Neighbors Stories of interest from your community!
FOR LOVE OF DEERE! The Boy Who Launched a Safe Donation! Stevens Point, Wisconsin
APRIL 2011 Vol. 1, Issue 2
THIS ISSUE Youth in Agriculture Almond-Bancroft FFA Peshtigo Fire-1871
Neighbors Table of Contents APRIL 2011, Vol. 1, Issue 2
16 FOCUS ARTICLE Youth in Agriculture Tomorrow’s leaders garner awards at Portage County Business Council’s 2011 American Ag Banquet. Photo supplied by Josey Pukrop.
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For Love of Deere! The boy who launched a safe donation for his church, St. Mary’s of Torun.
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Together Thoughts from Jim Faivre, Publisher of Neighbors magazine.
5 Grounded 12
Launching a New Ag Generation Almond-Bancroft Schools starts new AG Department and FFA Chapter.
Ruth Johnson, Neighbors’ Editor, reflects on daily life.
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Peshtigo Fire Day Trips writers describe America’s forgotten fire on 10/18/1871, the same day as the Great Chicago Fire but much more destructive. Page 2
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Mecum Antique Tractor Auction Collectors and enthusiasts gather for a record-breaking vintage tractor offering! Neighbors-April 2011
Together Greetings! First let me thank all of you who responded so tremendously to the very first Neighbors issue, March 2011! We now have a circulation of 3,800, which grows daily! People I have not heard from in years called me to let me know how much they enjoy the magazine. Word-of-mouth travels fast. Not as fast as Jeff Heinz, DJ for WDEZ-101.9, though. Jeff interviewed Ruth Johnson, Neighbors’ Editor, On March 6 on his Sunday morning Polka Jamboree show. You cannot imagine how many people told us they heard Ruthon Jeff’s show! We gained tons of new subscribers thanks to Jeff. This issue has a strong focus on youth in agriculture. These are the movers and shakers, admirable entrepreneurs, shaping tomorrow’s agri-business. Please continue to share your thoughts about this new April issue of Neighbors along with any ideas you have about future articles. Simply email me at jim@journeywi.com. Thank you for reading Neighbors and sharing it with your friends!
Above: I met Shane Adams, when we took some photos for an upcoming feature story we plan to do on his entrepreneurial efforts. Bottom: Lukas Vuorinen is a unique little guy who triggered the donation of a safe to a local church whose safe was stolen.
Happy trails and blue skies for all!
Jim Faivre Publisher, Neighbors
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Old World Charm Taste beyond compare!
Ski’s is an experience, not just shopping, a very special place! At family owned and operated Ski’s, quality knows no bounds and you receive only the freshest, finest meats, seafood, 100+ Wisconsin cheeses, Boar’s Head deli products and other treats. Savor Ski’s famously delicious homemade brats and sausages and the most tender beef, pork and chicken, cut by our expert butchers. New in-season seafood refreshed daily – from salmon, halibut and cod to crab legs and lobster!
5370 US Highway 10 E Stevens Point, WI 54482
(715) 344-8484 www.skismeatmarket.com
We offer Wisconsin’s finest artisan and master cheese makers with ‘squeaky fresh’ cheese curds on Friday and Saturday. Visit us soon for your good, old-fashioned, neighborly meat market experience!
Mon-Fri: 10am–6pm Sat: 9am–6pm Sun: 10am–4pm
Neighbors Grounded Fingers crossed, I waited to see how everyone would react when we released the first Neighbors issue last month.
EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGN & PRODUCTION CIRCULATION & WEB MANAGEMENT Ruth Johnson
journeywis@yahoo.com 715-347-3755
As time progressed, I stopped holding my breath and was happy to realize that Neighbors was definitely on an upwards climb. As we progress, we will continue to adapt to the ideas and suggestions our readers have so readily provided. Feedback is always what publishers and editors need the most. Everybody is special and everyone has a story to tell. However, this issue features a truly enjoyable article about a young lad, Lukas Vuorinen (shown at right), that was a pure joy to write and hopefully for you to read. Young people dominate this issue and that is good. I remember being their age so well but that was long ago and a new age is dawning. We will be guided by a new generation full of ideas beyond our wildest dreams. Our Day Trips columnists demonstrate their versatile writing range this month with a moving article about one of the worst catastrophes in Wisconsin - the 1871 Peshtigo fire. Tremendous thanks to Jeff Heinz for interviewing me on his Sunday morning Polka show this last month and for his ongoing support of our magazine efforts, which delivers us with tons of new subscribers to Neighbors. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Thank you for reading Neighbors. Warm regards,
Ruth Johnson Editor Neighbors Magazine
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FOR LOVE OF DEERE! The Boy Who Launched a Safe Donation! Stevens Point, Wisconsin By Ruth Johnson, Editor
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“Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys.” Emma Bull
Coincidences are sometimes described as “the chance encounter of seemingly unrelated circumstances, miraculously merged into a significant event, almost as if knitted together by invisible hands.” No matter what you call it, everyone agrees that the string of occurrences following the theft of a safe from a small parish was quite remarkable. THE SEQUENCE Sometime, in the early hours of March 3, 2010, thieves broke into St. Mary Immaculate Conception-Torun (also known as St. Mary’s) in Stevens Point, WI and stole their safe, an ancient, heavy square weighing about 425 pounds. Days later, authorities investigating a string of burglaries in Portage and Waupaca Counties, arrested three suspects. Police found St. Mary’s safe abandoned on a dead-end road. The safe was no longer useable because whoever took it chiseled and drilled out the safe’s bottom. (Continued on Page 8
Top: Parish priest, Father Wesley Janowski stands in from of St. Mary Immaculate Conception-Torun. Left: Lukas Vuorinen is in his element when he is around anything John Deere-related. Right: Lukas shows off his John Deere-themed bedroom.
