Community

A group from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac completed their annual backpack project. They completed 203 backpacks this year. Each backpack contains four spiral notebooks, scissors, crayons, ruler, pencil sharpener, eraser, five pens and five pencils. The backpacks are shipped to Lutheran World Relief and distributed to needy children who cannot afford backpacks and school supplies. There was a smaller group helping this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and those who helped wore masks and practiced social distancing. Pictured above in the front row are Linda Hines. Ginny Nimmow, Marilyn Herschleb and Ruth Dresser. In the back are Shawn Osterfund, Mary Weeks, Barb Salveson, Jeff Nimmow and Dianne Effinger. Others who helped at home but are not picured are Judy Jackson, Marge Erlandson, Almay Nelson, Eunice Yanke and Marilyn Larson.

On August 29th, seven Wisconsin Heights Daisy’s from Troop 7133 marked an important milestone in their Girl Scout involvement at the Wolf Run Trail entrance near Center Street. Bridging is a beloved Girl Scout tradition that honors girls’ achievements throughout the previous two years and celebrates “crossing the bridge” to the next Girl Scout level. The Troop marked the milestone by starting on one side of the bridge as a Daisy and then transitioning over the bridge to where they took off their Daisy vest, donned their new Brownie vest and recited the Girl Scout Promise. The past two years the troop has participated in many different activities and service projects. When Ari Jensen, daughter of Allison and Troy Jensen, was asked what her favorite memory was she said, “I loved volunteering at the Girl Scout Trunk or Treat event and handing out candy to all the kids in costumes”. Another favorite, was getting to go to Winter Camp at Camp Brandenburg with her Troop in January. Anna Ellis said her favorite memory of the past two years as a Daisy was, “Getting to hang out with her Girl Scout friends in person and do fun outdoor activities.” The Troop is looking forward to focusing much of their Brownie time outdoors and in person as the weather allows. Troop Leader’s Michelle Gaber and LaShell Lentz believe that to help support the social and emotional needs of the girls, in person meetings are important to continue, but are doing so cautiously in the age of COVID-19. Lentz says, “We are working on outdoor badges, wearing masks and trying to stay “one horse away” from each other.” Gaber added, “Visiting Hoofbeat Ridge and riding horses was one of my daughters’ favorite Girl Scout events, so the horse analogy works well with the troop to remind them to keep some distance!” Girls in Kindergarten to 12th grades are welcome to join Girl Scouts. For more information you can visit gsbadgerland.org or call 800-236-2710.

Greta Shadewald is the Optimist Sauk Prairie Middle Level Leader for September. She is an 8th grader and the daughter of Jerry and Laura Shadewald. Greta was nominated by her Physical Education teacher, Hans Fester. Mr. Fester had this to say about Greta: “She is a conscientious student that epitomizes our school values. She is always first to volunteer, help others and lead by example.” In school Greta is involved in Volleyball and is a Mentor. Outside of school she plays soccer, club volleyball and is an active member of the Roxbury Boosters 4H Club. She hopes to one day attend UW Madison to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.

The Sauk Prairie Farmer’s Market will end for the season on Saturday, September 26. The market not only sells items, but donates proceeds as well. “Fritz Dohm is shown presenting Sauk Prairie Food Pantry Manager, Kris Ballweg, with a July payment from proceeds from their market table. The food pantry will receive their final payment after the market closes. The Dohms, the market’s managers, have been supporting the food pantry with their funds from produce sales for several years because, they feel, “it is too depressing to imagine youngsters not getting enough nutrition for their growing bodies and minds.” The Dohms wish to sincerely thank their loyal patrons for their support these past 15 years.