EXELAND AREA ASSOCIATION NEWS
Mark your calendars!!! The Association has announced it will be holding a Spaghetti Feed on Friday, April 20th, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Exeland Rod & Gun Clubhouse. The cost will be $6 for adults & $4 for children 12 and under. The meal will include a plate of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Beverages (including beer) will be available to buy.
The annual spring cleaning night of Swan Creek Park will be held sometime in April. The exact date will be posted on the Community Events Board. If you would like to help out bring a rake and join us. Food & beverages will be served after the work is done.
This year’s community picnic will be held on Tuesday, July 3rd. Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. Music during the evening and fireworks at 10:00 p.m.
The annual 4-team alumni baseball tournament will be held on Saturday, July 7th.
The Association is putting a community calendar together for 2013 and hope they’ll be ready for sale by Labor Day weekend. This year’s theme and pictures will depict the history of Exeland.
A big thank you to Weathershield of Ladysmith for the $200 donation made to the Association. The money will be used for improvements at Swan Creek Park.
The Association is also getting ready to help organize the Sunday street parade for the Trout Fest on Sept. 2nd.
If you would like to join the Exeland Area Association ($20) or purchase an ad in our Newsletter ($40 per year for 4 ads) please contact Janet at Dairyland State Bank.
SPORTS
Congratulations to Kal Gerber (son of Dave & Patty Gerber) and Ben Adams (son of Troy & Jen Adams) on earning a trip to the State Wrestling Tournament in Madison. They were the only two freshmen in their Sectional to make it to the State Tourney.
Making the 2011 East Lakeland Volleyball All-conference Team were: Lindsey Thompson, Brittany Thompson (daughters of Dale & Brenda Thompson) & Callie Sajdera (daughter of Joe & Renee Sajdera).
Congratulations to the Winter High School Basketball Team on a tremendous season. They won the East Lakeland Conference with an 11-1 record and posted a 20-3 overall record. Leaders of the team were: Brittany Thompson; Lindsey Thompson & Callie Sajdera. The Junior Varsity also had a good season and they were led by: Kari Mattmiller (daughter of Sheila Nerby) & Mackenzie Thompson (daughter of Ron & Jackie Thompson). Kourtney Fischer (daughter of Korey & Julie Fischer) returned from a broken foot and was a clutch player for the varsity late in the season. Coaches of this highly successful program are: Sheila Nerby & Dale Thompson. It should also be mentioned that Callie Sajdera also scored over a 1,000 points during her career.
Good luck to Ashton Waite (son of Brant & Carrie Waite). Ashton, a 2nd grader at Cameron Grade School, qualified for the Youth State Wrestling Tournament to be held in Madison on Friday, March 23rd. He earned the trip by placing 2nd at River Falls in the 84 lb. weight class and has a 35-5 season record.
The results of the Frontier Bar cribbage league will be printed in the next Newsletter.
Youth baseball sign-up for the local little league and Babe Ruth teams will be held in the near future. The dates and times will be posted at the school or around town.
The Wisconsin Badgers & Marquette Golden Eagles basketball teams are giving Wisconsin a lot to cheer about. Both teams have made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
Our Sincere Sympathy
The Exeland community would like to extend their condolences to all of the families on the recent passing of:
Jeffrey Walczak (Jan. 26)
Mae Frankenberg (Feb.)
Brenda Hart (Feb. 4)
Codetta Clark (Feb. 8)
Dorothy Tate (Feb. 9)
Audrey Canaday (Feb. 10)
Dareld Van Wey (Mar. 1)
Jack Pederson (Mar. 15)
It’s been a tough stretch for our little town. A lot of great people have recently left us. All of them will be dearly missed.
SCHOOL NEWS
Good job Drew Anderson (6th grade son of Andy & Missy Anderson) & Kelsie Kopras (5th daughter of Denny & Sue Kopras) on making it to the finals of the Spelling Bee at Bruce Middle School.
Earning a Gold Medal and advancing to the High School State Band Solo & Ensemble Competition to held in Eau Claire on May 5th was Kourtney Fischer of Winter High School. Others earning medals at gold or silver medals at the East Lakeland Conference were Brody Fischer, Lindsey Thompson, Brittany Thompson, Mackenzie Thompson
& Kari Mattmiller. Good job, kids!!!
Leah Suzan (daughter of Ken & Tammy Suzan) has been named the Salutatorian for the Bruce High School class of 2012. You have made all of Exeland proud!
Congratulations to Kourtney Fischer on earning a Gold Medal at the East Lakeland Band Solo & Ensemble competition and advancing to State. Others earning Gold or Silver Medals in the contest were Brody Fischer, Kari Mattmiller & Mackenzie Thompson.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday – April 7 – 11 a.m.
Exeland Rod & Gun Club Pavilion
3 age groups & over 900 eggs hidden
Rain or Shine!
No charge – Come and join the fun!!!
EXELAND ROD & GUN CLUB NEWS
On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Rod & Club held their annual members only ice fishing contest on Windfall Lake. The event was attended by 28 members. The results & biggest fish for each category were:
Walleye – Bud Hover (Exeland); Bluegill – Tim Buller (Exeland); Crappie – Tim Buller (Exeland); Northern – Chuck Lynk (Exeland); Perch – Chuck Lynk (Exeland); Bass – Chuck Lynk (Exeland).
