Post Messenger Recorder -

January

New Glarus Middle Schoolers' Anaerobic Digester Project - Lunches to Energy - Carries Team to State Competition. The Wisconsin Sectionals First Lego League Competition took place in Appleton on Sunday, December 13th, with 96 teams competing including two from New Glarus Middle School. Only the top 36 were chosen to advance to the State Competition - including the Recycle Rampage team from NGMS. All of these teams at Sectionals had to be within the top six teams at their respective Regional competitions in order to advance and participate in Sectionals. The members on the team advancing, Recycle Rampage, include students Jeremy Kolasa, Robbie Chenoweth, Ben Wolf, Luka Thelen, Connor Piper, Anderson Justmann and Merrick Fong, along with Coach Jody Hoesly and Mentor Milo Hoesly.

The New Glarus Lions Club awarded four scholarships on Monday, January 4, 2016. Scolarships were awarded to Jeanna Burkland, Madison College; Brianne Roska, Edgewood College; Rachael Schieldt, Edgewood College; and Jamie Ott, Madison College.

The 30th annual WinterFest R&R and All Veterans Festival and Reunion was held January 14-17, 2016, in New Glarus. Veterans from across the country were in the village to celebrate the first Veterans reunion of the year in the United States.

The Gift of Community committee announced that Volunteer of the Year, Mike Nevil will be "roasted" at the event on Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the Edelweiss Country Club.

The Class of 2005 won the New Glarus Alumni Basketball Tournament. The team included Megan Scheele, Wade Torgeson, Bret Hagen, Jerry Flannery, Ben Trolinger, Sterling Solberg and Kevin Duerst.

The New Glarus Masonic Lodge awarded two New Glarus graduates with scholarships. Carey Schneider presented the scholarships to Andrew Molencamp, son of Monte and Shelley Molencamp, attending UW-Platteville and majoring in Physical Education, and Jacob Haraldson, son of Rocky Haraldson and Jon and Beth Heller, attending UW-Platteville and majoring in Electrical Engineering.

Seventy-six knitters gathered at the Chalet Landhaus in New Glarus the weekend of January 22-24. Among their activities, they knitted scarves for the New Glarus community. The scarves were placed on some of the cows around town. Any local resident in need of a little extra warmth should feel free to take a scarf.

February

The Alvin Ott Scholarship was presented to recipient Alicia Blum by Ronald J. Schaaf, President/CEO of The Bank of New Glarus® and Sugar River Bank Branches, and John Ott, the grandson of Alvin Ott and also a Director of The Bank of New Glarus® and Sugar River Bank Branches.

The annual Polar Plunge supporting Special Olympics was held on Saturday, February 13, in Madison. Among those participating were Dan Powers, Haiden Zimmerman, Drew Pickett, Eddelynn Hill, Mike Jennrich, Jenna Anderson, Emily Streiff and Gavin Binger. Dan Ziegler was seen in the chicken coop staying warm and also raising money for Special Olympics.

Community and Student Asset Award events were held in New Glarus. The Gift of Community Event was held on February 20, and the Student Asset Awards were held on February 22. The events recognize students and community members for their time and effort in volunteering. Student Award Winners were Zoe Nevil, Emma Eicher, Andrew Newberry, and Michael Jennrich. Nominees included Emily Elkins, Grace Moen, Finnley Parker, Landon Zimmerman and Elizabeth Woerpel. Student Asset Award Featured Speaker was Nick Zweifel. At the Gift of Community event, the nominees were New Glarus Lions Club, Milo Parker, David Henning, Deb Zimmerman, Elaine Grenzow, Butch Kiesz, Carol Holmes, Steve Gmur and Lexie D. Harris. Community Asset Awards Recipients were New Glarus Lions Club – "Civic Organization of the Year"; Milo Parker – "Compass Award" (showing the way); David Henning – "Civic Award"; Butch Kiesz – "Life Service Award"; Carol Holmes – "Community Volunteer Award" and Steve Gmur – "Heritage Award.

March

Aaron Couey, a third grader at New Glarus Elementary School, had an incredible surprise during Morning Meeting in the gym last week. His uncle, Jonathan Wardell, who is serving in the US Army and has been overseas for the past year, surprised his nephew at school.

New Glarus Middle School RoboKnights team, Recycle Rampage, competed at the state competition for the FIRST Lego League (FLL) on February 21st, and took First Place for Best Presentation among the 36 top teams competing from hundreds that participated statewide.

State Solo and Ensemble qualifiers from New Glarus High School competed at the State Solo and Ensemble Competition on April 30, at UW-Platteville. Qualifiers included: Emma Eicher, Jeneva Ford, Reagan Andersen, Annie Pollyea, Aimee Kujak, Katie Way, Fredrick Kolyszko, Grace Moen, Rebecca Barr, Vanessa Gassman, Michael Schieldt, Gavin Binger, Adler Schmidt, Justin Palmer and Cole Steiner.

