Obit: Uhlig, George E. (1903 –
1976)
Transcriber: Stan
Surnames: Uhlig, Jensen, McCormick, Krause, Koerner, Brown, Waling, Johnson,
Wagner
----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 28 Apr 1976
Uhlig, George E. (14 Mar 1903 – 21 Apr 1976)
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kraut-Maurina Funeral
Home, Abbotsford, for George E. Uhlig, 73, Abbotsford.
The Rev. Lillian Jensen of the Assembly of God Church, Abbotsford, officiated.
Burial followed in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Curtiss.
Pallbearers were Edward McCormick, John McCormick, Joe McCormick, Richard
Krause, Robert Uhlig and Delbert Uhlig.
He was born March 14, 1903 in the Town of Hull, Marathon County.
He married Ella Koerner on July 27, 1927 in Curtiss. She died October 21, 1974.
After their marriage he farmed near Curtiss until moving to Harvard, Illinois,
where he farmed. From Harvard He moved to Pittsville, where he farmed until his
retirement in 1969, when he moved to Abbotsford.
He was a member of Abbotsford Senior Citizen’s Club.
Survivors include a son, Norbert, Neenah; five daughters, Mrs. George (Carol)
Brown, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Lester (Evelyn) Waling, Grygla, Minnesota,
Mrs. Myrtle McCormick, Harvard, Illinois, Mrs. Harold (Delores) Johnson, Gays
Mills, and Mrs. Dale (Paulette) Wagner, Colby; 20 grandchildren; 7
great-grandchildren and three brothers, William Uhlig, Colby, Alvin Uhlig,
Abbotsford, and Emil Uhlig, Dorchester.
Bio: Amborn,
Loghan—Greenwood Teacher Wins (State Level Award - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Amborn
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/24/2024
Amborn, Loghan—Greenwood Teacher Wins (State Level Award - 2024)
Loghan Amborn, a Greenwood High School teacher, received the Outstanding Early
Career Teacher award from the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators.
Submitted photo
Loghan Amborn of Greenwood High School has received the Outstanding Early Career
Teacher award from the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE).
Amborn was presented this award at the WAAE Professional Development Conference
held at the Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center held June 23¬–27.
Loghan has been teaching for seven years, all at Greenwood High School.
Greenwood offers 11 agriculture classes. Enrollment in the transcript credit
horticulture course has increased by five times over the course of five years.
This past school year, Greenwood introduced the professional learning community
model to help staff collaborate and grow; Logan is an active part of the
steering committee for the initiative.
One hundred percent of students enrolled in the agriculture department have a
supervised agricultural experience project. In addition, the Greenwood
Agricultural Education program is in its seventh year of land plot project in
cooperation with FFA Alumni and Clark Electric Cooperative, partnering with
multiple local businesses to donate inputs and labor for the project. Over
$15,000 in scholarships have been awarded from profits, to FFA seniors. Members
help conduct activities on the land and present annually at stakeholder meetings
about the project’s progress to audiences of up to 100 people.
Bio: Barlow,
Frances “Fran” (Memorial Urn - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Barlow, Friemoth, Barth, Miller, Petkovsek, Gelhaus, Poeschel, Wegner,
Hemp, Ketter
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/24/2024
Barlow, Frances “Fran” (Memorial Urn - 2024)
A flower urn (above) honoring Frances “Fran” Barlow was dedicated to the
Neillsville Public Library June 25. Fran worked for the Neillsville Public
Library February 1997 to September 2016. She passed away in March 2024. Pictured
below (l-r) are Luke Friemoth (public works director), Regan Barth (parks
director), Barb Miller (beautification committee), Barb Petkovsek (common
council), Janice Miller, Maggie Gelhaus (library board), Dewey Poeschel
(Neillsville Mayor), Fran Barlow’s daughters, Kathy and Mary, Kathy Wegner
(children’s librarian), Linda Hemp (beautification committee).
June Thompson/Clark County Press
Bio: Venzke,
Garret (Dean’s List/Chancellor’s List - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Venzke
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/17/2024
Venzke, Garret (Dean’s List/Chancellor’s List - 2024)
The University of Wisconsin (UW)-Platteville announces its dean’s list, honoring
those fulltime students who earned high honors in the spring 2024 semester.