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ZERO RESULTS The alleged thieves’ efforts were all for nothing because St. Mary’s does not keep cash in the safe. When the staff discovered the robbery, they cancelled the church’s bank accounts. Luckily, Linda Fenske, St. Mary’s board member who handles all the deposits, had brought all the church’s checks in the bank the day before the robbery. Now, St. Mary’s faced raising the funds to purchase a safe during hard economic times. That is when the wheels of fate went into motion through the intervention of a six-year-old, Lukas Vuorinen, son of Kristi and Scott Vuorinen. Kristi also serves as St. Mary’s secretary. DESTINY CALLS Lukas is a hard-core John Deere enthusiast. Since he was very little, all he has worn is John Deere clothing, even in his school pictures. His mom, Kristi, relates, “Lukas would even wear John Deere underwear if they made it. His entire bedroom is John Deere related, from the bedding to the wall colors and even the switch plates. All he wants for gifts at Christmas and birthdays is John Deere toys and games.” (Continued on Page 9) Top: Scott, Alice (9 years old), Sierra (16 years old) and Kristi Vuorinen with Lukas (back row), pose in their John Deere sweatshirts. Left: Father Wesley Janowski poses by St. Mary’s kiosk.
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CURIOUS CONNECTIONS The unusual part about Lukas loving everything John Deere is that his parents never owned any Ag or lawn-related John Deere equipment. As far as they know, Lukas’ grandfather is the only extended family member who owns John Deere equipment. He has a John Deere riding lawn tractor. After St. Mary’s decided to purchase a new safe, Kristi searched for safes online, but never considered nor saw a John Deere safe. DISCOVERY About the same time, Kristi had a birthday. Lukas insisted the family go to Faivre Implement to purchase a John Deere sweatshirt for her birthday present. That was when they spotted the John Deere safes. They took a brochure home and Lukas spent the evening reading it, According to Kristi, “Lukas then informed us that St. Mary's needed a John Deere safe.“ Kristi and Scott decided to move ahead with Lukas’ recommendation and contacted Bob Fenske, husband of Linda Fenske, St. Mary’s church board member, who headed up the search for a new safe. (Continued on Page 10) Top: Terry Faivre and John Shulfer unload the new John Deere safe while Ken Cisewski watches. Right: Father Wesley Janowski sees the new safe for the first time while Terry Faivre and John Shulfer ponder how best to manually get it up the steps.
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DOWN THE HOME STRETCH Bob reveals, “I knew Jim Faivre, Faivre Implement, personally and bought parts and a tractor or two from him but I hesitated to call him. I knew I had to ask him if we could get a better price and I also knew he didn’t belong to our church.” When Jim Faivre got the call from Bob, he listened to what St. Mary’s encountered and responded, “We have had equipment stolen more than once and we know exactly how it feels. I will see what we can do and get back to you.” The more Jim thought about it, the more he knew what to do. He called Bob back and said, “We decided not to give you a break on the price. Instead, we will donate the safe to St. Mary’s.” Jim agreed the John Deere Model 23 insulated steel safe, (value $999), which Lukas’ recommended choice, would provide plenty of storage and appropriate security. Jim did not know how Lukas influenced Bob’s decision to request the safe until the safe was delivered to the church office. As Church Secretary, Kristi was present to receive the safe and she related the story of Lukas’ recommendation of the safe based on Lukas’ love for all things Deere. BOWLED OVER Bob said he could not believe it when Jim told him he was donating the safe, “When I told my wife, Linda, she broke down in tears because she was so worried about how St. Mary’s would get the funds to pay for the safe, even at a discounted rate.” Kristi was ecstatic when she heard the news, “It was completely unexpected and wonderful and what a relief! We were so shocked and concerned when the robbery occurred because we are a small parish and stretch our funds week-to-week.” Father Wesley Janowski, St. Mary’s parish priest, shared his thoughts, “I was so happy and shocked that we saved so much money! With all the negative things we had dealt with over this situation, this came as a very pleasant surprise.” “The joy I feel over the gift of this safe ranks right up there with how glad I was when I found out no one was hurt during the robbery. You cannot replace lives.” (Continued on Page 11) Top: Ken Cisewski. Father Janowski, Kristi Vuorinen and Albert Eiden pose with the new safe. Middle: Father Janowski, Terry Faivre and John Shulfer. Bottom: Kristi and Lukas pose next to a similar safe in the Faivre Implement Showroom.
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Faivre Implement’s Terry Faivre and John Shulfer delivered the 495-pound safe to St. Mary’s, manually carrying it up a flight of stairs and positioning it in its new resting place. Afterwards, they familiarized Kristi with the operation of the new safe. UNEXPECTED RESPONSE In the next Church bulletin, Father Janowski posted this notice, “THANK YOU FAIVRE IMPLEMENT! St. Mary’s received a new safe, donated by Faivre Implement. This generosity is a sign of the good that can come out a bad situation! Wear your John Deere attire with pride and support Faivre Implement whenever possible!” The notice moved Jim Faivre greatly, “I gave St. Mary’s this safe because even though I do not attend their church, I know what it is like to be burglarized. It is terrible that this small parish was the victim of such a crime. As a retailer in a less than perfect economy, we cannot always contribute but are very happy we fulfilled St. Mary’s needs. Their gratitude overwhelms me and reinforces to me, how Central Wisconsin is full of great people.” In the end, the happiest person is Lukas Vuorinen, the person who moved the choice of a new safe to a “greener” decision, John Deere green that is. Whether you call it Karma, destiny, providence or just plain fate, there are a whole lot of people who are thanking their lucky stars for this strange set of circumstances. Top: Lukas, Alice and Sierra. Right: Lukas in his favorite attire.