The Club recently sponsored a Concealed Gun Carry Class that was attended by 15 people.
The deer research team from Madison (a project sponsored by the Exeland Rod & Club to check the impact predators have on the local heard) has released information from 2011. Their data shows a 75% loss of newborn fawns within the first two weeks of life. Most of the fawn deaths are do to bear. Bobcats were 2nd on the list. Wolves and coyotes preyed mostly on yearling deer and not on fawns.
The Club held their annual Wildlife Benefit Night at the Couderay Riverside Golf Course on Saturday, March 17. It was another huge success. Gun winners from the banquet will be announced in the next newsletter.
The Club will be holding their annual Fishing Expo for the grade school kids in April and will be handing out over 100 fishing poles along with teaching them fishing skills.
Some projects the Club is looking into for 2012 are: Senior Citizen Wildlife Feed; Foot Bridge at Swan Creek Park; new benches & bleachers at the softball field; Nature Walking Trail near the Rod & Gun Club.
The Club announced the dates for the 20th annual Trout Fest. This year’s event will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 31, Sept. 1 & 2.
If you would like to join the Exeland Rod & Gun Club the membership is only $20 a year. Call Nevin Zezza at 715-943-2604 to become a new member.
MISC.
REMEMBER SANTA! If you’re cleaning your garages or closets out and have items that would make good presents for the Santa Shop held in December you drop them off at the Dairyland State Bank in Exeland. The Shop is looking for gifts all year long.
A great S. Patrick’s Day party was held at the Rock Castle on Friday, March 16th. A huge crowd was on hand and had a fun time listening & dancing to some great music by the Porch Dogs.
While most people have 300 – 400 friends on Facebook, Dana Zebro says she’s lucky to have 3 or 4.
Happy birthday to Leatha Pasanen who recently turned 90 years old. A nice party was held for her at the Rock Castle on Friday, March 23rd.
Congratulations to Bob & Lea Balczewski on being united in marriage on March 10th. The weeding ceremony was held at Living Faith Church with Pastor Tim Jerry officiating. A well-attended celebration was held at the Buckhorn Bar afterwards. A warm moment at the wedding was seeing Robert & Bev Stankowski as honorary parents to Bob.
The Exeland Fire Department has had several calls recently including a house fire that was a total. Don’t forget to say thank you to all of the local firemen and EMT’s who are the guardian angels of the Exeland community.
Keep all of the young people from the Exeland community who are serving in the Armed Forces in your prayers.
Good to have the café open again and see the smiling faces of Larry Clark, Bill Clark, Ron Lenk, Gene Shimko, Bill Shimko, Neal Halberg, Nevin Zezza and others back on Main street each morning.
A lot of people are excited the Dancing With Stars competition has started up again. A bunch of famous people dancing and trying to win the coveted Mirror Ball. They’re just lucky Charlie & Bette Balczewski aren’t around anymore. They were the best dancers to ever grace this area and they’d blow all of those famous people out of the contest if they were in it.
For the 21st year in a row Ann Thompson reported seeing the first robin of the year.
ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT
Congrats to Jason Kwasniewski (son of Ed & Nancy Kwasniewski) on the announcement of his engagement to Megan Cold of Ladysmith. An August 2012 wedding is being planned.
COOK-OFF WINNER
Congratulations to Rosie Danielson on winning the 15th annual Soup Cook-Off in Ladysmith. Rosie represented Gordy’s County Market and rolled past the competition with her homestyle beef vegetable soup. Making meals for a crew of hungry boys over the years perfected her cooking talents.
GOODBYE BRENDA
The unexpected and recent passing away of Brenda Hart stunned all of Exeland. Brenda operated the Exeland Depot and was a huge part of Main Street. She loved her town. She was member of the Exeland Area Association and ran the Trout Fest Queen Contest last year. She was always ready to step in and help the community whenever it was needed. We’ll miss you, Brenda. Thank you for all you did.
GET WELL
Stan Ferr was knocked off his feet for a bit while he battled through some health issues. But we all knew he was to tough to keep down and he appears to be back on the road to a full recovery. Keep going, Stan!
Bob Veness, Sports Editor for Ladysmith News, was in the hospital at Marshfield with a health problem but is on the mend and even back to work. Best whishes from Exeland, Bob!
Brad Beise suffered a severe shoulder injury at work and is facing surgery again. All of Exeland is hoping everything goes well for Brad as he begins to mend. Good luck, Brad!
GOLF RANKINGS
UPI and AP just released their first 2012 season golf rankings for local golfers:
#1 – Tyler Mussehl (tie)
#1 – Tanner Villiard (tie)
#3 – Bob Newcombe
#4 – Larry Sander
#5 – Jim Gerber
#6 – Denny Welling
#7 – Ben Clements
#8 – Bob Bull
#9 – John Deach
#10 – Russ Waite
#11 – Al Gerber
#12 – Dave Dantzman
#13 – Sheila Mattmiller
#14 – Sue Kopras
#15 – Bubba Stanfield
Honorable Mention: Scott Ring / Denny Kopras
MEMORY LANE
In remembrance of some those people who graced our community in years past and helped make this a special place:
Sue Hause
Charles “Bud” Atwood
Cyrus Gordon
Sharon Aspseter
David Danielson
Harley Solberg
