News: Gilman - To Celebrate its Centennial (1914-2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schuelke, Wirth

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 7/16/2014

Gilman-To Celebrate its Centennial (1914-2014)

The city of Gilman is celebrating its centennial on Saturday, July 19, 2014, and the entire community is inviting area families to come join in on the festivities during the all-school gathering and community picnic.

Throughout the day, there will be many events to choose from, starting at 10:00 a.m. with open school tours. Whether you are alumni or just a visitor, come tour Gilman’s mostly new or remodeled facilities. FBLA members will be taking visitors through the halls and to the state of the art athletic facilities from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Also open to the public at 10:00 a.m. is the vintage fashion display, which will feature an array of pre-1970’s fashions from weddings, proms, confirmations, christenings, graduations, and everyday attire. The display will be open from 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. at the home of Bill and Sue Breneman at 400 Riverside Drive.

What city wide celebration would be complete without a parade? At 4:00 p.m., Gilman’s 100-year history will make its way down Gilman’s main street. A bevy of former Miss Gilman royalty is invited to grace Main Street. Event coordinators encourage all area businesses to come be a part of the parade by entering their own float.

At 4:30 p.m. the event coordinators will be honoring the volunteer fire department, ambulance crew, Lions Club, Lioness Club, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and American Legion before dedicating a plaque to the construction of the trademark swinging bridge. The Community Choir will also be on site to perform.

The Gilman Lion and Lioness Clubs are sponsoring a money raffle to commemorate the Centennial. The top prize will be $5,000 with a host of lesser amounts giving ticket holders a 1 in 20 chance of winning no less than $250. Only 400 tickets will be available. Contact Bob Schuelke at715-447-5705 or e-mail him at gilmanlions@hotmail.com for more information.

Ending the day on a high note, Gilman’s own Jim Wirth and his band, the HGT Variety Band, will entertain the crowds with music that spans the generations before the final fireworks display.