Neighbors-1201 January 2012

Neighbors Faivre Implement brings you stories of interest from your community.

CARROTS FROM THE HEARTLAND! SLICERS & GIANT DICERS Paul Miller Farms, Hancock

January 2012 Vol. 2, Issue 1

THIS ISSUE Ornamental Iron 4-H Poultry Delivery WI Veterans Museum

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300

WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191

REGISTER TO WIN a New John Deere D110 Lawn Tractor and Meet Your Neighbors Sign up now to receive our FREE monthly Neighbors online magazine with great articles about people and businesses in Central Wisconsin.

When you sign up for Neighbors, we enter you in our next annual drawing for a chance to win the Neighbors Grand Prize of a new John Deere lawn tractor (email address required).

To sign up, simply click here or go to this link, www.faivre.com/neighbors_signup.php, and fill out our handy online form.

Your name will then be entered in the 2012 drawing for the John Deere lawn tractor, which will be held in July 2012.

LINK TO CURRENT/PAST NEIGHBORS ISSUES http://www.faivre.com/neighbors.php

You must be at least 18 years old to register to win the John Deere D110 Lawn Tractor and must provide an email address.

Faivre Implement employees or their families are not eligible to register to win. Further rules and details are available upon request by emailing us at neighbors@faivre.com.

THIRTY YEARS SALES AND SERVICE SINCE 1981.

Neighbor to Neighbor, we mean business! www.faivre.com  www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl  www.twitter.com/faivreimpl

This could be you!

Right: Al Jensen of Amherst won the 2011 Neighbors Open House Grand Prize of a John Deere D110 lawn tractor. Strangely enough, the day before the drawing he bought the very same lawn tractor and used his prize to upgrade to the X300 shown.

Page 2

Neighbors-January 2012

Neighbors Table of Contents January 2012, Vol. 2, Issue 1

Pages 8-13 The giant carrots at Paul Miller Farms are so huge, they are almost impossible to remove by hand!

FEATURE ARTICLES

COLUMNS

8-13 Carrots from the Heartland Paul Miller Farms specializes in giant carrots for diced processing.

4 Together

14-17 Ornamental Iron Jake Carriveau of Bull Welding, Waupaca, is an extraordinary welder creating artistic masterpieces in iron.

6 Grounded

20-21 Special Delivery Jessica Magdanz of Pine River, WI delivers her Waupaca County Fair 4-H poultry to Faivre Implement.

26-29 Day Trips-Paper to Iron A visit to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum reveals a unique exhibit regarding Wisconsin’s part in the Civil War.

Page 3

Thoughts from Jim Faivre, CEO of Faivre Implement and Neighbors’ publisher.

Ruth Johnson, Neighbors’ Editor, reflects on daily life.

21-21 Inside Faivre Faivre Implement’s involvement in community/charitable events and other internal/external activities.

33 Dr. Fixit Chris Brockman, Faivre Implement’s resident Dr. Fixit, answers reader questions.

Neighbors-January 2012

Together New experiences every month! I never dreamt being a publisher would be this much fun and so rewarding.

I am acquainted with many of you through your business dealings with Faivre Implement but Neighbors magazine has shown me so much more about the lives of our friends and customers.

Growing up and working on our family farm, I helped produce corn and soybeans. Subsequently, I accumulated knowledge regarding many different crops in the Faivre Implement’s 30+ years of service.

However, I discovered that there was a whole lot more I did not know by reading each Neighbors article right along with the rest of you.

Our carrot story this issue is a perfect example. I never realized Wisconsin ranks second in the nation in carrot production but I did know that Paul Miller Farms is Wisconsin’s second largest carrot producer!

The Neighbors 2012 editorial lineup is even better than 2011 so I hope you stay with us for the ride and join us as we introduce innovations like audio and slideshows into our online version! Thank you for all your thoughts and comments! Keep them coming to neighbors@faivre.com.

Above: Although I have seen Paul Miller Farms’ mammoth carrots many times, I am always amazed at how big AND tasty they really are.

Bottom: While it might look like I just went for a ride in the bucket of that skid steer, that would be incorrect! It was merely helping Dan Magdanz exit the vehicle. Dan and his daughter, Jessica Magdanz were delivering the poultry I bought from her at the Waupaca County Fair FFA Market Animal Auction.

Happy trails and blue skies for all!

Jim Faivre Publisher, Neighbors CEO, Faivre Implement neighbors@faivre.com

Page 4

Neighbors-January 2012

Muscle that snow away!

Banish Bad Weather with Attachments for John Deere 700 Select Series™ Tractors  

No Interest If Paid In Full Within 12 Months on Select Series™ Tractors* Save $500 USD on Select Series™ Tractors*

*Click on offers above for qualifying details, (details also available at Faivre Implement).

