By Katie Rousonelos, WEM 

CAMP DOUGLAS, WI – Wisconsin’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, known as Wisconsin Task Force 1 (WI-TF1), recently returned from their first major out-of-state deployment. Sixteen members were sent to North Carolina for assistance following Hurricane Helene.

“The journey to North Carolina was a little rough as we were travelling during the tail end of the hurricane,” said Doug Vrechek, the rescue team manager for the deployment. “We couldn’t get to our destination right away because of road conditions and detours. Our travel time there was 23.5 hours in what should have been a 16- hour trip.”

North Carolina Emergency Management requested a swift water rescue team to assist with search efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. WI-TF1 members left their homes from across the state on September 27, 2024, and arrived at The Regional Emergency All-Climate Training (REACT) Center at Volk Field, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin for deployment. Within five-and-a-half hours, the team packed up necessary gear for their mission and deployed to North Carolina.

“With all the rescue disciplines the task force is trained in, when we got down there, we were able to be treated as a multi-tool and were utilized in different ways,” said Bob Zimmerman, one of the WI-TF1 leaders. “We went in as a swift water team, but based on our training, we helped to assist with search and recovery efforts in other disciplines.”

Zimmerman said some of their days would start at 6:30 a.m. and could end as late as 8:30 p.m. They helped search portions of the Pigeon River as well as driving a utility terrain vehicle, truck, or walking into mountain areas of Haywood County, North Carolina for land-based searches.

“There were 16 of us that were down there and got back to Wisconsin,” said Vrechek. “What you didn’t see was the support from our fire departments and families as well as everyone who helped out behind the scenes from The Department of Military Affairs’ Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM).”

One of those providing help behind the scenes was Matt Davies, the WI-TF1 program manager and WEM’s director for the REACT Center.

“I make sure they are funded, trained, and equipped so that they are ready to go out the door when they are deployed,” said Davies. “The task force goes through hundreds of hours of training to get to that deployable status.”

To be able to be sent out for swift water rescue, task force members went through specialized training courses. Some of the courses included learning how to read rivers and assess hazards, defensive and offensive survival swimming techniques, and how to operate boats in fast-moving water.

“Going out on missions, like the one in North Carolina, are why these task force members trained for years,” said Davies. “To be able to go out and help those in North Carolina, we feel a sense of accomplishment in supporting them and making a difference in hurricane-affected areas.”

“We are incredibly proud of the Wisconsin Task Force for their dedication and commitment to helping others, whether it is in Wisconsin or in the nation,” said Greg Engle, administrator of WEM. “Their commitment reflects the spirit of our agency and the local fire departments they serve.”

The task force members who were deployed said they gained connections with other state and federal task force teams. With their first major out-of-state deployment under their belts, they plan on using their experiences to teach other task force members and their local fire departments what they learned.

“We are a better team with what we’ve done in North Carolina,” said Vrechek. “We brought back a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to apply to anything back in Wisconsin or what could happen in other states as well.”

Members of WI-TF1 deployed to North Carolina were from the following fire departments: Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Janesville, La Crosse, Neenah/Menasha, Oshkosh, and Superior.

WI-TF1 is a response asset owned and managed by Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. The task force currently has more than 130 highly trained personnel including structural engineers, canine handlers, and technical search specialists.

Submitted by Karen Furo-Bonnstetter, Library Director

WOODVILLE, WI – The annual Spooky Story Walk will take place Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Giezendanner School Forest. The school forest is located at the corner of County Road BB and 30th streets just south of Woodville. The location address is 2424 30th avenue. There is a marked path through the forest with five story tellers along the way. Make sure you bring a flash light or head lamp for the event. The stories are spooky not scary for the young ones. There will be treats and activities for the kids. We are looking forward to a fun evening enjoying the evening in the woods.

The Woodville Community Library received extra State Park Passes for the rest of the 2024 season. Enjoy this beautiful fall weather and the changing leaves by visiting one the many Wisconsin State Parks. You can pick up the free pass at the library and it is good for any day for the rest of the year.

Family story time meets on Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m. Preschool children get a chance to socialize with other children and learn early literacy skills. Parent and caregivers get to meet and interact with other parents and caregivers.

