PEOPLE

Senior Card Group

The Senior Citizens card group met on Jan. 16 for weekly card playing at the Athens Area Fire and Ambulance Hall.

Two games of Sheepshead were played. Steve Klockziem won first place and Norbert Lake came in second in the first game. David Perrodin won first and Andy Hoef came in second in the second game.

Low score was Wil Strack. Newcomers are encouraged to come play Sheepshead every Thursday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Athens fire hall.

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time at the Athens Branch Library in January. Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to this 30-minute program. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities. The next Family Story Time will be Jan. 29, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Book club

The Athens Book Club will meet at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Athens Branch Library to discuss “Wandering Stars” by Tommy Orange. Tracing the legacies of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre to Orvil Red Feather’s shooting, Opal strives to hold the family together as Orvil turns to prescription drugs, and his brother, battling PTSD, performs secret blood rituals to connect with their Cheyenne heritage. For more information, call 715-257-7292.

EDGAR

Fiber Artists Meet-up

Adults are invited to craft and chat at a monthly Fiber Artists Meet-up on Monday, Jan. 27, from 4-6 p.m., at the Edgar Branch Library. Whether it’s knitting, crocheting, embroidery or mending, everyone is welcome to bring their projects and chat. Maybe you'll learn some tips or tricks or even make new friends. The event is free, and no registration is required. Call 715-352-3155 for more info.

Book club

The Edgar Book Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Edgar Library to discuss “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah. The host of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah recounts his coming of age in apartheid South Africa and its aftermath, highlighting the absurdities of modern political and social systems. For more information, call 715352-3155.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents and caregivers are invited to the Edgar Branch Library on the first and third Tuesday of the month for Family Story Time. Enjoy learning with all of your children through stories, songs and other literaturebased activities in this 30minute program. The next Story Times will be held on Feb. 4 and 18, from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Medical supply closet

Edgar Community Church has taken over the medical supply closet started by the American Legion in the 1960s. The closet has a variety of personal home medical equipment available to the public, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, lockers and toilet risers. The items are currently being kept in a storage unit, but the church plans to build a permanent storage shed. Donations of goodcondition items, especially rollator walkers, are accepted.

To access the closet or arrange a donation, call the church at 715-997-4827.

MARATHON

College notes

The following students received academic honors for the fall 2024 semester at UW-Green Bay: Emily Knoeck, highest honors; Nate Pease, highest honors; Maddison Rusch, honors. Students who earn a 4.0 grade point average, which represents all A grades, receive highest honors. Honors are given to students earning 3.74 to 3.50 grade point averages.

Amber Ellsworth has been named to Southern New Hampshire University's fall 2024 dean’s list. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the list.

Kaitlyn Annis was named to dean’s list, with four-star recognition for her 4.0 grade-point average during the 2024 fall semester at at UW-Stout.

Rib Falls HCE

Rib Falls Home and Community Education (HCE) met Jan. 8 at the home of Judy Baeseman. Refreshments and desserts were served, along with many candies and cookies.

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and Creed 1. The roll call question was “What consistently brings you joy?” Five members were present.

The secretary’s report was read and approved. The treasurer’s report was read by Judy Baeseman, as she was nominated to be the treasurer. Yearly dues were discussed.

For the group’s Nicaragua Project, members will bring any baked goods that will fit inside a shoebox.

After receiving their 2025 HCE Booklets, members did their planning for the year.

The HCE’s next meeting will be Saturday, Feb. 1, at the home of Deb Hilmershausen.

The meeting was adjourned with Creed II.

For entertainment, members played Christmas Bingo, with everyone receiving a prize

Book club

The Marathon City Book Club will meet at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Marathon Branch Library to discuss “The Woman They Could Not Silence” by Kate Moore. In 1860, Elizabeth Packard, committed to an insane asylum by her traitorous husband, becomes a champion for the many rational woman on her ward, discovering that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose. For more information, call 715-443-2775.

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Marathon Baseball

On the evening of Jan. 18, the Marathon Baseball Program held its annual Baseball Fundraiser Banquet and Award Ceremony at the Marathon City Sports Center.

The evening was filled with raffle prizes, 50/50 raffle, a small meal and an award ceremony. During the event, the following individuals were recognized for their participation or years of experience within the program.

Connie Stieber was recognized for her involvement in the Marathon City League. Kraig Underwood and Kevin Underwood were recognized for the Marathon Travel Team and Bronco programs. The following were recognized for the Marathon High School program: Alex Blume, Carter Hanke, Hunter Seubert, Tyler Seubert and Karter Underwood The evening ended with the raffle prize and grand prize drawings. The grand prize winners included: James Krautkramer, 50/50 raffle. Cobie Ellenbecker, $100 Best Buy card. Jayne Stencil, Beats Studio earbuds. James Rauen, 50’’ Insignia Smart TV. David Bohn, Blackstone Griddle Grill. Doug Kaldunski, 70’’ Insignia Smart TV.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents/caregivers are invited to the Marathon City for story time each Thursday in January. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and more during our 30-45 minutes together. Upcoming Family Story Times will be on Jan. 23 and 30, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Snowflake Craft Day

Children are invited to stop by the Marathon Branch Library for snowflakemaking fun during the Marathon School District’s in-service day on Friday, Jan. 24. Stop by anytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind snowflake. The event is free, all supplies are provided, and no registration is required. Call 715-443-2775 for more info.

STRATFORD

College note

Sailor Kauffman and Emma Vance both received high honors for the fall 2024 semester at UW-Green Bay. High honors go to students earning 3.99 to 3.75 grade point averages.

Longterm care 101

Adults can learn how to plan long-term care on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 4-5 p.m., at the Stratford Branch Library. Donna Heil, a local, licensed health and life insurance agent, will cover how to prepare for longterm care before it is needed, what things qualify a person for long-term care, and different types of long-term care to consider. As with all MCPL programs, this one is noncommercial in nature and for information purposes only.

The event is free, and no registration required. Call the Stratford Branch at 715-6874420 for more information.

Book club

The Stratford Book Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Stratford Branch Library to discuss “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride. In 1972, a skeleton unearthed in Chicken Hill, Pennsylvania, reveals a long-held secret, exposing the role of the town’s white establishment and the guarded lives of those on the margins of white, Christian America. For more information, call 715-687-442..

Puzzle exchange

Drop by the Stratford Branch Library to donate used puzzles from Monday, Jan. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 1. Make sure puzzles are complete; the library is accepting children’s puzzles as well as those for adults. Stop back the week of Feb. 3-8 to take a puzzle that someone else has shared and enjoy putting together in your home. This event is free and open to the public. For more info, call 715-687-4420.

Family Story Time

Bring your entire family to story time at the Stratford Branch Library on Wednesdays in January. Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to this 30-minute program. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities. Tne next Family Story Times will be Jan. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For the birds

Children and their families are invited to the Stratford Branch Library on Monday, Jan. 27, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. to make a simple bird feeder. A staff member from Children’s Wisconsin/Marshfield Family Resource Center will also be available for questions and to recommend community resources. The event is free; no registration required. Call 715687-4420 for more info.

MARATHON COUNTY

Valentines Family Tea

The Marathon County Historical Society will host its annual Valentines Family Tea on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m., at the Woodson History Center, 410 Monroe St., Wausau. Dress your best or come as you are. Activities will include a children’s tea, sweet treats, a Valentine Day craft, photo fun, story time and cookie decorating. Tickets are available for purchase at the door; no reservation required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.