Issue 25 of Menomonie News Net. Catch up on back issues HERE. Please donate as able HERE. Join subscribers HERE - currently at 937.

Spring has really sprung! Thanks for reading…

Editors: Layne Pitt & Becky Kneer; MNN Contributors; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz

Website: menomonienewsnet.org Submit News: [email protected]

In this Issue…

• MHS Jazz Ensemble Presents Spring Swing

• Mental Health Matters

• 7th Annual City-Wide Thrift Sales

• Panel Discussion on Immigration

• MHS Grads: Where are They Now?

• Leadership Menomonie Launches Volunteer Interest Survey

• Safe & Sound: Understanding Rental Inspections

• UW-Stout Spring Commencement Saturday May 10

• MHS Extracurricular News

• Affordable Housing Topic of Community Conversations

• School Crossings: Support Schools in the State Budget

• Public Meetings: May 7-14

• Looking Back - May Archives

• The Boys of Summer - Menomonie Eagles

MHS Jazz Ensemble Presents Spring Swing

Join the MHS Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, May 10 for an evening of live music, dancing, and sweet treats. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with swing dance lessons at 6pm, and the dance starting at 7pm in the MHS Commons.

This year’s theme is “Spring into the '50s and '60s” — wear your retro outfit for a chance to win a prize!

Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults, available at the door.

Source: Facebook Event

Mental Health Matters

Green bows a reminder for MAY Mental Health Month

By MNN Staff

Have you noticed the green bows and garlands decorating downtown Menomonie along the lakefront? If you’ve wondered what they’re all about, here’s the story.

They’ve been placed there in recognition of May as Mental Health Month by the Dunn County Zero Suicides Team—a collaborative effort made up of staff from Dunn County Human Services, the Dunn County Health Department, and House Calls of Dunn County.

The Zero Suicides Team was formed in 2019 after several local health professionals completed “zero suicides” training through Mental Health America of Wisconsin. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to make suicide a “never event” by encouraging open conversations about despair, suicide, hope, and the path to thriving.

“We like to do something to highlight May as Mental Health Month, said Deb Benoit, team member from the Health Department. “We have previously done this within the Dunn County Government Center building, but this year, we wanted to get out into the community more. That’s where the idea for the green ribbons came in.”

The display poster (seen above) includes local resources where help is available: Northwest Connections 1-888-552-6642; Dunn County Resource Guide dunn.myresourceguide.org and 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis (24/7 call or text)Lifeline.

In addition to the lakefront display, small green lapel ribbons are also available at select downtown businesses, as well as at Dunn County Human Services and the Dunn County Health Department. The team encourages everyone to pick one up and wear it to show their support for mental health awareness.

For more information contact Deb Benoit (Health Department) at [email protected]

7th Annual City-Wide Thrift Sales

The 7th Annual Menomonie City-Wide Garage/Thrift/Yard/Garage Sale is Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 9, 10, 11. Click HERE to see a map of the sales locations on your phone.

Source: Facebook Event

Panel Discussion on Immigration

League of Women Voters host event on May 13

MENOMONIE - Immigration has been a key issue in America since the founding of our country, continuing to today. The League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley is offering a discussion for people who have questions about our immigration system, want to use this information to have their own discussions with politicians and community members, and would like to hear directly from those who work with immigrants about their experiences.

Amanda Gennerman, an immigration attorney from Madison, will speak on the legalities of immigration. She will be joined by a panel of local residents representing farm, faith, and community education groups, who will share their experiences connecting with local immigrants.

This free event will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 5:30-7:30 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 3214 Golf Road, Eau Claire. It is open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Co-sponsors of this event are the American Association of University Women, JONAH, Literacy Chippewa Valley, and the Wisconsin Farmers Union.

MHS Grads: Where are They Now?

Returning next week! In the meantime contact Judy Foust to share your story or recommend a graduate: residing local or faraway, young or old. Email Judy at [email protected]

Leadership Menomonie Launches Volunteer Interest Survey

MENOMONIE  — The Menomonie Area Chamber & Visitor Center, in collaboration with its Leadership Menomonie program has launched a Volunteer Interest Survey designed to connect volunteers with local nonprofits that align with their personal interests, skills, and availability.