It was announced that Jeff Eichelkraut would be returning to the football field as the Head Football Coach for NGM for the 2016 season. Eichelkraut previously served as Head Football Coach for NGM from 1999-2011.

Tamara Elzen, a senior at New Glarus High School, was named a 1st Team All Conference Selection, Vanessa Narveson, a senior at New Glarus High School, was named a 2nd Team All Conference selection, and Julia Barnaby, a sophomore at New Glarus High School, was been named as an Honorable Mention Selection for All Conference Basketball.

The New Glarus Historic Preservation Commission and the New Glarus Community Development Authority (CDA) teamed up on Sunday, March 6, to present a one-hour program on the potential of establishing two National Register of Historic Places, historic districts in New Glarus.

New Glarus High School presented The Drowsy Chaperone on March 18-21, 2016. The Drowsy Chaperone Cast & Crew included Abbigail Lahey, Adler Schmidt, Aimee Kujak, Anne Pollyea, Cole Steiner, Fredrick Kolyszko, Gavin Binger, Grace Moen, Hunter Tierman, Jeneva Ford, Justin Palmer, Katherine Gregory, Madison Perkins, Margo Diener, Michael Schieldt, Rebecca Barr, Stephanie Koch, Tia Booth, Vanessa Gassman. Crew: Jane Thurow, Sarah Marsh, Alex Nealis, Jonah Thompson, Tessa Sheridan, Alexis Strahm, Karstyn Rossing, Demarious King. Choreographer: Emily Ginocchio; Stage Manager: Olivia Woodmansee; Director: Ms. Christina Peterson; Music Director: Mr. Justin Wilder; Production Manager: Mr. Dan Ziegler; Set Design: Alison Winters-Hanson.

New Glarus native rock group The Anderson Brothers competed in the Madison Area Music Association's (MAMA) 2016 Breakthrough Artist Competition. Consisting of New Glarus High School graduates Cole Dockter, Eric Anderson, and Brian Anderson, the band has started to gain a following within the Madison area.

The Capitol Conference proudly announced their 2015/16 South Division Boys All Conference, Honorable Mention, and Player of the Year Selections (basketball). Gavin Binger, a senior at New Glarus High School, was named a 1st Team All Conference Selection. Trey Taylor, a senior at New Glarus High School, was named a 2nd Team All Conference selection. Austin Schlueter, a senior at New Glarus High School, and Zach Feller, a freshman at New Glarus High School, were both been named as Honorable Mention Selections.

April

Sunday, April 10th, New Glarus Officially opened its first Little Free Library in the New Glarus Village Park.

The New Glarus Middle School Forensics Team, Art Department, Family and Consumer Science Department, Tech Ed Department, Ag Department and Music Department invited the public to attend the New Glarus Middle School Festival of Knights. Students showcased their acting, speaking, artistic, culinary, technical, and musical talents.

On Sunday, April 17th, a fundraiser for the Swiss Center of North America was held at the New Glarus Hotel. There was entertainment by the Zweifel Brothers, and heritage music provided by the New Glarus Maennerchor and the Green County Alphorns. A Silent Auction with more than 50 baskets was a big hit with visitors.

The following New Glarus basketball players earned Team Awards: Austin Schlueter, Senior - Co-Captain; Trey Taylor, Senior - Most Improved Player; Gavin Binger, Senior - Most Valuable Player; Christian Arnett, Junior - Scout Team Player of the Year; Landon Zimmerman, Senior - Co-Captain, Most Valuable Defender, Knight Pride Award. Players named All Conference: Austin Schlueter, Senior - Honorable Mention; Trey Taylor, Senior - 2nd Team; Zach Feller, Freshman - Honorable Mention; Gavin Binger, Senior - 1st Team.

The New Glarus seventh grade boys basketball team had a successful 5-1 run at the Wisconsin Youth State Basketball tournament in La Crosse the weekend of April 2 and 3, losing only to a two-time state champion group of sharp shooting long range bombers from Oshkosh Lourdes Academy.

The New Glarus Chamber of Commerce presented the New Glarus Police Department with three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and two megaphones.

The eighth grade basketball team from New Glarus finished their season undefeated. Team members include: Bo Eichelkraut, Josh Wieser, Max Xistris-Songpayna, Matthew Zierl, Charlie Douma, Connor Siegenthaler, Calvin Strok, Garrett James, Ryan Winder, along with Coach Travis Sysko and Coach Rudi Feller.

The seventh grade basketball team from New Glarus finished their season undefeated. Team members include Cole Maynard, William Blunt, Ethan Bump, Conor McCoy, Mason Thompson, Dominic Tollakson, Trevor Rodebaugh, Nathan Streiff, Darris Schuett, Mason Martinson, Cody Berge, Thomas Bubenzer, Luke Brecklin, Keegan Kemp, Cole Walter, Breckin Faber, along with Coach Rudi Feller and Coach Travis Sysko.