PEOPLE

Senior Card Group

The Senior Citizens card group met on April 3 for weekly card playing at the Athens Area Fire and Ambulance Hall. Two games of Sheepshead were played. Rick Schaetzl won first place and Andy Hoef came in second in the first game. Alvira Henrichs won first and Steve Klockziem came in second in the second game.

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

Dahlke birth

A daughter, Anissa Sharon Dahlke, was born to Stacey and Dustin Dahlke, Athens, on March 18, 2025, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau. She weighed seven pounds, 13 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He joins an older brother, Isaac.

Grandparents are Annette and Wayne Gajewski, Athens, and Amy and Dale Dahlke, Edgar.

Great-grandmothers are Dottie Gajewski, Athens, and Anne Dahlke, Athens.

Medicare basics

Adults are invited to the Athens Branch Library on Thursday, April, 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for a free class on maintaining Medicare coverage. Registration is required. For more info or to register, call 715257-7292.

Foundation grants

Progress Athens Foundation is excited to receive applications for its next grant cycle. Information related to the grant opportunity may be requested from progressathens@gmail. com or by mailing Progress Athens Foundation, Inc., PO Box 147, Athens, WI 54411. The grant application is due April 30.

Ladies League

The Memory Lanes Ladies League held its spring meeting and Awards Banquet on April 2 at the Athens Fire Hall meeting room.

Main Street Market took first place with a 64 1/2 wins and 31 1/2 losses. High average was held by Julie Ellenbecker, with a 192 and also high series of 649. High game was won by Vanessa McDonell with a 259. High series w/handicap went to Brooke Bruesewitz with 591+174=765. Vanessa McDonell had the high game w/handicap of 259+38=297. Brooke Bruesewitz had the most improved average of 151 to 161 = 10 pins.

The fall meeting was tentatively set for Aug. 6.

The Athens Ladies held their 42nd Annual 600 Tournament on April 4 at The Hall Bar & Bowl, with 13 active 600 bowlers participating.

Lindsey Heier won the event with a 686 + 117 = 803 score.

Lunch was served by Jane Schaefer and Gloria Brodziski. The 43rd Tournament will be held at The Hall Bar and Bowl in 2026, with Debbie Balz and Lisa Schreiner hosting. Date and time to be determined by them.

VFW Post 8527

The April 2 meeting of the Athens VFW Post 8527 was called to order by Commander Marv Reuter, with 16 members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Under new business, scholarship applications were read by the membership, and recipients will be decided on at the May meeting.

Anyone wishing to go to Veterans Day at the Capitol on April 22 is asked to sign up by April 13 and let Rick Schaetzl know.

It was announced that Rep. Karen Hurd has accepted our invitation to speak at Memorial Day on May 26.

Schaetzl announced that Flag Day raffle tickets will be distributed to members in the near future.

Election of post officers was held. Nominations of new officers were made and unanimously approved.

Rick Schaetzl was elected commander, Melissa Gilles was elected adjujant, and Mark Weiler was elected quartermaster. Attendance prizes were given to Marv Rueter, Melissa Gilles and Troy Reuth.

The next meeting will be May 7.

VFW Auxiliary 8527

The March 26 meeting of the Athens VFW Auxiliary 8527 was called to order by president Ruth Weiler. The meeting has held in the ambulance room, with Linda Adams serving cheese, crackers and cupcakes.

Nine people were present. The Opening Prayer was read, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

The secretary’s report was given and approved. The treasurer’s report was given and approved. General orders were read. Committee reports were given.

Scholarship recipients were decided for the 2025 year.

Standing rules were discussed, and a motion was made by Karen Weiler to accept the rules and seconded by Gayle Mauer. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Gloria Lavicka to order President Pins and seconded by Cheryl Engel. Motion carried.

Cheryl Engel reported that the group is booked for June 13 and also July 11 for “Dinner on the Square.”

The district meeting will be May 3 in Merrill, with elections being held. Anyone interested in going should contact Ruth Weiler.

The next next meeting will be Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m., with the election of officers planned.

Gloria Lavicka won the special prize.

