Amherst repeats as state champions

By Greg Seubert

Marcus Glodowski and Cole Van Nuys are introduced as starting defensive backs for Amherst. Greg Seubert Photo

A break here, a break there.

It all added up to a second straight state championship for the Amherst football team.

Carter Zblewski’s 26-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining in the WIAA Division 5 state championship game snapped a 35-35 tie and gave the Falcons a 38-35 win over Cedar Grove-Belgium Nov. 17 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

The win capped a 13-1 season for the Falcons and is the team’s third state title since 2012.

Brandon Piotrowski’s 2-yard quarterback sneak and Zblewski’s extra point tied the game at 35-35 with 5:12 to go in the game, but the Falcons soon had the ball back following a turnover.

Facing a second-and-10 at their own 29-yard line, the Rockets attempted a hook-and-ladder play. Josh Weiss completed a pass to Reid Hilbelink and Hilbelink attempted to lateral the ball to teammate Matt Dirkse. The ball landed on the Camp Randall turf, Amherst’s Thomas Andersen scooped it up and returned it 18 yards to set Amherst up at the Cedar Grove-Belgium 14-yard line with 54 seconds on the clock.

Piotrowski’s 6-yard pass to Marcus Glodowski gave Amherst a fourth-and-1 at the 5-yard line. Zblewski went in to attempt what would have been a 21-yard field goal with 15 seconds left, but a false start penalty on the Falcons moved the ball back 5 yards. Zblewski then connected on the Falcons’ first field goal of the season.

Both teams found the end zone on each of their first two drives.

Weiss hooked up with Hilbelink for a 13-yard score to cap the game’s opening drive, but Amherst answered with Chandler Benn’s 1-yard run.

Weiss hit Hilbelink for a 7-yard score on the Rockets’ second drive and Benn tied the game with a 3-yard run with 31 seconds to go in the first quarter.

The Falcons took a 28-14 lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to a pair of scores in the final two minutes of the second quarter.

Devin Ostrowski scored from 4 yards out with 1:51 to go in the half to cap an 11-play, 92-yard drive and the Falcons took advantage of a turnover before halftime. Glodowski intercepted a Jason von Heimburg pass and returned the ball 19 yards to the Cedar Grove-Belgium 30-yard line.

Piotrowski found Josh Cisewski in the end zone for a 30-yard pass with 21 seconds remaining.

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A pair of hall of fame coaches share a laugh before Amherst defeated Cedar Grove-Belgium 38-35 to win the WIAA Division 5 state football championship for the second year in a row. Gregg Jensen (left) is the girls' basketball coach at Amherst and coached the boys' team for several years before being inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Former Waupaca football coach John Koronkiewicz led the Comets to a pair of Division 3 state championships before being inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Greg Seubert Photo

That two-score lead disappeared in the second half, as the Rockets scored three unanswered touchdowns to take a 35-28 lead.

Weiss threw an 8-yard TD pass to Dirkse and an 11-yarder to von Heimburg in the third quarter and the Rockets regained the lead with Weiss’ 10-yarder to von Heimburg with 8:50 to go in the game.

Amherst tied the game on its next drive on Piotrowski’s 2-yard run.

The Rockets took over on their own 30-yard line after Zblewski’s field goal, but Bryce Holderman ended any chance of a comeback with an interception on the game’s final play.

The Rockets outgained the Falcons 422-366.

Ostrowski had 71 of Amherst’s 198 rushing yards, while Benn and Glodowski added 67 and 57, respectively. Piotrowski completed 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards. Josh Schude caught a team-high three passes for 43 yards.

Weiss, who set the state record for touchdown passes this season, completed 36 of 51 passes for 383 yards and five TDs. Hilbelink caught 14 of those passes for 164 yards and two scores, while Ethan Brochtup added 13 catches for 155 yards.

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Hortonville's Morgan Allen (left) gets into position during a practice on Friday, Nov. 11. Erik Buchinger photo

Frederick, Allen heading to Division 1 schools

By Erik Buchinger

HORTONVILLE – Celeste Ratka will begin her first season as the Hortonville High School girls’ basketball coach with the luxury of having two players who have committed to scholarship offers from NCAA Division I college basketball teams.

Senior Morgan Allen recently signed her national letter of intent to play at IUPUI in Indianapolis, while junior Shay Frederick has committed to Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.

“It’s a coach’s dream,” Ratka said. “I’m extremely blessed. They make my job really easy, and I think they’re going to make me look pretty good this year.”

Allen signed her national letter of intent to IUPUI last week and said it was a great to have people with her during the experience.

“It was really great,” Allen said. “It was nice to see all of my family, friends, coaches and teammates supporting me. It’s nice to know there are a lot of people that care about me, and they will have supported me throughout my four years of playing here.”

Allen said she was late to the recruiting process, as she was not approached until late in her junior year and into the summer. She really gained interest during her first AAU tournament in Indianapolis where she first came in contact with IUPUI.

Allen was offered a partial scholarship by Winona State University, and other schools were interested, but IUPUI offered Allen a full scholarship in April, and she accepted in May.

“I chose IUPUI because the coaches were great there, so was the main part that sold it for me,” Allen said. “They chose players that have the same values and work ethic of me, and that was really important. I also love the city, and the campus is really beautiful.”

Frederick said she has been recruited to play college basketball since eighth grade.

A three-star recruit according to ESPN, Frederick had offers from UW-Milwaukee and Youngstown State and had interest from schools in the Big Ten, Big East and Horizon League. After visiting the Valparaiso campus in August, she was sold.

“I met the team, players, watched a practice, went around campus and I just loved it,” Frederick said. “Everything there appealed to me and was just what I’m looking for, so I just thought, ‘Why wait?’ And I made my decision around late August or early September.”