College of business, industry, life science and agriculture and the college of
liberal arts and education require grade-point averages (GPA) of 3.75 and above
for dean’s list honors, while the college of engineering, mathematics and
science requires students to reach at least a 3.50.
Students from Clark County on the dean’s list include Garret Venzke of
Dorchester, bachelor’s degree in science, mechanical engineering.
- - -
The UW-Platteville announced its chancellor’s list, honoring those with perfect
4.0 GPAs for the spring 2024 semester.
Students from Clark County who earned the 4.0 GPA include Garret Venzke of
Dorchester, bachelor’s degree in science, mechanical engineering.
News: Neillsville
- New Little Miss Neillsville Named (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Scott, Friemoth
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/17/2024
New Little Miss Neillsville for 2024-25 (2024)
The 2024-25 Little Miss Neillsville court, consisting of Nora, Lexi, and Emerson
were crowned July 11 at the Neillsville High School auditorium.
Edward DuBois/Clark County Press
The Little Miss Neillsville coronation was held in the Neillsville High School
auditorium July 11.
Larry Hoeser, the master of ceremonies, opened the ceremony and invited the
outgoing court to say their farewells.
The outgoing courts were Little Miss Neillsville Everly, 1st princess Livi and
2nd Princess Kami.
Both contestant groups and the current courts all did a dance number
choreographed by Uplifting Movement Factory, to the song, “Kaleidoscope” by
Great Big World.
After, Baylee was the first contestant. She had a pet fish named Zippy, a Beta.
She likes art in school, preferring painting. She wants to grow up to work in an
animal shelter. She likes to bike around the driveway in the summer. Her
favorite food is pickles.
Baylee wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville “to have fun.”
Chesni has a dog and a bunny, Benny and Strawberry. She also likes painting in
art. She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She likes to swim during
summer in the pool. She likes sausage pizza (not the spicy stuff).
Chesni wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville to try something new.
Zee has two dogs and two cats. She, too, likes art in school (drawing). She
wants to be a social services worker when she grows up. In the summer, she likes
swimming in the pond, and she likes cheese pizza.
Zee wanted to be Little Miss just because she wanted to.
Katie has six cats. She likes math in school, because “you learn new things.”
When she grows up, Katie wants to be a doctor. She likes to swim at Rock Dam.
Her favorite food is pineapples, liking the juice.
Katie wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville because she tried it last year.
Lily likes math, too, because she is good at it. She also wants to be a doctor.
She likes to play softball, first base, in the summer. Her favorite food is
chili.
Lily wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville because her sister did it.
Zoey has two dogs, 20 chickens and a fish for pets. In school, she likes art and
drawing. She draws anything. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up, like
her mom. She likes to swim in the summer. Her favorite food is cheeseburgers and
plain.
Zoey was in a parade once and liked it, so she wanted to be in more.
Nora has two dogs and lots and lots of chickens. She likes art in school, and
likes to draw. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, and likes to camp in
the summer. Her favorite food is pickles and mac n’ cheese.
Nora wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville to ride in the parade and throw candy.
Arietta has a cat, named June. She likes math in school (she likes adding and
subtracting). She wants to be a teacher when she grows up, and likes Chinese
food.
Arietta wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville also to go on the float.
Lexi had five cats and one dog, which all get along. She likes art in school,
and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She likes to have her birthday
in the summer, and likes mac n’ cheese homemade.
Lexi wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville because she’s never done it before and
“it sounded fun.”
Quinn has two dogs, two cats and a hedgehog. She likes handwriting in school.
She wants to be a vet when she grows up. She likes to go mudding and horseback
riding with her dad. She likes bananas.
Quinn wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville because she thought it would be a
good opportunity for her, as she is shy.
Kaelynn has two dogs. She likes science in school, because of the projects. She
wants to be a teacher, maybe a science one. In the summer, she likes going to
the beach. She likes walking tacos.
Kaelynn wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville to have fun.
Saylem has two dogs. She likes art in school, and likes to draw. She wants to be
a teacher of art when she grows up. She likes to run during the summer. She
likes spaghetti without meatballs.
Saylem wants to be Little Miss Neillsville to go on the float.
Emerson has three dogs, two cats, a few fish and some chickens. She likes art in
school, and likes drawing and painting.
She wants to be a teacher. In summer, she likes to swim. She likes pizza with
cheese.
Emerson wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville because her cousin does pageants.
