Turkey Trot returns to Amery for second year
BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
The Amery Turkey Trot 5K will return this holiday season, organized by Brightside Running. In its second year, the trot will feature participants running or walking at their own pace. It will take place on Thursday, Nov. 27, starting at 8 a.m. Last year, the group had a decent turnout for their inaugural event, but they hope to attract more
runners on Thanksgiving. It is a community event that encourages people of all ages to stay active and celebrate together during the holiday.
A Turkey Trot is held in several large urban centers, attracting runners from all over to participate in the race on the morning of the holiday. This has become an annual tradition for some families and even gives people an excuse to eat more turkey.
The course will be an out-and-back setup on the Stower Seven Lakes Trail. The trail is a flat gravel path with plenty of space for multiple people to run side by side. While people can do that, it is encouraged to follow good running etiquette by moving to the right when passing. Dogs will not be allowed on the trail during the event. Although the organizers will have volunteers at
BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Comprehensive plan will sets blueprint for housing and development
BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Amery’s new comprehensive plan is now underway, several projects in the city are nearing completion, and city staff promotes a couple of reading initiatives.
MSA shared the list of projects they have with the City of Amery. Updates were provided on most of them, with many nearing completion. Some projects are progressing with developing homes, while others are waiting to finish the back-end work. The nine months of collaboration between the city and residents has finally ended. The Comprehensive Plan was approved based on the recommendation of the planning commission. Now, this living document will guide the city's priorities for projects that residents contributed to. Department heads helped with the Amery School District’s first Enchanted Forest. Despite the chilly weather, many families stopped by to listen to community members read to children. The library also handed out 280 books earlier that day during their trick-or-treat event.
MSA PROJECT UPDATES
will continue to promote local shopping, but without punch cards. Although the punch cards will not be available this year, the
MSA provided updates on several projects around town. The first project mentioned was the Hillcrest Drive sidewalk design. Currently, they are waiting for real estate acquisition before finalizing the design. The design scoping report and transportation management plan related to the project have
JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS
A new spin on an annual tradition will still have people out and about shopping locally but will not have Scrip Money as a prize.
JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS Runners will meet at Soo Line Park.
SEE TROT, PAGE 8
LOOT: New spin
community club is exploring other ways to support local shopping.
“The Amery Community Club works really hard to continue to come up with ideas throughout the year that create fun experiences for residents, while promoting local businesses,” April Ziemer said. “What is cool about this year's Local Loot is that you do not know what place you are going to win a gift card to, and it might end up being someplace in town that you haven't checked out yet. We are hoping that people visit a variety of businesses while they are dropping their names in the Holly Jolly Local Loot boxes, that they support our small businesses in Amery and town is filled to the brim with holiday cheer this year.”
Part of the reason for changing the event is that over the years, fewer businesses are accepting Amery Scrip Money. Instead of scrip money, the C Club will give out gift cards to winners, which can be spent at local businesses. The gift cards will range from $10 to $100.
Though it will be slightly different, some of the processes will stay the same. Starting December 1, businesses will set up a box at their store and display a flyer at their entrance. The flyer will inform shoppers about the participating businesses information about the event. The businesses will have paper and pens available for entry into a drawing. The Holly Jolly Local Loot event will end at noon on December 18. Afterward, the Holly Jolly Elves will visit participating businesses to collect the completed slips. People will get a sneak peek at the prize amounts to be given away during the Holly Jolly Stroll. While there, visitors can also view a plywood tree displaying the different prize amounts.
Saturday, December 20, at 9 a.m., the drawing for the winners will take place at SOO Line Park. Once the club identifies the participating businesses, the Community Club will then go out and purchase various increments from those businesses. This is to ensure fairness for all involved.
Although the event starts December 1, people are also encouraged to shop local as holiday events in Amery begin.
“Of course, we hope Amery is buzzing with people for the Holly Jolly Stroll on Saturday, December 6th. But we encourage people to kick off the season before then,” Ziemer said. “Many businesses are having promotions for Doe on the Go and Small Business Saturday, which take place in November. Start supporting local now and Local Loot can just be the icing on the cake for the season.”
Although the tradition has evolved slightly, the Club values feedback from residents and businesses involved in the program. They then use that feedback to further improve the event.
PLAN: Will help guide Amery into the future
been signed and approved. They are now working with utilities to ensure everything is addressed without setbacks or relocations. MSA expects to receive feedback about potential changes on November 22. Once those are known, they will update the plan.
The second project discussed was Sundance Place. The first new home in the project is currently under construction. Last month, a final walkthrough was conducted to identify any remaining items needed for completion. The final pay application for Sundance Place will be submitted to the council later in November or December.
The Center Street Extension was also a key part of the updates shared by MSA. In mid-September, the city approved the permit, and MSA sent the final plan set to the city. At this point, MSA is waiting for the city to be ready for them to come out as needed and help with the project.
The final topics discussed were the comprehensive plans for the
city and the Arts, Parks, and Recreation department. Both received full support.
COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN
The plan that will guide Amery over the next few decades is now ready to be implemented. The City’s Comprehensive Plan was presented to the planning commission, which recommended it for approval. The plan is based on public input about the direction they want the city to take, while also prioritizing different projects.
Besides public feedback, city staff also spent over nine months developing the document. The main goal was to preserve Amery’s character while maintaining its small-town feel and addressing some concerns raised. The most significant issue was tackling the lack of affordable or attainable housing.
The document will serve as a guiding framework for city members as years go by and council members change. Although its main purpose is to guide the city, it can also be adjusted based on the
Wastewater Treatment Facility enters the final 20% of work
BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Pay application 15 was submitted to the Wastewater Treatment Facility as progress continues on the overall project. The payment was for September and totaled $656,311.21.
A lot of work was completed during September. Existing structures were demolished, and a concrete foundation was laid for a treatment building. A concrete foundation was also laid for a bumping building. Other work focused more on the interior of the buildings, including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. At building 50, significant remodeling
is underway, with masonry and rinsing currently happening.
Many of the funds were allocated for demolition due to the extensive work involved behind the scenes. This included excavation and backfill for the area. Additional-
ly, equipment such as monorails, hoists, trolleys, and cranes were installed at the site. Currently, the Wastewater Treatment Facility is approximately 75-80% complete, staying on schedule for its expected completion.
city’s needs at any time. The comprehensive plan is a requirement of the city, as mandated by Wisconsin state law. The new document will not be created until 2025.
DEPARTMENT HEADS HELP IN ENCHANTED FOREST, GAVE AWAY BOOKS
The Fire Department, Police Department, and the library collaborated to host the Enchanted Forest at the Amery School Forest. Even though it was chilly on Halloween, about 300 people still came out to enjoy it. Along the trail, there were cauldrons, community members reading, and families having fun. Before heading to the Enchanted Forest, Library Director Heather Wiarda took part in the community club's trick-or-treating event. Due to the colder weather, fewer people visited the library. Last year, the library distributed approximately 500 books, compared to 280 this year. Although the numbers were a bit lower this year, it was still a successful event for the families who stopped by.
Otlo seeks to bring ‘common sense leadership’ to Polk County Sheriff’s office
BY MATT ANDERSON EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Calling for a more coordinated approach to public safety, Nick Otlo announces his run for Polk County sheriff, focusing on better school-violence prevention plans and stronger cooperation among the county’s emergency agencies.
Otlo is originally from Dresser, Wis. and is now living in Luck where he works in the public works department. He is a former Polk County Sheriff jailer and has worked as a firefighter, EMT and deputy medical examiner. Then and now, his goal has always been centered around helping people in his community, and he plans to bring that same goal to the role of Polk County Sheriff.
“If you'd asked me five, 10 years ago, I would have said I want to help people,” Otlo said. “I still do SEE OTLO, PAGE 23
Sundance Place is in the final stages of the project. Houses have begun to fill up the empty lots.
JUSTIN RUNBERG AMERY FREE PRESS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 217 Deronda Street in Amery on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Amery Al Anon Group
The Amery Al Anon Family Group will meet Thursdays at 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 240 W Elm Street, Amery. Call 715-554-3344 for info.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 217 Deronda Street, Amery on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 217 Deronda Street, Amery on Friday evenings at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 217 Deronda Street, Amery on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m.
Amery Area Historical Society Museum Open The Amery Area Historical Society will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which includes the museum and the FamilySearch genealogy research center. The Historical Society is located at 109 E. Maple St., Amery. For information, contact ameryhistory@gmail. com
Democracy Protectors Vigil The Democracy Protectors are holding a Vigil every Saturday at noon in downtown Amery at Soo Line Park.
OUT ABOUT&
Wanderoos 19th Annual Deer Hunting Party
Chili Feed
Northwoods Homeless Shelter’s 25th Annual Chili Feed will take place on Saturday, November 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1050 Keller Ave. N, Amery. Free will offering. Silent Auction – something for everyone!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Polk County Genealogical Society Christmas Party
The Polk County, WI Genealogical Society will have their Christmas Party on Monday, November 24. Lunch will begin a 11:30 a.m. at Dickie’s Diner in Luck followed by sharing ancestor stories at the Luck Museum at 1 p.m. All are welcome.
Scout Pack/Troop/ Crew 9146 Meeting
Join Scout Pack/ Troop/Crew 9146 at their meetings on Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Amery Congregational Church UCC, 201 Harriman Ave. N, Amery. Open to all children
from kindergarten to 17 years old and their families. Please feel free to come to a meeting to visit us before you sign up.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
GriefShare
A grief support group for people grieving the death of a loved one will be held on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. starting September 2 through November 25. There will be weekly video with insights from respected experts and relatable personal stories, followed by a time of sharing and support.
GriefShare sessions will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1050 Keller Ave. N, Amery. You are welcome to join at any time during the session. For more information or to register, call the St. Joseph office at 715-268-7717 or visit griefshare.org. Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic
Church, 507 W Main St, Balsam Lake on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and at the Clear Lake Community Center, 560 5th Street, at 7 p.m. Amery American Legion Amery American Legion Post 169 will meet at the Post, 320 Memorial Dr., Amery at 7 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month. All honorably discharged veterans are welcome. For more information, call 612-2379747.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 217 Deronda Street in Amery on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Redeemer Lutheran Church, 600 Keller Ave. S, Amery, invites you to a Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service on Wednesday, November 26 at 4 p.m. All are welcome.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
All are welcome to attend the Thanksgiving Eve Service on Wednesday, November 26 at 7 p.m. at Deronda Lutheran Church, 1239 65th Ave., Amery featuring the NUIC Parish Choir, Amery’s A Cappella Choir, and other special music. Join us for pie after worship! Co-sponsored by NUIC Parish and Amery Congregational Church.
Email events for consideration to editor@ theameryfreepress.com, deliver them in person to our office at 215 Keller Ave. S. or submit them online: www.theameryfreepress.com.
AMERY FREE PRESS
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History as entertainment?
November is usually when the weather turns cold and indoor activities increase. It’s also the month when television and streaming services unveil major events and new series. Audience measurements during this time of year set advertising rates and influence earnings reports.
I have been watching a couple of historical series that I have found interesting.
From the Publisher’s Desk
Tom Stangl
The first is a four-episode mini-series on Netflix. “Death by Lightning” is the story of the all too brief presidency of James Garfield, the 20th president. Garfield was the second president to be assassinated. Garfield was shot by Charles Guiteau, a mentally ill failed lawyer. Guiteau believed he played an important role in getting Garfield elected and was upset that he did not receive a government position for his work.
Based on a non-fiction book, “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President” by Candice Millard, the series outlines Garfield’s unlikely rise to the presidency and Guiteau’s obsession with Garfield.
The portrayals of Garfield by Michael Shannon and Guiteau by Matthew Macfadyen are outstanding, in my opinion. Shannon portrays Garfield as a man of honor and principle in a time when neither carried much weight. Macfayden does a wonderful job showing the unraveling of Guiteau.
I’ll admit I knew very little about James Garfield before watching the show. He was one of the presidents who was assassinated that many people can’t recall. He’s probably a trivia quiz answer.
From the show, it seems that Garfield had the potential to curb the excesses of the Gilded Age, stop political corruption, and promote the rights of veterans and Black people. The title comes from a letter Garfield wrote. He discusses the fear of assassination. “Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning,” he wrote.
The series is a reminder to me that nothing truly ever changes in politics. It seems there will always be corruption, always be patronage, and always be someone who is trying to repair a broken system. But even at its most broken, our system of government represents the best hope for equality and opportunity.
I highly recommend this series. The writing, acting, and direction are top-notch.
The second series is “King & Conqueror,” a BBC series on the struggle between William the Conqueror and Harold Godwinson, the last Saxon King of England. William was French, a Norman, and eventually claimed the crown by winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It is on Amazon Prime Video.
It’s very much a medieval show with lots of politics on all sorts of levels. England had been torn by civil war, and the unifying King Edward the Confessor leaves many doubts about who the next king should be after he dies, paving the way for William’s conquest.
The basic facts of this show are correct, but the interactions between the players is fiction. It’s entertaining, but don’t use it to study for a test on the Norman Conquest. The leads, James Norton as Harold Godwinson and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, do a great job. The action is good as well. If you
SEE STANGL, PAGE 5
The slap on the wrist kind of judge
Recently, I was in court helping a co-worker with a story. It had been years since I last covered a court case. It was interesting and made me miss covering those cases just a little.
I say slightly because the cases I covered down south were all very traumatic for the individuals involved. I won’t go into all the details, but two that stood out are a murder and a drunk driving case that left a young woman dead.
From the Editor’s Desk
Justin Runberg
When I left the courthouse after everything was over, I thought back to the drunk driving case. The man lost a foot in the accident while going well over 100 miles per hour on a road. The woman died instantly from the impact. During sentencing, a judge gave a grandstanding speech about how a young life was snuffed out. She then sentenced him to two years in prison. The reason was that one of the officers drew blood while he was unconscious. He couldn’t consent to having his blood taken and, because of that, couldn’t even mention his BAC in court. Personally, I was so disgusted I
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couldn’t even hide it when the judge came out. Luckily, I was in the media room, so they couldn’t see the steam coming out of my ears.
