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Tomahawk Main Street Program Earns Multiple State Awards Published on 04/25/2024 under News

Two Tomahawk traditions and a long-time volunteer earned Wisconsin Main Street awards.

A local contingent traveled over to Green Bay last weekend to attend the 33rd annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards, and they didn't walk away empty handed. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz was excited to share their results.

First up, the annual North for the Fourth T-Shirts received honorable mention in Best Promotional Marketing category. The creators of the campaign have changed several times over the past four decades, with Tomahawk Main Street currently in charge. Each year, a new design is created, meaning the shirts are a collector's item which sells out on an almost yearly basis. In fact, Turkiewicz says they've quadrupled the number of shirts available and began produced tank tops and sweatshirts as well.

The second award for Tomahawk Main Street was awarded to Andy Goretski of Custom Murals for Best Historic Restoration. Goretski spent last summer repainting the mural of city founder William Bradley. The art work was initially painted on the side of the Standard Mercantile building some twenty years ago but began to fade due to the elements. Turkiewicz said, "Andy brought his gift, his paintbrushes, and a big heart to the store side, and he delivered!"

And finally an organization like Tomahawk Main Street isn't successful without volunteers, and Joan Laabs received a Community Champion Award. Turkiewicz called her an asset for years. She said, "Joan may have begun by simply helping around the office..., but every year, she jumps in a little more and more. Just a few examples on a lengthy list of volunteer hours, the "We Give Thanks" program, the Main Street Memories Car Show, a member of the promotions committee.

The annual awards banquet also gave Turkiewicz a chance to look back on the past year. She says, " Tomahawk Main Street is blessed to have so many incredible friends committed to our mission and goals, and we are pleased to announce these awards; our beautiful downtown is near and dear to all of us who live and visit here, and now receiving recognition state-wide, competing against so many other amazing communities, is a true testament to this community's hard work and dedication."

In Other News

WPS Planning Work at Merrill Hydroelectric Facility, Month-Long Closure of Nearby Recreation Spots

Published on 05/07/2024 under News For the second time in a week, we've got some maintenance work on an area dam to pass along. Wisconsin Public Service announced a maintenance and safety project on their hydroelectric power plant in Merrill. The project will result in the temporary closure of some of the recreation areas surrounding the facility. WPS says they will be repaving and installing new asphalt in areas around the hydroelectric facility's powerhouse and substation to ensure WPS employees can continue to safely access the facility going forward. Due to this work, for the next month or so, they will temporarily close some of the nearby recreation areas. This includes the fishing pier downstream of the dam, as well as a short segment of the River Bend Trail. To accommodate trail users, they'll establish an alternative route. They'll post signs near the trail, as well as at the fishing pier with the closure information. According to WPS, the project is getting underway this week, and they hope to finish the work by early June. WVIC Working on Lake Nokomis Dam Last week, we told you about a similar, but separate project on the dam on Lake Nokomis. WVIC will be completing a summer-long maintenance project. As part of the preparation work, the Nokomis Drive Boat Landing will be temporarily closed this week from Wednesday to Friday.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News A recent class project at Tomahawk High School will soon be showing up on store shelves. One of the benefits of the newest tech. ed. curriculum is the opportunity for students to gain real-world experience including some of the business aspects. The Enterprise Wood Products course at THS did just that. According to the district, this project began earlier in the school year, when the students set out to design a product, create a prototype, and pitch it to a local business in the hopes of creating a business partnership. The students came up with a hatchet-shaped cribbage board, and Standard Mercantile agreed to the partnership including selling the cribbage boards. Beyond the mass production which including the students using the modern manufacturing equipment, the lessons also include design and prototyping, cost-benefit analysis, preparation, production, and efficiency. Those interested in purchasing the student cribbage boards, they'll be available at Standard Mercantile on Main Street.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News A Northwoods community is keeping a promotion launched earlier this year to help businesses impacted by the mild winter. Back in February, the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce created a Chamber Bucks Drawing to incentive both residents and tourists to spend at local businesses. Known as the Snowmobile Capital of the World, the community was hit especially hard by the lack of snow which kept the trails closed all season. Other popular attractions include the Ice Castle and the Pond Hockey Tournament were casualties due the weather. With a successful trial run, Chamber Director Kim Emerson announced plans to keep the raffle drawing through the end of the year. She says they were very thankful for all of the support of local businesses, and wanted to continue to bring business to their members throughout the year. As for entry, it's quite simple. People who spend money at an Eagle River Chamber business, whether a product, service, or experience, can bring their receipt to the Chamber to be entered for a chance to win one of four $25 Chamber Bucks certificates each month. The drawings will be held on the first Monday of each month through December. The next drawing is scheduled for June 3.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News A Nicolet student recently earned high marks in a business competition against other students in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Business Management student Katelyn Abbot traveled to Lakeshore Technical College to compete in the New Ideas Regional Pitch Contest. The participants were tasked with with establishing a business concept. Abbott's idea was for Blondie's Bakery in Rhinelander, offering dairy-free, gluten-free, and allergy-free baked goods made with local and organic ingredients. Her idea and presentation earned her a second place finish. She said of the high marks, "My jaw dropped, and I couldn't believe it when I heard my name. I was so happy." She was also quick to credit the student-organization, DECA; her Nicolet classwork and instructor Curt Drumm. Abbott was joined at the event by another Nicolet student John Krueger who pitched a concept for a hydroponic produce business. Nicolet College was also selected to host next year's competition. Photo provided by Nicolet: Students John Krueger and Katelyn Abbott, pictured with Curt Drumm, business management/entrepreneurship instructor, recently competed in the New Ideas Regional Pitch Contest at Lakeshore Technical College.

