Saturday, June 15, 2019

Exeter Class of 1969


Members of the Exeter class of 1954 who attended the reunion are pictured front row from the left: Barry Murphy, Spencer Spires, Mary Jane Manning Havick, Maureen Pracheil Nielsen, Dan Johnson, and Bill Cudaback.  Second row from the left: Jerrie Jorgensen Splichal, Jeanette Coffey Franzen, Cecilia Becker Fresco, Beth Hansen Dinneen, Kristie Briggs, Rod Wellman, and Mike Becker. Third row from the left: Carol Kuska Leipzig, Tom Manning, Jack Sudrla, Bob Mueller, Jack Becwar, Jim Tieso, Pat Krejci Becker, Marsha Votipka Turbett, and Leo Marek.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Exeter Village Board shares ideas with FCDC


Exeter Village Board met Wednesday, June 5th with a quorum of three as two board members, Kathy Erdkamp and Justin Harre, were absent from the meeting.

After approving the minutes and invoices the board welcomed Fillmore County Development Corporation representatives Susan Lynch, Jennifer Griffith,  and Marcus Ruhl  to the meeting.

Lynch, FCDC board member introduced herself and asked for input from the board, “We are focusing on businesses in the area.  We are also focusing on housing as well and workforce.  We want to bring people in and finding them jobs when they get here.”

Ruhl added, “We want to be able to expand a lot of our reach farther.  No one knows it better than the people who live there.  We are opening the table for what you want to see in Exeter.  What are your goals and how can we help you get there?”

“It is a multifaceted thing we are trying to do across the entire country. Everyone has their niche and that is what we are trying to exploit,” Ruhl continued

Lynch confirmed their mission, “We are coming to you, we need to understand what you want .”

“There isn’t a town in this county that would argue that we need lots.  We need to have funds to deal with the dilapidated houses so we can have lots people can build on.  This would be a good organization to spearhead this idea,” according Chairman Alan Michl.

Michl noted that the land bank bill that was passed in the unicameral and might have aided the situation, was vetoed by the governor.

“We have about 10 houses we would like to tear down but to be honest we can’t afford it.  It’s a countywide deal,” explained Michl.

Lynch responded, “One of things we are looking into is how can we creatively pool our resources to meet the needs of the county.”

“If it was just Exeter I wouldn’t bring it up, but it’s every town in the county,” explained Michl.

The board thanked the FCDC representatives and heard an update from Andrew Wilshusen on the final items of the downtown and street projects.  He noted that there a few items to finish up but the main item is the flagholders on the light poles that have been faulty.

Wilshusen confirmed that the flagholders should be done and in place by June 14th for Flag day.  He also noted that concrete crushing is not finished but will begin again soon.  So far they have crushed 3748 tons and estimate another 1200 tons.

Wilshusen also offered a bid from JEO to design and supervise replacement of the concrete in front of the fire hall.  The bid of $7700 was not accepted by the board but they did entertain the option of having JEO check to make sure the forms were ADA complaint before the cement was poured.

Maintenance supervisor John Mueller noted they had a bid for $33,000 which included digging down a foot and adding crushed concrete base.

The board discussed possible pool activities during Exeter days and contributed $100 toward prizes. The parade route hasn’t been determined yet for the weekend of July 27.

The board approved a motion to accept the bid of $1100 from Dan Wittnebel to erect the fence at Storybook park.

Mueller reported he had to replace the AC unit at the ballfield shack.  At Storybook Park the ladybug glider broke and will have to be repaired. The village had some trees cut down in Gilbert’s Park but they still need to be cleaned up before the stumps are ground.

Clerk Becky Erdkamp reported that sales tax for March were $9571.49 and Keno for April was $356.48.

She informed the board that she will send mowing letters soon.  She recently took pictures at a property in Exeter where two dead trees and lots of broken limbs and construction trash are littering the yard. She talked to the homeowner and warned it could be condemned soon. 

Erdkamp had a resident question her on the necessity of a sidewalk on his property.  She found there was no easement and will let him know about the legal requirements.

The board set their next meeting for Tuesday, July 9 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Exeter Class of 1964


Members of the Exeter class of 1964 who attended the reunion are pictured front row from the left: Ruth Ann Drummond Ronne, Janet Taylor Styskal, Helen Peschel Parks, Sanday Franzen Jones.  Back row from the left are: Paul Jensen, Linda Wellman Nunns, Marilyn Wells Wahl, Helen Petersen Hild, Ralph “Butch” Jansen.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Milligan's June Jubilee

 Lonestar performed Friday night at June Jubilee
 Eric Johnson presents ribs for the judges at the Rib Cook Off contest
Members of the Exeter American Legion Post 218 along with the Sons of the Legion members march in the parade at June Jubilee.  The theme was "Thanking Our Veterans, Celebrating 100 years of the American Legion."



Above - Reed and brother Ryker Wince compare candy at Milligan’s June Jubilee parade on Sunday.

Milligan’s 32nd Annual June Jubilee certainly lived up to its theme “A great place for a good time!”  the weekend of June 6,7 and 8.
Friday morning started with a tractor drive and lunch before the beer garden opened with the Forgotten Highway Band.  Country Singer Darryl Worley warmed up the stage and then joined the band Lonestar to play some of their greatest hits.

Saturday’s activities included a sand volleyball tournament along with softball.  Main street in Milligan was filled with classic cars for the car show as the pork rib cook off began and the road rally began.  The tractor pull was in the afternoon and Angie Kriz and the Polkatoons performed in the beer garden.  Ribs from the cook off contest were on the menu for supper and the band “High Heel” played until a thunderstorm chased everyone out of the venue at 11 p.m.

Sunday morning dawned cool and cloudy but the sun came out for a beautiful day as family and friends gathered for the Catholic church’s Polka breakfast.  The afternoon activities were highlighted by the parade and the theme was “Thanking our veterans, Celebrating 100 years of the American Legion.”
After the parade the beer garden hosted free face painting, the kids’ pedal pull, the kolache eating contest and Wilbur Alumni Band along with the Milligan Czech Brass Band performing. 
Czechlanders were the closing band for the event.

Below – Mike Kassik trains the youngest member of the Milligan Czech Brass Band, his grandson Weston Yound, during Sunday’s performance at Milligan’s June Jubilee.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Exeter Class of 1959


Members of the Exeter class of 1959 who attended the reunion are pictured front row from the left: Larry Schneider, Velma Adams Cain, and Don Due.  Back row from the left are: Agnes Ekeler Anderson, Carolee Gewecke Schneider, Carol Ethington Starr, Jack Hassell, Laura Petersen Krupicka, Larry Erdkamp, Erma Luksik Zumpfe, Frances Horne Rasmussen and Gary Rasmussen.