Ratka, who was offered a scholarship to UW-Green Bay prior to her senior year of high school at Hortonville in 2005, said her advice to Frederick and Allen is to take in the memories of this experience.

Just enjoy it,” Ratka said. “It’s a journey, so just enjoy the process. You only get one opportunity to play high school basketball and to really soak up all the memories and don’t look back and wish you would’ve done something different.”

Prior to college, Allen and Frederick said they are excited to play out their high school careers in Hortonville, and the Polar Bears have a chance to win their third consecutive FVA title, which is among some of the team goals for the season.

“I’m really just hoping to see how our team does together,” Allen said. “We have good team chemistry and work as a team toward all of our goals, including being three-peat conference champions in the FVA, and obviously going to state is a major goal.”

Frederick said there is great potential for the team heading into the season.

“I think the sky is the limit for our team,” Frederick said. “It’s not just me and Morgan; it’s all of us working together. We have a group of great girls, so we just have to work together, play together and trust the process and we’ll go a long way.”

Ratka said this could be a special season for Hortonville basketball.

“I’m just hoping help them grow as players, but I think what I’m more looking forward to is watching them grow as leaders,” Ratka said. “When your best players are your hardest workers, you’ve got something really special.”

Burnett pushes healthy habits

By Greg Seubert

Morgan Burnett gave away a pair of autographed footballs during his visit to Weyauwega Elementary School. Greg Seubert Photo

Eat healthy, stay active and make a difference.

That’s the message Green Bay Packers defensive back Morgan Burnett had during a visit to Weyauwega Elementary School.

Burnett spent more than an hour with Weyauwega and Fremont elementary and middle school students Nov. 15 as part of Fuel Up to Play 60, an in-school nutrition and physical activity program that encourages students to eat healthy, be active and implement positive, healthy changes at school.

“Throughout Wisconsin, we have hundreds of schools that are leading this program,” said Beth Schaefer, a regional program manager with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, which funds the program in cooperation with the NFL.

“Today, we’re really excited to reward Weyauwega-Fremont with this Packer player visit,” she said. “Only two schools in the whole state get to have a player come visit them. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a national program funded by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing board and dairy farms of the United States. This program was developed to help communities empower kids to lead healthier, more active lives, not just by eating dairy, but by eating all five food groups and getting 60 minutes of exercise every single day.”

The school kept Burnett’s identity a secret from students and teachers until he arrived. Besides talking to students, he also gave away a pair of autographed footballs.

“There are so many gadgets and technology,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with playing video games, but sometimes, you have to put them down and go outside to help you in the long run when you become an adult.”

Kristen Hanten advises the program at Weyauwega Elementary School.

“We were chosen to host a player visit because of the hard work and dedication of our Fuel Up to Play 60 team members over the past few years,” Hanten said. “We have been able to accomplish great things here at school. Our students have planned events such as the Youth Outreach Camp, a cheese tasting and a smoothie tasting and color run. Our students also run the spring mileage club at the elementary school to keep kids active and moving during recess.”

The program has expanded to Weyauwega-Fremont Middle School this year under adviser Mary Pope. Shari Foster, Traci Zietlow and Holly Olsen are advisers at Fremont Elementary School.

“That message of eating healthy and getting active, we know it’s working,” Schaefer said. “We give out grants to schools to do healthy eating initiatives and physical activity. At the end of the year, we have surveys that go out to all the schools that participate in the program. Ninety percent of the schools reported that kids are eating and drinking more nutrient-rich dairy: milk, yogurt, cheese. Eighty percent of schools saw more kids eating fruits and vegetables at school breakfast and lunch.

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Green Bay Packers defensive back Morgan Burnett listens to a question from a student Nov. 15 during his visit to Weyauwega Elementary School. Greg Seubert Photo

“We’ve really seen this turn into a student-led and student-driven initiative,” she said. “Students are not only improving their own health, they’re learning how to lead others into making better choices. We’ve seen it expand to where it’s not only happening in the classroom or schools. Fuel Up to Play 60 has really spread that message, not just within the school walls, but within the entire community. I think Weyauwega-Fremont is just a shining example of how that message has started very small in the second- and third-grade classroom and now has student leadership teams. It’s an absolute credit to the food service and the phy ed department, as well as those teachers that believe in the wellness and health of the students. We know that healthy students are better students.”

Burnett is the Packers’ Fuel Up to Play 60 representative.

“My agent brought the opportunity to me and it was a no-brainer,” he said. “I’m big on empowering the youth. I just like the whole concept of eating a balanced meal, making sure you’re getting the proper amount of meals each day, getting out at least 60 minutes outside and play. I think that’s big for our kids. Anyway I can get involved, I’m willing to help.”

“He’s been our official face of Fuel Up to Play 60 for Wisconsin for the past two years,” Schaefer said. “We work very closely with the Green Bay Packers and part of that relationship is working to find the right player who really embodies the values of Fuel Up to Play 60, which eating healthy and getting active, whether you’re a professional athlete or a kindergartener. In Wisconsin, one out of nine jobs is related to agriculture. Everyone eats, so everyone has some sort of connection to agriculture in Wisconsin. Our dairy industry is that face of agriculture.”

Burnett said he didn’t have anyone pointing him in the right direction as a high school athlete in Georgia.

“We really didn’t and that’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to help out as much as I can,” he said. “What the NFL does with using its athletes is really big because I didn’t have that as a kid. Having the opportunity to help a young kid out is always a blessing.”

A Waupaca man out on bail for a sixth OWI was arrested for his seventh.

Brian J. Hejda, 39, is charged with felony operating while intoxicated, failure to stop a vehicle when signaled by an officer and operating after revocation of his license.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Waupaca County Sheriff’s Deputy James Santiago responded to a report of a sports utility vehicle driving erratically on County Trunk K.

