Amery Free Press December 17, 2019

AMERY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 VOL. 123 NO. 29 www.theameryfreepress.com $1.00

‘Home’ for the Holidays

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

People tend to look forward to the holidays. A grand time of celebration with loved ones, an opportunity for family togetherness and a time for recreating long standing family traditions. What if even while you stood within the walls of a loving home, you never really felt “home” for the holidays? For anyone who is adopted, young or old, this time of year can be complicated.

SUBMITTED

Aubrielle Harris and Maycee Harris were angels for the Congregational Church Christmas program December 15.

Prepping for a program

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

Bing Crosby once said, “Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it white.” Over the past several weeks, area churches have had their little parish blessings share the reason for the season in area church Christmas programs. The youngsters have SEE PREPPING, PAGE 16A

COURTESY OF KENT COUNTY

Michael Clark Jr. (left) sits in the Kent County Circuit Court during his adoption ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019.

His kindergarten classmates are seated behind him and watched the ceremony.

A recent story in the news about Michael Clark Jr., a kindergartner who invited his entire class to his adoption hearing, captured the hearts of viewers. Clark Jr.’s classmates were in the courtroom showing support for him on an annual Adoption Day in Kent County, Michigan. They held paper hearts in their hands as the young man sat at a table in front of a judge.

His parents, Andrea Melvin and Dave Eaton, legally adopted him Dec. 5. There were 36 other children adopted during the adoption day at the Kent County courthouse during a finalization hearing that lasted about 30 minutes for each family. More than 12 million people on Facebook have seen his adoption day story. He has been featured on several major television news shows, as well.

Adoption is many times featured in television and film. Movies such as 2018’s “Instant Family” and the 2014 “Annie” remake take a fictional depiction of the topic. Hit television shows such as TLC’c “Long Lost Family” give a real life look at those who have experienced both sides of adoption themselves.

The adoption experience is clearly different for all those who have had involvement with it. The holidays though, seem to be a time when some tend to have mixed emotions. “What I do know is that many adopted children will be thinking of their birth families during the holidays this year. They may feel alone and not know what to do with their pain and their loss. They might not even be able to recognize that what they’re feeling is pain and loss.

These can be very private feelings and children are unsure who would even understand then,” said Jennifer Eckert of Boston Post Adoption Resources.

While there is no single source that covers all adoption statistics, ChildWelfare.gov said in a report (published in 2016) that nearly 120,000 children were adopted in 2012, but adoption rates appear to be declining as there was a 14% decrease that year and the downward trend was a continuation from 2001 figures.

Adoption agencies report they get a higher than average amount of requests for information from adult adoptees in November and December. It is certainly a time of year when family seems to be on SEE ADOPTION, PAGE 2A

The Christmas Story–St. Luke 2: 1-20 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the

house and lineage of David.

To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they went there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country

shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the SEE CHRISTMAS, PAGE 2A

Oh what a healing Wound Healing Center 715-268-0175 | amerymedicalcenter.org/wehealwounds

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ADOPTION: Reunions for biological families can be tricky to navigate through CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the forefront of many people’s minds.

Amery resident Jana Oman always knew she was adopted. After a long and complicated search that started with the non-identifying information sent to her from the adoption agency that handled her case during the early seventies, she spent her first holiday (Thanksgiving) with members of her biological father’s family.

“It was exciting and anxiety producing all in one. I didn't really know what to expect. Going to a family function of people we have never dined with around a table before can be daunting.

Well...we made it,” Oman said.

Oman first found her biological mother a handful of years ago after some investigative help from an adoption group she was part of. There were days filled with nervousness as she waited for a reply. The day finally did come when she received a response and eventually a meeting. Unfortunately Oman’s biological mother was not keen on solidifying a relationship or willing to share information about her biological father.

Still feeling quite empty from the situation, Oman had learned a little more about the circumstances surrounding her birth, but not a lot. Her biological mother still resided in the same little Midwest town where in her younger years she had given a baby girl up for adoption and she wanted her privacy respected.

While working at a small business in Amery, Oman met someone from that same little town through a co-worker and shared her mixed emotions of her adoption journey with him. Little did she know, that conversation would have a huge impact on her life a handful of years later.

During Amery’s 2016 Fall Festival, Oman ran into the gentleman with who she had previously shared her story.

She introduced him to her husband as being from the little town where her story began. Oman said, “Instead of saying, ‘nice to meet you’ the first thing my husband Paul asked him was, ‘do you know Jana’s biological father?”

Oman’s husband had been a huge provider of support during her journey and he also felt quite invested in her search.

His quick inquiry paid off, as the man did indeed learn who Oman’s biological father was shared the information with her.

Again, Oman nervously reached out to a biological parent, and again she nervously awaited a response. Before long, she received the call she was waiting for and the following year, a meeting with him and his wife. His wife had known about Oman all these years.

They had also stayed in that same Midwest town. They shared with Oman that most members of their family did not know about her, including the two

METRO CREATIVE

It is common for adoptees to cherish the pieces that make up their adoptive families, yet still be curious about their biological families as well.

daughters they had. In fact, they were not sure they were ready to share this information with their girls.

“Back in the day, pregnancies for young people or unwed people were so shameful. I sort of understood why they hid it, but I am not going to lie, the fact they were apprehensive to tell their children about me reopened the hurt of feeling like I was such a secret,” Oman said.

On a trip, Oman’s biological father and his wife decided it was time to share the information with their daughters, who eventually reached out to her. She enjoyed messaging with them and eventually meeting them in person. All along she wondered what the extent of their relationship would become. Her newly found sisters were also unsure about sharing their current life experience with their own children. Once again, Oman felt like the family secret.

As time went on, she was able to meet her biological father’s siblings, some of whom admitting knowing about her birth back in the day and some her were surprised by the news. Each new family connection starting healing Oman’s heart, but uncertainty about her future with them still lingered over her like a dark cloud.

Time together continued and ironically Oman’s biological father and his wife traveled to attend the 2019 Fall Festival. The same gathering where just a few short years ago, the newest chapter of their story began.

They joined Oman and her husband

to watch one of their children participate in the Queen’s Coronation. They beamed as most grandparents would as she was crowned to the court that evening.

Slowly, her newfound family has been chipping away at the secrecy surrounding Oman. Her sisters shared the news with their children and it was decided that Thanksgiving would be spent together. For the first time ever, parents, siblings, spouses, nieces and nephews would gather under one roof.

After the holiday Oman felt herself struggling with many of the same feelings other adoptees experience. “Some things that keep me in a quandary: I am always hopeful for more: more time, more information, more love, more laughter...more family togetherness.

However, we left without another date to firmly placed in pen on the calendar...with only the anticipation in my heart that we will unite again soon.”

“My youngest nephew asked my middle child, 'When will we see you again?' My heart melted and my voice and mind could not give a clear answer; actually, no answer at all...will that be our first family gathering? Will that be our last?” said Oman.

She said, “What did everyone ‘collectively’ think? We even celebrated my birthday together! That was another first. The first time I had anyone from my biological family wish me a happy birthday in person. That was crazy cool. However, I did not get emotional. I guess I was numb.”

“After our meal together, the cous-

CHRISTMAS: Angels herald birth of Jesus Christ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Iying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them in heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

ins, ranging in ages from 19 to 9, went outside to play football while others did the dishes and some sat on the couches.

I went from the window (watching our kids play together) to the kitchen because I was trying to desperately figure out my place. I don't know where I fit in. I feel like an island. I am not sure if that is by choice or reality. But, clearly I haven't been a part of this family for years on end. Our conversations didn't run deep; but the longing in my heart is there. Where do I belong in all of this?”

She said there is a happy sad inside of her. “An ‘I don't know how to feel’ me. An ‘I wish we lived closer’ me. An ‘I don't want to scare them’ me. An ‘I am not obsessed OR am I?’ me. A ‘don't freak them out with too many texts, cards or emails’ me. It's a discombobulated mess in my head. For as long as I can remember it has been so clear to me that I wanted to find my birthparents. Now, it's a messy question of where do we go from here,” said Oman.

Anne Heffron, author of “You Don’t Look Adopted” said sometimes adoptees can’t be honest with the parents who adopted them because they love their parents and if their parents knew how sad and broken they were, the parents would suffer. When describing her own experience with her adoptive family she said, “They are family by paperwork. They feel like family. I call them family. But I also know what it’s like to have family and not have family at the same time.”

Oman said, “It's a strange reality this adoption reunion stuff. I still have my adoptive family. I have my own family that I deeply love. I have more family history and relationships now then I have ever had in my entire life. It's a beautiful, happy, sad reality. There's so much I missed out on, but so much more in store (I hope)! Where do I go from here? I hold on to hope. Hope for a beautiful future of deeper relationships, for the secrets to be unveiled and to live in love with new found family and embrace the hurt of the past and move forward in love.”

DNA kits such as Ancestry DNA and 23 and Me are becoming wildly popular ways for biological families to become reunited. States including Alabama, Alaska, Cloorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Rhode Island now allow closed adoption adoptees to have access to their original birth certificates. Combine this with social media sites like Facebook and making family connections is a bit easier than it had been it the past.

Oman said, “Family secrets of long ago are being revealed and it's OK. It's complicated, but with a little love and a whole lot of hope...we all move forward one day at a time.”

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’

John 3:16

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DECEMBER 17, 2019

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Amery Intermediate Food Drive Last week students at the Amery Intermediate School held their annual food drive. Pictured above are some of the students with doanated items. 562 items were collected and donated to the Amery Food Pantry.

DECEMBER 18

DECEMBER 28

JANUARY 16

Christian Based Cancer Support Group

27th Annual John Legut Memorial Cup

Empty Bowls

The next Christian Based Cancer Support Group meeting is Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the Amery Public Library meeting room at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome! For more information call 715-2686957.

The 27th Annual John Legut Memorial Cup will take place Saturday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Amery Ice Arena, 1065 River Place Drive, Amery.

Enjoy a great hockey game with Amery Alumni and help raise funds to award educational scholarships. Hockey Alumni interested in playing please contact Andrea Legut at andrealegut@yahoo.com or 715-781-0710.

DECEMBER 18 Christmas Concert There will be a Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 18 at the First Lutheran Church in Clear Lake beginning at 7 p.m. Groups that will be featured in the concert are the United Methodist Bell Choir and the First Lutheran choir. The public is cordially invited to this free concert.

Refreshments and fellowship will follow the concert.

DECEMBER 19 Amery Area Historical Society Membership Meeting The membership meeting will take place at 3 p.m. in the lower level of the Amery Area Public Library. The meeting will include a short program. Members and guests will be able to see our new AV equipment “in action”. The meeting will include voting on officers and committee chairs.

Guests are always welcome at membership meetings. Membership is only $10 and now, paying in 2019 will cover 2020 as well! Questions? Call Karen at 715-268-6069.

DECEMBER 29 Free Holiday Open Skate It’s time again for Amery Youth Hockey’s Free Holiday Open Skate! Sunday, December 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. there will be free skates, free admission and free cider at the Amery Hockey Rink. Watch Amery Youth Hockey’s Facebook page for more details.

Skates available on first come, first served basis.

JANUARY 10 Blood Drive There will be an Amery Community Blood Drive located at Bremer Bank in the American Red Cross Bus on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: Bremer to schedule an appointment.

Clear Lake Empty Bowls (Soup Supper and Ceramic Bowl Sale) will be Thursday, January 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Clear Lake High School commons.

ONGOING Basketball for Youth and Families Open Gym for boys and girls grades 4-12. Families are encouraged to participate together. Younger children are welcome when accompanied by parents. Bring your own ball; enter through North doors. No fee. Sundays through March 15 from 1:30-3:30 p in the Middle School gym.

Open Gym for Families Open gyms are a chance for kids and families to bounce a ball, shoot some hoops, play catch or just run around and be active together. For families with children of all ages.

Parents/Guardians must stay

in the gym with the children.

Select Sundays: Nov 17, Dec 1 & 15, Jan 5 & 19, Feb 2 & 16, Mar 1 from 1:30-3:30 p in the Intermediate School – enter through the doors facing the NORTH parking lot. No fee – just show up! Sponsored by PowerUp.

Rumble Jumble Open Gym Open Gym for toddlers and preschoolers to run, burn energy, and have fun. Balls, scooters, mats, and other gym equipment available. Parents/ Guardians are expected to stay in the gym. Child care providers welcome. No fee – just show up. Tuesdays through March when school is in session from 11 -11:45 a. Intermediate School.

Sponsored by PowerUp.

Pickleball - Open Gym Join us on Wednesday nights to play the fastest growing recreational sport in the nation.

Wednesdays through March (closed Dec 25 & Jan 1) from 6-8 p in the High School. No fee – just show up.

Sunday night lights

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

Residents around Amery reported seeing a flash of light in the sky above the city Sunday night. By noon Monday, rumors of UFOs were swirling. Maybe it was Santa testing out the new lights on his sleigh before his big trip next week?

It turned out to be neither.

Christine Ouellette, Xcel Energy Senior Media Relations

Representative, confirmed a fuse blew on Keller Avenue that created some momentary outages to customers Sunday night.

“So basically, equipment failure created the light and sound and then the subsequent outages,” said Ouellette.

Its not the most exciting story, but it is a pretty reasonable explanation. Xcel employees worked on damages throughout the day Monday.

EVENTS: Send to editor@theameryfreepress.com or submit online at www.theameryfreepress.com.

Tom Stangl, Publisher April Ziemer, Editor Pam Humpal, Advertising Manager Jamie Stewart, Classifieds Nicole Gagner, Production Manager Cathy Nelson, Graphic Design Diane Stangl, Circulation/Office The Amery Free Press (ISSN 107486898) is published weekly by Sentinel Publications, 215 Keller Ave. S., Amery, WI 54001. Periodicals postage paid at Amery, WI 54001. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Amery Free Press, P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI 54001 Contents copyright. No reproduction without permission of publisher.

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Christmas is for children of all ages

BY TOM STANGL FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

Well, Christmas is knocking on our doors. I hope you are ready and are able to spend time with friends and family, which is the best gift one can receive. Throughout my newspaper career, I have run the following editorial, the most famous newspaper editorial of all time, reprinted here because it fits the season.

As children grow older and wiser, parents inevitably are faced with the question, “Is there a Santa Claus?” When Virginia Publisher O’Hanlon asked that question of her parents in 1897, they sugTom Stangl gested she write the New York Sun for an answer. She did, and Francis P. Church, a Civil War correspondent, wrote an editorial response which has become an American literary classic. Mr. Church died in 1906. The New York Sun closed its doors in 1950.

Virginia O’Hanlon Douglas died in 1971 after a distinguished career as a teacher and administrator in the New York City school system. However, the letter from Virginia, and Mr. Church’s response, will live forever as a part of our Christmas heritage. It is still a wonderful answer to a very difficult question.

Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun it’s so.” Please tell me the truth: is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see.

They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. No Santa Claus!

Thank God, he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now. Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the hearts of childhood.

From The New York Sun, September 21,1897 To our valued friends, subscribers and advertisers, best wishes for a happy holiday season Merry Christmas!

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@theameryfreepress.com, telephone 715-268-8101 or write me at P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI, 54001.

Thanks for reading. I’ll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.

The magic of holiday memories

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

Here we are, a week before Christmas, and of course I am not ready. You would think the girl who dashed through 13 hours of Black Friday, her fair share of small business Saturday and a handful of Cyber Monday hours would be prepared, but I am not.

I started wondering if my parents planned better than I, or were they also out on the night before Christmas Eve looking for the last figure skating Barbie on the store shelf.

Editor I thought about April Ziemer the “big years.”

The years where I just shrieked in excitement after tearing open giftwrap to find exactly what I wanted, but thought I was not going to get for whatever reason. If they were scavenging around until the last second, I hope my joyful shrieks made it worth all of the effort.

Some of my big years included a train set, my first Cabbage Patch doll, the Michael Jackson Thriller album, a Nintendo and my dusty rose-colored suede bomber jacket.

When my kids are older, I wonder what will be the big things they remember. I remember the year we got our first VCR (with a cord attached remote) and the family’s first microwave.

When my children think back, I am sure they will be able to think

of a prized possession or two, but I hope some cherished family memories run like a movie reel through their minds as well.

My family has provided me with an abundance of Christmas memories that I hold near and dear to my heart. Some of my favorites include the years when my Dad would buy my mom a nightgown all bundled up in a Victoria’s Secret package. We would all ohhh and ahhh before she could even take the lid off of the box. Her cheeks would turn the same rosy color as Santa’s.

There was the year my sister Kelly was born and I was having trouble adjusting to no longer being an only child. I threw a fit when our mother bought her a “Baby’s 1st Christmas” ornament as I had never received one. That year I unwrapped the most beautiful “Baby’s 10th Christmas” ornament.

It was one of my most cherished possessions until it broke last year.

There was the time my parents bought one of my siblings a Mickey Mouse bowling bag. My kid sister thought it was just an average bag and wanted it, so my parents had to remove the inner “bowling ball holder” out of it. They wrapped up the holder and gave it to me as a gift. I had no clue what it was. I thought maybe it was some odd thing that was code for a super cool gift. Maybe I was really being surprised with a new stereo system? Maybe it was some inside piece to a new car? Nope. Turns out I was just your average 17-yearold with a shiny new bowling ball holder. By the way, I still despise bowling to this day.

There was the year when a family member who shall remain nameless went through a breakup before the holiday. They played Elvis’s Blue Christmas on the record player basically on repeat.

Although they were truly sad at the time, we sure get some good laughs about it all these years later.

Of course I could never forget Christmas 2007. I was due to give birth to my second daughter March 29th, 2008. On December 19, 2007, I was rushed by ambulance to United Hospital due to pregnancy complications. This really put a damper on the shopping I wasn’t finished with that year. Our family spent Christmas crammed into a tiny hospital room. My holiday meal consisted of what they called turkey with a side of fruit cocktail. My family members ate Chuckwagon sandwiches from the only area gas station that was open.

The details of our dining are not what mattered. Most importantly we were together. Our beautiful 1 lb. 7oz. Reagan Erin was born December 29th. That Christmas miracle is now a healthy, strong, smart and beautiful sixth grader at Amery Middle School.

While I wish that each of you receive the things you want this Christmas, be sure not to let your tinsle get in a tangle over material things. I hope that you also take time to soak up the moments that really give the season meaning.

Feel free to email me at editor@ theameryfreepress.com, write me at P.O. Box 424, Amery WI. 54001 or I can be reached by phone at 715-268-8101

LETTER GUIDELINES The Amery Free Press encourages readers to share their viewpoints of community issues by writing Letters to the Editor.

Submit your letters via email to editor@ theameryfreepress.com, by mail to the Amery Free Press, P.O. Box 424 Amery, WI 54001, or by fax to 715-268-5300.

We reserve the right to edit for accuracy,

clarity, libel, and civility.

General letters to the editor are limited to 400 words or less. Readers may submit one letter for consideration every 30 days.

Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and phone number (address and phone number will not be printed). Anonymous letters will not be

published. Only letters originating from writers who live, have lived or work in the Amery Free Press circulation area or have some other relevance to the community area will be published. Special rules apply to election-related letters.

For questions about policies on letters contact the editor at 715-268-8101

OPINION

DECEMBER 17, 2019

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What it takes to hold power accountable

BY REED ANFINSON PUBLISHER, SWIFT COUNTY MONITOR-NEWS

Good government depends on a system of checks and balances. Those who govern and those who administer the government know they are answerable to the citizenry of the community. Citizens hold government accountable through the information they are provided by the watchdogs who make up the Fourth Estate – the press.

Often in our small Reed Anfinson communities we elect good people who then hire competent and good-intentioned civil servants. Our governments run smoothly, taxes are reasonable, and services are provided cost-effectively.

However, too frequently we hear the stories of trust abused and violated.

That is why we need a strong, attentive and respected press that provides a common source of trusted information to citizens.

Today that vital link between the governors and the citizens is threatened as Facebook, Google, Craigslist, and other web sites drain the advertising revenue from newspapers. They could care less about good government or informed citizens – particularly in small town, rural America.

As we lose community newspapers, we face a very real threat to the future of citizen knowledge and the ability to keep a watchful check on government.

It takes power and influence to hold those in power accountable. If you don’t meet them on equal footing, your chances of getting responses to questions evaporates.

Newspapers have influence in their communities and with government for five primary reasons:

One of the reasons we are trusted is because people in the community know us and feel they can give us direct feedback if they think we are being unfair or slanted in the news we write.

COMMUNITY-WIDE REACH Newspapers have a deep reach among citizens in their communities. Elected leaders know that a story printed in the newspaper will circulate throughout the towns and rural areas. Subscribers will share stories with friends and family.

But the newspaper can also be found in the library, the restaurant, the tavern, and on the park bench. The photos and stories are there at a glance at counters in stores throughout the community. People who don’t subscribe still get to find out what is happening in their community at no charge and with no electronic device required.

We also have our online presence, but print’s reach is deeper, more inclusive and more visible in a community. This reach goes far beyond what your circle of friends on Facebook, or other social media, provide.

FINANCIAL STRENGTH When a newspaper is financially healthy, it has the ability to challenge power when it would frustrate the public’s right to know.

When government officials refuse to hand over public documents or illegally close a public meeting, we will take them to court. Citizens often aren’t willing to, or are unable to, muster the finances to challenge government actions in court. We do. Through the Minnesota Newspaper Association, the state’s newspapers have access to the state’s top expert in laws that demand an open and transparent government.

Through our years of reporting we have seen public officials who have tried to hide information because of financial mistakes, self-serving enrichment, embarrassment, or fear of public reaction. We have seen public officials who act as if the public information in their care is theirs to decide who can see it and who can’t.

TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION Survey after survey has found that local, small town newspapers are the most trusted source of information in their communities. Local newspapers are seen as a fair, reasoned voice, especially in this internet and social media age of vitriolic divisiveness.

WE’RE ALWAYS ON DUTY We show up – day after day, month after month, year after year. The public officials know that we will be at every meeting writing stories about what is discussed. We will follow up, reminding citizens of past successes as well as misdeeds.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Please support musicians Dear Editor, Many kudos to the St. Croix Valley Orchestra for their outstanding Winter Concert on December 7 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

These talented musicians presented a variety of classical and modern seasonal music. A beautiful composition by one of the members of the orchestra also helped to lift the spirits of the audience. It was a wonderful preparation for the holidays.

All the Amery area residents are very blessed to have this orchestra of gifted musicians who offer these concerts for our enjoyment. We need to support them by our attendance and our donations.

Barbara McGurran Amery, WI

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On Facebook, your circle of friends may get fired up about some action the city council or school district takes, but it isn’t long before the daily grind of life distracts them and the issue fades with no one held accountable. The newspaper is always on duty; we remind citizens that their attention and action is required. Through our years of reporting we’ve missed many of the high school games and social events our friends have attended because we have a meeting to attend that night. Keeping you informed is a mission we take to heart. It is one that demands sacrifice.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW Our knowledge of the laws that govern public officials such as the Open Meeting laws and laws that dictate public access to government documents ensures transparency and accountability.

The average citizen can easily be told by public officials that government has the right to keep documents private, or that meetings can be closed for “executive sessions.” We know better.

Through our years of reporting we’ve seen public bodies try to meet in private to discuss sensitive topics. Often, these sensitive topics involve something that is going to cost the taxpayer money.

Public officials want to have the discussion outside of the public light to avoid the expected non-so-pleasant feedback they are going to get from some of their constituents. We cover these meetings to represent our community’s citizens and keep them informed.

THE POSTSCRIPT

Christmas at the Greenhouse It is the tender cusp of Christmas.

It is that time when emotions run close to the overfill point, when sentimentality and anger and depression and euphoria mix freely together, with not enough space between them to tell the difference from one moment to the next.

I am visiting my parents—and of course this does not help.

My parents are doing well (thank you for asking). They are in their eighties now, still The living in their dream cabin in Postscript the woods and, although I know Carrie Classon they are growing older, the signs are so incremental and their attitude so upbeat, it is easy to deny the passage of time when I am with them and imagine I am a much younger person than I actually am.

Yesterday, we stopped at the local greenhouse in the small town near their cabin. It was unbelievably cold. I don’t know why I couldn’t believe it; I grew up in the cold and was raised with the idea that extreme cold was a signpost of Christmas and a litmus test for true Christmas spirit.

But the truth is, I haven’t lived in a very cold place for a while and the cold stole the breath out of me.

The greenhouse was a bit out of our way, but my mother explained, “I like to support them, they put up such nice floral arrangements in the summer!”

The shop was surrounded by welcoming signs and Christmas trees propped up against giant bags of earth, waiting for spring. Inside it was warm and smelled of soil and cinnamon.

As my parents were in the greenhouse, bundling up the poinsettia for the drive home, I warmed the car and looked across the street at a mobile home that was a little worse for wear. The yard was piled high with stuff, now half buried

in the snow. As I waited, the door flew open, accompanied by a string of expletives.

A man about my age was following a younger man out of the house, screaming at him, yelling terrible things. I watched as the young man— who was wearing the beginning of a thin beard and a winter jacket—was chased out of the house and began walking down the country road alone.

Minutes later, my parents in the car, we were driving home on the road that leads to the greenhouse when we saw the young man, walking. It was several miles to town.

“Should we stop, dad?” I asked. My dad was silent.

“It’s hard to know what to do,” my mom said, quietly.

The young man seems appropriately dressed for the weather. He is walking down the road in a deliberate fashion, as though he knows where he was going—I say all this to myself because I know I won’t stop. I know I won’t take a chance and put this stranger in the car with my eightyyear-old parents and get involved in something that I don’t know the first thing about.

We drive by.

Snug inside the car, my mother holds the small poinsettia in her lap. I wonder what that young man’s Christmas will be like and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do, in this crowded time of year, with all the emotions that bump against each other. I don’t know how to sort out the tangled strands of joy and sorrow that run through me.

Sitting with my happy, healthy parents, I am quiet as I watch the young man, walking alone down the road on this bright cold day.

Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir, “Blue Yarn,” was released earlier this year. Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.

6A AMERY FREE PRESS

RECORDS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

Amery Area Municipal Court Amery Area Municipal Court was held in Amery on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. The following cases were heard: CITY OF AMERY Troy M. Buffington, 40, Osceola, exceeding speed zones (1-10 mph), $98.80.

Martha Patricia Corona Gonzalez, 37, Amery, operating without a valid license, $124.

Joseph M. Federowicz Jr., 65, Hudson, exceeding speed zones (1-10 mph), $98.80.

Bradley A. Floding, 64, Amery, loud and unnecessary noise prohibited, $124.

Colt M. Gulla, 26, Turtle Lake, exceeding speed zones (1-10 mph), $98.80.

17 year old, Amery, truancy, $92.50.

Zakkary B. Matis, 24, Frederic, exceeding speed zones (1-10 mph), $98.80.

Andrew J. Petzel, 25, Knapp, unsafe lane deviation, $98.80.

Jesse J. Scribner, 21, Clayton, non-registration of auto, $98.80.

John M. Setzer, 50, Amery, vehicle operator failure to wear seat belt, $10.

Angelique J. Smith, 37, Duluth, MN, theft prohibited, $1,591.

Jay S. Stackhouse, 62, Frederic, operating motor vehicle without proof of insurance, $10.

Maxwell D. Stephenson, 26, Amery, violating red traffic signal, $98.80.

Joshua J. Thorsland, 26, Madison, non-registration of auto, $98.80.

Bryce A. Wanek, 54, Luck, violating red traffic signal, $98.80.

Jennifer L. Welsch, 37, Amery, exceeding speed zones (1-10 mph), $98.80.

Morgan F. Wright, 19, St. Croix Falls, operating motor vehicle without proof of insurance, $10.

17 year old, Amery, truancy, $92.50.

VILLAGE OF CLEAR LAKE Kylie L. Axtell, 18, Baldwin, exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), $98.80.

Chad A. Crosby, 37, Prairie Farm, operating motor vehicle without insurance, $124.

Eve M. Frisinger, 20, Rice Lake, exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), $98.80.

Micayla R. Kirland, 19, Cameron, exceeding speed zones (1-10 mph), $98.80.

Mary S. Larson, 55, Clear Lake, exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), $98.80.

Jeremy D. Letourneau, 43, Deer Park, failure to stop at stop sign, $98.80.

Duane L. Most Jr., 61, Barronett, exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), $98.

Tristan R. Linse, 20, Maiden Rock, exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), $98.80.

Amanda S. Ophelan, 38, Clear Lake, exceeding speed zones (11-15 mph), $98.80.

Daniel R. Rand, 65, Rochester, MN, exceeding speed zones (16-19 mph), $124.