I packed up my belongings and left as quickly as possible. Can judges be held responsible if they give someone a light sentence and that person then harms others?
The short and simple answer is yes and no. From what I found, they can be held accountable through judicial conduct commissions, an appellate review, or public scrutiny. They even have something called judicial immunity, even in cases of misconduct. Some laws have been proposed to address this issue.
During my time in the media, I have seen too many stories of people receiving a slap on the wrist, only to commit a devastating crime not long after. I witnessed so many signature bonds from violent offenders in La Crosse that would make your head spin. That being said, it wasn’t all judges, but realistically, probably half of them were like this.
Signature bonds, in my humble opinion, should only be used for non-violent offenders. Yeah, we acknowledge you broke the law, but you didn’t put anyone in harm’s way, and no property was damaged.
I’m sure people have an idea of what that might look like.
LETTER GUIDELINES
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.
The Amery Free Press accepts election letters endorsing or advocating for or against a ballot measure, political party or candidate as a paid advertising announcement. The fee will be a $25 minimum for
Now, when a violent offender has a criminal history so long that they could write a chapter book, yeah, that is an issue. Suppose those kinds of people are let off with a slap on the wrist after several violent offenses, breaking probation, and going back to the same lifestyle. In that case, the judge in the case should be directly responsible for what the individual does outside of court and jail.
I believe it would encourage judges to use more reason, especially when dealing with violent offenders. I’m all about redemption arcs and second chances— as long as they earn it. Particularly after they earn ithat could be through some sort of program, such as seeing a therapist, and adhering to whatever court order or probation requirements are in place. But, if their record shows the opposite, then judges should be held accountable. I believe the current system needs to be revised. I respect those who are behind the bench, and I am sure it isn’t easy—actually, I know it isn’t. But they are human, and humans make mistakes. However, if a mistake leads to someone losing their life or getting injured, their families should have the option to
SEE RUNBERG, PAGE 5
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The Amery Free press has the right to reject letters which don’t meet publishing standards and will determine if the letter qualifies as a paid endorsement. Paid letters will be identified with a label and may or may not appear on the opinion/letters page. For questions about policies on letters contact the editor at 715-268-8101 x103.
Data center secrecy is unacceptable
All too often, secrecy and confidentiality carry the day in proceedings of state and local government.
In one recent case, the name “Microsoft” on a state Public Service Commission filing was redacted – blocked from public view – along with pages and pages of other information. The redactions served no purpose, as the company’s role in the former Racine County site formerly known as FoxConn had been announced publicly in 2024 by then President Joe Biden and widely reported.
PSC statutes indicate that utilities can keep only certain items from the public and for very discrete reasons – for instance, to protect competitive information or trade secrets. But in practice, secrecy is extended to a wide range of records.
This is something I encountered in my reporting on utilities for the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from the late 1990s to 2017. And the number of confidential filings continued to be a concern in my current role at the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, the consumer advocate watchdog for utility customers.
The problem is more urgent now, in an era of rapidly rising costs for utility customers and proposals for the building of huge, energy-gulping data centers now being proposed throughout the state. The stakes are getting higher.
Wisconsin’s utility system is undergoing a rapid-fire and massive transformation, arguably the biggest since the advent of widespread use of air conditioning 75 years ago, or even since Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla were lighting cities for the first time using electricity.
Two such data center projects in eastern Wisconsin – Microsoft in Racine and OpenAI Oracle Vantage in Port Washington – would use as much power by themselves as all of We Energies customers used last year. You read that right: Two such data center projects in eastern Wisconsin – Microsoft in Racine and OpenAI Oracle Vantage in Port Washington – would use as much power by themselves as all of We Energies customers used last year. You read that right: These two centers combined would require as much electricity as all 1.1 million industrial, commercial and residential customers used last year, including the entire cities of Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Port Washington, Waukesha and Appleton.
So it’s no wonder there’s more attention being placed, here and across the country, on the decisions being made by the three PSC commissioners in Madison and their counterparts across the country. This is especially true given that a new Marquette Law School poll found that a majority of state residents, Democrats and Republicans alike, believe that the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits.
In the case of the Port Washington data center, city leaders signed a development agreement that
contains a very broad definition of “confidential information” and then binds the city to assist the data center developer in defending any lawsuit seeking to release anything it considers confidential.
Recently, the nonprofit law center Midwest Environmental Advocates had to sue the city of Racine to get water records for the Microsoft development. Peg Scheaffer, the group’s spokesperson, said “it’s more important than ever that technology companies like Microsoft be transparent about the environmental impacts these huge data centers will have.”
Fortunately, Wisconsin’s PSC is paying heed to these concerns. At a training session for the energy legal community in Madison earlier this year, the PSC put utilities and their law firms on notice that the agency will be taking a closer look at confidential filings and scrutinizing more closely the requests filed by utilities to keep information from public view.
That transparency initiative is overdue, and welcome.
Local and state government leaders enticed by the lure of economic development should take heed. Going forward, let us err on the side of more transparency, not less.
Your Right to Know is a monthly column distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council (wisfoic.org), a nonprofit, nonpartisan group dedicated to open government.
TOM CONTENT is executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin and vice president of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates.
STANGL: Old history makes you want to visit library
enjoyed “Game of Thrones,” you will be entertained by the show. If it makes you want to know more, visit your library. They will
be glad to help you find information on these two and many other topics.
As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@theameryfreepress.
com, by telephone at 715-268-8101, or by writing to P.O. Box 424, Amery, WI, 54001.
Thanks for reading. I’ll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.
RUNBERG: No cash bonds for non-violent offenders
take them to civil court for damages.
That wouldn’t be any different for a driver who unintentionally causes a death, just as throwing a
match on some gas leads to a house burning down, or as getting into a fist fight with a stranger. You may not have intended for anything to happen, but when it does, the average person is held responsible for
those choices. So, why shouldn’t judges be?
Feel free to reach out at any time. I always welcome your thoughts and opinions. You can reach me at 715-268-8101, or send me an email at editor@theameryfreepress.com.
Amery Hospital & Clinic Volunteer Love Light Tree Honoring and Remembering Loved Ones
Dear Editor,
The Amery Hospital & Clinic Volunteer Partners would like to sincerely thank you for your future and past support of our Love Light Tree. This is the 38th year of our Love Light Tree, which began in 1987.
We will again be hosting a ceremony to light the tree to remember, and honor loved ones at 6:00pm, Thursday, Dec. 11th in the Rain Garden Cafe at the hospital. We invite you and your family to join us for an evening filled with music, treats and holiday cheer. All donors and honorees will be listed in the program booklet, which will be handed out the evening of the ceremony, and can also be picked up after the ceremony at the Information desk at the hospital.
This is a unique opportunity for you to remember or honor loved ones at this special time of year, while donating to a scholarship fund. If you would like to honor or remember a loved one who served in the military, “Red Bows” are available for purchase as well.
Each year, we help to provide six scholarships of $500 each (for a total of $3,000) to local high school graduating seniors pursuing a career in health care. These scholarships are made possible because of your generous support of the Love Light Tree. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Doreen Snell, Volunteer Coordinator at 715-2680289.
Gratefully, Kathy Gehrman and the Amery Hospital & Clinic Volunteer Partners
National Alzheimer’s Disease
To the Editor:
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s and the family members who provide unpaid care. In Wisconsin, there are more than 110,900 people living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 200,000 people serving as their caregivers.
As an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, I understand the challenges Wisconsin caregivers are facing. As a current and past caregiver for a loved one, I can relate to the multitasking roles and duties on providing physical care, safety and financial management to a person with dementia. The unpredictability of dementia that brings on added stress can increase unhealthy physical and emotional challenges for caregivers trying to support their family member.
Congress can bring hope. By increasing Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health by $113,485 million and strengthening public health efforts through $35 million for the BOLD infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, lawmakers can accelerate progress toward prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure.
Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in urging Representative Tom Tiffany, Senator Johnson, and Senator Baldwin to lead in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Together, we can change the future for millions of families.
To learn more or get involved, visit alz.org. Every action matters--because no one should face Alzheimer’s alone
Jackie Waalen The Deerfield
85 Years Ago
November 7, 1940
Pioneer Grocer Passes at 74
Hugh Phillips, pioneer Amery grocer who has given material aid to many needy families in Amery in the past 40 years, passed away Friday morning at 6:50 o’clock.
He opened a store in Amery in 1900 on the site of the present Union State Bank. He at that time became a partner of William Ward and shortly afterward, purchased Mr. Ward’s half interest.
Scores of needy families were the beneficiaries of good, hearted Hugh, and as many more were given liberal credit by him when they were hard pressed. He lived alone for over 35 years, above his store and took most of his meals at the Chet Leadholm residence, except in the winter when he had them downtown much of the time.
Bernard Nelson, for many years a faithful and trusted employee of Mr. Phillips, will have the store.
November 14, 1940
Disastrous Storm Ties Up Traffic
The blizzard of 1888 had nothing on the early November blizzard of 1940, which caused many deaths, as it struck the Dakotas and Minnesota on Monday, and Amery and western Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Yesterday’s News
Diane Stangl
The blizzard in this section was preceded by a drenching ran, which measured over 3 inches, and which turned to sleet Monday evening, and to real snow during the night and all day Tuesday.
Bus schedules were cancelled and trains were late. Schools closed and the grade school here did not open until Wednesday morning. The high school reopened on Thursday when bus routes were plowed out.
The county plow responded to a call by Dr. W. B. Cornwall, and plowed a road to the farm home of Mrs. Ken Larson north of Balsam Lake, so that the Larson’s could drive here. That was Tuesday morning, and about suppertime that day Mrs. Larson gave birth to a 9-pound baby girl.
No other medical calls during the storm were reported, but many people, wanting to get to town for medical attention, had to wait until the roads opened up, if the case were not an emergency one, calling for doctors to go out.
In both Minnesota and northern Wisconsin some school busses were marooned, and radio calls sent farmers looking for the children and taking them into their homes. No casualties or even suffering resulted, it was said.
1924 Amery Football Team
This was the first Amery football team to compete with other schools such as Centuria and Dresser Junction.
The 1924 Amery football team pictured front row from left: Irving Jensen, Merle Mooney, Ed Johnson, Walter Pauling, and Lloyd Pennington. Middle row from left: Don Christiansen, Louis Gross, Irving Rasmussen, Lloyd Alwin, and Louis Jensen. Back row from left are: Coach McLaughlin, Glenn Travis, Bill Burman, Leighton Jackson, Wesley Josephson, Bill Kelley, and Charles Moody.
Jack Hildebrandt Lost Jack Hildebrandt, well known here and in the Deronda community, who is an uncle of Wesley Montgomery of Deronda and brother of Henry Hildebrandt in Wanderoos, is lost near Cable.
Mr. Hildebrandt, despite his 75 years of age, is a fine trapper, hunter, and woodsman. Saturday he did not go to his neighbor’s for milk and the latter went to the newly built Hildebrandt woods home and found him missing, with his gun.
The entire countryside was searched. Snow was on the ground at Cable, even last Saturday, but it is feared that Monday and Tuesday’s storm may have covered up any trace of the elderly man. Mr. Hildebrandt spent his summers with the Wesley Montgomery’s. He was down here visiting only two weeks ago and the Montgomery’s filled his car with food, blankets, etc.
No tract of him has been found, and the last anyone saw of him was on Friday or Friday evening.
Wardens
Wietz and Priegal Round up Venison Theft Ring
It seems that a club in Chippewa Falls has, for a year, been enjoying venison steaks just about anytime the boys want them.
The steaks came from bucks, does, and even fawns, and the deer were shot up in the Iron River country, hauled to a “fence” then taken to Chippewa Falls to satisfy the appetites of these club members in Chippewa.
But finally the game wardens Chauncey Weitz of Polk County, and Priegal of Chippewa Falls, caught up with the boys. Arrested are Marian and Robert Davis, Iron River brothers, and Pete Specht, tavern keeper at Iron River. The brothers are charged with possession and transportation of venison, Specht with offering venison for sale.
It all came about because Specht wasn’t quite “smart” enough to beat the wardens.
Warden Weitz went up to Iron River this fall as a “tourist”. He went into Specht’s tavern, said
he wondered where a good venison steak could be obtained and was willing to pay for it. Specht had him come back again and this time the “bait” worked. Weitz says Specht sold him a fawn for $8. When Weitz handed over the $8 he then showed his badge and Specht’s mouth dropped a mile.
He arrested Specht, and then got the Davis brothers. It was through the work of Weitz and Priegal that they got onto the place where the venison was obtained.
80 Years Ago
November 22, 1945
Good News for Turkey Lovers Civilian supplies of turkeys for the Thanksgiving market, in both Wisconsin and the United States, will be larger this year than in previous years according to the Crop Reporting Service of the Wisconsin and the United States Departments of Agriculture.
The principal factors contributing to this increased supply are: a sizable increase in the number of turkeys raised this year, and favorable weather during the early laying season which brought breeding hens into earlier production and providing eggs for earlier hatching. Because of the earlier hatching, a larger percentage of the crop has reached earlier maturity and it is expected that marketing will be the earliest in 10 years. The removal of the armed forces set-aside order on turkeys has also released more turkeys for civilian consumption.
The turkey crop in Wisconsin this year is estimated to be 761,000 birds – 10 percent more than a year ago – while the United States crop is about onefifth larger than in 1944.
Milk Bottles are Short
At the present time, empty milk bottles are exceedingly short.
Everyone is asked to cooperate and turn in empty bottles so we maintain out delivery. Twins Lake Dairy.
switch engine when the car and engine met at the crossing. Mr. French is a member of the crew working on the modernization program of the telephone company.
Tots Venture Onto Thin Ice
A frantic call from a mother on North Twin Lake shoreline brought Officer Grover Winchell to the scene in a hurry the other day. Why?
