Page 30
It’s a great day to be in Coloma Coloma has taken on a slogan that can often be heard and felt throughout the community – “It a great day to be in Coloma.” There are several areas of historical interest that you can discover in Coloma. The village is located just off of I-39 and Hwy 21. The Coloma Hotel, which has been around for over 100 years, is still in operation. The ambiance and beauty of this hotel lets you step back in time but still enjoy modern conveniences. In the Coloma Park is the Spaulding Store, which was moved by the Coloma Historical Society from Coloma Corners. The store is full of memorabilia from a bygone era that has been donated by many local citizens. Part of the museum houses a rotating collection that features a different historical era of Coloma every few months. This building is opened on weekends and during special events in the summer, like the Chicken Chew, Cruise Coloma, and the Harvest Fest. The building was once the local store and post office. An addition beside the building will be added in 2014 that will feature larger items like antique tractors and other antiques. The Village of Coloma, formerly Coloma Station, was founded in 1858. The Village of Coloma was named after the town in California where gold was discovered. Coloma’s lollipop-shaped water tower, constructed in the late 1930’s, was the first of its kind ever built. From this, Coloma attained a bit of fame in the World Book Encyclopedia. Coloma may be a village full of history but that isn’t its only attraction. There is a wide range of nearby recreational opportunities that make Coloma a pleasant place to visit year round. The Coloma School Forest has become a draw for many families looking for a place to hike, picnic, and learn about nature. Several lakes in the area draw boaters, fishermen, and swimmers. During the winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling keep people active. In February, the Coloma Lions host their annual fisheree and snowmobile radar run. Just this year the ATV club added trails within the village of Coloma to give people on their all-terrain vehicles a place to park and access to the businesses in town, as well as access to various ATV routes. Coloma is an ideal place to live and raise a family. Coloma Grade School offers excellent K-6 elementary education. Coloma Elementary School has won the Wisconsin School of Promise award for the last nine years. This prestigious award shows the excellence of this school. The village has a well-kept community park with some of the most beautiful flower arrangements around. This year it attracted the prairie enthusiasts for their yearly function because of the beauty of the flower gardens. However, the park isn’t just flowers, there is a playground, ball diamond, picnic tables, tennis, and ample off street parking. The new tennis court has been approved by the National Tennis Association and is used for lessons and tennis leagues during
the week. Several sponsored competitions have also been held here. Another popular tennis court game, called pickle ball, has found a welcome niche in Coloma. It involves four players playing doubles on a smaller size court. A large shelter house, which is a new addition this year, is available with stoves, refrigerators, hot water, sinks, a serving bar, and a 40 x 50-foot enclosed area. Along with all its other amenities, you can simply visit the part to check out the work of the Friends of the Park, who are avid gardeners. Beautiful flower beds surround the park and are located around the gazebo and at the entrance to the park. For information and reservations contact: Arden Bandt at 715-222-5761. Coloma businesses include a bank, supermarket, liquor store, ice cream store, bridal shop, scrapbooking store, beauty shop, café, gas stations, taxidermy, recycling center, restaurants, historic hotel, car repair shop, hardware store, and much more. This year, Coloma welcomed Subway to the area. This was yet another welcome addition to the local businesses in the area. A Chevy dealer, which has been in Coloma for many years, will soon be seeing a facelift in 2014 as it moves to its new location by the Hoops BP. The businesses have formed the Coloma Business Association, which sponsors several events throughout the year, like Fall Fest, the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, and the spring Women Gone Wild event. The Coloma Business Park is conveniently located on State Route 21, just seconds from the I-39 on-ramp. Development of the park is overseen by the Village of Coloma and the Coloma Industrial Development Corporation. New roads, sewer, and water extensions, and good highway access offer businesses an ideal location in the heart of Wisconsin. For more information, contact Robert Martin at 715-228-3841. Coloma hosts a number of community events and celebrations for residents and visitors alike. The largest event of the year is the annual Coloma Lions Chicken Chew. This two-day event is held each June at the Coloma Village Park. This action-packed weekend includes volleyball, softball tournaments, homemade ice cream and cotton candy, the chicken drop, village wide rummage sales, a parade, and the famous Lions chicken barbecue. For more information contact Wally King at 715-228-4753. The Coloma community is rich with clubs and organizations for all ages and interests, including the Country Country Quilter’s, Yarn Club, Book Club, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Coloma Players, Friends of the Library, Friends of the Park, Historical Society, Business Association, and many more. Most of these groups hold their regular meetings at the Anna Follett Memorial Community Center. To reserve any date for use of the Community Center call: the Village Office 715-228-2871. For more information about the Coloma area, see their website at www.villageofcoloma.com.