People

A thens Handschke birth

A son, Ridge David Handschke, was born to Briana and Cole Handschke, Athens, on March 17, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He weighed eight pounds, two ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Senior Card Group

The Senior Citizens card group met on March 21 for weekly card playing at the Athens Area Fire and Ambulance Hall.

Two games of Sheepshead were played. Tom Ellenbecker won first place and Butch Boris came in second in the first game. Norbert Lake won first and Andy Hoef came in second in the second game. Low score went to Wil Strack.

Newcomers are encouraged to come play Sheepshead every Thursday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Athens fire hall.

Book club

Athens Book Club will meet at theAthens Branch Library on Tuesday, April 9, at 2 p.m. to discuss “Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter” by Kate Clifford Larson. Join club members each month to discuss a variety of books with other literary enthusiasts and library staff. This month’s pick brings the story of Rosemary Kennedy to life with new sources including her diaries and correspondence.

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to Family Story Time at the new Alfred Street location of the Athens Branch Library. Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to join this 30-minute program. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities. Story Time events are scheduled for 10:30 to 11 a.m. on every Monday of the month in April.

Eclipse scavenger hunt

Leading up to the solar eclipse on April 8, patrons of the Athens Branch Library will have the opportunity to complete an eclipse themed scavenger hunt. Drop in during regular business hours from Monday, April 1 through Saturday, April 6.

USBC Association

The Athens USBC Association meeting will be held Tuesday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m., at The Hall Bar & Bowl. For more information, contact Vanessa Mcdonell at 715-5746299 or Stacey Hein at 715-3161970.

E dgar Morgan birth

A daughter, Aryia Morgan, was born to Ashley and Aaron Morgan, Edgar, on March 22, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She weighed eight pounds, four ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Holy Week services

St. John/St. Stephen Lutheran Parish, ELCA, in Edgar will have Maundy Thursday Communion worship at 6 p.m. on March 28, at St. John, 120500 CTH N. Good Friday worship services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on March 29 at St. Stephen, 424 N. 3rd. Ave. Edgar, and at 6 p.m. at St. John.

An Easter Sunday Resurrection Celebration will be held at St. Stephen on March 31, starting with a 7 a.m. worship service, followed by 8 a.m. breakfast. St. John will hold a 9 a.m. worship service.

Book club

The Edgar Book Club will discuss “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett on Tuesday, April 9, at 12 noon, at the Edgar Branch Library. Set over the course of five decades, “The Dutch House” is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. New members are always welcome just read the book and show up. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents and caregivers are invited to participate in Family Story Time on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Edgar Branch Library. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities in this 30-minute program. Story Times are set for April 2 and April 16, from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

After School Art

Kids and teens can get creative with various art supplies after school on Wednesday, April 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Edgar Branch Library (224 S. Third Ave., Edgar). The event is free, supplies will be provided and no registration required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

LEGO Block Party

Get creative with LEGO and other blocks at the Edgar Branch Library (224 S. Third Ave., Edgar) on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free, blocks will be provided and no registration is required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

Pokeman Club

Young Pokémon trainers are invited to the Edgar Branch Library for card trading and activities on Monday, April 15, from 4 to 5 p.m. The event is free and no registration is required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

Solar eclipse chalk art

Patrons of all ages can use chalk to make an eclipse-themed piece of art at the Edgar Branch Library on Wednesday, April 3, from 4 to 5 p.m. Supplies and instructions will be provided. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

M arathon Book club

The Marathon City Book Club will meet at the Marathon Branch Library on Monday, April 8, at 5:45 p.m. to discuss “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman, a mystery about how four unlikely friends from a peaceful retirement village find themselves solving a murder that takes place on their very doorstep. For more information, call 715-443-2775.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents/caregivers are invited to join the Marathon City Branch Library for Family Story Time each Thursday in April. Participants will read books, sing songs, and more during our 30-45 minutes together. Story Times are scheduled from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on April 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Here Comes the Sun

Kids and families are invited to a special Family Story Time all about the sun on Thursday, April 4, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will listen to stories, sing songs, get up and move, talk about all the interesting stuff to see in the sky at night and during the day, and make a fun craft.

Spring Craft Week

Celebrate a new season with fun and colorful spring crafts all week long, March 25-30, at the Marathon County Public Library’s Marathon City branch (515 Washington St., Marathon City). The event is free, materials will be provided, and no registration is required. Call 715-443-2775 for more info.

Solar eclipse chalk art

Patrons of all ages can use chalk to make an eclipse-themed piece of art at the Marathon City Branch Library on Wednesday, April 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. Supplies and instructions provided. Call 715-4432775 for more information.