Some youngsters going home from school were venturing out on the ice along the shore of the lake. It had barely frozen over a day or so before.
Police officials ask parents to warn their youngsters to stay off the ice until it has been tested and found strong enough for activity.
70
Years Ago
75 Years Ago
November 23, 1950
Two Gunshot Victims
Reported Saturday
Two persons were treated for gunshot wounds Saturday, in Amery by Dr. Herbert Dasler. Andrew Selin, 71, of Balsam Lake accidently shot his hands when taking a gun from the case. The rifle discharged with the bullet going through his right hand and lodging in the left forefinger, near the bone.
Recovering in Amery Hospital is Arlene Olson, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Olson of Deer Park who was operated on Saturday evening for the removal of a .22 bullet lodged in her shoulder.
The .22 slug came from a cartridge, which she had hit with a hammer.
It’s Losness Motor Company Since Deal
From now on it will be the Losness Motor Company and not as formerly, the Losness-Bulow Motor Service, according to announcement made this week.
Effective Nov. 16, 1950, Oscar Losness assumed complete ownership of the firm, purchasing the interest of his partner, Arlow Bulow. This transaction terminates a partnership, which originated in Oct., 1945.
The new firm will continue with present product lines with additional manpower added to the staff to handle the trade.
This marks the 11th year of business in Amery for Mr. Losness.
70 Years Ago
November 17, 1955
Car-Train Crash
A rare incident in Amery occurred last Saturday noon when a car-train collision took place about 12:45. Driving the car was Louis French who was accompanied by his wife and two young children. Wayne, 1½-year-old son, suffered some facial cuts and Mrs. French suffered a blow on the head.
The mishap occurred as the freight switched cars on the sidings. Engineer J. Norton was at the controls of the
November 24, 1955
Daring Thieves Rifle Safe at Super Valu
Supermarkets were targets for burglar operations over the weekend when Kocian’s Red Owl store, New Richmond, and Anderson’s Super Valu Market, Amery, were looted.
In Amery, the thieves entered by prying the door jams on the front of the store, slipping the lock and swinging the all-glass door back. They wheeled the safe from the front of the store to the back and knocked the combination knob off. O. F. Anderson discovered the break-in about 9 a.m. Sunday.
Only other item missing was a wire basket used to display the cake mixes, apparently used to hold the loot from the safe.
Included in the haul were Saturday’s receipts, insurance policies and other papers pertaining to the business operation. The yeggs unbolted a back door and left via that way.
Money in the cash registers were untouched and no other merchandise was missing.
Early church-goers have reported to authorities that between 6 and 6:30 a.m., Sunday morning, three cars were parked in front of the store and all the lights were on. This report has been verified by several Amery citizens.
They assumed that some emergency work or grocery customers were being taken care of when they saw the activity.
Night Officer George Sigsworth substituting for hunting Bert Millerman, reported nothing suspicious during his long evening.
Apparently the same gang entered the Red Owl Store in the north side of New Richmond in a similar manner. About $35 in change was taken along with 140 cartons of cigarettes.
Corner Café Changes Ownership
Free coffee and doughnuts will be given from 2 to 5 p.m., Monday, November 28, at the grand opening of Lucille’s Corner Café in Amery.
Mrs. Lucille Buckner has assumed management of the café from Mrs. Lawrence Chelberg.
AMERY CONGREGATIONAL
201 N. Harriman Ave., Amery, 715-268-7390, www.ameryucc.org
Sunday, November 23: 9 am Congo Giving Mtg.; 10 am Worship. Monday, November 24: 7 am Breakfast Club at Our Savior’s; 6:30 pm Boy Scouts.
Wednesday, November 26: 3:30 pm Faith and Fun at Our Savior’s; 7 pm Acapella Group.
AMERY FREE LUTHERAN
1 mile west of golf course on CTH F, Alan Arneson, Pastor, 715-268-9218, www.ameryflc.org
Sundays: 9 am Sunday School; 10:15 am Worship. Call for more information on midweek youth group, bible study & small groups.
APPLE RIVER COMMUNITY
942 US Hwy. 8, Amery, Justin Hosking, Pastor, 715-268-2176, www.appleriverchurch.org
Sunday, November 23: 9:30 am Adult Sunday School, Children’s Sunday School, Women’s Sunday School; 10:30 am Worship Service; 4 pm Small Group Studies.
Wednesday, November 26: Thanksgiving Service; 10 am Men’s Bible Study.
BALSAM LUTHERAN
1115 Mains Crossing, Amery, Laurie Kenyon Woods, Pastor, 715-2689291, www.balsamlutheranchurch.org
Sundays: 8:45 am Youth Ed.; 9:30 am Fellowship; 10:15 am Worship. Wednesdays: 10:30 am Adult Bible Study.
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH
415 Bridge Avenue, Star Prairie, 715-248-3730, blcsp.org
Sundays: 9 am Worship, Sunday School. Tuesdays: 9:30 am Women’s Bible Study. 1st and 3rd Saturdays: 8 am Men’s Bible Study
CHURCH OF CHRIST – NEW RICHMOND 1491 Co Rd A, New Richmond, 715-600-1072, cocnr.com, Michael Hunt, Minister
Sundays: 9:30 am Adult and Youth Bible Study; 10:30 am and 6 pm Worship. Wednesdays: 10 am Open Forum Bible Study; 6:30 pm Bible Study.
CLEAR LAKE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
76 20th Ave., Clear Lake, Scott Manly, Pastor, 715-566-4349; Head Elder Norman Britain, 715-263-2457, Church 715-263-3034, clearlakewi.adventistchurch.org
Saturdays: 9:30 am Sabbath School (All Ages); 11 am Worship.
CLEAR LAKE UNITED METHODIST
420 4th Ave., Clear Lake, Hakki Min, Pastor, 715-263-2700, www.willowriverparish.org
Sundays: 8:30 am Worship.
DEER PARK UNITED METHODIST
221 2nd St. W., Deer Park, Hakki Min, Pastor, 715-263-2700, www.willowriverparish.org Sundays: 11 am Worship.
DERONDA LUTHERAN
1239 65th Ave., Amery, 715-268-9577, Loren Teig, Synodically Authorized Minister, www.nuicparish.org Sunday, November 23: 8 am Radio Broadcast on WPCA 93.1 FM; 9:30 am Worship at Trinity. Wednesday, November 26: 7 pm Thanksgiving Eve Service at Deronda.
EAST BALSAM BAPTIST
1816 108th St./CTH I, Balsam Lake, Jonathon Enger, Pastor, 715857-5411, www.eastbalsam.org
Sundays: 9 am In-Person Worship or Livestreaming on Website.
EAST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN
207 120th Street, Amery, 715-268-2143, Hillary Toulson, Pastor, www.eastimmanuel-lutheran.org
Sundays: 9:30 All Ages Learning; 10:30 am Worship. Tuesdays: 9 am Quilting.
EAST LINCOLN ALLIANCE
735 70th Ave., Amery, Eric Danielson, Lead Pastor; Kent Tollakson, Youth Director; Randy Schussman, Pastoral Care Pastor, 715-2682350, www.eastlincolnalliance.com
Sundays: 8:45 am Discipleship Hour; 10 am Worship Service, Discovery Land. Wednesdays: 6 pm Student Ministries (school year)
EL SALEM CHRISTIAN CENTER
1751 100th Ave., Dresser, Pastor Steven and Debra Mayer, 715-749-6002, www.escc.church Sundays: 10 am and 6 pm Services. Wednesdays: 7 pm Fellowship Bible Study.
ELIM LUTHERAN
1277 60th St., Range, Laurie Kenyon Woods, Pastor Sundays: 8:30 am Worship.
FAITH FAMILY (UNITED METHODIST) 2692 154th Ave., Emerald, Hakki Min, Pastor, 715-263-2700, www.willowriverparish.org Sundays: 9:45 am Worship.
FAITH LUTHERAN (ELCA)
301 1st Ave. E., Balsam Lake, Neal Weltzin, Pastor, 715-485-3800, www.faithlutheranbl.com
FAITH LUTHERAN (ELCA)
134 Prentice St. S, Clayton, Margaret Grant, Pastor, 715-948-2867, www.cllutheran.org
FIRST LUTHERAN
240 Elm St., Amery, Tim Bjorge, Pastor, 715-268-7135, www.flcamery.org
Please see our Facebook page “First Lutheran Church of Amery, WI or our website for weekly schedule changes.
FIRST LUTHERAN (LCMC)
811 South Ave. W, Clear Lake, Bryan S. Anderson, Pastor, 715-263-2846, www.firstluthclearlake.com
Thursday, November 20-Monday, November 24: Pastor’s Vacation. Saturday, November 22: 7:30 am Women’s Bible Study. Sunday, November 23: 8:30 am Contemporary Worship; 9:30 am Fellowship; 10 am Sunday School, Traditional Worship; 11 am Fellowship, Choir Practice.
Tuesday, November 25: No Quilting.
Wednesday, November 26: 7 pm Community Thanksgiving Eve Service; No Prayer Shawl, Confirmation or Fellowship Meal.
GEORGETOWN LUTHERAN (ELCA)
877 190th Ave./Cty. Rd. G, Balsam Lake (Fox Creek), Diane Norstad, Pastor, 715-857-5580, www.georgetownlutheran.net
Sundays: 9:15 am Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. Mondays: 9:30 am Bible Study.
GRACE LUTHERAN (WELS)
460 4th St., Clear Lake, 715-263-2140 Saturdays: 9 a.m. Worship Service.
HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX
523 1st St., Clayton, Chris Wojcik, Pastor, 715-948-2493, www.htocclayton.org
HOLY TRINITY UNITED METHODIST
1606 165th Avenue, Centuria (County Rd I between Balsam Lake and Centuria, Steve Rice, Pastor, 715-485-3363, htslumc@gmail.com, Facebook Sundays: 8:30 am Worship.
IMMANUEL EV. LUTHERAN (LCMS)
124 E. Church St., Clayton, Scott 715-641-0054, Sundays: 9 am Divine Worship.
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN
375 65th Ave., Clayton, Susan Anderson, Pastor, 715-202-3623
JOURNEY CHURCH
131 Broadway St. E., Amery, Isaac Karpenske, Lead Pastor, 715-268-2223, office@journeychurch.city, www.journeychurch.city Sundays: 9 am Worship Service, Available Online at Amery Journey Church YouTube. Nursery for birth-3 years; Kid’s Church 4 years2nd Grade; 10:30 am Sunday School for All Ages. Mondays: 5 pm Latino Bible Study in the Teen Center. Weds: 6 pm Kids Club (Grades 1-5); Youth Group (Grades 6-12). Thursdays: 6:30 pm Trail Life. Saturdays: 7 am Men’s Life Group in the Gathering Room.
LITTLE FALLS LUTHERAN
1272 44th Ave., Amery, 715-268-9577, Loren Teig, Synodically Authorized Minister, www.nuicparish.org
Sunday, November 23: 8 am Radio Broadcast on WPCA 93.1 FM; 9:30 am Worship at Trinity.
Wednesday, November 26: 7 pm Thanksgiving Eve Service at Deronda.
LIVING WORD CHAPEL
2746 Hwy. 64, Forest, Sean and Libby Higgins, senior leaders, 715-265-4810 or 715-781-8247, www.livingwordchapel.com
MOE LUTHERAN (ELCA)
451 30th St., Clear Lake, Margaret Grant, Pastor, 715-948-2867, www.cllutheran.org
NEW LIFE COMMUNITY
119 Birch St. W., Amery, Craig Jorgenson, Pastor, 715-268-6989, www.amerynewlifechurch.org
Sundays: 10 am Church Service. Tuesdays: 6:30 pm Prayer. Wednesdays: 5:30 pm Youth Group.
OUR LADY OF THE LAKES CATHOLIC
507 W. Main St., Balsam Lake, Father Chandra Ery 715-405-2253, catholiclakescluster.org & Facebook
Sundays: 7:45 am Confession; 8:30 am Mass. Tuesdays: 8:30 am Rosary; 9 am Liturgy of the Word. Wednesdays: 8:30 am Confession; 9 am Mass, Adoration.
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN
217 Deronda St., Amery, 715-268-7290, www.oslcamery.org
Thursday, November 20: 8:15 am Amery Ministerium; 9 am Bible Study; 6:30 pm Church Council. Sunday, November 23: 9 am Worship. Tuesday, November 25: 1 pm Quilting. Wednesday, November 26: 10 am and 2 pm Sunday Worship Service on Channel 6; 12 pm Table Talk; 7 pm Choir Practice.
REDEEMER LUTHERAN (LCMS)
600 Keller Ave. S., Amery, Edward Clemens, Pastor, 715-268-7283, redeemerlutheranchurch-amery.com
Thursday, November 20: 8:15 am Amery Ministerium. Sunday, November 23: 8:30 am Adult and Children’s Sunday School; 9:30 am Worship; 10:30 am Fellowship. Wednesday, November 26: 4 pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service.
REEVE EVANGELICAL FREE
205 1 1/2 St./Cty. Rd K, Clear Lake, Todd Groat, Pastor, 715-263-2126, www.reevechurch.org
ST. BARNABAS EPISCOPAL
365 5th St., Clear Lake, Rev. Geri E. Sola, 715-263-2961
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC
811 4th St., Clear Lake, Father Chandra Ery 715-268-7717, catholiclakescluster.org
Saturdays: 6 pm Mass; Thursdays: 9 am Mass.
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC
1050 Keller Ave. N., Amery, Father Chandra Ery 715-268-7717, catholiclakescluster.org & Facebook
Saturdays: 3:30 pm Confession; 4 pm Mass. Sundays: 10:30 am Mass; Tuesdays: 5 pm Mass. Wednesdays: 8:30 am Rosary; 9 am Liturgy of the Word. Fridays: 8:30 am Confession; 9 am Mass, Adoration.
