Post Messenger Recorder -

January

The Monticello Lions and Lionesses held their Christmas Party at The Dining Room. They collected 124 pounds of food and donated $495.00 made from their raffle held at the Christmas Party to Green Cares Food Pantry. Green Cares served 257 families (792 adults and children) during November 2016. This is an ongoing project, helping to feed hungry families in Green County.

An interactive public meeting was scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., at Gabriella's Restaurant located at 149 N. Main St., Monticello, for the ten-year Monticello Comprehensive Plan.

The Monticello Lions Club welcomed three new members. Jacob Marty and John Blumer were sponsored by Jim Marty. Parker Havens was sponsored by Dean Havens. These new members were installed by District Governor Dick Schwedrsky.

Monticello Lions President Dan Roe presented scholarship winners their checks. Scholarship winners included Jordan Garrison, attending University of Wisconsin-Whitewater majoring in Elementary Education; Mackenzie Zanow, attending University of Wisconsin-Madison with an undecided major; Dylan Beckwith, attending University of Minnesota majoring in Sociology and Strategic Communications, and Kody Klitzke, attending University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Business.

Gary A. Eldred, a native of Albany, Wisconsin, donated a framed collection of stone blades that he created to the Monticello Public Library. Gary began replicating stone blades, known as flint knapping, in the 1970s, and in the 1980s began to meet with other enthusiasts across the country. Gary learned much during the past 45 years and created some beautiful stone blades representing different Native American cultural periods and made of several types of stone. The display frame was made from reclaimed barn wood and window glass, with the replicated blades arranged in an artful design. Mr. Eldred hopes pass on his passion for flint knapping with this display. The Monticello Public Library was proud to add this to their collection of art created by local artists.

On behalf of the New Glarus Masonic Lodge, Jim McNeill presented scholarship checks to David Ruegsegger, majoring in Spanish at UW-Platteville; Hallie Chicker who was attending MATC with an undecided major; Natalie Lehr attending UW-Platteville with an undecided major.

The 18th Annual Monticello Community Club Chickaree was held on Sunday, January 31st, in conjunction with the Monticello Lions Club Fisheree. Over 600 chicken halves were cooked by volunteers.

February

Marquel Hawthorn and Kaleb Shulka were crowned winners of the recently completed Apprentice Challenge. The Challenge is a part of the Intro to Business class offered at Monticello High School.

After 35 years with the Monroe Clinic, Joyce Hummel retired, and her family invited everyone to an open house in her honor on Sunday February 21, 2016, at Town Edge Restaurant in New Glarus.

March

The Monticello Chamber of Commerce presented a First Dollar Awards to Jon Boone of Dependable Services WI LLC, Jacob Marty of Green Fire Farm and to Riley Johnson of Little Learners Child Care Center LLC at their Annual Meeting.

A film crew from EdTech magazine was in Monticello to report on the Monticello School District's telepresence system and the relationship and collaboration they have with JAM (Juda-Albany-Monticello). Through grants from the Wisconsin Technology Initiative, Monticello has grown a network of schools that pool resources to share classes and enable students to select from an ever-widening range of courses.

Congratulations to the winners of the MFCC (Monticello FCCLA Community Connections) Raffle held on March 13th: $500 – Tracy Bartels; $100 – Maggie Stoehr; $100 – Zachary Kneser; $50 – Jaimi Noriega; $50 – Linden Lounsbury; $25 – Cory Bauman; $25 – Denise Bauman; $25 – Brenda DiCristina; $25 – Lynda Riese; $25 – Paula Schoenhard; $25 – JR Baebler; $25 – Chris Blumer; $25 – Emily Koch.

The Musical Monticello High School students presented Snoopy!!! The Musical on Saturday, March 12-13 2016, in the Rehmstedt Gym. Cast: Snoopy: Ashley Risley, Peppermint Patty: Jennifer Bak, Sally: Emily Koch, Charlie Brown: Casey Schwartzlow, Lucy: Sienna Coldiron, Linus: Austin Blumer, Marcie: Rachel Love, Violet: Holly Bak, Peggy Jean: Samantha Gierhart, Little Red Headed Girl: Mackenzie Scott, Woodstock: Dezmond Hanenberger. Crew: Sound: Derek Blum, Lights: Jarrett Long, Spotlight: Peter Blumer and Nick Blumer, Backstage: Sarah Blumer and Miah Brokopp, Backstage and Makeup: Chandler Hansen, Makeup: Ivy Walters. Directed by Kim Becker, Paul Burk and Michael Pollock.

The World Cheese Championship was held in Madison on March 7-9th. Ron Paris, owner od Sugar River Dairy was deservedly proud that his yogurt won six ribbons for six entries in the World Cheese Championship Contest, including Best of Class for Whole Milk Plain Yogurt - Cows Milk.

The Amstutz-Marty American Legion in Monticello marked 95 years of service in 2016. The anniversary was celebrated with a cake at the Green County American Legion meeting on Sunday, March 20, in the Monticello High School Library. Emil (Mike) Rufener was honored with a plaque for 50 years of membership with the American Legion.

Students who competed in State Solo and Ensemble included Andy Yaun for his Music Theatre Solo and Electric Guitar Solo; Rachel Love for her Music Theatre Solo; and Holly Emberson and Holly Bak for their Vocal Duet.

April

The Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) held its annual Technical Conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Over 1,250 water and wastewater systems and industry personnel met for four days, exchanging ideas and technology through technical sessions and exhibits. At the WRWA conference, Kevin Komprood, from the Monticello Water Utility, received the Association's prestigious 2016 District Operator of the Year Award.

The exceptional quality of meat products produced by Gempeler's Supermarket in Monticello was recognized at the 77th annual convention of the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors (WAMP), held in Madison April 1-3. In the Meat Product Competition held during the convention, Gempeler's received four awards. Their entry in the ring liver sausage category received the Grand Champion award. In the Fresh Breakfast Sausage Links category, their Southern Style Pork Links received the Reserve Grand Champion award. In the cooked traditional bratwurst category, their Alpine Boy Wisconsin Style Bratwurst earned Reserve Grand Champion, and their Whole Smoked Turkey received the Champion award in the cured and smoked poultry category.

Monticello High School FCCLA officers presented a check in the amount of $200 to Mary Gafner for Green Cares Food Pantry.  This donation represents the profit of their t-shirt sale held during the basketball season. The Monticello Middle School FCCLA contributed $160 to Green Cares Food Pantry from the profits of their coin war among the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes.  The 8th graders won the war and enjoyed an ice cream sundae party, compliments of the FCCLA chapter. 

On Monday, April 18, the Mt. Pleasant Town Board paid tribute Marlis Silver, who had been Treasurer in the town for 18 years before resigning. Town of Mount Pleasant Chairman Mike Gengler declared the day to be Marlis Silver Day. When presenting her with a framed copy of the proclamation as well as other gifts, Gengler thanked Silver for her many years of service and her excellent work for the Town of Mt. Pleasant.