Clark County Press, Neillsville, Clark Co., WI

April 28, 2010, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

The Highground work week held

Hundreds of volunteers entered the 146 acres at The Highground this past week, Wednesday, April 21, through Saturday, April 24, getting the area ready for the upcoming busy season. 

Hundreds of volunteers from around the state, and even nearby states joined together April 21 – 24 to get The Highground ready for the season. The annual work week is organized by event coordinator Joyce Witt of Neillsville and volunteer general manager Kirk Rodman. About 260 talented people were expected for the four-day event.  Local restaurants and businesses provided lunch, along with area volunteers who donated snacks.  Above, Jim Fox (left) of Elk Mound and Rick Hurtado of Waterloo, IA, do some general “handyman” work on the lighting.

Weather cooperated for most of the time; volunteers worked on trails and outside at the plaza and the new Learning Center.  Landscaping and tree removal was a major task at The Learning Center.  Trees were removed to provide space for parking. Work was also completed on the driveway and entry area to the library.

Lots of “Shovel-ready jobs available Cleanup at The Highground last week included many shovel-ready jobs with edging to be done around the walkways.  Larry Dessner of Columbus Junction, IA, and Bill Connelly of Augusta were up to the task.

The plaza received stone painting and wall staining, cleaning, grass edging and electrical work. Tributes were washed and shelters stained. Trails had bridges replaced and cleaned up with many volunteers bringing equipment.

The Gold Star Tribute had major renovation with the fabric under the stones and damaged bushes being replaced.  It was a painstaking task but well worth the new view.

Gold Star area cleanup underway! Spring cleanup at The Highground finds these workers sprucing up the Gold Star area. The four-day event featured volunteers from a wide area.

No Sleeping on this job! Don’t be fooled by the cushy mat, as there is no sleeping on this job. Chris Wetzel of Rice Lake (left) and Mary Dick of Neillsville volunteered for the back-breaking job of touching up names on the Legacy Stones during clean up at The Highground.  (All photos were taken by Linda Cottrell-Sanders/Clark County Press.

Area businesses provided daily lunches for The Highground volunteers: Hardees, Pizza Hut, Subway, Cenex Heartland, Olympic, Fannies, Neillsville IGA, Donna’s Cozy Kitchen, Apple Valley, Kwik Trip of Neillsville and Greenwood, Mary’s Mobil, Neillsville BP, Marty’s Foodliner, Holiday Station, Frito Lay and the Neillsville Country Club participated.  Janice Ottman made chili; ladies brought bars and cookies to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.

Lots of work was completed; everyone had camaraderie.  Volunteers and contributors are the heart of The Highground, a place for all.

Peg Connelly of Augusta joins those cleaning up the main part of the grounds.  Connelly also took her turn serving as a greeter later in the day, a job directing helpers and visitors to various sites.