ST. JOHN LUTHERAN (LCMS)
2803 Hwy. 64, Glenwood City (Forest), Dan Moeller, Vacancy Pastor Sundays: 9 am Worship Service.
TRINITY LUTHERAN OF GARFIELD
1578 85th Ave., Amery, 715-268-9577, Loren Teig, Synodically Authorized Minister, www.nuicparish.org
Sunday, November 23: 8 am Radio Broadcast on WPCA 93.1 FM; 9:30 am Worship at Trinity.
Wednesday, November 26: 7 pm Thanksgiving Eve Service at Deronda.
UNITED COVENANT
348 5th St. NW, Clear Lake, Dan Pearson, Pastor, 715-263-2665, www.unitedcovchurch.org
Thursday, November 20: 9 am Mission Stitchers; 1 pm Rebuilders Group; 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study.
Friday, November 21: 9:30 am Homeschool Club.
Saturday, November 22: 7 am Men’s Bible Study at Sigsworth’s. Sunday, November 23: 8 am Worship Team Practice; 8:30 am Worship Service; 9:45 am Sunday School; 10:45 am Worship Service; 12 pm Choir Practice.
Monday, November 24: 6 pm Women’s Bible Study.
Tuesday, November 25: 8 am Prayer Time; 9 am Women’s Bible Study.
Wednesday, November 26: 7 pm Community Thanksgiving Eve Service at First Lutheran in Clear Lake.
WEST IMMANUEL LUTHERAN (ELCA)
447 180th St., Osceola, www.westimmanuel.org, 715-294-2936
Sundays: 9:30 am Worship; Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday. Worship on 87.9 FM; Nursery and Children’s Bags; Coffee and Fellowship Following Service; 10 am Sunday School (3-3rd grade during school year); 5 pm Bible Study (3rd Sunday). Tuesdays: 10 am Bible Study. Wednesdays: 9 am Mens and Womens Group, Quilters (3rd and 4th Wednesday); Family Meal, WOW (4th-6th Grade), 7th-8th Grade Confirmation; HS Youth.
Joseph R. Soltau
U.S. Veteran
Joseph R. Soltau, 79, of Amery died peacefully at the Golden Age Manor on Monday, November 10, 2025. He was born November 3, 1946 to Arden and Marie (Klingelhoets) Soltau. Joe was raised in the Turtle Lake area and graduated from Turtle Lake High School in 1964. Shortly after he graduated, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for his basic training. Joe was very proud of his military service. He was attached to the USS Mullinnix, a destroyer. He served as a Fire Controlman and was responsible for maintaining the ship’s weapon systems. He traveled over his service years to exotic places including the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia where they supported the U.S. efforts during the Vietnam War. Joe’s training would benefit him later, and he was employed by Unisys for many years. When they downsized the company, Joe retired to open his own business where he built and repaired computers in his workshop in Amery, Wisconsin. Joe was also an excellent woodworker, building kitchen cabinets for their home, and many other projects.
Joe enjoyed relaxing by watching classic movies, Green Bay Packers and baseball. He collected music of all kinds. Joe enjoyed the many birds, especially the hummingbirds, that populated his property and kept them close, feeding them nectar and seeds. He enjoyed baking his special sourdough bread and chocolate chip cookies which he shared with family and friends. Joe also shared his love for Jesus with others. He was active in his church in his younger days, and his love for the Lord never wavered.
Joe is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lee Ann (Annie), two brothers, Robert (Mahassen) Soltau of Clearwater FL, Charles (Mona) Soltau of Plant City, FL, one sister, Linda (Steven) Kjeseth of Plano, TX and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by Annie’s siblings Janet (Jerry), and Tom (Mary) and their children. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother James, sister Vicki Kruger and brother Timothy Soltau. Joe leaves many special friends as well. Carol LeClair faithfully walked Joe’s dementia path with him by regular visits and family updates, and Lois Van Someren has also been a devoted friend. Kipp Harris stepped up and took responsibility as Joe’s dementia worsened, and neighbors Rhonda and Kelly Fitzgerald were always willing to help in so many ways. Special thanks to Judy’s Cottage for the excellent loving care they provided Joe. Also thank you to Adoray Hospice for their compassionate end-of-life care.
There will be a private burial at McKinley Cemetery near Cumberland, WI in May 2026. No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials to donor’s choice.
To sign an online guest book, please visit www. williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.
TROT: Road crossings
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major road crossings to assist, the trail will still be open to the public. Organizers advise runners to be cautious and mindful of others using the trail who may not be running at the same pace. Participants must register in advance before running. Those who sign up by November 17 will be guaranteed a shirt. Shirts will be available on the day of the event, but after that date, there’s no guarantee you'll receive one. Ten community sponsors are helping to make this event happen for the community. For those interested in registering, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Wl/Amery/ AmeryTurkeyTrot. Results for the runners will also be posted at https://www.duluthtimingandevents.com/results. Prizes will be announced at a later date.
Mary Lou Porter
Mary Lou Porter, age 96, of Amery, WI passed away at the Amery Hospital on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 due to complications from pneumonia after a fall. Mary Lou was born on March 26, 1929 to Merle and Sadie (Forbes) Cowley in Eureka, WI. She grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and after graduation, Mary Lou spent some time doing volunteer work in Japan. Mary Lou’s time in Japan meant a lot to her, and those memories still remained dear to her throughout her life. On April 7, 1962, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Harold “Bud” Porter, and together they raised two children. Mary Lou was a homemaker and helped out on the family farm that Bud had taken over from his father, and both Mary Lou and Bud were involved in the Farm Bureau. She also nannied and helped raise two children who were very special to her, Ben and Erica Leadholm. In 2005, Mary Lou and Bud moved to Clear Lake. After Bud passed away in 2013, Mary Lou remained in Clear Lake another year before moving to Water’s Edge in Amery, where she lived independently until her passing.
In her retirement years, Mary Lou spent her time socializing at the Family Restaurant with her friends and family. She also enjoyed playing cards—especial-
Audrey Amelia Nissen
Audrey Amelia Nissen, age 84, of St. Croix Falls, WI, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the United Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck, WI.
Audrey was born on June 2, 1941, to parents John (Jack) Langenbach and Elsie (Demulling) Langenbach in Osceola, WI. Audrey attended the Little Red Schoolhouse at Farmington Center and was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in East Farmington. She learned how to hunt and fish at a young age from her dad. She especially enjoyed their hunting trips out west together. She learned how to fly fish and tied her own flies. Audrey became one of the first women in Polk County to shoot a deer with a stick bow. Her lifelong passion for nature, hunting, and fishing was passed down to her children and grandchildren.
Her first job was downtown St. Paul at a photo shop. She took the train from Osceola Depot to work. She’d continue to work at various places, including F&M Plastics, the Arsenal, and Andersen Windows.
Diane Marie Struemke
Diane Marie Struemke, 77, of Clear Lake, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025, in Amery, Wisconsin.
Born in Hastings, Minnesota, to Walter and Leona Grant, Diane grew up in Amery, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Amery High School in 1966. On November 15, 1969, she married her husband, Jerome Struemke, at East Emanuel Church in Amery. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and family.
Throughout her career, Diane worked as an associate for Philips Manufacturing and also pursued her passion for beauty as an esthetician. Beyond her work, she found joy in life’s simple pleasures — spending time with her family and friends, tending to her garden, bird watching, caring for animals, and the occasional fun trip to the casino.
Diane is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Jerome Struemke; her children, Anthony
ly 13, reading about the Amish, baking, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mary Lou was a longtime member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and put her talents to use as part of the quilting group, making banners for the altar, and creating baptismal garments with Hardanger embroidery. She also had a wonderful voice and sang in the church choir. At the age of 96, Mary Lou attended her first major league baseball game and even received a game ball.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Keith (Mary Ann), Edmund (Alice), Florence (Thesenvitz) Brebis, Marion (Butkiewicz) Brebis, Maxine (Stone) Brebis, Sylvia (Hayman) Brebis, and Norman (Dorothy) Brebis; son-in-law, Ralph Petty; and cousins, Ed Jr. (Else), Doreen and Douglas Cowley. She is survived by her children, Sarah Petty and David (Jackie) Porter; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); cousins, Thom (Diane), Kathy (Tom Pendroy), Kymm (Jeff), and Mary Alice; and many other loving friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arnell Memorial Humane Society.
Funeral Services will take place at 11:00am on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Amery, WI with a visitation one hour prior. Luncheon to follow. Interment will be at the Amery Cemetery.
To sign an online guestbook and view the video tribute, please visit www.williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson White Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Amery, Wisconsin.
Audrey met Dale and the two were wed in St. Paul, MN, on December 20, 1972. To this union, they were blessed with 2 children: Dean and Dawn. She enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, vegetable gardening, food preservation, foraging for berries, butternuts, and mushrooms, playing cards, camping, metal detecting, beekeeping, refinishing furniture, and dealing in antiques. In her later years, she enjoyed visiting the casino and spending time at the cabin, where she’d fish with her children and grandchildren.
Audrey is survived by her husband, Dale Nissen; children Dean (Amanda), and Dawn (Travis) Schachtner; stepdaughters, Linda (Phil) Eastwood, and Jonna Hoyt; 15 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sister, Marian Hawley; siblings-in-law, Steve (Gene) Nissen, John Nissen, and Doris Hoyt; nieces, nephews; lifelong friend, Marion Myers, and other extended family, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters-inlaw, Ione White and Jeanette Larson; and brothers-inlaw, Robert Hawley, Robert Nissen, and Eric Nissen.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Grandstrand Funeral Home. The evening will close with a memorial service for Audrey at 5:00 PM. A private family burial will take place at Mt. Hope in Osceola, WI. Arrangements with Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola, WI. Condolences can be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com
(Jennifer) Struemke and Shane (Carrie) Struemke; and her beloved grandchildren, Samantha Struemke, Parker Struemke, and Rebecca Rice. She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings, Keith (Chris) Grant and Cheryl Grant.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, Cole Struemke; her brother, Lowell Grant; and other cherished relatives and friends.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Amery Memory Care for their compassion and care over the past several years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 24th, 2025 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Williamson-White Funeral Home (222 Harriman Ave N, Amery, WI 54001). Snacks and refreshments will follow at the Village Pizzeria in Amery, WI.
Diane will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and the love she shared with everyone who knew her. Her gentle spirit and joyful heart will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all.
To sign an online guestbook and view a video tribute, please visit www.williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson White Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Amery, Wisconsin.
Audrey May Ludovico
Audrey May Ludovico (Baxter), 91, of Amery, Wisconsin died on October 30, 2025 at her home in Amery, with her family at her side.
Audrey was born in Knapp, Wisconsin to Cyril Robert and Dora (Hughes) Baxter on May 6, 1934. She graduated from Boyceville High School in 1953. For the majority of her career, she worked at the Dunn County Health Care Center.
She loved to play card games, the game 500 specifically. She also enjoyed deer hunting, auctions, dancing and baking. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her sons, Robert Ludovico, Louis (Josie) Ludovico and Anthony Ludovico; daughter, Carolyn Smoak; 4 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Cyril Robert and Dora Baxter; and siblings, Robert, June, Shelby and Everett.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Star Prairie, WI. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. She will be laid to rest at Hay River Church Cemetery north of Wheeler, WI.
A celebration of Audrey’s life will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Star Prairie, WI from 6:00pm until 9:30pm.
To sign an online guest book, please visit www. williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.
John Henry Fischer
John Henry Fischer, 70, of Clayton passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025, at his home. He was born November 12, 1954, in Cumberland, WI to Ted and Fern (Pichelman) Fischer. He entered the Army in 1972, where he was honorably discharged in 1980.
John was a carpenter working at LandoLakes and later retired from Bishop Fixtures.
He enjoyed riding his Harley trike and riding the trails with friends in the Dusty Trails ATV Club.
John is survived by his son, Jeremy (Victoria) Fischer; grandchildren: Parker, Cooper, and Isla; brother, Floyd Johnson; sister-in-law, Joyce Peavy; special friend, Mary Waite; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted Fischer and Fern Pearson; brother, Donald Johnson; and special friend, Bea Manning.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
arly snowfall across portions of Wisconsin last week reminds us that cleaning snow off streets, driveways, and sidewalks will be expected during the winter months ahead. Deicing salts are part of the snow removal process and make travel safer, but keep in mind they also can damage landscape plantings and the environment.
Sodium chloride, an inexpensive commonly used deicing salt material, can damage vegetation in two ways. First, root uptake of chloride accumulating in soils leads to dieback and decline of above-ground plant parts. Sodium can also destroy soil structure conditions, causing numerous plant problems. Plant damage typically occurs within thirty feet of roads, driveways, or parking lots where salts are applied. Second, salt spray drift from roads may drift onto vegetation, causing conspicuous clusters of twigs called “witches’ brooms” on deciduous trees or browning of evergreen foliage.
In residential areas most salt damage to trees, shrubs, lawns, and other plantings is due to salt accumulating in soils. Deicing salts can be deposited directly from plowing or through runoff as snow melts. Damage becomes a chronic issue for plants growing in these soils and is often confused with other causes. If declining plants are located near sidewalks, roadways, or parking lots, consider deicing salts as one potential cause.
Plant damage from deicing salts depends on a variety of factors, including type and amount of salt, timing of application and plant species. Although more expensive, consider deicing salt alternatives to sodium chloride, including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or calcium magnesium acetate. Only apply the amount of salt needed to do the job. Salt should be scattered so there is space between the grains. A 12-ounce coffee mug of salt can be enough to treat an entire 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares.
Consider mixing salt with sand for traction, thus reducing the amount of salt used. Shovel or plow as much snow as possible prior to applying deicing salts. Finally, consider where snowmelt goes and vegetation that may be affected when deciding where to pile snow that contains salts.
Along highways or roads where salt spray is likely, temporary screening may help prevent damage to trees and shrubs. Burlap is one material that can be used. Applying gypsum to lawns or soil is sometimes suggested to counteract the salt, but good soil drainage is needed. Often areas near roads, sidewalks, and parking lots have poor soil drainage, limiting the effectiveness of the gypsum.
