WOODVILLE, WI – Zion Lutheran Church will be hosting their annual Choir Christmas Concert and Candlelit Kaffe Kallas on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 4 p.m.
The Kaffe Kallas will include pickled herring, romegrot, rosettes, krumkake, sandbakkels, julekage, sweet breads, cheese and crackers and more!
Zion Lutheran Church is located at 221 N. Lockwood Street, Woodville, WI. Questions? Please call 715-698- 2707.
Submitted by Eric Johnson, Community Education Coordinator, School District of Spring Valley
SPRING VALLEY, WI – For the last 42 years, the Spring Valley Lions Field has served the youth baseball and softball program very well. The first 25 years of its existence, it was the primary field used for youth baseball and softball. About 15 years ago, we named it Lions field for scheduling purposes. The Spring Valley Lions Club built the concession stand and the Lions contributed to the youth baseball program through the years, so the name seemed to fit. Lions Field was actually built by several volunteers that saw the need for a field, so they jumped in and took action. Thank you so much Richard Johnson, Duane Nelson, Bob Thomas and everyone else that contributed to the original construction of the field in 1982.
As the years have passed, both the softball and baseball participation numbers have continued to increase and the need for field time has increased. Discussions over the last three years, led to a group of volunteers looking at ways to renovate Lions Field to allow teams to use the varsity baseball field and Lions Field at the same time. We decided to move the field about 50 feet toward the dam (north). Richelle Bartlett started researching potential grant opportunities. We received a $7,000 matching grant from the Minnesota Twins, which the school district matched. We received a $1,000 grant from St. Croix Electric Coop, and $3,000 from Pierce Pepin Cooperative. The Spillway ran a 50/50 raffle and raised $450 for the project. We also contacted our local Lions Club and the Spring Valley Education Foundation. The Lions Club hosted a golf tournament and donated the proceeds from that event – $5,000. The Spring Valley Education Foundation gave a $6,000 grant. Wow!!
The work began in August 2024. We contacted several local excavators and were unable to find someone interested in doing the work. I was complaining to a friend of mine that I could not find an excavator for this project and good friend Jay Richardson said, “Well, I could do that.” “Tell me more about what you need.” Jay donated his time, fuel and the use of his equipment. He also contributed time from some of his other employees. He took off all the black dirt, brought in sand to cover the entire field area. Brought in new infield material, and then brought the black dirt back to the outfield and re-sloped it for better drainage. The outfield grass is well on its way! We could NOT have done this project without Jay’s incredibly generous donation and expertise.
We replaced the timber backstop that had started to deteriorate, and we increased the height of the baseline fences to provide a safer field for players and spectators. In another project, a barrier fence was put up on the varsity baseball field to reduce the number of foul balls that go in the direction of Lions Field. Concrete slabs for the two new dugouts and storage were put in place just before it got too cold. Thank you to Jayden Hannack, and Excel Energy for the use of their concrete blankets!
Here is a recap of the significant “players” in the project:
Richelle B – Field Renovation Committee member, Grant writer
Kathryn M – Spring Valley Education Foundation Committee member – $6,000 grant awarded
Jay R – Donated extensive time, fuel and other employees time to excavate the new infield and outfield, Jayden Hannack – Field Renovation Committee member, John Groh – Spring Valley Superintendent of Schools
Eric J – Field Renovation Committee member, Project Coordinator, Scott Mathison – Spring Valley Lions Club member, Golf Tournament Coordinator – $5,000 grant awarded
The final part of the project that will happen this month will be done by our Tech Ed Teacher Jon Stimmel, and the Construction Class here at SVHS. They are hoping to find the time and a little warmer weather to put up the walls that they have constructed for the dugouts. This turned out to be a great project for the class and a great way for us to get this part of the project done. Thank you, Jon and Construction Class students!
Thank you to all that have helped accomplish this vision that the Renovation Committee put forth. Thank you to the committee members: Jayden Hannack, Richelle Bartlett, Jake Hoon and Eric Johnson. Thank you to the many kids and coaches that helped pick rock. Thank you to SVSD custodians Jeff Johnson, John Larson and Rob Konobeck for the time and efforts! Thank you to Brent Haglund, Advantage Excavation, for his expert consulting. Finally, Thank you so much to the SV Education Foundation and SV Lions Club for their amazing donations!
Tim Ormson, age 65, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, died Thursday, November 28, 2024, at his home in Gilman Township.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 4-7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, and also for one hour prior to the service at church on Friday.
Funeral service for Tim will be Friday, December 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Spring Valley. A lunch will be served following the service.
Burial will be in Gilman Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley.
Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
PEPIN, WI – The goal of all coaches is to see improvements from game to game. While the Spring Valley girls’ basketball team came out on the low side of the scoring in their 64-52 loss to Alma-Pepin here last week, there was significant improvement that Head Coach Sean Hoolihan will take.
The loss drops Spring Valley to 0-2 on the season.
The Cardinals battled with the Eagles throughout the game, despite falling behind 17-2 early. Once Valley started scoring, they cut into the lead closing the gap to 38-31 by halftime thanks in large part to the second buzzer beater to close out the first half of the season from freshman Katie Matthys (she had a buzzer beater in the first half of their game against Eau Claire Immanuel the previous week).
To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the December 5, 2024 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.
WOODVILLE, WI – The spirit of Christmas will fill the Village of Woodville this Weekend.
