Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI)

May 31, 2006, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Lofty retreat opens at The Highground

The dedication of The Highground Treehouse on Memorial Day has been long anticipated.  But, on a hot, sweltering Monday afternoon, it seemed the timing couldn?t have been better.

The handicapped-accessible treehouse located down a trail and across a timber bridge in the relative coolness of the forest below The Highground Plaza was welcome relief for those who came for the occasion.

Guest speaker Beth Martin welcomed the visitors to the dedication and asked the obvious question: ?Why a treehouse on a veterans? memorial??

She provided the answer by pointing out a fact all too well known to soldiers in combat?that the safest position in a field of battle is the high ground.

That is what veteran?s who visit The Highground?s elevated plaza feel, Martin said.  ?That they are safe.  That this is their place,? she said.

Martin said that, as many people come to realize as they grow up, a treehouse can represent a safe place to any child.   ?No matter what our age is, we always have that child within us,? she said.  ?Just as The Highground is a safe place for the veterans, so is this treehouse for the child within them.?

The treehouse, built around a green ash tree estimated to be more than 70 years old, had been eight months in the making.  The weather-resistant timbers used in its construction were donated by Dr. John and Sandy Scaletta, of Neillsville.

Volunteers provided the labor.  Martin pointed some of them out from among the other visitors at the dedication ceremony.  ?They spent many, many hours putting this together,? she said as she stood against the backdrop of timbers that had been crafted into a sturdy, open-air treehouse overlooking the lower reaches of the veteran?s memorial park.  Those gathered around the treehouse entrance applauded in appreciation for the efforts of the volunteers.

They applauded once again as the sons of the Scalettas, Timmy and Charlie, made the opening of the treehouse official by cutting a garland ribbon across the entrance in two.

Earlier in the dedication program, retired Army Colonel Donald Harris delivered a Memorial Day address, one that he had also given earlier in the day at the Neillsville Cemetery.   In it, he paid proud homage to the American Flag and spoke of the need for a Constitutional amendment for its protection from burning and other forms of desecration by protesters claiming the freedom of expression. 

In the latest effort, the proposed amendment had passed the House of Representatives, Harris announced, and was now before the Senate.  One vote could make the difference, he said.

?We have never been so close to victory in having an amendment passed,? said Harris.

It?s important to know, ?that our flag is still there,? he said, paraphrasing a line from the American National Anthem to make his point.

?Remember,? Harris said in conclusion, ?freedom is not free.? 

That point was confirmed by Harris? granddaughter, Elizabeth Harris, Neillsville American Legion Post 73?s Reigning Poppy Princess, who next read a poem in tribute to those American soldiers who died for the cause of freedom.

?It?s the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech,? she said.  ?It?s the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press??  She continued reciting the poem commemorating the important role American soldiers have had in giving Americans the many basic freedoms they now take for granted.

The Neillsville Cub Scout Pack 43 also participated in the dedication, singing the Star Spangled Banner to begin the program and later paying tribute to veterans with a reading of a patriotic poem.

The following appeared in the Clark County Press April 26, 2006, in regard to the above.

Highground to dedicate tree house on Memorial Day, May 29

During a Memorial Day family picnic that includes a pig roast, The Highground will be dedicating the recently completed accessible tree house on the Tree House Trail.

Festivities will begin at 11 a.m.

The picnic will be served at noon followed with music by the Danish Peasants.

Games will begin at 1 p.m.

The pig and games are provided.  Please bring utensils, beverage, and dish to pass.  The day will be one for remembering those no longer here and celebrating their legacy to us.

The dedication of the Tree House will take place at 2 p.m.