Sanitago then encountered and followed a speeding Ford SUV going southbound on County K. He activated his emergency lights and siren just north of Radley Road.

According to the criminal complaint, the vehicle continued past Crystal Lake Road, then turned left on Pine Lane, left again on Parkview Lane, then pulled into a driveway.

Santiago drew his firearm to make the arrest then holstered it after the driver exited his vehicle with his hands in the air, voluntarily dropped to his knees and laced his fingers behind his head.

A preliminary breath test indicated Hejda had a .201 blood-alcohol level.

Court records indicate that at the time of his arrest on Nov. 12, Hejda was facing charges in Portage County for a sixth OWI.

He had been charged on July 5 and released on a $10,000 cash bail that required a $1,000 initial payment and a $200 weekly garnishment of his wages.

Hejda was scheduled to appear in Portage County Circuit Court on Nov. 21 and in Waupaca County Circuit court on Nov. 22.

Gilbert L. Buchholz, age 86, of Manawa, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Manawa Community Nursing Center.

He was born on June 6, 1930 in Manawa, son of the late Edward and Mabel (Hidde) Buchholz. On March 31, 1950, he was united in marriage to Betty Johnson in Manawa where they enjoyed 60 years of marriage together until Betty’s death in 2011. Gilbert and Betty farmed for 40 years. Gilbert was a very proud and hardworking farmer. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa.

He is survived by his children: Donna (Harold) Hopp, Stevens Point; Wayne (Sue) Buchholz, Clintonville; Diane (Jon) Seeger, Ogdensburg; Todd (Laura) Buchholz, Manawa; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Sturm; brothers, Melvin Buchholz and Norman Buchholz and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The funeral service for Gilbert will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa with Rev. Nathan Reichle officiating. Burial will be in Little Wolf Cemetery in the Town of Little Wolf. A visitation for Gilbert will be held at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family wishes to thank the Manawa Community Nursing Home for their wonderful care and kindness shown to dad, Southern Door Care of Waupaca and also Pastor Nathan Reichle for his kind words and prayers.

Martin A. Vollmer, age 92, of Clintonville passed away Monday, November 14, 2016 at William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital, Madison.

Martin Albert Arlin Vollmer was born on November 23, 1923 in Tigerton, WI to the late Fred and Esther (Seefeldt) Vollmer. Marty joined the Army during WWII and served in the Army Air Corps in Great Falls, MT, and later volunteered for the Infantry and trained for the anticipated invasion of Japan. He was sent to the Philippines, where he participated in the mop up operations to eliminate Japanese soldiers still fighting even after the surrender. He then became part of the occupation force in Japan where he said he had the best job in the Army, guarding a brewery. He later served in the Wisconsin National Guard, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. In recognition of his military service in WWII, Marty was honored to be part of a recent Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. After the war Marty became a top notch auto mechanic, eventually starting his own successful repair business, Vollmer Motor Service. He also drove school bus and served as a Waupaca County Deputy Sheriff. On May 6, 1953 he was united in marriage to Doris L. Wendt in Polar, WI. The couple lived in the Clintonville area all 63 years of their married life and they raised eight children together. Marty was a great hunter, avid fisherman, liked making firewood, and enjoyed his trips up north with family and friends, especially Doug Gee. He was an interesting story teller and was seen at about every rummage sale within 20 miles of home. Marty absolutely loved to visit with people and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Doris; and father to Arlyn “Al” Vollmer, Milyn Vollmer, Sharon (Patrick) Pelkey, Susan (Douglas) Gee, Donna (Gerald) Johnson, and Elaine (Kenny) Gast; and father-in-law to James Rusch. There is one brother, James (Sandra) Vollmer; two sisters, Violet Conradt and Lee Ila Zitzke. He is further survived by sisters-in-law, Eleanor Dahlke, Lois Wendt, and Jane Dreiske; and brothers-in-law, Lyle Sanderfoot, Marvin Wendt, and Donald (Gerry) Wendt. Marty leaves a legacy of 22 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Valentine “Bernie” Vollmer; a daughter, Carol Lynn Rusch; daughter-in-law, Donna Vollmer; son-in-law, Pete Smith; sisters, Luella Steinke, La Vera Tulberg, and Bonnie Sanderfoot; brothers-in-law, Irvin Steinke, Vernon Tulberg, Marlin Conradt, Gary Brietenfeldt, Donald Smith, Wilburn “Bud” Wendt, Arthur Dahlke, and Eugene Wendt; and sisters-in-law, Violet Viitanen and Judy Wendt.

A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, November 18th at 11:00 a.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Rev. Vilas Mazemke officiated and burial followed at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Military Honors were provided at the cemetery by members of the VFW Post 664, American Legion Post 63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, all of Clintonville. Visitation was held on Thursday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service, both days at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.

Andrew (Andy) M. Jacowski, 89 of Almond passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

He was born September 3, 1927 in the Town of Lanark, Portage Co., the son of the late Andrew and Regina (Wysocki) Jacowski. He attended Pickerel Lake grade school, Wausaukee High School, and graduated from Almond High School. Like many young men, during his era, Andy went to Milwaukee seeking work, while in Milwaukee he worked for Allis-Chalmers, Nash-Kelvinator and Standard Cab Co. Andy was a WWII Veteran serving his country in the United Sates Navy. On January 14, 1956, Andy married Audrey H. Mack at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point. He worked the family farm until 1962 when he became a Rural Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service for 34 years. Andy was also owner/broker of Big Hills Realty. He will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends.

