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Menomonie News Net
March 26, 2025, Issue 19
Here’s Issue 19 of Menomonie News Net. If your “stack” of issues is piling up, you can always go back and catch up HERE.
Today’s issue includes two local surveys (School District & Dunn County) that you can complete to share your input; speaking of sharing your input be sure to vote on April 1…if you haven’t already.
Editors: Layne Pitt & Becky Kneer; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz
Website: menomonienewsnet.org Submit News: [email protected]
In this Issue…
SDMA Strategic Plan Survey
By Joe Zydowsky
The School District of the Menomonie Area (SDMA) is requesting community involvement in the process of updating the district’s strategic plan for the next five years. Please click this link to access the SDMA Strategic Planning Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SDMA_Survey .
Assistance for taking this survey in multiple languages is available. To take this survey in English, please continue reading. If any assistance is needed with technology or translating the survey to a different language, please contact the district office.
Over the past five years, the SDMA Strategic Plan has driven positive changes in the school district. The school district is now updating the plan for the next five years and wants to hear from as many school families and community members as possible.
To gather input, 18 listening sessions were held in our community, and a survey has been launched to reach even more stakeholders. Feedback will be analyzed by the SDMA Strategic Planning Committee, which includes parents, school district employees, community members, and a school board member. The updated plan will be presented to the SDMA Board of Education in July 2025, with implementation starting in the 2025-26 school year.
To ensure a thorough and confidential process, the district has partnered with Excel Leadership, LLC to facilitate the listening sessions and the survey. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete, and responses will remain anonymous. Each adult in the household is encouraged to fill out their own survey, as individual perspectives are valuable. Please note that once the process for filling out the survey has started, progress might not be able to be saved for a later time. Please choose a time when the survey can be completed in one sitting.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and help shape the future of the SDMA Strategic Plan. Your input is important! Postcards with a QR Code to the survey link will be delivered to all box holders across the district next week, and the collection window for the SDMA Strategic Planning Survey will remain open until March 30, 2025.
Should school families or community members have any questions or concerns related to our schools, I invite you to contact your child’s school, or visit me at the Administrative Service Center on Pine Avenue. More information about the SDMA can be found on the school district website www.sdmaonline.com.
Joe Zydowsky is SDMA Administrator and can be reached at
[email protected] 715-232-1642
Menomonie Woman’s Club Hosts Art Contest
Each year the GFWC (General Federation of Woman’s Clubs) – Menomonie Woman’s Club hosts the Helen Mears Art Contest for 7th and 8th grade students in Dunn County.
The contest honors the legacy of Helen Mears, who was born in Oshkosh in 1872. At the age of 20, her clay sketch of a woman and a winged eagle, entitled “Genius of Wisconsin” was commissioned for the World’s Columbia Exposition of 1893.
The completed nine foot marble piece now stands in the Wisconsin State Capitol. She passed away in 1916 in New York City, and in 1927, the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs – Wisconsin honored Helen Mears’ memory by inaugurating the annual art competition for school children.
Students from Menomonie, Boyceville and Elk Mound Middle Schools as well as St. Paul’s Lutheran, Summit Academy and homeschool students will be participating in this year’s contest.
The artwork will be judged by local artists and the winners announced on Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.
The public is invited to attend the announcement of the winners as well as view the artwork, which will also be on display for the entire month of April at the Rassbach Heritage Museum in Menomonie.
Source: Media Release
Baseball Stories & Ballpark Songs
Thurs Mar 27 event free and open to all at the library meeting room
Menomonie Public Library - Thurs March 27 - 6-7 p.m. - FREE
Through the stories of nonfiction writer Ken Szymanski, listeners will journey through the major leagues and the minors, through the struggles and triumphs, from the cheap seats to right into the batter’s box. Szymanski’s storytelling is accessible, humorous, and heartfelt—emphasizing bonds between fathers and sons in addition to plenty of on-the-field action.
Musician/singer Derick Black will provide a live soundtrack to the program, performing renditions of ballpark classics on acoustic guitar. Both performers have been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life” and are seasoned live performers who know how to engage a crowd with their unique blend of stories and songs.”
Ken Szymanski, official Writer in Residence for Eau Claire, and musician Derick Black will entertain and delight people of ALL AGES. Using play-by-play action, humor, and heart, Ken’s stories of how sports can bring us together and Derick’s musical talent will transport us to the “Glory Days” of baseball season. Enjoy familiar tunes like The Star Spangled Banner, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Centerfield and more.