Rib Falls HCE

The Rib Falls HCE met March 11 at the home of Deb Hilmershausen. Refreshments and dessert were served with a St. Patrick’s theme.

The meeting was opened with Creed I and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call: What do you need more of in your life?

See PEOPLE/ page 5 People

Continued from page 4

The secretary’s report and treasurer’s report were read and approved.

The group received Marathon County HCE Handbooks and went through them.

The Marathon County Day is scheduled for May 8 at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau. The club will be in charge of registration, name tags, and to bring a pan of bars and muffins.

The group’s next meeting will be April 10 at the home of Donna Kaldunski.

For the International project, each member is to bring two cooking utensils/items to fill a shoebox. April’s meeting members are to bring a couple of Hints.

The meeting was adjourned with Creed II.

Songs that were sung included “My Wild Irish Rose” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”

The hostess read some Irish clippings and poems. Members had to list as many things they could find that were Irish green. Each member received spring token boxes.

Legion Auxiliary

President Betty Blume called the March 14 meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 469 to order with ten members present.

Opening meeting protocol was followed. Opening prayer was given by Chaplain Julie Carriveau.

The minutes of the February meeting were read by secretary Kathy Grell and the treasurer’s report was read by treasurer Edee Zuleger.

Scholarships awarded last spring were paid upon submission of grades for the first semester.

Bills were submitted for the Poppy Princess sash, postage, Cool to be Patriotic buttons, magnetic ALA badges, and Poppy coloring books. Bills were approved.

Committee reports

Membership: 92 members have renewed for the 2024 year. Adult membership is $34. Junior membership is $5.50.

Birthdays for the month of March were read.

Juniors: A thank-you was received from Union Grove for the Christmas cards. Paige Martin will be the unit’s new Poppy Princess.

A thank-you card from the family of Norma Socha was read.

Old business

Members were reminded to bring canceled stamps to meetings for Legion groups.

Americanism Essay winners will be at the next meeting due to the state basketball tournament.

Due to limited supplies, the unit is not able to order poppies this year. Members will be looking into the possibility of making bookmarks to distribute instead. Any funds gathered will still be submitted to the Department for the Veterans groups they support with poppy proceeds. Ideas for bookmarks will be presented at the next meeting.

The unit is continuing to look into putting in an order for Cool to Be Patriotic t-shirts. Details are still pending.

The unit has coloring books for Poppy Day.

New business

The first Fun Days committee meeting was held for this year. Fun Days will be held in the same location this year.

The unit is looking for ways to promote the Kiddy Day parade this year, especially for families new to the area.

The closing prayer was given by Chaplain Julie Carriveau.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the village hall.

S tratford College note

Dylan Schoenherr has been named to the 2023 fall trimester dean’s list at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Main Campus in Davenport, Iowa.

Book club

The Stratford Young Adult Book Club will meet at the Stratford Branch Library on Thursday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley. Join the Stratford Branch’s new book club intended for young adults and teens aged 15 plus. Young Adult literature tends to feature young adult protagonists, and focuses on themes relevant to people in their teens and early 20’s. Call 715-687-4420 for more information.

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to Story Time at the Stratford Branch Library. Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to this 30-minute program. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literature-based activities. Story Times are scheduled for 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, April 10, 17 and 24.

Play & Learn: Fishing for Fun

Children’s Wisconsin Marshfield Family Resource Center will be leading a program at the Stratford Branch Libary, during which children can enjoy some indoor fishing. This activity promotes motor skills and color identification. Have some fun with your child and connect with other parents and caregivers during this educational and entertaining event. The event will be held on Monday, April 22, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Eclipse scavenger hunt

Leading up to the solar eclipse on April 8, patrons of the Stratford Branch Library will have the opportunity to complete an eclipse themed scavenger hunt. Drop in during regular business hours from Monday, April 1 through Saturday, April 6.

Family Story Times

Bring your entire family to story time. Children of all ages and parents/guardians are welcome to this 30-minute program. Enjoy learning with your children through stories, songs and other literature based activities. The next Family Story Time is on Wednesday, March 27, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Marathon

C ounty Eclipse glasses available

The Marathon County Public Library has received solar eclipse glasses to give away for free at all nine locations. The public is also invited to a variety of eclipse-themed events across Marathon County. Eclipse glasses will be prioritized for program participants, but glasses can also be picked up first, come first served at all locations starting on Monday, April 1, and until April 8 while supplies last. Glasses will be limited to one pair per person or two per group. The eclipse will last about three hours, so MCPL encourages groups and families to share glasses. Glasses are recommended for ages 8 and over.