January

New Glarus Police Chief Burt Boldebuck gave a presentation at the January 3, 2017, New Glarus Village Board meeting in appreciation of the work Sergeant Jeff Sturdevant had done for the Village. Following the presentation the New Glarus Village Board approved a resolution to promote Sturdevant to Lieutenant. Sturdevant has worked for the village since August 26, 2001, and was promoted to Sergeant on October 5, 2004.

The Boy Scouts from Troop 106 in New Glarus earned the prestigious Hornaday Unit Certificate and Badge. Dr. William T. Hornaday, an ardent conservationist, established this awards program to recognize Scouts who undertook and completed truly exceptional conservation projects.

The annual Winterfest Veterans Celebration was held, with the annual photo being taken at Puempel's Olde Tavern.

Cole Walter and Darris Schuett, both New Glarus eighth graders, had the experience of a lifetime in Dallas, Texas, at USA Football's International Bowl VIII.

Quest Industrial, a robotics company based out of Monroe, provided the New Glarus school district with over $100,000 in robotics equipment.

On Wednesday, January 25th, the New Glarus High School Mock Trial Team hosted its annual scrimmage. This year, the Mock Trial team has two teams and there are over 20 students on the team. The team is coached by Dan Gartzke, Faun Phillipson and Lexa Speth.

February

Four New Glarus High School students recently attended the 67th Annual Dorian Vocal Festival held at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. New Glarus High School Choir members Cole Steiner, Anne Pollyea, Aimee Kujak and Hunter Tierman performed.

Masonic Officers were recently installed at New Glarus F&AM No. 310 of Freemasons. Serving for the ensuing year are Mike Mudrey, Worshipful Master; Carey Schneider, Senior Warden; Charles Hustad, Junior Warden; Al Leinhardt, Treasurer; and Don Rupnow, Secretary.

Haiden Zimmerman and Nikki Bushee led a STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) event through Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). They held Sock Hops for the middle and elementary schools of New Glarus to raise money and collect sock donations for children in the district that cannot afford it. They also held a sock drive in the middle school and through FCCLA. The overall goal was to get 100 pairs of socks; to their surprise they received over 1,000 pairs of socks.

Former New Glarus graduate Ashley Beutler joined the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January.

The New Glarus Middle School held their annual Geography Bee. The school champion was Levi Belknap, second place Blake Loeffelholz, and third place Nolan Belknap.

The New Glarus Middle School held their annual Spelling Bee. The winner was Merrick Fong and runner-up is Ben Wolf.

Olivia Woodmansee, the Wisconsin FCCLA State President and active chapter member of New Glarus FCCLA, attended a Career and Technical Education Student Organization (CTSO) workshop in Madison at the state's capitol.

The Capitol Conference announced their Wrestling All Conference and Wrestlers of the Year selections. Sugar River's John Chenoweth was named to Capitol Conference Wrestlers 1st Team. Sugar River Wrestlers named to 2nd Team were Justin Knoebl, Max Gerner and Tanner Jelle.

Demolition began at Swiss Lanes, to make room for Casey's General Store.

Andrew Newberry, New Glarus, attended the University of Dubuque President's Academic Honors Luncheon on Saturday, February 11, in Heritage Center on the university's campus in Dubuque, Iowa.

For the first time since 1991, the New Glarus boys basketball team were the Regional Champions.

March

New Glarus High School presented the musical, "The Addams Family," on March 17, 18, and 19.

New Glarus Mathletes took part in the Capitol Conference Math Meet in Lake Mills. After three individual events and a team round, the New Glarus Knights took first place for the south division for both JV and Varsity. Top scorers were senior Jonathon Truttmann and sophomore Ellawyn Fong for Varsity, freshman Adam Nelson and sophomore Haiden Zimmerman for JV.

Merrick Fong, a New Glarus Middle School Student, represented CESA 2 at the Badger State Spelling Bee.

The Darlington Redbirds ended the Knights' season in the sectional game held in Evansville, winning 73-59.

