Photo by: Sandy Onchuck Back Row: Ron Neilson, Rudy Suchy, and Mike Johnson Front Row: Judy Hayton, Davette Hrabak, Lynne Bohn, Dennis Onchuck, and Gary Freeman
As of Thursday, November 4, 2021, the well-known, highly-cherished historic "bank clock" is once again hanging high above Phillips.
The 1916 McClintock-Loomis Company clock first made its appearance in Phillips in 1918. After the Phillips fire of 1894, the State Bank of Phillips was the first bank to rebuild. They commissioned to have a brownstone building built to house the bank at 126 North Lake Avenue. A McClintock-Loomis Company clock, typically displayed on financial institutions across the United States, was installed on that building in 1918 and would remain there for twenty-seven years. The scars of the clock brackets can still be seen on that original location. In February 1945, the bank moved to a corner brick building located at 198 North Lake Avenue, and the clock moved with it. Up until 1970, the clock had chimes that sounded every quarter hour and pealed hourly, though some townspeople remember this not being a welcome sound for residents who lived downtown and heard the sound often throughout the day. This antique timepiece became a treasured staple of Phillips' history. In January 1980 and October 1982, vandals damaged the clock but it was restored each time.
If you look about halfway down the block on each of these photos, you will see the clock at 126 North Lake Avenue, where it hung from 1918 to 1945 in Phillips, Wisconsin.
[i]Looking between the windows, you can see the holes where the lower bracket of the clock once was at 126 North Lake Avenue. The upper brackets can mostly be seen at the top of the current sign.[/i]
The "bank clock" at 198 North Lake Avenue, where it hung from 1945 to 2016. This building was bought from the bank and is currently owned by Fred Mueller Ford, http://www.FredMuellerFord.com
This is how the clock looked after the bank took it down in 2016. This is what came back to The Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc.
In June of 2016, it was almost entirely destroyed. The current bank chose to remove the clock from the building, which they were painting at that time. Driving through town after teaching summer school on June 14, 2016, Lynne Bohn noticed a sign going up in its place, and she was certain the clock would not be back. She called her mom, Judy Hayton, and mentioned she and Lynne's sister, Davette Hrabak, might want to call the bank to inquire. The three ladies currently own the original brownstone bank building through their business, Bumble Bee Rentals, so the clock has been of interest to them for that reason and due to its historic presence in town. Wanting to learn the fate of the clock, Judy and Davette got on their phones to try to find it. Judy called the bank but did not get any answers. Davette also called the bank twice, and the second teller said the city clerk, Barb Revak, should know as the sign company that took it down needed a permit to take down the clock and put up the new bank sign. Davette called and explained to Barb they wanted to find the clock to hopefully restore it. Barb said that Lakeland Sign and Graphics took it down, so Davette told Barb she would call that business, which she did. The owner said he planned to fully scrap the clock the next day and could send photos of what remained, which he did. He warned that, since the clock was to be scrapped, it was already in pieces and the working clock face was demolished. Since the clock face was no longer original due to the vandalism in the 1980s, the frame, decorative pieces, and chimes had been the only original parts for over 30-some years, so this did not deter the ladies. Davette explained about the importance of the clock to the residents of Phillips, and the owner said he realized it must be important as many people were asking what was going to happen with the clock when it was being taken down. He said that since it was so important to the community, he would give it to Davette, Judy, and Lynne to restore if they sent someone to get it, which they said they would do, so he agreed to hold the clock for them. While arranging for someone to pick up the clock, the sign company e-mailed Davette stating the City of Phillips came to pick it up and the ladies would have to get it from them. "We then attended two city meetings, and it was determined that it was our clock," Davette explained. "We let the city know the purpose of us owning it was to get it restored and then have it back in Phillips for all the residents to enjoy once again."
"We formed The Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc., and we thought we could get this restoration done rather quickly, but we were a little naive about the complexity of it and had no idea what we were in for," Judy admitted. "Hindsight is 20/20, but we are glad we saw the project through." The group started by searching for places to restore the clock. Davette and Lynne called a local person who worked on timepieces and e-mailed and called a number of clock places they found on the Internet, but none of them were interested or able to take on such a large project, and the search area was beginning to extend far away from Phillips. "Seeing the sad-looking photos, one place told me the clock was too damaged to be repaired," Davette remembered, "and a number of people remarked they would have given up, but we were determined and don't like to give up." Clock hands and the clock mechanism were also difficult to find in that size for outdoor purposes, and the hands needed to be weighted appropriately. Out of a number of places, only one had the clock parts that met the requirements.
In the meantime, the ladies started fund-raising while they brainstormed a possible solution to the restoration problem. Judy explained, "We wanted to have most or all of the work done by people in our community, but it's difficult to know everyone's talents. However, I know Rudy Suchy does well with car restorations, and luckily Davette and I saw him at Phillips Lumber and Hardware, so I asked if he would restore the clock. He agreed to donate part of his services, and John Kucaba hauled the frame to Rudy's garage sometime in 2018." Rudy, with a very busy schedule, worked on the clock when he had time, and then COVID-19 hit in 2020, which allowed him more time to finish the clock. He sandblasted the pieces, cleaned the metal, and put all the pieces back together. Some of the decorative corner pieces were missing, so BW Papersystems, who also donated funds, made new pieces identical to the original ones. "Those pieces look like a geometric design but actually contain the logo of the manufacturer of the clock," Lynne explained. "MCL," representing McClintock-Loomis, plus "C" and "O" on each side, standing for "Company," are fashioned in the metal. With a little bit of replacement metal here and there, the clock was finally back to its original luster. "It was so exciting to see the battered frame fixed and painted and the clock face restored to its original numbering style," Lynne remarked about when they first saw the restored clock in June of 2020. She said Rudy made sure to find the exact font that had been used on McClintock-Loomis clocks as the group wanted to restore the look back to the original as best they could. Since the chimes were in disrepair and had not sounded since 1970, those were donated to the Price County Antique Association. The chimes were displayed at their expo and at the 2021 Price County Fair as the item to guess, though no one correctly guessed what they were at either event. The group was unable to find the proper type of chimes to replace them, plus they realized they may not have been a welcome sound. The thermometer, which was added in the recent past and only hung on the bottom of the clock for a short time, was too badly damaged, would have made the clock hang too low on the pole, and was not part of the original look of the timepiece, so it did not get added to the antique clock. "We wanted it to look as original as possible," Judy noted.
The decorative pieces on the clock, like this original one, are the logo for the McClintock-Loomis Company. BW Papersystems re-created some of the decorative pieces and also donated funds to the clock project, https://www.bwpapersystems.com.
Rudy Suchy restored the clock, which needed extensive work.
Price Electric Cooperative made a substantial monetary donation.
Once the clock face was restored, Tony Budaj donated his services and parts to wire the clock and install the lighting. The project went into full speed in 2020 and 2021. The ladies worked on a design for the upper sign, more fund-raising, and finding more skilled people that could get the clock back up in Phillips. "Davette worked diligently on raising funds for the project," Lynne said. "Price Electric Cooperative made a huge impact on the project almost immediately by donating $5,000, which made us feel like we were going to be able to get this accomplished. We also had articles published in our two local news sources, and some of our first donations came from people reading those, such as our former teachers, Sue Weddle and Dave Peterson. Therese and Maureen Trojak were also early contributors and contributed again throughout the process. Since Therese worked at the bank for so many years, the clock also had special meaning to her," Lynne continued. "Davette reached out to some other businesses and local residents that always seem willing to pitch in when the community has a need. Forward Bank, Price County Antique Association, the Precour Family, Chuck & Sherrie Kandutsch, and Frank & Carol Dusek all made contributions. Norvado, Compumold, the Phillips Moose Lodge, Brent Mindock, Slaby, Deda, Marshall, Reinhard & Writz LLP, Carole Zellinger, and Tina Andersen also gave monetary donations. Plus, we cannot forget the coin donations in the jars we had around town at the start of the project. Truly, every penny was appreciated and kept getting us closer to our goal."
