Post Messenger Recorder -

September

On Thursday, August 25, the Monticello Public Safety Committee held an informational meeting at the school in the Rehmstedt Gym. The subject of the informational meeting was the question of which EMS service the village would choose. Although there were a number of residents who were in attendance, some confusion may have been caused by the changing of the meeting location numerous times. The meeting was first supposed to be held in the school’s library, then it was changed to the computer lab, and finally the gym.

Zwingli UCC, Monticello, welcomed their new pastor, Rev. Lance Smith, his wife, Heather, and their two sons, Isaac and Ezekiel. The family moved to Green County from western North Carolina. Lance most recently served The Congregational Church UCC in Tryon, North Carolina, as Christian Education and Youth Director and later as Associate Pastor for over 13 years. He has been active in community building and ecumenical worship, fellowship and service.

The fitness center renovation in Monticello has been moving right along. Fundraising projects have raised $10,000, enabling them to purchase their first round of equipment, which will be arriving soon. Tri-Insure, Monticello, made a generous donation of $25,000 towards the fitness center. This enables the fitness center to purchase the remainder of the weight equipment and start purchasing the cardio equipment. The school is very grateful for all donations received for this project.

October

The 18th Annual Empty Stocking Benefit was held on the Wittenwyler Farm, Monticello, on Saturday, October 1st. There were train rides as well as music by Sheriff and Outlaw, a Pie Contest, a 50/50 Raffle and a pig roast. All proceeds from the benefit went to the Empty Stocking, which provides new, warm clothing for children in need in the Monticello area. Everyone was invited to attend, and although there was no admission charge, donations were accepted.

Monticello volleyball hosted Pecatonica on Thursday, September 29th. The Ponies won all three volleyball matches, 25-9; 25-20; 25-16.

On Monday, October 3rd, Jessica Michna wowed patrons of the Monticello Public Library with her portrayal of Eleanor Roosevelt. Michna spoke for an hour in character as the first lady.  Nearly every chair was filled as patrons sat spellbound listening to “Eleanor” speak about her life with FDR and afterwards. Jessica performs at libraries, senior centers and historical venues all over America portraying several first ladies as well as other historical and fictional characters. 

On Saturday, October 15, 2016, the Fall Color Car Cruise in memory of TJ Disch took place, starting out at the Monticello Fire Department. Participants enjoyed the fall colors and had a great time while raising money for Monticello Fire Department’s TJ Disch Scholarship Fund. This year approximately $3,500 was raised by the Fall Color Cruise.

The 33rd Annual Native American Indian Artifact Show was held in Monticello. There were 81 tables filled with historical to pre-historical artifacts.  Tom Loebel, an archaeologist from Illinois University, was there, cataloging paleo point.  The paleo point was 10 - 15 thousand years old.  People exhibit from Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. There were wonderful items brought in for identifications.  The Boy Scout Troop #106 had wonderful food as usual. Best Personal find was won by John Knoot; Educational Award - Dan Maas; Award of Excellence - Bill Wasemiller; Judges Special Award - Alex Beer; and Best of Show was Warren Lathom.

Nancy Elmer presented a check for $2,500 to Booster Club President Alma Mentz to be used for the fitness center.

The Capitol Conference announced their South Division 2016 Football All Conference and Player of the Year Selections. First Team Running Backs included Zach Feller, NGM. Hunter Tierman, NGM; Jonah Thompson, NGM, were all named as First Team Offensive Linemen. John Chenoweth, NGM, was named First Team Defensive Back. Trent Siegenthaler, NGM, was named as First Team Inside Linebacker. Jonah Thompson, NGM, was named as First Team Outside Linebacker. Adam Marty, NGM, was named as First Team Interior Defensive Linemen. Hunter Tierman, NGM, was also named the 2016 Capitol Conference South Division Offensive Lineman of the Year. Zach Feller, NGM, was named the 2016 Capitol Conference South Division Offensive Player of the Year. Adam Marty, NGM, was named as 2016 Capitol Conference South Division Defensive Lineman of the Year. Jonah Thompson, NGM, was named 2016 Capitol Conference South Division Defensive Player of the Year. Second Team All Conference: Tanner Jelle, NGM, was named as Second Team Running Back. Jacob Tetner, NGM, was named as Second Team Tight End. Jessiah Tetner, NGM, was named Second Team Offensive Linemen. Zach Price, NGM, was named Second Team Defensive Back. Jon Errthum, NGM, was named as Second Team Outside Linebackers.

