Ridge Breeze public financing up in the air after backlash

March 26, 2025

004WED-Delanie-Breuer-Rock-Elm-1-3.11.25(W) — Delanie Breuer, a lawyer with Fredrikson and Byron law firm in Madison, Wisconsin representing Venture Dairy Cooperative speaking at the recent Rock Elm Town meeting. Submitted photo

Submitted by Danny Akenson, GROWW

PIERCE COUNTY, WI – Ridge Breeze Dairy’s application for $18 million in public financing through the Public Finance Authority is up in the air following public backlash and questions about what the money would be used for.

The application was virtually unknown to members of the public until mere weeks ago. The town board’s public hearing for the financing had been scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, but was postponed indefinitely after the town decided to discuss their options with their town attorney before making a decision.

Brad Gerrits is the Director of Operations for the Appleton-based corporation that owns Ridge Breeze, a factory farm that is attempting to expand to become a 6,500-cow mega-dairy. When asked what the money would be used for, Gerrits was adamant that it wouldn’t be used for a factory farm gas digester, but he was unable to say where the money would go.

This lack of transparency could go against PFA policy which, according to their website, states that, “PFA’s governance structure and local government oversight and approval requirements for each financing ensure accountability and transparency.”

Mega-dairy developers like Ridge Breeze use public financing to sell tax-exempt bonds to wealthy investors who then give them low-interest loans. Many developers use these loans to expand their operations and build digesters that process waste to make methane gas and millions off of credits. However, PFA’s policy requires projects to “demonstrate tangible public benefits to the community in which it resides.”

“Small operators can’t get low interest deals like this,” said Danny Akenson, “These mega-dairies leave communities with all the negative impacts. Ridge Breeze and their wealthy investors get the positive economic impacts of profits, fees, tax-free income, construction contracts and production. This application should be pulled and the plans to expand should be stopped altogether.”

Gerrits waffled on whether Breeze’s application for the public financing would go forward after the town board meeting, claiming it had been blown out of proportion. Several concerned Pierce County residents came forward at the town board meeting with their disagreement over the application.

GROWW is a grassroots organization based in Western Wisconsin. We began our work in 2019 as Pierce County GrassRoots Organizing and grew out of the name as we began to organize with communities in seven Western Wisconsin counties: Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix. To get connected or learn more about GROWW, visit us at GRO-WW.org, on Instagram at @GrowWisconsin, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GROWWisconsin.

Editor’s note: Several of the Townships are a now considering proposing their own CAFO ordinances to protect their interests. The CAFOs are now on the offensive in this regard. It was at the recent Gilman and Rock Elm Township meetings that this became evident.

Speaking against the CAFO ordinance, from even further past township lines, Delanie Breuer, a lawyer with Fredrikson and Byron in Madison, Wisconsin was representing Venture Dairy Cooperative to threaten potential litigation against the Towns. See also the article, “They’re not coming for your cows” on this website.

School District of Baldwin-Woodville School Board Candidates

Western Wisconsin News

March 25, 2025

Submitted by Kelsey Brewer

BALDWIN-WOODVILLE, WI – There are three candidates running for the Baldwin-Woodville School Board and three spots available:

Dave Becker
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up?
For the past 18 years, we have proudly called the Baldwin-Woodville area home. Growing up in the small town of Chetek, WI, I developed a deep appreciation for the close-knit spirit that small communities foster. My wife, Julie, and our two children, Evan and Bennett, have cherished being active and engaged members of the Baldwin community.

What made you want to run for the school board?
My goal is to become more involved in the community, and I see this as a very meaningful way to do so. Having observed education from multiple perspectives—especially through my wife’s 26 years of teaching—I’ve witnessed firsthand the dedication and effort teachers invest in their students. I want to support both educators and students by contributing to their educational experiences. I believe a strong educational system is essential in shaping the future of our children, ultimately strengthening our entire community.