Transform your prestigious John Deere 700 Select Series lawn tractors into all-season workhorses with snowy weather attachments! Now everything you need to create the superb lawn is also everything you need to tame Old Man Winter.

Available at Faivre Implement, your local John Deere dealer in Stevens Point and Westfield and online at www.faivre.com. Thirty years sales and service since 1981.

Neighbor to Neighbor, it’s Faivre!

Page 5

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point, WI 54482 Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300  Fax: (715) 592-6116 WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield, WI 53964 Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191  Fax: (608) 296-3912 www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl Neighbors-January 2012

Neighbors Grounded Faivre Implement brings you stories of interest from your community.

PUBLISHER

Mayan 2012 calendar predictions have invaded many mainstream media, emphasizing destruction, doom and gloom.

As a child growing up in the 60’s, I cannot tell you the number of times people said the world would end, particularly during the atomic bomb/cold war era.

Today, claims abound that natural catastrophes are worse than ever before. Yet in 1812, the Midwest experienced an earthquake so strong, it uplifted the Mississippi river bed, temporarily reversing the flow of the river, making it appear to run upstream.

Political unrest is also at the news forefront. As a nation, we have withstood many changes throughout our history. I believe we persevered, then and now, because the majority of Americans cherish the freedoms so many fought and died to defend.

This last year, Neighbors magazine helped me fulfill one of my life goals – to make a positive difference in people’s lives, which was reinforced to me through comments from readers and the individuals who have been featured in our articles.

Jim Faivre neighbors@faivre.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Gary Smith gary@faivre.com Brett Faivre brett@faivre.com

Terry Faivre terry@faivre.com

EDITOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, DESIGN & PRODUCTION Ruth Johnson neighbors@faivre.com 715-592-4300

CIRCULATION & WEB MANAGEMENT Ruth Johnson neighbors@faivre.com 715-592-4300

LINK TO CURRENT/PAST NEIGHBORS ISSUES Perhaps that is the key to happiness – doing something, anything, no matter how small it seems, that helps someone else weather this storm we call life.

(www.faivre.com/neighbors.php) Click here to subscribe to free online Neighbors issues! (www.faivre.com/neighbors_signup.php)

Thank you for reading Neighbors in 2011 and we look forward to bringing you interesting stories throughout 2012!

Warm regards,

Ruth Johnson Editor, Neighbors Magazine neighbors@faivre.com

My fish are one of my daily delights.

I completely redesign their tank every couple of months.

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300  Fax: (715) 592-6116 WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191  Fax: (608) 296-3912 www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl Copyright 2012, Faivre Implement, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Back issues available online. Publisher not responsible for content of materials submitted.

Page 6

Neighbors-January 2012

Snow Basher

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane Stevens Point, WI 54482 Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300 www.faivre.com ď ´ www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl

John Deere Compact Tractors Ramp up Winter Action!

0% Fixed-Rate Financing for 48 Months on Compact Utility Tractors* *Click on offer above for qualifying details, (details also available at Faivre Implement).

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane Stevens Point, WI 54482 Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300

WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Westfield, WI 53964 Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191

www.faivre.com ď ´ www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl

Available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive, John Deere compact tractors deliver the horsepower you need to handle a wide range of material handling, property maintenance, farming and other chores.

Hitch up hundreds of attachments from John Deere and Frontier Equipment for a system built for years of reliable performance. Stop by Faivre Implement, your local John Deere dealer in Stevens Point and Westfield and online at www.faivre.com.

Thirty years sales and service since 1981.

Page 7

Neighbors-January 2012

CARROTS FROM THE HEARTLAND! SLICERS & GIANT DICERS Paul Miller Farms, Hancock

by Ruth Johnson, Editor

Page 8

Neighbors-January 2012

Taproot. That is what you call the orange, fleshy part of the carrot, which is what most people eat. However, the average person will never see the unusual kind of huge taproots that Paul Miller Farms of Hancock, produces.

Grown for Wisconsin commercial processors, Birdseye Foods and Seneca Foods, these giant carrots, which can grow up to ten pounds each (normally 3-4 pounds), are perfect for transforming into uniform dicing carrots.

Once diced, these carrots are canned or frozen and sold to wholesale grocer operations, restaurants, or other institutional use.

TEAM MILLER Paul Miller, Paul Miller Farm’s owner/operator, works closely with his son Todd, daughter Michelle, grandsons Jordan and Ian and the remainder of his team to grow these giant carrots and other vegetables on their vast, 2,700-acre vegetable farm.

(Continued on Page 10) Opposite Page: Paul Miller and his grandson, Jordan, display some of their giant dicing carrots. This Page: Carrot harvesters’ tines dig between the rows, lifting up greenery and attached taproots. As they journey upward, taproots hang down between channels. The greenery is removed as the taproots continue up the conveyors and into the waiting dump cart. The carrot harvest window is tight and bumps up against the first frost so the farm races to get the carrots out of the ground.