Andy enjoyed remaining active in his sons farming operation, vegetable gardening, playing cards, and spending time conversing with his family and friends, especially the St. Maximilian Kolbe Breakfast Club. Andy had a deep love for playing and watching baseball, he played for many local teams, the Navy baseball team and the White Sox organization. Andy also coached the Lanark baseball team along with local little league teams. Andy enjoyed being an active member of the community with his participation in the Almond Rod and Gun Club, American Legion Post 339, Portage County Citizen’s Groundwater Advisory Committee, and the Rural Letter Carriers Association.

Andy is survived by his children, Lonny (Linda) Jacowski of Plover and their children, Melissa (Joachim) Mangen and Jon (Stacy) Jacowski and their daughter, Brooke; Marla (Ed) Cowden of Westport, CT and their sons, Peter and Ned; Laureen (Dennis) Wied of Milwaukee and their daughter, Rachel (Erik) Wiedeman; Barry (Kathy) Jacowski of Almond and their daughter, Nicole; Todd (Jeanne) Jacowski of Stevens Point and their son, Benjamin Klein and his children, Elijah Glodowski and Xanis Klein; Andrew J. Jacowski of Waupaca and Matthew (Kim) Jacowski of Plover and their children, Gracelyn, Ty and Remmy; and Junior’s “skinny” dog Spankers. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; parents, Andrew and Regina; brothers, Steve and Jim; infant daughter, Rachelle; and two grandchildren Bobby and Amy.

The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, November 29 at 10:30 AM at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Town of Buena Vista with Father Ted Lewandowski, Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday evening from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst with a General Rosary at 7 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of mass at the church. Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.

Forward brings needed experience

By Erik Buchinger

The Clintonville High School girls’ basketball team will likely rely on its most experienced player Catherine Morse in the 2016-17 season.

Morse finished as the Truckers’ third-leading scorer from last season in more of a supporting role, and according to second-year head coach Nick Yaeger, the team lost 86 percent of their scoring from last year.

Yaeger said Morse will need to be a leader for this team with only two other seniors on the roster.

“She brings a lot of leadership obviously,” Yaeger said. “I don’t think she has a choice given she’s the only senior with significant playing time.”

Morse said she will have to change her mind set on the floor this season as she significantly has the most experience on the team.

“Last year, I was one of the youngest girls to play, whereas this year I’m the oldest girl,” Morse said. “So I’m completely changing roles and have to step up.”

According to Morse, among the keys to the season include not letting the pressure get to her as the team’s go-to player.

“I have to keep my head on straight,” Morse said. “I can’t let any pressure get to me. I have to be more of a role model for my team this year, so I just have to stay calm for the girls and for myself, try my best and not let things get to me.”

Yaeger also said the pressure to be the team’s best player can be difficult.

“It’s kind of tricky because you don’t want to put all this pressure on her,” Yaeger said. “Last year, she was in a supporting role, but hopefully this leads her to the next step as a leader. I think she’s going to fit in really well with the younger kids, so that’s going to help develop throughout the year.”

Yaeger said with a young team, he hopes that last year’s run to the WIAA regional finals will be an example for the program.

“You’d like to say last year gives us momentum, but this is a whole new year and whole new team,” Yaeger said. “I think we use that as an example because it was a tale of two halves. In the first half of the season, we were not so good. I think the kids and “Cat” know what that’s all about. In the second half, we played as a team, and that was the biggest difference. Everybody trusted each other more, and we had to. That was huge. We were playing extremely well at the end, and it was great.”

Yaeger said working hard is one of Morse’s biggest strengths as a player.

“She’s got something you can’t coach with her motor,” Yaeger said. “She keeps on going and never quits. She plays extremely hard and tough, and no one really wants to guard her in practice.”

Morse said she is looking forward to enjoying her senior season on the basketball court.

“I’m just looking forward to having fun,” Morse said. “We all get along really well. In the summer, we played a lot together, and we just always had a really good time. We have room for improvement, which is going to happen, so we’re just going to have to have fun with it.”

Marie M. Lorge, age 92, of Clintonville, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2016 in Appleton.

Elaine A. Nielson, age 90 of Clintonville, passed away Monday morning, November 21, 2016 in Neenah.

Sylvia Mae Wogsland, 99, of Iola, WI, passed away Sunday, November 20, at Iola Living Assistance, Wisconsin.

Sylvia was born in Town of New Hope, WI. on May 4, 1917, a daughter of the late Cora (Kjer) and Ben Wrolstad. Sylvia married Jerome Gjertson in Feb. 4, 1939. He preceded her in death on April 16, 1958. She later married Norris Wogsland on May 5, 1962 at Northland Lutheran Church. He preceded her in death on April 17, 1998. Sylvia graduated from Rosholt High School. She worked as a LPN for 22 years at Iola Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, Homme Home, Menomonee Falls Hospital, retiring in 1970. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, and sang in the Northland Lutheran Church Choir, was a charter member of the Iola Sons of Norway.

She is survived by a son, Jerome (Darlene) Gjertson, of Iola; grandchildren: Jean (Tom) Freeman of Starkville, MS; Peggy (Rick) Thompson of Jackson, MS; great-grandchildren: Nathan (Kim) Stroh of Canyon, TX; Justin (Rachel) Stroh of Jackson, MS; Richard (Angel) Thompson of Jackson, MS; Elizabeth Thompson, of Hattiesburg, MS; great-great-grandchildren: Owen, Blake, Caroline, Taylor, Carson, Kylee and Camden; one sister, Lillian Urban of Bloomington, Ill. and sister-in-law, Lorna Wogsland of Texas. She was preceded in death by a sister, Belma Torbenson, and brothers, Franklin and Alvin Wrolstad.

Funeral Service will be held at Northland Lutheran Church, Iola, Wisconsin, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25th, with Reverend Dan Somers officiating. Visitation will be held Friday 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.. at Northland Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Northland Lutheran Cemetery Town of Harrison, Wisconsin Register Book and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.voiefuneralhome.com. The Voie Funeral Home of Iola is serving the family.