What do you believe is the most positive aspect of the district that sets it apart and makes it a great place for students and the community?
I see a strong sense of pride throughout the district—from teachers and students to coaches and district leaders. The moment you walk into the schools, you can feel it. This pride extends beyond the school walls and into the entire community. I experienced it firsthand while watching the football team advance to the state playoffs. The overwhelming support from students, families, and community members created an incredible atmosphere, truly showcasing the unity and spirit that make this district so special.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?
My goal is to support the success of every student by fostering an environment where all children have the opportunity to thrive. Having lived in Baldwin for many years, I deeply appreciate the strength and unity of this community. I am especially passionate about ensuring that every student has equal access to a high-quality education. Additionally, I recognize the importance of fiscal responsibility as a school board member. It is essential that we serve as good stewards of taxpayer dollars, ensuring resources are used effectively to benefit students and the community.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?
I have dedicated my entire career to the nonprofit and social sectors and currently serve as the President and CEO of Angel Foundation, a Twin Cities nonprofit supporting cancer patients. With over 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience, I bring expertise in fiscal management, community development, audit preparation, communications, evidence-based programming, and policy oversight. My work has been deeply focused on serving the community. This background, combined with my passion for community service, would be a valuable asset as a member of the Baldwin-Woodville School District Board of Directors.

Education has always been a cornerstone of my career. As a lifelong advocate for its transformative power, I have worked to empower individuals, educate communities on critical health issues, and support those in need. As a School Board member, I would be committed to leveraging my strategic leadership skills to help Baldwin-Woodville schools thrive—prioritizing inclusivity, transparency, and meaningful impact that aligns with the needs of our community.

Monica Polk
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up?
My name is Monica Polk. My husband and I have three kids in the Baldwin-Woodville School District ages 16, 14 and 11. We have lived in the Baldwin-Woodville School District since 2005. I grew up in the neighboring town of Spring Valley. I work as a Registered Nurse in Hammond and Amery. In my free time, I like to go the gym and work at the Baldwin Food Shelf. In the summers we love to go to our cabin up north and spend time with family and friends.

What made you want to run for the school board?
I am running for school board because I have three children in the School District and I have a vested interest in what happens within our schools. I think it’s important to provide the best possible education to our children, while also being a responsible steward of our taxpayer dollars. I would like to have a voice in the school district that our children will be attending for the next seven years.

What do you believe is the most positive aspect of the district that sets it apart and makes it a great place for students and the community?
We are extremely lucky because our district has amazing teachers. Our community and School District has been growing, but it still has that “small town” feel, which sets it apart from others. That “small town” feel includes values and life lessons that get lost in larger School Districts, and I want to protect that.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?
There’s not a particular issue that is motivating me to run. In general, I think we need to keep common sense and practicality within our schools.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?
Working in healthcare for 20+years has taught me invaluable skills. They include listening and thinking outside of the box. I am a good problem solver and can have an open mind with solutions. As a registered nurse, I’m an advocate for my patients on a daily basis. That has developed an ability to advocate for what is best for the kids and community. It is a skill that I have learned and fostered over years of care conferences and meetings, focusing on the best outcome after weighing all options.

Austin VanDamme
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up?
My name is Austin VanDamme and I am running for re-election to the Baldwin-Woodville School District Board in April. I was a 2003 graduate from Baldwin-Woodville and have lived in the Baldwin-Woodville area the majority of my life living on the family farm. I live with my wife Jess and 3 of our 4 children. Two of our daughters were graduates from Baldwin-Woodville and we also have a daughter in 6th grade and a son in 4th grade. I work as a pilot plant supervisor at 3M and also run a small business at my residence.

What made you want to run for the school board?
The reason that I ran for school board three years ago and the reasons I am seeking re-election have not changed. I want to give back to this great community and create the best possible environment for our children by giving them the best opportunities to learn and grow so they can become productive and successful members of society.

What do you believe is the most positive aspect of the district that sets it apart and makes it a great place for students and the community?
I believe there are many positive aspects of our district but there is one that stands out the most to me. That is the quality of our district’s staff, this includes the admin team, teachers, and support staff. Baldwin-Woodville’s high quality staff is dedicated and passionate about giving our children the best opportunities to grow and learn. I am also proud of how they create an open and welcoming atmosphere to new students and staff.

Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?
There is not just one particular issue that motivates me to serve on the board of education for Baldwin-Woodville. I want Baldwin-Woodville to offer the best education and learning environment not only in our area but also in the state. I also want to make sure we keep the polarization of our nation’s politics from getting in the way of our children getting a great education.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?
Previous school board experience and the various committees I have served on while on the board have prepared me to continue my service to our children and this community.

I hope to get your vote in April and look forward to continuing my service to our district.

Wisconsin farmers, food pantries, and hunger relief organizations urge USDA to restore local food assistance programs

Western Wisconsin News

March 25, 2025

003MON-Wisconsin-Farmers-Union — Contributed graphic

Submitted by Tommy Enright, Wisconsin Farmers Union

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI – Wisconsin received notice last Friday that the USDA is abruptly terminating the 2025 Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) mid-implementation, which will cause lasting harm to nearly 300 local farms in Wisconsin and the food pantries that depend on their food.

From 2023 to 2024, the LFPA program supported over $4 million in purchases from small growers and provided distribution support to deliver farm products to food pantries and schools. A total of 289 farms participated, providing $4.2 million worth of food to 254 pantries.

The Local Food for Schools (LFS) program—a $3.4 million initiative funded by the USDA and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction—is also being terminated. This includes funding for Early Care and Education Programs, which will also be eliminated. LFS helps local schools purchase food directly from farmers.

“Producers have already invested in seeds, inputs, and infrastructure to meet anticipated demand based on USDA and state plans for 2025 implementation,” said Darin Von Ruden, President of Wisconsin Farmers Union, which played a key role in farmer outreach and engagement for the program statewide. “Cutting this funding now not only disrupts their operations but also weakens the entire local food system that serves schools, food pantries, and communities in need.”

“Wisconsin has seen the profound positive impact of small farms feeding their communities healthy, local food through Wisconsin’s LFPA,” added Lori Stern, Executive Director of Marbleseed. “Farmers gained access to a reliable wholesale market and were able to grow their farm businesses. Beyond seeds, farmers have ordered chicks, feed, fencing, and invested in on-farm cold storage, significant investments for small farms that have now lost significant revenue they were counting on.”

The Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative of Waupaca, which is owned by farmers and serves over 400 Wisconsin farmers as a provider of transport and distribution services under LFPA, has rented trucks, expanded staff, and coordinated supply with farmers in preparation for 2025, based on USDA and state assurances of continued implementation.

“If the LFPA is not restored, years of building the local farmer-to-market infrastructure that the farmer-owned Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative has built for farmers with government investment will be completely thrown out the window,” says Tara Turner-Roberts, cooperative member and General Manager of the Food Hub. Turner-Roberts adds “LFPA and LFS has really helped strengthen markets for farm products and provided transport and logistics. Without the LFPA and LFS funding it will take years for farmers to build a dependable and effective local foods distribution system in Wisconsin.”

“Feeding Wisconsin food banks work with over 260 partners and producers to distribute over 155,000 pounds of Wisconsin food products purchased with LFPA funds to Wisconsinites experiencing food insecurity,” said Jackie Anderson, Executive Director of Feeding Wisconsin.

“At a time of significantly increased need for food bank services, coupled with limited resources for the charitable food network and local food producers, we are concerned and disheartened by the elimination of the LFPA program. This is an important source of support for our Wisconsin producers and a point of access to fresh, local foods for neighbors. This program provides a solution to one of the biggest challenges for Wisconsin farmers: market access. We will continue to work with our local agriculture producers to advocate for the continuation of programs at the state and federal levels. We are hopeful that the USDA and the new Secretary of Agriculture will prioritize the needs of the Wisconsinites experiencing food insecurity in future programs, and we look forward to working alongside our state and regional offices to develop such initiatives.”

“As Wisconsinites, we are incredibly proud of our agricultural heritage and will always support and celebrate local, family-owned producers,” said Matt King, CEO of Hunger Task Force. “This program was particularly important to small farmers because it helped them have a guaranteed market for a portion of their products which gave them the security to scale up and expand their business. Despite this setback, we will continue to prioritize access to healthy food and support Wisconsin farmers through our work to feed children, families and seniors in need of emergency food.”

Testimonials from farmer participants and evaluations of the LFPA and LFS impacts demonstrate that these programs have significantly improved small farm viability. Eliminating them will be devastating to the future of Wisconsin’s local food system.