Published on 05/07/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad notched their second win of the season behind their best offensive performance of the season with a 15-2 victory over Prentice Monday evening. The Hatchets put up season-highs in both runs and hits Monday. Brayden Larson picked up the win on the mound, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out five. Larson also excelled at the plate, going three for three with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Monty Framke went two for three with two RBIS and three runs scored. Wally Horabik had a two-by-four with two hits, two runs, two RBIs, and two walks. The Hatchets' record improves to 2-11 on the season. Tomahawk will try to make it two in a row tonight in a home Great Northern Conference showdown against Antigo. First pitch is at 5:00 tonight.

Published on 05/07/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's golf squad placed sixth in their Great Northern Conference Meet at the Rhinelander Country Club Monday afternoon. The Hatchets finished with a team score of 365. Sawyer Hanna finished as Tomahawk's top golfer in the meet, placing tenth overall with a score of 82. Austin Lamer finished second on the team and 18th overall with an 89. The Hatchets will have another Great Northern Conference meet this afternoon at Bass Lake Country Club in Antigo. Tee-off is at 3:00 today.

Published on 05/07/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's softball squad dropped their fourth out of their last five Monday at Medford, 11-3. The Hatchets' three runs were a far cry from the 22 they put up against Northland Pines Friday. Tomahawk's record drops to 8-10 on the season and 3-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will return home for a non-conference showdown today against Athens. First pitch is at 5:00 this evening.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Teamwork is key when it comes to an emergency response, and three members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were recently recognized by their peers, receiving a state law enforcement award for their life-saving actions during a call last summer. At the annual Wisconsin Professional Police Association Convention last weekend, Sgt. Investigator Logan Lange, Deputy Conner Monk, and Deputy Michael Sundquist were presented with a 'Team Award' for their efforts on August 24, 2023. They were among the responders called to a tree accident last summer. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrived to find the man trapped up in a tree, about 12 feet off the ground, with severe lacerations to his arm. Utilizing a bucket, Sundquist assisted in bringing the victim back to the ground, where Lange quickly applied a tourniquet to his arm to slow the severe bleeding. All the while, Monk was clearing a path and setting up a landing zone for the victim. According to the Sheriff's office, without those efforts including the use of the tourniquet, the patient likely would not have survived. Even the trauma center commended the placement, noting there was minimal bleeding present upon arrival at the hospital. In addition to the state recognition, the Sheriff's Office noted that the men received local awards as well, with Sheriff Ken Schneider awarding Lange with the Life Saver medal; Sundquist with the Sheriff Recognition medal, and Monk with a Letter of Recognition.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Nicolet College has reached a new transfer agreement with UW-Parkside which will allow students to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from right here in the Northwoods. The agreements focus on two concentrations of the Parkside BA program: General Business Administration and Business Analytics. In both cases, students who have completed the Nicolet Associate of Applied Science in Business Management will be eligible with up to 60 transfer credits. The program can be completed online, allowing students in northern Wisconsin flexibility to continue their education remotely while building upon the academic foundation achieved at Nicolet. Nicolet President Kate Ferrel says, "This marks a significant milestone for Nicolet College and is a major opportunity for our community. It puts bachelor's degrees within reach, while allowing our students to continue living and working right here in the Northwoods." Parkside president Lynn Akey added, "By partnering with Nicolet College, we area extending the impact of UW-Parkside and empowering learners to achieve their academic and professional aspirations." -Photo provided by Nicolet College-

Published on 05/06/2024 under News While a few pennies won't buy much these days, thousands of pennies can make a difference for those in need. Students in Rhinelander are learning that lesson and the importance of clean drinking water. As part of an annual curriculum on water resources around the world, the third grade classes in Rhinelander are once again organizing and leading an elementary-wide fundraiser. The money raised will go towards well-building projects in Africa. They are following in the footsteps of their classmates who, through similar projects over the years, have sponsored wells in Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As part of the effort, students at Central, Crescent and NCES will be participating in penny challenges, while classmates at Pelican will be selling 'kindness-grams for the project. Last year the students raised more than $2,500 which was boosted by an anonymous donor who chipped in another $1,500.

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