Marathon
COMMUNITY LIVING
Send Marathon news to: RR@tpprinting.com phone: 715-223-2342 fax: 715-223-3505 P.O. Box 677 103 West Spruce Street Abbotsford, WI 54405 Medal of Valor
The Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) has awarded Marathon County Sheriff’s Department deputy Russell Gage, Marathon City, with its annual Medal of Valor award.
The award recognizes Gage’s actions without regard to his own personal safety during a tactical operation in Clark County in 2019. In the incident, Deputy Gage returned fire after a barricaded armed subject fired upon the department’s Bearcat tactical vehicle and struck the driver’s side windshield in front of sheriff department Lieutenant Steven DeNovi.
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Honor previously presented Gage with its own Medal of Valor for his actions at that incident. Lieutenant DeNovi also received the department’s Medal of Valor.
The WPPA award winners are selected by Wisconsin law enforcement officers.
Serenity retreat
St. Anthony’s Spirituality Center, Marathon City, will host a serenity retreat Friday, Jan. 1, through Sunday, Jan. 3. Presenters will be Ron Alexander, Nancy Jacobs, Jesse Luer and Darren Letner.
The retreat will try to integrate the mind, body, and spirit through looking at mindfulness, meditation, breath control, relaxation, harmony between mind and body, and harmony with life energy and healing power.
Ron Alexander is retired and an active community advocate for addictions recovery, social justice issues, and prison re- form. He was an addictions counselor at North Central Health Care and maintains his certification as a clinical substance abuse counselor. He is currently a recovery coach. He has an associates degree in AODA Counseling and is currently involved in: NAOMI, WISDOM, Marathon County AOD Partnership Council, NAADAC.
Nancy Jacobs is a retired LPN, clinician substance abuse counselor (worked at North Central Health for 28 years), Reiki Master Teacher, Registered Karuna Reiki Master, Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner, owner of Energyscape, LLC.
Jesse Luer is a recovered individual of 4 1/2 years. His recovery was initiated at the beginning of a prison sentence and a spiritual awakening that changed the way he saw the world around him, himself, and his life. In the 2 1/2 years since his release he has achieved certifications in recovery coaching, peer support, group fitness, and yoga instruction. He is now working as the community program director for Three Bridges Recovery, a nonprofit recovery community organization, teaches yoga as a pathway of recovery, and has started a business as an artist.
Darren Letner began his recovery in 2005. As a small business owner and member of the community, he values the importance of giving back. The cornerstone of his recovery has been 12 step work, giving back what has been given to him, and sharing his experience, strength, and hope.
This retreat is limited to 15 participants. Guests will be asked to wear a mask or face covering in common areas except at mealtimes.
Grab and go
The Marathon City Branch Public Library will offer a Grab and Go crafty bird’s nest kit in time for the annual Christmas Bird Count between Monday and Friday, Dec. 14 through 18. The kit is designed for children in grades K-5.
COVID dashboard
Marathon Public School as of Dec. 4 announced it has no active cases of COVID-19 among its 852 students and staff.
Mass times
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon City, will hold Christmas Eve Masses on Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. A Christmas Night Midnight Mass will be held at 11:30 p.m. On Dec. 25, Christmas Day Masses will be held at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Decorating contest
Knights of Columbus Council 1628, Marathon, is conducting a “Keep Christ in Christmas” lighting contest. The contest is open to Marathon area residents who decorate the exterior of their house or front lawn with religious themes such as a nativity set.
Registration forms are available at St. Mary’s Catholic Church or at St. Mary’s School. Forms need to returned by Monday, Dec. 14, and the displays will be judged on Friday, Dec. 18, between 7 – 8 p.m.
The contest winner will receive $100 from the Knights of Columbus.
Fill a backpack
Marathon School District’s “Fill a Backpack, Fill a Belly” will continue
through the end of the year with community donations. Free food items are available in plastic bags at the Marathon High School front entry for district families.
Giving Tree
St. Mary’s School organizes a Giving Tree each year to provide staff with needed items for the school. This year, the Giving Tree will be online at https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/10c0a4ca5a928aafb6-2020.
Interested people can go to this website and choose items for the school. Gifts for the Giving Tree should either be placed in back of St. Mary’s Catholic Church or taken to the school offi ce by Sunday, Dec. 13.
Virtual Book Club
Marathon County adults can join library staff to discuss “Front Desk” by Kelly Yang on Monday, Dec. 14, 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. This discussion will be held on the GoToMeeting platform.
Church schedule
The Mass schedule at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Halder, have changed. Sacred Heart Church will hold Mass on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. There will be a weekday Mass every Friday at 8:30 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Church will hold Mass on Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Weekday Mass will be held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 8 a.m.
History Chats
Marathon County Historical Society History Chats will continue with new topics, including one focused on Marathon City.
Ben Clark and Gary Gisselman host these chats every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. on different chapters of history from across Marathon County. They are presented in conjunction with the Marathon County Public Library. Each session begins with a short presentation (10-15 minutes) followed by answers to audience questions.
History Chats are streamed live on the Historical Society’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel, and are archived for later viewing at the same places.
Upcoming dates and topics are: Early Medical History
_ Dec. 17: “Ollie Bache-Wiig.” _ Dec. 24: “Santa Claus Visits Marathon County.”
Deputy Rusell Gage