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NEW AG DEPT & FFA CHAPTER Almond-Bancroft Schools By Ruth Johnson, Editor
MAJOR ALMOND-BANCROFT AREA AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS Paramount Farms Wysocki Produce Farm, Inc Paragon Potato Farms Inc Warzynski Paradise Farms Inc Oak Grove Farms Charles Warzynski Farm Guth Farm Inc Phillip A Rendall Farms Inc D & H Farms LLC Patrykus Farms Inc Mortenson Brothers Farms Inc Woyak Farms Inc James Burns & Sons K & K Farms, Inc
Central Wisconsin is the heart of our state’s dairy, fruit, grain, vegetable and livestock producers. Agriculture’s importance is clearly understood and the need for qualified workers is abundant. Wisconsin places a high priority on preparing students for agricultural careers while developing their leadership skills through FFA and Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE). However, funding cutbacks have seriously curtailed educational activities statewide and many schools have cut Agriculture-related opportunities. CHARTING A NEW COURSE In Fall 2010. the Almond-Bancroft School District bucked this trend and instituted a brand new Agricultural Department and FFA organization for the first time ever, in its history. (Continued on Page 13) Top: Almond-Bancroft’s Agriculture and FFA program participants got psyched up for the Kick-off Spud Feed to introduce people to the newly formed FFA. According to FFA Program Director, Jodi Meyer, “The Spud Feed was a huge success and everyone had a fabulous time!” Left: The AlmondBancroft area lives and breathes agriculture.
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NEW AG CURRICULA In 2007, Dan Boxx, Almond-Bancroft School District’s newly hired Administrator, quickly realized the school did not have any agriculture program, whatsoever. Dan collaborated with K-12 Principal, Jeff Rykal, to develop a program and proceeded to garner tremendous support from school board members, school staff and the entire community. The Wisconsin FFA board magnanimously waived Almond Bancroft’s new chapter and affiliation fees. According to Gary Smith, Almond-Bancroft School District Board member, “I was very happy when we voted to approve this measure. I grew up here and attended this school but did not have the option of choosing Vo-Ag classes. “When I graduated and went on to UW-Madison, I discovered Vo-Ag high school courses can count as for one of the Farm & Industry short courses,” Gary continues. “I could have saved myself a whole year’s worth of college expenses.” In Spring 2010, agricultural classes, curriculum and schedules were outlined and the search for an appropriate department head began in earnest. (Continued on Page 14) Below: The new FFA chapter worked with the Girls Volleyball and Basketball teams to organize a Dig for a Cure and Sink One for a Cure programs to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Right: FFA members are encouraged to work on several activities and projects such as raising and caring for small animals, which are often judged and sold as market animals at county fairs.
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2012 AG DEPARTMENT & FFA CHAPTER GOALS 1. Continue to attract more and more students to get involved in FFA and its activities.
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THE RIGHT FIT Dan Boxx read an article in the Stevens Point Journal about layoffs in their District’s agriculture program and contacted Jodi Meyer, one of the teachers involved, about Almond-Bancroft’s new position. The District subsequently offered her the job as Almond-Bancroft Ag Education Instructor and FFA Advisor and she accepted.
2. Help grow the agriculture program into a full-time position offering exciting new classes for students.
Jodi, who grew up on a dairy farm in Loyal, WI that also had Belgian Draft horses, was very active in Loyal’s Agriculture/FFA programs from 7th grade through college at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
3. Garner assistance and funds to build a greenhouse for agronomy and greenhouse classes.
EVOLUTION
4. Develop an Agriculture Department facility for the agriculture program so we can easily house and access animals, labs and other projects on a daily basis for hands-on classroom training. 5. Start an FFA Alumni program and form an Agriculture Advisory committee.
The first semester, Jodi taught a Student Leadership/World to Work/ FFA course. Her focus this semester is a Small Animal Vet Class and Large Animal Equine Science Class. Jodi states, “We are continually focus on involving more students in FFA and now have 22 members on the National FFA Roster. The students are gaining an understanding of everything FFA has to offer. Next year, we will offer more classes to meet students’ needs and interests. “This year, our students attended the Sectional Leadership Workshop, Half-time conference and will be attending the State FFA convention in Madison,” Jodi continues. (Continued on Page 15) Top: Ag students participated in a Canned Food Drive to aid the Local Food Pantry.
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THE RIGHT FIT The groups worked with the Volleyball and Girls’ Basketball team to co-run the Dig for a Cure and Sink one for a Cure programs to raise money for Susan G. Komen Foundation. Christmas time found them sponsoring a local family in the Portage County Holiday Basketball Program. They also conducted a canned food drive for local pantries, held a Kick-off Spud Feed to introduce people to FFA and conducted a Carving Demo to teach Fourth Graders how to carve creative faces and designs into their hollowed-out pumpkins, also introducing them to the pumpkin industry. NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION www.ffa.org Discover the opportunities available through the National FFA Organization. WISCONSIN FFA ORGANIZATION www.wisconsinffa.org Check out Wisconsin’s FFA organization! Almond-Bancroft is part of Section Seven.
IN APPRECIATION I would like to express my tremendous gratitude for everyone’s support and contributions as we develop and grow Almond-Bancroft’s Agriculture and FFA programs. At a time when many schools are struggling or making cuts, it is awesome that our School Board members, Administration and staff so fully realize the importance and needs of the students and are willing to help and develop the new programs. The community has been very supportive, bolstering us as we try new events and programs. In addition, a very special THANK YOU to the parents and students who participated this year and helped us achieve our wonderful successes. I look forward to your continued support and sharing of ideas to further development of our youth-oriented agricultural opportunities.
Jodi Meyer
Bottom: Almond Bancroft’s Fourth Grade’s Pumpkin Carving Demo.
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Youth in Agriculture Tomorrow’s Movers & Shakers in Central Wisconsin by Ruth Johnson, Editor
Photo supplied by Josey Pukrop.