LouVera I. Mavis, age 88 of Marion, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016 at Pine Manor Healthcare Center, Embarrass.

LouVera Irene Mavis was born September 22, 1928 in Wittenberg, the daughter of the late Alfred and Selma (Rosenthal) Hartwig. She spent her early years in the Wittenberg, Tigerton and Marion areas and graduated from Marion High School in 1946. LouVera was united in marriage to Elmer Mavis on June 14, 1947 in Menominee, MI. Later they moved back to the Marion area where they lived the rest of their lives. She was a homemaker and worked as a bookkeeper at Zigs Motel in Marion for 30 years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Caroline. She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting and going to the Marion Senior Center.

Survivors include her son: David (Marsha) Mavis, Jemez Springs, NM; a half-sister, LaVonn Larsen, Costa Mesa, CA; sisters-in-law, Jo An Voigt, Jackson, MI and Gladys Woelffer, Marshall, WI. Also nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Elmer; her parents; half-brothers, William, Arno and Gordon Voigt; sisters-in-law, Florence Mavis and Mildred Pockat; brothers-in-law, Art Mavis, Robert Woelffer and Milton Pockat.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2016 at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Marion with the Rev. Bradley Dokken officiating. Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery, Marion. Friends may call on Monday at the funeral home from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Marion is assisting her family. An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.

Proposed policy supports removal

By Erik Buchinger

The Clintonville School Board held a first reading of a proposed policy regarding the memorial plaques for students and staff who die while still involved with the school.

The topic was raised after Clintonville High School student Austin Arnold committed suicide this summer.

Arnold’s mother was in attendance and said she is in favor of keeping the plaques on the wall to remember students.

“People look at [suicide] differently than getting killed in a car accident when teenagers drink and drive, and we put those plaques up,” she said. “My son apparently wasn’t in his right state of mind because all the information, we’ve been given says that people in the right state of mind wouldn’t do something like this. I’m just here to defend his honor. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be with the others on that wall that did attend the school.”

Arnold’s mother said she discussed the possibility of his other son seeing his plaque on the wall at school.

“I got a phone call questioning how his younger brother will feel coming to the high school seeing his plaque on the wall,” she said. “My son lives in the house where Austin lived. He sees his bedroom door every day not open, he sees his picture hanging on the wall. It’s not going to change having a plaque on the wall how he feels because he sees it every day.”

The board made its first reading of the policy to take down the plaques:

The board of education recognizes the far-reaching impact that a student or staff member’s death may have on students, staff, families and the community. The board believes that the remembrance of a student or staff member whose life ended during his or her school year should be consistent from case to case.

Considering the grief process of family and friends in accordance of this policy, the board recognizes the importance of remembering accidental or natural deaths of students or staff recommends the memorials take the form of scholarships.

Generally, the board does not support permanent memorials, including but not limited to, the use of memorial plaques or markers, which are mounted or displayed on district buildings or grounds. Memorials are permissible only after a proposal is approved by the superintendent.

When there is a student suicide, the board is concerned that the tragic death not be glorified or serve as an incentive for self-inflicted acts by others. The district will respond in the appropriate matter that prioritizes the wellbeing of the student body.

The board will take feedback and revisit the discussion during its next meeting.

New elementary school recommended
Members of the Elementary Facilities Task Force recommended to add a new school based on its study of the elementary facilities and a community survey at the school board meeting Monday, Nov. 14.

Task force members Amanda Gross and Larry J. Czarnecki made a presentation to recommend voters to be in favor of the $24.9 million referendum for the April 2017 election.

The recommendation calls for a renovation to Clintonville’s Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School, which was built in 1918.

The tax impact would be $98 per $100,000 property value, which would be for the first five years before dropping off to the same level, Czarnecki said.

Matthew Wolfert of Bray Architects emphasized the importance of trusting the data and survey. He also warned that it will not be an easy process.

“I would say this isn’t a slam dunk,” Wolfert said. “I think as you saw from the perspective of the data, we have a lot of hard work to do with the community to help them understand the needs and get them to the school to see the challenges you face with a building of that age and how education has changed.”

Students propose open-campus lunch
Three Clintonville High School students presented an idea to the board to offer an open campus lunch for juniors and seniors.

This would allow students to eat outside of the lunch room, whether it be eating outside, at home, a friend’s house or elsewhere.

The students cited that nearby high schools allow open campus lunch. Among some of the suggestions included parent or guardian approval, a set minimum GPA and good behavior.

The students proposed to undergo a lengthy trial to start in January to see how students would handle it.

Clintonville High School Principal Lance Bagstad said he was in favor of the proposal of an open campus lunch.

New wrestling coach hired
The school board approved the hiring of Clintonville High School wrestling head coach Exavier Dimick.

Village board discusses time sheets

By John Faucher

The Hortonville Village Board discussed employee time sheets at length during its regular board meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17.

“This came up in pervious board discussion that there were questions of how time sheets are dealt with in the village office, specifically for our salaried employees, and how we are tracking hours,” said Village President Martens.

She informed board members that Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Mischker was asked to do some research in the matter and find how the state requires the village to report this and what the village has historically done.

Mischker said that back in May, based on discussions Chief of Police Michael Sullivan had with the Federal Wage and Hour Division, the village was under the impression that it could not have employees track hours over 40 and use them as time off.

“So in order to go with that and to have standard time sheets to go across departments, we reworked the time sheets and that started up in early May,” said Mischker.

“We did find that charting of the hours was started in 2011 and kept track of,” she added.