Wisconsin Farmers Union has created an advocacy portal to make it easy for supporters to take action. We invite you to sign on to a pre-written letter (or write your own) that advocates for continued funding for Wisconsin’s LFPA. You can access the portal at: wisconsinfarmersunion.com/action.

Hoolihan earns All-Conference honors for girls’ hoops team

Ron Cipriano

March 24, 2025

SPRING VALLEY, WI – While the Spring Valley girls’ basketball team finished in sixth place with a 4-10 record, there was still plenty to celebrate.

To that point, Spring Valley freshman (yes, freshman) Jada Hoolihan was the lone Cardinal to earn All-Conference honors.

Hollihan earned second team honors for the All-Conference selections. The freshman led the Cardinals offensively averaging 14.5 points per game for the season (2nd in the Conference). She led the everyday Conference players in free throw percentage by sinking 102-of-128 shots from the stripe for a .797 percentage. She finished second on the team in rebounds with 5.2 per game, led the team in assists (3 per game) and steals (2.8 per game). She is just the second player in the past 15 years for Spring Valley to earn honors in her freshman year (Mara Ducklow).

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the March 20, 2025 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.

They’re not coming for your cows

Cari Cornelius

March 24, 2025

003MON-IMG_9939(W) — Danny Akenson, field organizer with GROWW discussed legalities of CAFO ordinances at the March 12, 2025, Gilman Township board meeting. Photo by Cari Cornelius

TOWN OF GILMAN, WI – The Town of Gilman held their monthly board meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Gilman Town Hall.

Over forty people – almost all non-township residents, were in attendance to voice opinions on agenda item twelve, a proposed CAFO ordinance.

Against the CAFO ordinance, from even further past township lines, Delanie Breuer, a lawyer with Fredrikson and Byron in Madison, Wisconsin was representing Venture Dairy Cooperative.

Tuesday Community Supper, April 2025

Western Wisconsin News

March 23, 2025

001THU-Gethsemane-Lutheran-Church-(CW) — Contributed graphic

Submitted by Rosemary Donahoe, Tuesday Community Supper

BALDWIN, WI – Mark your calendar for April 1, 2025, for the Tuesday Community Supper.

Peace Lutheran Church will be serving the Tuesday Community Supper from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in the Fellowship Hall at Gethsemane Lutheran Church.

Tuesday Community Supper is served the first Tuesday of the month at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1350 Florence Street, Baldwin, Wisconsin, 54002. This is a good free meal open to anyone in the community. Area churches, businesses and organizations take turns preparing and serving good nutritious food.

Year eight of Western Wisconsin Health’s Out of this World Community Challenge complete!

Western Wisconsin News

March 23, 2025

002SUN-0176-HealthyHank2025(W) — Here is the 2025 Out of this World Community Challenge Grand Prize Winner Dana Loos with Healthy Hank and the WWH team at the finale on March 11. Photo by Suzanne Wynveen

By Ryma Lindquist, WWH, Community Relationship Director

BALDWIN, WI – Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) wrapped up the 2025 “Out of this World with Healthy Hank” Walking Challenge with an exciting in-person finale on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Held in the Baldwin-Woodville High School (B-WHS) gym, over 350 participants gathered to celebrate with special performances by the B-WHS Cheerleaders and B-WHS Band.

The event featured fun physical challenges for children, with winners receiving Scooter’s gift cards. Healthy Hank, Baldwin Royalty, and Syttende Mai Royalty joined in the festivities, posing for photos taken by Suzanne Wynveen Photography against a stunning balloon and backdrop display by What’s Poppin.

The 2025 challenge introduced innovative step-tracking technology via the Motion Connected app, allowing participants 12 and older to sync their smart devices for the “Galaxy Challenge.” Younger participants, part of the “Rocket Challenge,” completed weekly health and fitness missions.

During the finale event, a live prize drawing awarded seven lucky individuals and one corporate team. The grand prize for “Galaxy Challenge” participants (ages 13 and up) was a $3,000 travel voucher, while the “Rocket Challenge” grand prize winner received Mall of America passes to Nickelodeon Universe, Crayola Experience, and Moose Mountain.