Pamela A. Waldo-Plasencia, 51, Plum City, exceeding speed zones (20-24 mph), $149.20.

JUVENILES 15 year old, Amery, purchase or possession of tobacco products, $92.50.

16 year old, Star Prairie, disorderly conduct on school property, $187.

13 year old, Amery, truancy, $92.50.

15 year old, Amery, truancy, $92.50.

PLEAS OF NOT GUILTY WERE ENTERED BY THE FOLLOWING: Justin Judkins, destruction of property, possession of controlled substance, operating while under the influence, operating with prohibited alcohol content, possession of drug paraphernalia, underage drinking, speeding (30-34 over), $1,892.50.

Kimberly Wiese, OWI and prohibited alcohol content, $924.

13 year old, Amery, disorderly conduct on school property, $187.

Andrew Thoe, speeding (11-15 mph), $98.80.

Polk County arrests Jordan Kyle Rush, 29, Clayton, was arrested December 6 for OWI (2nd), disorderly conduct and ciriminal damage to property.

Daimian Neilin Weiss, 18, Turtle Lake, was arrested December 6 for OWI (1st).

Mitch Ryan Culver, 29, Balsam Lake, was arrested December 7 for OWI (1st) and operating with prohibited alcohol content.

Brian Albert Jensen, 43, Superior, was arrested December 7 for OWI (4th), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jerome Lee Williams, 42, Milltown, was arrested December 2 for a probation hold.

Ashley Marie Young, 28, Mill-

town, was arrested December 2 for a probation hold.

Mark Allen Paulzine, 24, St. Croix Falls, was arrested December 3 for a warrant.

Daniel Thomas Sampson, 41, Centuria, was arrested December 7 for a probation hold.

Michael Allen Matter, 41, Dresser, was arrested December 7 for a probation hold.

Andrew Earl Jorgensen, 26, Danbury, was arrested December 7 for a probation hold.

Ted Allen Wistrom, 36, homeless, was arrested November 29, for battery and domestic disorderly conduct.

Ernest John Switzer, 48, St. Croix Falls, was arrested December 2 for

Polk County marriage licenses Andrew Lee Blum and Monette Olayvar Cabuntala of Frederic are to be married January 3, 2020.

Travis James Hayden and Sarah Louise Thomson of Clear Lake are to be married January 10, 2020.

Harvey James Klinger Jr. and Jennifer Leigh Willi of Clear Lake are to be mar-

ried January 4, 2020.

Bryce Dewaine Marohn and Alexis Rae Reed of Kroschel are to be married January 11, 2020.

Tyler Austin Schifsky and Colleen Marie Knoop of Amery are to be married December 21, 2019.

Amery Police Report 12/06/19-12/12/19 12/06/19, 05:17 p.m., Assist citizen 12/06/19, 11:10 p.m., Suspicious activity 12/07/19, 12:23 a.m., Assist citizen 12/07/19, 08:35 a.m., Assist citizen 12/07/19, 09:18 a.m., Mental health call 12/07/19, 10:48 a.m., Assist in civil matter 12/07/19, 03 p.m., Harassment report 12/07/19, 10:36 p.m., Mental health call 12/08/19, 03:05 a.m., Welfare check 12/08/19, 08:38 a.m., Harassment 12/08/19, 09:53 a.m., Animal control call 12/08/19, 12:34 p.m., Motor vehicle accident 12/08/19, 10:13 p.m., Welfare check 12/09/19, 07:47 a.m., Motor vehicle accident 12/09/19, 11:09 a.m., Assist other agency 12/09/19, 11:28 a.m., Assist other agency 12/09/19, 01:13 p.m., Assist citizen 12/09/19, 04 p.m., Assist other agency 12/09/19, 08:40 p.m., Business alarm 12/09/19, 10:08 p.m., Disturbance 12/10/19, 01:50 p.m., Assist EMS 12/10/19, 02:30 p.m., Assist with custody issue 12/10/19, 03:49 p.m., Suspicious activity 12/11/19, 03:50 a.m., Assist other agency 12/11/19, 06:36 a.m., Motor vehicle accident 12/11/19, 03:21 p.m., 911 hang up 12/11/19, 04:08 p.m., Theft report 12/11/19, 04:30 p.m., Animal control call 12/11/19, 04:46 p.m., Assist EMS 12/11/19, 08:20 p.m., Welfare check 12/12/19, 03:59 a.m., Business alarm 12/12/19, 10 a.m., Animal control call 12/12/19, 10:29 a.m., Motor vehicle accident 12/12/19, 12:30 p.m., Disturbance 12/12/19, 03:23 p.m., Vehicle lockout No Arrests

felony bail jumping.

Benjamin Richard Basley, 40, Luck, was arrested December 3 for disorderly conduct, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor bail jumping.

Corey Joseph Kes, 37, Amery, was arrested December 4 for domestic disorderly conduct.

Barton Ross Osgar, 54, Minneapolis, MN, was arrested December 8 for disorderly conduct and a Vernon County WI OWI warrant.

John Thomas Buckley, 34, Coon Rapids, MN, was arrested December 7 for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.

Snowmobile trails open Polk County snowmobile trails are open as of December 16, 2019. According to Ben Efelt, Polk County Parks and Trails Coordinator, there are a number trail closures due to blowdown, standing crops and wet ground. Information can on found online on the County’s Recreational Viewer https://polkcowi.maps. arcgis.com

Expired tabs lead to array of charges

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

A traffic stop in Milltown for an expired vehicle registration has landed Brian A. Jensen, 43, Superior, with charges of possession of THC (2nd offense), possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of paraphernalia, operating while intoxicated (OWI) 4, and bail jumping.

According to the Criminal Complaint, when the officer approached Jensen’s vehicle, he noticed Jensen reaching underneath his coat and putting his hands into his pants multiple times.

The officer requested Jensen to step out of the vehicle. When checking his waistband, the officer noticed Jensen’s Jensen hand go into his pocket. A rider in the officer’s car noticed Jensen toss an item into the ditch. Located in the ditch was a cloth bag with a clear glass bubble pipe with a white crystal substance, which tested positive for Meth. Also in the bag was a one hitter pipe with burnt residue and a container with a green leafy substance that tested positive for THC. The officer conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and discovered a mixed drink in the center cup holder and a field sobriety test was performed.

He was transported to St. Croix Regional Medical Center for a blood draw.

Allegedly, Jensen admitted the THC in the bag belonged him. He said the Meth belonged to a friend whom he met yesterday. He said that from the blood draw, it would be likely for THC and Meth to show up in his system. He was then transported the Polk County Jail.

If convicted, Jensen is facing nine years in prison and $40,000 in fines.

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

7A

www.theameryfreepress.com

105 Years Ago December 24, 1914 Twin Lake House Sold A deal was consummated Monday whereby Geo. Sheridan of Lincoln becomes proprietor of the Twin Lake House, which has been conducted for the past six or eight months by Jas. O. Anderson.

Mr. Sheridan is a man of considerable natural ability and should make a success of his new venture.

Timely Christmas Don’ts It seems important at this time of year to call attention to some of the dangers of the lighted Christmas tree, because of the fact that many homes and most of the schools have Christmas exercises and Christmas trees.

When the Christmas tree is trimmed and lighted it is nothing more than a big torch ready to be ignited. The tree is always an evergreen whose twigs are full of rosin. It is trimmed with festoons of tissue paper and wreaths of dry leaves, which will burn with a flash.

Many of the Yesterday’s presents are made of celNews luloid, which Diane Stangl explodes when heated and burns fiercely. Other presents are covered with lace or embroidery, which may be lighted by a spark, and the paper Christmas bells, the netting of which the candy bags are made, and the dry painted wood in the toys, are all easily ignited.

Cotton should never be used to represent snow, either on or under the tree, because the same effect can be obtained by using asbestos or mineral wool, which is safe. Care should be taken to see that the candles are securely fastened to the tree and so arranged that they cannot set fire to the branches of the tree or the presents hung upon them.

Christmas is intended to be a time of joy and good cheer and hearts should not be saddened on this sacred day by the burning of homes or the injury to loved ones through carelessness, when proper forethought and vigilance will surely avoid such disasters.

100 Years Ago December 18, 1919 Near Fatal Injury Harris Lee the 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lee of Black Brook sustained a very serious and it was at first thought a fatal injury, Monday, when a tree, which he was assisting in cutting, near the Apple River Milling Company’s new dam, fell upon him crushing his skull.

He was rushed to the hospital to this city and given immediate medical attention. An operation was found necessary to

Others may still be unreported, but Marshall-Wells and Johnson Drug both received checks without an account.

Police Officer Grover Winchell said that the checks were both made out to “Art Rose” and drawn on Union State Bank. The endorsement read “Martin D. Johnson.”

Both checks were identical and bore the same dateline – Dec. 13.

Posing as a farmer with a light tan duck hunting cap and jacket, the man was of slight build and appeared to be 30 to 35 years of age.

raise the bone and relieve the pressure. The doctor in charge stated that barring unlooked for complications the young man will fully recover.

Some Weather Sunday night the mercury hit the low mark of the season registering 42 below.

90 Years Ago December 12, 1929 Nine Year Old Girl Run Over

by Auto Ruby Emma Cote, nine-yearold daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Cote of Georgetown, was run over by a car driven by Amos Olson of Milltown, last Friday while playing in the road near her home and so seriously injured that she died at the Frederic Hospital, Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Immediately after the accident the child was rushed to the Frederic Hospital where it was discovered that her skill was crushed and that she sustained other serious injury.

Amery’s Earliest Pictures on Display George Sylvester, one of the few real old-timers left in the Amery community brought to this office the very first photograph ever taken where Amery now stands. The picture shows the railroad grade with the surveying crew the same year the Soo laid the rails.

The picture, which was taken in May of 1887 is extremely clean and Mr. Sylvester has left it on display at Burman & Dalberg’s store to add to the collection already on display there.

80 Years Ago December 21, 1939 Skating Rink will be Fixed Up on North Twin Several matters, including establishment of a good skating rink near Smiley’s beach on North Twin Lake, and erection and maintenance of good “Amery” highway signs, came before the Community Club at its December meeting Monday night in the Amery Hotel.

President A. M. Paulson said several motorists have told him that they became confused and lost direction coming east at the junction of Highways 35 and 8 near St. Croix Falls. The motorists invariably turn right and start down No. 35 toward Dresser Jct. Other club members joined in the remarks, declaring Amery needs more road signs, and needs funds to keep them up throughout the year, when they are knocked down by kids and by “big kids” – state highway inspectors.

Dr. C. A. Nelson, head of the skating rink committee, reported that he had conferred with Councilman C. L. Clay and that they suggested that North Twin Lake, near the Smiley beach, is the best site for a skating rink. He said the city council indicated they will donate $50 to $100 for such

60 Years Ago December 10, 1959 New Gamble Store to Open This Month

That’s a real beauty!

Naturally perfect is how you would describe the beautiful Christmas tree that graced the center of Amery’s main street, back in 1954. The tree was donated by Dr. and Mrs. P. L. Satterlund and was cut from their yard.

a rink and its maintenance, and that the Community Club will help out. There is a small warming house, built by Bill Ridler that can be used. Mr. Paulson also suggested that if lumber is needed, the city will loan the rink lumber from the old horse sheds.

But the important part of the proposition is that all the discarded Christmas trees are needed. The Community Club asks businessmen and residents to save their Christmas trees and they will be collected by the Boy Scouts the day after New Years (Tuesday, Jan. 2) and will be used as snow fence for the rink. These trees make ideal protection from drifting snows across North Twin.

Christmas decorations, Arthur Klingler and A. R. Sjobeck, told the club, cost about $138 this year, and this does not include candy and peanuts to be given away Friday by Santa Claus. The decorations this year, members felt, are better than ever, and voted an expression of thanks to the committee for their fine work.

70 Years Ago December 22, 1949 Olde Tyme Dance Sponsored

by FFA The local FFA is attempting to bring an evening of fine and enjoyable entertainment Friday, Dec. 23 to this community and at the same time hope to clear a few dollars for their treasury by sponsoring an old time folk and square dance.

After the Parents’ Night program, where many youths went so far as reporting the best time of their lives, there has been much demand for another evening of old type folk and square dancing.

At 8:30 p.m., Friday, a professional caller, with music and public address system from Minneapolis, will be on hand to direct, call and instruct the beginners of all ages.

The local FFA greatly welcomes the return of the Old Square Dance, once so popular, as it provides an exceptionally high-class type of entertainment for all, especially youth.

65 Years Ago December 16, 1954 Yep, It’s Safe Barring warmer days and spring holes, the ice on the lakes was reported to have between four and five inches of thickness by City Officer Warren Marquand.

Making the tests in the center and along shore on both North and South Twin Lakes, Officer Marquand found the ice uniformly thick at that depth. If it stays at that thickness, it is safe for skaters.

Attempts to flood the city rink have been futile to date, he reported.

Letters to Santa Dear Santa, For Christmas I would like a bride doll that walks and suitcase for it and some nice clothes for it. I would really like a cowgirl suit and a bubble gum bank.

Love, Margaret.

P.S. I remembered that I would like a View Master.

Please put in four reels.

Artist Palms Off Two Monday Apparently utilizing the press of Christmas business to good advantage, a check artist passed at least two fraudulent checks in Amery Monday.

Les and Lois Gullickson of St. Paul are engaged these days in reading their new Gamble store in Amery for a December opening.

“We hope that it will be about Dec. 15, but it may be later depending on how it works out,” commented owner Gullickson on Monday.

Owners and operators of a Gamble store on St. Paul’s east side, the Gullicksons’ are moving their entire stock and fixtures into the Michael building, formerly used for the Pearson Hardware. They have operated in their former location for the past three years.

Prior to their St. Paul location, Mr. Gullickson managed Gamble-owned stores throughout the Midwest for about 13 years.

Sheriff Called to Break Up Youth Battle Sheriff’s officers were called to Milltown last Saturday night to pick up seven out-ofstate youths for fighting with local persons.

The youths had been drinking in a county tavern prior to the fight.

Following their arrest, the boys were released to their parents and will face charges in juvenile court at a later date.

Officials stated the youths were from St. Paul.

Robert Selvig, Amery, reported to the sheriff’s office that someone had entered his home and stolen about 42 dozen eggs while he was in town Saturday afternoon.

Yeggs were busy at the Pleasant Dale School again during the past week as they entered the building and mad off with a phonograph. The school is located on CTH “I.”

Santa Letters 1969 Dear Santa: Would you please bring me a Close-n-play record player. A barrel of monkeys and a Slinky.

Barbara (Olson)

Dear Santa: I want easy bake oven, Blender and Vacuum Cleaner and washer.

Please bring Chris a Teddy bear, pony, Tyke Tractor, Julie a doll and telephone.

Holly Swanson.

8A

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019 www.theameryfreepress.com

Christmas cards full of meaning and hope

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

A Wisconsin man with terminal cancer has one dying wish: Christmas cards to help him cope and employees at Chet Johnson Drug in Amery are doing their part to make it happen.

Gene Weittenhiller said his prostate gland was removed in January after cancer was detected.

The family celebrated, thinking he was cancer-free. But a radiology report dashed the family's hopes.

Weittenhiller said he had a tumor growing on his pancreas, and the cancer spread to his liver.

Chemotherapy didn't work well, Weittenhiller said. He decided to stop treatment three weeks ago, and his doctor said he has months left to live. His wife, Linda said this whole experience has been devastating. “Mostly because we just retired, we are just enjoying being close to our kids and our grandchildren," she said. Weittenhiller and his family hope he can get Christmas cards to show him that he's not alone.

When Chets employee Shauna Feyen saw the story online, she thought about her mother-in-law who passed away on Thanksgiving. “I would have loved to have done something so special for her,”

APRIL ZIEMER | AMERY FREE PRESS

Shauna Feyen and Barbara Coleman are shown with Christmas cards filled out by area residents who hope to spread holiday cheer to a terminally ill man.

Feyen said.

Feyen and fellow Chet Johnson Drug employees have been hard at work providing cards for area residents to sign for Weittenhiller. They put the postage on them and are sending them off. They hope that others jump on board and mail cards to Weittenhiller or drop them off at Chets so they can stamp and send them.

People from all over the state have been doing their part to show the fellow resident some Wisconsin love. Three men from Milwaukee saw his request and decided not to mail him a card;

they had something else in mind to make him smile. The men dropped everything and drove two-and-a-half hours to Prairie du Sac, to hand-deliver the cards to him. Weittenhiller and the group prayed together, shared stories and issued support.

If you would like to send a Christmas card to Weittenhiller, you can drop it at Chet Johnson Drug or mail it to: Gene Weittenhiller 410 20th St. Prairie du Sac, WI 53578

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Holiday campaign runs December 13 through January 1 SUBMITTED

To discourage impaired driving and support public safety, law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin will patrol in greater numbers for longer hours during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday campaign that begins Friday and continues through New Year’s Day. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is utilizing federal funds to support the stepped-up law enforcement efforts, public education and outreach.

“The goal of this federal, state and local initiative is to prevent needless tragedies along our roadways and help ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable holiday season,” WisDOT Secretary Dave Ross SEE DRIVE SOBER, PAGE 32A

A number one spot to not be proud of

BY JASON SCHULTE BALDWIN BULLETIN

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines binge drinking as five-plus drinks per occasion for men and four-plus drinks per occasion for women.

In a report released by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute in October, titled “The Burden of Binge Drinking in Wisconsin”, six years of data were collected (2013-18) throughout the state.

The results are harrowing.

• The average binge drinking rate nationally in 2018 was 16 percent. Wisconsin’s rate was 24 percent.

• There were over four binge drinking episodes per month among adults who binge drink in Wisconsin.

• The estimated annual economic cost of binge drinking is $3.9 billion, with lost productivity accounting for two-thirds of that amount.

In 2018, excessive alcohol consumption, which includes binge drinking, 15+ drinks/ week for men; 8+ drinks/week for women and any alcohol consumption by youth under 21 or pregnant women, contributed to the following in Wisconsin: • 2,485 alcohol-related deaths • 79,285 alcohol-related hospitalizations • 6,151 alcohol-related crashes • 24,651 driving under the influence arrests The report also details binge drinking rates by county over

those six years. Ten counties had a rate between 27 and 31 percent, the highest amount.

St. Croix was one of those 10.

It should came to no surprise when Healthier Together Pierce and St. Croix County officials when collecting data for the 2020-22 Community Health Needs Assessment, substance abuse disorders, which includes alcohol, was at the top of the list.

Data gathering and community input being collected over the last 15 months led to those results. Members included farmers, youth, mental health providers, youth service providers, and those 60 and over.

The findings showed “alcohol continuing to be a health, law enforcement, and economic issues in both counties.”

The members also told Healthier Together officials: “Not being appreciated or cared for contributes to substance use issues. Farmers don’t feel appreciated because they aren’t paid a decent wage for their work. Seniors can feel forgotten. Youth can feel overlooked and under-appreciated.”

Which leads to binge drinking, and ultimately arrests.

“There were more alcohol-related arrests in Pierce County compared to St. Croix County, despite Pierce having half the population of St. Croix County,” findings were found.

With all this information in mind, the focus among Healthier Together officials was to go with the prevention route.

“Today’s culture makes it

The average binge drinking rate nationally in 2018 was 16 percent. Wisconsin’s rate came in at 24 percent.

easy and accessible,” said Natasha Ward, Director of Community Health Improvement for Western Wisconsin Health.”It needs to be addressed.” Yet, Ward acknowledge this issue isn’t going to go away completely in the next three years.

“It takes time to move needles.”

Initial strategies planned to deal with prevention include: • Identify opportunities to change alcohol ordinances • Educating the community on proper drug use storage and disposal

• Conducting a scan of substance use screenings being used in the community • Implementing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign, which helps kids learn about the dangers of alcohol.

Alcohol isn’t the only hurdle Healthier Together officials are dealing with when comes to substance abuse.

Vaping has risen dramatically within the last few years.

Ward said plans are in the

works to market the DITCHJUUL text service to teens and adults to vape.

There’s also methamphetamine, heroin and opioids.

“They take a hold quickly and just destroy people,” she said.

Methamphetamine crime lab submissions peaked in 2014 and 2015, but about 45 cases were still submitted in St. Croix in 2018, the report states.

Opioid dispensing rates per 100 persons remain well below the state average in both counties.

All those substance abuses correlate to the other issue at the top of the list and a repeat from the previous three years: mental health.

Services over the last three years they plan on extending include: Make It OK, Mental Health First Aid and schoolbased programming; continuing youth mental health collaboration meetings.

‘When done right, prevention is powerful: improving community conditions improves the health of populations, not just individuals,” the summary states. “Tackling such big issues requires partners from different sectors to come together to create community conditions that support the health of all people.”

Ward added a difference between the upcoming three years to the last three years is strategies will be looked at on a year-by-year basis in case changes need to be done for the good or the bad.

DECEMBER 17, 2019

SPIRITUAL

AMERY FREE PRESS

9A

www.theameryfreepress.com

AREA CHURCHES AMERY CONGREGATIONAL, 201 N. Harriman Ave. Barry Schaefer, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 9:30 am Senior Dining Hall Open; 11:30 am Family Table Meal; 3:30 pm Homework and Hangout; 5:45 pm Dinner; 6:30 pm Youth Group Christmas Celebration.

Thursday, December 19: 9:30 am Senior Dining Hall Open; 5:30 pm Women’s Bible Study; 7 pm Money Management.

Friday, December 20: 9:30 am Senior Dining Hall Open.

Sunday, December 22: 10 am Worship, Sunday School Christmas Party; 11:15 am Missions and Social Concerns Meeting.

Monday, December 23: 9:30 am Senior Dining Hall Open; 7 pm Boy Scouts.

Tuesday, December 24: 6:30 am Men’s Bible Study; 9:30 am Senior Dining Hall Open; 10 am Bible Study; 1 pm Barn Service; 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Family Service; 9:30 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

AMERY FREE LUTHERAN, 1 mile west of golf course on CTH F, Eric Christenson, pastor, www.ameryflc.org Every Sunday: 9 am Sunday School; 10:15 am Worship Service; 6 pm Small Group Bible Studies in homes.

Wednesdays: 9:30 am Small Group Women’s Bible Study in home; 7 pm Youth Group.

Call the church office for details 715-268-9218.

APPLE RIVER COMMUNITY, 942 US Hwy. 8, Amery Justin Hosking, pastor Sunday: 9:30 am Sunday School for All Ages; 10:15 am Coffee and Fellowship; 10:30 am Morning Worship.

Monday: 6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study.

Tuesday: 9:30 am Women’s Bible Study.

Wednesday: 10 am Men’s Bible Study; 5:30 pm One-Way Club for Kids.

Friday: 9 am M.O.P.S. BALSAM LUTHERAN, 1115 Mains Crossing, Amery, Dan Watland, pastor 507-459-1141, Church 715-2689291, www.balsamlutheranchurch.org.

Sunday worship 10:15 am. Holy Communion 2nd & 3rd Sundays.

Wednesday, December 19: 6 pm Dinner Worship on Revelation, “All Things New”.

CENTERPOINT, 740 Maple Drive, St. Croix Falls (High school) Dick Enerson, pastor Sunday: 10-11:15 am Worship celebration; Children’s church (SuperKidz) age 4-5th grade; Nursery (KidzKorner) birth-3 years.

Cell Groups (small group Bible studies) offered throughout the week.

CHURCH OF CHRIST, New Richmond Jack Philips, Evangelist, 715-497-7596 Sunday: 9 am Bible Study; 10 am Worship.

Wednesday: 6:30 pm Bible Study and Devotions.

CLEAR LAKE UNITED METHODIST, John Hazen, pastor Sunday: 8:30 am Worship.

DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST, John Hazen, pastor Sunday: 11 am Worship.

DERONDA LUTHERAN, 1239 65th Ave., Amery Lori Peper, pastor 715-268-9577 Wednesday, December 18: 7 am Breakfast Club at Our Savior’s; 10 am Cancer Support Group at Amery Library; 1-4 pm Pastor Lori & Jim Haugerud at nursing homes; 4:30 pm Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle rehearsal at Deronda; 6 pm JAM, Confirmation & parents at Deronda; 7:30 pm NUIC Choir rehearsal at Deronda.

Thursday, December 19: 8 am Amery Ministerium at Redeemer; 10 am Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle at Mall of America.

Saturday, December 21: 12 noon WELCA Christmas Party at Little Falls.

Sunday, December 22: 9:30 am Children’s Christmas Program at Deronda with special music by the NUIC Choir, Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle and entertainment by the Pearson Family Puppets.

Tuesday, December 24: 4:30 pm Combined Christmas Eve worship with Communion, NUIC Choir and Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle at Trinity.

See our website for up-to-date scheduling www.derondachurch.net.

EAST BALSAM BAPTIST, 1816 108th St./CTH I, Balsam Lake www.eastbalsam.org 715-857-5411 Sunday: 9 am Worship service; 9:30 am Children’s Church.

Tuesday: Women’s Ministry; 9 am Bible Study.

EAST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN, south of Amery on Hwy. 46 then west on 20th Ave., Kathy Pennington, pastor Sunday, December 22: 9:30 am Education; 10:30 am Worship.

Tuesday, December 24: 4 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

EAST LINCOLN ALLIANCE, 735 70th Ave., Amery 715-268-2350 www.eastlincolnalliance.com Eric Danielson and Randy Schussman, pastors Sunday: 8:45 am Prayer Meeting; 9 am Coffee and Fellowship; 9:30 am Worship service. Child Care and Discovery Land for children are provided during Worship service.

Small groups meet throughout the week. Contact the church office for further details.

Recharge for Middle and High School students, 6 pm every Wednesday.

EL SALEM BAPTIST/TWIN FALLS CHRISTIAN CENTER, Dresser, Darryl R. Olson, pastor Sunday: 9:30 am Sunday school; 10:35 am Worship; 6 pm Sunday evening.

Wednesday: 7 pm Bible Study.

ELIM LUTHERAN, Range, Dan Watland, pastor Sunday: 8:30 am Worship.

Holy Communion 2nd and 3rd Sundays.

Council 3rd Tuesday at 6 pm FAITH LUTHERAN (ELCA), 301 1st Ave. East (across from public beach on Co. Rd. I) Balsam Lake, 715-4853800, Diane Norstad, pastor Sunday: 9:30 am Sunday worship; Communion first and last Sunday.

Wednesday: 6:15 pm Christian Education; 7 pm Worship; 7:30 pm Youth Group.

FAITH LUTHERAN (ELCA), 134 Prentice St. S, Clayton Margaret Grant, pastor Sunday: 9 am Sunday school; 9:45 am Worship; 10:45 am Fellowship.

Men’s Bible Study 2nd Sunday 6 pm Mission Quilting Tuesdays 9 am Wednesday evening service 7:15-7:45 pm FIRST LUTHERAN, 240 Elm St., Amery Tim Bjorge, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 6 pm Christmas Recital, Confirmation Parent & Mentor Night; Hi League Christmas Party.

Thursday, December 19: 8 am Bible Study; 8:30 am Quilters; 9:30 am Ruth Circle, JoAnn Buss hostess, 7 pm Al Anon.

Sunday, December 22: 9 am Worship; 10:15 am Choir, No Sunday School.

Tuesday, December 24: 3 pm, 4:30 pm and 9 pm Worship.

FIRST LUTHERAN (LCMC), 811 South Ave. W, Clear Lake www.firstluthclearlake.com, Bryan S. Anderson, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 7 pm First Lutheran & Clear Lake United Methodist Christmas Concert, No Confirmation.

Saturday, December 21: 7 am Men’s Bible Study.

Sunday, December 22: 8:30 am Contemporary Worship; 9:30 am Fellowship; No Sunday School or Choir; 10 am Traditional Worship; 11 am Fellowship.

Tuesday, December 24-Thursday, December 26: Church Office Closed.

Tuesday, December 24: 4 pm Candlelight Service with Holy Communion; No Quilting.

FIRST PRESYTERIAN, 719 Nevada St., St. Croix Falls Barbara Anne Keely, pastor Sunday: 10:15 am Coffee and Fellowship; 11 am Worship.

Christmas is About Love N

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:11-12 NIV

FOREST UNITED METHODIST, John Hazen, pastor Sunday: 9:45 am Worship.

FULL GOSPEL LIGHTHOUSE, Graytown Merlin Burton, pastor Sunday: 10:30 am Sunday school; 11 am Worship.

GEORGETOWN LUTHERAN-ELCA, 877 190th Ave. Co. Rd. G, Balsam Lake (Fox Creek) 715-857-5580, serving@georgetownlutheran.net, Pastor Diane House Sunday: 9:15 am Sunday school; 10:30 am Worship; Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday.