Amelie has a cat and a dog. She likes science in school, because she likes
learning about human anatomy. When she grows up, she wants to be either a baker
or a paleontologist. In summer, she likes to hang out with friends. Her favorite
food is sushi.
Amelie wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville to inspire little girls.
Teresa has three cats. She likes art in school. She wants to work at Russell’s
of Neillsville when she grows up. She likes to ride her bike in the summer. She
likes spaghetti with no meatballs.
Teresa wanted to be Little Miss Neillsville to make new friends.
The outgoing 2023-24 Miss Neillsville court queen, Laela Scott handed each girl
a medal.
The 2023 Little Miss Neillsville court was bid farewell.
Everly, Livi and Kami each said thank you to people like Michelle Friemoth, the
current Miss Neillsville coordinator, as well as their parents and the outgoing
Miss Neillsville court.
Each Little Miss Neillsville said the Miss Neillsville court members were their
“best friends.”
The outgoing court drew the names of the new 2024-25 Little Miss Neillsville
court.
Arietta was drawn for the bike prize. The second princess is Nora. The first
princess is Lexi. The queen is Emerson.
The sash was put on by the outgoing princesses and each was handed a bouquet of
flowers, helped by Scott, and each received their crown.
Edward DuBois contributed to this article.
News: Clark Co. - UW-Oshkosh (Graduates- 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Modjewski, Moseid
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/17/2024
Clark Co.-UW-Oshkosh (Graduates - 2024)
The UW-Oshkosh celebrated the achievements of more than 1,300 students in two
ceremonies May 18 inside Kolf Sports Center. The 150th spring commencement
included the recognition of candidates for doctoral, master’s degree, bachelor’s
degree and associate degree students.
Jessica Modjewski of Granton, Master of Science in nursing, nursing educator and
Ellie Moseid if Neillsville, bachelor of science in education, physical
education were among those celebrated.
News: Clark Co.-UW Platteville (Honor Roll - 2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Rakovec, Horn
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/17/2024
Clark Co.-UW-Platteville (Honor List - 2024)
The UW-Oshkosh officials have released the names of students who qualified for
the dean’s list and honor roll in spring 2024 across its three campuses (Fond du
Lac, Fox Cities and Oshkosh).
The term GPA requirement for university honor roll is 3.3; the term GPA
requirement for dean’s list is 3.75 out of a possible 4.0.
To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There
can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades
at the time the process is run.
Kyra Rakovec of Neillsville and Brianna Horn of Thorp both earned placed on the
honor roll list.
News: Neillsville - Miss Neillsville Court Crowned for 2024-25 (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Mathis, Lawrence, Schmitz, Moen, Dux, Kapfer, Hoeser, Murphy, Scott,
Walter, Koprek, Evans, Stanley, Armani
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/24/2024
Miss Neillsville Court Crowned for 2024-25 (2024)
The Miss Neillsville Court for 2024-25 crowned July 11 at the Neillsville High
School auditorium was (l-r)1st Princess, Kaylee Lawrence; Miss Neillsville
Queen, Karcyn Schmitz; 3rd Princess, Addison Moen; 2nd Princess, Rachel Dux.
Edward DuBois/Clark County Press
‘I know we have some huge shoes to fill.’
By Edward DuBois
After the conclusion of the Little Miss Neillsville coronation in the
Neillsville High School auditorium, and a musical interlude by Abigail Mathis
(including her original works “Smile on his Face” and “Caved”), the stage was
reorganized for the Miss Neillsville coronation.
The stage was full of diamond iconography for the program’s 60th anniversary:
its Diamond Jubilee.
In attendance was Judy Kapfer (her maiden name being Gault), the oldest Miss
Neillsville queen in attendance, who was the queen in 1967.
The master of ceremonies, Larry Hoeser, opened the ceremony with announcing the
Little Miss Neillsville court for 2024-25. He also announced Heather Murphy’s
birthday. Murphy had been both a prior Miss Neillsville queen and a coordinator.
Hoeser introduced the outgoing court: Layla Scott, Ellie Walter, Olivia Koprek
and Kennedi Evans. The alumni in the crowd were also recognized.
The incoming contestants were announced, next: Addison Moen, sponsored by
Sniteman Pharmacy; Rachel Dux, sponsored by Gross Motors; Karcyn Schmitz,
sponsored by Schmitz Farms, LLC; and Kaylee Lawrence, sponsored by Russell’s of
Neillsville.