Page 9

Neighbors-January 2012

(Continued from Page 9)

Todd performs farming duties, supervises seed cutting, manages Gramma Miller’s Farm Market, (their fresh produce and flower retail outlet), sells for their anhydrous ammonia operation and runs the parts department for their ASA-LIFT vegetable harvester dealership.

As Office Manager, Michelle handles administrative, marketing, plant and seed ordering, bookkeeping and other financial needs for all their entire company and all of its diversified interests.

Jordan helps with the all the overall farm responsibilities and is responsible for operating one of the carrot harvesters. Paul’s grandson Ian also assists.

According to founder Paul Miller, “My kids and their kids have worked together since they were very small to help build this operation into the successful organization that it is today. While sometimes challenging, there is nothing more rewarding and bonding for a family than knowing that everyone’s efforts have contributed significantly.”

(Continued on Page 11) Top: Shot from underneath the carrot harvester, this photo show how the giant taproots are suspended between tracks as they move up the conveyors, where they will soon be separated from their green foliage. Left: Paul Miller’s family members from left: grandson Jordan, daughter Michelle, son Todd and Paul Miller, all of whom are actively involved in the operation.

Page 10

Neighbors-January 2012

(Continued from Page 10)

A NATURAL CHOICE With 1,000 acres of carrots, Paul Miller Farms is Wisconsin’s second largest carrot producer, growing not just the giant dicers but also one other kind of large (not giant) carrot appropriate for cutting into nice, round slices.

In addition to both varieties of carrots, Paul grows 350 acres of potatoes for McCain Foods.

The balance of his 2,700 acres varies based on crop rotation needs and is divided between sweet corn, snap beans, peas and other produce for food processor companies.

ALL ABOUT CARROTS Originally native to the Middle East, particularly Afghanistan, carrots are believed to be domesticated from Queen Anne's Lace, a weed. Cultivated by the Greeks and Romans, early carrots were branched and primarily purple unlike today’s orange, single root varieties.

(Continued on Page 12) Top: This photo from a few years ago captures Michelle’s children, Jordan, Austin and Mackenzie sitting on an immense pile of giant carrots. Middle: Shot from another angle, you can see the conveyor attached to the dump cart. Bottom: The dump cart delivers its load to the waiting semi, evenly distributing the load from one end of the semi to the other.

Page 11

Neighbors-January 2012

(Continued from Page 11)

EARLY CLAIMS The ancient Greeks highly esteemed carrots’ medicinal value and reportedly used them to help cure ailments from marriage problems to snake bites.

Carrots do indeed have high nutritional and medical value but so far, no solid proof exists that they provide marital bliss.

Carrots reached England in the fifteenth century. Elizabethans not only ate them as a food source, but also used the plant’s feathery tops as hat decorations.

Early American colonists planted carrots in Jamestown, Virginia in 1609.

PRODUCTION STATS According to USDA 2010 statistics, Washington is the top carrot producing state in our nation with 27 percent of production.

Wisconsin is ranked sixth, with about 17 percent of production.

(Continued on Page 12) Top: Gramma Miller’s Farm Market offers fresh produce and fruits, baked goods, honey and maple syrup products, meat and poultry, beverages and more! Left: Paul Miller shares his love of NASCAR with his grandson, Jordan, who serves with him on the Fuel Crew for the Sunoco Oil Company racing team.

Page 12

Neighbors-January 2012

(Continued from Page 12)

RENAISSANCE MAN A strong family man as well as a true entrepreneur committed to his business, Paul still carves out time for his favorite hobbies, NASCAR and basketball.

During NASCAR season, Paul and Jordan both serve on the Fuel Crew for the Sunoco Oil Company racing team.

Additionally, 40 years ago, after prodding from Butch Leitl, former UW-Platteville football coach, Paul became an official Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Association (WIAA) basketball referee.

Presently, Miller referees for junior varsity, freshmen and elementary teams at two local schools in Waushara County.

As a graduate of UW-Platteville in Tech Ag Engineering, Paul is a strong supporter of the University of Wisconsin system and involved in many alumni activities. Like his giant carrots, Paul definitely stands out as a true achiever!

Top: Paul Miller Farms posts their production stats on a colorful sign near their farm.

Right: Piles of carrots wait to be transported to one of the farm’s processor clients.

Bottom: Another early photo of Michelle’s children with the giant carrots.

Page 13

Neighbors-January 2012

JAKE CARRIVEAU ‐ ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE Bull Welding, Waupaca

by Ruth Johnson, Editor

ORNAMENTAL IRON MASTERPIECES

Page 14

Neighbors‐January 2012

Like a phoenix, a work of art rises from the intense heat and incandescent sparks of Jake Carriveau’s arc welder.