GRACE LUTHERAN - WELS, 460 4th St., Clear Lake, Ellery W. Groth, pastor 715-491-4330 Sunday: 10:15 am Worship.

Thursday: 10 am Bible Class.

Wednesday, December 18: 5 pm Meal; 5:45 pm Advent Service.

HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX, 511 1st St., Clayton, 715948-2493, htoc@amerytel.net, Chris Wojcik, pastor Sundays: 9:30 am Divine Liturgy.

HOLY TRINITY UNITED METHODIST, 1606 165th Ave., Centuria, on CTH I between Balsam Lake and Centuria, Yul Kwon, pastor Sunday: 8:30 am Worship and Sunday School.

IMMANUEL EV. LUTHERAN (LCMS), 124 E. Church St., Clayton, lmmLCLCMS@centurytel.net, 715-541-2955, Gregory Becker, pastor Sunday: 9 am Divine Worship.

Wednesday: 6:30 pm Family Christian Education; 7:30 pm Confirmation.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN, 65th Ave., rural Clayton, Margaret Grant, pastor Sunday: 8:30 am Worship.

Wednesday: 6:30 pm Family Christian Education; 7:30 pm Confirmation.

JOURNEY CHURCH, 131 Broadway St., Amery, Derek Downs, Lead Pastor, 715-268-2223, www.journeychurch.city, office@journeychurch.city Every Sunday: 9 am Worship Service; Nursery for ages 0-3 is offered. Kids Zone Children’s Church ages preschool-4th grade will meet downstairs during the sermon! No Sunday School during the summer.

2nd Sunday of the Month: 6-7 pm Praise and Prayer Night (Except June 12 & July 10) Mondays: 8:30 am Moms In Prayer.

Wednesdays: 8:30 am Women’s Bible Study in the Teen Center.

Thursdays: 8:30 am Prayer Group. Open to anyone with a heart of prayer!

Saturdays: 7 am Men’s Bible Study (Meets in the Teen Center).

SEE AREA CHURCHES, PAGE 10A

ow that Christmas has finally arrived, we might be thinking “what next?” While many of us are probably looking forward to the New Year and getting back into the “swing of things,” perhaps we should pause and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. Christmas, of course, means many things to many people, and in truth it is so full of meaning that it is no exaggeration to say that it means something different to everyone. But at its most fundamental level, Christmas is an expression of God’s love for us: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

(1 John 4:9-10 NIV) What better expression of God’s love than a tiny baby, completely helpless, and born under trying circumstances, but loved and nurtured by caring parents so that he might grow up and fulfill his mission, which is to show us how to love one another, as God has loved us. The message of Christmas is love. Consider how you might spread that message, now and in the year to come, and for the rest of your life.

–Christopher Simon

These weekly church messages are contributed by the following:

AmTec 241 Venture Dr., Amery Phone 715-268-8146

Carlson SV CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 301 Keller Ave. S., Amery 715-268-7999

Amery Free Press Your Comunity Newspaper for over 125 years 215 S. Keller Ave., Amery Phone 715-268-8101

10A AMERY FREE PRESS

SPIRITUAL

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

AREA CHURCHES CONTINUED LITTLE FALLS LUTHERAN, 1272 44th Ave., Amery, Lori Peper, pastor 715-268-9577 Wednesday, December 18: 7 am Breakfast Club at Our Savior’s; 10 am Cancer Support Group at Amery Library; 1-4 pm Pastor Lori & Jim Haugerud at nursing homes; 4:30 pm Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle rehearsal at Deronda; 6 pm JAM, Confirmation & parents at Deronda; 7:30 pm NUIC Choir rehearsal at Deronda.

Thursday, December 19: 8 am Amery Ministerium at Redeemer; 10 am Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle at Mall of America.

Saturday, December 21: 12 noon WELCA Christmas Party at Little Falls.

Sunday, December 22: 9:30 am Children’s Christmas Program at Deronda with special music by the NUIC Choir, Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle and entertainment by the Pearson Family Puppets.

Tuesday, December 24: 4:30 pm Combined Christmas Eve worship with Communion, NUIC Choir and Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle at Trinity.

See our website for up-to-date scheduling www.littlefallschurch.net.

LIVING WORD CHAPEL, 2746 Hwy 64, Forest, Senior Leaders Sean & Libby Higgins, 715-265-4810, we.are. living.word@gmail.com, www.livingwordchapel.com Sunday: 9 am Breakfast and Fellowship; 10:15 am Service; Nursery and Children’s Church Available.

Wednesdays: 6 pm The Study; 7 pm Prayer.

Weekly Local Home Groups MENNONITE CHURCH, 1681 6 1/2 St., Co. Hwy. P North, Almena, 715-357-3321 Sunday: 10 am Sunday school, all ages; 10:45 am Sunday worship service; 7:30 am Sunday evening service.

MOE LUTHERAN (ELCA), 451 30th St., Clear Lake Sunday: 10 am Fellowship; 11 am Worship; Potluck lunch 2nd Sunday.

Men’s Bible Study 2nd Sunday 6 pm.

Women’s Bible Study 2nd Thursday 1:30 pm.

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY, Amery, Craig Jorgenson, pastor Sunday: 10 am Worship.

Tuesday: 6:30 pm Prayer.

Wednesday: 6:30 pm Youth.

OTTERCREEK CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, Glenwood City Civic Center, Jason Taylor, pastor Sunday: 10:30 am Worship; Children’s church, childcare provided.

Wednesday Night Prayer.

OUR LADY OF THE LAKES CATHOLIC, Balsam Lake Father Eugene Murphy, pastor Masses: Saturday 6 pm, Sunday 8:30 am.

OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN, 217 Deronda St., Amery Keith Ruehlow, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 7 am Breakfast Club; 12 pm TableTalkMen; 5 pm Cafe; 5:30 pm Confirmation Classes; 6:15 pm Evening Prayer; 6:30 pm Advent Vespers; 7 pm Choir Practice.

Thursday, December 19: 8:15 am Amery Ministerium; 8:30 am Bible Study.

Saturday, December 21: 7 pm AA Meeting.

Sunday, December 22: 9 am Worship with Holy Communion.

Tuesday, December 24: 5 pm & 10 pm Christmas Eve Service.

PRAIRIEVIEW COVENANT, 1396 210th Ave. (2 miles north of New Richmond on 65) Tim Coyer, pastor, www.prairieviewchurch.net Sunday: 9 am Sunday School; 10 am Worship, Nursery care available; Coffee/fellowship after worship service.

Wednesday: 6-7:30 pm Family Night, Worship/Groups for all ages.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN, 600 S. Keller Ave., Amery, Tom Hahn, pastor Wedneday, December 18: 5 pm Soup Supper; 5:30 pm Confirmation; 6:30 pm Advent Service; 7:15 pm Choir.

Sunday, December 22: 9:30 am Worship, Sunday School; 10:30 am Fellowship.

Tuesday, December 24: 7 pm Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion.

REEVE EVANGELICAL FREE, Jct. Barron CTH K & A, Clear Lake, www.reevechurch.org Sunday: 9 am Worship service; 10:15 am Fellowship Time.

Wednesday nights: 6:30-7:30 pm Adult Bible Study and Prayer; Kids Club, Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group (Sept.-May).

A variety of small groups (AA, men’s & women’s) are also held throughout the week.

ST. BARNABAS EPISCOPAL, 365 5th St., Clear Lake, Rev. Geri E. Sola Sunday: 9:15 am Sunday school; 10:15 am Worship.

Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday at 10:15 am.

Morning Prayer 2nd and 4th Sunday at 10:15 am.

ST. CROIX UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP, 201 N. Adams, St. Croix Falls www.scuuf.org Sunday: 10 am First three Sundays.

ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC, Clear Lake, Fr. John Long, pastor Mass: 8 am Wednesday.

Mass: 8 am Thursday.

Mass: 8:30 am Sunday.

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC, 1050 Keller Ave. N, Amery, Father Eugene Murphy • 715-268-7717 • stjosephamery.org Wednesday, December 18: 9 am Mass; Advent Reconciliation After Mass; 10 am Staff Meeting; 11:30 am - 2 pm Office Closed for Staff Christmas Lunch.

Thursday, December 19: 10:30 am Communion Service at Amery Memory Care; 6:30 pm GriefShare Meeting.

Friday, December 20: 9 am Communion Service.

Saturday, December 21: 4 pm Mass.

Sunday, December 22: 10:30 am Mass; Christmas Decorating After Mass.

Tuesday, December 24: 4 pm Mass at St. Joseph; 6 pm Mass at Our Lady of the Lakes; Offices Closed.

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN, Forest, John Wilman, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 7 pm Midweek Advent Service at St. John’s.

Friday, December 20-Saturday, December 21: Pastor’s Day Off. Sunday, December 22: 8 am Worship; 9 am Fellowship.

Tuesday, December 24: 7 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion at St. John’s; No Bible Study.

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN, Deer Park, John Wilman, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 7 pm Midweek Advent Service at St. John’s.

Thursday, December 19: Pastor Visiting Shut-Ins. Friday, December 20-Saturday, December 21: Pastor’s Day Off. Sunday, December 22: 8:45 am Sunday School; 9 am Fellowship; 9:30 am Worship with Holy Communion.

Tuesday, December 24: 8:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at St. Paul’s; No Bible Study.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST, 76 20th Ave., Clear Lake, John Redlich, pastor 715-645-2230; Head Elder Paul Hasman 715-671-3697 Saturday Services: Adult and Children’s Bible Study 9:30 am; Church 11 am Midweek Service: Wednesday 7 pm Call Head Elder for location in winter months.

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 644 S. 6th St., Barron, Chapel 715-537-3679 Bishop Kenneth Konesky 715-719-0283 Sunday: 10-11 am Sacrament Meeting; 11:10-Noon Priesthood, Relief Society, Primary, Sunday School.

TRINITY LUTHERAN of Garfield, 1578 85th Ave., Amery Lori Peper, pastor 715-268-9577 Wednesday, December 18: 7 am Breakfast Club at Our Savior’s; 10 am Cancer Support Group at Amery Library; 1-4 pm Pastor Lori & Jim Haugerud at nursing homes; 4:30 pm Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle rehearsal at Deronda; 6 pm JAM, Confirmation & parents at Deronda; 7:30 pm NUIC Choir rehearsal at Deronda.

Thursday, December 19: 8 am Amery Ministerium at Redeemer; 10 am Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle at Mall of America.

Saturday, December 21: 12 noon WELCA Christmas Party at Little Falls.

Sunday, December 22: 9:30 am Children’s Christmas Program at Deronda with special music by the NUIC Choir, Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle and entertainment by the Pearson Family Puppets.

Tuesday, December 24: 4:30 pm Combined Christmas Eve worship with Communion, NUIC Choir and Good Neighbor Ukulele Circle at Trinity.

See our website for up-to-date scheduling www.trinitylutheranchurchofamery.com.

UNITED COVENANT, 348 5th St. NW, Clear Lake, Dan Pearson, pastor Wednesday, December 18: 6 pm All-Church Christmas Caroling; 7 pm CREW Christmas Party.

Sunday, December 22: 8:45 pm Sunday School/Confimation; 9:30 am Youth Worship Service; 10 am Worship Service.

Tuesday, December 24: 8 am Prayer Time; 4 pm Christmas Eve Service.

UNITED METHODIST, GLENHILLS PARISH Marybeth Scow, pastor Emerald UMC: 8:30 am Worship with Sunday School.

Glenwood City UMC: 9:45 am Worship with Sunday School.

Downing UMC: 11 am Worship with Sunday School.

WEST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN, ELCA, 447 180th St., Osceola, Pastor Matt Saarem, Interim Pastor, www. westimmanuel.org Wednesday, December 18: 6 pm Confirmation Meal, Choir; 7 pm Caroling.

Sunday, December 22: 9:30 am Worship; 10:30 am Coffee Fellowship.

Tuesday, December 24: 4 pm and 10 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion.

WORD OF LIFE FELLOWSHIP, Clear Lake Patricia and Harlen Wienke, pastors Sunday: 10 am Worship.

Tuesday: 9 am Healing Rooms by appointment.

Wednesday: 7 pm Adult Bible Study.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2 p.m. Barn Service at Strodthoff-Kopp Farm, 1364 105th Ave/CTH C, Amery 5 p.m. Candlelight Service at Balsam 9 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Elim Lutheran Church

Balsam Lutheran Elim Church Lutheran 1115 Mains Crossing, Amery Church (5 miles north of Amery off CTH H) 715-268-9291

Range

A warm Christmas welcome is extended to the entire community to attend

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH Hwy. 46 North, Amery

Sunday, Dec. 22 - 10:30 a.m.

Youth Christmas Program Tuesday, Dec. 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass Wed., Dec. 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY Nativity of the Lord 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass Tuesday, Dec. 31 6 p.m. Solemnity of Mary Eve Mass

OUR LADY OF THE LAKES CATHOLIC CHURCH 507 W Main St., Balsam Lake

Tuesday, Dec. 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass Wed., Dec. 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY 8:30 a.m. Christmas Day Mass Wed., Jan. 1 8:30 am Solemnity of Mary Mass The Reverend Gene Murphy and the staffs at St. Joseph and Our Lady of the Lakes extend to all a Blessed Christmas and a Joy-filled New Year!

Call Nicole at 715-268-8101 or email ngagner@theameryfreepress.com with corrections or additions to the church pages.

SPIRITUAL

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

11A

www.theameryfreepress.com

Everyone Welcome!

Celebrate with us!

Tuesday, Dec. 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 2 p.m. Barn Service at home Strodthoff-Kopp Farm 1364 105th Ave./CTH C, Amery 4:30 p.m. Children & Family Worship Service 9:30 p.m. Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

Congregational Church 201 N. Harriman Ave., Amery 715-268-7390 • ameryucc.org

Sunday, December 22 9:30 a.m. Advent Worship

Tuesday, December 24 4 & 10 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

West Immanuel Lutheran Church Matt Saarem, Interim Pastor 447 180th St., Osceola 715-294-2936 westimmanuel.org

And we’ll call him Immanuel . . . meaning “God with us.”

Christmas Eve Worship Tuesday, Dec. 24 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

First Lutheran Church 240 W. Elm St. • Amery

4 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Nursery care is provided for small children Handicap accessible

United Covenant Church 348 5th St. NW, (Jct. Hwy. 63 & Cty. JJ) CLEAR LAKE

Advent Services Wednesdays, Dec. 18 Soup & Sandwich 5 p.m.

Worship 6:30 p.m.

Worship Services Sundays, Dec. 22 9:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 217 Deronda St. on CTH F in Amery

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Join us for these special holiday services

5 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion 10 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion

Wednesday, Dec. 25

9 a.m. Christmas Day service with Holy Communion We invite the public to come worship with us during the year 2020!

Tuesday, Dec. 24 7 p.m. Candlelight Service w/communion

Choir & Youth Christmas Service Sunday, Dec. 29, 9:30 a.m.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH 600 Keller Ave. S, Amery 715-268-7283

In a religion that was born in a barn, open doors go without saying . . .

Phone 715-263-2665

Enjoy the Sounds of the Season!

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18 7 p.m. Christmas Concert with First Lutheran Choir & Unitied Methodist Hand Choir

CHRISTMAS EVE

Please join us for the Holidays!

Tuesday, Dec. 24 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.

Candlelight Service with Holy Communion

Amery Free Lutheran Church

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

Hwy. F west of Amery 715-268-9218

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m. with Holy Communion

First Lutheran Church 811 South Ave. W Clear Lake, WI

The Willow River United Methodist Parish invites you to join us this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. Clear Lake United Methodist Church 9:45 a.m. Forest United Methodist Church 11 a.m. Deer Park United Methodist Church

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES TUESDAY, DEC. 24 4 p.m. at the Clear Lake United Methodist 5:30 p.m. at the Forest United Methodist 7 p.m. at the Deer Park United Methodist

Clear Lake U.M.C. - 420 4th Ave. Trinity-Deer Park U.M.C. - 221 2nd St. W Forest U.M.C. - 1893 Co. Rd. D & Hwy. 64

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SPIRITUAL

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

Alice Mae Jansen

Cheryl Ann Randklev

Alice Mae Jansen, 93, of Cumberland died Monday, December 2, 2019, at Neighbors Of Dunn County. She was born on October 17, 1926, in Cumberland to Leslie and Grace (Hummel) Carsley. Alice graduated from Cumberland High School with high honors.

She was m married in T Turtle Lake o on August 30, 11947, to Marv vin Jansen w who preceded h her in death o on July 10, 22006. Alice a and Marvin w worked on tthe family farm for a time before they moved to Myrtle Creek, OR. In 1954 they moved back to Turtle Lake to take over the family farm, where they raised their family. In addition to being a homemaker, Alice worked at the nursing home in Cumberland for several years and then worked at Falcon Drill for 25 years.

Alice was very devoted to her family and enjoyed any time spent with family.

She enjoyed gardening, belonged to the Altar Society at St. Ann's, and after retirement participated in Project Hope for many years. Alice had a strong sense of community and a heart to serve.

She is survived by two sons, Greg (Terri) Jansen of Loveland, CO, and Brian (Tammy) Jansen of Woodland, WA; two daughters, Karen (Gene) Benson of Amery, and Stacey (Rod) Wucherpfennig of Menomonie; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandsons, and one on the way; daughter-in-law, Joan Jansen; brother, Bill Carsley; brothers and sisters-in-law: John Ludy, Dick and Carol Jansen, and Mary Ann Gores; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Jansen; son, Bruce Jansen; an infant son; granddaughter, Regina Jansen; her parents, Leslie and Grace Carsley; sisters: Betty Carsley, and Jean Bezecny.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 7, 2019, at St. Ann Catholic Church with Father Dennis Mullen officiating. Burial will be in St. Ann Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM Friday, December 6, 2019, at Skinner Funeral Home in Turtle Lake, and one hour before the mass.

Skinner Funeral Home of Turtle Lake is serving the family.

Cheryl Ann Randklev, 73, of Winona, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2019 surrounded by her 2 daughters and husband Peter.

Cheryl was born on October 16, 1946 in Chetek, Wisconsin to Ben and Goldie (Davis) Jacobson. She was the oldest of ffour daughtters. Cheryl g graduated ffrom Amery H High School.

W While in high sschool she w was active in tthe band and c choir, makiing lifelong ffriendships.

A After graduation, Cheryl worked for Fabri-Tek, Medtronic, and retired from the Winona Public Schools. She was an active member of Central Lutheran Church, as well as enjoying book club and card club with her friends.

Cheryl and Peter were married on May 18, 1974 in Amery, WI. They spent 45 years together and built a wonderful life full of warmhearted memories.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Peter; daughters Jill (Eric) Vulcan and Jennifer (Jeff) Lothenbach; grandchildren Maddie, Andrew and Callie Vulcan, Mollie Callahan; sisters Mona (Tom) Johnson, Debbie (Ron) McCready, Tracy (Len) Engstrand, 6 nieces and nephews, and 16 great nieces and nephews.

Cheryl cherished spending summers up north at the family cabin. While at her favorite place she enjoyed the serenity of the lake, grandkids swimming, laughing with friends and family and sharing time with Peter on the porch.

She enjoyed conversations almost daily with her daughters and watching her grandkids school and sport activities.

Cheryl was close to her 3 sisters and looked forward to vacations and visits with her sisters and her brothers-inlaw. She also appreciated spending time with her dear friend Judy Woolcott. Cheryl always made time for others and unselfishly gave her love out where needed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and niece Christina Engstrand.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 19 at 12:00 p.m. with the visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.

Both will be held at Central Lutheran Church, Winona, Minnesota. A private burial will be held at the Amery Cemetery, Amery, Wisconsin.

Please join us for the Christmas Season!

December 22: 9:30 a.m. JAM Christmas Program Deronda

December 24: 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Combined Candlelight Service at Trinity with Holy Communion December 25: 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day Combined Worship at Little Falls with Holy Communion

NEIGHBORS UNITED IN CHRIST Deronda Little Falls Trinity Lutheran Lutheran Lutheran

Co. Rd. F west of Amery

Just off Co. Rd. C west of Amery

1578 85th Ave./Cty. Rd. F, Amery (east of Hwy. 65)

Florence Theresa (Niehoff) Richmeier Florence Theresa (Niehoff) Richmeier, age 87, died at Golden Age Manor on December 13, 2019, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Florence was born the fifth child of William and Zita (Wieber) Niehoff on May 05, 1932, at her parent’s home in R River Falls, W WI. She grew u up active in h her church, 44-H, and h helping her p parents on ttheir dairy ffarm. She g graduated ffrom River F Falls High S School in 1950. She married Ed Richmeier at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls, WI on October 01, 1955. Together they raised their children on their farm near Reeve, WI. Florence was a homemaker and milked cows on their dairy farm until she was 79 years old. She was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Ladies Guild. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, and quilting. She was known for her cooking and baking, especially her noodles, raised doughnuts and cinnamon rolls.

Her hands were rarely still, except when folded in prayer.

Florence always wore a smile, even when she was well advanced into her Alzheimer’s disease. She was a kind-hearted person who was happiest helping others. Her love for her family

and friends and her deep faith in God will be the things long remembered and cherished.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, five siblings, Sylvia, Marvin, Al, Virginia and Bertha, and her son, Michael, age 4.

She is survived by her husband, Ed J. Richmeier of Clear Lake, seven children: Cynthia (Douglas) Miller, Emerald, WI, Monica (Vance) Griffith, Skellytown, TX, Theresa (David) Hoffman, Glenwood City, WI, Jeanette (Robert) Wright, Four Corners, WY, Catherine Shafer, Cody, WY, Anthony Richmeier, Clear Lake, WI, and Ann (Bruce) Bourquin, Powell, WY, 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; her siblings and their spouses, Anna Mae (Joseph) Fox, North St. Paul, MN and Henry (Ione) Niehoff, Stone Lake, WI. Also, many Niehoff and Richmeier family members and numerous friends.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2019, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, WI with visitation one hour before the services. Visitation will be Thursday, December 19, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home in Clear Lake. Burial will be at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, WI. Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Clear Lake, WI www.clearlakefuneralhome.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 22 10:30 a.m. Worship with Youth Christmas Program TUESDAY, DEC. 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 4 p.m. Candlelight Service SUNDAY, DEC. 29 10:30 a.m. Christmas Lessons and Carols

East Immanuel Lutheran Church 207 120th Street Amery, WI 54001 715-268-2143 www.eastimmanuel-lutheran.org

SPIRITUAL

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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Janet A. Ziegler

Larry Raymond Johnson

Phoebe M. Knutson

Janet A. Ziegler, age 79 of Clear Lake, WI died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, December 9, 2019.

Janet Ann Ziegler was born on May 14, 1940 in Ladysmith, WI the daughter of Fred & Evelyn (Roden) K Kleckner.

She grew up in I Ingram, WI and graduated f from high school in 1958.

O June 7, 1958, Janet was On m married to Cyrus Ziegler a St. Augustine’s Catholic at C Church in Ingram, WI. Tog gether they made their home i Star Prairie, WI were in t they operated a dairy farm a raised 7 children, Thereand s Elizabeth, Micheal, Paul, sa, Patti, Arlen & Kathy. She also worked at Circle C in Clear Lake and later at the Amoco in New Richmond.

Janet and Cyrus moved to Clear Lake in 1995. In her spare time, Janet enjoyed collecting antiques, going to garage sales, bird watching and growing flowers in her gardens and in her home. She also enjoyed seeing holiday lights and her teddy bear collection. Janet will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Cyrus Ziegler; parents, Fred & Evelyn Kleckner; son in law, Nick Gorka; sons and daughters, Theresa (Dean) Nelson – Stillwater, MN, Elizabeth Ziegler – Clear Lake, WI, Micheal (Doris Suckut) Ziegler – Shell Lake, WI, Paul Ziegler – River Falls, WI, Patti Gorka – Star Prairie, WI, Arlen (Mona) Ziegler – Clear Lake, WI, Kathy (Ed Hanson) Ziegler – Clear Lake, WI; grandchildren, Brendin (Janelle) Nelson, Tabitha (Richard) Ashton, Nicole Ziegler, Tasha Ziegler, Danielle Gorka, Matthew (Kennedy) Ziegler, Adam Ziegler, & Cody Ziegler; great grandchildren, Kaylee Krantz, Beau Krantz, Kennedy Nelson, Lilly Ashton, Wyatt Ashton; sister and brother, Verdella Wittenberger - Tomahawk, WI, Francis Kleckner - Muscoda, WI. A memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home in Clear Lake, WI. There will be a Visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10 - 11 am. There will be a Celebration of Janet’s Life following the service at the Clear Lake Community Center on Wednesday.

Larry Raymond Johnson was born in Amery Wisconsin on June 8th 1945 and passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 on December 11th 2019 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

Larry grew up during the g golden age of the American ffamily farm, being raised o on a dairy farm in Amery, W Wisconsin by Raymond and IIsabel Johnson. Upon comp pletion of high school Larry a attended the University of W Wisconsin River Falls and llater UW-Madison, studying M Mechanical Engineering.

D During his college years he was an active member of Alpha Gamma Rho. In 1965 he met Lenore Lenz and they were married during a blizzard on December 28, 1968. Larry would go on to receive his Masters in Agricultural Engineering from UW-Madison and then later his MBA from the University of Detroit. Upon completion of his Masters in Engineering, Larry worked for Ford Motor Company’s Division of Agricultural and Construction Equipment in Troy, Michigan. At that time, Larry and Lenore bought their first home in Birmingham Michigan. It was during this period God led them to the community of Ferndale Free Methodist Church.

In 1980 Larry and Lenore welcomed their first child, Gregory on October 23. Shortly afterwards Larry and his family moved to Fort Atkinson. He took a job with Butler (later J-Star), an agriculture equipment manufacturer. In April 26 of 1983, they welcomed their second child, Aaron. Larry would go on to work for Weiler & Company in Whitewater and then later VISTA Training in Waterford. Larry started his own consultancy, Oakwood Engineering LLC, and worked with clients globally in product safety. He received many professional awards during his career including a Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin College of Ag & Life Sciences, Career Achievement Award from ASAE Wisconsin Section, and a Distinguished Service Award from The University of Wisconsin College of Engineering.

Outside of work, Larry was a beloved husband, father, and friend. He was very active in his local church, Faith Community. Larry was also an avid hiker, downhill skier, gardener, wine maker and coffee roaster. He loved to solve problems and was ever eager to take on challenging projects.

Larry is survived by his wife Lenore, sons Greg (Shara) Johnson, Aaron (Amber) Johnson and grandchildren Archer and Amory Johnson. He is also survived by siblings Lynda (Jerry) Overman, Jan (Mel) Wondra, and Jerol (Jane) Johnson and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at Faith Community Church, W5949 Hackbarth Rd, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 at 12p.m. on Wednesday December 18th. Visitation with the family is between 11a.m. and 12p.m. A meal and fellowship will follow the memorial service.

Nitardy Funeral Homes will be handling the arrangements,www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be given directly to Equip International. Please specify that you would like the funds to go toward support for teachers at Schofield Orphanage and School in Kenya. https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/equipinternational www.equipinternational.org

Phoebe M. Knutson, age 95, of Amery, WI, died on Friday, December 6, 2019 at Golden Age Manor in Amery, WI. Phoebe Martha Leasure was born on April 14, 1924, iin Columbia Heights, MN, tthe daughter of William a and Eva Leasure. Phoebe g grew up in the Reeve, WI a area and was baptized a and confirmed at West A Akres Lutheran Church.

S She attended Jones Creek S School and Clayton High S School. On March 21, 1941, sshe was united in marriage tto Lloyd E. Knutson in Northwood, IA. They made their home in Northeast Minneapolis until Lloyd was drafted during World War II. During the war, Phoebe and their daughter Marlene lived on the farm with Lloyd’s parents. In 1945, when Lloyd returned from the Service, they bought their first dairy farm near Reeve. In 1956 they moved to a farm in the Edgewood community of Clear Lake which they operated until 1963. Together they raised seven children, Marlene, Darrel, Linda, David, Danny, Roxanna and Roland. For many years, they made their home in Clear Lake, near the former high school. While Lloyd worked for Exel Energy, Phoebe decided to pursue an education, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Library Science. Phoebe was employed by Northlake Flowers and Gifts in Amery and became an owner of the business in partnership with Barry Sandburg. In 1980 Northlake was sold and Lloyd retired from Exel. Phoebe and Lloyd were ‘snowbirds’ who enjoyed spending winters in Corpus Christi, TX, and summers in Wisconsin.