Source: Menomonie Public Library Facebook page
Free Program Discusses End of Life Care
Program discusses the basics of Palliative and Hospice Care and answers your questions about end of life care. Includes a free light brunch and discussion with experts in this field of healthcare. Free to attend but registration required; call the ADRC of Dunn County at 715-232-4006.
Wed Apr 2 - 10 a.m. - Noon - Rassbach Museum
Contact Carla Berscheit, Dementia Specialist 715-232-4006 [email protected]
Sponsors: ADRC of Dunn County, Rassbach Museum and CVLR
Menomonie Zero-Interest Home Repair Loans
By Joan Pougiales
The Menomonie Community Development Block Grant program (CBDG) awards 0% interest, deferred payment loans to low-and moderate-income homeowners every year to make needed repairs to their homes. In addition, it provides grants to remove and replace any leaded components in the home (windows, doors, lead dust, etc.)
Renee Swenson, Grant Coordinator at Cedar Corporation, which administers the CDBG program for the City of Menomonie, says that there are three separate programs within CDBG: a homebuyer program, a rental rehabilitation program, and an owner-occupied rehabilitation program. Of the three, it is the owner-occupied rehabilitation program which is by far the most popular and most used, according to Swenson.
The program serves quite a large area, extending into parts of Pierce County, Jackson County, and other far-flung areas. Swenson says she generally works with two to three homeowners at any time and receives about five applications a year from Menomonie residents, or 20 applications area-wide. She says she sends out more applications than she receives back though because, she says, the 24-page application can seem a bit “daunting.” Click here to view the application.
In the end, though, she says that most everyone who applies gets accepted. There could be a delay, however, if there is not enough money in the fund that year. The CDBG program is a revolving loan fund, meaning that the money that goes out, doesn’t come back into the fund until a homeowner pays off their loan.
The owner-occupied program covers only needed repairs, charges 0% interest and is a deferred payment loan until the property is sold or it is no longer the homeowner’s primary residence. These terms are very generous and attractive but, in exchange, homeowners need to commit fully to the loan process and recognize that required inspections may reveal additional work that needs to be done. In particular, if the CDBG inspector discovers lead in the house, it must be removed. The homeowner cannot opt out. Lead removal/replacement is expensive but, on the bright side, the entire cost of removal/replacement is borne by the CDBG lead grant program, not by the homeowner. Thus, the homeowner gets a major home improvement at no cost to them. On the other hand, depending on where the lead is in the house, the removal process can be very disruptive and may require the homeowner move out during the lead removal process. Some homeowners report that the experience was inconvenient but worth it while others simply describe it as a ”nightmare.”
Homeowners should also be aware of how much of their own time and effort they will need to put in, starting with the application process and continuing all the way through until final contractor payments are made.
It was for this reason that Terri, one homeowner who participated in the CDBG program, waited until she was not working to apply for the program. Even then, she said it was a lot more work than she expected, and it took much longer than she expected, partly because it was 2020 and COVID was keeping a lot of people home sick. In addition, Terri says that the CDBG program essentially requires that the homeowner become their “own general contractor,” meaning that it is the homeowner’s responsibility to coordinate the work being done by the contractors and make sure that the work gets done in a timely and professional fashion. How much time and effort a homeowner needs to put in will depend on the size of their project and, for Terri, the project was extensive.
Terri says she applied to the program around May 2020 and was notified of her eligibility three months later. When the inspection was done on her house, a few additional items were added to her project, including various electrical, plumbing and sewer fixes. Once all of the work for her project was approved by CDBG, Terri had the responsibility to collect estimates. CDBG provided her with bid forms, divided into separate sections for electrical work, plumbing work, carpentry, and HVAC. It also furnished her with a list of contractors, instructing her to get at least three estimates for each section of the bid form and to keep track of every contractor contacted, the date contacted, and their response. Terri said she started making calls to contractors in November 2020 and didn’t finish gathering the necessary estimates until the next January. By the end, she had two full pages of single-spaced documentation of every call made to every contractor and their response.
The actual work on her house didn’t start until about one year after she initially applied, and it took about another four to five months for the work to be completed. During that time, Terri said it was her responsibility to ensure the work got done and that it got done the way she wanted. There were a few crossed wires and some work that needed to be redone, and a few contractors that were just slow to come and do their job. One contractor never did finish the job as it was bid. She decided not to pursue it.