Real teenagers are developing into strong individuals through their FFA, 4-H and agriculture education involvement. Page 16
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AREA 4-H & FFA MEMBERS HONORED Portage County Business Council 2011 American Agriculture Banquet Stevens Point, Wisconsin by Ruth Johnson, Editor Above: Josey Pukrop demonstrates the skills she is learning as a volunteer at the Humane Society. Below: Before competing, Danielle Dykes spends quality time with her horse.
Recognition of young students, who have excelled in their 4-H, FFA and agriculture career activities, was the central focus of the Portage County Business Council (PCBC) 2011 American Agriculture Banquet, held March 14, 2011 at Memories Wedding & Banquet Hall. STRONG AG HUB Portage County Agriculture provides 5,702 jobs, representing 13.2% of the county’s workforce and over 1.13 billion dollars’ worth of economic activity. Portage County’s thriving agricultural community consists of over 1,000 farms with 280,000+ acres in production. As Wisconsin’s number one producer of potatoes and processed snap beans and sweet corn. It ranks second in the state for green pea production. Additionally, the county produces $16.3 million worth of grain and $8.8 million worth of cranberries.
Top Awards (Left to Right): Danielle Dykes, Shane Adams, John Kosmalski, Tracy Glodowski, Josey Pukrop and Melissa Peterson.
Portage County is also home to 12,900 cows (producing 27 million gallons of milk annually), 3,700 head of beef cattle and 5,000 hogs. EVENING’S ACTIVITIES Ken Schroeder, Agriculture Agent, Portage County UW Extension presented the invocation while Karen Schanock, Portage County Business Council, served as Master of Ceremonies. Dr. A.J. Bussan, Associate Professor, UW-Madison Department of Horticulture spoke about the future of Wisconsin’s sustainable agriculture. (Honored continued on Page 18)
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OUTSTANDING FFA SENIORS Melissa Peterson Amherst FFA Josey Pukrop SPASH FFA John Kosmalski Rosholt FFA
AGRI-BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIPS John Kosmalski Rosholt High School Danielle Dykes Stevens Point High School Shane Adams Stevens Point High School
Above: Agri-Business Scholarship winner, Danielle Dykes, with her horse at a 2010 Fair. (Continued from Page 17)
4-H AGRICULTURE LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD Award winner, Tracy Glodowski, lives with her husband, Keith, and four children, McKenzie, Colin, Ryan and Adison, on a dairy farm in Rosholt. A 4-H Leader in the Swine Market Animal Projects, Tracy shares her knowledge and love of the livestock industry.
4-H AGRICULTURE LEADER OF THE YEAR
A strong role model for area youth, she organizes and teaches several county livestock project workshops each year.
Tracy Glodowski
Under Tracy’s exemplary financial leadership, the Fair Livestock Improvement Committee was extremely successful. Through Tracy’s collaborative vision, they worked with Rosholt’s Fair Board to develop and implement a housing improvement plan for swine, sheep, goats, rabbits and poultry.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AGRICULTURE AWARD Dale Bowe Agricultural Consultant for Wisconsin Public Service
Currently serving her fourth year as Portage County Market Animal Project Committee Treasurer, her dedication and leadership provides strong direction and results in innovative programs.
MELISSA PETERSON Recipient of the Outstanding FFA Senior Award, Melissa Peterson, daughter of Todd Peterson and Sherri Getschman, is an Amherst High School senior and President of the Amherst FFA Chapter. An active participant in leadership workshops, State and National FFA Conventions and many district and state level judging events, she also won the Star Greenhand Award as a freshman. (Continued on Page 19)
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This summer, Melissa will receive her State FFA Degree at the State FFA Convention in Madison. Melissa’s proficiency for her Supervised Agriculture Experience program is Equine. Melissa is also active in sports, earning letters in Basketball and Volleyball and was on the honor roll throughout high school. A rodeo participant since she was seven years old, Melissa was queen of the Amherst Rodeo and was in Wisconsin’s Little Britches Rodeo several years. Last year she became the only young woman from Amherst to ever advance to Nationals in Barrels, Gillett, WY. JOHN KOSMALSKI Above: Melissa Peterson in competition.
John Kosmalski received both an Outstanding Senior FFA Award and Agri-Business Scholarship. John, son of Patrick and Cindy Kosmalski, and a Rosholt High School senior, is active in Rosholt FFA Chapter. Chapter Reporter for two years, John was also Vice President and now FFA President. He received his Star Greenhand, Star Chapter Farmer and will receive the DeKalb Award, the highest award given to a FFA member not from the National FFA. John participated in leadership workshops, State and National FFA Conventions and many judging events. His Supervised Agricultural Experience is dairy cattle and he tends his own 43 Holstein heifers on a Rosholt farm. A National Honor Society inductee, John was involved in football and held Class Officer, Treasurer, President elected positions.
Above: John Kosmalski holds Ruthie, one of 43 Holstein heifers. Photo by Doug Wojcik, Stevens Point Journal. Below: Josey Pukrop with her horse.
He plans to attend North Central Technical College to earn his Dairy Science degree. His dream is to become the fifth generation to take over the reins of his grandfather’s farm and raise quality dairy cattle for show and sale. JOSEY PUKROP Outstanding FFA Senior Award winner for Stevens Point FFA, Josey Pukrop, is the daughter of Tony and Sue Pukrop, rural Stevens Point. Josey plans to attend UW-River Falls majoring in her true passion, Animal Science. Involved with Equine Science all her life, she continually advanced her skills in roping, horse care and management, and speed competitions. Involved in Veterinary Medicine, Josey volunteers over 300 hours at the Humane Society. She shadows the Animal Care Manager and seizes every opportunity to learn aspects of animal care and health. (Continued on Page20)
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She enjoys educating others through summer school classes and youth lessons and has played a key role in the success of the Stevens Point FFA Chapter. She is currently Chapter President and has instituted several new programs. SHANE ADAMS Stevens Point High School senior, Shane Adams, Agri-Business Scholarship winner, is the son of Larry and Lisa Adams, Plover. Shane has already accumulated many honors through FFA Beef Production, FFA Agricultural Mechanics, Design & Fabrications, 4-H Portage County Large Animal Science Award, 4-H Portage County Mechanical Science Award and Honor Roll. Shane has been involved in the Stevens Point FFA, Sunnyside Climbers 4-H Club and SPASH Cross Country. Shane’s interests revolve around production agriculture. He grew up on a farm and has raised animals since third grade.