Jake, owner of Bull Welding in Waupaca, started working on area farms while he was still in high school.

He learned to weld and not only enjoyed it but also discovered he was quite good at it and made it his life’s passion.

Celebrating his eighteenth year of welding, his work runs the gamut from farm projects to manufacturing piecework to ornamental iron welding encompassing handrails, fences, staircases, stainless steel pipe weldments, construction attachments, pipe supports, prototypes and more.

The day I interviewed him, he had 2600 parts he needed to complete for a manufacturer, by the end of the week.

“Piecework involving hundreds of parts,” explains Jake, “can be costly because if you misquote even a little thing like a deburring step, you multiply the time it takes by the quantity and soon, you made a thousand dollar mistake.”

(Continued on Page 16) Opposite Page: Jake uses ‘arc welding’ to essentially melt substances together at white-hot temperatures to form a bond. Top: An ornamental railing Jake designed and welded into a functional piece of art. Bottom: Jake is currently fabricating these decorative accent pieces for a kitchen cabinet topped by a granite countertop.

Page 15

Neighbors-January 2012

(Continued from Page 15)

BEST-KEPT SECRET Garnering the bulk of his work through word of mouth spread by satisfied customers, these same patrons who spring primarily from the farming and manufacturing sectors, would be surprised to learn that 30-40% of Jake’s work is now in ornamental iron.

“Designing ornamental works is more difficult than machinery projects,” states Jake, “but the weld is less complex since unlike machinery, they are not under constant stress, nor do they need to meet as stringent specs.”

The biggest hazard Jake and other welders face is flashburn - caused when the arc welder’s UV light surge hits the eye. “It feels like you have blisters on the back of your eyes for up to two days,” Jake reveals.

(Continued on Page 17) Top: Jake’s stairway rails, with their crisscross design and jutting angle, are subtly elegant and uniquely classy. Bottom: Jake waits for the spot he just welded, to cool. If you have ever seen an electrical short, you never forget the zapping sound, puff of smoke and burnt metal smell that usually follows. That is what a welder does, but in a controlled manner.

Page 16

Neighbors-January 2012

(Continued from Page 16)

BORN TO WELD While Jake did not receive any formal training, he studied what other people did and developed his natural aptitude for even, smooth welding on his own. If you can imagine it, Jake can pretty much create it!

“I put quality into everything I do and the reward I get is when I show a client their finished piece and they tell me how much they like it,” exclaims Jake. “I look at what I made from a simple piece of steel and I can’t wait until the next project.”

Top: Surprisingly, Jake says his spiral staircases, like the one above, are easier to create than curved ones because they involve precise measurements and are easier to keep within building codes. Left: One of Jake’s more fanciful stairway railing designs.

Page 17

Neighbors-January 2012

Gary Smith Stevens Point

$2,295 96 John Deere 4x2-Stock#26209 -Stock #205034

$6,995 10 John Deere HPX-Stock#26310

$3,350 07 John Deere CX-Stock#204968

$18,900 91 John Deere 2755-Stock#25772

Page 18

Tom Ferg Stevens Point

Lenny Carlton Stevens Point

$10,900 Caterpillar D4-Stock#26140

$4,350 09 John Deere CX-Stock#204652

$17,900 06 John Deere 3720-Stock#204157

$97,500 02 John Deere 9650STS-Stock#205161

$18,900 04 John Deere 946-Stock#205178

Keith Dernbach Stevens Point

12,900 Dresser 5108-Stock#26174

$4,500 John Deere 326-Stock #05150

$395 John Deere 726-Stock#204551

$13,900 00 John Deere 945-Stock#205006

$18,900 04 John Deere 946-Stock#205019

$7,850 John Deere XUV850D-Stock#25367

See our website for full USED EQUIPMENT inventory 2.9% ON QUALIFYING PRE-OWNED TRACTORS! www.faivre.com/used_equipment.php facebook.com/faivreimpl

$395 98 TRC-VAC 825-Stock#22471

Neighbors-January 2012

Chad Kurszewski Westfield

Brett Faivre Westfield

$8,495 05 Kubota RTV900G–Stock#25874

$31,500 90 John Deere 4555-Stock#204856

$2,250 Ford 8N-Stock#204220 24431

$15,500 05 John Deere 320–Stock#24894

$1,000 John Deere LX5-Stock#205068

$50,000 08 Case IH MX120-Stock#25620

$164,900 07 John Deere 8430-Stock#26297

Page 19

Carl Griepentrog Westfield

$94,900 04 New Holland TG285-Stock#204475

$7,995 05 John Deere 2210-Stock#205137

$42,900 96 John Deere 7400-Stock#26307

$29,900 07 John Deere 5325-Stock#26237

$33,900 07 John Deere 5425-Stock#22242

See our website for full USED EQUIPMENT inventory 2.9% ON QUALIFYING PRE-OWNED TRACTORS! www.faivre.com/used_equipment.php facebook.com/faivreimpl

