PEOPLE
Senior Card Group
The Senior Citizens card group met on May 29 for weekly card playing at the Athens Area Fire and Ambulance Hall.
Two games of Sheepshead were played. Wil Strack won first place and Sally Stubbe came in second in the first game. Steve Klockziem won first and Julia Prihoda came in second in the second game. Tom Ellenbecker won first and Rick Schaetzl came in second in the second game.
Low score was Harold Wienke. Newcomers are encouraged to come play Sheepshead every Thursday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Athens fire hall.
Dinner by the Gazebo
Friday Night Dinner by the Gazebo will be hosted June 6 by the Athens Area Youth Baseball. Serving will start at 4:30 p.m. and will go until the end of the concert. The menu will consist of pulled pork, hot ham and cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, chips, pickle, pie, soda and water. In the event of rain, the dinner and concert will move to Memorial Park under the arena. Friday Night Dinner by the Gazebo is looking for people who would like to serve a picnic style dinner before the Old Timers Concerts. Call Jean at 715-257-7353 for information.
Loan Closet
The Athens Area Loan Closet has medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, crutches, knee walkers, rollators, and other medical items for short term use to residents who reside in the Athens Fire and Ambulance Area. For more information, call 715-257-7658.
Book club
The Athens Book Club will meet at the library on Tuesday, June 10, at 2 p.m. to discuss “Outlawed” by Anna North. Forced to flee from a community that hangs barren women as witches, 17-year-old Ada joins a gang of outlaws under a charismatic former preacher who hatches a treacherous plan that risks all of their lives. Call 715-257-7292 for more info.
Athens History
The Athens Area Historical Society invites the public to join them in viewing a collection of items from Athens days gone on Friday, June 6, from 5:30-8 p.m., and on Saturday, June 7, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Athens Fire Department meeting room. This event is free of charge to attend.
The Magic of Isaiah
Be amazed and laugh during this interactive comedy show brought to you by the Magic of Isaiah. Join library staff on Thursday, June 12, at the Athens Community Hall (221 Caroline St., Athens) from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Call the Athens Branch Library at 715-257-7292 for more information.
EDGAR
College notes
Carol Hiebl and Kenesha Schug were named to the 2025 spring semester dean’s list at UW-Whitewater. These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.
McKenna Schraufnagel was named to the spring 2025 dean’s list for academic achievement at UW-Superior. To be named to the list, students must have completed 12 degree-seeking semester credits and achieved at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
Dairy Breakfast
Edgar FFAAlumni and Supporters will host its June Dairy Breakfast on Sunday, June 8, from 7 a.m. to noon at Cropping Central LLC. The host will be the Chad and Kelly Erickson family. The farm is located at 118646 CTH N, Edgar. Take CTH N west of Edgar to the corner of CTH N and STH 97. The breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, cheese, applesauce, drinks along with ice cream cups. The farm will also host activities There is a per-person cost, but those eight and under eat for free.
Long-term care seminar
Adults can learn about long-term care annuities on Wednesday, June 11, from 4-5 p.m. at the Edgar Branch Library. A local life and health insurance agent will explain how some types of annuities can be used for long-term care and what qualifies them to be used for longterm care. Like all library programs, this one is non-commercial in nature and for informational purposes only. This event is free and open to all ages, no registration is required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.
Games at St. Stephen
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 424 N. Third Ave., Edgar, will host card games in the church basement on Wednesdays, June 11 and 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments and snacks will be served. If you need a ride or have questions, call Mark at 715-348-5802 or Colleen at 715571-8277.
Plant swap
Plant lovers can swap the old for the new during a free plant swap event lasting until June 7, at the Edgar Branch Library. Patrons can take or leave a plant, along with plant care instructions. A table will be set up right outside the library.
This event is free and open to the public with no registration required. For more information, call the library at 715-352-3155.
Family Story Time
Children ages 6 and under and their parents and caregivers are invited to attend Family Story Time at the Edgar Branch Library on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities during this 30-minute program. Call 715-352-3155 for more info. The next Family Story Times is June 17.
Book club
The Edgar Book Club will meet at the library on Tuesday, June 10, at noon to discuss “H is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald. After her father’s death, Helen channels her grief into training a fierce goshawk named Mabel. Isolated in Cambridge, she begins a raw, transformative journey through nature, loss, and identity – blending personal healing with the art of falconry. Call 715-352-3155 for more info.
Paper Snail Craft
Children are invited to make a unique paper snail craft the week of June 9-14 at the Edgar Branch Library. Kids can drop in anytime during open hours to create a colorful snail using rolled paper coil shapes. Call 715-352-3155 for more info.
MARATHON
College note
Ben Robbins was named to the dean's list for 2025 spring semester at Winona State University in Winona, Minn. To be named to the list, a student must be enrolled fulltime (at least 12 credit hours for a
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grade) and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.5.
Family Story Time
Children ages 6 and under and their parents and caregivers are invited to attend Family Story Time at the Marathon City Branch Library every Thursday this summer. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and more during this 30 to 45-minute program. The regular story time schedule may get interrupted by special events on occasion. Call 715-443-2775 for more information. Story Times are scheduled for 10:30 to 11 a.m. on June 5, 12 and 26.
Book club
The Marathon City Book Club will meet at the library on Monday, June 9, at 5:45 p.m. to discuss “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henry. When Hazel receives a rare book tied to her sister Flora’s 1939 disappearance, she becomes convinced Flora may still be alive. Determined to uncover the truth, she revisits old relationships and confronts past wounds. Call 715-443-2775 for more info.