Above: Shane Adams, cattle entrepreneur, believes in carving out his own destiny and he is well on his way towards doing so. Below: Danielle Dykes will work towards earning her Veterinarian degree specializing in large animals, particularly equine.
The last few years, he became interested in raising beef even though neither of his parents ever raised cattle and are actually potato producers. That did not stop Shane. He found breeders who helped him learn the ropes. In 2007, his parents purchased a 60-acre farmstead three miles from their farm. Shane helped revamped buildings - fixing doors and windows, removing a hayloft, doing cement work and simply cleaning. Shane talked a neighboring dairy farmer into housing his cattle in the Adams’ restored barn. Shane then convinced his own father and the neighbor to partner with him in raising Holstein steers, forming Stockton Beef, LLC of which Shane is 25% owner. Shane plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in the Farm and Industry Short Course. DANIELLE DYKES Agri-Business Scholarship winner, Danielle Dykes, daughter of Lorn and Sandra Dykes of Almond, has many honors: FFA Greenhand, FFA Speaking Contest winner, National Honor Society member and Academic Achievement Award recipient. She served as Almond-Bancroft High School Class President, FFA President, Food for America Chairperson, FFA Horse Judging Team, 4-H President/Secretary and Volleyball Captain/Assistant Coach. (Continued on Page 21)
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Following graduation, Danielle plans on working at Del Monte Foods during the summers as a field scout. She will attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, majoring in Animal Science to earn general credits towards her Veterinary Degree. Danielle hopes to become a large animal veterinarian (Equine specialty), her dream since she was a little girl. OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AGRICULTURE AWARD Dale Bowe, Agricultural Consultant with Wisconsin Public Service, won the PCBC’s Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award. It is presented for outstanding commitment to agri-business industry’s progress and success and for significant contributions to the Portage County agri-business community.
Above: Josey Pukrop demonstrates her advanced equine skills. Below: Shane Adams shows the nitty-gritty side of the students’ Ag projects, which require hard work and getting down and dirty.
Active involved in the agricultural industry, Dale is a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, International Association of Electrical Inspectors, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association, Lincoln County Agri-Business Council and the Partnership for Progressive Agriculture and serves as its Vice Chairman of the Board. Dale helps organize and coordinate WPS Oshkosh Farm Show, which attracts approximately 30,000 people annually. In addition, he is instrumental in PCBC Agri-Business Committee, organizing agriculture tours, banquets and the Spud Bowl Committee. He received special recognitions from Spud Bowl Committee, Ag Tourism Committee and graduated from Leadership Portage County and Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program. He served on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Associate Division Board of Directors (2001-2006) with a second stint from 2008 to the present. He was Associate Division board President and named Associate Division Business Person of the Year in 2006. He received WPVGA’s Industry Appreciation Award in 2002. TEACHER & ADVISORS PCBC also gave tribute to the FFA Advisors and Ag teachers at local schools since without their guidance and leadership, the individuals’ accomplishments would not be possible. Those present included Tim Pederson, Amherst High School; Lee Miller, Rosholt High School and Ione Hausler, Stevens Point Area Senior High School and PJ Jacobs Junior High School. A mighty “thank you” goes out to all these great teachers!
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Day Trips By Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was nearly finished when the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami occurred. We considered holding it until another date but finally decided that it was even more important for all of us to understand that the unexpected can happen anywhere, at any time. This is somewhat graphic and parents should review it before letting smaller children read it.
AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN FIRE “Fiery hell descended on Peshtigo the night of October 8, 1871, mutilating northern Wisconsin with a livid scar of death and destruction still unequaled in the tragic annals of the world’s great fires. Within a few short hours, the lives of 800 persons were snuffed out in an inferno of flame and terror. A flourishing sawmill town was leveled to a desert of smoking ashes, its streets strewn with the blackened bodies of men, women, and children. Miles of rich farm and woodlands were scorched into desolation and littered with the seared corpses of burned victims. And yet, for decades, the horrors of the Peshtigo Fire remained forgotten in history obscured by the more widely known holocaust that devoured a part of Chicago that very same night in one of fate’s grim coincidences. Chicago reckoned its toll only in the number of its homeless survivors and its gutted buildings, while Peshtigo measured its losses in stark figures of dead and injured, and total destruction.” ~The Peshtigo Times
My obsession with the Peshtigo Fire began a decade ago when a relative mentioned visiting the museum. I vaguely remembered learning about it in a Wisconsin History class that I had taken my junior year in high school. I recalled thinking “I should have paid closer attention.”
Welcome to Day Trips! Inspired by an authentic passion for travel, we share with you, each issue, one of our unique adventures, accomplished in one day; no overnight bags required. We are sisters-in-law from Stevens Point and Amherst, with families involved in potato farming, so we are firmly entrenched in Central Wisconsin. For more than six years, we have ventured forth in search of exceptional destinations – it is amazing how far you do not have to go to experience the moments we often seek in faraway lands. We hope to spark your wheels into motion. You are only a day trip away!
Above: Sisters-in-law Heather Kizewski (left) & Ann Marie Worzalla (right).