“In talking with the Federal Wage and Hour Division, I found that if you tell them you are a government unit and not a business that you are allowed to have you overtime except employees track their hours over the normal hours that they would work, and you can set a policy allowing them to use that as time off.”

Those in attendance did not say whether this discussion was related to Chief Sullivan being placed on administrative leave in mid-October.

Village Trustee Jeanne Bellile said she also did some research and spoke with representatives from both the federal and state labor agencies.

Bellile said she was told, “Yes, absolutely the village can definitely ask employees to track their time in, their time out, meetings, when and where they went to a meeting, and how long it lasted.”

Bellile also checked with other municipalities to see what they do.

She found the town of Greenville asks their employees to track their hours, and she made contact with the city of Oconomowoc.

“The city of Oconomowoc requires their employees to keep a time sheet. They do this for overall tracking purposes, monitoring comp time and allocating hours for projects,” said Bellile.

Most employees submit time sheets electronically through a time keeping program, which allows Oconomowoc to break down an employee’s day by tracking hours worked on a project, attendance at meetings and training.

“This also allows the city to run reports on training activities, and hours worked on projects, which they’ve found has been very beneficial,” Bellile said.

“I would definitely recommend our employees go back to this, where they track the hours which we would be able to see on those time sheets, so that we know when they are in this office, when they are not in this office or when they are at a meeting, just like they do in Oconomowoc,” Bellile said.

“I feel it is just holding people accountable and it’s doing what is good for all our residents. It also takes pressure off us. We are here to hold our employees accountable whether they are hourly or salary.”

Trustee Peter Olk asked what has been the tradition in the past.

Bellile said she made an open records request for the time sheets of the village administrator, chief of police and department of public works head.

She began to cite various examples from dates in October, when Village President Traci Martens spoke.

“I don’t know that we need to get into the detail of where they are during this particular meeting,” said Martens. “I think that the question though is how we as a board want to have the process going forward.

“My understanding of it from talking to staff and Jeanne last Friday was that the statues and directives we are getting from the state was that the village board can, not that the village board should. So it’s up to us to determine that direction on what we want,” said Martens.

“We had a great deal of detail in the past,” said Martens. In the farther off history of the village under different administrations, staff did not submit time sheets to the village president.

Olk said, “We’re not talking about signature verification here. We’re talking about tracking time.”

He said that when he was a salaried employee with the state Department of Veterans Affairs, he was required to keep time sheets within the time network called the Star Network.

“It always indicated where I was, what meetings I attended, my travel time, everything. I had to account for everything,” said Olk. “In my opinion, as a village taxpayer, I don’t want to do an open records request and see a time sheet that says 80 hours, and that’s it.”

“I think it should be delineated a little bit more, as to indications of what they did during that period of time. It doesn’t have to be expanded a lot. It just needs to be a simple report, such as a meeting in Outagamie County, or an after hour meeting for example. That’s my opinion,” said Olk.

Public Works Director Carl McCrary said, “That’s kind of the way we used to do it.”

Olk asked why it changed.

Wessel reported it was changed because it was questioned, and the village was under the impression it could not do that for salaried employees as a means to determine hours over 40 as time off.

Mischker said, “What staff would like is to have something definitely put into place. We’re not arguing about which route to go or anything, but up until now there hasn’t been a defined direction from the board stating this is what we want from the employee.”

“We’d like to have something that the village board agrees on so that we can follow it and you get the information that you need and we go ahead and put everything down,” said Mischker.

Wessel said there also needed to be a standardized method across all different departments. She noted that in the past the police department, administration, and library all handled time sheets differently.

“That also promoted us into looking at this,” said Wessel.

Olk said he would like every department head to have a time sheet of hours worked that delineates it down to meetings and projects they’re working on.

“That’s why we’re bringing this forward. There has to accountability to every employee,” said Bellile.

Wessel said, “I don’t think we have any disagreement here.”

Trustee Kelly Schleif agreed. “The board needs to direct Diane to move ahead with putting something in place so that it can become a policy and be placed in the employee handbook.”

“We need to create and define procedures for this,” said Martens.

She said it is evident that staff needs to go back to the old time sheets that were more itemized, but at the same time, the overall process needs fine-tuning.

“Perhaps it starts at the staff level, where they would bring a recommendation to the executive committee for consideration and future board approval,” said Martens.

Police say a driver stopped for OWI had a phony green card.

Alejandro P. Morales, 22, Wautoma, is charged with a third drunken driving offense, identity fraud to avoid criminal prosecution and operating after revocation of his license.

At approximately 10:35 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, a 911 caller reported a black Ford was driving erratically eastbound on State Highway 54 and had turned south on County Trunk O near Royalton.

Waupaca County Deputy Chad Repinski was in Weyauwega when he heard the report over the radio. He traveled east on County Trunk X toward County O to intercept the car.

He saw a black Ford Taurus heading toward him. It appeared the Ford had its highbeam lights illuminated as it passed.

Repinski turned around, followed the car and reported it was weaving, then ran the stop sign at State Highway 110/ Mill Street.

The Ford stopped at the railroad intersection because a train was parked and blocking the way.

According to the criminal complaint, Repinski saw two Hispanic men in the front and three 12-packs of beer in the back seat. Two of them were open and there were empty cans on the floor.

“I asked him in Spanish if he spoke English and he stated no,” Repinski said in his report regarding the driver. “I asked him in Spanish if he had any identification and he said no.”

Weyauwega Police Officer Justin Malueg arrived at the scene and assisted.

The passenger presented a Mexican ID card, the complaint says.

In the driver’s pocket, Repinski found a green card made out for Victor Gonzales. The card included a photo, fingerprint and the emblem of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The driver reportedly said his name was Victor Gonzales, admitted to speaking a little English and said he worked on farms in the Pine River and Poy Sippi area.