For many years they made their summer home at The Last Resort Campground near Amery and later at a home on the Apple River. Spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren became one of the joys of her retirement. Phoebe enjoyed flowers and gardening throughout her life. She loved cooking big holiday meals and any events that brought the family together. Phoebe loved camping, both with a tent and later with a camper trailer. She also was able to travel widely, including two trips to Europe, one trip to Russia and several trips throughout the United States. During years on the farm, Phoebe was an active member of Moe Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and President of the Ladies’ Aid for many years. In later years, she attended the United Covenant Church in Clear Lake.

Phoebe is preceded in death by her husband Lloyd; her daughters Marlene and Roxanna; her son Darrel; her parents and her sisters and brothers.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Dan) Schneckenberg – Metairie, LA, David Knutson – Balsam Lake, WI, Danny Knutson – Amery, WI, Roland (Karrin) Knutson – San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Kellie Johnson, William (Jamie) Knutson, Thea (Geoff) Watters, Claire Dossier (Brent) Anderson, Eva Dossier (Kevin) Wellen, Christopher (Virginia) Knutson, Dustin Knutson, David L. (Kim) Knutson, Darlene Knutson, Devin (Lectiel) Knutson, Danny Knutson, Jr, Michelle Peterson, Zoie Williams, James Knutson, Maximums Knutson; great grandchildren, Molly, Ruben & Amy Johnson, Avery & Alanna Knutson, Nolan Watters, Annika, Sloane & Carter Anderson, Remy & Simone Wellen, David, Jr, Davina, Arianna, & Davin Knutson, Devin Lee Knutson, Jr, Bradley, Joshua, Tristan, Cable, Lizzy & Cheyenne Knutson; great great grandchildren, Darius & Lilly Freitag and Aurora Albee.

Funeral Services were at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at United Covenant Church in Clear Lake, WI. Clergy: Pastor Dan Pearson. Organist: Margaret Peterson. Music: Sheldon & Sally Johnson. Casketbearers: Sheldon Johnson, William Knutson, Joseph Mara, Kevin Marlett, Barry Sandburg, Dan Schneckenberg.

Interment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, WI. Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home of Clear Lake, WI handled the arrangements www.clearalkefuneralhome.com

Richard Scott Nevala Richard Scott Nevala, age 58, died unexpectedly at his home near Webster, Wisconsin on Sunday, December 15, 2019. The son of Marv and Mary Nevala, he was born on December 12, 1961, in Superior, Wisconsin. He attended school in Amery and graduated from A Amery High School. He tthen enrolled at Tyler Jun nior college in Tyler, Texas, a and received certification as a tennis professional. This rresulted in him spending sseveral years in Florida a as a tennis instructor and c club manager. Deciding tto return to Wisconsin, h he enrolled at the Universsity of Wisconsin-Stout a and commenced to earn a degree in Occupational Therapy. While at Stout, he was also the head coach of the University tennis team.

Following graduation, he worked as an occupational therapist in Hudson and Amery for a number of years. Then, due to disability issues caused by Type 1 diabetes, he was no longer able to work and spent the last several years unemployed, while living in Amery, Balsam Lake, Iola and Webster. Rick was preceded in death by a brother, Timothy, and nephew Josh Nevala. He is survived by his parents, Marvin and Mary Nevala, brother Terry of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and sister Carolyn of Grand Marais, Minnesota, as well as several nieces and nephews. Rick was never married.

A prayer service will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will take place from 3 to 6:00 pm prior to the prayer service. A private family interment will take place at the Amery Cemetery at a later date. To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute visit www.williamsonwhite.com.

Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.

Rick would appreciate memorials to Diabetes Research or Animal Shelters.

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COOKING WORLD Tidbit: There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. (Thomas Aquinas) Carolyn C l Lumsden L d 715-483-9738

This is a good way to use leftover cooked chicken/turkey or deli chicken. It also uses mashed potatoes. It’s a quick and easy meal if you have the cooked meat and the potatoes already.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND POTATOES Combine in large skillet over medium heat, mixing well and cooking for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally: 2 c. cooked cubed chicken/turkey 2 c. frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and drained 1 can (10 oz.) cream of chicken soup 3/4 c. milk 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. pepper Remove from heat and add on top: 3 c. hot mashed potatoes (your own, instant, or frozen ones, cooked per instructions on package).

Serve hot. Serves about 4.

This is an old, old recipe but it makes such good cookies. Make this ahead of time and bake when you’re ready to bake cookies.

JUST THE BEST COOKIES Combine well in large bowl: 2 sticks butter, softened 2 eggs 1 pinch of salt 1 tsp. vanilla 2 c. powdered sugar 1 tsp. soda 3-1/2 c. cake flour 1 T. sour milk Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Roll out to 1/4" thickness on lightly floured surface.

Use cookie cutters to cut out the shapes you want. Put onto ungreased baking sheets and bake 10-12 minutes or until golden around corners. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 36 cookies. Decorate with frosting and add sprinkles or colored sugar.

If you enjoy cranberries, you might like to try these bars.

CRANBERRY BARS Combine in large bowl: 1 box yellow cake mix (Super Moist type) 1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled slightly 1 egg 2 tsp. orange zest Press into bottom of sprayed/greased 9x13" baking pan.

In another large bowl beat on medium speed until well blended: 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened 3-1/2 c. powdered sugar 1/2 c. melted butter, cooled slightly 3 eggs Stir in: 2 c. fresh cranberries (frozen, thawed and drained if any water) Pour over the crust mixture in pan.

Bake at 350˚ for about 40 minutes or until golden and center is set. Cool completely on wire rack.

When ready to serve, sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the bars. Cut with sharp knife that is cleaned after each cut because bars are gooey.

Can be served with whipped cream/topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Store any leftover bars in refrigerator, loosely covered. Can make up to 34 servings or less depending on size served.

We’ve all heard of French Silk Pie but this recipe is for a Butterscotch Silk Pie. It takes a bit of time but it is worth the effort and time. You will need 1 baked pie crust.

BUTTERSCOTCH SILK PIE Combine in 4 quart saucepan and cook over medium for 10-14 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly: 2-3/4 c. milk 1 box (4.6 oz.) cook and serve vanilla pudding/ pie filling Add and stir until melted and smooth: 1 c. butterscotch chips Let stand for 5 minutes.

Pour pudding mixture into the baked crust. Cover filling with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours or set.

When ready for the topping, put oven on 450˚.

In medium glass or metal bowl, whisk together until well blended: 4 egg whites, room temp.

1/2 c. sugar 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1/2 tsp. vanilla Put this mixture over simmering water, stirring occasionally with the wire whisk, for 14-18 minutes or until sugar has dissolved and egg mixture reaches 160˚. Pour mixture into a large bowl and beat with electric mixer for 2-3 minutes on high speed or until glossy peaks form. Remove the plastic from the pudding in the crust and spoon the topping on top of it. with a smaller spatula, make swirls in the meringue.

Bake at 450˚ for 3-5 minutes or until meringue starts to turn a golden brown. Cool on wire rack for 20 minutes before cutting. Store any leftovers in refrigerator, loosely covered.

Try this quick and tasty soup starting with ground beef.

1 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste 1/2 tsp. pepper or to taste Reduce heat after mixture boils and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are done.

Makes about 12 cups. If you don’t like the peas and carrots, use mixed vegetables, frozen beans or vegetables you like.

Tips: To make sour milk, put in 1 T. vinegar or lemon juice into a measuring cup and add enough milk to make 1 c. liquid. Stir and let sit for a while until it thickens then add the amount needed to your recipes.

Baking hints: There are 16 T. in 1 cup, 12 T. in 3/4 cup, 10 tablespoons in 2/3 cup, 5 T. in 1/3 cup, 4 T. in 1/4 c. and 2 T. in 1/8 cup. Remember 3 teaspoons make 1 tablespoon.

Apples last better in the refrigerator but leave bananas out at room temp. or a bit cooler if you have a place for them.

I’ve been researching Romaine lettuce and it is more susceptible to e-coli. It contains e-coli even in the leaves and not just on the outside of the leaves so read labels and listen to any recall information before you buy or eat it.

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HAMBURGER SOUP Brown in soup pot: 1-1/2 pound ground beef 1 c. chopped onion Drain off any fat.

Add to the browned hamburger and bring to a boil: 6 c. beef broth 1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes with juice 1 pkg. (12 oz.) diced frozen peas and carrots 3 T. tomato paste 1 tsp. ground mustard

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY

23 7 pm Indianhead Barbershop Chorus meets at the Polk County Government Center in Balsam Lake

24

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

19

20

21

6-8 pm Pickleball/ Open Gym at Amery High School (through March)

6:30 pm Bingo at the VFW Hall 7 pm Amery Wrestling vs Prescott 7:15 pm Amery Girls Basketball vs. St. Croix Central 7:15 pm Clear Lake Boys Basketball vs Clayton 7:15 pm Clayton Boys Basketball at Clear Lake 7:15 pm Clayton Girls Basketball vs Unity

5 pm Amery Wrestling Meet at Cameron 5:45 pm Clear Lake Girls Basketball vs Luck 7 pm Clear Lake Wrestling at Bruce 7:15 pm Amery Boys Basketball vs New Richmond 7:15 pm Clear Lake Boys Basketball vs Luck

9 am Clear Lake Wrestling Invitational at Osceola 2 pm Amery Boys Ice Hockey vs River Falls

25

26

27

28

TBD Amery Boys Ice Hockey at Barron 6:30 pm Bingo at the VFW Hall

TBD Amery Boys Ice Hockey at Barron 9 am Clear Lake Girls Basketball Tournament at Menomonie 9:30 am Amery Wrestling Invitational at River Falls 9:30 am Clear Lake Wrestling Invitational at River Falls 12:30 pm Clayton Boys Basketball vs Prairie Farm, Siren 2:15 pm Clayton Boys Basketball vs Solon Springs, Turtle Lake 4 pm Clayton Boys Basketball vs Bruce

TBD Amery Boys Ice Hockey at Barron 12:30 pm Clayton Boys Basketball vs Prairie Farm, Solon Springs 2:15 pm Clayton Boys Basketball vs Flambeau 7 pm Amery Wrestling Invitational at River Falls 7 pm Clear Lake Wrestling Invitational at River Falls

*All events marked with an asterisk are located at the Amery Community Center.

1:30-3:30 pm Basketball Winter Rec for Youth & Families at Amery Middle School gym (through March 15)

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AMERY AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY Storytime: (10:30 am) Wednesdays, weekly (no storytime Dec 25-Jan 1). All ages. Stories, music, action rhymes, and a craft! Drop-in program; no registration.

Homeschool Club: (9:30 & 10:30 am). 2nd Friday, monthly. All ages. 9:30-10:30 am: Stories for younger kids. 10:30-11:30 am: Teen/Tween activity. Drop-in; no registration.

Tween Book Club: (4:00 pm) Last Monday of every other month (even months). Grades 3-5. Talk about a book, do a fun activity, and have a snack. Copies of the book are available at the Amery Library circulation desk (you don’t need to place your own hold). Read the book prior to book club and come ready to discuss it.

December 30th: Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea.

Registration required. Sign up at amerylibrary.org/ kids Board Games for Kids & Teens: Did you know we have a selection of board games always available for kids, teens, and families to play in the library? Check the Exploration Lab in Youth Services and the game shelf in the Young Adult area and find a game to play!

Teens: A new table & stools in the Teen area give you room to hang with friends, work on a project, or play a game. Let us know what you think of the new space, and be sure to answer the question on the white board! Do you have comments or suggestions for the Teen space? Drop a note in the box.

Exploration Lab: Build, explore, and discover in the Exploration Lab in Youth Services. From Strawbees to Magnatiles, and Magnetic Poetry to insect specimens, there’s something to keep kids’ minds busy!

Baby/Toddler Zone: New puzzles and toys have been added to the Baby/Toddler Zone! Stop in today and let your little one explore sensory balls, transportation puzzles, soft building cubes, and more.

New Books!: Our New Books Bin (below the big bulletin board) showcases the newest additions to our picturebook and early reader collections. And the New Books Display in our J-Room house the newest

additions in juvenile nonfiction, fiction, and graphic novels. Stop in today and find a new favorite title.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Baby Book Bees These ongoing early literacy initiatives encourage families to establish a strong foundation of reading in young children. Visit the library to sign up for the program that is right for your child.

Winter Reading & Hygge Challenge! Join the Amery Area Public Library for a challenge designed to help us all get through the winter with more happiness and coziness in our lives! Starting Thursday, January 2, 2020, pick up a Bingo Card and work your way through it until the last day of February. Win little prizes with every “Bingo� completed and also get a raffle ticket each time to enter to win a grand prize!

Grand Prize drawing will take place on March 1, 2020.

Happy Hygge-days!

Books and Brews: Thursday, January 2nd at 6:30 PM at Amery Ale Works. We will discuss the book, When Life Hands You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger.

Next month’s book will be ready for checkout. Join us for some great food and drink and even better conversation!

Chef Peter Kwong: Saturday, January 11th, 11 AM at the Amery Area Public Library. Chef Peter Kwong will be here for a cooking demonstration and will discuss his brand new book, Have You Eaten? Don’t miss the great stories and amazing food! Free event, no registration required.

Family Game Nights @ The Village Pizzeria in Amery: Beat the winter blues and join Erin and Heather at Village Pizzeria for lots of games and fun. We’ll meet Thursday January 9th, Thursday February 13th, and Thursday March 12 from 5-7 PM. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy an evening with your friends and family while checking out the library’s awesome selection of games.

The Cake Pan Library is here! Did you know the Amery Area Public Library has a cake pan library?! Browse

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Violin Lessons ALL AGES Beginning to Advanced Teacher in Amery since 1988 Graduate of American Conservatory of Music, Chicago.

Member of American String Teachers Association

Janette Cysewski 715-268-6610

J&S Heating & Cooling

Quality Service and Installation on Forced Air & AC units Gas piping FREE ESTIMATES

Jeff Young, Amery 715-529-1419 cell 715-948-2229 fax

our selection and check out a pan for your holiday or celebration needs. All pans come with information and recipes or suggested websites. Available for 2 week checkouts, and you can place a hold, too!

Book discussion group The Friends of the Library Book Discussion Group meets on the third Monday of the month at 1:30 PM. The title for January is Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman .

Book sales The Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held on Thursday, January 2nd from 4:00-6:30 PM. “Friends of the Library� may shop early (from 3-4). The Book Sale will also be held Saturday, January 4th from 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM. Friends The Friends of the Amery Area Public Library Foundation meets on the third Monday of the month at 4:30 PM. Meetings are open to all members and to the public.

E-books, e-audiobooks and digital magazines Your MORE library card gives you access to the Overdrive collection of e-books, e-audiobooks, and streaming videos; the Freading collection of e-books; and the Flipster downloadable magazine collection.

Check out the website Check out the library website at amerylibrary.org, or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/amerylibrary.

Hours Library hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

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PREPPING: Christmas programs take great work, but are delightful for attendees CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

prepped hard and it looks like we will have a very white Christmas.

The three-point parish of Deronda, Little Falls and Trinity Lutheran Churches rotate their annual Christmas program each year. This year, it is scheduled for December 22 at Deronda at 9:30 a.m. during a combined service with all three congregations attending.

Eileen Flatten said they usually allow about a month to prepare for the big program. She said, “The program is chosen by the two members on the education committee from the church where the program will be held. All six education members of the education committee (2 from each church) assist with the actual program and practices. We don’t usually repeat a program because we have the luxury of material from three churches!�

This year they have 26 children participating, ranging from ages three through sixth grade. Part of what makes these programs so heart warming to watchers is that they never go exactly as planned. No matter how hard the adults coordinating them try. A lot of preparation does go into making sure the show goes as smoothly as possible. “Preparation begins early on looking at programs and trying to decide what would work with the children we have.

Then we check with the church office and Pastor Lori regarding the date. The office helps with putting our information in the newsletter and including it in the church bulletin. We also email parents and post on Facebook when we will be starting our practices and

SUBMITTED

Each year the Neighbors Uniter in Christ Education Committee come up with a new program for the youth to present during the holidays. In 2018, they performed behind a screen.

remind them how important it is for the kids to attend all practices,� said Flatten.

Next, parts are assigned, scripts are copied and sent home with children to help memorize lines. The first couple rehearsals, they run through lines and practice any songs the children are going to sing as one large group. Flatten said, “With having all six education committee members in attendance, along with some volunteer parents and grandparents, we are able to break into smaller “character� groups and run

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through that groups specific lines with them. Since we have a lot of younger children, a lot of time is spent trying to keep them entertained when they have down time. At the beginning of one of our last practices, we spend some time fitting costumes on each character. We also coordinate refreshments after the performance.�

‘One of our shepherds couldn’t stop yawning and it was very visible to the congregation!’ Eileen Flatten Neighbors United in Christ Education Committee Hiccups are bound to happen and they roll with them. Flatten said, “One year, we had a young girl hike her dress up under her chin and start pulling up her tights in the middle of the performance. Another year, our “Mary� decided while holding baby Jesus to spin his head around and around while she was holding him! We’ve had kids get sick on the day of the performance, so another child had to read their lines.

We’ve also had kids show up just for the performance and want to be a part of the program, so we improvise and find a way to fit them in. Last year the older students read the bible story while the younger kids were silhouettes behind a white screen. One of our shepherds couldn’t stop yawning and it was very visible to the congregation!�

She feels the program is important because it is a real opportunity for ministry. Even if it doesn’t go perfectly, the children usually have a great time leading the congregation in the retelling of the Christmas story. “It’s a time for the kids to take the lead and be a part of our church family,� Flatten said.

At Amery Free Lutheran Church, they start preparing for their yearly Christmas Program in the fall and begin practice in November. Kendal Bauer said, “The ages of our children range from preschool to sixth grade. We feel that having a Christmas program is a wonderful opportunity for the children to dig in deeper to the unfolding of Christ’s birth, for them to tell the story themselves in combination of various mediums (acting, narrating, singing, etc)- but we also see this as an opportunity to see and engage with parents/ relatives who do not normally come to church and share the birth of Christ and His message with them.�

If you are still hoping to catch a program this year, you can catch the one in Deronda and the Christmas program at Redeemer Lutheran. Redeemer’s program is Sunday, December 29, at 9:30 a.m. The Sunday School children will sing and portray the Nativity scene as part of the Adult Choir Cantata Service that morning. Cathy Loverude said, “This service provides an opportunity for children to learn and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.�

She shared they have had as many as 50 children in the Children’s Christmas program through the years. She said, “We would start practicing the Sunday after Thanksgiving to prepare for all of their speaking parts, songs, and finger plays. Ladies Aid would also have their Christmas Bake sale on one of the Saturdays when we would practice and the shoppers were lined up to the door for Sandbakels, Rosettes, Pizzelles, Christmas breads and many other cookies. It was all gone in an hour!�

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SUBMITTED

Youth from Trinity, Deronda and Little Falls Lutheran Churches sing during the 2018 Christmas program.

AND OUTDOORS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

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Oft tallies 19 Huerta tallies three points in loss assists, one goal as Stars top Sabers to Somerset

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CINDY LUEHMAN

Jason Oft uncorked a 19-point, seven-rebound and three-steal effort on Dec. 10 in Amery to lead his Warriors boys basketball team. However, the Warriors (0-3) still fell 25 points short of Somerset, 40-65, to lose their third straight game in the early season.

Wyatt Luchtenburg also had a solid performance that included 12 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Unfortunately, only three other Warriors were able to score - for a combined nine points.

Charley Flanam scored four points. Kenny Lepak added four points and seven rebounds.

And Jackson Moulton pitched in one point.

Raymond Sowell contributed two rebounds and two assists. Luke Julson added three rebounds.

Somerset (3-1) was led by Trae Kreibich and Jackson Cook, who each scored 12 points and combined for 10 rebounds.

Wyatt Luchtenburg (23) and Dayton White (11) head for the ball.

The Western Wisconsin Stars girls ice hockey team pushed past .500 on Dec. 13 when it picked up a 5-1 road win against the Chippewa Falls/ Menomonie Sabers.

After giving up a goal to the Sabers (2-3) midway through the first period, the Stars (3-2-1) responded with five unanswered goals - and outshot the Sabers 32-18 in the final two periods.

Bryn Conners scored Western Wisconsin's first goal at the 16:10 mark of the first period to knot the score. Then Ellie Brice netted the go-ahead goal in the final seconds of the second period.

Erin Huerta, who assisted in both of the Stars first two goals, assisted again as Brice scored the first goal of the third period. Then Brice returned the favor, assisting Huerta for a goal at the 13:49 mark of the final period. (Alise Wiehl also assisted.)

Bailey Williams finished the scoring with a short handed, unassisted goal at the 16:52 mark.

The Stars outshot the Sabers, 41-33, overall while Caitlyn Erickson recorded 32 saves.

Amery wrestlers take down Osceola

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amery's wrestling team picked up a 49-27 dual victory over Osceola on Dec. 12, collecting four pins and three forfeits along the way.

"We wrestled much better (than in the first dual of the year against New Richmond) and really went out there to win," said Amery Coach Mike Kelly.

At 138 pounds, sixth-ranked (132 pounder) Jordan Penard pinned Jacob Sedivy in 2:00. Mason Tylee, ranked No. 9 at 138 pounds, followed with a 2:18 pin against Chris Fugate at 145 pounds.

Then second-ranked (at 145 pounds) Walker Ingham earned a 13-3 major

decision over Iasaac Campeau in the 152-pound match.

With the Warriors leading 16-3, Amery 170 pounder Oscar Brickel picked up the team's third pin of the night when he disposed of Ryan Leidle in just 52 seconds.

Sixth-ranked Kale Hopke added a 6-3 decision over 10th-ranked Nick Carlson at 195 pounds to extend the lead to 25-9.

Osceola forfeited at 220 and 285 pounds and Amery followed with another pin, this time by 106 pounder Brendon Burke, who stuck Mason Rud in 3:38.

While Osceola pinned Amery wrestlers in three of the final four matches, the Cheiftains forfeited at 120 pounds leaving Amery with a 22-point victory.

ALLEN CARLSON

Julia Engebretson (15) keeps Ellsworth away from shooter Lydia Monson (11).

Schmidt scores 32 in Ellsworth

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ella Schmidt just keeps upping her game in terms of offensive production this season. The Amery High senior has been leading the Warriors girls basketball team (3-1) in scoring through the first four games and posted her highest single-game point total to date on Friday, Dec.

13 in Ellsworth when she scored 32 points to lead the Warriors to a 57-43 victory over the Panthers. Her game isn't one dimensional either, as she also tacked on 10 rebounds and a blocked shot.

The only player to top her rebounding total on the night was teammate Julia Engebretson, who hauled in 11 boards to go along with three

points, three assists, two steals and block.

Lydia Monson added 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

Also scoring were Morgan Brotzel (seven points, four rebounds, four assists) and Drew Granica (two points, two rebounds, three steals).

The loss dropped Ellsworth to 2-3 on the season.

ABBY BUSHINGER

Mason Tylee takes down his opponent during the Warrior win Deember 12 against Osceola.

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Clear Lake earns third straight win

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ERIC PAULSON

Saturday December 14th, Amery Warrior wrestlers attended the 2019 Spooner Wrestling Invitational. The Warriors earned 154.5 team points locking in 1st place over Chequamegon, Spooner/Webster, Shell Lake, Somerset and BayďŹ eld/Washburn.

Ingham named MVP as Warriors Win Spooner Invite

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amery won the 2019 Spooner Wrestling Invitational on Dec. 14, edging Chequamegon by just 12 points.

Earning individual titles for the Warriors were Sam Kelling (4-0, 106 pounds), Hunter Beese (5-0, 120 pounds), Jordan Penard (5-0, 138 pounds), Walker Ingham (6-0, 145 pounds), Kale Hopke (5-0, 195 pounds) and Robert Beese (4-0, 220 pounds).

"Our guys wrestled hard and won a few matches over guys who where better wrestlers than us when the match started, but by the end of the match we were the better wrestler, and we ended up beating them," said Amery Coach Mike Kelly. "As a coach here I push our kids hard because I want them to earn wrestling scholarships and go on to win world and national and Olympic titles."

Kelling opened with a 13-5 major decision over Chequamegon's Aiden Miesbauer (3-2) and followed with a 3:42 pin against Amery's Brendan Burke (4-1). He won his third match with a 54 second pin against Spooner/Webster's Hunter Christner (2-7).

Hunter Beese pinned all four of his opponents in the first period, with the longest match going against teammate John Lorsung (3-3). Beese pinned Lorsung in 1:13.

Penard wrestled three matches, pinning each of his opponents in 31 seconds or less, including Spooner/Webster's Jimmy Melton (2-1).

Ingham, who was voted tournament MVP, won two matches by fall, one by major decision and

ERIC PAULSON

Walker Ingham was voted MVP wrestler by his coaches after the Spooner Invitational tournament.

one by injury default. His closest match came against Brody Jepson (7-3) of Spooner/Webster where he defeated Jepson, 10-2.

Hopke opened with a pair of first period pins and finished with a 3:29 pin against previously-undefeated Max Brunner (4-1) of Chequamegon.

Robert Beese wrestled Chequamegon's Micah Schultz twice, pinning him in 54 seconds and 1:26.

Burke (4-1, 106 pounds) placed second with a 2-1 record, including an 8-5 victory over Chequamegon's Aiden Miesbauer (3-2).

Lorsung (3-3, 120 pounds) placed second with a 3-1 record, including a 1:34 fall over Somerset's Connor Grahovac (4-6).

Mason Tylee (5-2, 145 pounds) earned second place with a 4-1

tournament record that included a 1:07 pin against Somerset's Zach Maitrejean (6-4) and a 7-1 decision over Brody Jepson (7-3) of Spooner/Webster. His one loss came by injury default against Ingham.

Grant Cook (2-3, 152 pounds) placed second with a 2-1 record that included a 16-0 technical fall win over Ethan Melton (2-4) of Spooner/Webster.

Oscar Brickel (4-2, 170 pounds) opened with a trio of pins that included a 1:56 fall over Chequamegon's JD Wishowksi (2-2) to claim second place.

Timmy Kelling (2-2, 160 pounds) was third with a 2-2 record that included a pair of first period pins.

Carer Neilsen (3-3, 285 pounds) earned third place with a 3-2 record that included a 3-1 decision over Somerset's Sawyer Wilson (6-4).

Joseph Wentz (3-4, 132 pounds) took fourth with a 2-3 record, including a 4-2 decision over teammate Austin Schleusner.

Answel Sowell (1-3, 170) won one match to claim fourth place.

Dylan Anderson (1-4, 126 pounds) placed fifth, pinning Chequamegon's Tristan Pankrats (0-3) in 1:27.

Schleusner (3-2, 132 pounds) was also fifth with a 3-2 record that included two pins against Somerset's Landon Wilson (2-9).

Chance Schroeder (1-2, 285 pounds) pinned Shell Lake's Samuel Beecroft to place fifth.

TEAM SCORES Amery 154.5, Chequamegon 142.5, Spooner/Webster 127, Shell Lake 68, Somerset 61, Bayfield/ Washburn 7

Forfeits allow Glenwood City to edge Clear Lake wrestlers

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Clear Lake's wrestling team suffered a tough 33-36 loss to Glenwood City on Dec. 15 despite a strong finish.

Ivan Ruble gave the Warriors a 3-0 lead with a 16-11 decision over Tucker Lagerstrom in the 182 pound match. However, after giving

up three straight forfeits and a fall, the Warriors quickly trailed 3-24.

Mitch Anderson received a forfeit at 113 pounds. Then Dominic Leintz pinned Andy Grant in 4:49 in the 120-pound match. Shane Larson cut the team deficit to 21-24 with a 1:49 pin against Gabe Knops in the 126-pound match.

However, the Warriors comeback efforts were derailed by another

forfeit at 132 pounds and a loss by fall at 138 pounds.

Nevertheless, the Warriors finished strong as 145-pounder Matthew Anderson pinned Jame Knight in 4:41 and 160-pounder Lukas Paulson pinned Noah Brite in 2:35.

Overall, the Warriors forfeited six matches and only lost two in live action.

Clear Lake's boys' basketball team recorded its third straight victory to start the 2019-20 season with a 54-50 victory over Fall Creek on Dec. 7 at the Northwest Tipoff Classic held at UW-Stout.

Riley Peterson was a driving force for the Warriors (3-0) as he tallied a game-high 14 points and added four rebounds, two steals and blocked shot along the way.

Tyson Blanchard pitched in 10 points, three rebounds and team-high totals in assists (five), steals (three) and blocks (one).

