Marathon C
P
eople
A
thens Birth announcement
Kasen Jordon Tessmer was born on August 23 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. Kasen’s parents are Rylee and Jordon Tessmer of Athens.
MCPL Story Time
Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to the Athens library branch for this 30-minute program. There will be reading, singing and other literature-based activities on Monday, Sept. 25, 10:30-11 a.m., 221 Caroline St., Athens.
Senior Card Group
The Senior Citizens card group met on August 24 for weekly card playing at the Athens Area Fire and Ambulance Hall. Three games of Sheepshead were played. Dave Perrodin won the first game and Alvira Henrichs took second place. Aaron Totzke won the second game and Norbert Lake took second. Steve Klockziem won the third game and Pat Frank took second. Tom Ellenbecker received low score.
Newcomers are encouraged to come play Sheepshead every Thursday from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Athens fire hall.
MCPL Book Club
This month’s book is “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. Participants and library staff will meet on September 12, 2 p.m., to discuss.
Dartball League
The league meeting for the 2023-24 Mid-State Dartball season will be held on September 6, 7:30 p.m., at Landmark Bar, 117 Alfred St., Athens.
Those interested in getting a team into the league should contact Jenny Lavicka and have at least one person from their team to represent them at the league meeting. The league will need to vote any new teams into the league at the meeting. Anyone with questions can contact Lavicka at 715-571-7508.
Farmers market
The Athens Farmers Market will be held each Tuesday, 4-7 p.m., at Athens Memorial Park.
Lions Club meetings
Athens area residents are welcome to attend the Athens Lions Club’s monthly meetings, which are held at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, alternating between Balz Inn and Landmark Bar.
Anyone with questions can call Athens Lions Club member Steve Sondelski at 715-2181496. New members and guests are always welcome at the monthly meetings.
E
dgar MCPL Story Times
Children of all ages and their parents and caregivers are invited to the Edgar library branch for story time. Attendees will read books, sing songs and more during the 30 minutes together.
Upcoming dates are Tuesday, Sept. 5 and 19, 11-11:30 a.m., 224 S. Third Ave., Edgar.
MCPL Book Club
Join Edgar library staff and other book lovers for a discussion of “Maid” by Stephanie Land on September 12, 12 p.m.
Pokémon Club
Designed for upper-elementary or middle school-aged kids, the monthly Pokémon Club at the Edgar library branch offers different Pokémon activities each month and an opportunity to play the card game with other kids, too. This month’s event will be held September 18, 4-5 p.m.
Senior citizen athletic passes
The annual free athletic passes for all citizens 62 years of age or older residing in the Edgar School District are now available. Passes are available in the high school office or from ticket sellers at events. Passes are not accepted for any WIAA tournament events which Edgar may host.
M
arathon Plant Swap event
Plant lovers can swap the old for the new during a free Plant Swap event from September 11-16 at the Marathon library branch. Patrons can take or leave a plant, along with plant care instructions. For more info, call 715-443-2775.
MCPL Book Club
This month’s book is “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir. Join Marathon library staff and other book lovers on September 11, 5:45 p.m., to discuss.
MCPL Story Times
Children of all ages and their parents and caregivers are invited to the Marathon City library branch for story time. Attendees will read books, sing songs and more during the 30 minutes together.
Upcoming dates are Thursday, Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:3011 a.m., 515 Washington St., Marathon City
Tornadoes, Weather & You with Brad Miller
Elementary-age youth and their families are invited to the Marathon library branch on September 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m., to participate in weatherrelated activities and experiments with News Channel 9’s Brad Miller.
Rain or Shine Story Time with Justin Loew
Join library staff and News Channel 9’s Justin Loew for a special weather-themed story time. The event will start with weather-themed stories, followed by hands-on activities and science experiments. It will take place September 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Marathon library branch.
Farmers market
The Marathon City Farmers Market will run every Thursday from 2-6 p.m. until October 26. The market is located in downtown Marathon at 400 Main St.
S
tratford MCPL Story Times
Children of all ages and their parents and caregivers are invited to the Stratford library branch for story time. Attendees will read books, sing songs and more during the 30 minutes together.
Upcoming dates are Wednesday, Sept. 13, 20 and 27, 10:30-11 a.m., 213201 Scholar St., Stratford.
MCPL Book Club
Join the Stratford library branch and fellow readers for a discussion of “Take My Hand” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez on September 20, 1 p.m.
ounty MAREA Minutes
The August 21 Marshfield Area Retired Educators Association meeting was called to order by President Doreen Schultz with guests Mary Zuelke, Lia Klumpyan and Judy Howard present. Seventeen members were in attendance. Following the Pledge to the Flag, the June meeting minutes were approved and the treasurer’s report placed on file.
Committee Reports Community Action: Ruby Pinter reported that $40 would be donated monthly, along with food donations, to all participating pantries. Carol Ballerstein will deliver the August 21 donations to the Stratford Food Pantry and Karen Winkler will deliver the September donations to the Unity Pantry.
Legislative Issues: Kurt Hanson reported on additional money going to public schools. He reported on the teacher shortage in Wisconsin and throughout the U.S. Covid was noted as a factor in discouraging young people from going into teaching. Another factor noted was Act 10. Approximately 98 Wisconsin schools are not fully staffed for the upcoming school year. A shortage of bus drivers is also of concern, along with severe shortage of special education teachers.
Membership: A Zoom meeting to learn about new membership initiatives is forthcoming.
Pension: Carol Subera shared benchmarks on fixed and variable pension. She reminded members that a teacher needs to teach five years to be vested in the pension account.
Public Relations: Carol Ballerstein sent a card to Cindy Loos and to Duane Bohman.
Scholarship: Ruby Pinter noted that there is $1,922.25 in the scholarship fund with $1,000 going to two 2023 scholarship recipients.
Volunteer Hours: Continue to record and bring to September meeting.
WREA Foundation: Next year’s challenge awards will go to high schools.
Education Committee: A chairperson is still needed.
Old and New Business Carol Ballerstein served as August greeter and September greeter will be Sally Lucas Joyce Lohr was thanked for August treats and Anne Teska will bring September treats.
Doreen gave a review of tentative program ideas for next year. A secretary needs to be elected at the September meeting. Ruby Thomas is the nominating committee.
Ruby Pinter shared information on a volunteer opportunity with Volunteer Ombudsman Program by the Board of Aging and Long Term Care from Mary Le-May.
State convention is September 25-27 at Tundra Lodge in Green Bay. Members are to let Doreen Schultz know if interested in attending. August birthdays were noted.
September meeting speaker is Gary Beastrom, who has been running the Athens Fair for 55 years. September question is “What would you have done if you were not a teacher?”
Meeting Program Carol Ballerstein introduced former Stratford Middle School Reading Specialist, Judy Foust, Menomonie. Foust taught 37 years and retired 14 years ago from Menomonie Middle School. The title of her program was, “I’ll Never Forget What’shis- name.” Retired educators carry stories of particular students they have taught over the years. Some are annoying, some humorous and some ripped hearts open, reported Foust. She stated teachers do not teach content as much as teaching vulnerable human beings how to survive and thrive in the world. Foust shared many of her own personal teaching stories.