Nonetheless, she says it is a great program and recommends it to others. She said she especially appreciated how much assistance the grant coordinators provided and how available they were. However, she said she would not recommend doing the CDBG program during COVID. Would she do it again? She doesn’t hesitate. Yes, but only “for something small.”
Click here for more information about financial eligibility requirements for the CDBG programs.
Joan Pougiales is a Menomonie resident and very appreciative recipient of a lead removal/replacement grant from CDBG.
April 1 Election
Websites assist voters in upcoming election
Photo: Submitted
By MNN staff
Visit the website MyVoteWisconsin to find out what’s on your ballot, where is your polling place and early voting information for the upcoming April 1 election.
The League of Women Voters also host a website with ballot information, how to register to vote and much more at vote411.org
For general questions regarding the upcoming election contact the Dunn County Clerk’s Office: 715-232-1677 or [email protected]
Town of Otter Creek Polling
Photo: Wikipedia
By Renee Carrell
Editor’s Note: This article was written about the November 2024 election and provided a peek into the workings of one small town hall where rural Dunn County elections are held. On April 1 the process will begin again.
For the past year I have been attending and note-taking at the Town Board meetings at the Otter Creek Town Hall. Beverly Bernier, Town Treasurer and Election Inspector, invited me to work the polls November 5th as an Election Helper at the town hall.
The Otter Creek Town Hall is a former one room schoolhouse about 100 years old. It has no running water and no indoor restroom. The Township contracts a porta-potty service for elections and other events. The main room is heated, but when the heat comes on it revives all the insects hiding in the building - wasps, flies, and Asian beetles that harass the workers and voters.
The polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Beverly shows up at 6 a.m. to warm up the building and turn on the machines--a Dominion vote counter and a tablet that scans Identification cards and assists in registering new voters. There is no internet connection at the site, but there is a land line. She also brings jugs of water, an electric kettle, tea, hot chocolate, and candy for the kids that come with their parents. The Chief election inspector, Kelly Hayes and the second Election Inspector, Sharon Coates, arrive a little before 7 a.m. When I arrive at 7:30, there are already some people voting at the five ballot boxes and folks are waiting in line to be verified as legal registered voters.
The first chair does the scanning and voter eligibility, or registers new voters, which requires some computer skills. The second chair hands out and explains the ballots and makes sure they are signed by the first chair.
My duties are much simpler and require little training. I show people where to insert their ballots, remind them to wait for the machine to “ding” before walking away, and offer them the “I Voted” sticker.
All types of people voted - a young man wearing steel toe boots covered in mud, young farm wives in their barn clothes with a baby on the hip and a toddler hugging a leg, retired couples, frail elderly, 18-year-olds voting for their first time, construction workers, business owners, people with disabilities, even some entire families came to cast their ballot.
One of my duties was to stand at the end of the line at 8 p.m. Lucky for me the voting was over by 7:30 p.m. and I did not have to turn anyone away. We prepared for closing as we waited for last-minute voters, or persons returning with proof of residence that had to be turned away earlier (there were only a few).
The election inspectors counted the ballots (absentee and early included), write ins, and read the machine printout tapes, checked and then double checked the counting to make sure the machine and the number of physical ballots were in agreement, and then called the Dunn County Clerk to report the results. There were 323 votes total, out of 323 registered voters, 33 new registrations, and 422 eligible voters out of a population of 532. This means 33 registered voters did not vote.
We worked until 8:45 p.m. Some inspectors’ husbands came and helped with the packing and moving of paperwork and ballots, tearing down of voting boxes, returning the Dominion machine back to its dormant state, and general clean-up of the hall.
It was my privilege to work with these hardworking, dedicated women. They were always professional and conscious of the importance of their job-- ensuring that every person can vote and that every vote counts. It was a long hard day, but they were always cheerful, helpful, and kind, and we need them.
Poll workers not only supervise voting and registration, but also give clear instructions on navigating the ballot without influencing how the voter votes—this is especially true with referendums, which can have confusing language. Correctly filled ballots keep the flow going and guarantee correct data.
If you are interested in being a poll worker, here are a few facts. The job does pay, $9 per hour for helpers, and $11 for Chief Inspectors. Election inspectors must go through 6 hours of training before an election. Young poll workers are desirable as they are more computer savvy than most retired persons.