This easy-to-complete survey will serve as a matchmaking tool, helping volunteers find meaningful ways to give back—whether they’re passionate about working with animals, organizing events, supporting youth, assisting seniors, or contributing their administrative talents.

The survey takes only a few moments and is open to anyone looking to get involved, gain experience, meet new people, or fulfill volunteer requirements.

To get started, simply scan the QR code found on flyers throughout the community or visit https://docs.google.com/forms to complete the survey. Responses from the survey will be compiled into a master list of volunteers, which will be managed by the Community Foundation of Dunn County. This list will be shared with local nonprofit organizations as a resource to help them organize and promote their own volunteer opportunities more efficiently.

Please note: The Community Foundation will not be assigning or coordinating volunteer opportunities directly. Interested volunteers may  expect to be contacted by individual organizations or may contact the organization they are interested in helping.

Together, we can build a stronger, more connected volunteer network in Dunn County.

For more information contact Melissa Anderson  [email protected] or 715-235-9087.

Safe & Sound: Understanding Rental Inspections

Safe and Sound: Understanding Rental Inspections is a free event designed for renters who want to better understand their rights and how to work within the city’s inspection system to address issues like mold or unsafe living conditions.

Wed May 7 - 5:30 Presentation 6:30: Free Grill-Out; Wakanda Park: Lion's Pavilion

Our special guest will be Dave Kowieski, the City of Menomonie Building Inspector, who will walk us through how the current rental inspection process works and what kinds of problems can be reported and how inspections are handled. This is a chance to learn how the system works and how to use it.

Hosted by Grass Roots Organizing Western Wisconsin.

UW-Stout Spring Commencement Saturday May 10

By Abbey Goers, UW-Stout

Spring commencement will be held for 1,174 graduates on Saturday, May 10, at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

A total of 952 undergraduate and 222 Graduate Studies students will receive degrees.

Three ceremonies will be held at Johnson Fieldhouse:

• 9:30 a.m., College of Arts and Human Sciences

• 1:30 p.m., College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management

• 5 p.m., Graduate Studies

The ceremonies can also be seen via livestream on the UW-Stout commencement website and at the Memorial Student Center.

Provost Glendalí Rodríguez will host the ceremonies. Chancellor Katherine Frank will provide remarks to the graduates and confer degrees.

To read the full article click HERE.

MHS Extracurricular News

Compiled from Daily Announcements

April 30

The Girls' Soccer Teams came up short in their games against the Rice Lake Warriors. Varsity lost a close one 1-0 on a penalty kick. In the JV game, Penelope Awsaumb was able to score the lone goal of the night. The teams are back in action on Thursday when they hit the road to play Hudson.

Congrats to the Boys JV Golf Team for a 3rd place finish Tuesday in the 20 team Amery Invite.  98 golfers participated. The Mustangs were led by Carl Rabeneck & Gabe Henderson both shooting 82 good for 8th place, Quin Rabeneck 84 (13th place) & Ben Dahms 85 (14th place).

Varsity and JV Softball both travelled to River Falls. Varsity took home a 6-4 win. The Mustangs were led by Siera Auth who had a fantastic game in center field 1as well as hitting a 2 RBI single. Megan McMahon also had a hit earning an RBI as well as scoring twice. Amanda Holzhueter played incredible defense at 1st base while tallying a hit, walk, a sacrifice fly, and RBI at the plate. JV lost 6-13 but were led by extra base hits from Dylan Watkins, Mya Romsos, and Mariah Curtis. JV2 traveled to Colfax where they fought hard in a high scoring game, but ended up losing 14-16. Leah Bystol and Kylie Brandenburg converted a double play while Jai Hasse was solid behind the plate. All teams are back in action tomorrow night at home for staff appreciation night. Varsity and JV play game 2 of the River Falls series at 5:00 and JV2 has a double header against Chippewa Falls starting at 4:00.

The Boys Tennis Team completed another 7-0 conference sweep yesterday, this time against New Richmond.  This moves the Mustangs to 3-0 in conference and 10-4 overall.

Congratulations to the JV2 Baseball Team on a thrilling 10-9 victory over Eau Claire North. The JV2 baseball team is now 3-1 on the season and will host North tomorrow at Wakanda Park.

