Courier Press

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Wed
16
Nov

Bells to ring a Salvation Army tune


Jen Kapinus, Crawford County Salvation Army coordinator, helps organize the Red Kettle Campaign and the Christmas assistance program, which helps families in need provide gifts for their children. In addition, coats, hats and mittens are being accepted at the Salvation Army office in Prairie du Chien to assist families throughout the year. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Bells will be ringing a Salvation Army tune, beginning Nov. 25 and ending Dec. 24—Black Friday through Christmas Eve—from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. In Prairie du Chien, volunteers will ring bells by red kettles at Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly and Wal-Mart, while Prairie du Chien police officers and city employees will ring at Cabela’s.

Volunteers are needed to fill two-hour shifts throughout the organization’s Red Kettle Campaign season.

Wed
16
Nov

Salvation Army Christmas program provides presents to children in need for the holidays

By Correne Martin

Families wishing to apply for Christmas assistance through the Crawford County Salvation Army are encouraged to do so by Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. Applications have been distributed to every school district in the county. They are also available through Crawford County Human Services and at the Salvation Army office, 625 S. Dousman St. (inside the Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church).

The Salvation Army’s Christmas assistance program, subsidized by specific contributions from public sponsors, is available for people 16 and under only, a stipulation changed just this year.

“It’s still fine for adults to indicate they need food, toiletries or household cleaning supplies, but they can’t ask for gifts for themselves,” explained Jen Kapinus, Crawford County Salvation Army coordinator.

Wed
16
Nov

‘From the Maroons to the Hawks’


Derick Kelly’s new book showcases Prairie du Chien High School athletic history and records.

New book by local author a must read for Prairie du Chien sports fans

By Ted Pennekamp

 

A Prairie du Chien High School graduate, Derick Kelly, has written a book about the athletic history of his alma mater.

Mon
14
Nov

Veterans Day


Veteran Keith Harville, nearly 92, gets a hug from his granddaughter Shauna Jackson in front of the World War II granite pillar following the Veterans Day ceremony Friday morning at the Veterans Memorial in Prairie du Chien. Harville served aboard the USS New Jersey. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is when all of America’s veterans are honored in ceremonies throughout the nation each year. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)

"Taps" is played during the Veterans Day Ceremony Friday at the Prairie du Chien Veterans Memorial.
Mon
14
Nov

Bloomington Military Museum


This canteen from World War I shows the “canteen art” that some servicemen did while in the trenches.

This photograph by Bloomington area veteran Harold Wagner shows one of the Japanese Surrender documents which were signed on Sept. 2, 1945.

Some old newspapers with huge headlines and articles are part of the museum.

This is just part of the glass case which takes up one wall.

 

Military Museum in Bloomington helps spread knowledge

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The village of Bloomington has quite a nice Military Museum in which people can view numerous items from World War I to the present day. 

Mon
14
Nov

Nonagenarian reflects on life in the olden days


Rita (Weighner) Clayton, 96, a former Prairie du Chien resident, was recently interviewed by her great-great-nephew Adam Novey about the olden days.

Rita’s husband, DuWain Clayton died 25 years ago, just before Thanksgiving. At 96 years old, she still keeps this photograph of them fastened to the cover of a notebook in which she records her memories.

Prairie du Chien native, Rita (Weighner) Clayton, 96, recently participated in an hour-long videotaped interview produced by her great-great-nephew, Adam Novey, of Wyocena (Wis.).

Rita, who currently resides at Leisure Terrace in Overland Park, Kan., was born in 1920 to Melvin and Elda (Zabel) Weighner in their two-room living quarters in the back of a barn in Frenchtown. She resided in Prairie du Chien until she and her husband, DuWain, moved to Beloit and then to the Kansas City area after World War II.

Rita spoke of the days when her father farmed and worked as a mechanic at Ray Weighner’s car dealership, while her mother stayed at home and was an excellent seamstress and cook. The kids’ chores included carrying in wood, carrying out ashes from the cook stove, pumping water, and fluffing grandpa’s feather bed which they did not always do to his satisfaction.

Mon
14
Nov

Ecumenical Thanksgiving service Nov. 23 at PdC UMC

All welcome to join service and community choir

The annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving service in Prairie du Chien will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 23, At 7 p.m., at the Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church, 625 S. Dousman St. All members of area communities, of any denomination, are invited to this celebration of thanks and the beginning of the holiday season.

Every year, the Prairie du Chien Clergy Association organizes this service, which is usually held at the church that has the newest pastor. This year, Pastor Barb Cook fills that role at the United Methodist Church.

The service features a family-friendly message and service as well as wonderful music by a community choir directed by Lori Frailey. There will be a collection and offering, which goes toward the Community Christmas Dinner (held at noon, Dec. 25, in the Prairie Catholic School basement).

Mon
14
Nov

Recount possible in 32nd Senate District

58 votes separate incumbent Shilling from Kapanke

A recount is possible for the race to take the seat in State Senate District 32.

Only 58 votes separate leading candidate Jennifer Shilling, the incumbent in the election, and Dan Kapanke in the district’s balloting. Shilling had 43,565 votes to Kapanke’s 43,507.

But, there is no recount just yet.

The losing candidate has to wait until the last day the county board of canvassers meet, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and Kapanke has three days to request a recount after all votes are canvassed.

The district covers four counties—La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford and Monroe—so the recount request might not be made until Nov. 15-16. The target date for completing a recount is Dec. 1.

Kapanke won’t have to pay recount costs because the difference is less than .25 percent.

Mon
14
Nov

Personal trainer finds her element in body building


Deidre Dillman, 27, of Prairie du Chien, recently won the amateur figure class in the Minnesota Mayhem Natural Body Building Championships. This was her first time in a body building compeittion, though she plans to enter more in the future and hopefully achieve professional status.

By Correne Martin

“I just like being strong; it’s part of me. I need to do it. It’s my lifestyle.”

Deep down, that’s how personal trainer, turned body builder, Deidre Dillman, feels. She’s been known in the Prairie du Chien community since her high school and college days as a decorated cross country and track athlete.

“I’ve always been a runner. It’s just kinda my thing,” she smiled.

These days, at the age of 27, Deidre is a personal trainer and strength trainer for Suppz Gym in Prairie du Chien. She’s been there about four years and, while she loves getting others pumped up about being healthy and strong, she’s personally chased gradually greater goals for herself.

She’s always enjoyed lifting heavy weights. “I love it. It’s helped me with everyday things, my self confidence,” she said. “I’m all about the pump. I wanna get to a 300-pound back squat.”

Mon
14
Nov

Mary Ruth Bean

 

Mary Ruth Bean, 84, of Bagley, died Friday, Nov. 11, at Orchard Manor in Lancaster. 

 

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