This election showed me how important the vote is and, it is equally important that we have dedicated poll workers who are willing to give their time to civic duty, so we can continue to have our voices heard.
Note: The Town of Otter Creek was one of five municipalities in Dunn County chosen for machine audit. The Town Treasurer/Election Inspector must count all the votes on the paper ballots and make sure that the machine has counted the votes correctly by the end of November.
Renee Carrell is a Town of Otter Creek resident and a new poll worker.
Dunn County Survey Seeks Input on Planning for Future
Complete survey by April 7 to help shape local decisions
Dunn County is updating the Comprehensive/Farmland Preservation Plan. This will shape local decisions on housing, economic development, transportation, agriculture (including farmland preservation), natural resources, land use and quality of life — a roadmap for the next 10-20 years.
Complete the survey:
or scan the QR code below
The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. One survey per person. All responses remain confidential.
Dunn County residents, businesses, workers. and frequent visitors are encouraged to participate. The feedback will help shape the next phase of planning and ensure that the final plan reflects what matters most to the community.
The plan will be used by county staff, Board of Supervisors, and community leaders to guide policy decisions and development approvals. It will help prioritize projects and allocate resources effectively.
For more information contact Tammy Traxler, Dunn County Zoning & Planning Administrator 715-231-6523 [email protected]
Wellness Fair at UW-Stout Free & Open to All
The Annual Wellness Fair is a collaborative program planned by the Campus Wellness Committee. The largest health fair in Dunn County, featuring more than 40 health and wellness vendors from our community. Admission is free for all students, faculty, staff, and community members!
Wed Apr 2 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
UW-Stout Sports & Fitness Center (MPR) - 220 13th Ave E
Limited metered parking is available in Lot 29 or on surrounding streets.
Source: Event Facebook page
Stepping Stones: 38 Years of Serving Dunn County
Photo by Vicky Sinz
MENOMONIE, WI – For 38 years, Stepping Stones has been a pillar of support for the Dunn County community, offering food, shelter, and essential services to those in need. What began as a small volunteer effort in 1986 has grown into a multi-faceted nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people find security.
Originally founded as Interfaith Volunteers, Stepping Stones was created by local churches seeking to assist elderly residents in need. This initiative became the Community Connections Program, which focuses on keeping people housed, supporting low-income seniors with food deliveries and companionship visits; and linking individuals to services that address urgent financial needs, such as rent and utility assistance.
Recognizing the growing issue of homelessness, community leaders expanded Stepping Stones' mission in 1994 by opening the first Stepping Stones Shelter. Offering transitional and emergency housing, case management, and referrals, the shelter quickly became a vital resource.
To meet rising demand, a second location was added in 2014, increasing the organization’s capacity to provide safe, stable housing. Since then, Stepping Stones has added a third shelter: The Cairn House.
In total, Stepping Stones can provide housing to 35 households, this includes 20 individuals at the Cairn House and families of 2 -5 in their shelter apartments. Guests in shelter have an average stay of 45 days and receive one-on-one case management, a warm bed, a private bathroom, and fresh meals. With the addition of the Cairn House, Stepping Stones provided 10,600 nights of shelter.
Two years after launching the shelter, Stepping Stones introduced its third program: the Food Pantry. Initially housed in the basement of the Broadway shelter, the pantry quickly outgrew its space due to increasing demand. In 2011, it moved to its current location at 1602 Stout Rd., Menomonie—a facility more than twice the size of its previous home—allowing Stepping Stones to better serve the community. Now, Stepping Stones is serving 1 in 9 households in Dunn County which is over 11% of the county's population.
If you are part of a business or organization and haven’t yet visited Stepping Stones, we invite you to learn more about the vital work being done. Reach out to Corrisa at [email protected] to schedule a visit and explore ways to get involved.
Looking Ahead: A Year of Challenges and Community Support
As Stepping Stones enters its 38th year, we had hoped for a year of stability. However, uncertainty looms as federal funding cuts threaten some of our critical programs. We have lost more than $100,000 in grant opportunities and fresh, local produce due to the elimination of the LFPA (Local Food Purchase Assistance) program, which funded our Farmers Feed Dunn County Program. With additional cuts on the horizon, we are relying on the community more than ever to help fill the gaps.