Congratulations to the “I Thought This Was Speed Dating” team for winning the 4th Annual Smarty-Pants Smackdown trivia night. Their team beat out 11 other teams in categories such as 1978, 16 Degrees of Kevin Bacon, and 1-Hit Wonders.

November

Six Rivers All Conference Volleyball Players from Monticello this season were: Bri Graber, Honorable Mention; Jessie Garrison, Second Team All Conference; Chandler Hansen, Honorable Mention; and Hannah Zanow, Honorable Mention.

Congratulations to the Academic Co-op JAM (Juda-Albany-Monticello). JAM received the 2016 WiRSA Rural School Alliance Award. Receiving the award were Al Brokopp, District Administrator at Monticello Schools; Connie Gregerson, Principal at Albany Schools; and Traci Davis, District Administrator at Juda Schools. Nice work!

The Monticello Excellence in Education Fund announced the 2016 Grant Recipients at a presentation during a Monticello Schools staff reception. Since 2007, the Monticello EIE has supported 108 grant projects and awarded more than $30,000 of funding into the school.

On October 27th, Monticello Schools hosted a staff in-service with Albany and Juda Schools. The Green County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by Monticello Police Chief Tom Erb, presented a hands-on school safety training exercise with realistic scenarios. This training was pertinent for both school staff and law enforcement who participated.

December

On Tuesday, November 22, Green County Deputies, Monticello Police, Monticello Fire, New Glarus Area EMS, Green County EMS, New Glarus Fire, MedFlight, WI State Patrol, WI DNR and Green County Highway assisted at a fatal accident at the intersection of STH 69 and CTH C. On November 23, Green County Deputies, along with Monticello Fire Department, Monticello Police Department, New Glarus Area EMS, WI State Patrol and Green County Highway Department, responded to an accident on STH 69 and W. Coates Avenue, in the Village of Monticello. The accident involved two semi-tractor trailer units and a pickup truck. On November 24, Green County Deputies, Monticello Fire and First Response, and New Glarus Area EMS were on scene of a one-vehicle accident on STH 69, south of Monticello.

Members of the Belleville, Monticello and New Glarus Police Departments participated in Shop With A Cop on Saturday, December 10th. Shop With A Cop is a program that helps underprivileged kids have a Merry Christmas that they might not have had without your help.

On Saturday, December 10, 2016, Santa visited the Monticello Fire Department. Before the kids arrived he took a few minutes to speak with the members of the Fire Department who were there. Santa thanked the members, and reminded them of the value of their service to the community.

The Monticello Lions recognized two members with a Birch Sturm plaque and a Melvin Jones plaque.  Lion Dean Havens received his Birch Sturm for his 27 years of service and fellowship. Lion Linn Lederman received the Melvin Jones award for his 34 years of humanitarian work. These two Lions are committed to improving the quality of life for those in Wisconsin and around the world.  They received their plaques from District Governor Eric Holthouse and Monticello Lions President Dan Roe at the annual Christmas party held on December 4th, at the New Glarus Hotel.  We congratulate these two Lions for their humanitarian service. 

The Monticello Lions/Lionesses held their Christmas party at the New Glarus Hotel. They collected 109 pounds of food and $445.00 made from their raffle held at the Christmas party for Green Cares Food Pantry. Green Cares served 280 families (831 adults and children) during the month of November. This is more than last year. This is an ongoing project helping to feed hungry families in Green County.

In a non-conference game against the Belmont Braves on December 13th, the Monticello Ponies emerged the victor, winning 49-35.

On Wednesday, December 21st, the Monticello School District held their Second Annual Holiday Luncheon. Friends, families and members of the community were invited to stop and enjoy a delicious holiday lunch.

On December 23rd, the Monticello Lions distributed Holiday Baskets to 10 families in the Monticello area.