$37,900 John Deere 726-Stock#204366

$124,900 2006 John Deere 8130-Stock#26250

$19,900 08 John Deere 4120-S tock#204959

$89,900 04 New Holland TG285-Stock#205032

Neighbors-January 2012

SPECIAL DELIVERY! 4-H POULTRY Jessica Magdanz, Pine River

by Ruth Johnson, Editor

Page 20

Neighbors-January 2012

Strong supporters of county fairs, FFA and 4-H groups and especially, county fairs’ 4-H market animal auctions, Faivre Implement purchases almost $10,000 worth of animals annually at the county fairs in the regions covered by their two dealership locations.

The Waupaca County Fair is a perfect example. At the 2011 auction, Jim Faivre won the bid on the roasting chickens shown by Jessica Magdanz, daughter of Daniel and Medora Magdanz, Pine River.

Faivre Implement also purchased the Reserve Champion Dairy Steer, owned by Morgan Eilers, daughter of Jen Erb (Waupaca High School Agriculture Instructor/FFA Advisor), at the Waupaca County Fair.

Jessica and her brother, Payton, have both participated in the Waupaca County Fair 4-H Market Animal Auction for three years, showing poultry and pigs in 2011.

Opposite Page: Jessica Magdanz and her father, Daniel Magdanz, delivered the 4-H poultry Jessica entered in the Waupaca County Fair Market Animal Auction. Above: Morgan Eilers with her Reserve Champion Dairy Steer at the Waupaca County Fair. Right: Like most people, Jessica loves to climb aboard John Deere tractors.

Page 21

Neighbors-January 2012

Inside

SERVICE HONORS 2011 JUSTIN CHAPPA (Shown above, this page)

Justin Chappa, Stevens Point Service Technician, completed his Master Service Tech degree from John Deere University.

MATT GIES (Shown right, this page)

Matt Gies, Westfield Service Technician, completed his Master Service Tech degree from John Deere University.

DUSTIN JENSEN (Shown top, opposite page)

Dustin Jensen, Westfield Service Technician, earned his Associate Degree in applied Science with the John Deere Ag Tech program at MATC. Dustin also took First Place as a team at the State PAS Agricultural Machinery Service Technician competition and Fourth Place at the PAS Nationals in a team and tied for Third Place in the individual competition.

(Continued on Page 23)

Page 22

Neighbors-January 2012

UNITED WAY PARTICIPATION Faivre Implement’s employee made substantial contributions to United Way for 2012, with Faivre Implement matching their contributions dollar for dollar. Some of the employees who are participating are pictured below (left to right): Brett Faivre, Jim Faivre, Lenny Carlton, Phil Springer, Charlotte Fredheim, Chris Brockman and Alan Mehne.

Page 23

Neighbors-January 2012

King of the Fields mastering your universe!

Page 24

Neighbors-January 2012

John Deere Combines Redefine Agriculture Setting the course for the future of farming!

Jeff Kizewski of Kizewski Farms, Stevens Point, discovered the versatility, exceptional performance and capacity of John Deere’s new combines, headers, and platforms for himself! “My new combine moves a heck of a lot more corn through it faster, yet with greater efficiency than any other combine I have ever operated,” states Jeff.

All the new combines have innovative features and incredible productivity for all crops and conditions.

As Jeff reminds us, “Nothing runs like a Deere!”

No matter what your agricultural needs, John Deere’s engineering ingenuity and easy to manage technology delivers first class product backed by top-line service and easy-order parts procedures.

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane Stevens Point, WI 54482 Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300  Fax: (715) 592-6116

WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court Westfield, WI 53964 Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191  Fax: (608) 296-3912

Thirty years sales and service since 1981. www.faivre.com  www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl  www.twitter.com/faivreimpl

Available through Faivre Implement, your local John Deere dealer in Stevens Point and Westfield and online at www.faivre.com.

Neighbor to neighbor, we mean business!

Page 25

Neighbors-January 2012

Day Trips

By Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla All photos in this article taken

by Heather Kizewski & Ann Marie Worzalla unless otherwise noted.

PAPER TO IRON Our Day Trip to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum took place on a cold, drizzly Saturday in early December.

I originally learned of the museum while chaperoning my daughters’ fourth grade class to the Capitol two years ago.

Although I enjoyed the visit with our enthusiastic fourth graders, I knew someday I wanted to return under less hectic circumstances.

The museum is adjacent to the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Artifacts consist of everything from flags carried in battle by Wisconsin’s Civil War regiments to equipment used by Wisconsin men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Welcome to Day Trips!

Inspired by an authentic passion for travel, each month we will share a unique adventure accomplished in one day; no overnight bags required.

