Post Messenger Recorder -

January

The Monticello Excellence in Education Fund announced the 2018 Grant Recipients at a presentation during a Monticello Schools staff reception. Grants awarded went to the following Monticello School District projects: Canyon Camp 2019; It's a Big Big World; Makerspace; Art in the Park; Puppets in the Classroom; Kindergarten Community Picnic; Kindergarten Graduation; Lion King Kids; 10 Mile Club; Gift of Giving; After School Art Program; EIE Grant for Coding 2018; Paul Bunyan Breakfast; PBIS Pony Store; Pony Pasture Garden Planting – Spring 2019.

Monticello Lions President Dean Havens presented college students with a $750 check to further their education. Nicholas Blumer is attending Madison Business College and will transfer to UW-Platteville, majoring in Secondary Education. Callisa Briggs is attending UW-Whitewater, majoring in Business and Economics. Erin Lehr is attending Blackhawk Technical College and will transfer to a four-year university, majoring in Nursing. Katelyn Thompson is attending UW-Rock County and will transfer to UW-Whitewater, majoring in Early Childhood Education.

Monticello Lioness Tammy Rockenbach presented a $500 check to scholarship winner Isaac Smith at the Lioness Club meeting on January 9th. He is attending UW-Stevens Point majoring in Music Education, with plans to become a music teacher. Also receiving a scholarship from the Lionesses were Callisa Briggs, attending college at UW-Whitewater, majoring in Business and Economics with a minor in Spanish, and Katelyn Thompson, attending UW-Rock County with plans to transfer to UW-Whitewater majoring in Early Childhood Education.

The Monticello Chamber announced the winner of the decorating contest held in December. The winner of the decoration contest was The Morning Mug/Kesler's Kountry Kreations.

The Town of Washington invited community residents and land owners to help update the Town's Comprehensive Plan by completing an online community survey.

Greenwoods Financial Group, Inc. announced the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire Fox River Financial Corporation, of Burlington, Wisconsin, the holding company for Fox River State Bank. The combined company will have approximately $270 million in assets, with seven branches located throughout south central and southeastern Wisconsin.

The Lake Montesian Fisheree, sponsored by the Green County Conservation League and the Monticello Lions Club, was held on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at Lake Montesian in Monticello. Temperatures well below zero on Sunday didn't stop the Monticello Community Club from grilling up chicken for the annual Chickaree. The Chickaree has been held for the past 21 years in conjunction with the Lions Club Fisheree. The tasty grilled chicken uses the same basting recipe as the Chicken Barbecue held during Homecoming.

February

The Monticello Fire Department announced the newest addition to the Monticello Fire Department's fleet, a 1999 Pierce Dash Engine, which replaced the 1989 Custom Fire Engine. The truck was put into service on January 26, 2019.

Paul Burk, Monticello High School English Teacher, encouraged his students to enter the VFW Voice of Democracy contest. Misty Keller won 1st place in the contest and received an award and $100, and Nicole Lehr placed second and received an award and $50.

Monticello High School FBLA members competed at Regionals, and six members placed. Jennifer Curry took 1st in Personal Finance and the teams of Abby Wicker and Lindsey Pence (Hospitality Management) and Simon Blohowiak, Lucas Heiser and Evan Guenther (Sports & Entertainment Management) both placed in the top eight.

Monticello Music Parents announced plans for the 5th Annual Cabaret Dinner on Saturday, March 3rd.

Monticello senior Alyssen Noreiga signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Marian University on Saturday, February 16th.

The Monticello Ponies girls basketball team began the first round of the WIAA Regional Tournament by winning over #10 Johnson Creek at home on February 19th. The Ponies were seeded #7. In round two of the Regionals, the Ponies played at #2 Randolph. After trailing by 10 at the half, the Ponies just couldn't hold on and lost a hard-fought game to Randolph. The final score was Randolph 57, Monticello 38.

March

The Monticello Chamber approved two new board members, April Fuhr and Tracy Spotts, during its February 13, 2019, annual meeting held at The Twisted Tree Eatery in Monticello.

On February 26th, the #8 seeded Monticello Ponies boys basketball team hosted #9 seeded Central Wisconsin Christian for a Division 5 WIAA Regional Game. The final score was Monticello 67, Central Wisconsin Christian 35. The win against Central Wisconsin Christian earned the Ponies a chance to play at the undefeated #1 Randolph. Unfortunately, the Ponies lost the game, 37-65.

The Monticello Lions, Monticello Ponies girls basketball team and the Boy Scouts served up a delicious pancake brunch to over 300 attendees on Sunday, March 17th, in the Rhemstedt Gym.

April

Monticello Public Library Director Katrina Linde-Moriarty presented Monticello Community Club President Scott Babler with a check for $2,000 from the Friends of the Library group for equipment at the new ball park concession stand that is soon to be completed.

2018-2019 Monticello Ponies Boys Basketball award winners included Peter Gustafson, 1st Team All-Conference; Jeffrey Ace, Team Leadership Award, Honorable Mention All-Conference; Reece Rufer, Team MVP, 2nd Team All-Conference; Andrew Eyler, WBCA Team First Award; and Owen Ace, Most Improved.

Promoting community well-being through the design of public open spaces is the focus of a new integrated research-teaching-service project in the Village of Monticello. Led by Dr. Kristín Thorleifsdóttir, an Assistant Professor with the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture and the Department of Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the project aims to create more sustainable, livable, and resilient communities by bridging community engagement with education and research.

Sarah Blumer received a gold rating and Joe DiChristina received a silver at the FCCLA State Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

Monticello High School's Homecoming Dance, themed Winter Wonderland, was held on Saturday, February 9, 2019. The Homecoming court included, from left, Freshman Reps Seth Culberson and Sarah Brokopp, Junior Reps Garrett Grossen and Sarah Blumer, King Jeff Ace and Queen Abby Wicker, Senior Reps Andy Eyler and Claire Klossner, and Sophomore Reps Owen Ace and Dixie Wettach.

Jennifer Curry competed in Personal Finance at the State FBLA Leadership Conference and took 4th place. This qualified her for the National Conference in San Antonio.

Following the April election, the Village of Monticello had a new Village President, Leaora Miller. Miller presided over her first Village Board meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

The four graduating seniors from this year's Monticello Girls Basketball team all received multiple individual awards during the awards banquet in March. All four have played together throughout their high school career. The seniors were Abby Wicker, Claire Klossner, Lindsey Pence and Alyssen Noriega.

Monticello Lioness Jeri Wendler presented Bonnie Friedrich of Green Cares Food Pantry with a $250.00 check from the Monticello Lioness Club.

Monticello residents watched as the house at 239 N. Main Street in Monticello was torn down in April. The Village had ordered the demolition after the house was found to be unsafe and negotiations with the owners for clean-up had failed.