LEGO Block Party
Get creative with LEGO and other blocks at the Marathon City Branch Library. On June 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., the library will host a free LEGO Block Party. Blocks will be provided; no registration required. Call 715-4432775 for more info.
Ink-Dyed Coasters
Children are invited to celebrate the Marathon City Branch Library’s Summer Library Program theme, Color Our World, by making an ink-dyed coaster on Wednesday, June 11. Drop in anytime from 1 to 7 p.m. to make coasters using blank tiles, rubbing alcohol and colored ink. The event is free; no registration required. Call 715-443-2775 for more info.
STRATFORD
College note
Tonya Adler and Cullen Ayer were named to the 2025 spring semester dean’s list at UW-Whitewater. These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.
Lexie Christopherson and Sarah Zuelke were named to the dean's list for 2025 spring semester at Winona State University in Winona, Minn. To be named to the list, a student must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours for a grade) and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.5.
Emmanuel Lutheran VBS
Emmanuel Lutheran Church on CTH P northwest of Stratford has finished its Sunday School lessons for the year, but summer brings more fun Bible stories. The church will host Vacation Bible School on Fridays, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The dates are June 13 and 27, July 18 and 25 and Aug. 8. There will be Bible lessons, crafts, games and snacks. All students in kindergarten through eighth grade are welcome. No pre-registration is required.
Book club
The Stratford Book Club will meet at the library on Wednesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. to discuss “First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston. A woman with many faces and identities, Evie Porter, covertly moves from job to job for her unknown employer until her latest mark, Ryan Sumner, gets under her skin and makes her envision a different sort of life. Call 715687-4420 for more info.
Ink-Dyed Coasters
Children are invited to celebrate the Stratford Branch Library’s Summer Library Program theme, Color Our World, by making an ink-dyed coaster on Tuesday, June 10. Drop in anytime from 1 to 7 p.m. to make coasters using blank tiles, rubbing alcohol and colored alcohol ink. The event is free; no registration required. Call 715-687-4420 for more info.
The Magic of Isaiah
Be amazed and laugh during this interactive comedy show brought to you by the Magic of Isaiah. This free event will be held outside of the Stratford Branch Library on Thursday, June 12, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No registration required. Call 715-687-4420 for more info.
Family Story Time
Come to the Stratford Branch Library for a special Family Story Time on Wednesday, June 18, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., to kick off the Summer Library Program, “Color Our World.” This event is open to children age 11 and younger, and their parents and caregivers. Library staff will share exciting books and have a fun, colorful art project to complete. Call 715-687-4420 for more info.
MARATHON COUNTY
Creative writing contest
Aspiring writers ages 13-plus can submit original works of fiction to the Marathon County Public Library’s Creative Writing Contest. Stories can be submitted from June 14 to July 14 in two different age categories: teen (13-18) and adult (19-plus). The winning stories will be illustrated during the county’s illustration contest in August.
Submissions should be original, unpublished pieces of written work, created without the use of AI and not exceeding 5,000 words. Entries can be emailed to contest@mcpl.us with the subject heading: “Creative Writing Contest 2025 – your age group.” Winning entries will be selected anonymously by judges and awarded prizes for first, second, and third place in each category. This event is free and open to all writers age 13-plus. For for full contest rules, call 715-261-7230 or visit mcpl.us/event/all-mcpl-locations-creativewriting- contest/ MAREA
The Marshfield Area Retired Educators (MAREA) held their regular meeting on May 19, with President Sally Lucas calling the meeting to order. She introduced the speakers for the day: Mark Timme and Cathy Miller from the Medford Vet Clinic.
The winners of the 2024-2025 scholarships were: Claire R., Colby High School; Hailey R., Spencer High School; Hope K., Marshfield Senior High School. Each of these graduates is pursuing a career in education. A special thanks to Ruby P. for managing this scholarship project.
Kathleen H., chair of the Health Issues Committee, shared some important information regarding common myths about cancer. She clarified that cancer is not contagious and emphasized that there is no pill that can cure it. She also stressed the importance of research in solving the mysteries surrounding cancer, its causes, and potential cures.
Curt H., the legislative chairperson, spoke about the significant cuts in federal funding for schools, making state funding crucial to addressing the needs of special education, teacher training, and other educational funding requirements. He encouraged all members to reach out to their representatives to advocate for the protection of public media, either through email or phone calls.
Sally presented Ruby T. with the Volunteer of the Year Award and Karen W. was acknowledged as an honored member of WREA.
The meeting’s speakers, both retired veterinarians, Cathy Miller-Timme and her husband Mark Timme, shared their experiences from their time in the veterinary field.
Cathy was the first female vet in Wisconsin. She discussed the challenges of being a female veterinarian in the Amish community near Medford. She shared several memorable stories, including one where she delivered a calf for a farmer who had been working for hours, managing to deliver it in just 20 minutes. She also recounted performing surgery on a rat with breast cancer, which survived the operation.
Mark also shared his own memorable experiences, including a time when he had to visit a farm where the owner wasn’t present. Mark had to assist a downed cow in its stall, with the cow trainers still running. He jokingly said he had a “talk with God” that day. He also explained the science behind many of the procedures veterinarians use to treat various animal illnesses.
All MAREA meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Country Aire Restaurant, with a lunch following the program. For more information about MAREA, contact Sally Lucas at sally. lucas@yahoo.com.