Also scoring for the Warriors were Alex St. John (nine points, two rebounds, two steals), Brett Benson (six points, two rebounds, two assists), Jarrett Marlett (three points, four rebounds), Alex Burbach (three points), Ashtyn O'Bryan (two points) and Ethan Kirk (two points, six rebounds).

Fall Creek (2-2) was paced by Jayden Fitch, who tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Warriors fall to No. 6 Macks

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Despite having three players score in double figures, the Clear Lake boys basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Dec. 9 when it traveled to Chippewa Falls McDonell Central and fell 48-65 to the sixth-ranked Macks.

Riley Peterson was the Warriors' leading scorer with 12 points. He also pitched in four rebounds and a team-high four blocked shots.

Alex Burbach added 11 points, and Alex St. John, 10 points and three rebounds.

While Tyson Blanchard didn't record any points, he took care of business elsewhere on the court, recording team highs in rebounds (six), assists (four) and steals (three).

Other scorers for Clear Lake were Ashtyn O'Bryan (four points, two rebounds, one block), Ethan Kirk (three points), Adam Loenser (two points, one block), Brett Benson (two points, two rebounds, two steals), Jarrett Marlett (two points) and Brayden O'Bryan (two points).

McDonell Central (5-0) was led by the duo of JD Bohaty and Jake Siegenthaler, who scored 20 and 19 points, respectively.

Zimmer scores 20 versus Macks

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Clear Lake's offensive production continued to grow on Dec. 9 as its second-ranked girls basketball team recorded a 75-58 road victory over McDonell Central.

Madison Zimmer played a big role in that offensive prowess as she led a group of four double figure scorers with 20 points and three steals.

Julianna Rosen made her presence known all over the court, picking up 12 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Maddie Rosen added 14 points and six rebounds while Lizzie Rosen contributed 11 points, three rebounds and three steals.

Also scoring for the Warriors (4-0) were Lily Hacker (nine points, six rebounds), Maggie Rosen (five points, three rebounds, three steals) and Rayne Vangsness (four points, five rebounds).

McDonell Central (3-3) was led by Laurn Deetz, who tallied 25 points, six rebounds and three assists.

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DECEMBER 17, 2019

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Two Warriors record Warriors hand double doubles vs Lakers ďŹ rst loss Prairie Farm

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Clear Lake used a balance attack to pick up its third girls basketball victory of the season on December 6 in Prairie Farm as the second-ranked Warriors defeated the Panthers, 63-53.

Julianna led the way with 17 points, 12 rebounds and two steals. She was one of four players to reach double figures scoring and one of two to record a double double for the Warriors (3-0). Maddie Rosen racked up 10 points and a team-high 16 rebounds, along with a team-high three steals.

Madison Zimmer pitched in 12 points and Maggie Rosen added 10 points and a team-high three blocked shots.

Also scoring for Clear Lake were Rayne Vangsness (six points, two rebounds, one block), Lizzie Rosen (six points, four rebounds two steals), Kaylee Madison (one point), and Lily Hacker (one point, six rebounds, two steals).

Prairie Farm (4-1) was led by Eryn Bates with 16 points and six rebounds.

Prescott muscles past Amery girls

Clear Lake's boys basketball team returned to its winning ways on Dec. 13 when it hosted Turtle Lake and edged the previously-undefeated Lakers, 47-44.

Alex St. John was the team's leading scorer with 11 points. He also added four rebounds.

Tyson Blanchard recorded a team-high four assists and three steals to go with his eight points and one block. Riley Peterson racked up a teamhigh three blocked shots to compliment his eight points and three rebounds.

Other Clear Lake scorers included Brett Benson (seven pints, three rebounds, three assists, one block), Jarrett Marlett (five points, two rebounds), Will Fitzer (five points, two rebounds) and Ethan Kirk (three points, two rebounds).

KENT HUGHES

Senior Alex Burbach looks to break away with the ball.

Warriors pick up 59-point victory over Turtle Lake

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A tough Prescott team handed Amery's girls basketball squad its first loss of the season on Dec. 6, 53-46, in Amery.

Ella Schmidt racked up 25 points and seven rebounds to lead the Warriors (2-1) while Lydia Monson contributed six points, seven rebounds and a team-high seven assists.

Morgan Brotzel added six points, four rebounds and two assists. Julia Engebreton tallied five points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a team-high two blocked shots. Drew Granica pitched in four points, two assists and a team-high three steals.

Prescott (4-0) had two players with double doubles. Isabella Lenz talled 21 points and 13 rebounds while Nicole Dallmann added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Lenz also tallied six steals.

Maddie Rosen posted a game-high 18 points on Dec. 13 to lead the second-ranked Clear Lake girls' basketball team to a decisive 79-20 victory over Turtle Lake at home. She was one of four Warriors (5-0) to score in double figures as the Warriors posted their largest point total of the season to date.

The other three double digit scorers were Maggie Rosen (15 points, three assists, two blocks and two rebounds), Julianna Rosen (12 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists) and Madison Zimmer (10 points, seven assists, five steals and four blocks). Maddie Rosen also added four rebounds.

Other scorers for Clear Lake were Rayne Vangsness (eight points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals), Jassmyn Warner (five points, four steals, two rebounds), Kaylee Madison (four points, three rebounds), Lizzie Rosen (three points, five rebounds), Lily Hacker (two points, two steals) and Brooke Cress (two points).

Turtle Lake (3-3) was led by Courtney Tarman with 11 points.

Sowell, Luchtenburg score 11 each vs.

Grantsburg

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Raymond Sowell and Wyatt Luchtenburg each scored 11 points on Dec. 5 against Grantsburg (3-1), but it was far from enough to overtake the Pirates as the Amery boys basketball team fell 44-70.

Kenny Lepak led the Warriors (0-2) in rebounds with six and also scored three points and tallied two assists. Luke Julson tallied a team-high two steals to go with his eight points and two assists.

Jason Oft recorded the Warriors 'only blocked shot of the night and also compiled eight points, and five rebounds.

Sowell pitched in three rebounds to go with his 11 points while Luchtenburg added two rebounds and two assists.

Gavin Melberg scored three points. Dayton White contributed two rebounds. Charley Flanum added four rebounds and two assists.

KENT HUGHES

Senior Jassmyn Warner keeps control of the ball.

Cameron runs past Amery, 92-49

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amery's boys' basketball team dropped to 0-4 on Dec. 13 with a 4992 road loss to Cameron.

Wyatt Luchtenburg was the Warriors' leading scorer with 14 points.

He also pitched in six rebounds and two assists. Kenny Lepak was

the rebounding leader, with seven boards, and tallied eight points.

Also scoring for the Warriors were Jason Oft (seven points, five rebounds, two assists, one block), Raymond Sowell (six points, six rebounds, two assists), Luke Julson (five points, three rebounds two assists), Lane Frederick (five points, three rebounds), Gavin

Melberg (two points, six rebounds, two assists).

Cameron was paced by Austin Wells (20 points, seven rebounds), Ian Payne (19 points), Peyton Buzek (13 points), Brice Klabunde (10 points) and Richie Murphy (11 assists).

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Warriors blast Hodags, 5-1

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A fast start proved to make all the difference for the Amery boys' hockey team on Dec. 13 at it picked up a 5-1 road win over the Rhinelander Hodags.

The Warriors scored four goals in the first period and added another in the second before finally giving up a goal 4:44 into the third period.

"We once again played a great first period," said Amery Coach Tim Henningsgard. "The boys were buzzing even after the long bus ride."

Jackson Henningsgard opened the scoring just 1:26 into the contest. He then assisted on a pair of power play goals by Grady Martin and Mac Smith over the next eight minutes.

"Our power play made a big difference in the first period," Coach Henningsgard said. "We work special teams a lot in practice, and it really paid off tonight."

Asher Page capped off the first period scoring with a goal at the 13:34 mark and then scored the lone second period goal.

"This was a fun game for all of

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KIM HENNINGSGARD

Mac Smith (27) takes the faceoff. Also pictured: Simon Panek (14), Jackson Henningsgard (12) and Austin Holmberg (15).

the boys," Coach Henningsgard said. "It is nice when you travel this far to get the whole bench in, and we played everyone in the third period."

Overall, the Warriors were outshot by the Hodags, 33-18. Ethan Mork tallied 24 saves and Avery Starzecki saved all eight shots faced. The two teams combined for 28 minutes in the penalty

box on 10 infractions, including a 10-minute misconduct penalty against Amery's Max Mike in the second period.

Smith and Jackson Henningsgard each finished with one goal and two assists. Also earning assists for Amery were Nick Bush, Fletcher Kjeseth and Miles Troff.

Lakeland takes down Amery hockey

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amery's fortune ran short on Dec. 14 when it lost 1-4 to the Lakeland Thunderbirds boys' ice hockey team in Minocqua.

"Lakeland (6-1) was a solid team with one of the top goal scorers in the state," said Amery Coach Tim Henningsgard. "We knew this would be a tough game."

The first half of the game was evenly played with neither team scoring in the first period. Lakeland's Victor Masayesva scored the game's first goal, unassisted, just 29 seconds into the second period.

Amery (5-2) was able to answer with a power play goal by Fletcher Kjeseth just under 10 minutes later.

However, with 16:24 expired in the second period, Lakeland took control for good on a short-handed

goal by Max Toijala. Toijala extended the Thunderburd lead in the final minute with an unassisted empty net goal. Less than 30 seconds later, the Thunderbirds struck the empty net again with a goal by Kyle Schaub.

"Some nights the puck bounces right where you need to, and others it doesn't," Coach Henningsgard said. "Both of their goals came off of the end boards, and we had no luck around the net... but sometimes you have to work harder to make your own luck."

Jackson Henningsgard and Grady Martin both assisted on Kjeseth's goal as the Warriors outshot Lakeland, 33-29. Ethan Mork tallied 25 saves.

"Playing fourteen hours after we finished wasn't ideal, but it was nice to put our boys in a difficult situation in a tough place to play," Coach Henningsgard said. "Hopefully we learn from this going forward."

Warriors shut out Tigers for ďŹ rst time

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amery's boys ice hockey team continued to add monumental moments to the 2019-20 season on Dec. 10 when it shut out the New Richmond Tigers, 2-0, in its Middle Border Conference opener in New Richmond.

"This was the first shutout of New Richmond in program history," said Amery head coach Tim Henningsgard.

Much of the credit for the shutout goes to Amery goalkeeper Ethan Mork , who recorded 24 saves, including 11 in the third period.

"This was a nice way to start off the conference season. Winning this game sets us up to reach our season long goals as a team," Henningsgard said. "Playing in New Richmond is always a fun challenge and our boys came out fired up and played a great first period."

Ruble, Leintz win big at Barron Invite The Clear Lake wrestling team placed seventh of 14 teams at the Dec. 14 Barron Invite, crowning two individual champions along the way.

Ivan Ruble (8-0) won all five of his matches in the 170-pound weight class by fall. He started with a 1:19 pin against River Falls Simon Vagner and followed with 1:22 fall over Barron's Austin Bladow. Ruble then disposed of Unity's Isaah Holden in just 11 seconds.

His first opponent to make it out of the first period was Ashland's Eli Schue (7-4), who he pinned in 2:26.

Then Ruble took on Gavin Kohel (7-3) of River Falls in the championship match, pinning him in 3:17.

Dominic Leintz (8-0) was the 113 pound champion. He won his first three matches with quick pins, disposing of Barron's Julia Cox in just 18 seconds, River Falls' Kevin Penning in 31 seconds, and River Falls Aidan Peterson (6-4) in 31 seconds. In his fourth match, Leintz paired up against West-Salem/Bangor's Bradyn Glasspoole for a battle between undefeated wrestlers and defeated Glasspoole (10-1) by a 5-1 decision. He faced his second undefeated opponent in the championship match when he faced off against Osceola's Thomas Oswald and edged Oswald (8-1) with a 3-2 decision.

Mitch Anderson (6-1, 138 pounds) placed second, pinning Mason Eckler (6-4) of Barron in 1:02 and Jacob Sedivy (6-3) of Osceola in 3:01 to advance to the finals where he lost a narrow 11-10 decision to Isaak Livingston (9-1) of Ashland.

Lukas Paulson (5-2, 152 pounds) placed third. He opened with a 31 second fall in the first round and followed with a 8-7 decision over Osceola's Isaac Campeau (3-2) in the quarterfinals. After getting pinned by Ashland's Willy Bearskin (7-2), Paulson finished with a 7-6 decision over West Salem/Bangor's Andy Johnson (5-4).

Derek Kreier (5-3, 106 pounds) placed fourth with a 3-2 tournament record that included a 1:18 first round pinning of Devon Osborn (8-3) of Barron.

Mitch Anderson (7-1, 120 pounds) placed fifth with a 4-1 tournament record that included a 2:34 pin against Tong Dara (6-5) of Barron.

Shane Larson (4-3, 126 pounds) placed sixth with a 2-3 tournament record. He pinned Lorenzo Meza (6-4) of Barron in 5:44.

TEAM SCORES River Falls 323, West Salem/Bangor 287, Ashland 252, Osceola 243, Luck/Frederic/Grantsburg/Siren 198.5, Barron 187, Clear Lake 175, Lakeland Union 156, Hayward 137, Unity 71, Flambeau 69, Turtle Lake/ Clayton 54, Cornell/Gillman 39, Bruce 21

Brice scores four goals in win over Medford

BY BRETT HART CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KIM HENNINGSGARD

Grady Martin (13), Asher Page (8), Nick Bush (17) and Ethan Mork (33) put in their efforts leading to a Warrior victory over the Tigers.

While neither team scored in the first two periods, Amery (4-1) finished strong, scoring two goals just 29 seconds apart in the third period. The first came from Fletcher Kjeseth off assists

by Pake Brown and Mac Smith

at the 6:28 mark. Justin Walter added an unassisted insurance goal at the 6:57 mark.

Overall, New Richmond (2-3) outshot Amery, 24-22.

The Western Wisconsin Stars unleashed their biggest girls ice hockey win of the season on Dec. 6 at the Simek Recreation Center when they defeated the Medford Raiders, 13-2.

Starting with an unassisted goal by Ellie Brice 6:15 into the contest, the Stars (2-2-1) were off to the races. All 15 goals in the game were at even strength.

Brice ended up scoring four goals and tallying one assist, with two goals and the assist coming in the first period.

Erin Huerta and Bailey Williams both scored two goals and racked up three assists. Williams' goals were less than a minute apart in the second period and both were unassisted.

Jamie Kulibert scored two goals, and Alise Wiehl had one goal and one assist. Mackenzie Make notched one unassisted goal, and Kaylee Yszermans, one assist.

The Stars rattled off 55 shots on goal, including 22 in the six-goal second period. Medford (0-5) finished with just 14 shots, including seven in its two-goal third period.

Amery goalkeeper Tiffany Hantsbarger tallied 12 saves.

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

21A

www.theameryfreepress.com

AMERY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER Friends; what would our lives be like with out them? A friend is a person whom one knows and with whom one had a bond of mutual affection. What draws people together as friends? According to the website Psychology Today there are 4 things that we take into consideration: 1) Common Interests, 2) History, 3) Common Values and 4) Equality. Have you ever considered why you are friends with someone?

Is it because you grew up together and have a history together? Is it because you work with that person and they can empathize with your work load? Is it because they were your first neighbor when you moved?

There are many, many reasons to have a friend. My best friend has been with and there for me when I have needed her most in the past! Other than my husband, she is the one person who knows me for who I am. I hope that you have friends like that in your life and continue to laugh and have fun together!

2020 Memberships are due by December 31st. Stop in and See Jen or Amanda to pay your dues and update your information.

Christmas Day Dinner: Come enjoy a free will offering dinner with all the trimmings at 2:00. Please stop in the office or call 715-268-6605 to reserve your spots.

All are welcome! We are looking for cookie and other

holiday treat donations, please drop them off before 4:00 on December 23rd.

• Are you looking for a place to host your holiday party for work or family?? Did you know for the cost of

•

•

•

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$150 (as a member) or $200 (for non-member) you can rent the Amery Area Community Center for birthday parties, weddings, or anniversary celebrations, even end of life celebrations? This cost includes the rental of the main hall and use of commercial kitchen. We will also work with profit and nonprofit organizations to help with the perfect meeting place. Call 715-268-6605 for available dates.

Do you volunteer around our community? Did you know that by telling us your volunteer hours it helps gain grant dollars by showing how active our members are? Please email Jen at aaccjen@ outlook.com or call 715-268-6605 with your hours each month, thank you!

Circuit Breaker Members, every month you pay your $10 you will get a punch on our new card and after you have paid for 5 months you get 1 month FREE! That means you will receive 2 FREE months per year! This is our way of saying your health is important to us!

Did you know we have all kinds of greeting cards for sale here? They are twenty-five cents per card and sympathy cards are one dollar. Stop in and check out our variety!

Like us on Facebook! Share our postings the more people that know what activities we have happening the better! Search Amery Area Community/Senior Center

• Want to get a complete workout in just 30 minutes?

Do you enjoy walking on a treadmill? Get all of that for just $10/month if you are a member of the Amery Area Community Center. Our hours are 7am-4:30pm M-Th & 7am-3pm on Fridays. There are no contracts to lock into and no hidden fees.

Come down and check us out!

• We always have people asking if there is anything we need here at the Center. We can always use things like stamps, cards, toilet paper, cleaning supplies & baking supplies. We also take rummage sale items all year long.

• Tuesday December 10th Pool winners were Gary Snelling in first, Mary Fisher took second, Jerry Fisher placed third, Jean Frank took fourth, and Wendell Anderson took the consolation prize.

• Wednesday December 11th Bridge winners were Dean Elken taking first, Pat Carlson placed second, Paula Schmid took third and Patty Talbot placed fourth.

• Thursday December 12th Pool winners were Gary Snelling in first, Dean Elken placed second, Wendell Anderson took third, and Al Frank took fourth and Jean Frank took the consolation prize.

Congratulations to all!

Amanda Fisk, Director Jen Tyman, Assistant Director

SELF HELP GROUPS Advance Directive Workshop. Who would make your healthcare decisions in the event you are unable to? How would this person know what decisions you would want made? Learn more about Advance Directives and how to complete them. Free Advance Directive Workshop will be held the first Wednesday of the month from 10-11 a.m. Wisconsin and Minnesota Advance Directives will be available. Call St. Croix Regional Medical Education Services at 715-483-0431 or 800-642-1336 ext. 2431 to register.

Alanon/Alateen (for family and friends of alcoholics) meets Thursday nights 7-8 p.m. at First Lutheran church, Amery. 715-268-8362.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Monday 7 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m., Thursday 7 p.m., Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m., Sunday 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 217 Deronda St., Amery. 715-781-4380 Jason.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesdays 7 p.m. at Clear Lake Community Center, VFW Room 123. Richard 715-554-7277, Teresa 612-636-3244.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets Monday at noon B.B., Thursdays 10 a.m. at Parkview Methodist church, Turtle Lake. Contact Mike 715-986-2457.

Alzheimer’s Support Group. First Wednesday of the month 10 a.m. at Amery Senior Center. Last Tuesday of month 1 p.m. at Good Sam Nursing Home. Sharlene Bellefaille 715-635-6601.

Baby & Me. Weekly play and discussion hour for parents and their infants (birth to 12 months).

Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Amery Hospital & Clinic, BirthDay Suites Waiting Room. Join at any time.

No charge.

The Baby Bistro: Breastfeeding Support Group.

This free support group encourages, helps and supports women before, during and after breastfeeding. Led by a certified breastfeeding counselor, who is also a registered nurse and a mother of four, attendees learn from, share with, and support other mothers who are breastfeeding. Pregnant women who are considering breastfeeding are strongly encouraged to attend. Every Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Amery Hospital & Clinic, Boardroom, 2nd floor. No fee, no registration required, just stop by.

Breast Feeding Support Group. All nursing mothers and babies are invited to participate. Group meets the second Thursday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. and the fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Croix Regional Medical Center. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant will facilitate the group. Call 715-483-0431 or 800-642-1336 ext. 2431.

No charge.

C.H.A.D.D. (Children with Attention Deficit Disorder). Parent support group meets the fourth Monday of each month at Firstar Bank board room, Cumberland, 7 p.m. For information call Pat Skinner at 715-822-8422 and leave message.

Cancer, Grief & Depression Support Group. A

support group to allow people to talk about their experiences with cancer, grief and depression as well as share mutual support to one another. Second Tuesday of every month at Amery Area Community Center at 1 p.m. You can join at any time and it is free and open to the public.

Cancer Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Amery Public Library at 6 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group meets the third Tuesday of every month from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Dresser. Contact Barb at ADRC of NW WI at 877-485-2372 for more information.

Christian Based Cancer Support Group meets Wednesdays the third Wednesday of the month at the Amery Public Library meeting room at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome! For more information call 715-268-6957.

Compassionate Friends, Tri- County Chapter meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. First Lutheran church, Clear Lake. This group offers support and understanding to families who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. For more information call 715-263-2739 Domestic Violence (DV) and Sexual Assault (SA) Support Groups and Services. Polk County - S.T.A.R.S. (Surviving Trauma Advocacy Resource Group) Monday 4-5 p.m. in Amery, Tuesday 6-7 p.m. in Osceola, Wednesday 2-3 p.m. in Milltown and Thursday 6-7 p.m. in Milltown. Domestic Violence Education Class every other Wednesday from 10-noon in Milltown.

Burnett County - Monday 4-5 p.m. 715-349-7272. Barron County - Thursday 5:30-6:30 p.m. 715-651-4969.

For more information call CRA 715-825-4414 or the 24 hour crisis line 1-800-261-7233. All groups are held every week unless noted. Child care is available with some groups. Ask your facilitator prior to the group meeting.

Early Stage Alzheimer Support Group. For the diagnosed person and their caregiver. Challenges in early-stage dementia will be discussed, along with therapeutic benefits of family involvement. Sponsored in part by the American Alzheimer’s Association. Meetings are free of charge and open to the public, held at the Amery Centennial Hall the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. Call 715-268-6605 to register.

Epilepsy Foundation of Western Wisconsin. Call 1-800-924-2105.

Family Child Care Professionals Network. Meets the third Thursday of each month. Contact Beth Neely at 715-483-1482 for more information. All family child care providers are welcome.

Families and Parenting. Milltown Parenting Group meets Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m., Milltown Family Group has dinner from 5-5:30 p.m. and F.U.N. from 5-6 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information call CRA 715-825-4414. All groups are held every week unless noted. Child care is available with some groups. Ask your facilitator prior to the group meeting.

Farm Crisis. Information on financial, mental health, legal, job retraining resources. Call 1-800-942-2474.

Golden Age Manor Family Council meets the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. in the east wing sunporch. GAM is Polk County’s longest operating longterm healthcare facility. The Family Council’s goal is to enhance the lives of the residents beyond what the staff normally does.

Grief Share. Have you lost someone close? Grief Share is a Christian based, non-denominational seminar/support group program that will be meeting at Centennial Hall in Amery every Monday at 1 p.m. For information call Bruce 715-268-2176 or 715-268-8360.

GriefShare, a non-denominational special help seminar and support group for people experiencing the loss of a loved one is being held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The church is located at 1050 Keller Ave. N. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Is This Normal?” “The Challenges of Grief,” “Grief and Your Relationships,” “Why?” and “Guilt and Anger.” For more information call St. Joseph Catholic church at 715-268-7717.

Head Injury Support Group. Closed head injury, stroke, aneurism or traumatic brain injury which affects your daily living? Learn to cope with your disabilities, provide insight and camaraderie. Second Friday of each month 2-3:30 p.m. Frederic Public Library. Contact Julie Martin 715-327-4474.

Memory Cafe. Do you or your loved one have memory concerns or early signs of dementia? Join us at the Amery Memory Cafe where individuals with memory concerns and their care partners, family and friends can laugh, learn and stay connected in a safe atmosphere.

The Memory Cafe meets at the Amery Area Community Center the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1-2:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Barb at the ADRC of NW WI at 877-485-2372. Memory Cafe is free to attend, and coffee and snacks are provided.

Moms in Prayer International. •Two or more women who meet regularly to pray for their children, their schools, their teachers and administrators. •Mothers, grandmothers or anyone who is willing to pray for a specific child and school. We meet at the Journey Church, 131 Broadway St., Amery, Mondays from 1:302:30 p.m. Contact Jen at 715-268-2223 with questions. (only meets during the school year.)

MOPS and MOMsnext (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a group for moms and their kids. Every mom who is pregnant or has a child at home is welcome, accepted, and challenged to meet her potential.

Better moms make a better world! For more info go to clmops@hotmail.com.

PEPTalk - P(arents)E(ncouraging)P(arents)... exists to encourage, support, and build up a community of homeschool families in Polk County, Wisconsin. We welcome all types of homeschooling families to check

us out! PEPTalk activities happen throughout the month. For more information contact Jenn Dueholm, jenndueholm@yahoo.com or Wendy Dietrich, thedietrichs@amerytel.net. Like us on Facebook under PEPTalk.

Polk County Parent-To-Parent Coaliton, a network for parents of children from birth through adulthood who have disabilities or other special needs.

For more information about meetings and advocacy support, contact Lynne 715-472-2002.

PREGNANT. Need help? Our tests and help are free and confidential. 715-755-BABY (2229). Osceola Life Care Center.

Student Assistance Program is for students in the Amery school district who may be having personal or family problems. Strict confidentiality is followed except in cases of danger to self or others. Call 715-2680303 for middle school S.A.P. members or 715-2680214 for high school S.A.P. members.

TEENS—Talk before you run. Trained counselors will listen. 1-800-491-8336 or 715-235-8882.

TEENCARE. Where teens get help fast. 1-800-4918336.

TOPS Club meets Tuesdays 3:30-5 p.m. at the Balsam Lake Municipal Building (under the water tower), Balsam Lake. Contact Sheila 715-857-5892 or just come to a meeting. TOP’s mission is to support our members as they take off and keep off pounds sensibly.

Tutors: Free tutors are available to anyone who would like help studying for GED, English as a Second Language (ESL), or with basic skills in reading or math. Call 715-405-7323 to be matched with a local tutor.

Weight Loss Club meets Thursdays 8-9 a.m. Our Savior’s Lutheran church, 217 Deronda St., Amery. Bonnie Timm 715-268-2980.

Western Wisconsin LYME Education and Support Group meets: fourth Thursday of the month (April through October) at 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran church, 217 Deronda St., Amery. (No meetings November through March). Meetings are free of charge and open to the public. For info call Ann 715-268-2856, Paula 715-268-2035, Bonnie 715-268-9557, Sue 715268-6687.

Women’s Spiritual Growth Group meets each Thursday from 7-8 p.m. at 931 Pine St., St. Croix Falls.

Yoga for Addiction Recovery Y12SR is a 12 step based discussion and yoga practice that is open to anyone and everyone dealing with their own addictive behavior or affected by the addictive behavior of others. All A's are welcome. Great Blue Yoga, 113 Keller Ave N 54001, 6:45 p.m., Tuesdays.

Call Nicole at 715-268-8101 or email ngagner@theameryfreepress.com with additions or corrections.

22A AMERY FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

LUNCH MENUS AMERY SCHOOL DISTRICT Milk Choices: Low-fat White Milk, Chocolate Skim Milk, Skim White Milk.

Daily Breakfast Offerings: Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Honey Nut Cheerios, Chocolate Mini Wheats, Trix or Cheerio Bar-MS/HS Only, String Cheese, Hard Boiled Egg or Sunflower Seeds, Fruit Choices, 100% Orange Juice, 100% Grape Juice, 100% Apple Juice.

Wednesday, Dec. 18– Breakfast: Yogurt Parfait.

Elementary Lunch: Walking Tacos, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Refried Beans, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices.

Intermediate Lunch: Walking Tacos, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Fajita Salad, Refried Beans, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices.

Middle School Lunch: Walking Tacos, Softshell Pork Taco, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Fajita Salad, Refried Beans, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Spanish Rice.

High School Lunch: Walking Tacos, PB&J Sandwich, Yogurt Lunch, Chicken Fajita Salad, Refried Beans, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Spanish Rice.

Thursday, Dec. 19– Breakfast: UBR. Elementary Lunch: Homemade Turkey and Yogurt Combo Lunch, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Biscuit, Gravy.

Intermediate Lunch: Homemade Turkey and Yogurt Combo Lunch, Chicken Fajita Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Garden Bare, Fruit Choices, Biscuit, Gravy.

Middle School Lunch: Homemade Turkey and Hot Italian Sub, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Taco Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices,

Biscuit, Gravy.

High School Lunch: Homemade Turkey and PB&J Sandwich, Yogurt Lunch, Chicken Fajita Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Biscuit, Gravy.

Friday, Dec. 20– Breakfast: Bacon Egg Scramble.