WWH registered 477 participants, with 368 successfully completing the eight-week challenge, accumulating a remarkable 146,864,458 steps—equal to 65,445 miles!

Prize Winners:

Rocket Challenge ($20 Gift Cards – A&W & Scooters): Abella Leach.
Rocket Challenge (Associated Eye Care Kids’ Sunglasses): Gray Wolski.
Grand Prize – Rocket Challenge (Mall of America Gift Pack): Dallas Chevrier.
Corporate Challenge Team Winner: Go Electric, St. Croix Electric Coop.
Galaxy Challenge (Sunglasses & 1-Year Baldwin Bulletin Subscription): Christopher Brunner.
Galaxy Challenge (WWH Integrative Health Spa Basket): Emily Pfannes.
Galaxy Challenge ($500 Nilssen’s Gift Card – Sponsored by WWH): Jodi Volgren.
Grand Prize – Galaxy Challenge ($3,000 Travel Leaders Voucher): Dana Loos.

Eight local organizations participated in the Corporate Challenge, where businesses tracked employees’ steps, creating internal challenges to boost motivation. WWH calculated each company’s average weekly steps, awarding the top performer with a plaque and a pizza party. This year’s winner, Go Electric, St. Croix Electric Coop, averaged over 10,000 steps per participant per day.

WWH extends heartfelt gratitude to the event sponsors whose generosity made this challenge possible: Platinum Sponsors: Associated Eye Care, Nilssen’s Foods. Gold Sponsors: Baldwin Bulletin, Homestead Veterinary Clinic, St. Croix Electric Coop. Silver Sponsors: Reisner Hudepohl, Travel Leaders, Network Center, Village Pharmacy. Bronze Sponsors: Twin City Title, and Whitecap Financial. A special thanks to Scooter’s for providing hot chocolate and coffee for the kickoff event and 104.9 The Cabin for donating the Mall of America gift pack. WWH also appreciates the efforts of Adam Bassak & the B-WHS Band, Susan Werner, Megan Timmerman, J.R. Dachel, Jason Sell, B-WHS Cheerleaders, Baldwin Royalty, Syttende Mai Royalty, Suzanne Wynveen, and the Baldwin-Woodville High School staff for their help with the finale event.

WWH encourages participants to stay active throughout the year by joining upcoming events:

Healthy Hustle: Let’s Glow Crazy 5K – June
Spooky Shuffle – October

Additionally, the WWH Community Trail is open year-round for walking, running, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. For more information on WWH’s wellness programs, visit wwhealth.org.

Western Wisconsin Health: Building a Healthier Tomorrow, Together.

The ABC’s of Elmwood: D is for…

Western Wisconsin News

March 22, 2025

002SAT-DeMarce,-Seymour-family-photo-image(W) — The Demers family in Quebec has regular family reunions (next one June 2025), they have a website and Facebook page. Submitted photo

By Julie Huebel, Pierce County Historical Association

ELMWOOD, WI – When someone introduces themselves to me, I have a hard time remembering their first name but am immediately trying to place them in the giant family tree web I have created in my head. I get to work trying to identify the country of origin of their surname and who do I know that they share ancestry with. Once in a while, someone will tell me their name and I will immediately know they are not from the area and they are a bit surprised I can tell so quickly. Around Pierce County, there are pockets of people that all settled here with people that originated from the same place. Not far from Elmwood, is one such pocket of people, several families with deep French-Canadian roots settled in the Arkansaw area. A worthwhile outing if you are in the area, is the French Catholic Cemetery near Arkansaw in Pepin County. Walking around the cemetery you realize all the local names that have French origins. I will be highlighting one of these French-Canadian families, D is for DeMarce…

The DeMarce name is an Elmwood staple on Main Street. Nolan DeMarce was born in 1933 in Elmwood to Lynn DeMarce and Helen Weber. He graduated from Elmwood High School and served in the Korean War in the Air Force. When he returned, he and Janet Claflin were married. Nolan or as he was more commonly known, “Shorty” and his father started DeMarce TV & Cable that ran for over 45 years. Lynn was born in 1911 in Waterville Township in Pepin County, he and his first wife Helen are buried in Poplar Hill Cemetery.