Starting this Saturday, December 7, 2024, with a visit from the North Pole by Santa and Mrs. Claus to Santa’s Workshop at the Woodville Community Center (Lion’s Den) at 10:00 a.m. Bring a camera to take photo with Santa and deliver you want list to Mrs. Claus to take back to the North Pole. You can decorate ice cream with the elves. There will be Christmas crafts to make too. This is a free event but bring a donation for the Food Pantry. This event will last until 1:00 p.m. and is sponsored by the Woodville Lions Club and organized by the St. Croix Area Volunteer League.
There’s more too on Saturday afternoon, early evening and evening with the Second Annual Woodville JuleFest organized by the Woodville GarageBar.
To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the December 5, 2024 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 Kristel Boyer, Elmwood School District
ELMWOOD, WI – The Elmwood High School Student Council food drive took place November 11-21. Each grade donated food items and then they were delivered to the Elmwood Food Pantry. A total of 485 pounds of food were donated and the football team donated a check for the purchase of further items.
Thank you everyone for the donations!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Submitted by Neil Kline, FRCSCV
BALDWIN, WI – The Board of Directors of Family Resource Center St Croix Valley (FRCSCV) is excited to announce significant changes in the leadership structure of the organization, effective immediately. The Board has approved a new leadership model, appointing Jen Jones, Marla Butler, and Neil Kline to FRCSCV’s Leadership Team. Collectively, they have assumed responsibility for the overall management and leadership of FRCSCV from Interim Director Mark Tyler.
Jen Jones will serve as FRCSCV’s Business Manager and bring years of experience working at FRCSCV and in other businesses. Jen is responsible for fiscal control, contract management, and administrative operations of the organization.
Marla Butler has worked at FRCSCV for nearly 20 years as a Parent Educator. In her role as Program Manager, Marla oversees the team of dedicated Parent Educators that form the heart of FRCSCV’s work.
Neil Kline is the final member of FRCSCV’s new Leadership Team as the Development and Communications Manager. In this role, Neil is responsible for FRCSCV’s fundraising and communications functions, including community outreach. Neil continues to serve as the Executive Director of Family Friendly Workplaces.
“The Leadership Team is truly excited to support our outstanding team of Parent Educators and the important work they do,” said Neil. “FRCSCV has a remarkable legacy of strengthening children and families in St. Croix, Pierce, and Polk Counties, and we look forward to continuing that work.”
In addition to appointing the Leadership Team, FRCSCV is pleased to welcome five new directors to the board: Ryan Cari, Emma O’Connell, Donna Hayes, Jennifer Pollitt, and Abby Klatt. These new directors bring a wealth of diverse knowledge and experience to the board. Their terms will begin on January 1, 2025. The newly elected officers are Amber Morgan as President, Barry Cain as Vice President, Mark Tyler as Treasurer, Tara Buechner as Secretary, and Chad Fett as Past President.
FRCSCV extends its sincere appreciation to the departing board members Mary Sue Ash, Carla O’Connell, and Sam Cari for their long-standing service. Mary Sue Ash has been with FRCSCV since its inception in 1998, Carla O’Connell has served on the FRCSCV Board since 2005, and Sam Cari has served on the Board since 2010.
We serve families with kids prenatal through kindergarten entry, and year to date, we have served 130 families with 1,600 visits completed in person, via video, or by telephone. We have set 320 goals, made 600 resource connections, and distributed 1,700 books to children!
FRCSCV’s mission is to strengthen children, families and communities through education, resources, and support.
SPRING VALLEY, WI – The 2024 football season may have ended a few weeks ago, but the Spring Valley football team pulled their share of All-Conference selections in winning the Dunn-St. Croix conference with a 7-0 undefeated conference mark.
Senior Caleb Bartko led the Spring Valley contingent by earning first team honors on both offense and defense, as well as the defensive player of the year honors in the conference.
Bartko did not lead the conference in tackles, tackles for losses, or sacks for the season. He did probably lead the conference in plays run away from, defensive disruptions and major game planning for opposing coaches as a defensive end.
To read this and other premium articles in their entirety, pickup the November 28, 2024 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.
Submitted by Rosemary Donahoe, Tuesday Community Supper
BALDWIN, WI – On December 3, 2024, the Tuesday Community Supper will be served.
Gethsemane Lutheran Church will be serving the Tuesday Community Supper from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in the Fellowship Hall at Gethsemane. The menu is: ham, cheesy potatoes, candied carrots, roll and Christmas cookies for dessert.
Tuesday Community Supper is served the first Tuesday of the month at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1350 Florence Street, Baldwin, Wisconsin, 54002. This is a free meal open to anyone in the community. Area churches, businesses and organizations take turns preparing and serving good nutritious food.
Submitted by Elizabeth Leon, Zion Lutheran Church
WOODVILLE, WI – The annual Zion Senior Choir Christmas Concert and Candlelit Norwegian Kaffe Kallas will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville on Sunday, December 8 at 4 pm.
The Zion Senior Choir, directed by Elizabeth Leon, accompanied by Judy Veenendaal, and narrated by Kathy Cronk and Kelly Sundby will present “Love is Born” a cantata by Lloyd Larson. A musical journey from dark to light; hopelessness to fulfilled promise echoing
the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. It brings to each person the message of promise that love (Jesus) has been born for everyone!
Please join us for the candlelit “Kaffe Kallas” following the concert in the Fellowship Hall. Advent Blessings to all!