Elementary Lunch: Baked Chicken Drummy, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Corn, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Cornbread, Holiday Cookies.

Intermediate Lunch: Baked Chicken Drummy, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Fajita Salad, Corn, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Cornbread, Holiday Cookies.

Middle School Lunch: Baked Chicken Drummy, Fish Fillet, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Fajita Salad, Corn, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Dinner Roll, Holiday Cookies.

High School Lunch: Baked Chicken Drummy, PB&J Sandwich, Yogurt Lunch, Chicken Fajita Salad, Corn, Pasta Salad, Garden Bar, Fruit Choices, Dinner Roll, Holiday Cookies.

Monday, Dec. 23–No School – Clubhouse only Breakfast: Blueberry Yogurt, Strawberry Yogurt, Vanilla Yogurt, Blueberry Muffin, Cinnamon Apple Muffin

Tuesday, Dec. 24–No School Today–Happy Holidays!

CLEAR LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT Wednesday, Dec. 18– Elementary Breakfast: Breakfast Cereal & Cheese Stick or Ham & Cheese Bagel Sandwich, Fruit, Juice, Fruit, Milk Choice.

Elementary Lunch: “Oodles of Noodles” with Meat Sauce or Chicken Alfredo, Breadstick, Garden Salad Bar, Pears, Milk Choice.

High School Breakfast: Cereal,

Yogurt, Muffin, Lemon Bread, Oatmeal Bar, Ham & Cheese Sandwich, “Gripz” Graham Crackers.

High School Lunch: Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce or Chicken Alfredo, Breadstick, Caesar Salad, Steamed Broccoli, Slushie Fruit Cup, Apples, Milk.

Thursday, Dec. 19– Elementary Breakfast: Breakfast Cereal or Oatmeal, Fruit, Blueberry or Chocolate Muffin, Fruit Juice, Milk Choice.

Elementary Lunch: Mandarin Orange Chicken or Popcorn Chicken, Chow Mein Noodles, Rice, Green Beans, Carrots/Dip, Pineapple, Fruit Juice, Fortune Cookie, Milk High School Breakfast: Cereal, Cheese Omelet, Cereal Bar, Lemon Bread, Yogurt, Muffin, PB&J “Uncrustable”, Scooby Bone Crackers.

High School Lunch: Mandarin Orange Chicken or Chicken Smackers, Chow Mein Noodles, Rice, Green Beans, Carrots/Dip, Applesauce, Pineapple, Fortune Cookies, Milk

Friday, Dec. 20– Elementary Breakfast: Breakfast Cereal or Donut Holes, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit Juice, Fruit, Milk Choice.

Elementary Lunch: Ham & Cheese Sub or PB&J “Uncrustable”, Fresh Vegetables, Chips, Mandarin Oranges, Milk Choice.

High School Breakfast: Cereal, Cheese Stick, “Gripz” Graham Crackers, Biscuits and Gravy, Nutri Grain Bar, Muffin, Lemon Bread, Sausage Links.

High School Lunch: Ham & Cheese or Grilled Chicken Sub, Fresh Vegetables, Tangy Broccoli Salad, Sliced Peaches, Strawberries, Chips, Milk Choice.

Monday, Dec. 23–Christmas Vacation Tuesday, Dec. 24–Christmas Vacation

Remaining December issues of the Amery Free Press are as follows ...

Monday, Dec. 23 • After Christmas Sales, New Year’s Greetings and Activities Deadlines are The Tab and Amery Free Press, news and advertising, Thursday, Dec. 19, at 4 p.m.

The Amery Free Press office will be closed Tuesday & Wednesday, Dec. 24 & 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1.

AMERY

215 Keller Ave. S, Amery Phone 715-268-8101 Fax 715-268-5300 Email tstangl@theameryfreepress. com

WFU Executive Director addresses Polk-Burnett Annual Meeting SUBMITTED

The annual meeting of the Polk-Burnett chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union was visited by Julie Bomar, Executive Director of the WFU last Thursday at the Cafe Wren in Luck. The Polk-Burnett chapter is emerging as a vital example of the changing face of agriculture in Wisconsin. Most of the almost 30 members present were farmers under 40 years old, mostly women, who are doing retail sales of the products they raise on their farms. Bomar said she was encouraged by the diversity of the types of farms represented and the enthusiasm of the crowd that was gathered considering the fact that Wisconsin has seen more farm bankruptcies in 2019 than any other state.

In her update of statewide activities, she observed that in 2020 the WFU is going to be focusing on issues of corporate monopolies and antitrust legislation to give smaller farms a more level playing field. “When four corporations control 54% of chicken, 74% of pork, and 85% of beef processing it is difficult to compete unless one embraces a completely different model of production and marketing,” said Bomar. “Your event in October that was attended by well over 100 people shows that consumers are looking for other options when it comes to making food choices.” On the business end of the meeting new officers were elected including Jason Montgomery-Riess -president, Josh Bryson -vice president, Emily Hanson-secretary, and Mike Miles-treasurer. Three other positions were filled by Rama Hoffpauir -membership director, Kristy Allen- events coordinator, and Tamara Johnson- communications director. State convention delegates were also appointed including Emily Hanson, Dan Guenthner, Barb Kass, and Kristy Allen.

Montgomery-Riess was impressed by the willingness of members to step forward and form a “robust leadership team as we work together for a better future for family farms.” “Markets are changing,” he said. “Consumers are increasingly interested in knowing where their food comes from and how it is being raised. We are in a great position to fill their expectations.”

Thank you for shopping and supporting Amery Community Club businesses!

Congratulations to the ¿nal week’s winners of the Amery Christmas Punch promotion.

Each will receive $50 Amery Scrip Money

Cindi Buenzli Nanette Fox Elden Setter Kris Leehe Dodge Nancy Sauve Gloria Greschner Dawn Molesky Rita Bailey Maranda Goldsmith Marian Fox Santa will be at Worn Again Sat., Dec. 21, 9-1

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

23A

www.theameryfreepress.com

SUBMITTED

Beaver Brook Badgers 4H Club Collects Toys Beaver Brook Badgers 4H club collected toys for Operation Christmas at their Christmas party held recently.

ARNELL MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY Tate is a 10 month old Lab-Pit Bull Terrier Mix. He wears a short, Black and White coat, cute fold over ears and a handsome physique. He looks like a 60 pound Boston Terrier.

Tate is friendly to everyone he meets and likes to play rough and tumble with other dogs his size. He is the perfect sidekick dog because he likes to be a part of everything. Tate will do well with someone who will continue his training to restrain his puppy playfulness.

He works well for treats and has learned Sit, Down, Leave It and Stay at the shelter. His energy level and play style make him a great candidate for a home with adults. He can be seen showing off his smarts in a video under his name and description on the website.

Tate is looking for a home for

the holidays.

There is a large cast of Available Dogs at Arnell, waiting for the gift of a home. None will fit in a small package but there are plenty of medium to large dogs to choose from and they are all great dogs.

Beckett is a two year old Greyhound-Shepherd mix. He has a Black and Cream Tan coat. He has the streamlined build of a Greyhound, long legs, deep chest and expressive eyes. His Greyhound really comes out during playtime when he can stretch his legs.

Beckett plays well with other dogs and is in love with toys to chase and run with. He can be quite silly with a tennis ball, “Look at me, I’ve got the ball!” His sheer happiness with the game is a joy to watch.

Beckett has the tempera-

ment of a Greyhound; he is shy with strangers, never aggressive, and submissive to other dogs. Visitors to the shelter don’t see his Happy Side in his kennel and he is consistently overlooked for adoption. He has been waiting for a home since October 21 when he came to the shelter as a stray.

Sparks is a six month old Blonde and White Border

Collie Mix, maybe Yellow Lab-Border Collie Mix. He is an active, outgoing boy, very smart and trains like a champ.

He too has a video showing off his skills online. Sparks plays great with other dogs and is respectful of cats. He is still very much a puppy and will do well with continued training and attention. He has great things in his future and did I mention, he is very cute. Sparks is ready to become a beloved member of your household.

Luke is a one year old Australian Shepherd-Lab Mix. He has a gorgeous Blue Merle and White coat with tan cheeks.

Luke is Lab size. He is a leaner and a cuddler, looking to bond with you for his safety. His submissive nature makes him wary of strangers at first. He will grow out of his fear with

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positive introductions to new people and situations. Luke walks very nice on leash, is housetrained and has learned Sit and Down. He loves playing with other dogs and will make a great puppy buddy.

Luke is beyond beautiful, into the dashing category. As you can see, we are smitten with him. He is a heart stealer.

There are more wonderful dogs to choose from, just waiting to make your acquaintance. View them online at our website: ARNELLHUMANE. ORG and then stop in to meet them at the shelter. In addition to these mentioned you will find a Fetching Lab Mix, a Black and Tan Rottie-Aussie Mix, a young Yellow Lab Mix and a goofball Heinz 57. Arnell Memorial Humane Society, Amery, 715 268-7387.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free at 800-6699777. The toll free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800-927-9275.

24A AMERY FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

AMERY COMMUNITY EDUCATION The NEW Community Ed catalog with winter/spring offerings will be in the mail and available around town by the end of January. Watch for it! Pre-register and learn more through Amery Community Ed online at www.amerysd.k12.wi.us or by calling 715-268-9771 x220.

Basketball Winter Recreation for Youth and Families: For boys and girls grades 4-12. Families are encouraged to participate together.

Younger children are welcome when accompanied by parents. Bring your own ball; enter through North doors. No fee. Sundays through March 15 from 1:30-3:30 p in the Middle School gym Open Gym for Families sponsored by PowerUp: Open gyms are a chance for kids and families to bounce a ball, shoot some hoops, play catch or just run around and be active together. For families with children of all ages. Parents/Guardians must stay in the gym with the children.

Select Sundays: Jan 5 & 19, Feb 2 & 16, Mar 1 from 1:30-3:30 p in the Intermediate School – enter through the doors facing the NORTH parking lot. No fee – just show up!

Rumble Jumble Open Gym sponsored

by PowerUp for toddlers and preschoolers to run, burn energy, and have fun. Balls, scooters, mats, and other gym equipment available.

Parents/Guardians are expected to stay in the gym. Child care providers welcome. No fee – just show up. Tuesdays through March when school is in session from 11 -11:45 a. Intermediate School.

Pickleball - Open Gym: Join us on Wednesday nights to play the fastest growing recreational sport in the nation. Wednesdays through March

(closed Dec 25 & Jan 1) from 6-8 p in the High School. No fee – just show up.

Play and Learn Parent-Child Group provides an opportunity for children to interact with their parents and other children their age. Each session includes group activities, free play time, and supervised child time while parents are led to discuss parenting strategies, dilemmas, and everyday happenings. Winter session 10 Mondays, January 6 through March 2 from 10-11:30 a. No fee but pre-registration is required by calling 715-684-4440 beginning at 9 a on Dec. 16. Do not register through Comm. Ed. SLEEPING BEAUTY presented by Prairie Fire Children’s Theater & Amery youth. The Golden Age of Hollywood comes to life in this over-the-top version of the classic tale. Set on a movie set in the 1930’s, everything that can go wrong does! For Amery youth in grades 3-8. 74 children will be cast. No charge to participate.

Auditions Jan 6 from 3:30—5:30 p.

Practices Jan 6-10 from 3:25-7:45 p depending on role. Performances Jan 10 at 7 p and Jan 11 at 10:30 a.

Tickets $6 in advance or $7 at door to cover show expenses.

ClearLake LakeSchools Schools to to Hold Hold Jr. Clear Jr. Kindergarten Kindergartenand and to 3-Year-Old Screening Birth toBirth 3-Year-Old Screening & Registration th annual Jr. Kindergarten Clear Lake our 1112th Clear Lake School SchoolDistrict Districtwill willbe beholding holding our annual Jr. Kindergarten screening on February 8, 2019.

AllAll children in in screening onThursday, Thursday,February February7 6and andFriday, Friday, February 7, 2020. children the Clear 44 years old before September 1, 2019 are the Clear Lake LakeSchool SchoolDistrict Districtthat thatturn turn years old before September 1, 2020 are encouraged to attend. if you are unsure about sending your to child encouraged to attend.

EvenEven if you are unsure about sending your child to school in the would to meet school in the Fall,Fall, we we would lovelove to meet with with you. you.

SUBMITTED

Amery Legion donates to Operation Christmas Past Commander, Doug Gunderson, is pictured representing the Amery Post 169 American Legion. The group donated a check to Operation Christmas. Alberta Olson accepted the donation on behalf of Operation Christmas.

Vierkandt hired in Barron

BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM

Amery’s Assistant Chief of Police, Joseph Vierkandt, has signed a contract to become Barron’s new Chief of Police.

Liz Jacobson, Barron City Administrator confirmed Vierkandt would replace retiring Chief Byron Miller.

She said, “He will start sometime in January. A specific start date has not yet been determined.”

Vierkandt started in 2001 as a part-time officer in Amery until he was hired by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department.

Vierkandt was a member of the National Guard and was deployed in Iraq during 2004 and 2005.

He became a Polk County deputy in 2006 and was the firearms instructor and field-training officer. Vierkandt was hired as the Assistant Chief of Police in Amery in 2015.

Welcome

Weconjunction, will also hostwe ourwill annual 3 annual years ofbirth age to screening Friday, February In also Birth host to our 3 years on of age screening 8, 2019.

If you are concerned any way about your development, on Friday, February 7, 2020. If in you are concerned inchild’s any way about your please development, call for an appointment time. will be screened County child’s please call for Children an appointment time forby thisPolk day.

ChilBirth-to-Three providers.by Polk County Birth-to-Three providers. dren will be screened

Dr. Amanda Spitz is board certified, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with over 16 years of experience treating children!

Our screening play-based and lotslots of of fun!

Children will Our screeningprocess processfor forall allstudents studentsis is play-based and fun!

Children be observed by aby trained teacher.

Along with the observations, will be observed a trained teacher.

Along withteacher the teacher observations, children will screened. is the time to to register children will have havetheir theirvision visionand andhearing hearing screened.This This is the time register your child starting in in September 2019.

AllAll paperwork will your childfor forJr. Jr.Kindergarten Kindergarten(4K) (4K) starting September 2020. paperwork will be completed attime, this time, and information our program be be completed at this and information aboutabout our program will be will shared. shared.

During the screening, parents will meet with the JK teachers and will be able to

browse the the screening, many areaparents services will thatmeet Clearwith Lake has offer. Area During the JKtoteachers anddental will beclinics, able hospitals, nurse, andservices Polk County willhas beto available to answer to browseschool the many area that resources Clear Lake offer. Area dental questions and provide information toPolk you.County resources will be available to clinics, hospitals, school nurse, and answer questions and provide information to you.

Please call or email ASAP to register your child for this wonderful screening. You

can reach Jessica Pickard at 715-263-2117 or email the following Please callMrs. or email ASAP to register your childext. for 2112 this wonderful screening. information below toJessica jpickard@clwarriors.org : You can reach Mrs. Pickard at 715-263-2117 ext. 2112 or email the following information below to jpickard@clwarriors.org : Child’s Name

Child’s Name Parent(s) Name(s) Parent(s) Birthdate Name(s) Phone Number Birthdate AddressNumber Phone

Dr. Spitz

• Accepting all insurances including BadgerCare • Pediatric Dentists are specialists that have an additional 2-3 years of schooling beyond dental school

• Seeing children through all stages of childhood, beginning by age 1 •

Located in the Dental Arts building

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Address

Please spread the word!

We lookspread forward to word! meeting you in February!!

Please the We look forward to meeting you in February!!

-

Clear Lake Schools JK/K Staff

~ Clear Lake Schools JK/K Staff

404 Wisconsin Ave, Amery, WI • 715-578-KIDS • kidsdentaloutreach.com

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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www.theameryfreepress.com

We love to hear from our subscribers, advertisers and readers. Here are the many ways you can contact us: Mail: Amery Free Press, Box 424, Amery, WI 54001 Phone: 715-268-8101 FAX: 715-268-5300 Email: Tom Stangl: tstangl@ theameryfreepress.com April Ziemer: editor@ theameryfreepress.com

SUBMITTED

Holiday Gift Drive Employees of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative delivered gifts to Operation Christmas in Polk County and Interfaith Caregivers in Burnett County this week.

“Thank you to all who donated to our 14th annual holiday gift drive. You helped make the season bright for local kids,” said Joan O’Fallon, co-op communications director. One of Polk-Burnett’s seven cooperative principles is commitment to community.

CUT YOUR ENERGY BILL

REBATES FOR CO-OP MEMBERS

Pam Humpal: phumpal@ theameryfreepress.com

IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND COMFORT IN YOUR HOME

Jamie Stewart: classifieds@ theameryfreepress.com

WITH REBATES FOR CO-OP MEMBERS:

Diane Stangl: dstangl@ theameryfreepress.com

• Home performance testing $300 OFF TEST and Up to $1,000 on HOME IMPROVEMENTS • Renewable energy systems and EV charger rebates • Air-source and geothermal heat pump rebates • Appliance and lighting rebates • Marathon water heater, just $750!

POLK-BURNETT ELECTRIC CO-OP 800-421-0283, x595 polkburnett.com

Nicole Gagner: ngagner@ theameryfreepress.com Our office is located at 215 Keller Ave. S. We are open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday

DEADLINE FOR 2019 REBATES: JAN. 1, 2020

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

AMERY

215 Keller Ave. S Amery, WI 54001 Phone 715-268-8101 Fax 715-268-5300 www.theameryfreepress.com

Seraphina Valenty Kindergarten

Maddy Ziemer Grade 3

The Free Press will be closed December 24, December 25 and January 1

Bentley Humpal Grade 2

Gavin Humpal Grade 4

Graeme Humpal Kindergarten

Maverick Ziemer Pre-Kindergarten

26A AMERY FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

Hanson Christmas There was Helmer and Hjalmer and Oscar and Carl, seven laughing girls, hair romped to a snarl.

There were Edna and Agnes and Butchie and Karen, Wed-haired Aunt Waura, who, coats we were wearin’, made over from Mama’s to lovely fresh style.

Grandpa, white-mustached, looked on with a smile, awaiting the opening of gifts he had made, doll cradle, bow-gun, toys with glad hours he’d paid.

Natalie Novak Grade 4

The boys in plaid jackets, pants of corduroy, big ones giving small ones a toss, bringing joy.

Harold and Velores with colorful ways, her gift wraps unique, his productions we’d praise, welding the useful from what had been trash, and his hearty laugh would burst forth in a flash.

Uncle Pete would charm children with tales of the wood, with cute little creatures both naughty and good.

Hearty Uncle Hjalmer and Auntie Christine, his manner, faked gruffness, her bearing pristine.

Soon, even the children, absorbed in their play, would be drawn to the aroma of feast on the way.

The roast and roast poultry, seasoned, cooked to a T, table soon surrounded to capacity.

Competition to move from kids’ table that ensued, was hushed by allurement of delicious food.

Mashed potatoes with gravy seasoning flawless, the dressing to excel would border on lawless.

Lefse buttered, some defile it with sugar or jam, Lutefisk , transluscent but firm, thank you, Ma’am.

Cranberries, glistening, bring tang to the taste, and Auntie’s plum pudding would not go to waste.

Oh, the delicious pies, pumpkin, apple, mince meat. ice cream kept cold in canvas freezer, what a treat, and whipped cream piled high, whipped in the new Mixmaster, finish of the feast; to the tree, who was faster?

The story of Christmas Mama read reverently, reminding us Christmas was more than a tree.

And Dad, for a change, from his overalls free, would offer his lap to a daughter like me.

First Grandpa and Agnes’s gifts passed around. each child giving a hug for the precious gift found.

Embroidered jersey gloves, a bracelet with name, boys,authentic tools, small ones: books or game.

Next came the mystery: who got our names? one by one, eager opening by candle’s flames.

Then an uncle, perhaps Hjalmer, in Santa Claus suit, for years, saved for Christmas. We gave a glad hoot.

Apples and peanuts and striped candy cane.

Some sleepy eyes would droop, coats gathered again.

Some never were ready this late night to leave the jolly glad warmth of the bright Christmas Eve. The kitchen was bustling with cleanup and then, would dishes that were brought here get home again?

No one left the hostess, though sleepy kids waited, with mess that one person would be inundated.

Then off to the road in the thirty-seven Ford, with four sleepy children and parents aboard.

Still waiting were stockings to hang up at night, to be filled by brownies with practical delight.

Mittens all darned with new ones replaced, blouse showing wear, with one trimmed in lace, socks kindly knit, warm wool ones for cold, good Daddy and Mama, their love warmly rolled..

Bentley Tiberg Grade 2

Mateo Zizpurua Grade 3

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Closing Christmas Eve at 4 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day

Christmas Eve closing at 4 p.m.

Christmas Day closing at 1 p.m.

Amery Express Experience the Difference at Dick’s Hometown Store LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED River Place Mall, Am,ery Open 7 days a week 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

PHONE 715-268-7513

Violet Webb Grade 1

210 Keller Ave. South, Amery Phone 715-268-8350

Season s Greetings and Good Wishes for the New Year

If you have repair problems please report to our service department 715-268-7100 Our business office will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1

Northwest Communications www.nwcomm.net

116 Harriman Ave. N., Amery, WI 54001 715-268-7101

©11/15/2015 Carol Welch Lola Gorres Grade 2 Griffin Wilcox Grade 4 Henry Jensen Kindergarten

Jim’s Auto Repair Jim and Pat Ellefson Wanderoos • 715-268-2917

YOUR FULL LINE GROCERY STORE Super Store, Everything In One Stop 210 Keller Ave., Amery Downtown Amery Phone 715-268-5872

Olive Webb Pre-Kindergarten

from all of us at:

This little great grandma recalls, with damp eyes, wondering what precious grandchildren prize.

Riley Lambert Nihiser Grade 1

Closing Christmas Eve at 4 p.m.

Closing Christmas Day at 1 p.m.

Leo Jensen Grade 4

Third Place winner in Pre-Kindergarten in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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www.theameryfreepress.com

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to one and all!

With just a week left until Christmas Day, I am sure many people feel the same way I do…a little stressed. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything about the holiday season, and that’s where my problem begins. This time of year there is so many things Pounding to do… concerts to atthe tend, games Pavement to go cheer at, shopping, Pam Humpal wrapping, greeting cards to send, and I personally think I can’t miss a thing. My niece calls me a “FOMO”…

Fear Of Missing Out! Yep that sums it up for me!

As you will see in this issue, the kids in Pre-K through 4th grade drew Christmas/Winter pictures for businesses to use as their Christmas greetings.

Great job kids…They are all

awesome! Thank you to the students, teachers, and school personnel for your assistance with the drawing project.

Congratulations to the following winners in the final drawing of the Amery Christmas Punch Promotion sponsored by the Amery Community Club. Thank you to the participating Amery businesses and especially to those for shopping locally…Marian Fox, Maranda Goldsmith, Rita Bailey, Dawn Molesky, Gloria Greschner, Nancy Sauve, Kris Leehe Dodge, Elden Setter, Nanette Fox, Cindi Buenzli.

The 27th Annual John Legut Memorial Cup will be held at the Amery Ice Arena on Saturday, December 28, at 7:30pm.

Amery hockey alumni are encouraged to sign up for the fun game. It is always a great time watching the players take the ice again. Proceeds from the memorial cup will go towards scholarships for graduating seniors.

The public is also invited to a FREE Holiday Open Skate at the Amery Ice Arena on Sunday, December 29, from

Merry Christmas to one and all!

First Communion – Pastor Angela, Gavin & Bentley.

4-6pm. The event offers FREE admission and FREE cider.

You can also get FREE skate rental if you need skates. Come join the fun!

What a beautiful Full Moon we had last week…it definitely lit up the countryside!

Saturday, December 21, Winter officially begins. I am not sure what season we have been in with the cold and snow but now it is Winter!

Happy Belated Birthday to my nephew-in-law, Garrett, on December 16. I hope you had a great one!

In observance of Christmas, the Amery Free Press office

will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25. Our next issue is published on Monday, December 23.

Deadline for the Amery Free Press and The Tab is on Thursday, December 19, at 4pm. That issue will include New Years activities, specials, and also greetings from area businesses with the assistance of the kids cards that they drew. Please give me a call today.

As I have said before, days are always busy but this time of year, it is to the extreme.

This past week I went to the annual Amery Community Club Christmas Party, our

bowling party which we went to the light display at General Sam’s, a Christmas Luncheon at The Heritage Center in New Richmond, Gavin’s 4th grade concert, hockey games, and First Communion/Christmas Program for Gavin and Bentley. That was a very full week but also amazing!

My wish during this very wonderful season is for you to enjoy every minute you can with family and friends, and to count your blessings each and every day! As you can tell from the attached pictures, I am so blessed! Merry Christmas everyone!

Bowling Party – Jodi, Leslie, Sid, Bev, Santa, Linda, Janet, myself.

Finn (3), Ariel, Matt, Graeme (6), myself, Rory (5 months).

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Myself, Gavin (10), Rachel, Bentley (7), Ryan.

Eryk Christian, Kindergarten

Second Place winner in Kindergarten in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest 475 Golfview Lane Amery, WI 54001 715-268-9949 riverbend-seniorliving.com

Michael Elmer Grade 2

Pickard Trucking AMERY

Christmas luncheon: sitting – Phyllis & Ruth; standing – Elaine, myself, Carrie & Joan.

28A AMERY FREE PRESS

NEWSPAPER FUN

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

...homes for the holidays this year!

Let’s all help decorate each others’...

Newspaper Fun! www.readingclubfun.com

Annimills LLC © 2019 V15-48

Holiday Fun & Feasts Kwanza

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3. The Legend of the Poinsettia 4. Miracle on 34th Street 5. The Nutcracker Ballet 6. A Charlie Brown Christmas 7. A Christmas Story 8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 9. ’Twas the Night Before Christmas 10. It’s Kwanzaa Time!

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1. Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah

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Read the clues to fill in the crossword with holiday fun: 1. Festival of Lights, an 8-day Jewish holiday, honoring the Maccabees’ victory over their enemies and the miracle of a small amount of oil that kept burning for 8 days in their temple.

2. Jewish families use this to arrange candles.

3. Families find their recipes for sugared jelly doughnuts, honeycovered puffs and these delicious potato pancakes. dec 4. Las ________ is a celebration in Mexico for 9 days before Christmas. ora te People act out the journey of Joseph and Mary trying to find shelter.

8 5. Families make these special treats from a corn dough and a spicy pork or beef filling, all wrapped in corn husks for cooking.

6. Families set up these scenes in their homes: a stable for shelter, the figure of the Christ child in the center with Joseph and Mary looking on, three kings (the Magi), angels, shepherds and townspeople, and some animals.

7. Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus.

8. On Christmas Eve, delivers gifts to good children; fills their stockings too!

9. Families ________ their houses, mantels and halls with lights, greens and a tree.

10. A 7-day festival celebrated by African-Americans; a time to think about their lives and families; how they can help to create strong communities.

11. People decorate, set a nice table for a dinner, light ________ and give gifts.

12. Peanut soup, sweet potatoes, rice or chicken dishes are made for a ________.

Favorite Family Films and Fun!

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I have such a busy schedule for the holidays. This week I made little doughnuts and honey-covered puffs to take to my classmate’s Hanukkah celebration. Next week, one of our teachers is going to tell us about the holiday season of Kwanzaa and some of his traditions.

Then, I’m going to help Forest and Glade decorate their home with greens for Christmas. Chatter will bake cookies, breads and a ..

Buche de Noel – a delicious Christmas log cake – and I’ll help! What are you and your family doing to celebrate the holidays?

It’s that time of of year when there are many choices for family holiday fun and entertainment: movies, plays, television shows, cartoons, books, poetry, stories, and music. Here is a list of some family favorites.

Match each title to its description:

Kids: color stuff in!

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A. folktale by Tomie dePaola about a girl in Mexico whose gift to Baby Jesus turns into beautiful poinsettias B. dance and musical performance based on storybook; music was written by a famous composer–Tchaikovsky; first shown in Russia C. money is tight for the family in this Hanukkah tale; but when a stranger visits they share what little they have D. movie that makes everyone want to write to Santa Claus E. cartoon that shows the story of Hanukkah (Chanukah) and the family traditions of this holiday F. story, song, TV show about reindeer whose bright red nose helps Santa find his way through bad weather to deliver gifts G. TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts; Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and other characters talk about the meaning of Christmas H. poem by Clement Clarke Moore describing Santa Claus’ trip to deliver gifts; “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

I. movie about 9-year-old Ralphie who can only think about the Red Ryder air rifle he wants for Christmas J. book by Linda and Clay Goss full of stories, songs, recipes, games and crafts for celebrating Kwanzaa

ANSWERS FOR NEWSPAPER FUN ON PAGE 32A.