RESEARCH I picked my Aunt Kathy’s brain to exhaustion, and the next day spent hours in the bookstore, which later led to many more hours on the internet…and then talking about it incessantly for years. “Why such a morbid interest?” people often asked. WHY INDEED? I never could get over the fact that the Peshtigo Fire occurred on the exact same day at nearly the same hour as the Great Chicago Fire – yet the two fires were unrelated. Peshtigo had almost five times the fatalities and 2400 square miles destroyed. The city of Chicago was destroyed in thirty hours and approximately 300 lives were lost. In the village of Peshtigo alone, more than 800 lost their lives. The people and their town turned to ash in less than two hours, but Peshtigo was so small, news did not reach the outside world for days. (Continued on Page 23) Right: A memorial sculpture placed in front of the museum. SPECIAL NOTE: Click here to go to Day Trips’ Facebook page.
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Photo at Left: An early rendition depicting the fire surrounding a Peshtigo church.
GLIMPSE OF DISASTER When he first learned of Peshtigo’s fate, Isaac Stephenson, Marinette’s lumber baron, sent an emissary to Green Bay, (the nearest place where telegraph lines had not burnt out), to transmit a message to Governor Lucius Fairchild. The message did not reach Madison until the morning of the tenth. The governor and all state officials were in Chicago, where they had gone with loads of supplies to aid the scorched city. A capitol clerk took the telegram to the governor’s wife, Frances Fairchild, who immediately, encouraged Madison families to supply blankets, food and clothing, which were sent to the Peshtigo area via boxcars. PERSONAL IMPACT When I began reading the eyewitness accounts, it started to become personal. I felt like I knew these families: I could picture their faces; I could feel their despair - and although it left me struck with heavy grief, it made me hug my own family a little tighter at night.
Below is an excerpt from one of the Peshtigo Fire Museum’s many brochures. “The piercing wails of a pregnant mother in labor cut through the hissing hell. An elderly man tried to shield his fever-ridden wife from the torrent of fire as she lay on a partly submerged feather bed he had dragged to the river. Insane laughter pealed from a wild-eyed young husband gone mad after finding the woman he carried to safety was a stranger and not his young wife. Cows and horses swimming the river pushed between the people, upsetting logs to which clung whole families. One white-haired lady was upset from her log by a swimming cow, but grasped its horns and was carried to shallow water. Scores of those who could not reach the river killed themselves. Many ran blindly through the blaze shouting that the end of the world had come and were silenced only when the fires claimed their lives.”
HOW COULD THIS BE FORGOTTEN? The Peshtigo Fire engraved itself into the core of my being. I could not stop thinking about it. It seemed I was on a quest and it was not until our visit to The Peshtigo Fire Museum (pictured below) that this quest was finally fulfilled. (Continued on Page 24)
To this day, I shudder at the thought of families running in terror toward the river, blinded by the raging blizzard of embers and fireballs derived from a five-mile wide vortex of flames whirling at cyclonic speeds over 100 miles per hour. It is hard to imagine the horror! Below: Mrs. Amelia Desrochers, Peshtigo Fire survivor, stands by the cemetery monument. ~Peshtigo Times
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COMFORT IN NUMBERS Lucky for me, I had my sister-in-law, Ann Marie; the most calm and observant travel accomplice to take along with me on this moving, historical journey. The Peshtigo Fire Museum is located on the site where the first church was rebuilt after the fire. Right: 1871 Harpers Weekly illustration.
The museum is not original to the site - it is actually the former Congregation church, which was moved across the river after the St. Mary Parish Catholic Church was destroyed by fire (again) in 1927. When St. Mary’s later built a new church, Peshtigo Historical Society acquired the building, which has served as the museum’s home since 1963. After reading these stories for so long, the feeling I had walking into the museum was quite similar to how I felt when walking into The Anne Frank House in Holland several years back. Surreal and sacred. It smelled like antique books and the floors seemed to creak with each step.
After the fire, while retracing their steps, she found her ring still tied to the corner of her shawl. The rest of the shawl was burnt to ashes - everything in the vicinity was charred beyond recognition except for the fabric to which the ring was tied. I was amazed at how one little relic could inspire such deep thought and emotion. Immediately, I wanted to meet her and ask about her husband since I presumed this indestructible ring was symbolic of their marriage. However, despite my efforts, I was unable to locate anyone who knew of her outcome. (Continued from Page 25)
There was so much to explore – stories everywhere in various handwritten letters, newspaper clippings and journals. We didn’t know where to start! THE PAST BECKONS At times, we separated, later flagging each other down to point out an interesting artifact. Ann Marie discovered an old trunk that came from the attic of a survivor’s great-aunt. In the trunk, was a hand-written letter detailing what she witnessed on the atrocious night of October 8, 1871. There was one artifact in particular that really stuck with us. Encased in a frame, was a ring with small pieces of fabric tied to it, along with a touching, short story about a woman who had tied her wedding ring to the corner of her shawl as she and her husband ran to escape the fire.
Shown: Ann Marie rests on the steps of the Peshtigo Fire Museum.
She did not realize at the time that she dropped the shawl with her ring as she fled the inferno. Page 24
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KNOWLEDGE
Right: Peshtigo Cemetery monument.
After hours of exploring the museum, we headed out into the cemetery where a monument had been erected by the people of Peshtigo in 1951 The inscription reads: “On the night of 0ctober 8, 1871, Peshtigo, a booming town of 1700 people, was wiped out of existence in the greatest forest fire disaster in American history. Loss of life and even property in the great fire occurring the same night in Chicago did not match the death toll and destruction visited upon northeastern Wisconsin during the same dreadful hours. The town of Peshtigo was centered around a woodenware factory, the largest in the country. Every building in the community was lost. The tornado of fire claimed at least 800 lives in this area. Many of the victims lie here. The memory of 350 unidentified men, women and children is preserved in a nearby mass grave.” REFLECTION I initially thought we would pay our respects and then leave. I had not anticipated spending as much time there as we actually did. But what I did not expect to find in the cemetery were personalized vignettes - short stories displayed in stands, staked into the ground about the families buried there.
