Back-to-Back Wisconsin State Champs in this category.

This recognition comes as Adoray celebrates 30 years of service as a locally based, not-for-profit hospice provider. In an era where for-profit hospice agencies are rapidly entering communities and even contracting to serve as local hospital providers, Adoray stands out as a true David in a David-and-Goliath story: a small, mission-driven nonprofit delivering 5-Star CMS-rated care that consistently ranks among the nation’s best.

“This award is a powerful reflection of our team’s heart, dedication, and expertise,” said Christa Walz, Executive Director. “For 30 years, Adoray has been honored to walk alongside our neighbors during some of life’s most tender moments. Our staff don’t just work here, they live here, they serve their own communities, and they care like family. This recognition is truly from the people who know our care best: the families we’ve served.”

Gina Thompson, Director of Clinical Services, added: “Being recognized in the top 20% of hospices in the nation, and doing it two years in a row, speaks to the consistency and depth of our commitment. It’s about showing up with compassion, skill, and respect for every single patient and family, wherever they call home. That’s the Adoray difference.”

The annual SHPBest™ award program honors hospice providers that consistently deliver outstanding service to patients’ families and caregivers, as measured by the CAHPS Hospice survey. The 2024 award recipients were selected from more than 1,800 providers nationwide, making this an exceptional distinction for Adoray Hospice and its care team. With one of the largest CAHPS Hospice benchmarks in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and recognize organizations that have made the family and caregiver experience a priority and have been rewarded for their efforts with high marks on the CAHPS Hospice survey.

“When it comes to choosing hospice, quality matters,” Walz added. “This award, our 5-Star rating, and our three decades of local, not-for-profit service make one thing clear: at the end of the day, our community members can trust that Adoray will be there, providing care from the heart.”

For more information about the SHPBest awards program, visit.

In 1995, a group of four healthcare providers gathered to help people with life-threatening illnesses die with dignity in Western Wisconsin by creating St. Croix Valley Shared Services (dba Adoray Home Health & Hospice). Today, Adoray Home Health & Hospice is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is “Partnering to Improve the Quality of Life Throughout Your Healthcare Journey Wherever You Call Home.”

Adoray provides Home Health, Palliative, and Hospice care in St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, Barron, and Dunn Counties. Discover how Adoray’s services can help you or your loved ones by calling (715) 629-1888 or visiting adoray.org. Adoray Home Health & Hospice, your locally trusted partner in care since 1995.

Submitted by Liz Erickson, Spring Valley Lions Club
with Cari Cornelius, Sun-Argus

SPRING VALLEY, WI – September 19, 20 and 21, 2025, will mark the 57th Annual Spring Valley Dam Days Celebration. This year, the collectable 57^th Annual Dam Days button features the Spring Valley Theatre in honor of the Stagehands celebrating their 40^th anniversary of bringing dynamic live community theater entertainment to Spring Valley, Wisconsin.

The old movie theatre, known as the Spring Valley Theatre, was built in 1937. It has served the community for decades, showcasing films and hosting events. The building reflects the art deco architectural style and cultural trends of the 1930s. The Spring Valley Stagehands formed in 1985 and bought the old movie theater and turned it into their magic playhouse delighting audiences ever since.

The theatre remains a local landmark and continues to be operated by the Spring Valley Stagehands, providing live entertainment to residents and visitors from all over the area.

In honor of the Stagehands celebrating forty years of live community theatre this year, there will be an Open House on Dam Days Sunday, September 21, 2025, before the popular Dam Days Grand Parade from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Stagehands Theatre.

Past and future Stagehands Thespians as well as the public are invited to come visit and tour the historic theatre where magic happens! It has seen many delightful performances over 40 years as well as performing many upgrades to the building, including air conditioning!

We are looking for memories of the theatre – events, stories, favorite shows, and more. If you have a memory to share, please submit it to admins@westernwisconsin.news, or mail to Sun-Argus, at W2855 730^th Ave, Spring Valley, WI.

Collectable 57^th Annual Dam Days buttons are available for purchase at local area businesses or from Spring Valley Lions Club members. We look forward to seeing you at the 57^th Annual Spring Valley Dam Days Celebration!

By Syttende Mai Queen Katelyn Gustefson

WOODVILLE, WI – Hi Woodville! This weekend was a 2 for 1; Saturday, August 16, 2025, we went to North Hudson for Pepper Fest, and on Sunday, the 17th, we went to Boyceville for their annual Cucumber Festival, also known as Pickle Fest.

On Saturday, First Princess Addisyn Wichelman and I had lots of fun when we went to the Pepper Festival Queen’s Tea, where they had a great breakfast spread. The two of us got to talk to a lot of new courts from Minnesota. We also talked to the Pepper Fest candidates and got to watch them answer questions. The North Hudson Pepper Festival started in 1954 to raise funds for a new school.

We didn’t get to take a float to the Pepper Fest Parade, due to all the rain, but we still sat in the back of a truck on our bench and got to see all the Pepper Fest spirit. After the Parade, I got to do the traditional Pepper Fest Royalty Spaghetti Eating Contest. The Baldwin Royalty needed a fourth, and they had asked if I would fill in. Queen Lexi, her Juniors and I had lots of fun!

On Sunday, we went to Boyceville’s Pickle Fest Ambassador Social, where Princess Addisyn and I enjoyed a great lunch. We also got to watch their new Court get crowned. We were able to get some pickles to decorate our Troll float, and we got tons of compliments throughout the Grand Parade. Afterwards, we learned that we had won first place! We had a great weekend, and we can’t wait for Glenwood City in a few weeks!