We are sisters-in-law from Stevens Point and Amherst, whose families are involved in potato farming, so we are firmly entrenched in Central Wisconsin.

For more than six years, we have ventured forth in search of unique destinations – it is amazing how far you do not have to go to experience the moments we often seek in faraway lands.

We hope to spark your wheels into motion. You are only a day trip away!

Above: Sisters-in-law, Heather Kizewski (Left) & Ann Marie Worzalla (Right).

INITIAL ASSUMPTIONS With 2011 marking the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I assumed the museum’s focal points would entail mostly Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorabilia and facts and perhaps an elaborate timeline of WWII. What I did not realize is that 2011 also marks the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, which took precedence over Pearl Harbor in terms of exhibits.

(Continued on Page 27)

Other featured highlights include a snow-covered scene from The Battle of the Bulge during WWII, a jungle scene pertaining to the Vietnam War and paraphernalia from Operation Desert Storm.

Top Left: Wisconsin Veterans Museum’s From Paper to Iron exhibit has reams of documents and artifacts.

Below Right: This Battle of Antietam scene depicts the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.

Page 26

Neighbors-January 2012

Day Trips

(Continued from Page 26)

I felt somewhat disappointed. The Civil War was not something in which I ever had any great interest.

Truthfully, I yawned my way through it in school.

UPON ENTERING The first thing I noticed was the soft patriotic music playing throughout our visit. There was a calming softness to the air, making it easy to clear space in our minds to take in all we were about to learn.

Among the first to arrive, we appreciated the quiet time and space to thoroughly walk/read through the exhibits. By the time we left, the museum filled with people from all walks of life: young couples, college students, families with pre-teens, elderly persons, Boy Scout troops and more.

The exhibits are comprehensive and summarize major events and turning points.

The very first exhibit to catch my eye was called From Paper to Iron: Wisconsin Joins the Civil War, which continues through September 30, 2012.

WISCONSIN JOINS THE CIVIL WAR From Paper to Iron takes you through Wisconsin’s involvement in the Civil War from the beginning to end. I chose this as a highlight of the story because it significantly piqued my interest.

The exhibit explanation, shown above, reads “Wisconsin’s entry into the Civil War began with Governor Alexander Randall’s signature on a single piece of paper. Just four days after Confederates fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, Governor Randall signed a declaration of war that pledged Wisconsin’s undying support to protect and preserve the Union (known as the United States of America).”

(Continued on Page 28)

DISCOVERY After reading the introduction, my initial disappointment evaporated. I could not wait to read more.

Ann Marie soon flagged me down to read about the Battle of Antietam, a display that immediately intrigued her.

Little did I know it would become another quest – similar to other quests (like the Peshtigo Fire, for example) where I would not be able to stop reading or talking about it.

Top Left: The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is situated across from the State Capitol building and on the Badger Trolley bus line. Top Right: A photo of the display introducing the From Paper to Iron exhibit. Below: This diorama reflects the many wars in which Wisconsin patriots have defended their state and nation.

Page 27

Neighbors-January 2012

\

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM

Day Trips

Throughout the museum, various scenes of life-size figures and painted murals realistically portray events from the various wars in which Wisconsin veterans participated.

The scene portraying the Battle of Antietam was by far the most memorable. Ann Marie could hardly step away.

Not only was it interesting to read about, but it also played a major role in determining the entire outcome of the war.

SIGNIFICANCE The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. It took place at dawn on September 17, 1862 in Sharpsburg, Maryland near Antietam Creek.

(Continued from Page 27)

“His promise to defend the Union soon became manifest on the battlefield. Within eighteen months, the raw Wisconsin recruits that marched to war wearing an unlikely mixture of gray uniforms and hand-me-downs soon established themselves as one of the Unions’ most effective fighting forces.

Shaped by adversity and forged in battle, Wisconsin’s farmers, laborer’s, tradesmen, and merchants – entrusted with defeating Confederate forces became like iron. This exhibit tells their story; from paper to iron.”

With 23,000 casualties, it was the first major battle to occur on northern soil. While considered a draw from a military point of view, Abraham Lincoln and the Union claimed victory.

The Battle of Antietam led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation five days after the battle, changing the tone and focus of the war.

Once a fight to either save the Union, or, gain Southern independence, the outcome of the war would now affect the future of slavery as well.

MEMORABLE MEMORABILIA Early on, a tattered copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin written

by Harriet Beecher Stowe caught my eye.

Later, I noticed an old snare drum with pencil inscriptions, a liquor chest purchased in 1862, and a six-pound artillery shell – all of which had interesting stories.

Ann Marie took especially great interest in reading about Old Abe (The Civil War Mascot) and the Brotherhood of Freemasonry. We both agreed as to how fast the time went - several hours felt like minutes.

