VILAS COUNTY
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NEWS-REVIEW EAGLE RIVER, WI 54521 • (715) 479-4421 • www.vcnewsreview.com
VOL. 126, NO. 21
$1.25
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10, 2011
Holperin facing Simac in recall next Tuesday ___________
BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR
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Twenty-two teams, including Team Believers, raised more than $70,000 for the American Cancer Society during the
Northwoods Relay For Life in Eagle River last Friday and Saturday. --Staff Photos By GARY RIDDERBUSCH
Relay raises over $70,000 Area volunteers gather to support 180 survivors ___________
BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR
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The Northwoods Relay For Life generated more than $70,000 in net proceeds following the all-night vigil Friday as participants raised money to find a cure for cancer and offered support to those battling the disease. The 2011 Relay, which raises money to benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS), followed the simple theme of “Hope.” It was the hard work of many volunteers that made the North Woods event so successful, according to Relay coordinator Donna Martens, who co-chaired the event with Kathy Renkes. As of Monday, the Relay raised $70,102. Last year, the Relay took in about $5,000 after the event, so topping the goal of $72,000 is likely in the next few days. “We still have some money coming in, so I don’t think we have anything to be ashamed of,” said Martens on the 2011 total. “I think it went very smooth. You know, we were inspired by all the surTo RELAY, Pg. 7A
Kim Simac of Eagle River, the woman who led the recall effort against state Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover) last winter, will face the first-term senator in the recall election next Tuesday, Aug. 16. Simac, 52, a Tea Party activist and small-business owner, defeated Lincoln County Board Chairman Bob Lussow in the Republican primary for the 12th Senate District last month. Holperin, 60, was one of 14 Democratic senators who avoided a vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill — which took collective bargaining rights away from most public workers — by leaving the Senate floor and traveling to Illinois in February. Simac said that Holperin leaving Wisconsin was an abandonment of his duties as senator. “I understand Jim Holperin had strong objections to the bill, but running away didn’t
HOLPERIN
SIMAC
solve the problem; it just made it worse,” said Simac. “You can’t negotiate if you’re not at the table of discussion. For three weeks, Jim Holperin left the 12th District without a voice.” But Holperin said his leaving was necessary to delay action on the budget repair bill. “Contents of the legislation were misrepresented, and those affected by the measure deserved to have time to learn the truth and to make their voices of opposition heard,” said Holperin. “Also, time was To RECALL, Pg. 10A
Rides, music, food set for Vilas Fair ___________
BY ANTHONY DREW NEWS-REVIEW ASST. EDITOR
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Cancer survivor Mary O’Brien and her husband, Paul, of Eagle River walked around the
Northland Pines High School track during the survivors’ lap at the Relay For Life.
A summer staple in the North Woods, the Vilas County Fair is scheduled Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 11-14., at the fairgrounds in Eagle River off Highway 70. Beginning with wristband night Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., the Vilas County Fair will open to four nights of live entertainment, rides, games, exhibits, food and beverages. This year’s fair will also feature Cassady’s Critters Petting Zoo, which boasts a variety of animals and camel rides for children. A new carnival by Calkins Midways will bring in the rides and carnival foods. The midway will open Thursday at 5 p.m. and noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Dollar Day will be offered
Friday afternoon from noon to 5 p.m. with all rides costing $1. Old-fashioned children’s games will be held Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. by the bandstand. Ribbons will be awarded to the winners of the vegetable races, water balloon toss, watermelon-eating contest and gunnysack races. Wristband specials will be Thursday night from 5 to 10 p.m. for $20 and again Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. for $18. Wristbands offer unlimited rides for all ages for one set price. Judging of flowers, vegetables and homemade wine exhibits will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and the public is welcome To FAIR, Pg. 2A
Charges won’t be filed against Vilas officer ___________
BY NEWS-REVIEW STAFF ___________
Charges will not be filed against a 121/2-year officer with the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department who shot a 20-year-old female July 25 as a result of a prank, according to authorities. Deputy Ty Peterson, who unintentionally shot the family member at approximately 9:14 p.m. that day, will not face state charges, according to a Vilas County district at-
torney’s office press release. “The circumstances surrounding the incident clearly indicate that the officer was in fear of his life and the pranksters created the dangerous circumstances,” wrote District Attorney Albert Moustakis in the press release. Moustakis based his deciTo SHOOTING, Pg. 2A
INSIDE THIS ISSUE See fish photos, tips in Outdoors Anglers with trophy fish and tips on latesummer fishing are found in Outdoors. Pgs. 12A-13A FIREMEN’S PICNIC — The 54th annual Three Lakes Firemen’s Picnic Sunday offered plenty of food, including roast corn sampled
by sisters Christa, left, and Taylor Vand Wyst of Pewaukee. See more photos on Page 1B. --Staff Photo By GARY RIDDERBUSCH
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10, 2011
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NEWS
Relay: vivors. We had 180 people show up as survivors, which is outstanding. I understand that there aren’t that many relays that have that many survivors. And that’s what it’s all about.” Martens said people of all ages and all walks of life help organize and attend the Relay. “We just do what we have to do and everybody does their part and it comes together. You guys make us look good,” said Martens. “We just believe in our survivors, because every year is another birthday and that’s why we’re here. We also want to remind everyone of ‘Hope,’ which is our theme this year. It’s a simple one. You look around and you feel the hope. There’s a lot of hope here and we love you all.” Volunteer Ann Dunphy announced the final figure, which brought a big round of applause from those who gathered at the closing ceremony at the Northland Pines High School track Saturday morning. The fact that cancer affects nearly everyone in some way was evident throughout the 16-hour Relay, from listening to the opening ceremony and watching the survivors’ walk to reading the luminarias around the track and witnessing the final lap after learning $70,000 had already been raised in the fight against cancer. Martens said final figures won’t be known for several weeks because money is still coming in through donations and matching funds. The Northwoods Relay For Life brings many area communities together for a single cause. People came from Eagle River, Three Lakes, Phelps, Land O’ Lakes, St. Germain, Sayner and Sugar Camp to support the Relay. Special guests Honorary survivor Eunice Hughes gave an uplifting message during the Relay’s opening ceremonies Friday night. “I am really honored to be here and never in my wildest dreams did I think that seven and one-half years later I would be the honorary survivor,” said Hughes, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004.
