The Independence Day parade was well-attended in Phillips. Parade watchers looked to the sky hoping the much-needed rain would hold off for an hour or so, which it did. Spectators were able to enjoy the approximately 40-minute parade under dry conditions. Rain started about twenty minutes afterward.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Forward Bank is a depositor-owned organization driven to move our communities forward. By offering free checking, great rates on loans & deposits, business services, leading edge digital services, and a Charitable Money Market Account, Forward Bank keeps our communities strong. For more information, visit Forward Bank's website. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Deer Creek Angus, LLC has a large selection of Black Angus burgers, steaks, roasts, and other beef products sold by individual packages and in quarters, halves, and whole. Contact Deer Creek Angus, LLC at 715-550-6156, find products & pricing on their website, and follow their Facebook page.
Governor Evers signed a $808,979 contract to have WIS 13, from 5th Street North in Park Falls to the Ashland County line, resurfaced.
This segment of the highway is showing signs of distress, and this Wisconsin Department of Transportation project will remove some of the existing asphalt and replace it with new asphalt. New pavement markings will also be put in place.
Construction is expected to begin on Friday, July 8, 2022 and continue through August 2022. The exact timeframe for completion of the project is dependent on the weather.
While Hwy. 13 will remain open to traffic, drivers should expect single lanes controlled by flaggers during daytime hours, so commute times will likely be increased.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Deer Creek Angus, LLC has a large selection of Black Angus burgers, steaks, roasts, and other beef products sold by individual packages and in quarters, halves, and whole. Contact Deer Creek Angus, LLC at 715-550-6156, find products & pricing on their website, and follow their Facebook page.
Cathy Peterson was born to Clarence and Mary (Conrad) Mess and is the oldest of her six siblings. They all grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin. "My favorite family memories are our Christmas celebrations which began with the Feast of St. Nicholas in December and continued until the birthdays of my Grandpa and Grandma Conrad in early January. For me, it was the happiest time of the year," Cathy reminisced.
Cathy attended parochial school for ten years. She graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1959. After attending college in Milwaukee for one year, she finished her degree and graduated from Columbia County Teachers College in May 1962.
A college diploma was not the only certificate she received that year, as one month later, she married Walter Peterson, a native of Catawba, who she met at a community dance at Angell Park in Sun Prairie when she was a senior in high school. Since Walter was in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, the couple moved to Georgia, where Cathy started her career as a teacher. "I loved being able to inspire students to open their minds and acquire more knowledge. I loved to use real life stories as one way of doing that; history was probably my favorite subject to teach," Cathy said.
Two years later, the couple moved to Watertown, Wisconsin. There, the first three of their eight children were born, plus they were foster parents for two brothers and a couple of other boys.
In 1971, Cathy and Walter moved to Catawba after purchasing a farm owned by her husband's uncle. The transition from a larger area to a small town was initially difficult for Cathy, but she made the best of it and found plenty of things to keep her occupied. "While raising our children and helping with farm chores, I also continued my interest in education and community service. I was a 4-H club leader for about 25 years and taught religious education classes for a similar length of time," Cathy shared. She taught religious studies throughout her adult life in Georgia, Sun Prairie, Watertown, and Catawba.
Along with educating youth, Cathy had another passion she turned into a career. "I started doing some free-lance writing by authoring a variety of articles and creating greeting cards which I would send out to various publishers. For several years, I wrote the weekly Catawba News for "The-BEE," our local weekly newspaper and some years later was hired as a community news reporter and features writer. I especially enjoyed reporting on the involvement of area residents who worked as loggers, truck drivers, and community support workers during the time logging was taking place in the Superior National Forest." Adding to her writing career, Cathy currently makes contributions to My Price County / My Northern Wisconsin.
Aside from her careers, family has always been important to Cathy. She has eight children, 24 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Her oldest son, Joe, is a truck mechanic. Mary, her oldest daughter, is an auditor for the State of Wisconsin. Steve is a guidance counselor. Her middle daughter, Karin, is a research scientist with the National Institutes of Health at the Rocky Mountain Lab in Montana. Mike, lives in Catawba, and he is a beef farmer and truck driver. Her youngest three children took an interest in education; Peter is a middle school principal while Johnny and Sarah are teachers.
Unfortunately, Cathy's husband passed on in 2007. One of her sons asked her if she planned to remain in Price County or return to southern Wisconsin where most of her siblings and their families live. Cathy shared, "It didn't take me long to reply that I would be staying here; just as growing up in Price County has given my children two very important things, roots and wings, living here has done the same for me."
Cathy continued, "As I reflect on my life, in spite of the difficulties I encountered, I feel very blessed. I had loving parents who served as wonderful role models and had some unique experiences such as living in the South as the Civil Rights movement was just beginning. The move to Price County was a difficult time for me, but, in retrospect, our children benefitted from growing up in the less hectic pace of life in Price County. The slower pace of life here also gives me time to enjoy reading, my favorite hobby, and being involved in several community organizations."
Her greatest community involvement has been with five organizations. "For at least 30 years, I was very involved in the Price County UW-Extension's 4-H program, more than half of them spent as a leader for the K-C Clovers 4-H Club; as well as the Price County Farm Bureau; and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Therese of Lisieux Conference. I am still a member of the Jump River Valley Historical Society and the Taylor-Price chapter of the Wisconsin Farmers Union."