The group also needed to select a location for the clock, which proved to be a puzzle. "All the signs that overhang the sidewalks in Phillips have been grandfathered in, but once they are officially removed from a building, as the bank did with the clock, the state no longer allows anything to overhang the sidewalk without a lengthy approval process," Davette explained the legalities. "We also did not want to put it back on a building," Judy added, "because if the current owner of either of those buildings decided to sell the building where it was hung, the clock could be in jeopardy once again." During the restoration process, many people remarked they liked seeing the clock on main street, and the group agreed that is where it should be, but there is not a lot of city-owned property in that small area. Finally, a spot was found, they had it approved at a city meeting, and then learned that there were too many water and sewer pipes underground in that location. The next spot, which they have now decided is the best spot after seeing it there, was the corner of the city parking lot. This spot puts the clock only four buildings away from the brownstone building where it was originally located as opposed to nine buildings away at the brick building where it last resided. Their only fear there was what types of rocks and building materials may be found there given the building that once stood there had been torn down after it was destroyed by fire. Deciding to cover their bases, Davette called the former owner, Tim Werner, and he noted that some of the building materials were bulldozed in, though more to the south side, but he mentioned it did have a basement, so they might hit rock. Given it was the only spot that seemed to be an option and it had been approved by the Common Council, the group decided they would have to give it a try, regardless. "Plus," Davette said, "We liked the idea that the clock would be directly across the street from where the welcome arch once stood in Phillips. Initially it welcomed home the World War I soldiers. Standing for many years, it then welcomed all the people into town from the train drop-off. Now the clock welcomes everyone at that spot."
While the possible digging difficulty was being learned of, finding an electrician to hook up the pre-wired clock to the electrical pad on-site was also proving to be tricky. One electrician quoted $4,100 for the project which seemed too high and was not in the budget, and the other two that volunteered their time backed out of the project because one of them wanted the electrical pad next to the pole and the other wanted the clock on the other side of the street even though there were too many pipes in the way. Not letting those hurdles stop them, Lynne found phone numbers of more electricians and Davette started calling. She reached Tom Miller, a native of Park Falls, who played sports in high school. He joked with Davette that even though his business was in the rival town, he would be glad to donate his services as he enjoys giving back to the local communities when he can.
During the electrician debacle, more obstacles needed to be overcome. "We were stumped on where we could get a large enough pole in the area for an approximately 600 pound, 8 foot tall clock," Davette admitted. The search was leading them to a company in Nebraska, and the cost to bring it to Phillips was almost as daunting as the cost of a 20 foot pole, plus the pole was not ideally designed for this project as a larger area was needed inside the pole to house the clock setting components. The components were necessary so the City of Phillips crew will not need a bucket truck when the time needs to be changed. Luckily, Davette sent an e-mail to her high school classmate and friend, Mick Theis, mentioning the clock project and the difficulty in finding a pole. He wrote her back that IAP, Inc. could design and fabricate the pole and would be glad to help with the project. He later remarked this was a project in which his dad, Bob Theis, would have been proud to help, so he and his sisters, Laurie Woldt and Kris Ernst, along with their mother, Claire Theis, were glad to assist.
Once the group had the pole squared away, they were surprised to learn they needed architectural plans, which were completed at a reduced rate by Ayres and Associates, and a 14 foot hole needed to be dug. The hole needed to have an elaborate rebar cage placed inside, as well. Again, the owners of IAP offered their services for the manufacture of the rebar cage with some materials provided by Phillips Lumber and Hardware. However, there was no one in the area with a rig large enough to create that size hole without tearing up most of the parking lot. The search had extended hours away and the cost would have been in the thousands of dollars. Dennis Onchuck suggested that Davette call their neighbor and friend, Greg Denzine, and Greg gave a lead that panned out immediately. The crew was warned they might hit a basement, so they brought extra heavy augers, including a rock auger, in case it was needed. On September 23, 2021, Dennis brought the rebar cage to the site, and the hole was dug by an awesome crew from Xcel Energy. Of course, the rock basement proved to be a challenge, though the rock auger wasn't utilized, but Jim Heizler of the City of Phillips came over with a backhoe to help get the job done. Jeff Williams from the Department of Public Works also approved providing sand that was needed. Northern Lakes Concrete donated the concrete, and Gary Gabrielsen was happy to offer his services pouring the concrete. He said he remembered the clock from when he was a young boy riding his bike checking the clock to make sure he got home on time. Everyone who had a hand in this project seems to have a special attachment to the clock.
The 2,000 pound pole was made in early October, so the ladies met with Mick Theis and Gary Freeman at IAP to see a sample of the hammered black paint suggested by IAP. All five of them figured the paint could be easily bought at Phillips Lumber and Hardware. However, all five of them were wrong. "Due to supply chain shortages, neither Kris Ernst nor I could find it locally or online," Lynne said. "Finally, an online hardware store that I had never heard of showed they had it in stock, I took a chance ordering it, and we got it. We were never so happy to get a box of paint in the mail!"
November 2nd was going to be the day for the clock to go back up in town, but one last glitch occurred. The clear gloss paint, which was also difficult to find, reacted with the paint on the pole's top dome, so it needed to be repainted and dried, which meant November 4th would be the earliest date for installation. Rudy Suchy brought the clock, Gary Freeman brought the pole, Dennis Onchuck brought a crane, and Mike Johnson and Ron Neilson arrived with Mike's bucket truck. All five men worked together to raise the pole and attach the clock to it. All the hardware was provided by Fastenal and Phillips Lumber and Hardware at no cost to the project. Xcel Energy, who had directional drilled the line weeks prior, arrived as the clock was getting placed and installed the meter, which meant Tom Miller Electric was able to hook up the electricity late that afternoon. The clock, once again, was keeping time over Phillips.
While keeping time, it also gives important information about our town. There is a frame in the pole that will soon house a plaque with information about the clock. Inside the pole is a time capsule that will be opened in 2050. The upper portion of the clock always housed a sign advertising the current bank that owned the building where the clock was affixed. As of 2021, the clock's sign now welcomes everyone to Phillips, Wisconsin, which was platted on September 23, 1876 and incorporated on April 10, 1891. Lynne explained the two dates, stating, "It seems that the platted date was the most significant one mentioned in city documents and is when most people feel the town was formed, but being incorporated is also significant, so, after consulting with Bruce Marshall, the city attorney, we included both dates." Bruce and Davette also donated their time to create a document that will protect the clock from destruction well into the future. To commemorate the event, Judy Hayton wrote a poem. (The poem can be found below this article.)
All three ladies remarked they could not have seen the project through without all the great help they had from everyone involved with donating services, materials, or money. "This clock has a special place in many people's hearts," Judy remarked. "One person told me it moved her to tears to see it back in Phillips. We have enjoyed seeing other people stopping to take photos the last few days when we traveled through town. We are glad so many people are happy." Davette added, "The clock seems to be the one constant in Phillips that people feel attached to. Like an old friend, it has always been there." Lynne agreed and mentioned, "I commend everyone who takes on a community project. There have been so many great projects over the last few years, such as the splash pad and stage in Elk Lake Park and the softball/baseball fields, just to name a few. We all may wonder why something is done a certain way on any of these projects, but the truth is the people organizing those projects probably had a lot of difficulties they had to overcome that most others weren't aware of, and I really think it is great how our community comes together on these projects. We are all fortunate to call Phillips home and live amongst such great people."
The Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc. wanted to get the clock up as soon as it was ready for everyone to enjoy, but funds are still needed to cover the costs. In spring or summer, an approximate 15 x 16 foot area by the clock will be landscaped as a micro park for public enjoyment. Gary Gabrielsen has volunteered to donate his masonry services, and an anonymous donor will donate funds for two benches, but various other materials will be needed to make the corner look as classy as the clock. If anyone would like to donate to the project, funds can be deposited at Forward Bank in the Power of 3 Community Development Group, Inc. account or by clicking the "Donate" button at http://www.mypricecounty.com/clock.html Davette stated, "We are a non-profit group, so your donation is tax-deductible, depending on your tax situation. All the money goes to the non-profit, as well. We are not taking any monetary compensation as we have also donated to the clock project and want all funds to go to the non-profit to enhance the community. If there are any leftover funds, though likely all will need to be used for the clock, those funds will be used for future maintenance of the clock and/or other community development projects." Additional donors will be recognized via My Price County once the landscaping project is complete next year.
Poem written by Judith Ann Hayton:
This clock was an icon in our town close to a hundred years or so
Until the Wells Fargo Bank execs said, “This thing has got to go!”
Trashing the clock in a garbage truck to a salvage yard somewhere
Thrown away, like a piece of trash, and they didn’t seem to care
Driving through Phillips, Lynne Bohn saw the iconic clock was down
This iconic clock had been loved by all who lived in our small town
Lynne told her sister, Davette Hrabak, and so she got started, too
Davette did quite a bit of sleuthing as this was something new
To us there wasn’t an option; there was not one single doubt
The three of us together, for sure, could figure this thing out
Davette decided to call the City of Phillips to find out what they knew
They did not know much of anything, but they did have one small clue
She also called the bank to ask a teller; finding that clock might be hard
The city told us the clock was in Minocqua, soon to be in a salvage yard
Davette called Lakeland Sign and Graphics; the clock, to us, they gave
And that is when we knew for sure that old clock was ours to save
Then later on we were told, and to us it was a mighty shock,
The city had, without us knowing, went to get that grand old clock
They had done some sleuthing, too, and sent a crew right out
They didn’t know the clock was ours, but it was without a doubt
We went to city meetings and, for the clock, fought tooth and nail
In restoring that grand old historic clock, we did not want to fail
We proved our case, we owned the clock; now to get on track
The city brought the clock home to us, and now we had it back
Now for some fund-raising; we needed some money to come in
None of us had one small clue of where we should begin
Our first task was huge as the clock was badly torn apart
The only way to get this done was pull up our sleeves and start
Who did we know with the talent to tackle this huge task?
We felt that Rudy Suchy might be the person we should ask
He told us he would gladly donate some of his labor time
If parts were needed, we should know, it had to be our dime
Transporting the frame to get repaired, John Kucaba used his truck
We knew he felt for us to get this done would take a lot of luck
BW Papersystems donated money and some custom parts
Which we accepted gladly with full and grateful hearts
When all was done, the clock repaired, it gave us quite a shock
Five thousand five hundred dollars to get back the treasured clock
Funds came in just in time; Price Electric helped to save the day
Five thousand dollars helped things out; we had a lot to pay
Tony Budaj did the clock’s lighting and the wiring, as well
He knew what he was doing; he made that clock look swell
A state plan was needed; we had Ayres & Associates draw up one
It was four hundred dollars, and we were glad when that was done
A twenty foot pole was needed, and it seemed a daunting task
Where do you find that size pole, and who would you even ask?
Mick Theis at IAP was contacted, and it sure seemed like it was fate
He and his sisters were awesome; what their company did was great
They asked us what was needed, and we mentioned about the pole
They said, we can do that for you; we can help you reach your goal
To Laurie Woldt, Kris Ernst, and Mick Theis, we really need to say
Your donation of the great clock pole really made our day
IAP engineers, Scott - Woldt and Swan - gave of their very best
Designers Lyle Slack, Tim Makovsky, on their laurels did not rest
Fabrication and design was great, we could not leave them out
Gary Freeman did his job for sure; of that there is no doubt
A special spot was needed to place the clock back in our town
We searched around the city streets, looked both up and down
Everywhere we looked, huge pipes were buried underground
We then had another thought, and the perfect spot was found
The Phillips city parking lot, it sure would have the greatest view
For all the people living here, and the folks just passing through
Finding electricians also proved to be quite a daunting chore
We had lost a couple of them, so we just had to call one more
Tom Miller of Miller Electric said he for sure would help us out
His time he gave, we furnished parts; that’s what this was all about
He briefly mentioned to us, even though he lived in a rival town,
He would do the neighborly thing and would never let us down
A trench was needed for the electric wiring going to the pole
Jeff Williams and Jim Heizler helped us to get closer to our goal
They went to work; a trench was dug for the clock’s electric line
We appreciated the help they gave, and everything went fine
State-required plans called for drilling a fourteen foot deep hole
Cement was something we sure needed to hold up this mighty pole
Northern Lakes Concrete donated cement; that really made our day
So many people helping out, each in their unique and special way
A rebar cage was needed; where to get one, not the faintest clue
Mick Theis at IAP said, not a problem, that is something we can do
So, John Aldinger got real busy, and when the rebar cage was done
It was such a beauty that, for sure, first prize it would have won
A hurdle yet we needed crossed was who could dig that mighty hole
A great big one was needed to support that awesome pole
Asking around we got a lead, and it turned out to be quite good
The help we needed came to us from our very own neighborhood
Greg Denzine, a neighbor, was the person we were told to ask
Greg said he knew a guy who would likely help us with this task
George Jacobson we then called; we then planned a time and date
Thank you, Xcel Energy, all of your workers sure did great
The clock restored, the hole was drilled, the cement work yet to do
Gary Gabrielsen was for sure the one; his work was tried and true
Dennis Onchuck worked on site; both freely gave their time
So much done it would be hard for all to be mentioned in this rhyme
COVID-19 virus had hit us hard; the supply chain was a great big mess
When things would get back to normal, we did not even have a guess
Lo and behold, supplies were low; hammered black paint was needed
We went Internet searching, high and low, and finally succeeded
Lynne’s work paid off, the paint was found that fervently was sought
The search ended happily, and six quarts of paint were bought
The electric line was going in; things for sure were right on track
The day would soon be here for us to put that grand clock back
A pole designed by IAP was made to match the iconic clock
John Aldinger did the welding, and he built that pole as solid as a rock
Stewart Calkins painted the pole, and he really gave his very best
The pole looks awesome, and we sure know it beats out all the rest
The clear coat paint, we did not use, it clearly was giving us trouble
When applied to the metal sample piece, all it did was bubble
It was now up to us to say if three coats of paint would be enough
The paint should last for many years; we all know Rust-Oleum is tough
Bruce Marshall, the city attorney, donated all of his legal time
Davette and Bruce collaborated, and neither charged a dime
Paperwork was created so the clock would stay in our town forever
So this could never happen again, and we seriously do mean never
A crane was needed to raise the pole, and we did not know who to get
Dennis Onchuck said he would use his crane, and so then we were all set
The original paint had to dry a few days more, so we just had to wait
Rudy Suchy brought the clock; November 4th was for sure the date
Gary Freeman volunteered to haul the pole from IAP to the parking lot
It was great to see the iconic clock placed in that awesome spot
Ron Neilson volunteered to help; he was most certainly needed
We were happy that, so far, this clock project had succeeded
One more thing was needed and it was certainly our good luck
Mike Johnson volunteered the use of him and his trusty bucket truck
To hoist Ron Neilson up to secure the clock so the town would have it back
Everything so far was going well, and everything was right on track
On November 4, 2021, the clock was hung and there it shall ever be
A symbol of Phillips’ past, a reminder of its people and their history
A time capsule is now tucked safely eighteen feet below the pole’s top dome
In 2050 to be opened by those that now call the City of Phillips home
In closing, the short version of this poem:
To put it short and put it sweet
We put the clock back on the street
Tim and Marina Randrup, like all grandparents, were anticipating the birth of their twin granddaughters in 2021. What they did not expect was that Oaklyn and Jacklyn would be born too soon at 27 weeks' gestation on May 24, 2021.