DISCOVERY There was one story in particular that never left Ann Marie or I and we wanted to ensure our memories served accurately, which inspired me to make a few phone calls. The phone calls led to a meaningful conversation with local historian, Mr. Bob Couvillion. I mentioned to him the specifics regarding the stories, and much to my astonishment and heartfelt appreciation, he not only knew the stories well, he wrote them! He had taken genuine care to research the families’ life stories; and through his inscriptions, whispered life where there is death, enchanting a cemetery filled with tragic sorrow. (Continued on Page 26)
These vignettes not only piqued our interest – they touched our souls. Gentle whispers reminding us that the deaths in Peshtigo were more than just statistics and much more than faceless burn casualties. They were people. They had babies and brothers and sisters and grandmas and grandpas. They had faces. They had hearts. They had tears. Page 25
Right: Mr. Bob Couvillion, local historian who appeared on the History Channel and other media including Washington D.C. talk radio to help educate the world about America’s forgotten fire.
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TALE OF SORROW He told me that the particular story we remembered was about the Mellen family. When the firestorm struck, Mr. Mellen grabbed his wife and shouted for his older son to grab his two younger siblings and head toward the river. The older boy did as he was told. He spent the night in the river with one child in each arm, continually dunking them under, keeping their heads and faces safe from the raging flames that scalded the air above. Mr. and Mrs. Mellen survived, as did the older boy; however, both younger siblings died in his arms that night of hypothermia. Hypothermia was the cause of death for many who plunged into the river for safety. The rivers and lakes in northern Wisconsin are close to freezing by early October, and the smaller children especially did not have the stamina to withstand the frigid temperature for several consecutive hours.
MEET PESHTIGO’S HISTORIAN We recently had the honor of meeting Bob Couvillion in person, for coffee at The Corral, a quaint Peshtigo restaurant. Tall and in great physical condition, he appears fifteen years younger than his actual age. His smile is warm and his intelligent blue eyes sparkle when he talks. His wisdom is deep and his memory is long. With generosity and enthusiasm, he shared with us many, many stories. As a young boy, he first remembers his father telling him stories about the fire. When he was about twelve, Mrs. Anderson, a nice lady who lived next to his childhood friend, often shared stories and compelling facts with the neighborhood kids from behind an old yard fence. These stories planted an interest that throughout his life evolved into a greater love for history. In the service, he read about The Civil War, taking a strong interest in stories about The Battles of Little Big Horn (also known as Custer’s Last Stand). At this point, he knew without reservation that history was his forte.
Left to Right: Ann Marie Worzalla, Heather Kizewski and Bob Couvillion. (Continued on Page 27)
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Bob chose to write the inscriptions in the cemetery to exemplify real life, making the families relatable. He did this by thoroughly researching and contacting surviving family members, obtaining accurate material to share with visitors. He is dedicated to resuscitating the memory of the firestorm at Peshtigo. He shared with us that before gas prices rose, approximately 12,000 people per year visited the museum, which is open only from Memorial Day until October 8. In 1997, the museum welcomed 13,739 visitors from 48 states and 26 foreign countries. Back in 1971 - the centennial of the Peshtigo Fire - approximately 30,000 individuals visited the museum and its cemetery. Since the increase of gas prices, the number of visitors has gone down to 7,000.
Above: A mural painted by Shelly Harkin still exists on the wall of the Peshtigo Pharmacy.
Pernin’s book is a must-read for anyone even slightly interested in the Peshtigo Fire. The powerful stories are first-hand accounts written in less than 70 pages and illustrate some of the most peculiar aspects of the fire such as those found in this short excerpt : “Strange to say there were many corpses found, bearing about them no traces of scars or burns, and yet in the pockets of their habiliments, equally uninjured, watches, cents, and other articles in metal were discovered completely melted. How was it also that many escaped with their lives here and there on the cleared land as well as in the woods? The problem is a difficult one to solve. The tempest did not rage in all parts with equal fury, but escape from its power was a mere affair of chance. No one could boast of having displayed more presence of mind than others.” ~Reverend Peter Pernin
REVEREND PERNIN’S BOOK
CAUSE OF FIRE
Bob highly recommends reading, The Great Peshtigo Fire – An Eyewitness Account, written by Reverend Peter Pernin (sold at the museum for ten dollars).
There had been several contributing factors to the firestorm; one being a series of forest fires that had raged in the north, south, east, and west for weeks. (Continued on Page 28)
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High winds whipped existing small fires from land clearing, lumber operations, passing trains and other practices into a larger forest fire. The heat from the fire became so intense that the fire created its own weather system, forming fire tornados.
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CAUSE OF FIRE There had been several contributing factors to the firestorm; one being a series of forest fires that raged in all directions for weeks. The fires were caused by general acts of human carelessness. For instance:
Farmers clearing hardwood growth for farm crops using ‘slash and burn’ methods. Loggers slashing from the huge, virgin pine forest intentionally burned or left in piles in the woods and clearings, creating dry tinder for forest fires. Railroads: trees and brush cleared from rights of way were left by the wayside. In dry weather, sparks from steam engines often ignited grass, brush and slash.
Finally, the weather: a prolonged and widespread drought and unusually high temperatures for early October combined with a cyclonic windstorm.
