Submitted by Ryma Lindquist, WWH

BALDWIN, WI – Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) recently hosted a truly special event, the heartfelt wedding of Dan and Wendy, two “Simple Health” program members whose journey to better health led them to love. Their transformation through the program made WWH an essential part of their story, and they chose to celebrate their union with the team that supported them every step of the way.

The heartfelt ceremony was officiated by WWH Lifestyle Medicine Specialist Lynn Huiskamp, who became ordained for the occasion. Lifestyle Medicine Dietitian Cheri Rott and Dr. Kathleen Findlay, Lifestyle Medicine Director, walked Dan down the aisle, symbolizing his health journey. The ceremony featured many unique elements that captured the love and commitment that came from their transformations.

Dr. Findlay recalled Dan’s initial struggles, describing how he had once been in constant pain and had difficulty managing his health. Thanks to the Simple Health program, he and Wendy not only improved their well-being but also found each other. As Huiskamp humorously noted, their first interaction didn’t earn “Five-Star reviews,” but over time, their bond strengthened alongside their health.

A meaningful highlight of the wedding was the Handfasting ritual, a deeply personal tradition for Dan. Huiskamp crafted a unique experience where the couple’s hands were wrapped in fabric representing each of them, joined by a rope woven through the hands of guests. This symbolized their vows to each other, their faith, and their community. The ceremony concluded with guests affirming their support with a resounding, “We do!” as the couple sealed their vows with a central knot.

Dan and Wendy’s story is a testament to the power of love, health, and community. Their dedication continues as they volunteer countless hours to the Lifestyle Medicine program. WWH is honored to have been part of their journey and wishes them all the best in their next chapter together.

Inspired by Dan and Wendy? Learn how Simple Health can support your journey to a healthier, happier life.  Call 715-684-1111 to schedule an appointment with the Simple Health team.

Submitted by Danny Akenson, GROWW

PIERCE COUNTY, WI – Ridge Breeze Dairy is quietly working to finance its controversial plan to quadruple in size by selling public bonds for a $18 million loan. A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Salem Town Hall.

The Appleton-based corporation has been pursuing the loan behind the scenes for months. The proposed expansion is in the Town of Salem. According to Public Finance Authority (PFA) policies, Town of Salem Chair, Brent Halvorson, can simply stop the loan because, “Any project not approved by the local jurisdiction will not be financed through PFA.”

PFA’s policy requires projects to “demonstrate tangible public benefits to the community in which it resides.” However, for more than two years, Ridge Breeze’s neighbors have organized in opposition to the expansion, which would make it the largest factory farm in Western Wisconsin. Thousands of local residents already live with contaminated water, so the thought of a massive factory farm that puts the water, roads, and small farms of Western Wisconsin at risk has driven people of all backgrounds to oppose the expansion.

The Wisconsin DNR recently recommended that Ridge Breeze get a water pollution permit for the factory to spread 80 million gallons of waste from 6,500 cows in Pierce, St. Croix and Pepin counties. More than 10,000 loads of waste will be trucked over country roads. Local opponents are exploring a plan to file a contested case hearing on the permit.

“Ridge Breeze wants to use public financing to build a factory farm that threatens our community’s health and property,” said Danny Akenson, Field Organizer for Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin (GROWW). “Companies like Ridge Breeze want to misuse public funds to up their profits and strip our rural communities of resources. These bonds should be making our communities stronger – creating jobs and small businesses, not shutting down small farms. We should be improving our water, not poisoning it. We should be repairing our roads, not tearing them up.”

If approved by Halvorson and the PFA, Ridge Breeze can use the $18 million loan for design and construction costs, payment of interest and professional fees. The bonds are issued under Wisconsin Statute 66.0304. under IRS Code of 1986 Section 147(f), The Town of Salem is required to hold the hearing on March 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Salem Town Hall. Any member of the public will be able to bring their thoughts and concerns for comment.

GROWW is a grassroots organization based in Western Wisconsin. We began organizing 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.

By Julie Huebel, PCHA

ELMWOOD, WI – I was contacted by a gentleman from the Cities who had just purchased some scrapbooks that he felt sorry for at an estate sale. He didn’t want them to end up in a landfill, so he went back on day two of the sale and purchased them for half-price. After looking through the pages, he surmised the family was from Pierce County and sought to find a local historical group that may be interested in the scrapbooks. When he reached out to us at the Pierce County Historical Association (PCHA), I told him of our upcoming hours at the History Center in Elmwood.

When he walked in the door of the History Center, setting eyes on me (a 45-year-old who has been told she looks younger than her age suggests), he disappointedly said… “I was hoping for someone older that could help me.” Then, he went on to explain that he felt my age would hinder my ability to help him and he was hoping to talk to a local old-timer. First of all, thank you. Secondly, how dare you! He told me the story of acquiring the scrapbooks and hoped to find someone that may be able to help him solve the mystery of who the original owner was. I was able to convince him to give me a shot at helping and that he may be surprised. I took one of the scrapbooks in my hands and opened it up and there on the first page I opened to, was the death notice of my great-great-great-grandfather. I found this coincidence hilarious. I could not have scripted a better response to having just been accused of being the wrong person to be able to help him in his quest.

As I went through the carefully curated pages of the scrapbook, there were newspaper articles, obituaries, and mementos that contained names I was very familiar with. I’m currently leading a project to reprint a remastered version of Lavern Flanders’ book on Rock Elm history and the names in this scrapbook are all names I know from Lavern’s book. I was able to piece together enough clues to identify Louisa (Barker) Alexander as the original owner of these scrapbooks. That’s a very roundabout way of saying: A is for Alexander.

I don’t think there are any people from this family with the last name of Alexander still living in the area today, please correct me if I am wrong. However, there are lots of locals that descend from the Alexander family of Rock Elm Township. Louisa would be a great-great-grandmother to the late Tom Asher of Elmwood, who was the father to Mark, Chris, Greg, Cathy, and Patty.

James and Louisa (Barker) Alexander settled in Rock Elm Township in 1863, having come to this area from Waukesha and Dodge Counties. Both born in New York. The scrapbook contained a laminated original copy of her handwritten family tree. Their son, Frank wrote of his family’s story of coming to Pierce County, it was published in an early issue of “The Sun”: “On the 19th day of October, 1863, my father left Rubicon, Dodge County, and travelled on foot, leading two mooley cows, all the way to Pierce County. In due time he succeeded in landing the cows safe among the rushes of Plum Creek Valley…On the 24th day of November of this same year, the remainder of our family, in company with the family of Jas. Collett, followed by rail.”