Both girls weighed in at two pounds each. They spent two months in the NICU at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield fighting for their lives.
While in the NICU, Oaklyn experienced a small brain bleed. The doctors monitored it carefully, and it did not get any bigger. Oaklyn also has a hemangioma in front and behind her left eye. A hemangioma is a bright red birthmark that is usually a benign vascular tumor derived from blood vessel cell types. If left untreated, it can cause serious neurological effects, so the doctors have been monitoring it and giving her necessary medication. Oaklyn was the first twin to be able to go home from the hospital.
Jacklyn had to stay in the NICU two weeks longer. She was not able to breathe on her own. Luckily, the breathing issue has since resolved, and she was able to go home, as well.
However, going home has not come without difficulties. "Being new parents at 21 years to a full-term baby is not easy so now do this with preemie twins," Marina remarked. Add to that their ongoing medical needs. Oaklyn recently had seizures so she had to stay at St. Joseph's Hospital and also take some trips to Madison to see a specialist. Jacklyn recently was in the hospital for five days due to RSV. Both girls, who turned six months old on November 24th, are back home again and being closely monitored. They are doing well, all things considered.
While the twins do live with their parents, Jared and Graci, in Wisconsin Rapids, Tim and Marina have called Phillips "home" for the last four years. Of course, once their health is stable enough to do so, Oaklyn and Jacklyn will visit the northwoods often with their parents.
Helping with fund-raising to get them as healthy as possible, Trailside Bar and Grill will host a benefit for the twins on Saturday, December 11, 2021 starting at 1 p.m. There will be a silent auction from 1 to 3 p.m. and a 50/50 raffle. The funds from the benefit will go directly to the twins' medical expenses and future medical care. Marina said she is grateful the benefit is being held in Phillips because she appreciates "how caring everyone is in our community."
To help, you can either attend the benefit or donate to the Oaklyn & Jacklyn Benefit at Community Financial Bank in Prentice.
Michael Bablick, mayor of Park Falls, has announced that the auction of the paper mill's equipment has been substantially completed. People from all around the country and world have purchased the equipment, and the removal of the equipment is projected to take two years to complete.
The owner of the mill will occupy the Old Mill office building for the next two years while the removal of equipment is taking place to ensure the historic building is protected. Mayor Bablick stated he is personally working with the owner to secure all historical items and records from the paper mill site. The items and documents paint a story of the industrial development in northern Wisconsin, the Flambeau River, and the City of Park Falls, so they are of great historical significance to the area.
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There are dozens of individual buildings across the mill property. Likely some of these buildings will be reused. According to Mayor Bablick, "This will be a fluid process, and the city has been working cooperatively with the owner to ensure blight prevention, reuse, economic recovery, and protection of the environment."
Mayor Bablick continued, "The liquidation of the mill represents the end of an era and the beginning of a new one." He stated there will be several issues that will arise for the city with the water utility being the immediate issue. Since the city was preparing for this possibility last year, a consultant, Baker Tilly, was hired to analyze the financial condition of the water utility. The report is nearly complete. A special meeting will be called to present information to the public once there is a clear picture of the adjustments in the water utility. This meeting is expected to occur in late winter or early spring.
Mayor Bablick advised that all mill properties will be strictly surveilled and trespassers will be cited. The owners will be in cooperation with the police department in order to keep the property secure.
Note: Find an UPDATE from 12/15/2021 at end of this article.
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Date Published: December 3, 2021
According to the informational meeting at the courthouse on the early evening of Thursday, December 2, 2021, it was suggested that the board is divided on whether the forest carbon offset project is too good to be true or a great deal for the county. Based on the questions and comments at the meeting, the public is likely divided, as well.
According to information presented at the meeting, Bluesource is a marketing broker company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have been in business for 20 years and are the oldest carbon offset company in North America and have offices in the United States and Canada. They currently have over 70 forest carbon projects that they are managing. This company is one of the few that take on large projects. Price County, having 92,000 acres of forests, is considered a large project.
As a carbon offset broker, Bluesource locates properties that are attractive to their end goal of selling carbon credits. Each carbon credit receives a unique serial number, which is tracked by another agency, American Carbon Registry (ACR). To help explain how each party works, Nick Trimner, Price County administrator, stated Blue Source will "do all the work for us." They work with large companies that voluntarily want to offset their carbon use. Some companies they work with include Microsoft and Chevy. Nick added that those large companies are where the county could find "prime dollars for credits." He further explained ACR's role, stating they are like the DMV in terms of tracking the carbon credits. The contract with Bluesource would be for ten years and then could be renewed with Bluesource or the county could find another broker to work with for the remaining time. The carbon offset project would be in place for 40 years regardless of which company is selected as the broker.
Bluesource first contacted Price County about the carbon offset project at a meeting in Bayfield on February 25, 2021. On April 2, 2021, Joe Grapa, the county forest administrator and Nick Trimner received and reviewed a summary project proposal. The first open meeting regarding this topic was on April 6, 2021 and has been discussed at nine additional committee, executive, and board meetings since then, including a presentation by Bluesource on June 11, 2021 which was the first county board meeting where this project was discussed.
At Thursday night's informational meeting, Nick shared that the county has consulted with Michael Best, a law firm in Madison, and the county has received consultation from their associate, Taylor. He also stated the use of county forest land will remain the same. Hunting, hiking, powersports, public access, harvesting, and all current use will not change. The contract would not stop Price County from continuing its current harvesting practices. The same amount of cuttable acres will continue to be marketed as in the past. However, the landowner obligations given by Bluesource and ACR are that harvesting cannot exceed growth, which is the current situation. Also, certifications must be maintained, and there are monitoring obligations. The monitoring obligations include every five years there needs to be a verification that there hasn't been an overcut, every ten years an inventory needs to be taken, annually there are reporting requirements, and the monitoring period is 40 years. Surveys would be taken by a local company instead of someone from far away. Of course, the requirements do impose expenses.
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Along with those expenses, Nick explained the buffer pool, which is an insurance policy. Four percent of the carbon credits go into this insurance policy so if the forest would be ruined by fire, tornado, or some other act, the county would be protected. Every time a credit is bought, 4% of that credit is taken as an insurance premium. To be able to get this percentage insurance rather than an insurance cost of $40,000 or $50,000 as a lump sum each year, Bluesource says the county must sign up by January 1, 2022.
Tammy Hastings, in attendance at the meeting, said a lot of this information is confusing and was concerned the project decision was getting rushed. She asked if this could be a referendum that the citizens vote on. County Board Chair Bob Kopisch replied, "I don't think we need to do a referendum, and part of the reason is just what you are talking about here, is getting people to understand what it is we're talking about. That is the difficulty with it." When asked if the board had difficulty understanding it, Bob replied, "I guess you'd have to ask the board members. I believe we had quite a bit of discussion on it. I know we have differences of opinion, but as far as whether it has been difficult to understand, I think at this point I would expect everybody pretty much understands what we are talking about."