The closing prayer was read, and the meeting was adjourned.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to the Athens Branch Library for a 30minute Family Story Time. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities. Family Story Times will be held every Wednesday in April, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

EDGAR

LEGO Block Party

Can you create a world with simple blocks? Families are invited to

See PEOPLE/ page 5 People

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build with LEGO on Saturday,April 12, from 11 a.m.- to 1 p.m. at the Edgar Branch Library. The event is free, all blocks provided, no registration required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

Games at St. Stephen

St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 424 N. Third Ave., Edgar, will host card games in the church basement on Wednesdays,April 9 and 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments and snacks will be served. If you need a ride or have questions, call Mark at 715-348-5802 or Colleen at 715-571-8277.

Family Game Night

All ages are invited to the Edgar Branch Library for Family Game Night on Wednesday, April 16, from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be a variety of board games and card games available to play or you’re welcome to bring your own. Open to the public, no registration required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to the Edgar Branch Library for a 30-minute Family Story Time. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities. The next Family Story Time will held on Tuesday, April 15, from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Be’Tween the Lines

Tweens and teens ages 11-14 are invited to the Edgar Branch Library for a new monthly book club where everyone gets to pick their own book. Choose a book that follows the monthly theme and at each meeting, the group will discuss and socialize. The theme for April is Laughter is the Best Medicine. It’s okay if the book doesn’t fit the theme exactly. No registration required. Call 715-352-3155 for more information.

MARATHON

Easter Egg hunt

St. Anthony’s Spirituality Center will host an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, April 19, starting at 10 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Marathon Fire Department (watch for signs). The hunt is sponsored by the Marathon City Police Department and the Marathon City Fire/EMS Department.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to the Marathon City Branch Library for Family Story Time. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities during to 30-45 minute program. Family Story Times will held every Thursday in April, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Book club

The Marathon City Book Club will meet at the Marathon City Branch Library on Monday, April 14, at 5:45 p.m. to discuss “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. An award-winning young neurosurgeon describes how – after receiving a terminal diagnosis with lung cancer – he explored his roles as a patient and care provider, the philosophical conundrums about a meaningful life, and how he wanted to spend his final days. Call 715-443-2775 for more information.

STRATFORD

College note

Dylan Schoenherr was named to the 2024 fall trimester dean’s list at Palmer College of Chiropractics Main Campus in Davenport, Iowa.

Family Story Time

Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers are invited to the Stratford Branch Library for Family Story Time. Library staff will read books, sing songs, and offer other literature-based activities during this 30minute program. Family Story Times will be held Wednesdays, April 16 and 23, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Book club

The Stratford Book Club will meet at the Stratford Branch Library on Wednesday, April 16, at 1 p.m. to discuss “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. After her husband dies, Tova Sullivan starts working at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, where she forms a special bond with a giant octopus who holds the key to solving the mysterious disappearance of her 18-year-old son, Erik, over 30 years ago on the Puget Sound. Call 715-687-4420 for more information.

Play & Learn: Celebrate Spring!

Children and their families are invited to join us at the Stratford Branch Library on Monday, April 28, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. to make a fun spring craft to share with a loved one. A staff member from Children’s Wisconsin/Marshfield Family Resource Center will be available for questions and to recommend community services and resources. The event is free; no registration required. Call 715-687-4420 for more information.

MARATHON COUNTY

Kanopy PLUS to start April 16

Marathon County Public Library cardholders can enjoy free, unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Kanopy PLUS starting April 16. Access three curated packs – Kids, Favorites, and Series – on smart TVs, mobile devices, or computers with just a library card and PIN.

Kanopy PLUS offers a diverse selection of films and TV shows without ads or wait times. MCPL patrons will have access to three curated Kanopy PLUS packs: Kids: A collection of over 2,000 titles for children, featuring beloved characters like Paddington Bear, Madeline, Blippi, Sesame Street, and PBS Kids, as well as read-along storybooks by Vooks, Highlights, and Signed Stories.

Favorites: A selection of staff and patron picks, featuring dramas, comedies, thrillers, documentaries, and television series with popular and acclaimed actors.

Series: A binge-worthy collection of TV shows and documentaries, including thrillers, classic theater, reality series, and historical procedurals.

For more info, call 715-261-7230.

Genealogy meet-up

Adults are invited to a genealogy meet-up on Monday, April 14, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the library’s Wausau Headquarters, 300 N. First St., Wausau. Each session will start with a short presentation on a particular resource (located within the library or outside the library), followed by a question and answer session. After that, the group will have 45 minutes to one hour of independent genealogy work time, with assistance of the adult services librarian. The event is free; no registration is required. For more info, call 715-261-7230.