Congratulations to the Boys Track Team for their outstanding finish at the River Falls Open on Tuesday. Event winners were: Corbin Schumacher - 100m; Nolan Bien - 200m and 110m hurdles; Jae Berg - Long jump, high jump and triple jump; Evan Olson - 800m; Owen Pelzel - 1600m; Peter Cimino - 3200m; Roberto Valdelmar - Pole Vault; Preston Witter - shot put; Blake Kissh - Discus

Congratulations to the Girls Track and Field team for their excellent performances last night at River Falls. Event winners included Cassiah Casey in both the 100 and 300 hurdles, Mia Lambrigtsen in both the 100 and 200 dashes, Brianna Klimek in the shot put, Kierston Coss in the high jump, Izzie Whitwam in the pole vault, Vista Marconett in the long jump, Ana Estepa-Brown in the triple jump, Bennett Schmitt in the 1600 run, the 4 by 400 relay of Addy Schuler, Bree Barfknecht, Chloe Bablick and Claire Mikesell, as well as Lauren McCalla in the 800 run, who broke who own school record with a time of 2 minutes and 13 seconds.

May 2

Congrats to the Boys JV Golf team on a 3rd place finish at the Chippewa Falls BRC meet at Lake Wissota Thursday. Also, a huge congratulations to Quin Rabeneck on his hole in one on the par 3- 2nd hole!  Leading the way for the Mustangs was Quin carding a 40 good for 2nd place, Carl Rabenceck 42 (8th place), Ben Dahms 44 (19th place) & Brekkin Cody 46 (19th place)

Congratulations to Olivia Rubenzer and Elena Xiong on their 3rd place finish at the State Junior Achievement Titan Competition.  They earned a spot at the National competition in June.

Girls Varsity Softball got another conference win, beating River Falls 11-4. The Mustangs were led by Siera Auth who got the win on the mound throwing a complete game. Siera also went 4-4 from the plate with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Maci Marlett went 2-4 with 2 RBIs while Livi Sample walked twice, got a hit, and scored 3 times. Reese Barfknect and Amanda Holzhueter also had 2 RBIs to round out the Mustang's offense.

After a loss on Tuesday, Girls JV Softball came out strong and got a 5-3 win last night against River Falls. The entire team played great defense with only 1 error on the night. Presley Verdon had a 2 RBI hit that won the game.

Girls JV2 Softball also responded from past losses vs. Chippewa to play 2 great games in their double header. After being beaten by Chippewa by 10 in their last 2 games, they came out and played great defense. The outfield crew of Darla Woodford, Caylee Schaefer, Noel Burcham, and Alyssa Polus were instrumental in the close games by making plays and preventing runs.  JV2 lost game 1 by a score of 2-3 and tied the second game 4-4. Fantastic job JV2!  JV and Varsity head to Superior today for a non-conference matchup.

Last night Boys Varsity Baseball lost to Eau Claire North 7-3. James Hoff led the Mustangs offensive attack with 3 hits and a stolen base. Max Erickson gave the Mustangs 4 strong innings, giving up 4 earned runs and striking out 6.

JV Baseball defeated Eau Claire North 8-1 behind a fantastic pitching performance from Hawkins Anderson and Max Jaeger. Jaeger threw 2 and 2/3 innings giving up 1 hit and Anderson threw 4 and 1/3 while striking out 6. Offensively Max Jaeger and Andrew Hoff both had 2 hits to help lead the Mustangs offense.

For the full article click HERE.

Affordable Housing Topic of Community Conversations

Community Conversations will host a presentation/discussion open to the public on:

Saturday May 10 - 12:30-2:30 p.m. - Menomonie Public Library

Steve Carlson, president of the Wisconsin Manufactured Home Owners Alliance will be the presenter. He will be joined by Stephen Parliament who oversaw the creation of the first manufactured home community cooperative in Wisconsin - Countryside Park Coop in Cumberland, WI.

Discussion to include: 1) cooperative mobile home parks where ownership of the lots belong to the community; 2) the Wisconsin Manufactured Home Owners Alliance; 3) new legislation being considered in Michigan and Minnesota that protects the rights of homeowners, provides for rent controls and encourages communication between park owners and home owners.