Looking ahead to future growing seasons, be aware of areas prone to both salt accumulating in the soil and salt spray for new or replacement plantings. Choose plant material with tolerance to salt and be sure to avoid salt-sensitive species. Consult Winter Salt Injury and Salt-Tolerant Landscape Plants on our website https://hort.extension.wisc.edu for plant lists and more details on this topic.
BRUCE SPANGENBERG is a Horticulture Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison Division of Extension. Get answers to your lawn, landscape, and garden questions anytime at www.go.wisc.edu/GardenQuestions
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Mixing salt and sand could help with keeping the snow melting to get out.
CONTRIBUTED
New Sophomore Members–Back Row L-R: Rian Wallberg, Charlotte Yeske, Katelyn Yeske, Myka McCarty, Faith Halverson, Macie Boe, Madeline Jicinsky, Rylee Reese, Hayden Andersen, Macey Melberg, Reese Anderson, Macie Warner, Anna Williamson, Alex Siebenaler. Front Row L-R: Regan Granica, Leopold Jensen, Calvin Kurtzhals, Matthew Danielson, Easton D’Ambrosio, Liam Ziegler, Krista Markee.
Returning Members
SENIORS
Rawquelle Albee, Kallie Andersen, Andrew Benner, Morgan Leonard, Kylie Meyer, Emily Peck, Sydnee Sweeney, Reagan Thompson-Ziemer, Darby Trent, Jenna VanSomeren, Anna Williamson
JUNIORS
Joseph Byrnes, Mia Byrnes, Abigail Cody, Norah Gorres, Addison Gould, Weston Hosking, Bruno Meyers, Lillee Steen, Cassandra Tiry, Colton Waterman, Keaton Wollan, Emelia Yeske
CONTRIBUTED
New Junior and Senior Members L-R: Jolee Marquand, Kate Moskal, Elizabeth Gullickson, Kaleigh Wilson, Katelyn Osero, Estella Chaves, Addison Clark, Easton Petter, Riley Schultz, Vanessa Spataro (senior). Not Pictured: Evelyn Braaten (senior).
NHS Officer Team–Pictured L-R: Brody Curtis (Vice President), Emily Zemke (Secretary), Michaela Polta (Historian/Treasurer), Isabelle Schradle (President)
NHS PLEDGE
NJHS
Isabella Dosch, Keaton Nelsen, Mason Peetz, Emma Pickard, Aidan Schradle, Bennett Schradle
Brody Curtis, Evelyn Fall, Macy Grosskreutz, Addyson King, Jeremy Meyer, Michaela Polta, Isabelle Schradle, Emily Zemke
I pledge to maintain my high scholastic standing, To hold as fundamental and worthy An untarnished character
To endeavor intelligently and courageously To be a leader
And to give of myself in service to others In so doing, I shall prove myself worthy
CONTRIBUTED
New NHS Members–Pictured L-R: Alex Young, Josie Tanner, Nathan Peterson.
CONTRIBUTED
New NJHS Members–Pictured L-R: Brody Curtis, Anna Robinson. CONTRIBUTED
Amery School District Veterans Day
JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS
The honor guard walked the flags out of the school gym as the program came to an end.
JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS After the program ended, veterans and their families could enjoy breakfast together.
JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS Color Guard beginning to walk out of the gym.
Kortney Hart completes the final test to earn her black belt
CONTRIBUTED
Kortney Hart began her martial arts journey at the age of 2. By age 6, she had tested out of Pre-KyukiDo, earning her double black belt. Then, on Nov. 8, the Amery 7th grader made the trip to Wisconsin Dells, where she - along with a record 116 other martial artists, ages 9 to 69, from around the country - completed her final test in front of the American Kyuki-Do Federation Board of Masters to become the third member of her family to earn a 1st degree black belt.
“It is a testament to Kortney’s determination and character that she continued to train and achieve a Pre-K Double Black Belt and her 1st Degree Black Belt in Kyuki-Do,” said Kyuki-Do Martial Arts of Amery owner and instructor Tammy Turcotte. “It also shows her parents’ dedication to help her achieve the goal of Black Belt, and not letting her quit. Not all students that start martial arts continue long enough to attain Black Belt.”
EXPANDING THE COMFORT ZONE
Kortney’s father, Brett, who earned his second-degree black belt alongside Kortney’s brother, Parker, last year said, “Kyuki-Do has really helped Kortney work through challenging situations and expand her comfort zone.”
From competing in “kihapping” (short, powerful yells to increase focus and strength) in her first tournament at age 3… to doing demonstrations for training videos by age 7… to helping Master Turcotte teach classes by age 11, Kortney has learned both the value of challenging yourself and helping others.
“She is a girl after my own heart, winning the kihap contest (at such a young age),” Master Turcotte said.
Kortney says both her favorite and most challenging part of martial arts has been meeting new people.
“People - They can be great ,and they can be difficult,” Kortney said. “Every time someone new came into class and I got to work with them and help them learn something new has been the best part.”
LEADERSHIP AND LASTING MEMORIES
Kortney has served as an inspiration for not only students she’s taught, but her family and instructor as well - from fitness challenges for fundraisers to rebounding from failure.
Master Turcotte said, “Kortney has developed into an amazing leader both on and off the mat. She sets the bar high for herself and others. I have come to rely on her to help during classes, demonstrating techniques for me and helping other students with their forms. She is patient with new kids and doesn’t put up with nonsense from
degree black belt or higher). This includes at least three advancement tests at different schools, plus a black belt final (regional exam)each spaced out a couple of months apart. It finishes with the Kyuki-Do Extravaganza which serves as the national test in front of not only the Federation’s Board of Masters, but hundreds of spectators.
Two Amery, two Bears named all-region
The Amery and Clayton football teams had two players each named all-region by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.
Junior Keaton Wollan (linebacker) and senior Jacob Maxon (punter) were the Warriors selected.
Other conference players honored were Baldwin-Woodville’s Trever Murdock (offensive line/defensive line), Brody Everts (wide receiver), James Kropelnicki ((tight end), Dane Veenendall (secondary), and Drew Veenendall (defensive end), Ellsworth’s Chace Kressin (defensive line/offensive line) and George Rohl (tight end/outside linebacker), Somerset’s Cal Skramstad (running back), Prescott’s Kobe Russell (defensive back) and Altoona’s Isaac Johnson (inside linebacker).
For Clayton, senior quarterback Dayne Mumm and junior defensive lineman Cain Casarez were named.
the not-so-new students… She has challenged me to become a better instructor - keeping me on my toes.”
A perfect example was in the fall of 2021 when Kortney was competing in a board breaking competition in Black River Falls and anxiety of performing her breaks in front of a crowd caused her to shut down when she got on the mat. While she refused to attempt her break during the competition, Grandmaster Lloyd Holden from Janesville ensured she did not leave the venue without breaking the boards - even if they didn’t count for the tournament.
Determined to prove to herself that she was capable of performing the task, the following spring Kortney traveled to Elgin, Illinois where she placed 1st in board breaking at the Federation’s largest tournament up until that date.
Master Turcotte said, “She showed growth and understanding.”
The confidence gained from that experience led to her doing a board breaking demonstration in 5th grade at a school talent show, which is still one of her favorite memories.
“The reactions I got from my classmates was really cool,” Kortney said.
BECOMING A BLACK BELT
The final year leading up to earning a black belt in Kyuki-Do consists of a rigorous schedule of testing in front of a panel of regional black belts and masters (5th
“Looking into it, I was so stressed because I did not want to do that many tests,” Kortney said. “But every one was the same thing and you got stuff to work on. That made it a lot easier and all the people there were so nice. It was amazing.”
What also helped was the fact that Kortney had a trial run at the black belt advancement tests as the year prior she served as a testing partner for local classmate Blake Erdman, as he advanced to his 1st degree black belt.
“I am definitely someone who likes to be prepared and having done that already, I knew exactly what to expect. Testing with my partner let me know what I needed to work on for my tests so that I didn’t feel nervous for those.”
Blake, who is now pursuing his 2nd degree, returned the favor at multiple advancements for Kortney this year.
In what is often a stressful and nerve-wracking experience for black belt candidates, earning her black belt at the Kyuki-Do Extravaganza didn’t phase Kortney.
“It’s a lot, but it doesn’t feel like a big deal,” she said. “I’ve been doing it for 11 years, so it just kind of feels like another step.”
That 11 years of training makes Kortney the 2nd-longest running student under Master Turcottebehind Derek Nelson. Her dad and brother are next in line with nearly 10 years of training under Master Turcotte.
“It has been my pleasure and great honor to be Kortney’s instructor and watch her grow and become an amazing human,” Master Turcotte said. “I wish I could clone her so she could be my student forever!”
AREA BOWLING SCORES
Spare Time, Turtle Lake
Donna Berquam 154, Karen DeGolier 179, Deanne Moravitz 173.
Series: Sheila LaBlanc 480, Heidi VanHeuklom 475, Sam Munkelwitz 458, Jen Huebner 443, Donna Berquam 440.
Series: Connie Black 556, Sherri Munkelwitz 554, Donna Berquam 511, Ali Blomberg 496, Kimberly Elwood 482, Cheryl Harshman 478, Heidi VanHeuklom 465, Marlys Lauritsen 455.
Thursday,November20
7 p.m. – Amery Girls Basketball at Cumberland 7:15 p.m. – Prairie Farm/Clayton Girls Basketball vs. Elmwood/Plum City (at Plum City)
Tuesday,November25
7 p.m. – Amery Girls Basketball vs. St. Croix Falls
7 p.m. – Western Wisconsin Stars Girls Hockey vs. Simley at Somerset
7 p.m. – Amery Boys Hockey vs. Luck 7:15 p.m. – Clear Lake Girls Basketball vs. Elmwood/Plum City (at Plum City)
CONTRIBUTED
Kortney Hart competes with others to earn her black belt after years of effort.
CONTRIBUTED
Kortney Hart shows off her skills keeping her opponent on the ground.
‘Positive, prevention-focused’ messaging resolution approved by full county board Amendments suggested by committee soundly
BY RAYMOND T. RIVARD RAY@SENTINELMEDIA.NET
The Polk County Board of Supervisors officially supports “positive, prevention-focused community messaging,” thanks to a resolution arising out of opposition to a billboard erected in the county – one that promotes the efforts of carrying Naloxone.
Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a medication used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
The message on the billboard was first brought to the attention of the county Health and Human Services Committee by Supervisor Brad Olson, who said he was offended by that message.
“I mean, at the end of the day that should not say ‘I carry hope.’ It should say, ‘I carry dope.’ It should not say, ‘I carry Narcan.’ It should say, ‘I carry death and destruction,’” Olson said at that meeting.
While the supervisors on the HHS Committee were split, the committee (on a 5-4 vote) sent the positive-messaging-centered resolution to the full county board with 3 amendments for consideration at the November meeting.
To that end, the county board rejected all three amendments and approved, on a 11-4 vote, the resolution as written.
AMENDMENTS
The first of three amendments to the resolution called for the removal of the following lines:
• “WHEREAS, public messaging that normalizes and trivializes illegal drug use can undermine these prevention efforts and confuse or mislead people, especially young people, in the community about the real risks associated with substance use.”
The second amendment asked that the final half of the last sentence be removed and a period inserted after the word “lifestyle.”
That passage is as follows:
• “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Polk County Board of Supervisors encourages all community partners, advertisers, and property owners to promote messages that support prevention, recovery, and healthy lifestyles, and to avoid content that may intentionally or unintentionally normalize or glamorize illegal drug use.”
The final amendment asked that the single word of “invite” be replaced with “encourage” in this passage:
• “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Polk County Board of Supervisors invites the Northwoods Coalition, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and local prevention coalitions to collaborate on a proactive public messaging campaign focused on hope, resilience, and healthy choices; and Health and Human Services Chairperson Fran Duncanson presented all three amendments for consideration by the board. While she defended the reasoning behind the amendments,
dissenting supervisors also made their message loud and clear.
Duncanson said about the first amendment, “So the committee members felt there were inferences there … Personally I thought it was kind of insulting to our staff and insulting to us as supervisors that any of us would ever normalize or glamorize illegal drug use. But that language was, again, more of an opinion. There’s nobody here that wants to do that.”
Supervisor John Bonneprise said, “Mr. Chair, I’m on the committee and I think it’d help the rest of the board members to understand we had over an hour discussion on this, so it was very thorough and probably the longest board meeting or committee meeting I can remember … I think the bottom line … there’s a lot of us on the committee who felt that promoting use of Narcan … To just take Narcan and we’ll be all right … that’s what I got out of it.”
SEE COUNTY, PAGE 17
River Place Dental is proud to be a growing part of our community! We’ve had some exciting events at RPD this past year. Earlier this year, we welcomed another provider, Dr. Katrina Pavlichek DMD, known as Dr. Kassie to her patients. Another new face is our office manager, Katie Brisky who came on board after Debra’s retirement. Their experience, warm personalities, and expertise have been a great addition to the River Place Dental family. River Place Dental is accepting new patients and offers same-day dentistry. Something new we’ve created is a comfort menu—a list of options designed to make your experience as relaxing and personalized as possible. Items on the comfort menu include: noise-canceling headphones, weighted blanket, pillow, and more! We un-
derstand how difficult it can be to come to a dental clinic. Whether you have had a past bad experience, struggle with anxiety, or just feel unsure about starting somewhere new, our goal is to help you on your dental journey as comfortably as possible. Don’t let your dental benefits go to waste! We'll make sure you're able to take advantage of all of the services you've already paid for through your insurance. Be sure to schedule before the holidays as we will continue to get busier the closer we get to 2026!
Regular checkups help you keep a healthy smile — and most plans cover cleanings at little or no cost. Early detection can prevent severe dental problems. We do x-rays to examine parts of your mouth below the surface. We inspect for tooth decay, gum disease,
cavities, and any teeth that may be in need of repair. And yes, we clean your teeth to get rid of tartar and plaque buildup that you cannot take care of on your own at home.