Looking For Sponsorship Opportunities?

Welcome to ‘Newspaper Fun’ – a weekly learning & puzzle feature aimed at young readers.

To advertise, please contact Pam at the Amery Free Press 715.268-8101 • phumpal@theameryfreepress.com

ENTERTAINMENT

DECEMBER 17, 2019

www.theameryfreepress.com

AREA BOWLING SCORES Club 53, Amery THURS-FRI NIGHT LADIES Division 1 Amery Fire Department .................159 Northwest Communications ..... 137.5 Chet Johnson Drug ...........................130 Division 2 Carlson SV ...........................................148 Club 53 ..................................................145 Better Self Wellness .................... 120.5 High Games: April Boe 197, Jodi Chelberg 178, Anne Wollan 175-161159, Pam Humpal 170, Marcia Clark 164, Andrea Karpenski 159, Sid Jones 159, Bev Gorres 151.

High Series: Anne Wollan 495, April Boe 470, Andrea Karpenski 44, Pam Humpal 444, Sid Jones 431.

MONDAY NIGHT MEN Week 14 of 32 Division 1

Shoreview Sh i ........................................153.5 153 5 Tac Two ............................................. 118.5 Division 2 Gary’s Electric.....................................148 Dick’s Fresh Market ......................... 140 High Games: Rod Gehrman 288, Bob Gillis 269, Robert Albee 209-211.

High Series: Rod Gehrman 637, Bob Gillis 634, Robert Albee 592.

TUESDAY NIGHT MEN Week 15 of 32 Garibaldi’s........................................ 149.5 Club 53 ..................................................139 Chet Johnson Drug ........................ 101.5 Noah Insurance..................................102 High Games: Wade Prindle 210.

High Series: Wade Prindle 557.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEN Week 14 of 32 Preferred Lawn................................. 160 Alibi........................................................ 123 Club 53 ...............................................152.5

Craft & Bake Sale Thursday, December 19 1-9 pm (Come for the sale–stay for Bingo!)

Friday, December 20 4-7 pm

Amery VFW 730 N. Wisconsin Ave., Amery Hosted by the Auxiliary

27th Annual

John Legut Memorial Cup Saturday, Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m.

AMERY ICE ARENA 1065 RiverPlace Drive, Amery

Enjoy a great hockey game with Amery Alumni and help raise the funds to award educational scholarships.

Admission $3 adults, $2 students, 6 & under free

Your support is appreciated for this effort.

Hockey Alumni interested in playing please contact Andrea Legut andrealegut@yahoo.com, phone 715-781-0710

Welcome to Amery!

Visit with Santa Saturday, December 14 9 am - 1 pm at Chet Johnson Drug

Saturday, December 21 9 am - 1 pm at Worn Again

Amery A Fire Fi Department D ...............115.5 115 5 High Games: Denis Carteron 226, Jerod Wollan 245, Chris Sobttka 222, Dave Fox 215, Jim Swanson 213, Beau Gorres 245.

High Series: Denis Carteron 598, Jerod Wollan 563, Chris Sobttka 612, Dave Fox 575, Jim Swanson 550, Beau Gorres 624.

Spare Time Bowling Turtle Lake MONDAY NIGHT LADIES Week 15 of 28 Becker’s Trucking ..................................9 Countyline Dairy.................................... 7 Austad’s ...................................................5 Bowlin Buddies......................................5 Clear Lake Auto .....................................4 LakePlace.com ......................................4 Spare Time Bowl...................................2 Little Debbies .........................................0 High Games: Mitzi Hawkins 212-178, Michelle Hollister 204-194, Orreen Nottom 193, Judy Ullom 193, Heidi VanHeuklom 176, Brenda Levine 176, Gwen Johannsen 175, Geri Christensen 174.

High Series: Michelle Hollister 538, Mitzi Hawkins 518, Orreen Nottom 508, Gwen Johannsen 479, Brenda Levine 473.

BRIDGE RESULTS Thursday, November 21 1st – Pat Carlson & Shirley Klopotek 2nd – tie: Dennis Psick & Steve Sondreal and Steve Wilhelm & Sydney Lund.

AMERY FREE PRESS

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DECEMBER 17, 2019

Pay raises for Wisconsin state workers up for approval MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Pay raises for Wisconsin state employees are scheduled to be voted on next week by a special legislative committee.

The panel of legislative leaders is scheduled to meet on Dec. 18 to act on the pay plans, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’s office said Tuesday. The Legislature’s budget committee approved the pay plans, but they

IN MEMORIAM In loving Memory of

Michael Frank Morrissey Nov. 13, 1959 - Dec. 22, 2009 Remembrance is a golden chain death tries to break. But all in vain to have, to love, and then to part is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart. The years wipe out many things, but this they wipe out never.

The memory of those happy days when we were all together. Your life on earth was of great value and you made an impact on others. A heart and a loving soul who accepted everyone. Although, ten years have now gone by, your never ending presence we cannot deny. The subtle ways you let us know you’re always there. Watching over us.

Merry Christmas Michael. Make sure and wish Dad a Merry Christmas and give him a big hug from all of us.

Forever in our hearts, Mom, Sue, Bonnie, Cindy

Read the Amery Free Press!

In Loving Memory

Al Humpal Born May 18, 1918 Died Dec. 22, 2004

must also win approval by another committee comprised of Vos and other legislative leaders.

Democrats had been calling on Republicans to set the meeting so the raises can go into effect in January as planned.

State workers are slated to receive a 2% general wage increase in each of the next two years. Employees at the University of Wisconsin System and on the Madison campus are also to receive the same increase.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is also proposing that state employees’ minimum wage be set to $15 an hour starting on June 7. Prison guards are in line to see even higher raises, with starting wages increase from $16.65 to $18.22 an hour. That pay boost is designed to address staffing shortages in Wisconsin’s prisons.

The entire package is expected to cost just over $84 million.

NOTICE TOWN OF BLACK BROOK 99 75TH STREET – CLEAR LAKE, WI THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2019 TOWN PLAN COMMISSION – 6:00 P.M. Continue Review of Comprehensive Plan

TOWN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ 7:00 P.M. Call meeting to Order; Proof of Meeting Notice; Approve Agenda; Approve Vouchers & Pay bills, Reading of Reports; Public Comments; OLD BUSINESS: Update on Comprehensive Plan; Update on clean up complaint at 547 Hwy 46; Update/discussion regarding Sexual Offender Residence Ordinance; Review and approve Election Day Emergency Response Plan NEW BUSINESS: Review 2019 budget and approval to move funds in the amount of $2,000 from General Government to Public Safety to correct budget deficit. Review and approve Joint Maintenance Agreement regarding 120th Street Town line Road –Towns of Black Brook and Alden Review and approval of 2020-2021 Election Workers; Adjourn to January meeting.

Sally Pickard, Clerk Web Site: Townofblackbrook.com WNAXLP

DEADLINE FRIDAY AT NOON CLASSIFIED The School District of Turtle Lake has an Employment Opportunity available for the following position, beginning July 1, 2020:

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION The School District of Turtle Lake is seeking an inspired and collaborative leader to apply for our Director of Special Education position. This person will ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate services, plan, develop, implement and evaluate appropriate SPED programs and follow all applicable laws. Qualified candidates must have knowledge of special education laws and procedures and will be required to participate in development, implementation and evaluation of individual and school-wide educational related interventions and conduct functional behavioral assessments as well as develop and implement behavior management programs, collaboration with principals, counselor and superintendent. This position builds partnerships that support student learning, well-being and opportunities while using problem-solving techniques to address and resolve concerns or problems. The position is responsible for working with our principals to hire and supervise all special education staff, DPI reporting, budget preparation, analysis of data and encouraging innovation. This is a part-time position for 35 days per school year. The School District of Turtle Lake does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical mental, emotional or learning disability.

Applicants may apply through WECAN or by submitting Resume, Cover letter, Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts to: School District of Turtle Lake Kent M. Kindschy, Superintendent 205 Oak Street North | Turtle Lake, WI 54889 kkindschy@turtlelake.k12.wi.us The School District of Turtle Lake is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.

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DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

31A

www.theameryfreepress.com

EARLY DEADLINE FOR CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS: FRIDAY AT NOON

FOR RENT

1BR in Clear Lake Heat Included!

Rent based on 30% of income. Utilities included! On-site laundry, storage lockers, many updates!

For those 62+ or disabled of any age.

800-944-4866 x1122 Equal Housing Opportunity

WŽůŬ ŽƵŶƚLJ ŽĨĨĞƌƐ ĂƌĞĞƌ ƚŚĂƚ DĂƚƚĞƌ͊ :ŽŝŶ ƵƐ ƚŽ ŵĂŬĞ Ă ŝĨĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ͊

ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ ^ƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĞŶƚĞƌ EŽŶͲĞdžĞŵƉƚ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ^ƚĂƌƚŝŶŐ͗ Ψ ϭϴ͘ϯϵ dŚĞ ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ ^ƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚ ĞƚĞƌŵŝŶĞƐ ĞůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ŽŶŐŽŝŶŐ ĐĂƐĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ WŽůŬ ŽƵŶƚLJͬ'ƌĞĂƚ ZŝǀĞƌƐ /ŶĐŽŵĞ DĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ ŽŶƐŽƌͲ ƚŝƵŵ ŝŶ Ă ƚŝŵĞůLJ ĂŶĚ ĂĐĐƵƌĂƚĞ ŵĂŶŶĞƌ͘ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞ͛Ɛ ĞŐƌĞĞ ŝŶ ,ƵŵĂŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ Žƌ ƌĞůĂƚĞĚ ĨŝĞůĚ͕ ŵŝŶŝŵƵŵ ŽĨ Ϯ LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĚĞĂůŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ŐĞŶͲ ĞƌĂů ƉƵďůŝĐ͖ Ă ĐŽŵďŝŶĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶ ŵĂLJ ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ͘ ĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭ͕ ϮϬϮϬ

,ŝŐŚǁĂLJ DĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ tŽƌŬĞƌ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĞŶƚĞƌ EŽŶͲĞdžĞŵƉƚ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ^ƚĂƌƚŝŶŐ͗ Ψ ϭϵ͘ϱϲ

Golden Age Manor

in Amery, WI would like you on our team!

RN or LPN—PART TIME

5 shifts every 2 weeks, PM shift during the week(2:30pm-10:45pm) & DAY shift every other weekend (6:30am-2:45pm) Excellent Polk County Benefit Package including paid time off, WRS retirement, health, dental and vision insurance, wellness program and more! We welcome new and soon to be graduates!

Please call Mary at 715-268-7107 for more information or apply online for this Polk County career now at www.co.polk.wi.us

Deadline to apply online: 1/5/2020

dŚŝƐ ƉŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵƐ ŽƉĞƌĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ŵŽƚŽƌŝnjĞĚ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ƵƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐͲ ƚŝŽŶ͕ ƌĞƉĂŝƌ ĂŶĚ ŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ ŽĨ ŽƵŶƚLJ ŚŝŐŚǁĂLJƐ͘ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ Ă ǀĂůŝĚ tŝƐĐŽŶƐŝŶ > ůŝĐĞŶƐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ĂƉƉƌŽƉƌŝĂƚĞ ĐůĂƐƐ ĂŶĚ ĞŶĚŽƌƐĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ƐƉĞĐŝĨŝĐĂůůLJ ůĂƐƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚĂŶŬĞƌ͘

There is opportunity to pick up additional hours if desired.

ĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭ͕ ϮϬϮϬ

Deadline to apply online: 1/5/2020

DĞĂů ^ŝƚĞ ŝĚĞ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĞŶƚĞƌ EŽŶͲĞdžĞŵƉƚ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ^ƚĂƌƚŝŶŐ͗ Ψ ϵ͘ϱϴ dŚŝƐ ƉŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ŝƐ Ă ůŝŵŝƚĞĚ͕ ĨůĞdžŝďůĞ͕ ĨŝůůͲŝŶ ƉŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƐƐŝƐƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ŵĞĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐƚŝǀŝƚŝĞƐ Ăƚ ůŽĐĂů EƵƚƌŝƚŝŽŶ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ^ĞŶŝŽƌ ŝŶŝŶŐ ^ŝƚĞƐ͘ KƵƌ ŵĞĂů ƐŝƚĞƐ ŽĨĨĞƌ ŵĞĂůƐ ŽŶ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ dƵĞƐĚĂLJ͕ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ ĂŶĚ &ƌŝĚĂLJ͘ /ĚĞĂů ƉĂƌƚͲƚŝŵĞ ǁŽƌŬ ĨŽƌ ƐŽŵĞŽŶĞ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ ŽŶůLJ ŵŽƌŶŝŶŐƐ ;ϳ͗ϯϬĂŵͲϭϮ͗ϯϬƉŵͿ͘ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ tŝƐͲ ĐŽŶƐŝŶ &ŽŽĚ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ ĞƌƚŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ͕ ǁĞ ǁŝůů ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ƚŽ ďĞ ĐĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ϲ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ ŽĨ ŚŝƌĞ͘ ĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ KƉĞŶ ƵŶƚŝů ĨŝůůĞĚ

>ĂďŽƌĞƌͬ ƌŝǀĞƌ ZĞĐLJĐůŝŶŐ ĞŶƚĞƌ EŽŶͲĞdžĞŵƉƚ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ^ƚĂƌƚŝŶŐ͗ Ψ ϭϴ͘ϴϵ dŚŝƐ ƉŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵƐ ŵĂŶƵĂů ůĂďŽƌ ĂŶĚ ƐŬŝůůĞĚ ŽƉĞƌĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ŵŽƚŽƌŝnjĞĚ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ƵƐĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ZĞĐLJĐůŝŶŐ ĞŶƚĞƌ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ĐƵƐƚŽŵĞƌ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚŝŶŐ ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ͘ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ Ă ǀĂůŝĚ ƌŝǀĞƌ͛Ɛ >ŝĐĞŶƐĞ ůĂƐƐ ͕ ƉƌĞĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ŽĨĨĞƌĞĚ ƚŽ ŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂůƐ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ůĂƐƐ ͘ ĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ Ϯϲ͕ ϮϬϭϵ

ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ >ĞĂĚ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĞŶƚĞƌ EŽŶͲĞdžĞŵƉƚ WŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ tĂŐĞ͗ ĞƉĞŶĚƐ ŽŶ YƵĂůŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ dŚĞ ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ >ĞĂĚ ŝƐ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ŝŶ ƉƵďůŝĐ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂŶĚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵ ĞůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ Θ ĐĂƐĞ ŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞ ĨƵŶĐƚŝŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƉƵďůŝĐ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ĞŶƚŝƚůĞŵĞŶƚ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ŵŝŶŝŵĂů ƐƵƉĞƌǀŝƐŝŽŶ͘ Ɛ ǁĞůů ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƐ ĂŶ ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ ^ƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ^^ >ĞĂĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ĚŝƌĞĐƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂů ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƚĞĂŵ͘ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞ ĚĞŐƌĞĞ ŝŶ ,ƵŵĂŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ Žƌ ƌĞůĂƚĞĚ ĨŝĞůĚ͕ ŵŝŶŝŵƵŵ ŽĨ Ϯ LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ Ă ĚŝƌĞĐƚůLJ ƌĞůĂƚĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ͖ Ă ĐŽŵďŝŶĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶ ŵĂLJ ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ͘

ĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ Ϯϲ͕ ϮϬϭϵ tĞ ĐĂŶŶŽƚ ĨƵŶĐƚŝŽŶ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞĞƐͶƚĂůĞŶƚĞĚ͕ ĐĂƌŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůƐ ĂƌĞ ƌĞǁĂƌĚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ͕ ĐŽŵƉĞƚŝƚŝǀĞ ƚŽƚĂů ƌĞǁĂƌĚƐ ƉĂĐŬĂŐĞ͘

zKh Dh^d KDW> d E KEͲ>/E WW>/ d/KE dK >/'/ > ͘ &Žƌ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ũŽď ĚĞƐĐƌŝƉƚŝŽŶƐ͕ ƉŽƐŝƚŝŽŶ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ͕ ĂŶĚ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ǀŝƐŝƚ ŽƵƌ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͕ ŵƉůŽLJŵĞŶƚ KƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚŝĞƐ͘ ͬ K

ǁǁǁ͘ĐŽ͘ƉŽůŬ͘ǁŝ͘ƵƐ

Every other weekend Cook Hours: 11:30am-7:30pm

Starting Wage: $13.00/hr +

You must complete an on-line application to be eligible. For complete job description, position requirements, application, and details please visit our website at www.co.polk.wi.us, Employment Opportunities. AA/EEOC

Clayton School District • Clayton, WI is accepting application for the following positions:

FOOD SERVICE WORKER Duties include dishwashing, food preparation and serving.

5.75 hrs/day, starting $15.32/hr.

Food service training provided.

SCHOOL NURSE Seeking an RN willing to work with students and staff. Approx. 4 hrs/week.

Must be community health certified. May also include Medical Advisor position if qualified.

Wage dependent on qualifications.

If interested in applying for either position please send letter of interest and resume with references to: District Administrator Ed Cerney 236 Polk Ave. W., PO Box 130 Clayton, WI 54004 or email to cerneye@claytonsd.k12.wi.us Deadline to Apply: December 23, 2019

We love to hear from our subscribers, advertisers and readers. Here are the many ways you can contact us: Mail: Amery Free Press, Box 424, Amery, WI 54001 Phone: 715-268-8101 FAX: 715-268-5300 Email: Tom Stangl: tstangl@ theameryfreepress.com April Ziemer: editor@ theameryfreepress.com Pam Humpal: phumpal@ theameryfreepress.com Jamie Stewart: classifieds@ theameryfreepress.com Diane Stangl: dstangl@ theameryfreepress.com Nicole Gagner: ngagner@ theameryfreepress.com Our office is located at 215 Keller Ave. S. We are open from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Mark-it Graphics, a leading commercial print provider in Osceola, is looking to add experienced people to it’s staff immediately. We offer good working conditions, vacation pay and other benefits.

Open positions are:

Customer Service Representative / Estimator Pre-Press Artist Finishing / Packaging Assistant Interested parties can reply via email to: Mike.Hock@mark-itgraphics.com with your resume, availability and salary requirements, or you can stop in and fill out an application. Please No Phone Calls.

32A

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019 www.theameryfreepress.com

DRIVE SOBER: WisDOT hopes for a safe, enjoyable holiday and many other states see a growing challenge with drugged drivers - people whose ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is compromised by drugs including prescription or over-thecounter medications and illegal narcotics. To combat the problem, Wisconsin currently has: • 25 multi-jurisdictional, high-visibility OWI enforcement task forces that operate year-round across the state.

• About 3,800 law enforcement officers trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8A

said. “We appreciate all those who will be working over the holidays to serve and protect the public. Motorists can do their part by buckling up, watching their speed and being patient and alert every trip.”

Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 169 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries. Also last year, there were over 24,200 OWI convictions in Wisconsin. While alcohol-impaired driving remains a concern, Wisconsin

to help detect and remove impaired drivers from roadways.

• 292 highly-trained Drug Recognition Experts - among the most in the nation.

How citizens can help: • If you suspect a driver of being impaired, call 911. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible about the driver, vehicle and location.

• If you plan to celebrate, identify a sober designated driver. Never allow someone else to get behind the wheel impaired.

• Download the free “Drive Sober”

NEWSPAPER FUN ANSWERS (Puzzles on page 28A)

Merry Christmas!

6$17$·6 WORKSHOP

Holiday Wishes for You: 3

2

A

A

B

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1

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A

1

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2

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3 A A

B

C

4

1

4

2

3

A

B

3 D

C

C

1

C B

4

D

2

3

A

B

D

Where Do Our Customs Come From?

C

Turkey

The Amery Free Press is seeking a freelance reporter to help report the news of our community. If you have a knack for seeing beyond the obvious and a well-developed sense of curiosity and enjoy sharing stories, this might be a great fit for you.

Germany

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carols like “Joy to the World” come from here

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mobile app from the WisDOT website. It includes a “find a ride” feature to help locate transportation alternatives.

• Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons a safe ride home. Visit www.tlw.org/ and click on “Safe Ride.”

United States

Scandinavia

6.

5.

Send resume and writing clips to: April Ziemer, Editor, The Amery Free Press, P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI 54001 Email: editor@theameryfreepress.com

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Holland

Customer Appreciation

ONE DAY SALE Despite our best efforts to sell them all, we find ourselves with some left over half and full page ads. These ads are perfectly fine, unused and ready to get your message out, but need to be sold. To do so, we are offering a one day sale.

Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 • 9-3 Contact Pam or Jamie for more information 715-268-8101

Thank you for your past and future business!

Publication Baldwin Bulletin ($6.50 col. inch Full Rate)

Bargain Bulletin ($9.00 col. inch Full Rate)

Amery Free Press ($8.00 col. inch Full Rate)

Burnett County Sentinel ($8.00 col. inch Full Rate)

The Sun ($7.25 col. inch Full Rate)

Country Messenger ($7.25 col. inch Full Rate)

1/2 Page BW $175

1/2 Page Color $245

Full Page BW $340

Full Page Color $400

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

$165

$230

$335

$400

(boost not avail.)

(boost not avail.)

(boost not avail.)

(boost not avail.)

$215

$280

$405

$470

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

$215

$280

$405

$470

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

$195

$260

$370

$435

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

$195

$260

$370

$435

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

(Incl. digital boost)

To qualify for this extraordinary offer, all full and half page ads must run between January 15, 2020 and February 28, 2020. Not valid with contracts or any other offers. Ads do not qualify for repeat discounts.

Digital boost is $25 per week per ad and included in the pricing.

BURNETT COUNTY

COUNTRY

BALDWIN

BARGAIN

Christmas 2019

To our readers and advertisers:

We love delivering news from around the area, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our loyal readers and advertisers. Thank you for making us your newspaper of choice. We look forward to reporting to you in the new year!

From us to you...Merry Christmas!

Tom Stangl, April Ziemer, Diane Stangl, Pam Humpal, Nicole Gagner, Jamie Stewart, Cathy Nelson Enjoy viewing the children’s cards from grades Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 4 in this special Christmas section

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Get Your (Real) Greens Green is having a moment this holiday season, not just as a color, but as a decor item.

Green garlands are cascading down staircases, crowning doorways and slipping over mantles.

Wreaths grace doors and windows and, of course, there’s trees galore. But where does all that come from? Here’s how you find and keep real bundles of holly, fir and other holiday greens.

GARDEN CENTERS Go forth to your local garden center. They’ll have a wide selection of real garlands, wreaths, trees and more. If you’re just looking to fill a few vases, ask the staff there if you can take some of the trimmings off their hands.

Want to go beyond your basic fir and juniper? Look for giant, glossy magnolia leaves that develop a beautiful golden patina as they dry. Also consider fresh rosemary, which also comes with a wonderful smell, bay leaves, eucalyptus, cypress and ivy. Rosemary, especially, makes an attractive tree shape that makes a lovely table decoration.

KEEP IT FRESH Home expert Martha Stewart advises to keep your greens fresh by spraying them with an antidesiccant spray, found at garden centers. These help keep your greens fresh by sealing in moisture in dry winter environments. Mist loose greenery daily and it will last about two weeks. The misting, by the way, also helps boost that perfect evergreen Christmas smell.

Lowe’s suggests trimming the ends of your greenery and soaking them in water overnight to properly condition them before twisting them into wreaths or garlands.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Choose greenery that doesn’t feel dry, isn’t brown and, if it’s evergreen, has all or most of its needles.

Needles and leaves should bend but not break. And use your nose; your fresh greens shouldn’t smell musty or moldy. Also be mindful of any parts of your chosen plants that could hurt people or pets. Ask your garden center experts before bringing them in.

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Dine with us New Year’s Eve!

Merry Christmas!

on Beautiful Pike Lake Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019

6 entrees to choose from Serving at 4 p.m.

Dinner Reservations Recommended

Call us about your parties before or after Christmas

Friday - Fish Fry & Prime Rib Saturday - “Featuring” Prime Rib Jackson Rude Kindergarten First Place winner in Kindergarten in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest Hazel Kuhl Pre-Kindergarten

Brayden Witt Kindergarten

Christmas Eve 5 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Christmas Day open 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.

North of Amery on Hwy. 46 715-268-7654

General Contractors Steel • Commercial • Residential New & Remodel Construction

P.O. Box 152 • 702 Clayton Ave. W. Clayton, WI 54004 Phone 715-948-2811 • Fax 715-948-2456 www.berghammerbuilders.com

On Pike Lake, Amery, Wis. One mile north of Amery on Hwy. 46, 1/2 mile west on Cty. Rd. H

715-268-8774

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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Candle Safety You want the warm glow of candles to light your holiday decor, but those happy dancing flames come with a lot of risk.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than half of December home decoration candles were started by fires, and Christmas is one of the top three days for home candle fires. Here are some tips for keeping you and your family safe.

KEEP AN EYE ON IT Don’t leave burning candles unattended and make sure you blow out all the candles in your home before leaving or going to bed, the NFPA says.

LOCATION, LOCATION Keep candle flames at least a foot

away from anything flammable. When you light a candle, keep your hair, clothing and jewelry well back from the flame. Use sturdy candle holders and keep candles on stable surfaces. Don’t let candles burn all the way down so that it’s a danger to its holder. Never place an open flame in a window where it can catch blinds and curtains. For window displays, use LED or electric lights.

CANDLES AND CHILDREN Never leave candles, lighters or matches alone with children. If you are planning a celebration that involves

holding a candle, consider using battery-operated LED candle for the kids.

CHECK SMOKE DETECTORS Before you kick off the holiday season, check all your smoke detectors to make sure they’re working properly, the NFPA says. Your home should have smoke alarms on every level, outside each sleeping area and inside every bedroom. Interconnect the alarms so that they all sound when one sounds.

Practice your fire safety drill with your family. Your fire plan should include two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Cali Schanon Grade 3

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Merry Christmas Delilah Byrnes Grade 2

Edith Greeson Kindergarten

First Place Winner in Grade 3 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Third Place Winner in Kindergarten in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Jackson Schanon Pre-K

Season’s Greetings

Dimitri Byrnes Kindergarten

from ...

Closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1 • Dec. 31 9am-2pm

James Schanon Insurance Agency 219 Keller Ave. N, Amery 715-268-9211

Amery Area Public Library 225 Scholl Ct. • Amery • Phone 268-9340

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Byrnes Law OfÀce BRIAN D. BYRNES

314 Keller Ave. North, Amery, WI 54001

715-268-5000

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

McCoy Werle Grade 2

Jezi Sain Grade 3

Alibi Bar Downtown Amery Phone 715-268-8928

Mobil 1

Lube Express

St. Croix Falls Phone 715-483-1367

Second Place winner in Grade 3 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest 235 US Hwy. 63, Clear Lake 715-263-2295 Open Christmas Eve 9am-Noon Closed Christmas Day

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Winter sports Safety tips Winter weather doesn’t have to drive you and your family inside; there are plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the cold.

Of course, winter sports come with some risk, not the least of which is putting your kid on two sticks and sending her off down the mountain. Snowboarding accounts for a quarter of all emergency room visits during the winter, and sledding causes more than 52,000 injuries a year. Learn what Stanford Children’s

Health suggests you do to minimize the risk and maximize the fun.

plus light is reflecting off the snow. Sunburns actually occur more easily on a ski trip than on the beach.

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING Make sure your equipment is working and that it fits properly. Get helmets that are specifically designed for skiing or snowboarding, not a bike helmet. Don’t reuse a helmet that’s already taken a big hit.

Know your child’s fitness and ability level, take frequent breaks and reinforce the importance of staying on runs that aren’t too hard. Many injuries are caused by lack of control; either the person is moving too fast or going down a slope that’s beyond their ability. Consider getting professional lessons for your children; even a little time with a teacher can get them comfortable on the mountain, on their skis and with the chairlift.

Even on a cloudy day, wear sunglasses and sunscreen. On top of a mountain, you’re closer to the sun,

SLEDDING Look into your sledding options. A steerable sled is a good idea; inner tubes, saucers and snow disks put your child at greater risk because they go fast but can’t be steered effectively. Even with no obstacles nearby, that can present a hazard. Also, pick a good place to sled—stay away from steep or icy hills, streets or driveways and areas with trees, walls or cars. Make sure the snow is well-packed; loose snow can be a hazard. Make sure your children can safely walk back up the hill.

Stanford Children’s recommends that children younger than 12 wear a helmet while sledding. In all winter sports, dress appropriately and watch for signs of frostbite.