Source: Lorene Vedder (Community Conversations moderator, retired physician)

School Crossings: Support Schools in the State Budget

SDMA Superintendent’s Monthly Column

By Joe Zydowsky

The process for creating the next state biennial budget is underway in Madison. Lawmakers will be working over the next few months to determine how the State of Wisconsin will allocate funding for the next two years. Budgets are about priorities, and now is a critical time to contact state legislators and let them know about the importance of making a greater investment in our public schools. 

The current system for funding public education in Wisconsin has a few big problems that need to be addressed in the next state budget. Inequitable revenue limits, inadequate funding for special education, and a reliance on referendums to fund basic operations have forced many school districts- including the School District of the Menomonie Area (SDMA)- to do more with less. Now is the time to contact state legislators and ask them to fix these problems!

Since the early 1990’s, inequitable revenue limits have created a big disparity in how much funding school districts across Wisconsin are allowed per student (see chart here). Even within the Big Rivers Conference, some school districts are allowed approximately 12% more per student than others. If Menomonie’s revenue limit was the same as some other school districts in the conference, the SDMA would have about $4 million more to operate our schools. 

According to the Association for Equity in Funding, state and federal funding covers less than half of the costs for educating children with special needs in Wisconsin. This results in school districts needing to reallocate a significant amount of funding from the regular education budget (see chart here). With 17% of Menomonie students having a disability, the SDMA is forced to transfer about $5 million each year to cover underfunded expenses in the special education budget. As noted in a recent resolution from the SDMA Board of Education, an increase in state funding for special education services would reduce the general fund transfer and allow more funding to be available for all SDMA students (see Board resolution here).   

Inadequate special education funding and revenue limits that have not kept up with inflation have led to a record number of school referendums in Wisconsin over the past few years. Despite a multi-billion dollar state budget surplus in Madison, school districts across the state are having to choose between major budget cuts or asking voters to raise local property taxes to make up for the state funding shortfalls. This has created a school funding system that is unpredictable and unsustainable for Wisconsin schools. 

The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) has made it easy for Wisconsinites to provide input on the state budget. Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard! State budget feedback can be shared online through the JFC’s Public Comment Form, and contact information for local legislators and members of the JFC is posted on the Wisconsin State Legislature Website. 

If school families or community members have any questions or concerns about the school district, please do not hesitate to email ([email protected]), call (715-232-1642 ext. 11111), or visit with me at the Administrative Service Center on Pine Avenue. 

Public Meetings: May 7-14

City of Menomonie

Mon May 12 - Recreation Advisory Board - 7pm - Leisure Center

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed May 14 - Transit Committee - 8am - Highway Dept

Wed May 14 - Highway Committee - 8:15am - Highway Dept

Wed May 14 - Executive Committee - 3pm

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Looking Back - May

News items from Dunn County’s past compiled by the Dunn County Historical Society

RECALLS EARLY DAYS

When John Felland on route 8 arrived from Norway in 1880 he stopped off at Menomonie to get work. He became an employee of the Knapp, Stout & Co., one of a crew of 1,300. After a time be tried his hand at farming under Jens Holstein, father of Jim Holstein. John was married with a family, his wages were but $14 a month, but he managed to save enough to make a payment on a forty-acre tract he now lives on. He soon bought out a neighbor, who could not make his payments. Downsville was headquarters for the Fellands when a store had to be reached. An example of the thrift practiced in the ‘80s was shown when Felland heard that flour was to raise in price, at Downsville, he bought 400 pounds, carrying some home and the balance was transported by oxen. If Felland remembers correctly, there were 33 saloons in Menomonie when he arrived so the 27 taverns of today in the city don’t sound so many to John. - May 2, 1935 Dunn County News

POPULAR CONCERT BY BIG ORCHESTRA

A popular concert will be given Sunday afternoon at 3:15 at the Memorial by a large orchestra representing the combined talent of the school and city musicians. This will be the largest orchestra ever gathered together consisting of local musicians. Following will be the instrumentation: 6 first violins, 7 second violins, 1 viola, 2 trombones, 3 clarinets, 2 cellos, 3 basses, 2 flutes, 4 cornets, piano and drums. Twenty-five cents will be charged at the box office for adults and fifteen cents will be charged for children below the High school. The money taken in will go toward paying for band and orchestra music. - May 9, 1912 Dunn County News

