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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.