After looking over information for weeks, Tammy said she can see some benefits to the project. "Those benefits seem to be all financial for the county. It doesn't really seem to take into consideration the forests." She reiterated she'd love to see it go to a referendum so the people could have a say.
Dale Houdek, also in attendance, agreed with Tammy's point about rushing. He mentioned the infrastructure bill that was recently passed has a lot of money set aside for environmental initiatives and he felt one of those initiatives could cover something like what this type of project is covering. "There is going to be a lot of federal dollars potentially coming out for these areas. I believe that down the line these companies are going to be paying a whole lot more than what they are offering now. In my personal opinion, the reason they are trying to rush this right now is they know this." "I think your question is 'Why don't we wait?'" Bob Kopisch added in reply to Dale. Later, Tammy said she feels that, "Any decision made in haste is usually not a wise decision."
"If it goes up, we get more. We're not locked in," Nick explained, stating Bluesource's goal is also to get as much as they can for each carbon credit because they get a 25% commission on the net price they sell it for. Nick said he is also suggesting the county set aside one million dollars in case the county wants to buy back the carbon credits and get out of the project.
According to Nick, the Michigan DNR is in this program, and they told him it is going well. In our more immediate area, the counties of Oneida, Sawyer, Douglas, Burnett, plus about eleven other counties are entertaining the idea of entering this type of carbon offset project. Since June 2021, Washburn, Rusk, and Iron Counties have entered the project. Nick said companies like Bluesource are interested in places like Price County because we are a "low hanging fruit." He explained, "We were already doing what this program will pay us to do," because we manage our forest rather than clear cut or develop them. "We want to maintain a healthy forest," Nick added.
A woman who called in to listen to the meeting via phone stated, "The definition of a carbon credit, which people don't really understand, is a certificate or permit that grants owners the legal right to emit one metric ton of carbon dioxide. So this seems a little bit like doing a dance with the devil. If we are very environmentally sound and concerned, why would be enter or even consider something like this?" Nick explained the certificate she was referring to is the serial number of the carbon credit.
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A man on another line agreed with the woman caller but also saw another side, stating, "There's millions of dollars out there that's going to other places.....What do you do? Let the money pass? Because somebody else is going to grab it. So, I think it's an opportunity....It's managed well from the sound of it."
Another man on the phone, who stated he is a CPA, fears it is a sham and that the county does not understand the details of the contract, though the contract has not been seen by the county board yet.
Bob stated that the county is not broke. "This is a revenue source." Nick explained that Bluesource would need to do an inventory once contracted to make sure Price County is a feasible location. From the time of signing the contract to seeing revenue from the project would take about 18 months.
The board has not seen the contract yet but will review it at the executive committee meeting on December 9, 2021. There is also a board meeting on December 14, 2021.
UPDATE: 12-14-21 - CARBON OFFSET PROJECT MEETING AND CONTRACT INQUIRY
A number of residents have asked us about the contract the county is looking at with Bluesource regarding the possible carbon offset project in Price County. When asked if the public can view the document, County Administrator Nick Trimner stated, "The contract is still being negotiated and is not considered a public document. Once the executive committee and board review and finish negotiating, then it will become a public document." He said he is unsure at this time when the contract will be brought into an open meeting for discussion. Nick continued, "If the county board votes to proceed, that doesn't mean we will just sign the contract and be done. If there is anything in the contract that we don't agree with, we will not sign."
There is a county board meeting today, Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 9 a.m. at the courthouse. The board is set to go into closed session to negotiate a potential contract with Bluesource for the carbon offset project.
Another big topic in the county, the possible purchase of the fairgrounds, may also be discussed at the meeting.
Members of the public may access all public meetings via appointment or conference call. The conference call number is 1-408-418-9388. The conference code is 2480 856 7420.
UPDATE: 12/15/2021
On December 14, 2021, the county board held a meeting. Supervisor Strobl presented a letter from the Town of Kennan in opposition of the Forest Carbon Offset. Supervisor Houdek received communications from the Town of Hackett, Town of Emery, and Town of Spirit, and Supervisor Barkstrom received communication from the Town of Hackett, all in opposition to the carbon offset credit project. Ultimately, the board voted to adopt the resolution to move forward with a possible contract with BlueSource. The vote was seven "yes" votes by Barkstrom, Erickson, Hallstrand, Kopisch, Kyle, Palecek, Wartgow and five "no" votes by Ernst, Houdek, Madsen, Spacek, and Strobl.
Karen Kerner grew up on a farm in Price County. The third from the youngest sibling out of nine children, she learned a number of lessons growing up in a big farm family. One of those lessons, which would be her words of wisdom to younger generations, is to take care of what you have. She also learned the importance of family at a young age, which is why she is passionate about family getting along. Family trips at Sailor Lake are some of her most treasured memories from childhood.
Not long after Karen graduated from Phillips High School, she and her high school sweetheart, Greg Denzine, established Deer Creek Angus as a small livestock operation in Phillips. Greg, also coming from a farming family, was a great match for Karen as she said she always knew she wanted to be a farmer. Together, their passion for farming has grown.
The couple married and have two children, Alexis and Wyatt. They also have a Great Pyrenees farm dog named Bandit. Surrounded by beautiful woods and rolling pastures, they live on a picturesque farm. All their animals are raised on the farm in a stress-free environment fed with grass, hay, and grain grown on their farm and harvested by them. "All our calves are pasture-raised by 'Mother Cow.' Management traits of calving ease low birth weights and promote fast growth, marbling qualities, and high survivability, all of which mean a greater product. Our Angus cattle are docile, easy to handle, and have great longevity," Karen explained of their farming operation.
She also explained what happens beyond their farm. "Our animals are processed at Whiskey Ridge in Radisson, Wisconsin, a state-inspected and licensed facility. Whiskey Ridge is owned by Mark and Linda Heath, life-long residents of Radisson, who have been in business for 24 years."
Much of Karen's life has centered around farming and learning all that she can to be well-rounded in that line of work. If she could meet one of her ancestors, she said she would want to meet her grandfather who passed on when she was three months old. "I have tons of farming questions for him," she said. Luckily, she was able to meet a man named Franklin Loula, who was a farmer and close family friend. "I farm today by some of the things he taught me," she shared. If she could have one power, she would like x-ray vision. "Some days, in this line of work, it would really come in handy," she noted.
Karen lives by the motto that working hard pays off. She admitted she is a small woman but is ballsier than most men. The fact that she has ridden a bull can attest to that statement. To be able to ride bulls and wrangle cattle out west in the 1850s to 1900 is the time period she would be most interested in visiting if she could.
One of Karen's greatest accomplishments is the dairy breakfast she helped organize across Price County for two decades. "Many people think a dairy breakfast is for the farmers, but I also wanted it for the community so it would promote the dairy industry and for people to realize what goes on at a farm. That aspect was really important to me," she said.
Karen would like to see Price County grow. In ten years, she sees herself where she is right now, because she feels it is a great place to live. She said, "I will be here doing what I do best!"
Some of what she does best, besides farming, is staying connected to family. She stated her mother and sisters are her "guiding lights." Her children have brought her the most happiness, and she hopes the best for them. Along with family, Karen also has a soft spot for her friends. If she was stuck in an elevator with anyone, she'd like it to be her best friend. "We love to talk!" she explained. If she could go back and change one thing, though, she knows exactly what it would be. "I wish I could spend more time with my dear friend, Jacki (Kinnear) Kempf, before she passed away."
As for her hobbies, Karen likes making things with her hands. She enjoys sewing. One of her favorite projects was to make logging style quilts. "Mrs. Janetski got me hooked on that in high school," she shared. Karen said that, for a time, she was making so many that she sold some of her work.