HEAVY FROST

On last Sunday and Monday nights we had frosts sufficiently heavy to fill all the requirements of cold weather in March, and which made big fire and thick clothing much more desirable than the “spring breezes” out of doors. The early corn and the most tender kinds of vegetables, got a set back from which they will scarcely recover. It is apprehended that the berries, the only kind of fruit that our part of the country produces in abundance, are seriously injured, if not totally destroyed. That would be heavy inconvenience to many frugal housekeepers. But it might cause a fall in the price of sugar, which would be some small recompense for the loss of preserves. - May 24, 1862 Dunn County News

A WELL ASSORTED MENAGERIE

The building of carousals is an industry of no mean proportions that is being built up by Henry Schmidt of this city. A good many of them have been constructed by him in the past, but none of them were so elaborate and handsome as two that he now has nearly completed, which were built to order. One of them is very large and requires a six-horse power Shipman Petroleum engine to operate it. Instead of the conventional fiery and untamed wooden horses on which the eager young man and his best girl may ride, there is a well assorted menagerie of elephants, lions, tigers, etc., and an enchanting array of chariots and ships of state, in white and gold. The second one is like unto it, only smaller. Both are supplied with music by grand hand organs imported from Germany especially for Mr. Schmidt by 0.G. Losby, the well-known merchant of this city, at a cost of $700 and $500 respectively. The organs have been on exhibition at Losby's store for several weeks. - May 25, 1894 Dunn County News

SOLDIER BOYS IN NEW GARB TODAY

The members of Company H will be clothed in new uniforms today. As they keep step to the martial strain of the band at the head of the Memorial Day parade they will make a smart appearance. They will fall in line at the armory about one o'clock, march to the Memorial and from there to Riverside park will act as escorts of the G.A.R. The new garb is blue, trimmed with light blue cord and is dressy. - May 30, 1907 Dunn County News

Do you like “old news?” Follow the Dunn County Historical Society on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dunnhistory for a daily dose.

The Boys of Summer

Menomonie Eagles to Kick Off The Summer Season May 10

MENOMONIE - The crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd are set to return as the Menomonie Eagles launch their 2025 summer baseball season. With a packed schedule of home and away games running from May through July and into the post-season in August, the Eagles are ready to bring exciting, small-town baseball action to fans across western Wisconsin. The Eagles play their home games at Wakanda Park.

The season opens at home on Saturday, May 10, when the Eagles face off against River Falls at 1 p.m. They'll remain on home turf for a second straight Saturday on May 17, hosting Bay City in another early-season showdown. The team will then hit the road over Memorial Day Weekend (May 24–26) to compete in the annual Plum City Tournament — a key event that offers a glimpse at the Eagles’ depth and competitive edge.

The action continues into June and July with a strong mix of home and away matchups (schedule is subject to change):

• June 1 at Elmwood, 1 p.m.

• June 4 home vs. Prescott, 7 p.m.

• June 8 at New Richmond, 1 p.m.

• June 14 at Plum City, 1 p.m.

• June 20 at Chippewa Falls, 7:30 p.m.

• June 22 home vs. Hudson, 6 p.m.

• June 25 home vs. Ellsworth, 7 p.m.

The July slate includes a high-energy stretch, featuring:

• July 12 at Bay City, 1 p.m.

• July 13 home vs. Spring Valley, 1 p.m.

• July 16 home vs. Beef River, 7:30 p.m. (7-inning game)

• July 19 at Ellsworth, 7:30 p.m.

• July 20 at Osceola, 1 p.m.

• July 27 at Spring Valley, 1 p.m.

• July 30 home finale vs. the Leinie Legends, 7 p.m. (7-inning game)

With a schedule designed to challenge the roster and entertain fans, the Menomonie Eagles are eager to build on past success and make this summer one to remember. Fans are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and support the team throughout the season.

This story was created by utilizing ChatGTP and was edited by Layne Pitt, the retired UW-Stout Sports Information director.

The story Boys of Summer is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Menomonie Mustangs Athletics and Activities | UW-Stout Blue Devil Athletics 

For a Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.

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