He also said he did not know the passenger’s name, then said it was Jose Juan, the complaint says.

The driver then asked to use his cellphone.

“As he spoke more to me how to use his phone, he spoke straight English as well,” Repinski reported. “I then recognized he spoke English well and had not been honest earlier.”

A preliminary breath test indicated the driver had a blood-alcohol level of .185, more than twice the legal limit.

Repinski took the driver into custody and transported him to the hospital. He initially made out the citation as a first-time OWI against Victor Gonzales.

However, a records check of the driver’s fingerprints came back to Alejandro Morales with two prior OWI convictions in 2013 and 2014 and a revoked license.

Morales currently remains in custody on a bail that requires $2,000 cash and a $3,000 signature bond with the conditions he consume no alcohol and the jail monitor him through SoberLink.

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New London head coach Kurt Schommer cheers on players during a conditioning drill on Friday, Nov. 18. Erik Buchinger photo

Q&A with Kurt Schommer

By Erik Buchinger

The New London boys’ basketball team will look to improve in the second season with its head coach with several returning contributors.

Head coach Kurt Schommer answered 10 questions about the upcoming season.

Year coaching the team: 2nd.

Returning players (grade): Devin Winkler (Sr.), Kyle Krenke (Sr.), Grant Oberstadt (Sr.), Jacob Johnson (Sr.), Brayden Kurth (Jr.), Kyle Wolf (Jr.), Will Wohlt (Jr.).

Players to watch (grade): Devin Winkler (Sr.), Grant Obserstadt (Sr.), Jacob Johnson (Sr.), Brayden Kurth (Sr.), Kyle Wolf (Jr.), Will Wohlt (Jr.), Brennan Stroethenruther (So.), Mike Salazar (Jr.).

Team goals/expectations: Our goal as a team is to achieve the absolute most we can out of this team.  We want to be consistent and great on the defensive end and are looking to make big strides on the offensive side.

Team’s strengths: We have a good amount of experience coming back from last year’s team, which helps us in different situations. Our ability to dig in on defense and cause disruptions will allow us to play with every team we play.

Team’s weaknesses: Rebounding and shooting are question marks for us.

Teams to beat in conference: Xavier, Seymour, West De Pere.

Biggest games on the schedule: All of our games are just as important as the last, especially our conference games.

What you want players to get out of this season: To play hard, play together, have fun and grow as positive men.

Why fans should be excited for this team: We’re going to play extremely hard and with emotion night in and night out.

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Demonstrating "The Claw" are (from left) Vincent Schafer and Julian Haffner, who are fifth graders at Weyauwega Elementary School. Angie Landsverk Photo

Elementary STEM program begins

By Angie Landsverk

Project Lead the Way Launch is now the elementary science curriculum in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.

“Launch is the elementary version of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum,” said Kandi Martin, the district’s curriculum director.

PLTW is a nonprofit that provides K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.

The high school is offering PLTW engineerings classes for the first time this school year, with 30 percent of its students enrolled in one.

Martin said PLTW Launch is based on the Next Generation Science Standards.

This past summer, elementary teachers Devon Feldt, Shari Foster, Jodie Knecht, Holly Olsen, Marnie Rotta and Jennifer Steidtman received training at the Milwaukee School of Engineering to become certified lead teachers for the PLTW Launch science curriculum.

They are then teaching the rest of the elementary teachers, Martin said.

Steidtman teaches first grade at Weyauwega Elementary and is now interested in becoming a master trainer for the program.

“It’s fun to see children who maybe do not like or do well in literature or math building something,” she said.

The PLTW Launch program includes interdisciplinary modules.

Steidtman said the students will work on four different modules throughout the school year.

“Two modules for each grade are engineering based,” she said.

There is also a module based on human anatomy with the last module being computer science based.

“I think the kids will be ready to delve into (computer science) the end of the year,” Steidtman said. “They will have to design apps. I love that computer programming starts in kindergarten.”

This month, Feldt’s fifth-grade class at Weyauwega Elementary showed kindergartners and first graders what they learned in the first engineering-based module.

“It is called the Project Lead the Way Toy Show,” Martin said. “All the robots they built are being presented as toys to cure boredom. The kids are trying to sell their products to the target audience.”

Feldt’s class of 20 students created seven different toys.

Grace Radtke and Kiana Van Hammond named their creation Miko.

“Our toy can grab stuff for you,” said Radtke.

Van Hammond said, “We just wanted to do something that people or kids don’t have to stay on their phones or tablets. They can use Miko and have a lot of fun.”

Over the course of about two weeks, the students worked in groups to turn their ideas into designs, using parts from the classroom’s kits to do so.

Tyler Baehnman, Lydia Lick and Ava Loehrke created Lexini 7.

“We hope to help athletes with their ball accuracy. It can throw and catch balls,” Lick said.

Loehrke said she likes working with robots.

Feldt enjoyed watching his students learn the difference between inventions and innovations.

“One of the coolest things is the kids get to learn in a different way,” he said. “This is self directed learning. It allows kids to see different paths to solve problems.”

Feldt said the students got right to work when it was time to work on their projects.

“There were so many different ways for them to express their learning,” he said. “Their different personalities came through.

Feldt said his students did a wonderful job on the first module they worked on this school year.

“We set the expectations pretty high for this. They definitely came through,” he said.

Rotta said the next thing the sudents will do is build a robot and program it.

Elementary Principal Doug Nowak noted the students in each group were proud of their work and equally proud of what their peers did.

Donation sites in Iola, Manawa, Scandy, Waupaca

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative has kicked off its annual Toys for Tots drive in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps.

The public is invited to spread a little Christmas joy this holiday season by donating toys. Last year CWEC was able to provide toys to more than 700 area children.