Oral health is deeply connected to the rest of your body. Your mouth can provide visibility into serious health issues including heart disease, respiratory conditions, pregnancy complications, and diabetes. Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings can help with early detection of certain conditions and is an important part of your overall health and wellness. Dental care is health care.
We are grateful for the trust our patients place in us and look forward to caring for more families in the year ahead. Give our friendly team a call today at 715-268-2103.
Pictured L-R: Dr. Heather Marks, Dr. Katrina (Kassie) Pavlichek, Dr. Rollyn Lee.
HSA vs. FSA: Clearing up the confusion before your money disappears
BY JOSH GUSTAFSON
WISCONSIN MARKET PRESIDENT AT DEAN HEALTH PLAN BY MEDICA
Many people set aside money for health expenses through FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts). But confusion about how these accounts work is common—and it can cost you.
If you’ve ever rushed to spend your FSA dollars before the deadline or wondered what happens to your HSA balance at year’s end, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the differences in plain language, so you can make the most of your health dollars.
WHAT’S THE BIG DIFFERENCE?
Both FSAs and HSAs help you pay for qualified medical expenses using pre-tax dollars. That means you save money by reducing your taxable income. But they work very differently. See the table for a quick comparison.
THE FSA “USE IT OR LOSE IT” TRAP FSAs are great for predictable expenses—like prescriptions,
Feature FSA (Flexible Spending Account) HSA (Health Savings Account)
Who can use it?
Do funds roll over?
Anyone whose employer offers it Only people with a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP)
Usually no (some plans allow a small rollover or grace period)
Can you invest the money? No
Is it portable?
No, it’s tied to your employer
Contribution limits (2026) Up to $3,400
glasses, or regular doctor visits. But they come with a catch: most FSA funds expire at the end of the plan year. If you don’t use the money, you lose it.
Some employers offer a short grace period or allow you to roll over a small amount. For 2026, the IRS allows up to $680 to roll over into the next year if your employer’s plan includes that option. But the bulk of unused funds can still vanish—so it’s important to plan and track your spending.
Example: Jasmine, who works for a health system contributes $2,000 to her FSA but only spends $1,200 by December. Her employer allows a $680 rollover, so she loses $120. That’s money she earned—but didn’t get to use.
THE HSA ADVANTAGE: SAVE NOW, SPEND LATER
Yes, funds roll over year to year
Yes, once you reach a certain balance
Yes, it’s yours even if you change jobs
Up to $4,400 for individuals, $8,750 for families
ion for future needs—even into retirement.
HSAs are more flexible and powerful. If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, you can contribute to an HSA and use the money anytime— for eligible medical expenses now or in the future.
Even better? The money rolls over year after year. You can even invest it, like a retirement account, and let it grow tax-free making them a valuable tool for future financial planning.
Example: Carlos, a small business owner, contributes $3,000 to his HSA in 2025 but only spends $500. The remaining $2,500 stays in his account and earns interest. Over time, he builds a health savings cush-
COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Here are a few myths we hear often:
“I have an HSA, but I thought I had to spend it all this year.” Nope, HSA funds are yours to keep. No deadline, no expiration.
“I didn’t use my FSA, but I’ll get it back next year.” Unfortunately, unused FSA funds usually don’t come back. Check your plan’s rules.
“I can’t have both an HSA and FSA.” The IRS generally prohibits contributing to a standard FSA and an HSA in the same year. But you can have a limited-purpose FSA (for dental and vision) alongside an HSA.
TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR HEALTH DOLLARS
Know your plan type. If you’re on a high-deductible health plan, consider opening an HSA.
Track your expenses. Use apps or spreadsheets to monitor spending and avoid surprises. Plan your FSA contributions carefully. Estimate your yearly costs to avoid over-contributing.
Use your HSA strategically. Pay out-of-pocket for smaller, routine medical costs now and let your HSA grow for future expenses.
FINAL THOUGHT
Health care costs can be unpredictable—but your savings strategy doesn’t have to be. Understanding the difference between FSAs and HSAs helps you make smarter choices, avoid waste, and build financial confidence.
Whether you’re planning for next year’s expenses or thinking long term, your health dollars deserve clarity. And you deserve to keep every penny you’ve set aside.
COUNTY: Glamorizing drug use used as point to get more language on amendment
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Supervisor Kim O’Connell had similar thoughts about removing the language as proposed though the amendments.
“I think you’re taking the teeth out of it and actually putting some definition into what we’re trying to say … To me, it doesn’t hurt anybody [to keep the language in the resolution]. It says what we feel like, or what I feel like, excuse me, I’m not gonna speak for anybody else, but I think that’s some of the stuff that should be in there.”
O’Connell continued: “They glamorize this drug stuff for so many years, the meth, everything, all the people that die of drugs and we think they’re the greatest thing that ever walked. Maybe this will help that.”
Supervisor Duncanson countered: “So I’m not an expert on the psychology
of addiction … in making my considerations, I did speak to some people who were experts on the psychology of addiction, and you know, they would agree that harm reduction is proven to be a valuable tool in the battle against drug abuse and by keeping people alive long enough to seek treatment. if somebody’s a drug addict, they’re gonna use those drugs because they’re addicted, whether they have Narcan or test strips or anything else. So that is just what I took away from the people who devote their lives to studying this kind of stuff.”
Following the robust discussion three votes were taken. The first two votes asked that the three amendments be added to the original resolution. Those motions were defeated.
When the full board considered the full resolution as presented, that motion passed 11-4.
STOWER TRAIL
The full county board moved into closed session to discuss updates surrounding the county’s position on the recent Wisconsin Appeals Court decision upholding the circuit court and ruling in favor of The Friends of Stower Seven Lakes State Trail in its litigation to stop the county from approving the trail for horse and snowmobile use.
Prior to its closed session to consult with an attorney hired by the county, Corporation Counsel Joseph Loso said, “So, I think we should go into closed session … if you go into closed session [the attorney] will have some things to discuss with you related to the Stower litigation and updates related to that and potential decisions for you to make.”
The board moved to closed session based on state statute 19.85(1)(g) “for the purpose of conferring with legal coun-
sel who is giving written or oral advice about strategy pertaining to county property to be adopted in litigation in which the governmental body is or is likely to be involved.”
Following the closed session, the board reconvened in open session, with Loso saying, “Just to note who all was present during the closed session: the sheriff, chief deputy, Rod Polk from public works, all of the board members excluding Brad Olson and Jeremy Hall, administrator Norby, corporation counsel, the clerk, Don Wortham, Sherri Poirier, and Claire Johnson.
With no other discussion about matters considered in the closed session, the board adjourned.
The Free Press has reached out to the county corporation counsel and county board chairperson for comment about the recent ruling, but there has been no response.
This week’s featured pet is Daisy, a 3½-year-old black Lab/Shepherd mix who weighs about 60 pounds and knows basic commands. Daisy’s full of youthful exuberance, but once she gets her sillies out, she melts into a loving, devoted companion. Her previous home shared that she did well with dogs, cats, and children, so she may be a great match for a busy household or an active family.
Also at the shelter are Mack, a 2-yearold brown Husky with the classic chatter and charm the breed is known for, and Gary, a handsome 3-year-old blackand-white Husky who is a bit calmer and loves his stuffed animals! Along with them, we currently have several other adult dogs of various breeds who would love to meet you!
Our feline friends had a big weekend with several adoptions, and we’re hoping to keep that happy momentum going! We have cats in all ages, coat colors, temperaments, and personalities—from outgoing greeters to mellow lap warmers. Also, no appointment is needed to meet our pets – stop in anytime!
Don’t forget – Our Pet Photos with Santa event is happening Saturday, November 29th from 2–4 PM. Santa will be here to meet your pets and help capture the perfect holiday memory. We’ll have warm cider, cookies, treats and gifts for pets, and plenty of festive cheer. Families will receive a digital copy of their photo(s), and we can also snap
AMERY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER
608 Harriman Ave S., aaccjen@outlook.com, 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday – Friday.
Our very own Love Light tree is back this year!! This is a wonderful time of year for you to remember or honor your loved ones. There will be three different levels; “In Memory of;” “In Honor of;” and for Military Members. We will hold a ceremony on Friday December 6th at 1:00 PM featuring our Award-Winning Line Dancers and other entertainment; yet to be announced. After entertainment and refreshments; we will read our loved one’s names; hang the ornaments and light the tree. Refreshments will be served; open to the public with free will donation. Please call 715-2686605 for more information or a form. Stay healthy and hope to see you all soon!
There are a lot of exciting things happening in the next couple weeks; check out the new newsletter for more details. Stop in and fill out a survey; the data received is very helpful for our grants!
pictures with your personal device if preferred. This fun event is offered as a free-will donation, with every dollar raised going directly toward caring for the animals at AMHS.
With deer hunting opener this weekend, it’s a good time to brush up on some pet safety tips. Keep dogs leashed when outdoors, especially near wooded or rural areas, and make sure pets wear bright, reflective gear if they’ll be outside during dawn or dusk. Avoid letting pets roam near hunting land, and remember: loud noises can spook even the calmest animals, so ensure your pets are secured indoors if gunshots in the distance make them anxious.
Our shelter is open Monday through Friday from 12–5 PM and Saturdays from 12–4 PM. We’re located at 185 Griffin Street E in Amery, and can be reached at (715)268-7387 or visit our website at www.arnellhumane.org.
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING HOURS
Please note our hours for the week of Thanksgiving: Monday, November 24th 9 am to 6 pm; Tuesday, November 25th 9 am to 6 pm; Wednesday, November 26th 9 am to 4 pm; Thursday, November 27th Library closed; Friday, November 28th Library closed; Saturday, November 29th 9 am to 1 pm
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Storytime – 10 a.m. Join Miss Emma for stories, songs, and more!
Adult Writing Group: Join us and take part in prompts, critiques, and literary discussions! All genres are welcome. This meet-
ing's prompt is to write something using one or more of the following words: Scintillating, Betray, Impede, and/or Promise.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Non-fiction Book Club – 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. This month's theme is the American Revolution. Read any non-fiction book on the subject, then come share what you learned. We can’t wait to hear all about what you chose to read!
Kids Writing Group – 4 p.m. Express yourself and make friends at Kids Writing Group. We have mini journals to personalize and carry with you, so you can write whenever inspi-
ration strikes. After decorating for a few minutes, we'll share our writing and use creative prompts to write together. This month's writing prompt is to write an acrostic poem!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
NEW DAY AND TIME: 10 a.m. History
Talk at the Library! Join Kevin Iverson for an informative discussion titled: We Were Pilgrims.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Stop by the library during the Holly Jolly Stroll! From 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, we will have hot chocolate, snacks, holiday crafts, and more.
The Amery Area Historical Society & Museum Presents...
Make sure everyone in your household fills one out!
Upcoming events: We are hosting a Love Light Tree event here on Friday December 5th at 1:00pm. If you would like to have your loved one remembered; please stop by or call us for more information.
*We have a new Foot Clinic Nurse! Every second Tuesday of each month moving forward, from 10:00-3:30 every half hour; for $25 cash or check only. Call for availability at the Community Center!
Amery Area Community Center Members Memberships! Stop in or mail your dues to us, remember membership at the Community Center is January 1st to December 31st. Starting in 2026 for ALL members, renewing or new, dues will be $25, cash or check only; please. Consider becoming a Patron of the Center with a donation of an additional $10 or MORE
We have the items that you need to get your outdoor decor ready for the holidays!
your own or buy pre-made PORCH POTS
Saturday 9-3
Historical Society Fundraiser
Thanksgiving is Thursday,Nov.27,2025
Tuesday, Nov. 25 Issue
Deadline is Thursday, Nov. 20 @ 4 p.m. for the Amery Free Press and The Tab
Tuesday, Dec. 2 Issue
Deadline is Monday, Dec. 1 @ Noon for the Amery Free Press and The Tab The Amery Free Press office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 & 28
Amery School District
Thursday, November 20th–
ES/IS Breakfast: Lil Jon & HB Egg; Cereal offered daily as an option.
ES/IS Lunch: Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn, Dinner Roll & Pumpkin Bar
MS/HS Breakfast: Donut & HB Egg; Cereal offered daily as option.
MS/HS Lunch: Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn, Dinner Roll & Pumpkin Bar
Friday, November 21st –
ES/IS Breakfast: ½ Bagel and Cream Cheese, Cereal offered daily as an option
ES/IS Lunch: Chicken Sandwich, Potato Wedges, Packer Beans (Green & Wax Beans)
MS/HS Breakfast: Bagel and Cream Cheese, Cereal Offered daily as an option
MS/HS Lunch: Chicken Sandwich, Potato Wedges, Packer Beans (Green & Wax Beans)
Monday, November 24th –
ES/IS Breakfast: Cinna Mini; Cereal offered daily as an option.
ES/IS Lunch: Mandarin Chicken, Brown Rice, Stir Fry Veggies.
MS/HS Breakfast: Cinna Mini; Cereal offered daily as an option.
MS/HS Lunch: Mandarin Chicken, Brown Rice, Stir Fry Veggies.
Tuesday, November 25th –
ES/IS Breakfast: Chef’s Choice; Cereal offered Daily as an Option
ES/IS Lunch: Pizza, Mixed Vegies, House Salad
MS/HS Breakfast: Chef’s Choice; Cereal offered Daily as an Option
MS/HS Lunch: Pizza, Mixed Vegies, House Salad Clear Lake School District
Thursday, November 20th–
Elementary Breakfast: Choose: Mini Bagel with Cream Cheese or Cereal & Cheese or Beef Stick
Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice.
Elementary Lunch: Choice of: Chicken Nuggets or Gold Fish
Bowl Side Options: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy; Dinner Roll; Corn; Grapes.
High School Breakfast: Choose: Turkey Bacon Scrambled Breakfast Pizza or (choice of two items) Breakfast Cereal & Protein Options. Selection of: Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice.
