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thens Athens Area Trail

Association Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on January 23 at the Brewster residence. Treasurer and secretary’s reports read without additions or corrections.

In old business, the Athens Fair Fun Run donations through Runsignup.com were deposited for $582.

Steve discussed Candlelight plans with Scout master Ken Knab with the video being completed for the promotion. Steve is working with Girl Scouts for a promotional video as they will be selling baked goods at candlelight. Candlelight PR continues to utilize local Facebook pages, such as things to do in Wausau and Marshfield.

Dave Dvorak will plow the parking lot for Candlelight. Candlelight is set up for 1 p.m. then back at 5 p.m. for lighting of candles. Banners to be placed in woods for promotion. Grooming so far this winter has been good. Ice earlier in the season made for lots of trail clearing. Trails have been icy and in need of more snow.

Skandic had a small oil leak that was fixed by the village. Drain plug on the chaincase loosened. The village will not be reregistering the Skandic per Chief Stencil; it is not needed since it never leaves the park.

Snowshoers have been using south park and report it in good condition.

Turkey Trot 2022 had about 40-45 participants. It was self paced and untimed. Bonnie led a short loop with kids. Landmark Bar hosted the after party with warm drinks and prizes. Will this be a “Progress Athens” type event in the future and would it be more organized with registration, etc. Discussions will be held with Jessica Frahm in the future to judge this.

Mapping still needs to be completed. Glen discussed that the Rib Lake Ski Club has a mapping project ongoing at this time, too. The group will continue to investigate trail apps and mapping ideas in the near future.

New business: Potential 2023 projects: Ramps in South Park on metal bridge, more signs and maps, improving trail by Athenian with Swiderski project slated to begin this spring.

Swiderski apartment project will incorporate two drainage ponds along the SE section of the project and will be close to the trail and sidewalk. Steve and Glen will discuss with the village to finish the trail along the cul de sac and bring it to Swiderski’s attention. This would be a great addition to this trail section running along Athenian. Discussion continued about upgrading the trail from Caroline Street cul de sac to South Park with a gravel trail. Could use leftover Odyssey Trail Project funds from 2022.

Easement to Erbach. AATA will continue to talk to property owners boarding Erbach Park to attempt to obtain a recreational trail easement from Hwy M to Erbach Park to connect Nathan Street trail to the Erbach Park trails.

Nathan Street trail - Glen has plowed entrance several times. Some people ask about grooming it for winter sports, but it drifts and it doesn’t connect to other destinations at this time.

For Arbor Day, the village ordered 300 tree seedlings again this year. Steve and Glen will reach out to the fourth graders about helping planting these. Areas considered were vacant lots on George Street, old Farmers Mill property, South Park along retention pond in industrial park and Nathan Street Trail area.

Food plot/wild flowers Athens Vet Service likes the idea of a wildflower plot on their property as part of the trail construction last year. Steve will inquire about machinery from Adam Halopka to complete this.

Corlad Road to Intersection 40. Hope to complete this year finally. Will inquire with village about road project fill that could be used.

Old Red Groomer - The old red groomer will be sold for scrap, with the money put into other groomers/updates.

Next meeting will be held May 1. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

UW-La Crosse dean’s list

The following students have been named to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. To be eligible, students must have earned a 3.5 GPA or above and carried at least 12 credits.

Kellie Annala, Clinical Laboratory Science major.

Seth Coker, Mathematics Education major.

Kenadi Diedrich, Psychology major.

Zandria Lukes, Psychology major.

Haley Reed, Accountancy major.

Senior Card Group

The Senior Citizens card group met on February 16 for weekly card playing at the Athens Area Fire and Ambulance Hall. Two games of Sheepshead were played. Steve Klockziem won the first game and Butch Boris took second place. Alvira Henrichs won the second game and David Perrodin took second. Wil Stack received low score. Newcomers are encouraged to come play Sheepshead every Thursday from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Athens fire hall.

MCPL Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time. Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to these 30-minute programs that include stories, songs and other literature- based activities.

Mondays (March 6, 13, 20, 27) from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Athens MCPL branch, 221 Caroline St.

MCPL Book Club

Join library staff and peers to discuss “The Wives” by Tarryn Fisher on March 14, 2 p.m., at the Athens library branch. Call 715-257-7292 for more info.

Progress Athens

Were you waiting for the perfect timing? Make every dollar of your Progress Athens donations more valuable and work even harder now. Due to a recent positive development for the Progress Athens initiative, we are excited to announce that we are closer to our fundraising goal and bringing our visions to fruition. There is an anonymous donor willing to match any donations up to $40,000 and the Village of Athens has graciously offered to match any donations up to $50,000 made between now and March 31, 2023. Say you donate $1,000, the village would match $1,000 and the anonymous donor would also donate $1,000. We need your help now.

The initiative was started in 2021 to raise $400,000 for the purpose to both purchase the old bank building, of which that initial step is the leading step to then complete the second piece of the project, such as the renovations of the Athens Community Hall. Funds raised to date are $344,265 of the $400,000 goal.