(Continued on Page 29) Top: Wisconsin soldiers, part of the Iron Brigade, became one of the most feared fighting forces in the Union Army. Bottom: The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is home to many temporary and permanent exhibitions honoring veterans throughout our nation’s wars. This diorama realistically and vividly portrays the Battle of the Bulge, which occurred in Europe during World War II.

Page 28

Neighbors-January 2012

Day Trips

(Continued from Page 28)

TUTTO PASTA TRATTORIA BAR AND CAFÉ In Italian, the word ‘trattoria’ means, ‘informal restaurant.’ This authentic informal Italian restaurant, located on State Street, just a few blocks from the Wisconsin Veteran’s Museum, is artfully triangular in terms of how the building is situated.

Cozily seated near a window with a drizzly view of State Street, we admired the vintage paintings and distressed black wood.

We found the menu outstanding and the prices reasonable. More than anything, I loved that Dean Martin music played in the background the entire time.

We each had the Insalata Caprese, a salad with fresh mozzarella, basil, and Roma tomatoes accompanied by warm fresh-baked focaccia with various dipping oils. Had there not been a chance of freezing rain, we would have stayed for one of their tantalizing desserts.

FINAL REFLECTIONS Since returning, Ann Marie and I have had phone conversations about the Civil War that sound as though we are discussing Hollywood’s latest gossip. Never would I have thought!

The museum itself is thought provoking.

However, the details pertaining to the Civil War allowed us to further grasp the magnitude of what we have…and how and why we have it.

As a result, we are entering the New Year with higher levels of gratitude, and feel genuinely inspired to take our own personal resolutions ‘from paper to iron’.

Top: Architecturally delightful, Tutto Pasta, a classic Italian Trattoria, is owned and operated by a Sicilian family spanning two generations. Bottom: Tutto Pasta’s décor is cosmopolitan yet very comfortable and quite inviting.

Page 29

Neighbors-January 2012

No Limits‌

throwing boundaries away!

Page 30

Neighbors-January 2012

Enter John Deere Gator XUV World!

Work and Play Hard!

Go just about anywhere; do just about anything with John Deere’s great, new XUVs – conquering the universe one yard, one block, one city at a time!

More than enough horsepower and 4x4 performances to get you where you need to go – whether you are taming the wild or feeling the wind in your hair.

Test-drive one today at Faivre Implement, like Joe Jakubek of Jakubek Farms, Custer, WI, shown below with Faivre’s Ethan Warzynski. Faivre Implement is your local John Deere dealer in Stevens Point and Westfield and online, www.faivre.com.

6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300

Page 31

N6701 Harris Court, Westfield Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191

THIRTY YEARS SALES AND SERVICE SINCE 1981

Neighbor to Neighbor, it’s Faivre! www.faivre.com  www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl

Neighbors-January 2012

Ag Management Solutions (AMS) Help Build Efficiency & Boost Profits!

Shown: Keith Dernbach, AMS Specialist (Left) & Jon Shulfer, AMS team member (Right).

Manage the rising costs of seed, fertilizer, chemicals and fuel with John Deere’s satellite guidance and field documentation systems on your vehicles. These Ag Management Systems (AMS) match accuracy and performance to your operational needs and build potential profit through precision crop production plans and inputs.

MEET KEITH DERNBACH: AMS SPECIALIST STEVENS POINT AND WESTFIELD Keith Dernbach, pictured at left above, graduated from Almond-Bancroft High School and received his Diesel Mechanics degree from MATC-Madison. Keith spent several years as a Service Technician, specializing in Electrical and Hydraulics, before becoming a full-time AMS Specialist. Keith completed numerous John Deere University courses and is a fully Certified John Deere AMS Specialist.

The maps below illustrate the Central Wisconsin areas covered by AMS towers.

Auto Farm Towers

John Deere Towers

STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300  Fax: (715) 592-6116

WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191  Fax: (608) 296-3912 Thirty Years Sales & Service Since 1981

www.faivre.com www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl www.twitter.com/faivreimpl

Page 32

Neighbors-January 2012

Ask Dr. Fixit OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CHRIS BROCKMAN Chris Brockman (pictured at left), truly bleeds green.

He started working on John Deere lawn equipment when he was very young, tagging along to work with his dad, Bob Brockman, a John Deere dealer in Wisconsin Rapids.

Chris, an Advanced Certified John Deere Technician, has over 25 years of experience and is a true expert on all lawn care equipment.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? Submit your questions to drfixit@faivre.com and Chris will address your questions personally, in Dr. Fixit’s Neighbors magazine column or on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl.

READER QUESTION #31 I have a 42” snow thrower attachment for my JD 325 garden tractor. Every winter, I end up breaking the snow thrower drive belt at least two or three times.

Is there a heavy-duty belt that I can install that might last longer?