High School Lunch: Choice of: Chicken Smackers or Beef Meatballs Side Options: Mashed Potatoes & Gravy; Corn; Mandarin Oranges; Cookie
Friday, November 21st –
Elementary Breakfast: Choose: Scrambled Eggs & Yogurt or Cereal & Yogurt Fruit, choice of Milk; Fruit Juice
Elementary Lunch: Choice of: Turkey & Cheese or Ham & Cheese
Side Options: Sandwich Toppings; Fresh Veggies; Strawberries; Peaches.
High School Breakfast: Choose: Cinnamon Roll & Hard-Boiled Egg (1) or (choice of two items) Breakfast Cereal & Protein Options Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice.
High School Lunch: Choice of: Choice of Sub & BYO Toppings;
AMERY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER
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
Rentals: Now booking all your Winter & Spring events! Dates currently available are November 23, 28 & 29 & December 7, 14, & 21st! Call for available dates for graduation parties as well. If you are looking for a place to host a family reunion, birthday party, bridal or baby shower or celebration of life consider the Community Center; rental of the main hall includes use of commercial kitchen. We will
also work with profit and nonprofit organizations to help with the perfect meeting place. The commercial kitchen can also be rented on its own, call for details! The fitness center; for an additional $10 per month; we have a treadmill, elliptical, recumbent bike and more, stop in and see what we have to offer! No contract fees or commitment required.
• Tues Nov 11th: Pool winners are Gary Snelling in 1st, Dean Elken placed 2nd, Dave Olson with 3rd, Mary Fisher with 4th & Wendell Anderson with the consolation prize.
• Tues Nov 11th: 500 Card winners are Kim Rosen in
Turkey & Cheese or Ham & Cheese
Side Options: Fresh Veggies; Tangy Broccoli Salad; Strawberries; Sliced Peaches
Monday, November 24th –
Elementary Breakfast: Choose: Yogurt Parfait or Cereal & Cheese or Beef Stick Selection of Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice
Elementary Lunch: Choice of: Italian Flatbread & Red Sauce or Pizza Sticks & Red Sauce Side Options: Garden Salad Bar; Tropical Fruit; Sliced Pears; cookie
High School Breakfast: Choose: Yogurt Parfait or (choice of two items) Breakfast Cereal & Protein Options Selection of: Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice.
High School Lunch: Choice of: Italian Flatbread & Marinara or Turkey & Cheese Croissant Side Options: Garden Salad Bar; Tropical Fuit; Sliced Pears.
Tuesday, November 25th –
Elementary Breakfast: Choose: Cheese Omelet or Cereal & HardBoiled Egg Selection of Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice
Elementary Lunch: Choice of: Walking Tacos or Cheese Quesadilla Side Options: Refried Beans; Fresh Veggies; Sliced Apples.
High School Breakfast: Choose: Cheese Omelet & Hashbrown (1) or (choice of two items) Breakfast Cereal & Protein Options Selection of: Daily Fruit, Choice of Milk; Fruit Juice.
High School Lunch: Choice of: Tacos (Walking or Soft Shell) or Chicken Tenders Side Options: Refried Beans, Fresh Veggies, Sliced Apples.
Electronic collection a success!
Polk County Recycling Center in St. Croix Falls, WI hosted an Electronic Collection on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and a second collection was held in Amery the following Thursday, October 23 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The Amery collection was a collaboration with Polk County Recycling staff, Amery Recycling Committee, and the Amery Public Works Department. Both collections were a big success! The collection at the recycling center in St. Croix Falls had 360 vehicles go through and the Amery collection had 232 for a total of 592 residents that were able to divert 36 tons of electronics from ending up in a landfill.
This was a free event for residents for the first 200 pounds per vehicle of qualified electronic devices. The recycling center accepts electronics anytime during regular hours with a fee of 45¢ per pound. To see more recycling center information go to the Polk County Recycling Center website.
We would like to thank Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations for providing us the opportunity to offer a free drop-off. All the electronics collected went to Dynamic located in Onalaska, WI. Dynamic has more than 15 years experience removing confidential information and dissembling electronics to be recycled into new products.
We would like to thank the Wisconsin DNR E-cycle program for creating a program where manufacturers are responsible for making sure electronics are recycled. E-Cycle Wisconsin is a statewide, manufacturer-funded program that recycles electronics used in homes and schools. The E-Cycle Wisconsin program is supported by Wisconsin’s electronic recycling law, which bans electronics such as TV’s, computers and cell phones from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators.
For further information contact Tina Riley –Facilities & Recycling Department at (715)485-9294 or email polk.recycling@polkcountywi.gov
IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of EDGAR JAMES STESNIAK
11-23-1903 - 5-16-1998
1st, Janet DeLong placed 2nd, Dean Elken with 3rd, & Jerry Langland with the consolation prize.
• Wed Nov 12th: Bridge winners are Sue Saarem in 1st, Mary Kay Thomas in 2nd, Steve Wilhelm with 3rd * Cynthia Sherar with 4th.
• Thur Nov 13th: Pool winners are Dave Olson in 1st, Gary Snelling placed 2nd, Dean Elken with 3rd, Wendell Anderson with 4th & Janet DeLong with the consolation prize.
Congratulations to all! Jen Tyman- Director.
“Our Dad” ESTHER RUTH STESNIAK
8-30-1917 - 11-10-1998
“Our Mother” FREDERICK LOUIS STESNIAK
5-28-1938 - 11-04-1992
“Our Brother” Edgar James Stesniak Jr 9-20-1954 - 10-26-2022
“Our Brother” Remembered with love today and everyday and missed without measure. You live on in our hearts and memories.
Hank, Micki, Katy, John and Gerri
ATHLETIC OFFICE ASSISTANT
The School District of Amery is hiring an Athletic Office Assistant to support the Athletic Director in coordinating and managing all aspects of the district’s athletic programs. The person in this key office role helps ensure that all athletic operations run efficiently and reflect the district’s commitment to excellence!
35 hours per week, 10 months per year
Hourly wage based on experience
Full benefit package including health, dental, paid time off, retirement plan, and more
Learn more & apply on WECAN today: https://wecan.waspa.org
Clayton School District, WI is accepting applications for:
PART TIME PARAPROFESSIONAL
JOB DESCRIPTION:
• Individual provides a variety of student support services.
Up to 29 hours/week part-time when students are in attendance.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• High School Diploma or equivalent
Effective communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Experience working with students with diverse learning styles and/or needs, preferred but not required
STARTING WAGE: $17.63 per hour.
Position is open until filled.
TO APPLY: If interested in applying for the parttime paraprofessional position please send letter of interest and resume’ with references as soon as possible to District Administrator Patrick Sturzl, 236 Polk Ave. W., PO Box 130, Clayton, WI 54004 or email to sturzlp@claytonsd.k12.wi.us. Call the District Administrator at (715) 948-2163 if you have any questions regarding the position.
The Clayton School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACHES
The Prairie Farm and Clayton School Districts are seeking qualified, student-centered Assistant Football Coaches to join the PFC Football Co-op beginning in the Fall of 2026. The high school season begins on August 4, 2026, and runs through early November. Interested candidates should contact Scott Mateski at mateskis@claytonsd.k12.wi.us
Library Director
Clear Lake Public Library Board
The Clear Lake Public Library Board is accepting applications for a Library Director. This position is responsible to the Clear Lake Public Library Board and directs the operations and staff of the Clear Lake Public Library. This is a part-time, 30+ hourly position with the pay range being dependent on qualifications. This position may be eligible for health insurance, HSA, Wisconsin Retirement, and vacation as outlined in the Village of Clear Lake personnel handbook.
A full description of minimum requirements and job duties can be found on the Village of Clear Lake website at https://www.clearlake-wi.gov/jobs or by stopping at the Village Office at 350 4th Avenue, Clear Lake, Wisconsin.
Please submit by email a cover letter, resume, job application and three work references to: bschramski@ clearlake-wi.gov, or by dropping the documents off at the Village Office.
Applications will be accepted until Friday, December 5, 2025 at 12:00pm CST or until the position is filled.
The Clear Lake Public Library Board is an equal opportunity employer.
School District of Clear Lake Position Available
Evening CustodianLong Term Substitute (Jr/Sr
High School)
H.R. CONTACT: Tom Aasmundrud, Head of Maintenance, taasmundrud@clwarriors.org, (715) 263-2114
REQUIREMENTS: General cleaning of rooms/hallways/ bathrooms, first line maintenance, snow removal, evening event set up, and other miscellaneous duties as assigned. Desired candidates will possess strong work ethic, excellent people skills, an ability to collaborate with others, and strong attention to detail. General mechanical skills are a plus. Applicants must be able to bend and lift up to 50 pounds.
WORK SCHEDULE: Eight (8) hours per day, 2:30 - 11:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri., with some flexibility. Applicants must be flexible and able to work additional hours as needed.
HOW TO APPLY: Application materials can be located on the Clear Lake School District website or in the District Office. Please complete the Non-Certified Staff Application found on the Clear Lake School District Employment web page at https://www.clwarriors.org/ APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications accepted until November 12 or until position is filled. Please submit all materials to the District or High School Office in person or via email.
START DATE: Effective start date is: as soon as available.
School District of Clear Lake 1101 3rd St. SW Clear Lake, WI 54005 (715) 263-2114 www.clwarriors.org
The School District of Clear Lake is an equal opportunity employer.
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.
Clayton School District, WI is accepting applications for:
FOOD SERVICE WORKER
DUTIES MAY INCLUDE:
• Food preparation/cooking
• Meal serving to students and staff
• Dishwashing
• Kitchen and cafeteria cleaning Or any other assigned duties
WAGES: Up to 5.75 hrs/day, starting $17.63/hr. Food service training provided. Position is open until filled.
TO APPLY: If interested in applying for this position send a letter of interest and a resume to District Administrator Patrick Sturzl, 236 Polk Ave. W., PO Box 130, Clayton, WI 54004 or email to sturzlp@claytonsd. k12.wi.us
The Clayton School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Join Our Team!
Exciting Opportunities Available at Northwood Tech
Nursing Assistant Instructor
Ashland Campus (PT/Adjunct)
We are looking for adjunct instructors to teach Nursing. This is a perfect opportunity to earn additional income. Put your education and training to use and make a difference! This role will include assignments in the following areas on an as-needed basis: Full class including lecture, lab, and clinical; online teaching.
Associate Degree
Nursing Instructor
New Richmond Campus (FT)
Northwood Tech is seeking passionate individuals dedicated to providing a learning-focused, dynamic experience for students entering the healthcare field. This position may require travel to another Northwood Tech campus for instruction and travel to the Shell Lake Health Education Center, some weekends and nights. Learn
The School District of Amery is an equal opportunity employer.
Or call Dylan Johnson at (715) 268-9771 ext. 216
Tips of the Week from Gene Johnson and Matt McMillan
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF ALDEN
The Board of Supervisors of the Town of Alden will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Alden Town Hall, 183 155th Street, Star Prairie, WI.
1) Update the current Building Code Ordinance
Persons wishing to review the proposed ordinance/s may do so by contacting Christine Genung, Town Clerk, at (715) 248-7859
The Regular Monthly Board Meeting will be held following the Public Hearing.
Christine Genung, Alden Town Clerk WNAXLP
NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLEAR LAKE
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
An election is to be held in the School District of Clear Lake, on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026. The following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed.
Office Incumbent
Board President Greg Friendshuh
Board Member Corey Monson
The term of office for school board member is three years beginning on Monday, April 27, 2026. A description of the school district boundaries can be obtained from the school district office.
A Campaign Registration Statement and a Declaration of Candidacy must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, in the office of the school district Clerk (District Office) at Clear Lake High School, 1101 3rd St. SW, Clear Lake, WI.
If a primary is necessary, the primary will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Dated this 12th day of November, 2025.
Nettie Groat, Clerk School District of Clear Lake WNAXLP
TOWN OF BLACK BROOK NOTICE OF MEETINGS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025 99 75th Street, Clear Lake WI 54005
6:00 PM - PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE 2026 BUDGET
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING OF ELECTORS
(Immediately following completion of Public Hearing)
1. To approve resolution 2025-01 regarding adoption of the town tax levy, pursuant to Wis Stat. 60.10(1) (a). Full resolution may be viewed online or in the clerk’s office by appointment.
2. To establish the compensation for elected town officers who will be elected April 6, 2027, pursuant to Wis. Stat. 60.10(1)(b)1.
MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
(Immediately following the Special Meeting of Electors)
AGENDA:
Call meeting to order; proof of meeting notices; approve agenda; approve minutes; approve vouchers & pay bills; readings of reports; public comments.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. None
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Adopt Resolution 2025-01 regarding the 2025 town tax levy, payable in 2026
2. Truck radios
3. Employee wages 4. Employee holiday gifts
5. Approve the final budget for 2026 6. Nuisance violations in Deer Park area 7. Fire service
Discussion, consideration, and action may occur on any of the above agenda items.
This agenda is subject to change; the final agenda will be posted on our website and on the town hall door as per statute.
STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT POLK COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Payton James Bender By (Petitioner) Jerry James
Bender
Notice of Name Change Hearing Case No. 25CV310
NOTICE IS GIVEN:
A Petition was filed asking to change the name of the person listed above:
From: Payton James Bender
To: Payton James Colbert
Birth Certificate: Payton
James Bender
This Petition will be heard in the Circuit Court of Polk County, State of Wisconsin before Honorable Daniel J. Tolan at 1005 W. Main St., Branch 1, Balsam Lake, WI 54810 on December 15, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
If you require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to participate in the court process, please call 715-485-9299 prior to the scheduled court date. Please note that the court
does not provide transportation.
NOTICE TO NEWSPAPER AND PETITIONER:
Notice of this hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 3 notice for three (3) weeks in a row prior to the date of the hearing in the Amery Free Press.