If she could wish for one selfless thing, she would wish for food. "I would want to give it to the people who need it," she shared.
Karen and Greg definitely know a lot about feeding families as they have recently expanded into direct to customer sales from burgers for grilling to bacon-wrapped tenderloin and everything in-between. Customers can purchase Angus beef in individual packages or in quarters, halves, and whole. If you would like to purchase their wide array of products, visit Karen and Greg at the Minocqua Farmers' Market, by the information booth at 8216 Hwy. 51 S, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday. For more information on their products that you can also purchase at their farm in Phillips, view their website at https://www.DeerCreekAngusFarm.com and like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/deercreekangusfarm
As soon as Brittany (Hernandez) Weisrock could string sentences together, she knew she had a love for writing. When she started writing little stories as a child, little did she know that one day she would be a published author. Fast forward to 2021, and that is Brittany’s reality, as she awaits the publication of her first novel, Triad, a new adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy work designed for adult readers who enjoy vampires, shifters, fae (fairies), and magic.
To rewind and start at the beginning, Brittany started her life in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Phillips native, Brian Skomaroske. Just before she entered kindergarten, she and her family moved to Phillips, where she spent all her adolescent years. Choosing to keep Phillips as her home after high school graduation, Brittany married Bryan Weisrock, and the couple has a daughter named Peyton, whom Brittany hopes to raise to speak her mind and understand her value. “She’s such a pleasure to watch grow and learn. Raising her is such an amazing thing. She’s this gift I never knew I always wanted,” Brittany said of her pride and joy. Regarding herself, “I’m that mom-type - messy bun, leggings, and a love for tacos I can’t contain! As a self-proclaimed OG bookworm, Netflix junkie, and wine enthusiast, I love losing myself in a great fictional world with a glass of good wine in my hand.”
Some of the books that Brittany has gotten lost in include Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. Knowing she could list more books, she had to stop herself aside from also mentioning the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. “You should know I watched New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn 1 & 2 at midnight along with buying the books at the stores,” Brittany said of her enthusiasm for the series. She stated she is constantly finding new books to love as they offer limitless adventures. “I truly feel you can live more lives than imaginable by simply reading,” a thought encapsulated in one of Brittany’s favorite quotes by V.E. Schwab, “Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives – or to find strength in a very long one.”
Transcending from the written word to on-screen, Brittany confessed she is a huge move nerd and enjoys a number of them, as well. However, her go-to movie and all-time favorite is one she discovered in her younger years, Jurassic Park. “That movie changed my life as a kid! I am a Jeff Goldblum fan!”
It’s no doubt that Brittany enjoys action when the Weisrock family’s favorite sport is hockey. “We love going to Wisconsin Badgers hockey games. It’s just such a fast-paced sport to watch as they fly up and down the ice. Not to mention that where the Badgers play just has this vibe we love from the music playing, the players, and the alumni chants. It’s just awesome to be in the arena and watch the play,” Brittany shared.
While Brittany enjoys watching high energy sports like hockey, she also brings the high energy. “Obviously, I can’t speak for those who meet me, but I generally feel you won’t walk away from me wondering what I was thinking, because odds are, I’m going to tell ya!” She admits she can have a bit of a potty mouth but has zero shame at that. “I’m happy to speak my mind and started blogging, just to get my ideas out there. Authenticity is key for me. I think that’s why blogging was such a fun creative outlet for me.”
While blogging likely helped tune her writing skills, she credits some high school teachers for fostering her interest in the craft. “I knew in middle school I possessed a passion for writing but never knew exactly what to do with it. In high school, I took creative writing classes and advanced composition. Sue Weddle, Staci Mollman, and Eva Reilly really helped me understand just how much I loved writing with some projects we did in class. I even took senior assistantships with Mrs. Reilly and Mrs. Mollman.”
While those women helped guide Brittany in her journey with the written word, she has had other guiding lights throughout her life. “My entire family and the friends I’ve made family are my greatest source of strength, and I love them.” They are the people she knows have served her journey well. “My husband, Bryan Weisrock, and my daughter, Peyton, made me want to be someone they could be proud of. My entire family really is my backbone and foundation, along with these lasting friendships I’ve cultivated with people I believe are extraordinary - they know who they are. I’ve learned so much from them, individually, that it feels like a slight to pick just one. If I had to give a shout out, I’d have to say my dad, Brian Skomaroske, and my gram, Linda Patrick, are such consistent people, and Keri Krupp, who really pushed me to pursue this endeavor [of publishing a book]. But truly, my ENTIRE family has my back - I am the LUCKIEST person to have them. I definitely took traits from some family and friends and incorporated them into Triad.”
Taking note of different personality traits has been a life-long observation, but the actual writing of her book started in January of 2020. Dedicated to her project, her second draft was completed by June. She learned of a writing event where she could connect with agents and publishers if they had interest in the pitch for the work. “I got crazy lucky, and a smaller press liked my pitch. They ended up asking for a full manuscript and we decided, my book, Triad, and I were the right fit for them. After that, I spent six months heavily revising and going through the editorial process with them. It’s crazy how much a book changes from those beginning drafts to publishing. So, in all honesty, it took a full year and a couple months to have Triad where we all wanted it to be story-wise. I’m a better writer for it, and I appreciated the opportunity to work with these professionals.”
Brittany stated that the publishing process is intense. “I didn’t consider self-publishing, though I highly respect those who do. It’s crazy hard. The number of roles you have to take on to succeed is massive and rather impressive. I went the traditional publishing direction, with the query, synopsis aspects….Once you’re contracted, your writing life becomes deadlines, revisions, more edits, and all kinds of fun stuff like cover proposals, blurbs, bios, and brief interviews….I’m aware how lucky I am to have gotten such an early break. Many authors have to query for years.”
For Brittany, there have been many great moments in this rather short amount of time, including reading her book after it was formatted, seeing the cover design, and hearing from the ARC readers, who are the Advanced Review Copy readers who critique the pre-published book. Brittany said of the ARC readers, “That has to be my favorite. When a reader gets in touch with me and gushes about how much they connected with or loved a character, it tells me I did my job right as an author. It’s all I want as an author - to put out a book readers in my genre will love and give them characters they can’t forget!”
As Brittany’s book publication journey unfolds, she wants to tell young people who are pursuing writing not to give up. “There’s going to be a lot of ‘no’s’ in writing and a lot of feeling like you might not be good enough, but keep writing, keep learning, keep honing your skills, and expanding your depth as a writer. If you can learn from your constructive critiques and take those negatives to grow yourself, that’s really the best thing you can do.”
Growing and capturing your life’s purpose as quickly as you can is summed up in one of Brittany’s favorite quotes from V.E. Schwab, “Blink, and the years fall away like leaves.” The seasons of life do pass quickly for us all, and we must remember to embrace them all. At present, Brittany can delight in the season of her first book, another leaf on her tree of life.
Saturday, April 11, 2020 should have been race day for Emily Nerison. However, COVID-19 had other plans, canceling many events across the world, including the Milwaukee Half Marathon.
Since Emily is a Master Sergeant in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, WIARNG, she is a runner with Team Red, White, and Blue, also known as Team RWB, which is a team comprised of America's veterans.
Proving her shoes weren't made for just walking, Emily laced up on Saturday to compete in a virtual race, which was a change decided upon by the Milwaukee Half Marathon. Emily shared, "I chose to still run my race on the day it was to be run; it was just a different course. Doing a race with others is a different mindset than doing it by yourself. To help motivate me, I decided to run a good portion of this run in the Team RWB way by carrying the American flag. A part of me was also hoping it would bring some motivation and hope to others. While I was running, I received a lot of waves and honks. It was very inspiring."