The dried marshes six miles south of Peshtigo had emitted gases for weeks; perhaps contributing to the large black object resembling a balloon, which revolved in the sky rapidly above the treetops. The marshes erupted into a deafening combustion, roaring with fire streaming in all directions, jolting eyewitnesses into a staggering terror. Referenced in the book, Firestorm at Peshtigo by Denise Gess and William Lutz published in 2002, it is summarized as follows: “When a firestorm erupts in a forest, it is a blowup, nature’s nuclear explosion, generating the same heat and devastating power as an atomic bomb. The only precedent for a fire of such magnitude, the only frame of reference for a firestorm, was the Great Fire of London in 1666.” FINAL REFLECTIONS Clearly, this is not a ‘skipity-do-dah’ type of trip – yet if you enjoy history at its best and its worst, you will appreciate what you discover there. You might take with you a deeper sense of gratitude for your life as you now know it. (Continued on Page 29)
It had been a dry summer with very high temperatures and the ‘slash and burn’ land clearing practices made the region a tinderbox.
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Above: A few of the Cemetery’s tombstones. Below: The Peshtigo Fire Museum feature beautiful period vignettes that reflect how people lived in the period before and after the fire, such as this dining setting.
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It might prompt you to hug your own family a little tighter after grasping the magnitude of what the people of Peshtigo experienced or lost. I also recommend balancing the trip with something upbeat following the museum. Much to our fortuity, as we pulled away in the car that afternoon, we heard music playing in the distance - perhaps a band or street music of some sort; we weren’t sure. We followed the jovial sound, which led us straight to the 18th Annual Peshtigo Historical Day Festival - a citywide celebration of the history of Peshtigo, sponsored by the Peshtigo Lions Club. The festival takes place at Badger Park each year at the end of September. Attractions have included a waters ski show on the Peshtigo River, kids’ games and face painting, food and refreshments, a beer garden, and raffle prizes. Visitors also have the opportunity to explore a frontier village/fur trader rendezvous. Participants in authentic period attire demonstrate many historical skills, activities, crafts and games – blacksmithing, wood carving, spinning and weaving, log splitting, firing of cannon and musket, and more. Our journey, by chance, led us to a lighter mood. Yet at the same time, we never felt traumatized by our visit. What happened in Peshtigo was tragic, the historical impact was huge yet we felt at peace knowing we honored the memory of those affected. REFERENCES The Great Peshtigo Fire: An Eyewitness Account by Reverend Peter Pernin, Firestorm at Peshtigo by Denise Gess and William Lutz and Peshtigo Times. Top: Esquire Magazine commissioned this painting rendered by famous expressionist Gustav Rehberger for a 1952 article discussing how Peshtigo’s world turned to fire. Middle: This is a close-up of the wedding ring lost in the fire. Below: The story of the woman, who lost her wedding ring, tied to her shawl, is displayed with the ring in the museum.
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ANTIQUE AUCTION Mecum’s Tractors Draw the Crowds! Walworth, WI By Ruth Johnson, Editor
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Change is good, particularly when it involves collectible tractors and Mecum Auctions, known for more than two decades of collector car auctions, deciding to branch out into collectible tractor auctions. The Mecum well-oiled auction machine was at its finest during their inaugural Gone Farmin’ tractor auction, August 2010 and once again during their first spring collectible tractor sale, March 2011 in Walworth, WI. PERFECT SETTING As snowflakes filled the air against the auction’s big tent and amidst the parade of antique machinery, the scene was eerily reminiscent of a giant snow globe. The auction began with an audience favorite – vintage memorabilia such as original and reproduction signs and even a 1955 International Harvester Model A-106 DX refrigerator-freezer. (Continued on Page 32) Left: Mecum’s first Spring tractor auction offered an impressive array of various colors, brands and models of vintage farm machinery. Top: Eye candy for collectors of all ages and persuasions, this is a great representation of the endless variety offered for auction. Right: Many short-lived or unusual brands or models filled the auction roster.
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DESTINY CALLS Mecum Auctions put 150 tractors under the gavel for this auction with an impressive 80% sell-through rate and total gross sales (excluding buyer's premium) surpassing $484,500. Despite the cold weather, bidder and looker turnout was heavy with standing room only once the auction started. SPECIAL ATTRACTION Mecum accepted all kinds of consignments for this wondrous event but the overriding draw was the Tom Geyman collection of primarily International Harvester tractors. Geyman accumulated and restored an impressive collection of about two dozen tractors offered at “no reserve� to the highest bidder. Every tractor was either professionally restored or cosmetically conditioned, or lightly used originals, all in show-quality condition (Continued on Page 33) Top: The bright white tents served as a perfect foil for the vintage man-toys. Left: Rare, seldom seen ancient relics were also on the bill.
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Due to their quality and significant history, Geyman's tractors drew collectors from across the country. A 1961 Ford 801, belonging to his father-in-law, sold with its original bill of sale! TOP TEN TRACTOR SALES 1. $24,000 - 1966 International 1206 Tractor 2. $21,000 - 1966 International 1206 3. $19,000 - 1966 International 1206 Wheatland Tractor 4. $17,500 - John Deere 330 Tractor 5. $14,500 - 1961 International 660 Wheatland Tractor 6. $12,500 - 1957 Farmall 450 Diesel Tractor 7. $11,500 - 1967 International 806 Wheatland Tractor 8. $10,000 - 1950 McCormick W-4 Tractor 9. $8,800 - 1959 John Deere 730 Tractor 10. $8,750 - 1953 McCormick Super W-6 Tractor Mecum’s antique tractor auction genre seems destined for success! Click here for Mecum’s upcoming auction schedule. Top: Dressed in Carhartts and other warm clothing, hobbyists braved the frigid temperatures for a chance to bid on or ogle their favorite antique tractors. Left: The entire bidding tent was packed to the gills with everyone angling for the closest view possible. Bidding was fast and furious.
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HONEYBEES & SPRING BLOSSOMS! You know warm weather is here when the bees are back! Watch next issue for our Bee Pollination article.
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PROGRESS 24x STRONG The latest thing in spring planting - a John Deere 24-row planter. Remember when an 8-row planter was the ultimate machine?
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Neighbors-April 2011