The St. Croix County Traveling Book Club meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. for dinner and 6:30 for the book discussion at various locations across St Croix County. It is sponsored each month by a different St Croix County library who chooses the location and the book. The October Traveling Book Club will meet at the Spring Valley Golf Course on October 17 to discuss “The Frozen River.” The November, Thursday the 21st meeting will be at the Phoenix Bar and Grill in Baldwin the book selection is “Finley Donovan is Killing It” by Elle Cosimano. This is a light fun mystery about a mystery writer whose life has gone off the rails. The Woodville Community Library is the host for the evening. If you would like to participate or find out more information, contact the library at 715-698-2430.

On November 14 the library will host an ornament spike craft night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Woodville Community Center/Lion’s Den in Woodville. If you are interested in participating, please let the library know so that we can have enough supplies.

Happy reading and Happy Halloween from your Woodville Community Library!

Submitted by Amber Bettinger-Lytle, Director of Marketing & Development

BALDWIN, WI – The Adoray Home Health & Hospice Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Christa Walz as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective September 15, 2024. Christa Walz succeeds Mary Aaby in the role, marking the start of a new chapter in Adoray’s nearly 30-year history of providing compassionate care and support to patients and families throughout Western Wisconsin.

A local from Glenwood City, Wisconsin, Christa Walz has spent the past 19 years at Adoray, beginning her journey as a Physical Therapist before advancing to Director of Therapy and then Senior Director of Home Health.

Raising her family in this community with her husband Gabe, daughter Haidyn, and son Langston, her dedication to service and community has been the cornerstone of her career, making her an ideal choice as the organization’s 5th leader.

Walz holds her master’s degree in physical therapy from The College of St. Scholastica and is the current WiAHC Vice Chair, At Large Director.

Throughout her tenure, Walz has been instrumental in the success and sustainability of Adoray’s Home Health Department, skillfully navigating the numerous changes brought by CMS over the past two decades. She has ensured that Adoray’s Home Health services remain a vital resource for the community by implementing innovative solutions, such as Remote Patient Monitoring, which empowers patients to maintain good lifestyle habits, adhere to their care plans after receiving care, and reduce the risk of rehospitalization. Christa’s forward-thinking leadership and commitment to quality care will help guide Adoray into the future.

“As a Board, Christa impressed us with her expertise, vision for the future, and passion for all Adoray team members and volunteers,” said Eilidh Pederson, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Christa brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the organization. We are confident she will guide Adoray into its next chapter of success, focusing on mission, vision, and strategy.”

Christa Walz shared her gratitude for this new opportunity, stating, “I am deeply honored to be selected as Adoray’s next Executive Director. Having grown with this organization over the past 19 years, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact we’ve made in the lives of our patients and their families. As we approach our 30th year of service, I am excited to lead this extraordinary team, continuing to serve our community with compassion and excellence.”

Christa also reflected on the personal connection she shares with Adoray’s mission, saying, “My family has experienced the extraordinary care that Adoray Hospice provides, and through that journey, I became even more committed to ensuring every family in our service area receives the same level of support and care when they need it most. This dedication drives me to continue our history of helping patients and families navigate some of life’s most challenging moments with integrity, compassion, and respect.”

Walz’s transition to Executive Director will begin immediately, with a planned handoff from Mary Aaby, ensuring a seamless transition in leadership.

For nearly three decades, Adoray Home Health & Hospice has been a beacon of support, offering home health, palliative, and hospice care services to individuals of all ages. With Christa at the helm, the organization is committed to enhancing the quality and access to care, meeting patients where they are, and ensuring no one walks their journey alone. By bringing innovation and best practices to Western Wisconsin, Adoray remains dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care as it moves into its next era of service.

Founded in 1995, Adoray Home Health & Hospice is your local nonprofit, community-based partner in care. Adoray provides Home Health, Palliative, and Hospice care in St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, Barron, and Dunn County. Guided by its mission of “Partnering to Improve the Quality of Life Throughout Your Healthcare Journey Wherever You Call Home,” Adoray’s compassionate team of professionals and volunteers deliver high-quality care throughout Western Wisconsin. To discover more about Adoray’s services, please call (715) 629-1888 or visit adoray.org.