In one hour, fifty-four minutes, and fifty-six seconds, 1:54:56, Emily completed her 13.10 miles. "I have a passion for running. I try to do a few races or events per year. It is also my goal every year to run at least 1,000 miles," Emily said.
Not only does she have a passion for running, but she also enjoys reading. When asked about her favorite book, Emily picked the Harry Potter series. "Those books are what really got me into reading. I love the world J.K. created. When reading them, you can feel like you are a part of that world."
Along with those hobbies, she has a full schedule. Emily is married to Kevin, and they have two children that she describes as "wonderful." She enjoys spending time with her family, making lasting memories with them. She said that her favorite memory as a child was camping on Madeline Island. "We used to go as a whole family and got to bring my cousins. We would spend all day on the beach and the nights by the campfire," Emily reminisced happily.
Emily is currently creating memories and raising her family in Phillips. As a Phillips High School graduate and RN at Flambeau Hospital, she has established a good life in Price County. "Price County is a beautiful place. It's a great place to move to because you can enjoy its beauty every day. There is also a lot to do for those who look for it. The school district in Phillips is really good, too. We have some amazing teachers," Emily stated, addressing her reasons why she thinks Price County is a great place to live.
She would, however, like to see some changes in the county. "I would like to see some growth and new life breathed into the county. It would be nice to see some updates to it."
As for Emily's future, in ten years she sees herself as the mother of two very active teenagers, working as an RN, and retired from the WIARNG. Most likely, she will still be running, as well.
Melissa Bellovary graduated from Phillips High School, http://www.phillips.k12.wi.us, in 1986. She raised three sons with her husband, Wayne DeLeasky. Melissa went to nursing school and became an LPN, working in that field for the last eighteen years. She spent part of her time as a private duty vent nurse and also worked at a state prison for over eight years. Melissa and Wayne remained in Phillips until 2001 and then moved to Elk Mound, Wisconsin.
In 2019, Melissa decided to make a career shift after discovering a line of products that target people and pets with anxiety, pain, and inflammation. Those products are CBD, short for cannabidiol, which are derived from an industrial hemp plant. They are offered in a variety of forms, including topical creams, oils, water solubles, ingestible gummies, and beverages.
Melissa started using this line of products for her knee and foot pain and had awesome results in a short time. "Then I found I was sleeping so much better, also, and I wanted to share with others."
Encouraged by her experience, Melissa opened her first store in Eau Claire in March of this year and had a great response. Seeing her customers pleased with this line of products, Melissa was encouraged to open two more stores, one in Menomonie in September and one in Phillips on October 31st. This new businesswoman hopes to open two more stores in other locations in the state within the next twelve months.
Enjoying interacting with new customers and forming friendships with repeat customers, Melissa strives to answer any questions and has a good number of resources that can be browsed in her relaxing store setting, complete with a sofa and armchairs.
Melissa stated that some people are skeptical to try the products because they incorrectly worry it will result in a high. "That's the first thing they say: 'It's not going to make me goofy, is it?'" According to Melissa, there is no chance of getting a high with CBD products, which is why they are legal to sell in Wisconsin.
Pleased with the open mind and great welcome she has received from small town Phillips, Melissa is happy she made the choice to open a store in Price County where she has fond memories of growing up and raising her children.
Adding to her family, Melissa now has three grandsons, ages five and three years and nine months. She also has two dogs, four cats, and an African Grey parrot that she describes as "sassy."
Perhaps her parrot has become "sassy" given Melissa's favorite TV show is "The Office." "I love the sarcastic humor, and I have lived through working with each one of those characters [in my previous career]!"
Melissa enjoys travel, and in ten years she would like to travel all over the United States, seeing the unique qualities of each area first-hand. She would also like to travel to Ireland to see the castles, hillsides, and sheep. Her favorite vacation spot so far has been Arizona. "I really like Flagstaff. The state was beautiful, and I liked the mountains, longer growing seasons, and the dry heat."
Melissa said that if she could go back and tell something to her eighteen year old self it would be that, "Time is so precious and to cherish what you have since it can be gone before you expect."
An issue that Melissa is passionate about that she feels is at the forefront of our time is bullying children both in school and out. "We need to make it cool to be kind and treat others decent," Melissa shared. "We need to follow through with consequences for treating kids poorly."
Her advice for students in high school includes, "Go to college, if you are able, and/or work hard to do the best you can at whatever you do. Pick something you enjoy and you look forward to." She added, "Surround yourself with positive people that support and want the best for you, not people than keep you from reaching your career or personal goals."
Surrounding herself with positive people is exactly what Melissa feels she has done. "None of this would have been possible without the love and support of my husband. He has been behind me 110%, which makes all of this worth it."
To welcome Melissa to Phillips, stop by Your CBD Store Phillips at 126 North Lake Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. There will be a grand opening event on Friday and Saturday with snacks and drawings (to win bath bombs, gummies, and more!) throughout those days.
“You can truly achieve anything you want in this life if you are willing to work for it,” was the advice given to Justin Drljaca, a 1996 Phillips High graduate, by his grandfather. He feels that was the best piece of advice he has received, which has followed him throughout his life.
Justin moved to Phillips from Houston, Texas just prior to his freshman year of high school. “Attending PHS was a major change from what I was used to. The smaller class sizes and personal attention that was available helped me grow as a student. The teachers showed a genuine interest in our growth. I don't know if I would be where I am at today if it weren't for my mother’s decision to move to Phillips. It is truly a special place,” Justin shared.
While in high school, Justin was involved in football, basketball, golf, soccer, and track. After graduation, he attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, graduating with a degree in biology. For the next ten plus years, he had a career in the finance field. “I got into this career for the money and was good at it, but it also was a roller coaster financially. During the recession, I ended up losing everything, including my business. In 2013 I made the decision to pursue a new career path. I spent the next nine months living off of savings while looking for the right opportunity. In 2014, I landed a career in manufacturing automation. I am a sales engineer for Barry Wehmiller Integrated Systems, and I absolutely love my career. It is very mentally stimulating and allows me to see how everything we consume is made. I travel the country working with engineers (from food, beverage, and household personal care manufacturers) on automating their production lines. My company actually has ties to Phillips as they own Marquip (BW Papersystems, http://www.bwpapersystems.com).”
As for Justin’s personal life, he married Brook in January 2018 in Key West, Florida. “My beautiful wife is my biggest supporter and fan. I do not know where I would be without her.” He said they are in the process of purchasing a home on the gulf in Florida and becoming snowbirds like his grandparents. “Growing up on Soo Lake instilled a passion for fishing in me that still exists today. Although my career has reduced the time I am able to spend on it, I still fish bass tournaments from time to time throughout the country. Last summer I took 9th place out of 180 competitors in the FLW Tour on Lake St. Clair in Michigan.” Justin also enjoys classic cars. He said, “My father-in-law is an avid collector of classic cars and that bug has now bitten me, as well. I am the proud owner of two numbers matching Pontiac GTOs, a 1965 and a 1969 convertible. I spend my free time either fishing, going to car shows, or traveling with my wife.”
To obtain personal and professional success, Justin would advise young people to find a career they like that is also financially fulfilling. He advised, “Find a career that interests you, but don't be afraid to think ahead and find something that will allow you to reach your financial goals. There are careers out there that provide both. As soon as you join the workforce, speak with a financial planner and start saving for your future. If you start early, you can be retired at a very young age.”
In order to give back to the community that gave him his footing, and to help young people in the Phillips area meet their full potential, Justin has started an annual $2,500 scholarship. A qualifying member of each graduating class, who is pursing a post high school degree in either automation or a trade, such as lineman, electrician, HVAC, plumbing, etc., will receive this scholarship.