WNAXLP
(Nov. 11, 18, 25)
STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT POLK COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Parker Leo Bender
By (Petitioner) Jerry James Bender
Notice of Name Change Hearing Case No. 25CV309
NOTICE IS GIVEN:
A Petition was filed asking to change the name of the person listed above:
From: Parker Leo Bender
To: Parker Leo Colbert
Birth Certificate: Parker Leo Bender
This Petition will be heard in the Circuit Court of Polk County, State of Wisconsin
before Honorable Daniel J. Tolan at 1005 W. Main St., Branch 1, Balsam Lake, WI 54810 on December 15, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
If you require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to participate in the court process, please call 715-485-9299 prior to the scheduled court date.
Please note that the court does not provide transportation.
NOTICE TO NEWSPAPER AND PETITIONER:
Notice of this hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 3 notice for three (3) weeks in a row prior to the date of the hearing in the Amery Free Press.
WNAXLP (Nov. 11, 18, 25)
STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT POLK COUNTY
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Michael D. Hedges DOD: June 8, 2024
Amended Notice to Creditors (Informal Administration)
Case No. 25 PR 05
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE:
1. An application for informal administration was filed.
2. The decedent, with date of birth September 30, 1954 and date of death June 8, 2024, was domiciled in Polk County, State of Wisconsin, with mailing address of 174 60th Avenue, Clayton, WI 54004.
3. All interested persons waived notice.
4. The deadline for filing a claim against the decedent’s estate is February 20, 2026. 5. A claim may be filed at the Polk County Courthouse, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, Room 500.
/s/ Cheryl Winberg Probate Registrar November 6, 2025
Brian D. Byrnes Byrnes Law Office, LLC 123 Keller Avenue North Amery, WI 54001 715-268-5000
Bar Number 1032419 WNAXLP (Nov. 11, 18, 25)
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE VILLAGE OF CLAYTON, WISCONSIN 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET
NOTICE OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING FOR THE VILLAGE OF CLAYTON, WISCONSIN 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That on December 8, 2025 at 5:15 P.M. at the Village Hall, Clayton, The Village Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2026. The following is a summary of the proposed budget, a detailed account of the proposed budget may be inspected at the Village Office.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That on December 8, 2025 at 5:15 P.M. at the Village Hall, Clayton, The Village Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2026. The following is a summary of the proposed budget, a detailed account of the proposed budget may be inspected at the Village Office.
Dated this 12th Day of November, 2025
NOTICE OF SPRING ELECTION
STATE OF WISCONSIN
APRIL 7, 2026
Election Details
An election is to be held in the towns, villages, cities, wards, and election districts of the State of Wisconsin, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The following officers are to be elected: Judicial Officers
One (1) Justice of the Supreme Court, for the term of ten (10) years, to succeed the present incumbent listed, whose term of office will expire on July 31, 2026: Justice Of The Supreme Court Rebecca G. Bradley County Supervisor
A County Supervisor for each county supervisory district (if required), for a term of two (2) years, to succeed the present incumbent listed, whose term will expire on April 20, 2026:
District 1 – Brad Olson
District 2 – Doug Route
District 3 – Steve Warndahl
District 4 – Pamela Garvey
District 5 – Tracy LaBlanc
District 6 – Dan Ruck
District 7 – Sharon Kelly
District 8 – Jeremy Hall
District 9 – Kim O’Connell
District 10 – Tony Johnson
District 11 – Jay Luke
District 12 – Frances Duncanson
District 13 – Russ Arcand
District 14 – Keith Karpenski
District 15 – John Bonneprise
Information concerning county supervisory district boundaries may be obtained from the Polk County Clerks Office (715-485-9209 or countyclerk@polkcountywi.gov)
For Candidates
The first day to circulate nomination papers is December 1, 2025, and the final day for filing nomination papers is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. Candidates for Polk County Supervisor file with the Polk County Clerk’s Office.
Primary Election
If a primary is necessary, the primary will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Additional Information
Acceptable Photo ID will be required to vote at this election. If you do not have a photo ID, you may obtain a free ID for voting from the Division of Motor Vehicles. DONE in the Village of Balsam Lake on November 12, 2025
Kaitlyn Scholz, Chief Deputy County Clerk Polk County, Wisconsin
100 Polk County Plaza, STE 110, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin 54810 715-485-9209
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF BUDGET FOR THE VILLAGE OF CLEAR LAKE, WISCONSIN 2026 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That on December 2, 2025 at
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEWER RATE INCREASE
The BOARD of the Village of Clear Lake, Polk County, Wisconsin, having before it for consideration a request to increase Sewer Rates.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Village Board on December 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Clear Lake Municipal Building, 350 4th Avenue, Clear Lake, Wisconsin, where opportunity will be afforded to all interested parties to be heard. A detailed description of the proposed increase is available for public inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 350 4th Avenue, Clear Lake, Wisconsin.
A summary of the proposed increase is shown below:
this November 17, 2025
Thank you
for reading the Amery Free Press
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF BUDGET FOR THE VILLAGE OF CLEAR LAKE, WISCONSIN 2026 BUDGET
summary of the proposed 2026 budget. A detailed account of the proposed budget may be
at the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That on December 2, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. at the Clear Lake Village Hall (350 4th Avenue, Clear Lake, WI), the Village Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2026. The following is a summary of the proposed 2026 budget. A detailed account of the proposed budget may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
The Newspaper shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of the advertisement.
The Newspaper shall not be liable or responsible for any error in any advertisement except to give the Advertiser credit for so much of the space occupied by the advertisement as is materially affected by the error; credit shall be by refund or republication of the advertisement at the election of Newspaper. Such credit shall only be given for one incorrect insertion if the Publisher is notified in writing of the error before the repetition of the insertion. When the Advertiser wishes to correct or change the copy submitted as a “proof,” the Newspaper shall not be liable for the changes or corrections unless the Newspaper receives them within a reasonable length of time before the deadline for publication.
If an advertisement is requested to run after the copy deadline, the Newspaper will not honor an adjustment request if an error occurs.
No specific page or position shall be guaranteed.
The Advertiser or Agency shall indemnify the Newspaper for any attorney’s fees incurred in defending against claims, pay any judgments against the Newspaper, and pay associated expenses and losses that are caused by the publication of any advertisement submitted by or published at the direction of the Advertiser or Agency, including claims for libel, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy.
This
a great fit if you:
• have strong communication and customer service skills are motivated, organized, and goal-oriented
• enjoy working with people and being part of your community
We offer a supportive, local work environment where your ideas matter and your efforts make a real difference.
Compensation includes: Consistent base pay, commission, paid time off, health, vision, dental, life insurance, 401K and flexibility.
Dated
OTLO: Has many years in the emergency field with relevant experience
like to help people. But what I like to do now is find ways to more efficiently help people and keep people safe. Safety and preparedness is more why I like to do it now versus responding. I love responding too, don't get me wrong, but if we can find new ways to help the community through preventative planning and things of that nature, I would much rather prefer that, and that's what I like to get into now.”
If elected sheriff, and given his experience, Otlo plans to unify the county’s police, fire, and emergency medical teams to keep residents safe and respond to calls as a coordinated unit. He’s not aiming to “fix” the county’s emergency services. Instead, he hopes
to bring new ideas and perspectives to the fire, police, and medical teams that help them understand each other’s needs and work together more smoothly during his term.
“There's nothing broken with what Polk County does,” Otlo said. “I just feel that there's a new way that we could be doing it that would better serve the deputies, better serve the jailers and dispatchers, and in turn, better serve the communities we serve… I think with my background in fire, corrections and EMS, I know how all that stuff is supposed to work together. And right now in Polk County,
it doesn't look fluid together – it's not a well-oiled machine.
“Being sheriff, I will be able to help the deputies understand what we can be doing to help the fire department, and I can tell the fire departments what they can be doing to help the deputies. I can be that mediation and make every emergency situation a very well-oiled machine.”
Otlo has highlighted three main issues as he runs for Polk County Sheriff: school violence preparedness, uniting Polk County emergency services to work more collaboratively, and bringing common sense leadership to Polk County. Based on those promises, he hopes that Polk County residents will share his vision for a safer community
where all first responders work together effectively to keep everyone safe.
“My grand vision for Polk County is a level of preparedness by all emergency services like we've never seen before where we all understand each other, we all know what we’re supposed to do, and we all practice, train, and cooperate with one another so that every scene is very well planned out and very well executed,” Otlo said. “As for Polk County residents, I'd like them to know that no matter who's coming, whether it's fire, EMS, deputies, or a mixture of all the three, we all know what we're supposed to do, because we've all talked about it before – a unified front as far as emergency services goes in order to protect our people.”
A. Davis, CPA | Dirk A. Prindle, CPA Margo A. Rosen, CPA | Abby L. Williamson, CPA
P. Honl, CPA | Susan L. Hartman, CPA
Keller Ave. S, Amery,
Otlo
NAPA owner donates tools to Amery Police Department
BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
A local business donated tools to the Amery Police Department to help stranded motorists, who often need assistance changing tires.
NAPA Auto Parts owner Tom Miller donated four impact driver sets of Milwaukee tools to Chief Dan Peters. Chief Peters then purchased impact sockets for each set. Miller’s motivation was to give back to the community while also supporting the department.
Miller also wanted to assist those who have supported him since opening his business. In the future, Miller is exploring other ways he can make a difference for people in Amery.
The tools will help the Police Department accelerate the process of assisting drivers in need and getting them back on the road.
“The benefit is when a person has a flat tire many times it's on the weekend or during the nighttime hours when the local mechanic shops are not open,” Peters said. “The officers can assist and get the motorist back on their way. We are not doing this service to take away business from the local shops but to aid a person in need when possible.”
Chief Peters also said that although they have the tools to assist people, it is not intended to compete with local shops. Instead, it is an additional resource the police department can offer to those in need.
Library gets new art
BY JUSTIN RUNBERG EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
Visitors to the Amery Public Library might see some added color through the downstairs window. Library Director Heather Wiarda decided to create a custom mural on the wall for children to enjoy. Youth Services Librarian Emma Novak also helped Wiarda as they painted the wall over several months.
Every year, the library participates in the Collaborative Summer Library Program. Through this program, it
shares a summer reading theme with libraries across the United States. Artwork accompanied this year’s theme of ‘Color Our World,' and Wiarda and Novak liked it so much that they decided to make it a permanent part of the Amery Public Library. The theme this year was to promote creativity through makerspaces and craft programs. It also offers a new way for people to discover opportunities and learn about what's happening at their local library.
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JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS
Libraries color our world will be a message kids and others will notice while visiting the library.
JUSTIN RUNBERG | AMERY FREE PRESS
Tom Miller and Chief Dan Peters shake hands after tools are donated to police department.
Kids: color stuff in!
Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s Thanksgiving! What do you know about the people we call the Pilgrims – who we think about on this day? The Pilgrims left England in search of a place where they could worship God in their own way. They went to Holland where they found more religious freedom, but life was hard there. Also, they didn’t like seeing their children begin to take on Dutch customs, language and ways of life. They decided to cross the Atlantic Ocean to the “new” land called America, where they could get a fresh start.
The Pilgrims had enough people to fill two ships. One ship was called Speedwell, the other Mayflower. The Speedwell was found to be leaky and unsafe, so it was left behind for repairs. One hundred and two people crowded onto the larger Mayflower to set sail.
After a rough voyage, the Pilgrims spotted land and went ashore at Cape Cod to explore, do laundry and exercise. They lived on the ship until December 11, 1620, when they pulled into a cove and (it is said) stepped out onto Plymouth Rock. They settled near that cove, building a common house to share. Through the harsh winter many fell sick and died. By spring only 53 people were still alive to start the new colony!
When spring arrived a Native American named Samoset walked into the Pilgrim’s colony and welcomed them. By the next fall, the 53 Pilgrims celebrated the harvest with 90 Native Americans, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. They feasted for three days on fish, waterfowl, wild turkey and deer. This “First Thanksgiving” is what we think about as we celebrate our Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Pilgrim’s Journey to Freedom!
Did you know that Pilgrims wore bright, solid colors?
Kids studied at home and worked hard doing chores. Holland
Kids played with dolls, marbles and tops!
The Pilgrims:
1. were people who __________ to find a safe place to live.
2. wanted to __________ their religion freely.
3. left England to go to __________.
4. were not happy there and decided to sail to __________.
5. hoped to find __________ in America.
6. started out with two ships, the Speedwell and the ____.
7. found the __________ leaky and left it behind in England.
8. headed for __________, but ended up near Cape Cod.
9. started a colony near __________ Rock.
10. lost many people during the first harsh __________.
11. met the __________ __________, Samoset, in the spring when he came to welcome them.
12. learned from the Native Americans and shared a harvest __________.
Follow the color key to color in this puzzle to see what the Pilgrims wanted and what I want too!
O = Orange B = Brown
Why
Did the Pilgrims Come to North America?
What Did They Bring?
Find and circle these items that the Pilgrims brought with them:
Thanksgiving Family Fun
I really enjoy spending Thanksgiving Day with my family. Match up the phrases to see what different families will be doing together to celebrate on this day of thanks:
1. watching 2. playing 3. meeting 4. telling 5. praying 6. traveling 7. singing
8. decorating 9. baking 10. giving 11. sharing 12. walking
A. at religious services
B. stories by the fire
C. a large turkey dinner
D. thanks for all we have
E. new family members (babies, husbands/wives)
F. a game of touch football
G. to a relative’s house
H. pumpkin pies
I. songs together
C’mon Forest! It’s time for the family touch football game!
J. with pumpkins and Indian corn
K. the parade on TV
L. together to get a
exercise
Happy Thanksgiving!
Did you know that Pilgrims wore bright, solid colors?
Kids studied at home and worked hard doing chores.
Did the
1. watching 2. playing 3. meeting 4. telling 5. praying 6. traveling
7. singing
8. decorating 9. baking 10. giving 11. sharing 12. walking
A. at religious services
B. stories by the fire
C. a large turkey dinner
D. thanks for all we have
E. new family members
F. a game of touch football
G. to a relative’s house
H. pumpkin pies
I. songs together
J. with pumpkins and Indian corn
K. the parade on T.V.
L. together to get a little exercise Why