Donation sites are located in Iola, Manawa, Scandinavia and Waupaca. The final collection date is Dec. 6.

The 2016 toy collection sites include: Iola – Premier Community Bank, 505 E. State St., 715-445-4700; Iola-Scandinavia Elementary School, 450 E Division St., 715-445-2411; Iola-Scandinavia Community Fitness & Aquatic Center, 445 S. Jackson St., 715-445-2411; The Iola Tax Place, 105 Pine Crest Suite D, 715-445-4829; First National Bank, 148 N. Main St., 715-445-3211; Scandinavia – Silver Lake Lanes, N6311 State Road 49, 715-467-2700; Manawa – Manawa Elementary School, 800 Beech St., 920-596-2524; Little Wolf Junior/Senior High School, 515 E. Fourth St., 920-596-2525; Premier Community Bank, 341 S. Bridge St., 920-596-2531; Waupaca – RE/MAX Lyons Real Estate, 206 W. Fulton St., 715-258-9565; Walgreen Drug Stores, 925 W. Fulton St., 715-258-9228.

Checks are also accepted, with the money used to purchase toys for area children. Checks should be made out to Toys for Tots and mailed to: Central Wisconsin Electric Coop, PO Box 100, Rosholt, WI 54473.

Online donations can be made at iola-wi.toysfortots.org.

Farmer attributes longevity to hard work

By Angie Landsverk

Grant Sorensen believes hard work is the key to a long, healthy life.

“I farmed all my life,” said Sorensen, who turned 100 on Nov. 19.

Born in Lind Center, he was a dairy, beef and crop farmer.

Today, daughter and son-in-law Rheta and Art Richardson manage the grazing beef farm and also live on it.

Sorensen’s son and daughter-in-law, Errol and Mary Sorensen, live in Massachusetts.

They were among the relatives and friends who gathered at Waupaca Mobil Travel Center Nov. 18 for one of several birthday celebrations for Sorensen.

The breakfast included people from Tennessee, Texas, Stevens Point, Plover, Two Rivers, Manitowoc and Wisconsin Rapids.

The birthdays and anniversaries of others were also celebrated.

“I’ve had lots of parties already,” Sorensen said, as a birthday doughnut sat on the table in front of him.

His Nov. 19 birthday party took place at King’s Table Restaurant.

When asked about what it is like to live to be 100, Sorensen said that in addition to lots of hard work, one has to plan for it.

He has no physical problems.

Rheta said her father has had macular degeneration for 25 years and reads several books per month through an audio reading program.

Six generations of his family have worked on the family farm.

“Dad is active – meeting with family and friends and going to church,” Rheta said.

He continues to live at home, with the help of family and friends.

Sorensen and his late wife, Verdell, were married for 72 years. She passed away in 2014.

Rheta said they lived a good, long life together and were long-time square dancers.

In addition to their two children, there are six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

“I’ve had a good life,” Sorensen said.

Waupaca County ARES answers

By Robert Cloud

A small group of people in Waupaca County help maintain communications during emergencies.

“When all other forms of communications go down, you can communicate around the world if you have a 12-volt battery,” according to Jesse Landre, the public information officer for the Waupaca County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES).

“We’re there to back up the systems that have gone down,” Landre said.

Nearly 20 volunteers are active with ARES countywide.

They work with Waupaca County Emergency Management, provide local storm spotting and warnings during severe weather, and safety monitoring at the Iola Bump and Jump in May, the Iola Car Show in July and the Waupaca Triathlon in August each year.

Every June, Waupaca County ARES also participates in Field Day, an emergency preparedness exercise involving more than 30,000 ham radio operators nationwide.

“We have a three-hour window to set up our equipment and remote operating center,” Landre said. “We transmit for 24 hours and contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible nationwide.”

ARES’ remote operating center is a converted 24-foot camper/trailer. Field Day usually takes place in a park, and ARES members take turns operating the radios.

Ham radio operators also activate their network during severe weather.

“If there is a weather event, we’re in direct contact with the National Weather Service out of Green Bay,” Landre said.

Some ARES members have mobile radios and serve as storm spotters, although they do not go out at night due to safety concerns.

“We’re their eyes,” said Chuck Fritz, ARES’ emergency coordinator.

Fritz said up to a dozen area members can be working during a storm.

Fritz obtained his amateur radio license in 1973.

“When I got licensed, I had to learn morse code. It was five words a minute for the novice and 13 for the general license,” Fritz said.

There are three classifications for ham radio licenses.

Fritz said the entry level license focuses on the rules and regulations of amateur radio.

“You can’t talk all over the world, but you can talk radio-to-radio locally,” Fritz said.

The General Class license gives a ham radio operator more privileges, permits the operator to talk on high frequency bands and communicate around the country and the world.

Landre has had his license for about three years.

“It all started from a fishing trip my buddies and I took up north,” Landre said. “We wanted to be able to communicate boat-to-boat.”

Landre said they tried cellphones, CB radios and two-way radios. But none of these technologies worked due to the distance between their boats and the remote location.

“The five of us took a two-day class and the exam and that’s how we got our licenses,” Landre said. “It works great. If you have a mobile radio and an antenna on the boat, you’re good to go for about five miles.”

“The guys dared their wives that they couldn’t pass the test,” Becky Landre said, who is also a member of ARES. “We took their dare and passed the test.”

Becky said she likes ARES because of the opportunities to volunteer and help provide safety at area events.

Waupaca County ARES meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the lower level of the courthouse in Waupaca.

The organization is open to any ham radio operator.

For more information, contact Fritz at 715-412-1070 or email him at ac9f@tds,net, or contact Jesse Landre via cellphone at 608-346-4088 or email him at landrejl@yahoo.com.

Waupaca County ARES also has a Facebook page.