The judges all shared messaged in their introductions Hoeser read out wishing
the contestants luck.
Miss Wisconsin for America Strong 2024, Holly Stanley, also spoke at the event.
“I will tell you that I got my start in pageantry,” Stanley said, “just like
you, on a high school stage down in Clarksville, TN and, growing up, I always
admired the women that were out there in the community being excellent role
models, doing great things, giving back and serving with their hearts.
“I will tell you, don’t ever give up on that dream and always strive to do more.
You really can. Like I said, I started my journey in pageantry 20 years ago and
that little girl inside me that always wanted to be a state queen, that dream
never died.
“Flash forward 20 years, and this is to all the women out in the audience, no
matter what your age is, you really can still strive to do great things and make
an impact in your communities. That’s why I compete in pageantry.
“I want to leave you with words of encouragement and that is: keep trying. Dream
big. You really can do all of the things.
“A quote that I want to share is from Giorgio Armani and it’s, ‘Elegance is not
about being noticed. It’s about being remembered.’ And what that means is it’s
not about what you look like on the outside, it’s about what’s on the inside,
what’s in your heart, and it’s your character and your soul and your spirit that
really resonates with people.
“Remember that; continue to do great things and to those of you out in the
audience, I just want you to continue to support these lovely young ladies here
on stage. It takes a lot of courage and commitment to come up here and stand in
front of you and present their best self, so support them. They’re doing great
things. They’re wanting to make a difference in their communities and continue
to give them all the love and support that you can. It really does mean a lot.
So I wish you the best. Good luck to each of you.”
Moen spoke first.
“I will be a senior in the fall,” Moen said, “and to get to know a little more
about me: I generally spend my time working, doing sports, furthering my
education, or just talking to anyone. I have been working at Sniteman Pharmacy
for two wonderful years.
“Alongside this, I’ve also had the pleasure of gaining the title of ‘Miss
Addison’ from my students in figure skating and swimming. I’m also heavily
involved with my school by participating in student council, class officers,
prom committee, FFA, Spanish club, connections club, chess club and our Tutoring
And Little Buddy Program.
“Within these clubs, I have achieved class president my freshman and sophomore
year, and treasurer my junior year. I was inducted into our Spanish and National
Honor Society, and I have achieved two degrees in FFA, and my milk quality team
has gone to state for the past three years and we’ll be back next year.
“Lastly, I was recently elected president in our newly revamped connections
club. I have also done track and field since the sixth grade, and I have
achieved a varsity standing in both track and figure skating since my freshman
year.
“And when I’m not doing any of that or hanging out with my friends, I will
probably figure skating. I have been a part of my skating club for eight years
and I have enjoyed individual competition, synchronized skating,
production-on-ice and skating in our yearly shows.
“Beyond that, I enjoy knitting, baking, walking, or just being outside. Lastly,
if you thought that was a long list, I have another one prepared as to why I
would like to be Miss Neillsville.
“If you ask my older sister Emma that served on a Miss Neillsville court two
years ago, she will say I just like to copy everything she does, but I do have
my own reasons. The main reason being is that I’m very passionate about learning
in my education, and I’ve already made great strides to be a good leader and the
best version of myself.
“To further that, I know people who run our local clubs, including this one, are
the people to look up to and learn from. I have already seen a huge amount of
selflessness and patience that it took to bring this whole thing together. With
the guidance of this court and their leaders, I know I can help promote those
qualities.
“I believe my own quest in being a good role model has already advanced a lot,
because I try to execute those good values and traits every day: traits like
being hard working, selflessness and having integrity, and just trying to be the
best role model that I can be.
“And I’m not claiming to be perfect at having all of these traits, but I do try,
and I try to encourage the people around me to have them as well. Hopefully,
Miss Neillsville is my opportunity to exhibit these qualities and promote them
for others.
“One bonus about living in a small town is that I’ve had the privilege of
getting to know all these girls for most of my life, so I know that together we
can make a difference while having fun, and I know that, as a group, we all have
amazing qualities that can fit together to make an amazing court. [Lawrence] is
an amazing athlete and is super smart, although I will say I beat her in bowling
last night. It was only by one point, but a win is a win. [Schmitz] is also
really smart and look at that smile. That’s my neighbor. [Dux] can think her way
or laugh her way out of any situation. And she’s incredibly capable of doing
anything she sets her mind to.”