Cathy's involvement in various organizations, along with being an educator at school and church, is reflected in her favorite quote from the Bible, "What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." These words sum up the life Cathy aims to achieve, while doing so with roots and wings.
Last year, just before Labor Day, Hjalmer Johnson and Mitch Delasky created a 9/11 memorial out of hay bales with the words, "Never Forget."
"This year we wanted to step it up. So, after many discussions, “REMEMBER” with raising the flag on Iwo Jima came to mind, an iconic photo," Hjalmer said.
He hopes their display will "inspire more people to show some patriotic passion."
If you want to see this hay art creation in person, it is located on County Road D about three miles out of Phillips.
Photos Submitted By: Hjalmer Johnson
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Planning a vacation to the northwoods? Long Lake North offers premium vacation rentals in Phillips, Wisconsin. The rentals are located at 219 County Road F. For reservations, call 715-820-1283, visit Long Lake North's website, and follow the Facebook page.
UPDATE: 6-22-22: The suspect was apprehended in Phillips, Wisconsin around midnight on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
6-21-22:
On June 16, 2022, Eddie L. Banks, 46, was found by a passerby in a ditch in the Township of Clear Creek in Eau Claire County. The investigation determined the man died from a gunshot wound. Through evidence and interviews, the Eau Claire Sheriff's Office has identified a suspect, Philip R. Novak, 36.
Novak is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds, and has green eyes.
It is believed Novak fled the area and may be in Northern Wisconsin or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If you have any information on Novak's whereabouts, contact 715-839-4792 to reach the Eau Claire Communications Center non-emergency line. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at https://www.eauclairecountycrimestoppers.org
The Eau Claire Sheriff's Office reminds that "all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court."
The Knox Creek Heritage Center in Brantwood, WI, dedicated to preserving the heritage of the pioneers that settled the great northwoods, will be hosting “A Mid-Summer Celebration” with an ice cream social on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
The grounds will be open at 12:00 p.m. for everyone to experience the historic buildings and artifacts. Homemade Finnish bread and pulla (a cardamom braid) will be available for sale.
This is of their four annual fund-raisers since being established in 1995. Come see the progress that has been made in constructing the new outdoor pavilion, which was used during last year’s summer events.
The group is seeking individuals and families to become part of KCHC. By becoming a member, you can help maintain the unique historical site. There are several major projects planned and additional funds are needed, through donations, to make these dreams come true. Any donation of time and/or money will be greatly appreciated. Some of the buildings (there are nine) are older than 100 years and need some TLC.
The group hopes to see you all there for a great “Mid-Summer Celebration” and to enjoy a little bit of our local history and enjoy some good times.
On Thursday, June 16, 2022, at approximately 12:46 a.m., the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a vehicle that had struck a pedestrian on USH 51 north of STH 70.
Emergency responders arrived on scene and the pedestrian was pronounced deceased upon arrival. Through investigation it was determined the vehicle operator was operating under the influence and subsequently arrested and booked into the Vilas County Jail. Traffic can expect detour and delays as the scene remains active into the early morning hours.
The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Vilas County Medical Examiners Office, Minocqua Police Department, Woodruff Police Department, Howard Young Med 5 Ambulance, and Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue all responded to the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Vilas County Medical Examiner’s Office.
At this time, names are not being released pending notification of the family.
The Jump River Valley Historical Museum, located on U.S Highway 8 in Catawba, will be open on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Scott Wittman, the author of a recently released book, "Finding Dairyland: In Search of Wisconsin's Vanishing Heritage," will be present to sign books and greet visitors.
While the author was working on his book, several members of the Jump River Valley Historical Society took Wittman on a tour of Price County dairy farms; county residents, Sherb Mabie, Dennis and Bev Brayton, Alan Larson, and Bruce Koch are featured in the book's accounts of dairying in the Northwoods.
Everyone is welcome to attend this special event and view the museum's updated displays and exhibits, too.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: With many face cords of maple and red oak on hand and ready, there is plenty of firewood for your needs at Daryl's Firewood. Get your firewood early so you will be all set for Winter 2022. If you need quality, dry wood for your campfire, Daryl has that, too. Visit Daryl's Firewood's website or call Daryl at 715-339-6885 or 312-968-9261 for pick-up or delivery in Price County. Follow Daryl's Firewood's Facebook page.
BW Papersystems, a division of Barry-Wehmiller, is a global company that is headquartered in Phillips. Wisconsin. It manufactures machines plus upgrades and services for the corrugated and sheeting industries. In other words, BW Papersystems makes the machines that make corrugated boxes and also make machines that convert a roll of paper into sheets of paper.
They are holding a career fair on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from noon until 5 p.m. and Friday, June 24, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at BW University Learning Center, located at 165 County Road F in Phillips, Wisconsin.
There are a number of job openings available, including mechanical assembly, electrical assembly, electro-mechanical assembly, CNC machinist, fabricators/welders, customer service, safety coordinator, controls engineer, mechanical engineer, and inventory tech.
Benefits include paid and sick time off available after ninety days; medical, dental, and vision insurance provided on Day 1; 401(k) and short- & long-term disability; free 24/7 on-site fitness center; a wellness program; and a Prevea on-site clinic.