Lynn’s parents were Lemuel and Caroline Holmstadt. Lemuel was born in 1881 in Pepin County, Caroline was born in the Plum City area in 1880. Lemuel and his second wife Lella are buried in Glendale, California. His parents were Seymour and Matilda (LaPean), they are pictured here with their four oldest children. Seymour was born in Quebec, Canada of French ancestry, his wife’s maiden name of LaPean is also French, she was born in Plattsburgh, NY but her father John LaPean was born in Quebec in 1833. Seymour and Matilda are buried in the Arkansaw Memorial Cemetery.

Seymour’s parents are Joseph DeMarce, born in Quebec in 1834 and Eliza Kelley born in Vermont in 1835 are both buried in the French Cemetery in Arkansaw. Ok, from here I’m trusting the internet, I would need to do more research to confirm, and I am probably butchering the surnames since I am not familiar with the formatting of French names…Joseph’s parents seem to be Leon Demers and Marie-Elizabeth Morais, both born and buried in Quebec. Joseph’s parents, Pierre born in 1773 in Quebec and Bridgette Guertin, again both born and buried in Quebec. Let’s keep going…Pierre’s parents are Joseph Demers (Chedville) born in 1740 in Quebec and his wife Marie Josette Lareau born in 1745, they were married in 1763. Joseph’s parents were Henri Demers (Chedville) born in 1708 and Therese Poirier born in 1713, both in Quebec Province. Henri’s parents were Robert, born in 1671 and Madeleine Jette born in 1696, both in Quebec. Robert’s parents were Andre Demers (Dumets) born around 1627 in St. Jacques, Normandie, France…we made it to France!

His wife was Marie Chedville born in 1631 in France as well and seems to have come to “New France” to an area that would soon be called Montreal in 1650 or so and was married in 1653. She may have been part of a group of women brought to Montreal to get married and populate the area, her voyage predates the “King’s Daughters” program between 1663-1673 that brought more marriageable women to Canada. I’ll try to wrap this up with listing the next three men in the DeMarce line…Andre’s father Jean Demers born 1595…his father Adrien Demers or Dumay born 1565…his father Jehan Dumoys born 1525…all of Normandy, France.

Six SV/E wrestlers earn All-Conference honors

Ron Cipriano

March 21, 2025

SPRING VALLEY, WI – The Spring Valley/Elmwood wrestling team earned six slots on the All-Conference teams for the 2024-25 season, and the good thing about it is that all six wrestlers will return next year for another season.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Elmwood junior Jack Steinmeyer. The junior led the Cardinal wrestlers all season long with a 44-13 overall record. Steinmeyer wrestled at 215 pounds and advanced to the WIAA State Individual Tournament recently, winning his first match before falling in his next two matches, but the best season on the team. Steinmeyer took first at the Ellsworth Invitational, Shell Lake Challenge and Chi Hi Invitational, second at Somerset, and sixth at the Northern Badger.

Also earning First Team All-Conference honors were sophomores Asher Turner and Dane O’Meara.

‘Shrek Jr. The Musical’ funny fun and a moving love story performed well, very well!

Paul Seeling

March 21, 2025

001FRI-DSC03913--Shrek-and-Princess-Fiona-are-both-Orges!(W) — Photo scenes from the 2025 Viking Middle School Production of “Sherk Jr. The Musical,” by Paul J. Seeling

BALDWIN-WOODVILLE, WI – Did you see the marvelous funny, fun “Shrek Jr. The Musical” a moving love story about a big green Ogre at the Performance Center at Baldwin-Woodville High School last week? If you did you know the Viking Middle School (VMS) Drama Department, did it again! They are masters at making magic on stage with a large cast of talented young thespians!

Not knowing well, the story of the Ogre Shrek, I was definitely in for a treat when I attended one of the three VMS shows of “Shrek Jr. The Musical.” But based on the fantastic past VMS plays I have had the pleasure of witnessing; I was sure this would be a first-class show, and it was.

With a big cast of 44 Middle School students, it was a most impressive production. Of course, the music was wonderful, as were the costumes, makeup and sets.

To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the March 20, 2025 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.