Now, more than ever, your support matters. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every contribution strengthens our ability to provide food, shelter, and assistance to those in need. Together, we can ensure that Stepping Stones remains a lifeline for Dunn County—no matter what challenges lie ahead.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit www.steppingstonesdc.org
Corrisa Villeneuve, Assistant Director at Stepping Stones, may be contacted at [email protected]
Public Meetings This Week
City of Menomonie
Mon Apr 7 City Council Meeting - 7 p.m. - Council Chambers
Click HERE for full calendar.
School District of Menomonie
Mon Apr 14 School Board Meeting - 3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Downsville Elementary
Click HERE for full calendar additional details
Dunn County
Wed Mar 26 Facilities - 5 p.m.
Thur Mar 27 The Neighbors - 9 a.m.
Committee on Administration - 3 p.m.
Health & Human Services - 6 p.m.
Tue April 1 Spring Election - 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting
Menomonie Collegians
College Basketball Season Comes to End for Local Athletes
Emma Mommsen saw action in all of Concordia-St. Paul's games this season. Photo: Katie Doane, Concordia-St. Paul
By Layne Pitt
Menomonie High School graduates Emma Mommsen, Mary Berg and Sammy Jacobson were able to experience the big dance associated with advancing to the NCAA tournament.
Mommsen, a 6-1 sophomore guard, saw action in all 32 of Concordia-St. Paul's games throughout the season as the eighth-ranked Golden Bears captured both the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) regular season championship and the tournament championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II tournament. But the Bears (29-3) dropped the first game of the regional tournament, 77-64, to Southwest State University.
On the season, Mommsen averaged 3.6 points per game, shooting 49-of-95 (.516), averaged 3.4 rebounds and finished with 21 total assists while averaging 13.6 minutes per game off the bench. Mommsen tallied career bests in scoring, dropping in 14 points against Bemidji State, Jan. 18, and grabbing rebounds, Jan. 24, at Minot State.
Berg, a 5-11, freshman guard for UW-Stout, was part of a historic team for the Blue Devils (23-8) as the team advanced to the first NCAA Final Four in school history. Berg saw action in all 31 games, one of only five team members to accomplish the feat. Berg averaged 20.1 minutes played. Berg averaged 4.7 points per game and drained 31 3-pointers, second on the team and 16th in the conference. Berg scored a season-high 14 points against UW-Stevens Point in January, a game she dropped in four 3-pointers, and six times this season scored in double figures.
Jacobson, a 5-11, guard/forward for UW-La Crosse, also participated in the NCAA tournament. The Eagles, who were 17-12 overall, advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they were edged by conference opponent, UW-Whitewater. Jacobson saw limited action over the course of the season, playing in four games.
Helen Chen, a 5-7 junior guard at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, saw action in nine games as the NCAA Division II Bulldogs finished at 10-18 overall. Liz Kyles completed her first season at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., where the 5-9 guard/forward saw action in seven games.
On the men's side, the 2024-25 basketball seasons for Noah Fedderson and Charlie Morning came to an end.
Fedderson, a 6-10, 250-pound sophomore forward for NCAA Division I North Dakota State University was in the starting line-up for all 32 games for the Bison, as the team finished at 21-11 overall and was fourth in the Summit League (10-6). Fedderson averaged 8.3 points per contest and pulled down 6.0 rebounds. Fedderson scored a career-high 21 points against Oral Roberts University, Jan. 9. Fedderson finished the season with two double-doubles, recording 16 points and 11 rebonds against South Dakota State University, Jan. 18, then three weeks later recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds against Oral Roberts on Feb. 6.
Morning, a 6-1, 175-pound freshman guard, saw action in 25 of Rochester Community and Technical College's (RCTC) 28 games in Rochester, Minn., starting nine games. The Yellowjackets finished at 17-11 overall and placed third in the South Division of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). Morning was fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 8.2 points per contest. From the free throw line, Morning was lights out, draining 39-of-41 opportunities, hitting at a 95.1 percent clip.
Layne Pitt is the retired UW-Stout Sports Information director and also worked more than a decade at the Dunn County News.
Menomonie Collegians is a regular feature of Menomonie News Net. The column is not limited to student-athletes, but may be a former MHS student in a play, forensics, music or any type of collegiate competition. If you know of a Menomonie Collegian, please email [email protected].
The column Menomonie Collegians by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
For a Detailed Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.
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