METRO CREATIVE

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Wishing you PEACE, JOY & PROSPERITY this Holiday Season

115 Keller Ave. N. • Amery 715-268-2819 bridgewhatmatters.com

Audrina Toombs Grade 3

Toombs Septic Services

Toombs Truck Repair

Clear Lake, WI • 715-263-4333

Clear Lake, WI • 715-263-2194

Kayli Peterson Grade 3

Thanks for being so good to us this year. Customers like you make our job a great gig, and we greatly appreciate your patronage.

Merry Christmas, friends!

HOLIDAY HOURS: Open Dec. 24 8-Noon • Closed Dec. 25 Open Dec. 31 8-Noon • Closed Jan. 1

*Investment adviser representative and registered representative of, and securities and investment advisory services oќered through Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (Member SIPC). BRIDGE INVESTMENT GROUP is not a subsidiary of nor controlled by Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. CN1028846_1220

Evelyn Danielson Grade 1

First Place winner in Grade 1 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Merry Christmas from . . .

Amery Family Restaurant 418 Keller Ave. S., Amery 715-268-2100 Gift Certificates Available

216 North Keller Ave., Amery, WI 54001 Phone 715-268-8159 Fax 715-268-2064 Reg. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Open Dec. 24, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

Closed Dec. 25

Open 7 days a week 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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Captivating Candy With a little work and some science, you can make this Christmas the best of hard candy Christmases.

Or soft candy. Or fudge. You name it, with these techniques the candy world is yours.

HARDWARE First and foremost, get yourself a candy thermometer. While testing in cold water or with cold spoons worked for grandma, let’s all just admit we aren’t that good. You can find a candy thermometer at your local kitchen goods store.

You’ll also need a good, heavy pot.

Make sure it’s big enough so that your candy mixture doesn’t boil over. (No one needs that kind of trouble.) No thin, cheap aluminum here. You want something that holds heat.

SOFTWARE You’re going to need a lot of sugar for most candy recipes. As for the rest, fresh is best says the University of Arkansas extension service. Quality is important, too. Don’t cheap out on your chocolate, nuts and other ingredients or you may end up disappointed.

Another important factor in candy making is the weather. Humidity is key here. You can’t make candy in a moist environment; it just won’t set. Pick a dry, cool day to make your batches and store them in an airtight container in a cool place.

medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.

2. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and marshmallow cream, stir until melted. Add vanilla and nuts, if using, and mix well.

3. Pour fudge into the pan and spread to cover. Cool completely. Use excess foil to lift from pan and cut into 1-inch squares.

FANTASY FUDGE Recipe comes from Kraft.

3 cups sugar 1 5-ounce can evaporated milk 1 7-ounce jar marshmallow cream 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup butter or margarine 12 ounces chocolate 1 cup walnuts, optional 1. Line a 9-inch square pan with foil extending over the sides of the pan.

Bring sugar, butter and milk to a full rolling boil in a 3-quart saucepan on

Miles Hartmann Grade 3 Stella Gould Grade 2

Merry Christmas from us at...

L

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Open Dec. 24 8-Noon, Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 Open Dec. 31 8-Noon

LEADHOLM

INSURANCE AGENCY

212 N. Keller Ave. • Amery, Wis. • Phone 715-268-7188

Merry Christmas

James Rabe Grade 4

Jaxson Cran Grade 4

Dental Arts Holiday Hours

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Kate Rabe Grade 2

Open Dec. 24 8am-Noon Closed Dec. 25

Closed Dec. 24th, 25th and Jan. 1st

Family Eye Clinic Dr. Daniel Satterlund OPTOMETRIST 120 Keller Ave. N, Amery 715-268-9010

Open Dec. 31 8am-Noon Closed Jan. 1

Dental Arts 404 Wisconsin Ave., Amery 715-268-7177

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Christmas Tradition Origins Ever wonder why we decorate fir trees or hang mistletoe during the Christmas season?

Households, regions and families have a variety of traditions to celebrate Christmas, ranging from ugly sweaters to drinking eggnog to a Christmas goose, while others, like decorating an evergreen tree, are common across the world. Mental Floss talks about the history of these common, and a few less common, traditions.

EVERGREEN TREES Before Christianity, people used branches from pine trees to decorate their homes during winter as a reminder that plants would return in abundance during the spring. As Christianity grew, people incorporated the tradition of evergreen trees into their celebrations, particularly in Germany, decorating trees with apples.

The tradition increased in popularity

METRO CREATIVE

when Queen Victoria decorated a tree in honor of her German husband.

CHRISTMAS COLORS Red and green don’t have an official origin story, but historians believe green may come from the evergreen tree tradition, and the red is from holly berries, which also have a religious implication; the berries have been associated with the blood of Jesus Christ.

MILK AND COOKIES Leaving a sweet treat for Santa dates back to ancient Norse mythology.

Legend has it that the Norse god Odin had an eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.

Children left treats for Sleipnir with the hope that Odin would give them gifts in return. It returned to popularity in the United States during the Great Depression as a way to teach children to be grateful for gifts.

ADVENT CALENDARS These calendars help you count down the days until Christmas. You can buy them at the grocery store — typically these come with little chocolates or other candies inside — or get a reusable one at a craft or Christmas store.

These could include candy, reading the Christmas story or something else.

Advent itself is a religious advent that has been celebrated since the fourth century; it starts on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30 and is a period of preparation for Christmas.

of winter. How the jump from fertility to kissing is unknown, though the tradition grew in popularity with English servants in the 1700s and spread upward.

MISTLETOE This plant, which is actually a parasite, has long been associated with fertility; according to the Celtic Druids, it blossomed in the coldest times

Wyatt Reyes Grade 4

Merry Christmas from . . .

1101 Cornwall Ave., Amery 715-268-7676 www.amerychevrolet.com

Closed Dec. 24 & 25 and Jan. 1

MERRY CHRISTMAS Frances Richardson Grade 4

Macie Boe Grade 4

Blake Boe Kindergarten

Eleanore Amans Grade 3

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

A&E

First Place winner in Grade 4 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

The Law Firm of Williams and Davis Attorney Nicholas V. Davis

Attorney Daniel E. Firkus

Lawn Care Services LLC

CRIMINAL, TRAFFIC, PERSONAL INJURY SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY DIVORCE, CUSTODY, BANKRUPTCY*

Servicing Amery, Balsam Lake, Turtle Lake, Clear Lake, Clayton, Deer Park and Surrounding Areas

www.wisconsintriallaw.com • inquiry@wistriallaw.com 715-268-8901 314 Keller Avenue North • Amery, WI 54001

AMERY, WI • 715-554-7343

*We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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Wreaths Across America Annually, in December, Congress designates a Saturday as National Wreaths Across America Day. In 2019, that day is Dec. 14.

Today, the group coordinates ceremonies in 1,600 locations in cemeteries and at sea around the world. Whether you volunteer your time or contribute a monetary donation, the cause is a wholesome movement to support.

A BRIEF HISTORY In 1992, Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, found his company with a surplus of wreaths as the holiday season ended. As a child, he visited Arlington National Cemetery after winning a trip to Washington, D.C. The experience would stick with him and ultimately lead him to donate his extra product to an older section of the military

cemetery that was receiving fewer visitors and attention for the buried soldiers.

The wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington went on silently until 2005, when an image of the adorned stones spread across the internet and went viral, prompting the movement to become a registered nonprofit. In 2014, the group met their amazing goal of covering the entirety of the Arlington

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National Cemetery with 226,525 wreaths.

Today, with the help of volunteers and donations, the group distributes wreaths to all 50 states and offers learning tools to teach younger generations about the significance of our military members.

HOW TO DONATE You can make a monetary contribution by sponsoring

wreaths to be used during ceremonies. It is a passionate way to say “thank you” to a fallen soldier who sacrificed their lives for our country’s freedom.

Another unique donation they accept is assistance from trucking companies to trek their wreaths across the country.

The Honor Fleet is made up of generous truck owners who distribute the symbols throughout the nation.

Olivia Russo Grade 1

Hazel Eskro Grade 1

Second Place winner in Grade 1 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Best Wishes from the staŊ and residents at

Willow Ridge, Inc.

Season’s Greetings from . . .

Cattle Connection Keller Ave., Amery, WI Phone 715-268-2629

400 Deronda St., Amery • 715-268-8171

Merry Christmas

Sam Henningsgard Grade 2

Kylie Hansen Grade 4

Second Place winner in Grade 2 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Nilssen’s Market Has All Your Holiday Needs We have our famous Smoked Hams and Turkeys!

Open Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day, Dec. 25 Open Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

“Western Wisconsin’s Largest Variety of Fine Wines and Spirits at Discount Prices!”

Amery Discount Liquor 1015 Cornwall Ave., Amery OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9 A.M.-9 P.M.

ALSO FOR THE HOLIDAY WE HAVE: Lutefisk, Herring, Smoked Fish & Swedish Potato Sausage, Made to Order Fruit Baskets, Cheese and Meat Trays, Veggie Trays and Cheese & Sausage Gift Boxes!

Don’t forget we have Gift Cards too!

CALL TO RESERVE ONE TODAY!

We will be closing at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day

Nilssen’s Market 265 NW 5th St., Clear Lake • Phone 715-263-2513 Family Owned Since 1903

• ATM Inside • Postage Stamps • Kemps Dairy Products

Check out our weekly ad at: nilssensfoods.com

STORE HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Community Club announces Christmas/ Winter Card winners

PAM HUMPAL | AMERY FREE PRESS

PAM HUMPAL | AMERY FREE PRESS

Pre-Kindergarten Winners Elementary Art Teacher, Renee Anderson and Community Club President, Denis Carteron are pictured with the Pre-Kindergarten winners Sam Siebenaler, 1st place and Olive Webb, 3rd place. Missing: May Wiard, 2nd place.

Kindergarten Winners Elementary Art Teacher, Renee Anderson and Community Club President, Denis Carteron are pictured with the Kindergarten winners Jackson Rude, 1st place, Eryk Christian, 2nd place, and Edith Greeson, 3rd place.

Get to know the month of January January may be best known for resolutions, new beginnings and snowy weather. But there’s plenty of other trivia tidbits that make the first month of the year stand out.

1. January is named for the Roman god Janus.

Janus was the protector of gates and doorways. Janus was always depicted with two faces and purportedly could see into the past and into the future simultaneously.

2. Anglo-Saxons once called January “Wulfmonath,” as it was the month when hungry wolves came scavenging closer to people’s doors.

3. The month of January marks the end of the Christmas season. Twelfth Night on January 5, an English folk custom, involved toasting one another from a wassail bowl. Twelfth Night precedes the Christian Epiphany, which occurs on January 6, marking when the three Magi venerated and brought

For Christmas!

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gifts to the infant Jesus, according to the New Testament gospels.

4. The first Monday in January is called Handsel Monday, according to Scottish custom. It was a time to give children and servants a small gift (handsel), with the intent of imparting good luck.

5. Many famous people were born during January, including famed statesman, inventor and scientist Benjamin Franklin, French heroine Joan of Arc, singer Elvis Presley, and prized fighter Muhammad Ali. 6. January is a great time to get deep discounts on many different items, including garments and furniture, as stores traditionally start to reduce their winter inventories. January also is a time for linen “white” sales.

7. In the northern hemisphere, January tends to be the coldest month of the year. It should come as no surprise then that it is National Soup Month, as soup helps to chase away some of that chill.

8. People can view the Quandrantid Meteor Shower, which is a meteor shower that happens every January. The body responsible for producing the Quadrantids is an asteroid rather than comet fragments, which are the typical matter sources for meteor showers.

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9. Each January, the United States honors Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

10. Garnet is the birthstone for January. The name comes from the Latin “garanatus,” meaning “seedlike.” It refers to the red seeds of the pomegranate.

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11. January became the first month of the year (replacing March) when Roman king Numa Pompilius revised the Roman republican calendar during his reign from 715-673 BCE.

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

PAM HUMPAL | AMERY FREE PRESS

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PAM HUMPAL | AMERY FREE PRESS

1st Grade Winners

2nd Grade Winners

Elementary Art Teacher, Renee Anderson and Community Club President, Denis Carteron are pictured with the 1st Grade winners Evelyn Danielson, 1st place and Adam Greenberg, 3rd place. Missing: Hazel Eskro, 2nd place.

Elementary Art Teacher, Renee Anderson and Community Club President, Denis Carteron are pictured with the 2nd Grade winners Noah Enslin, 1st place, Sam Henningsgard, 2nd place, and Everett Stone, 3rd place.

PAM HUMPAL | AMERY FREE PRESS

3rd Grade Winners Intermediate School Principal, Oralee Schock and Community Club President, Denis Carteron are pictured with the 3rd Grade winners Cali Schanon, 1st place, Jezi Sain, 2nd place, and Cuda Riley, 3rd place.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season 551 State Hwy 46 Amery, WI 54001 715-268-HOME (4663)

PAM HUMPAL | AMERY FREE PRESS

4th Grade Winners Intermediate School Principal, Oralee Schock and Community Club President, Denis Carteron are pictured with the 4th Grade winners Frances Richardson, 1st place, Anna Williamson, 2nd place, and Calvin Kurtzhals, 3rd place.

HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 10-1 www.stonecreekcustominteriors.com

Closed December 24, 25, 28 & 31 & January 1

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

For the Sports Fanatic Does someone in your life bleed the colors of their favorite sports team?

If so, finding a gift to make an impression on them can be easily done.

From gear to memorabilia, sports fans take pride in presents that remind them of their team and proudly showcase their love of the game.

ATTIRE An easy and popular gift for a sports fan is a licensed jersey recognizing their favorite player. You may have to do a little more digging to source a throwback jersey, but it can be a rewarding experience that familiarizes yourself with a loved one’s passion. If the vendor allows, you can make your present even more personal by ordering their last name or nickname on the back.

Merry Christmas!

Sam Siebenaler Pre-Kindergarten

First Place winner in Pre-Kindergarten in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest METRO CREATIVE

321 Wisconsin Drive New Richmond, WI 715-246-2660 CountrysidePH.com MP #1664713

MEMORABILIA

Autographed pictures can be welcome accessories in offices, man caves or she sheds. Finding legitimate memorabilia may take some research and efforts to authenticate, so make sure you begin the hunt long before the holiday arrives.

A good place to start your search is at a local collectible shop. They can point you in the right direction of reputable sources for items like signed balls, posters and team pictures. If you decide to venture to an e-commerce outlet, make sure they have great ratings from other users and have a proven record of quality transactions.

CUSTOM ART PIECES For many professional sports teams, there are photographs which capture historical moments and are easily recognized by fans. Consider printing these images on high-quality paper and framing them. For a more customizable option, commission a local artist in your area to reimagine the moment. If you are unsure where to find these talented creators locally, consider stopping by a local art gallery or visit an event where artists show their latest pieces.

Warm Wishes from . . .

Park Lakes & Land Realty Here’s hoping this Christmas finds you surrounded by your loved ones and the warmth of home and health

Mitchell Greenberg Pre-Kindergarten

Evan Greenberg Grade 4

Adam Greenberg Grade 1

Mark Kopp

Cary Dean

Zack Greenberg Grade 3

Alycia Anderson

Heather Hutter

Kathy McIntire

Third Place winner in Grade 1 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Thanks for a great year!

638 Keller Ave., Amery 715-268-9442 www.park-realty.com

844-426-6733

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

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Christmas Eve traditions Christmas Eve is a great time for low-key, fun traditions that your family looks forward to every year.

The holiday season can get overrun with parties, shopping trips, cooking, travel and more. And Christmas itself can be full of expectations, along with more cooking, family, unwrapping presents and calling the grandparents to catch up. Traditions help us slow down and enjoy the season.

If you don’t have those traditions yet or are looking

for new ones, Parenting Magazine offered traditions that’ll make Christmas Eve fun and memorable.

Attending mass or another religious service: Midnight mass is traditional for many religious families. Make it extra special; get your family Christmas dresses or other holiday clothes so you can all dress up, have Christmas songs for the drive there and then

have hot cocoa and cookies or some other treat when you get home.

Christmas Eve dinner: Christmas dinner is a big shebang — lots of dishes, lots of cooking. Make dinner the night before more casual: get takeout, order pizza or have chips and sandwiches. If you want to make it fancy, eat by candlelight. Or get a bunch of snacks and finger foods and pair it with game or movie night.

Take a Christmas lights tour of the city: Although you can do this anytime in December, people tend to go all out for Christmas Eve. Find out which neighborhoods get most into the decorating spirit and drive around to see Santa and his reindeer, light displays, snowmen, luminaries and more.

Make cookies for Santa: Whether it’s sugar cookies or gingerbread that everyone gets to decorate or a special kind of cookie that reminds you of Christmasses past, spend the day baking. If you’re not sure about cookies, try your hand at candy or make Christmas bread. Find a way to get the whole household involved.

Watch a movie or read a Christmas book: Maybe you have a family favorite like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” that you want to watch every year (though as your kids get older you may want to reassess). Or maybe your family wants to mix it up every year and watch a different holiday movie. Rotate who gets to choose the movie or book between members of your family and then settle in by the fire with blankets, pillows and lots of treats.

Merry Christmas!

Liam Gagnor Kindergarten

© ADOBE STOCK

Everett Stone Grade 2 Sawyer Madsen Grade 3 Hayden McGrane Grade 2

Third Place winner in Grade 2 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Wishing you a Merry Christmas Ûlled with loved ones and laughter!

Noah Enslin Grade 2

Closing Dec. 24 at 3 p.m.

Closed Dec. 25

6HDVRQV *UHHWLQJV IURP 309 Keller Ave. S, Amery 715-268-9966

First Place winner in Grade 2 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest OPEN DEC. 24 9AM - 2PM CLOSED DEC. 25 CLOSED JAN. 1

128 Keller Ave. Amery Phone 715-268-7052

325 N. Keller Ave., Amery, WI 715-268-7010 HOURS: Mon.-Thurs.

11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sun. 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Closing Christmas Eve at 3 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Healthy holiday foods Shoot for eating smaller portions, but if you want to keep those but bump up the nutrition a bit, the Mayo Clinic had suggestions for substitutions or replacements to keep your favorite recipes on the table but lighten them up a little bit.

Cut down on fat, salt and sugar. In baked goods, replace half the butter or oil with applesauce, mashed banana or prune puree. Alternatively, look for fruit-

Cuda Riley Grade 3

Third Place Winner in Grade 3 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

based fat replacers in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. Fruit also will add sweetness to these recipes, so cut down the sugar. You also can reduce the amount of sugar by a third or so and add cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg or vanilla or almond flavoring.

You can cut back on salt but boost flavor with the addition of herbs.

Cut back on toppings. Instead of frosting on sugar

Merry Christmas!

James Henningsgard Grade 1

cookies, add sprinkles before they bake or roll them in sugar. Avoid or cut back on whipped cream on pie. Avoid condiments like olives, mayonnaise, jelly, pickles and heavy salad dressings, swapping them for fresh garnishes like cucumbers, tomatoes, reduced-fat spreads or low-salt versions of your favorite sauces.

Look for ways to substitute ingredients. Use whole wheat pasta, brown rice, whole wheat flour and other whole grains instead of the regular enriched white flour versions. Use skim or reduced-fat milk instead of whole milk or substitute milk for a cream. Cut back on meat in casseroles or make meat servings small while bumping up the vegetables on the plate.

Change how you prepare food. How you prepare your food can make a huge difference in terms of health. Using healthy cooking techniques like braising, broiling, grilling, poaching, sautéing and steaming food. If you want to try something trendy, look into sous vide cooking, which involves boiling food as it’s wrapped in airtight plastic. Instead of basting the meat with its own juices, use wine, fruit juice or broth. Using nonstick pans will mean your foods need less fat as well.

*Holiday Special* Buy a $50 Gift Card and receive $5 for you . . .

Hwy. 46 North, Amery 715-268-8161 Open December 24 • 7 a.m. to Noon Closed December 25 & January 1

Anna Williamson Grade 4

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR • MACHINE SHOP 715-268-7400 Andy and Colleen Orvold, Owners 846 State Road 46, Amery, WI 54001

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Second Place winner in Grade 4 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

May Wiarda Pre-Kindergarten

Room for Private Parties CLOSED Dec. 24 Dec. 25 Jan. 1

Mexican Restaurant & Bar OPEN: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Real Authentic Mexican Food Daily Food Specials

AMERY Hwy. 46/Keller Ave.

337 Keller Ave. South, Amery, WI 715-268-9801 www.garibaldismexicanrestaurant.com

+ Co. Rd. F

Delilah Kuhl Grade 1

Stop in and visit our In-Store Clearance Center!

Second Place winner in Pre-Kindergarten in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest Open Dec. 24 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Closed Dec. 25 Open Dec. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Open Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Josephine Kuhl Grade 3

Dec. 24 open 7-Noon Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1

Amery Country Store 900 S. Keller Ave., Amery (across from River Place Mall) • 715-268-8149

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

554 St. Rd. 46, Amery 715-268-7482

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

AMERY FREE PRESS

13B

Donate to a Military Family Some of the most honorable citizens in the country struggle financially to give their families the holiday celebration they deserve.

You can say thanks and show support to their sacrifices by supporting a notable charity who distributes your donations responsibly to those in need.

If you’re unsure how to go about finding an organization and the right way to donate, here are a few charities to consider.

According to the organization, donations have helped contribute to these impressive statistics. • More than 120,000 items provided to veterans at their VA Medical facilities in 2017. • 851,000 care packages sent to deployed service members over the last 15 years. • More than 22,000 veterans were provided with food assistance throughout the country in 2017.

OPERATION HELP A HERO This organization offers all-around support for serving military members, veterans and their families. A part of their mission is to connect with servicemen and servicewomen yearround. Around the holidays, Operation Christmas Spirit is their unique way to offer relief, gifts and support throughout the season.

Their website makes it easy to do your part in supporting their cause and the military. Whether you make a financial donation or volunteer your time to operate a charity event or coordinate a gathering, the organization is always in need of volunteers. Š ADOBE STOCK

SOLDIER’S ANGELS This nonprofit group provides comfort to military members through numerous charities. Two of their holiday focused chapters include:

Adopt-A-Family offers gifts for military children and provide parents with grocery store gift cards to create a delicious holiday meal.

Holiday Community members coordinate the sending of cards, letters and stockings to service troops and veterans.

TOYS FOR TOTS Established in 1947, the Toys for Tots program was developed by Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks, whose wife handcrafted dolls to give to children in need. Hendricks was unable to find an agency to help distribute the toys, so they decided to start their own service. Today, the Marine Toys for Tots Program is attributed to distributing an average of over 18 million toys to seven million less fortunate children annually. Donating to the cause is easy, as most businesses participate in collecting gifts over the holidays. If you can’t find a donation center in your area, urge local companies to take part in the giving tradition.

Piper Jicinsky Grade 2

Ayla Danielson Grade 2

Alex Arana Grade 2

:H :LVK <RX $ 0HUU\ &KULVWPDV DQG D +DSS\ 1HZ <HDU )URP DOO RI XV DW &KHW -RKQVRQ 'UXJ -RKQVRQ 'UXJ DW $PHU\ +RVSLWDO DQG (OOLH¡V ,FH &UHDP &RIIHH Closed Christmas Day Visit our website for holiday hours: chetjohnsondrug.com

204 Keller Avenue N. â&#x20AC;˘ P.O. Box 17 Amery, WI 54001 Phone 715-268-8121

265 East GrifďŹ n St. Amery, WI 54001

Specializing in Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Treats and Coffee Downtown Amery next to Chetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Cold weather tips Winter weather brings a whole host of potential threats to your health, both inside and outside. You can’t avoid all of them, but you can take steps to reduce risks for you and your family this winter. The CDC outlines risks of which to be aware and what you can do to mitigate them.

When you’re outside, dress warmly and in layers. (If you’re too hot, you may sweat, and if you later get cold that wetness puts you at a greater risk of hypothermia.) This includes a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat, a scarf and winter or waterproof boots. Wear warm clothes underneath, as you may find yourself shedding layers if you’re snowshoeing, shoveling the driveway or otherwise working hard.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. We tend to think you have to spend hours in very cold weather to be at risk, but it’s much easier than we think.

Pay attention to your body when shoveling snow. It’s very hard work, and people who aren’t used to that level of work could be putting themselves at risk of a heart attack or another injury.

Be prepared for ice. Sprinkle ice melt, sand or cat litter on sidewalks and driveways. Walk carefully when you’re out walking the dog or getting your regular exercise. Don’t walk on icedover bodies of water, including streams and ponds.

Get your house ready for winter.

This includes plugging any places where hot air could seep out, and make sure your heating systems are working,

Merry Christmas!

the chimney is clear and your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Don’t warm your car up in the garage with the door closed, which could pump carbon monoxide into your house. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. It can be fatal.

Pay attention to road conditions. If they’re icy or snowy, stay home or take

public transit, if possible. If you need to drive, go slowly, allowing yourself plenty of time to get there; allow for plenty of distance between your car and the car in front of you; pump your brakes when you stop and steer cautiously—no sharp turns. Always wear your seat belt and keep supplies in the car in case you get stuck and have to wait for a while.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Chase Prindle Grade 4

HOLIDAY HOURS: Dec. 24, 5 a.m.-7 p.m.

Dec. 25, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Dec. 31, 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

Jan. 1, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Logan Roth Pre-Kindergarten

FREEDOM VALU CENTERS 237 Keller Ave. S., Amery 715-268-8957

Closed Dec. 24 25 and Jan. 1 • Open Dec. 31 8am - Noon

301 Keller Ave. S, Amery, WI 54001 Phone 715-268-7999 • www.carlsonhighlandcpa.com

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Emersyn White Grade4

Open Dec. 24 • 9 am-1 pm Closed Dec. 25 & Jan. 1

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Henly Standaert Kindergarten

1062 RiverPlace Mall, Amery Phone 715-268-9000 www.stemsfromtheheart.com

Fresh Flowers, Plants & Gifts for all occasions HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

from . . .

Dan, Kim, Earl, Sandra, Leslie, Alan, Ralph Chuck Williamson and Ed White www.williamsonwhite.com

715-268-7111 222 Harriman Ave. N. • Amery, WI

Publishers’ Printing Service, Inc. Amery

Christmas Greetings

DECEMBER 17, 2019

Merry Christmas!

AMERY FREE PRESS

15B

Macey Melberg Grade 4

Krista Markee, Grade 4

Nella VanKeuren, Kindergarten

ELM Self Storage

Torr Vierkandt Grade 4

1356 80th St., CTH E Amery, WI 54001 715-268-8720

Nolan Melberg Grade 2

Rollyn P. Lee, DDS Heather Marks, DDS

Carter Beauvais Grade 1 Calvin Kurtzhals Grade 4

1030 River Place Drive Amery 715-268-2103

Closed December 24 & 25 Open December 31 8-Noon Closed January 1

Mon.-Thurs. 8-5 Fri. 7-4

Third Place winner in Grade 4 in the Amery Community Club Christmas Card Contest

Happy Holidays from all of us at Bremer Holiday hours: Christmas Eve 8:00 a.m. - Noon Christmas Day Closed Merry Christmas!

Aubrielle Harris Kindergarten

The holiday season is the perfect time to say thank you to our members and friends. We wish you a warm and bright New Year.

New Years Eve 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

New Years Day Closed Happy New Year!

Catherine Beauvais, Grade 1

Garrett Olson, Grade 2

Amery â&#x20AC;˘ 715-268-7161 Bremer.com

800-421-0283

Emma Olson, Grade 4

Member FDIC. Š 2019 Bremer Financial Corporation.

All rights reserved.

16B

Christmas Greetings

AMERY FREE PRESS

DECEMBER 17, 2019 FIRSTNAME LATENAME | PAPER NAME

Amery Hospital & Clinic Volunteer Partners Love Light Tree Shown at the annual event December 12, left to right: Deb Rundquist, Kathy Gehrman, Ruth Severson, Lori Peper.

SUBMITTED

Caroling for Christmas In December, the Cattail Clovers 4-H Club went on their annual caroling outing to 15 local houses. They sang a few traditional songs and ended with We wish you a Merry Christmas! The club gave each house that they visited some goodies which included frosted sugar cookies, russian tea mix, and an ornament that they made at their November meeting. All of the members and parents had a lot of fun spreading Christmas cheer!!

Stop wishing.

Start doing.

Get a new job for Christmas!

105 Maple St. S. • Turtle Lake, WI • 715-986-4046

Call or stop in to see current openings or apply online at purisfoods.com

815 US Hwy 8 • St. Croix Falls, WI • 715-483-7177 Call or stop in today to see current openings or apply online at www.mastersonstaѝng.com