Justin feels strongly about the success a person can have in automation or a trade, and he will also mentor the scholarship recipient. According to him, “Automation is a fantastic career path for those that choose to pursue it. It has been a blessing for me and my family. I am still close with many friends from PHS, of which numerous went into the trades. Automation, as well as the trades, are continuously seeking talent and provide a great opportunity for growth and income stability. My goal with this scholarship is to not only help someone pursue their dreams but to help guide them in a career choice that will lead to prosperity. I will personally make myself available to each recipient for advice and mentoring.”
Interested students will need to fill out the application, submit a 750 word or less essay regarding the chose career path and life goals, plus provide academic information such as ACT results and transcripts. However, GPA will not discredit someone from receiving this scholarship. For more details, the application can be obtained in the guidance office at the Phillips High School or you can click on the link, Drljaca Scholarship.pdf, provided to the left of this article.
If anyone is interested in donating to the scholarship fund, checks or money orders can be made payable to Phillips High School c/o The Justin Drljaca Automation and Trade Scholarship. Money can be sent to 990 Flambeau Avenue, Phillips, WI 54555. The school will mail any donor a receipt for tax purposes.
Josh Englund grew up in Prentice. If there were two things he wished he knew at age 18, it would be to have patience and work hard. "We live in a world where expectations are for things to happen fast. We have fast-food, same-day delivery, and instant everything. There has always been the saying, "Good things come to those who wait." This is true, but the other part of that is you need to work hard for the good things. This is where the saying, "Too good to be true" comes in. If it came easy, quickly, or without effort, it is probably not going to last or it is too good to be true. Work hard, earn it, and appreciate it because at any time it can be gone."
Josh started on his path to working hard by moving to Milwaukee upon graduating from high school. He attended college, receiving an associate's degree in criminal justice, and he feels he gained a wealth of life experience which helped pave the path for his future. In 2014, he decided to move back to Price County to pursue a career in law enforcement working with both the Phillips and Park Falls Police Departments. He eventually decided to make his home in Park Falls with his fiance, Rachel, and their two rescue dogs. He is a few months away from receiving his bachelor's degree in health care administration.
"Through my part-time work with the Park Falls Police Department and working in a security role at Flambeau Hospital, I was exposed to the health care field. It was at this time I applied for my current job and started a new career at Flambeau Hospital in January of 2017," Josh explained.
Along with growing professionally during that time frame, Josh was also growing in personal experiences. He recalls two of his favorite vacations. The first special vacation memory occurred in 2016 when his niece completed her K9 handler training with the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas. "I was able to fly down and attend her graduation. After her graduation, she had to drive back to her base in California. We spent the next couple of days driving across the southern part of the country visiting friends and family. Having that one-on-one time with my niece was something special," Josh shared.
His second favorite vacation happened when he took his fiance on her first surprise airplane ride! For Rachel's birthday, Josh took her and her best friend to visit California and Nevada. "I did not tell her where we were going until we arrived at the airport. She thought we were just going to Madison to visit her best friend. It wasn't until her friend grabbed her luggage and we started driving towards Minneapolis that my fiance realized there was more to the vacation," Josh shared, also stating that the fun moments they experienced and giving Rachel a surprise are the things that made it most special.
Josh seems to enjoy giving to others. "I have always had the need to want to help people. I think that is what steered me towards law enforcement. Being able to help others in their time of need has given me a sense of purpose in life. I have also worked with the Prentice Ambulance Service as an ambulance driver, worked with Catkins Animal Rescue organizing fundraisers and helping out around the shelter when needed, and volunteered my time coaching hockey with Price Ice Hockey. I enjoy helping others and seeing how happy people are when they receive the help they need. We live in an area with a high elderly population, many of who do not have the help they need. I have always been proud to help where I can."
Those facts are likely why Josh says that if he could have any super power, he would choose the power to heal. "We live in a world where there are many people who become sick, have a disease, or become injured. I would love to have the ability to change those people's lives by giving them the gift of health. Each and every one of us should not have to deal with the struggles that an illness or injury can bring along with it."
Josh knows, first hand, about dealing with injuries. In November of 2017, Josh's life took an unexpected turn when he and Rachel were involved in a terrible, head-on car accident. The accident was presumably caused by a drunk driver, though that person's court case is still pending.
Rachel sustained minor injuries. Josh is thankful she was not injured worse. As for Josh, he admits he is lucky to be alive, but he is not so lucky in that he has to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial pains and stresses, even two years later.
"To date, I have had eight surgeries and expect to have at least four more over the next two years. My injuries included a compound fracture of my left femur, a complete dislocation of my left ankle that resulted in a broken tibia and talus bone in my foot, my pelvis had hairline fractures in the front and a large fracture in the back that required surgery to repair, my ribs separated from my sternum, a torn bicep tendon in my left arm, and countless other cuts and bruises. To top things off, as a result of the ankle injury, I had skin that was damaged and turned necrotic. The necrotic tissue then got infected; the infection got into the tibia and talus bone. Since beating off the infection, I have had to have the talus bone removed and part of my tibia cut off because the infection had gotten into the bone. I then required an ankle fusion surgery, and, for the past year, I have had an external fixator device on my leg. My left leg is now two and a half inches shorter than my right. I am estimating that I will have another two years of healing and rehab before I can even walk again."
Josh is not physically able to work as a police officer at this time. He has been able to return to his job at the hospital on a 66% part-time basis. However, work is often difficult because Josh cannot walk on his own. At this time, he has to use crutches or a knee scooter to be ambulatory. He also has to rely on others to do tasks around his home that he would have been able to complete himself in the past. Facing these realities has been a challenge.
Josh spoke candidly about that challenge. "I have always tried to have a positive attitude throughout all of this, because I am just so lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, dealing with injuries, physical limitations, and finances can take its toll on a person. I have always thought to myself that I didn't need any help and I could do it on my own, which is probably why I never wanted or let anyone fundraise for me before this, or that there were others that needed the help more than me. I admit, I was wrong. I have really taken a financial hit as a result of this accident."
Infusing a bit of humor into the heaviness of his ordeal, Josh shared a line he once heard, which is a police joke. "I live with fear and danger every day, but occasionally I leave her to go and catch the bad guy," Josh joked. Fortunately for Rachel, that is just a joke, because he feels Rachel is his guiding light. "Relationships can be tough after a traumatic event such as the car crash we were involved in, but she has been there for me through all the bad days, surgeries, and emotional ups and downs. I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done and for being such an amazing human being who helps me during my long recovery. I couldn't do this without her," Josh shared with heartfelt gratitude.
He has also taken away much life insight from the accident, which he feels is the event that made the biggest impression on his life. "There was a lot of bad that came from it," Josh said, "but there was some good, too. I now have a new appreciation for the lives we are given. At any point, our life can be taken away. We are fragile creatures and sometimes we forget how precious life is. We think to ourselves that nothing bad will happen to us or our family and in a blink of an eye, everything changes. We should always remember to be grateful, live life to the fullest, and make a positive impression on those around you and in your community. We get one chance at this thing called life. You may not be remembered forever, but you will be remembered by those that you interact with for the rest of their lives." To sum up his feelings, Josh said he does live his life by The Golden Rule. "Treat people the way you would like to be treated."
"I look forward to finally recovering from my accident, returning to my jobs, and being a positive role model in my community," Josh expressed. "This accident has completely changed my life, but I won't let it define me. I will have more medical issues as I get older, but I will come back better and stronger than before to help limit those long-term issues. Thank you, and God bless!"