Donations can be earmarked for the old bank building or the community hall project if you wish and can be sent to Progress Athens, PO Box 147, Athens, WI 54411. Follow Progress Athens on Facebook and via the Village of Athens website.

E dgar MCPL Book Club

Join library staff and peers to discuss “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate on March 14, 12 p.m., at the Edgar library branch. Call 715352-3155 for more info.

Wien Wildcats 4-H

On Sunday, Feb. 5, the monthly meeting of the Wien Wildcats 4H was held. The officer team collected pet supply donations which will be donated to the Marathon County Humane Society.

As the meeting started, members discussed the possibility of how future winter club activities will be held next year. Each family within the club received sheets for the annual pizza fry fundraiser. Through March 13 all members will sell pizza fries which will be made by M& M Bakery.

The club then discussed and formed a committee for creating and designing this year’s club apparel. Along with that, a second committee of junior members was formed to redesign the club banners which are displayed in the exhibition hall during the Wisconsin Valley Fair. It is a contest between all clubs within Marathon County and the top four clubs will receive awards.

Once the meeting was adjourned four educational workshops/activities were held by club leaders. A Cloverbud craft, a Lego building activity, a goat seminar and a dog demonstration were available for members to transition through. Leaders who work with fair board decorations worked on getting ideas finalized.

UW-Eau Claire grad

The following student graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire following the fall 2022 semester.

Justin Schilling, Education and Human Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, social studies.

UW-La Crosse dean’s list

The following students have been named to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. To be eligible, students must have earned a 3.5 GPA or above and carried at least 12 credits.

Kaden Griesmer, Therapeutic Recreation major.

Lizzie Wenzel, Undeclared major - CSH.

Katelynn Wussow, Social Studies Education major.

Preschool screening and 4K registration days

All children who plan to attend 4K at Edgar Elementary School in the fall need to attend the preschool screening/4K registration days, held on March 15 and 16, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. This screening is to register your child for 4K in the fall as well as help identify any children who may be in need of some type of assistance prior to entering school. It will include the areas of health and developmental history, readiness concepts, motor skills and speech/language development. Call the elementary office at (715) 352-2727 to sign up.

MCPL Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time. Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to these 30-minute programs that include stories, songs and other literature- based activities.

Tuesdays (March 7 and 21) from 11-11:30 a.m. at the Edgar MCPL branch, 224 S. Third Ave.

Edgar free breakfast

Edgar School District has announced it will participate in a new Universal Free Breakfast Program. All students qualify and there is no application for the family to complete.

While breakfasts will be free, lunches will not. Low income families are encouraged to apply for the Free or Reduced Meal Program offered through USDA.

For more information, contact Edgar food service director Rebecca Larson at 715352-3321 or at rlarson@gapps. edgar.k12.wi.us.

M ARATHON UW-La Crosse dean’s list

The following students have been named to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. To be eligible, students must have earned a 3.5 GPA or above and carried at least 12 credits.

McKenna Haehlke, Biochemistry major with American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Certification.

Alexandria Kraimer, Undeclared major - CBA.

Ally Phakitthong, Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence Education major Jada Prihoda, Undeclared major - CASSH.

Jonah Streveler, Exercise and Sport Science major: Physical, Adapted, and School Health Education.

MCPL Book Club

Join library staff and peers to discuss “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb on March 13, 5:45 p.m., at the Marathon library branch. Call 715-4432775 for more info.

UW-Eau Claire grad

The following student graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire following the fall 2022 semester.

Natalia Wesener, Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, integrated strategic communication.

MCPL Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time. Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to these 45-minute programs that include stories, songs and other literature- based activities.

Thursdays (March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) from 10:30-11:15 a.m., at the Marathon MCPL branch, 515 Washington St.

S TRATFORD UW-Eau Claire grad

The following student graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire following the fall 2022 semester.

Devan Slominski, Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science, biology.

MCPL Book Club

Join library staff and peers to discuss “Dear Edward” by Ann Napolitano on March 15, 1 p.m., at the Stratford library branch. Call 715-6874420 for more info.

UW-La Crosse dean’s list

The following students have been named to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. To be eligible, students must have earned a 3.5 GPA or above and carried at least 12 credits.

Clare Bargender, Accountancy major. Madalen Bornbach, Exercise and Sport Science major: Exercise Science - Fitness Track.

Tyler Lappe, Information Systems major.

Jessamae Rice, Elementary/ Middle Education and Special Education major.

MCPL Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time. Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to these 30-minute programs that include stories, songs and other literature- based activities.

Wednesdays (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Stratford MCPL branch, 213201 Scholar St.

MARATHON

C O. MCPL Tween Writing

Through May 31, young writers between the ages of 8-14 can hone their writing skills by participating in an online tween writing group organized by the Marathon County Public Library. Each month, a new writing prompt will be posted in the group. Registration is required. To register, visit https://bit. ly/3GzgWaK. For more info, call 715-261-7220.