FROM PAGE 1A “One thing I want to share with everybody, be as aggressive as you possibly can (in your battle against cancer),” she said. “Do what you have to do. Know what your blood counts are. Know what your numbers are. You take care of yourself. It’s your body. You take care of it.” She had a message for the 180 survivors attending the Relay. “Survivors, when you take your first lap, I want you to say to yourself, ‘Hold your head up high. We are survivors,’ ” said Hughes. “So, the first lap, walk high with your head up. The second lap, I will let you put your head down for a bit and think of all those who did not make it. Like my parents. Like my brother, who just passed away this last March. So hold your heads up high. Then look at all the bags and the memories.” Hughes and family members then tossed candy to those in the audience. “Just remember the first two letters of God are ‘go.’ I’m telling you, go have a sweet life. He will hold your hand, but you’ve got to be willing to grab it. Have a sweet life and God bless us all.” Honorary caregivers Terri Kemp of Roscoe, Ill., and her sister, Beth Anderson of South Carolina, also were recognized. They lost their parents, Breck and Sandy Brown, to cancer just five days apart in September of 2010. Their parents served as honorary survivors at the Relay in 2009. “My sister Beth and I cared for them on and off throughout those two years, finally moving in with them in the last four months of their lives,” said Kemp. “What a blessing this time was together. Day in and day out, we cared for them out of love. We wanted to be there for them as they had always been there for us.” Kemp said the North Woods community helped them as caregivers. “We felt strength in each other as sisters and we felt strength from all of you who consumed us with love and many, many prayers,” said Kemp. “What a special community this is. We can’t begin to express our gratitude enough. Your continued support for us
Gene and Pat Adamovich of Eagle River supported the Ministry Health Care team at Relay For Life. --STAFF PHOTO
A total of 180 survivors attended the Northwoods Relay For Life at the Northland Pines High School track in Eagle River Friday
evening. The 12th annual event paid special tribute to those men and women battling cancer. --STAFF PHOTO
is amazing and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Anderson said that, while their parents battled cancer as survivors, they also were caregivers to each other. “It is something that they talked about a lot. And they felt it enabled them to understand how the other one was feeling,” said Anderson. “They told us often that it was their role as caregivers that they found to be the most difficult.” Anderson had a message for all the caregivers and survivors in the audience. “Certainly, caring for our parents was the most difficult and most rewarding experience of our lives, so far,” said Anderson. “For those of you who are currently caregivers, and survivors, our hearts go out to you. We know what difficult paths you walk. We hope that you find the blessings during your challenges and that you treasure your time together despite the reason for it. May the love and support of family and friends and this extraordinary community sustain you, uplift you and enable you to do what you could never do alone.” Teams raise funds After the opening addresses and the POP’s River Revival chorus singing the national anthem, cancer survivors participated in the survivors’ lap in recognition of their battles with cancer. The survivors, donning purple T-shirts, were accompanied by family and friends. The survivors were followed by 22 teams who were responsible for raising much of the money. A team parade, with many participants carrying banners, followed the survivors around the track. According to Dunphy, who announced the top fundraising teams Saturday morning, including 12 teams which raised more than $2,000. Spirit of Hope led the way with $7,215, followed by Scott’s Shining Stars at $5,890, Meyer & Associates with $5,190, Prince of Peace at $4,446, St. Peter’s Walkers With Soul at $4,513, F.A.C.E. at $4,109, M&I Bank at $3,193, Northland Pines Education Association at $3,037, St. Mary’s Faithful at $2,580, Vilas County News-Review at $2,273, T.J. Grizzlies at $2,227 and Peoples State Bank at $2,008. Late donations still can be made to the following address: Northwoods Relay For Life, 3235 Tijan Lane, Eagle River, WI 54521. Many individuals also raised more than $1,000, but the top fundraiser was Gail Pipp of Conover, who brought in $5,410. Martens was second
Honorary survivor Eunice Hughes of Land O’ Lakes told the Relay survivors to hold their heads
with $2,180 and Mary Ann Shepard was third with $1,970. Various fundraisers took place during the 16-hour vigil. One of the largest activities was a spaghetti dinner hosted by the Greater Eagle River Tennis Association, which raised $1,721. The Eagle River Lions Club had a pancake breakfast and The Beauty Resort hosted the Locks of Love hair-cutting tent. Throughout the night, there
high during the survivors walk, saying “we are survivors.” --Staff Photo By KURT KRUEGER
also were games, raffles and demonstrations. At 9:30 p.m., a luminaria ceremony recognized those who have battled cancer. About 700 paper bags containing lights and displaying personal messages in honor, or in memory, of individuals lined the entire track, according to Martens. Martens said a Relay challenge was held to keep teams walking through the night, awarding extra cash to the teams walking the most laps.
When the event wrapped up at 10 a.m. Saturday, a tired but proud group, including volunteers and committee members who had stayed the entire night, walked the last lap in reverse, knowing they had helped raise more than $70,000 to battle cancer. “We had 22 great teams this year, but we need to build on the number of teams,” said Martens. “Next year’s Relay For Life will be Aug. 3-4, 2012.”
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