Moen thanked her family, friends, her coworkers, Miss Neillsville coordinator
Michelle Friemoth and co-coordinator Krista Brueggen, and the judges. She also
thanks her fellow contestants and members of the Miss Neillsville 2023-24 court.
Next up was Dux.
“I’m 16 years old and I’m entering my junior year of high school right here in
Neillsville,” Dux said. “I’m incredibly honored to be able to stand here in
front of you all representing Miss Neillsville.
“While in high school, I have been able to receive high-achieving grades, which
has allowed me to become a member of the National Honor Society as well as being
accepted into a healthcare program. I have been able to be accepted with these
programs because my dedication to broadening my opportunities and skills. I also
participate on the high school volleyball team, as well as the varsity track and
field team. I have, and continue to, engage in these activities to broaden my
knowledge, build friendships and learn lessons that will take me throughout my
life.
“When I’m not busy with these other activities, I volunteer my time to helping
youth sports. I do this because I want these kids to have the same experience as
I did when growing up in this town. I’m hoping that being a part of Miss
Neillsville will give me the opportunity to expand my community involvement and
give back to them. To me, Neillsville isn’t just a place on a map, it’s a place
full of experiences, lessons and friendships that has helped me mold myself into
the person I am today.
“Miss Neillsville will give you unique opportunity to get back and represent my
community. It will also allow me to showcase my pride and highlight the town’s
cultures, values and traditions. Miss Neillsville will also contribute to my
personal development. It will build opportunities for me to have, and it will
strengthen my public speaking skills and build my character. I will also have
more opportunities to showcase my leadership.
“Being a part of Miss Neillsville will put me as a role model for others,
especially young girls. It will allow me to demonstrate the importance of
community involvement, kindness and determination, which can inspire others to
do so as well. I will also have the opportunity to participate in local events,
festivals and other activities so I can help keep the town’s traditions alive
and well-recognized.
“Finally, I will have the ability to make a positive difference on our
community. To me, running for Miss Neillsville is about embracing the
opportunities to serve lead and inspire within our community, while also growing
personally.”
Dux gave many of the same thanks Moen did.
“Now I know we have some big shoes to fill,” Dux said.
Third to speak was Schmitz.
“I think many young women have a hard time talking about themselves,” Schmitz
said, “which is exactly what we’ve been asked to do tonight. I’ve reached out to
a few people who have had a positive impact on my life and asked them for one
word to describe me: kindhearted, ambitious, resilient and goofy are a few words
that they used to describe me.
“And I hope you can see these sprinkled through what I tell you about myself.
“I’m involved in many clubs like BLAST FOR Club, National Honor Society, and I’m
the vice president of the Neillsville FFA chapter. BLAST is a student group that
helps prevent people or things like bullying and drug or alcohol use. As a
member of connections club, I work with the other members to help make sure that
the students in the district have what they need. In previous, years we have put
toiletry baskets in the school bathrooms and had food drives […].
“National Honor Society kind of speaks for itself. You have to have high
academic achievements and you have to complete four hours of community service
[…].
“Many people think that FFA is just for farmers, and while farming runs through
my family, it is not an organization just for farmers. As the vice president,
[Carla Byrne], my advisor, expects me to help run monthly meetings and plan
activities within the chapter and promote to the club to the other students to
get them to join.
“I love to play softball and volleyball. My favorite positions in softball are
first base, third base and pitching. In volleyball, I like to […] play in the
back row. I can play in downhill skiing with my brother being my partner through
Special Olympics.”
Schmitz explained her brother skies the course first, then she follows him.
Their times get combined together and the pair hopes for the best time.
“My favorite part of being a part of this team,” Schmitz said, “is that
everybody is making each other laugh and everybody feels included. A few years
ago, the famous Daina Schilts taught me how to snowboard and, in just a few
weeks she had me cruising down the hill.
“Throughout the year, you can find me lifeguarding at the school pool or
teaching some lessons for students ages five [years old] to 13. I’ve been
involved in Girl Scouts since I was in kindergarten, and I’ve sold more Girl
Scout cookies than you can even imagine. And I’ve completed my bronze and silver
award, and next summer I’m looking forward to a trip to Europe.