DR. FIXIT ANSWER #31 I checked your file and it looks like you did not purchase the snow thrower from us, so we do not have a record of its serial number. There are several different drive belts used depending on the serial number of the thrower. One serial number range does offer a standard duty and a heavy-duty belt.

When you check with the parts department on the belt, make sure you have the serial number of your snow thrower. Nothing puts a bigger smile on a parts man’s face than when the customer comes prepared with model and serial number of the equipment for which they are obtaining parts. As far as breaking so many belts, do you know why they are breaking?

There is a good possibility that the belt tension and its alignment are incorrect. Check your operator’s manual for the belt adjustment procedure.

READER QUESTION #32 I have an old JD chain saw, model 55V. When I use the saw, it will run for about 10 minutes, and then the engine will die. If I let it sit for about an hour, it will start back up but then die after 10 minutes again. I am not getting much firewood cut this way. What do you think is wrong?

Page 33

DR. FIXIT ANSWER #32 Answer: It sounds to me like a bad ignition coil.

When the engine gets hot, the resistance inside the coil increases and the coil can’t produce spark. The bad news is that the coil is obsolete and not available through John Deere. Check with your local ECHO dealer.

ECHO produced that saw for JD. The coil may still be available through them. You might want to stop by to chat with our salespersons about a new STIHL saw.

READER QUESTION #33

I recently purchased a used 826 snow blower. I want to change the engine and auger gearbox oil to prepare the machine for winter. I didn’t get an operators manual with the blower and don’t know what type of oil to use.

DR. FIXIT ANSWER #33 I would recommend 5W-30 engine oil with an API rating of SM. As for the auger gearbox, the technical manual and the operator’s manual both say to use 5W-30 engine oil. Some customers use GL-5 80W-90 gear oil in the gearbox without any problems. This heavier oil is sometimes used to cut back on leakage past the shaft seals in the gearbox. I even know of customers that put corn head grease in the gearbox if the auger flights can’t be removed to replace the seals. I would look at the oil drained from the gearbox. If it is low in viscosity, it is probably 5W-30, if it is thicker; it is probably 80W90. Operator’s manuals are still available and can be ordered from our parts department.

Neighbors-January 2012

WE ARE SERIOUS about Our Parts Service!

Neighbor to neighbor, we mean business!

Special Order parts ordered by 3:00pm normally arrive the very next morning!

MEET DICK TAFT: PARTS MANAGER, WESTFIELD

MEET BOB ARTZ: PARTS MANAGER, STEVENS POINT

(Pictured at Left Above) Dick has over 30 years of experience! Dick is a lifelong resident of Westfield. In 1979, he went to work for Sandwater Equipment, the John Deere dealership in Westfield. Faivre Implement purchased the dealership in 2003 and Dick has continued in his role as Parts Manager. When not working at Faivre, Dick uses a chainsaw to create outstanding wood sculptures. One carving is displayed at Faivre, Stevens Point.

(Pictured at Left Below) Bob has over 35 years of experience! Shortly after graduating from Antigo High School, Bob began his career in the Parts Department of B&B Equipment, a Wisconsin Rapids John Deere dealer. When B&B Equipment closed in 1986, Bob came to work for Faivre Implement and he has served as Faivre’s Parts Manager ever since. When not at Faivre, Bob raises beef cattle on his farm near Wisconsin Rapids.

Find us on

www.faivre.com STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300  Fax: (715) 592-6116 WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191  Fax: (608) 296-3912 HOURS (both locations) Monday to Friday: 7:00am-5:00 pm Saturday: 8:00am-Noon, Closed Sundays Page 34

Neighbors-January 2012

HEADQUARTERS FOR STIHL POWER TOOLS Faivre Implement serves up the lean, mean, formidable strength and durability of STIHL’s cutting and trimming equipment.

Chain saws, trimmers, blowers, edgers, pole pruners, wet/dry vacuums, weed eaters, safety equipment, protective accessories and much more.

Step up to power, step up to STIHL! - Available at Faivre Implement – STEVENS POINT 6832 Johnnies Lane, Stevens Point, WI 54482 Toll-Free: (800) 622-2611 stevenspoint@faivre.com (715) 592-4300

WESTFIELD N6701 Harris Court, Westfield, WI 53964 Toll-Free: (800) 356-3337 westfield@faivre.com (608) 296-2191

Neighbor to Neighbor, it’s Faivre!

www.faivre.com  www.facebook.com/FaivreImpl

Page 35

Neighbors-January 2012

START ‘EM EARLY! Two-year old Jonah Beranek visits Faivre Implement several times a month with his grandfather, Dave Steltenpohl, who is also a John Deere Fan, because Jonah loves to sit on the equipment and dreams of the day when he can drive one of his own!

Page 36

Neighbors-January 2012