The 2016/17 South Division Basketball Boys All Conference, Honorable Mention, and Player of the Year Selections were announced. Cullen Brooks and Jaden Kreklow, New Glarus, were both named as 1st Team All Conference Selections. Named as 2nd Team All Conference Selections were Drew Shrader, Belleville, and Zach Feller, New Glarus. Honorable Mention Selections included Trevor Gassman, New Glarus, Daniel Meier, Belleville.

April

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church invited the community to help celebrate 50 years of ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. The dedication of Shepherd of the Hills took place on April 30, 1967, with the installation of its first pastor, Rev. William Dargatz. Shepherd of the Hills has been served by a total of four pastors over the past 50 years, including the Rev. William Phillip, the Rev. Ron Nybroten and the current pastor, the Rev. Gene Talley.

The New Glarus Brewing Company announced an expansion of its Beer Depot and the Tasting Room at Hilltop facility, south of the Village of New Glarus. The addition will extend out into the current parking lot. The expansion, designed by architect Katherine May, seamlessly melds with and enhances the old world look of the brewery as well as the Village of New Glarus and the surrounding area.

On Wednesday, March 22, the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce held an After Five event at Hawk's Mill WineHaus, at 500 1st Street in New Glarus. The owners and staff from Hawk's Mill WineHaus warmly welcomed Chamber members and answered questions about their wines.

It was announced that a trio of chefs from New Glarus Hotel, Kurt Kline, Roland Fürst and Mike Nevil, will present "A Culinary Tour of Switzerland" at this year's A Taste of Spring by Monroe Arts Center on May 1st.

A photo by Montana agriculture photographer and New Glarus native, Todd Klassy, was named the winner of an international photography competition for the second year in a row. The Star Prize for Agricultural Photography, sponsored by John Deere and presented by the International Federation of Agriculture Journalists (IFAJ), recognizes excellence in agricultural photography from around the world.

A Blue Star Service Banner was presented to the parents of PVT Alan Plantikow, USMC, on April 15th at the Veterans Memorial Hall in New Glarus. Green County American Legion Commander Allen Fjelstad made the presentation.

Recently, several members of the New Glarus High School Chamber Choir performed the patriotic song "America the Beautiful" at the beginning of a Madison Capitols Hockey game held at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Choir members then stayed and watched the game as the guests of the team. Students performing included: Anne Pollyea, Justin Palmer, Deedra Delforge, Stephanie Koch, Matthew Ostby, Aimee Kujak, Elizabeth Woerpel, Michael Schieldt and Cole Steiner.

The Green County Council of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary honored four public service personnel at their monthly meeting in Monticello on Sunday April 23, 2017. Rachel Anderson, of New Glarus Area Emergency Medical Services, received the award as the EMT of the Year. The Fireman of the Year was Trent Gerber, of the Brodhead Fire Protection District. The Law Officer of the Year was Lieutenant Jeff Sturdevant, of the New Glarus Police Department. The Enlisted National Guard/Reservist of the Year was SSG James D. Hataway, of the 994th Air Force Reserve Security Forces Squadron.

Fifteen Wisconsin students have been named semifinalists for the 2017 Presidential Scholars award, considered the nation's highest honor for graduating high school seniors. One of those was Maria Thurow of Monticello, New Glarus High School.

Sue Moen file photo

For the first time since 1991, the New Glarus boys basketball team were the Regional Champions after beating Deerfield 87-73. Pictured above: Ron Roesslein, Coach Travis Sysko, Jesse Tetner, Dishawn Gale, Patrick Craker, Jaden Kreklow, Wyatt Taylor, Andrew Nimtz, Mike Nelson, Cullen Brooks, Cole Runde, Noah Zimmerman, Rudi Feller, Brian Siegenthaler. Seated Zach Feller, Trevor Gassman, Jacob Tetner, Christian Arnett.

Polka for the Swiss, the Swiss Center of North America's annual fundraiser, was held at the New Glarus Hotel on Sunday, April 23, 2017. There was Polka with the Zweifel Brothers and Swiss heritage music including alphorns and a few jodels. There was plenty of food including raclette, fondue, and other goodies for everyone to enjoy. There was also a Silent Auction and Wine Pull to help raise money for the nonprofit Swiss Center of North America.