“In the summer, I like to camp at Lake Arbutus, and while I’m camping, I like to
tube and go water skiing behind the boat. And while I’m not doing all the other
things I just mentioned, I like to have fun outside bye going for side-by-side
rides, going hiking and just sitting by the river in my backyard.
“I’m going into my junior year, which brings many new excitements and
opportunities and also very many challenges, like including college classes into
my schedule. I’m thinking about going into the healthcare field and I’ve thought
about radiology and ultrasound.
“There’s a word that my parents often remind me of, and that word is ‘humble.’
After a frustrating day at school or a hard experience with my peers, I often
relate back to that word, as I remember that I have the tools and resources to
be successful, whereas the source of my frustration may not have those tools and
resources.
“That’s why I’m running for Miss Neillsville: to be a positive role model to
younger girls in our community and show them that they can be whoever they want
to be with hard work and dedication. Hopefully you can see the words use by
others to describe me: kindhearted, resilient, ambitious and goofy sprinkled
throughout my daily activities.”
Lawrence was the final contestant to speak.
“I’m soon to be a senior at Neillsville High School,” Lawrence said. “You may
know me from many of our local sports teams. I’m a varsity athlete in
volleyball, basketball, as well as track and field. I, so far, have earned a
total of five Cloverbelt All-Conference awards, and I hope to earn a few more in
my last year playing.
“I’ve been playing all three of these since elementary school, so they truly
have played a very important role in my life. Not only do I enjoy winning and
getting active, but there are so many rewarding things that also come from them.
Playing sports will teach you a variety of skills like teamwork, commitment,
communication, discipline and so many more. You also create so many bonds and
friendships with teammates over the years that will truly last a lifetime.
“I would not be where I am today if I had not joined sports when I was so young,
so I like to spend a lot of my time volunteering for many of the youth sports in
my community. And, thanks to our recreation department, I’ve been able to earn
over 60 hours of community service these past two years.
“Some of the things I usually do are [referee] or keep score for youth
volleyball and basketball. And then I also help coach for youth soccer and
track. It truly is so rewarding to give back and provide the same opportunities
that I was once given and to act as a role model for the young athletes in our
community.
“Something that is also very important to me is academics and doing well school.
I am a two-year academic letter recipient. I’m also part of National Honor
Society as well as Spanish Honor Society. And then I’ve also been on the
straight-A honor roll for the past three years.
“After high school, I plan to attend a nursing school. Working towards the
school, I’ve earned my certified nursing assistant certification to assist
nurses with patient care, and then I will also be taking many college classes
this next year to hopefully have me on track to graduate college in three years
or less.
“I’ve always strived towards helping others and giving back, so nursing truly is
the perfect fit for me.”
Lawrence said he would also like to work in a program that works with children,
as it brings so much joy to her life.
“One of the biggest were miles in my life, my mom, is also a nurse and following
her footsteps, I hope to one day be as kind and thoughtful of a nurse as she is.
She was also once Miss Neillsville second runner-up, so after listening to her
experiences, deciding to run for Miss Neillsville was a no-brainer. Being a part
of Miss Neillsville would allow me to give back to our community in so many
different ways and be able to learn and experience so many new things that I
believe would improve my character as a whole and be so beneficial in the long
run.
“I would also love to act as a positive role model to our ‘littles’ and all the
youth in our community. I’ve lived in Neillsville for my whole life, and it
would truly be an honor to represent our community and its greatness.”
Hoeser called on each girl to give their sponsor commercial, followed by picking
her pop question at random from an envelope, except for Lawrence, who took the
last envelope.
Moen’s question was “If you were on the Heritage Days Committee, what event
would you add to heritage days?”
“I would give us a lot of bouncy castles, ones for kids and ones for adults,
because it’s all about having fun,” Moen said. “So we gotta have fun, kids and
adults, too.”
Dux was asked after her commercial, “What do you hope to accomplish on your time
on the Miss Neillsville court?”
“I hope to grow extremely great bond with everybody here,” Dux said, “because I
know all three of them are the most perfect person ever, even if they don’t want
to admit it. And sitting in the audience watching the Littles get crowned. I was
so happy, and I completely forgot about all of tonight, so I’m just extremely
excited to get a good bond with everybody up here.”
Schmitz was asked, “If you were to win the title of Miss Neillsville, what would
you do differently to get more contestants to participate in the program next
year?”
“I would really show them how much fun this is,” Schmitz said, “and all the
skills you can learn from it, and really showcase the bonds that you build with
the girls that you are on the court with.”
The last question, for Lawrence, was “The Miss Neillsville program is 60 years
old this year. In another 60 years, what would you expect in Miss Neillsville
program to look like?”
“That is a very good question,” Lawrence said. “With considering how well
[Friemoth] has run this program, I know she will pass it along to someone very
great, and I know that they would probably make it 10 times even more
extravagant than we have here today.”
Scholarships were handed out next, handed out by Michelle Friemoth and Joe
Neville. An additional $500 went to the queen’s scholarship. The judges stepped
out for a moment to decide who would be the next Miss Neillsville. Neville
talked about Heritage Days turning 30 years old.
Friemoth reads some words from Sandy Siebert, the first Miss Neillsville queen
ever crowned.
The next award was the Rhinestone Award, awarded to Kennedi Evans. The second
Annual Person of inspiration was awarded to Hoeser, who had not been informed he
was receiving an award.
The departing court gave their words of farewell to the crowd and to the
oncoming court, during which the judges returned from deliberating.
The Miss Neillsville 2024-25 court were: Miss Neillsville queen, Karcyn Schmitz;
1st Princess, Kaylee Lawrence; 2nd Princess, Rachel Dux; and 3rd Princess,
Addison Moen. Rachel Dux was also voted Miss Congeniality.
News: Neillsville - Celebrated Heritage Days (2024)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hathcock, Hartwig, Sweeney, Englebretson
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/24/2024
Neillsville Celebrated During Heritage Days (2024)
By June Thompson
The history of Neillsville was celebrated during Heritage Days. The festival was
held in Schuster Park and other locations July 11-14. For 30 years, the festival
has drawn locals and visitors to enjoy music, activities, food, and the parade.
Every year there is something new to interest festival goers.
This year, Jamie Hathcock attended Heritage Days as a tall fairy. She was part
of Mischief & Magic from Green Bay, a crew of artists providing entertainment
for events. Hathcock was entertaining folks as a tall fairy walking on stilts.
Her fairy outfit with wings was an eye-catcher. This was Hathcock’s first year
at Heritage Days. “It’s great so far,” she said, “and I’m having fun.”
Kyle Hartwig accompanied Hathcock as she walked around, meeting people who
looked up at her. “I’m her handler,” he
said, “I make sure she doesn’t fall face first.”
Heritage Days always has activities for kids. This year, there was a petting zoo
not just for kids, but for everyone.
Chris Sweeney, from Outlaw Farm LLC in Fall Creek, helped with the petting zoo.
She held python snakes for festival goers to pet and urged curious children to
hold them. “I was never afraid of snakes,” she said.
Sweeney has seen plenty of people who are hesitant of snakes. “Then they want to
touch them, and they get over their fear of them,” she said. “The Ball pythons
are Rocky (29 years old) and Stoney (26 years old). They met a lot of kids.”
Snakes weren’t the only animals at Heritage Days. Sweeney has handled a
tarantula, cock roaches, and alligator. “They all get loving,’” she said. Some
other animals to pet were a tortoise, llama, donkey, and goats.
At Heritage Days, history is the theme. And for many years, a display of the
Mormon Loggers of Clark County has been accessible to people interested in local
history and genealogy.
According to Mormon Kathleen Englebretson, the Mormons were driven from New York
and came to central Wisconsin.
“They wanted to harvest the white pine trees that were 200-400 years old and
120-200 feet tall to build their temple. The logs were shipped down the Black
River to the Mississippi River. The Mormons built most of the original buildings
in Neillsville,” she said. “Then O’Neill came and founded the town.”
With so much timber in Neillsville/Clark County, there were plenty of men who
were loggers. Some of them sent the logs down the creeks and Black River.
“Cunningham Creek was named after the only Mormon logger who drowned in the
creek,” said Englebretson.
“My husband, Tim Englebretson, has had 10 generations of his family living in
Clark County,” Kathleen Englebretson said. She encouraged people interested in
genealogy to research their history.
People who like local history are encouraged to visit the 1897 Clark County Jail
Museum. They can tour the landmark the second and fourth Sundays of the month 1
– 4 p.m. The History Room in downtown Neillsville is open Tuesdays and Thursdays
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
