Spooner Advocate Column- July 25,2013

Hello there friend-Were you able to get out and enjoy the cooler weather? I was really happy when the cooler weather rolled in as we were at the LCO Pow-wow all weekend. I have to say it was quite a turnout and everyone had a great time! The Aztec dancers were very cool too see all dressed up and well... what a dance! So much energy! I would never make it through just one of their dances!

Happy Birthday to all those of you that have July birthdays. I hope you enjoy the sun and all the beauty that is around. Have a wonderful day and we love you!

 

VFW Post 10568 Canteen in Springbrook is having a community yard sale, silent auction, meat raffle and D.J. Keith all this coming weekend July 27- they open at noon.Questions 715-766-2128.

  

The 2013 Hayward Quilt Show is July 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Flat Creek Inn in Hayward. If you have questions or donations please contact haywardpiecemakers@hotmail.com.

 

Washburn County Fair is July 25-28th. Questions on the fair or entries 715-635-2169. Also www.washburncountyfair.com

 

LCO Community College has there class schedule up....July 25- Solar Cooker/ Dehydrator at the farm 5pm-8pm. July 26-Farmer's Market from 9-2pm at the IGA parking lot. July 27-Namekagon River Canoe/Fishing trip from 10 am- 4pm. July 31- Wild Rice Knockers from 5-8 pm.

New vendors are always welcome to start selling at the Farmers aMarket! All workshops are free and open to the community!  Please call Amber Marlow at 715-634-4790 ext 156 to register for any of the classes, you can also reach her at marlowa@lco.edu.

  

The Spooner Memorial Library has their Summer Reading Program up- sounds like they are off to a really good start with all the folks that they have signed up! They offer an Adult reading program, a Teen-Ager as well as a preschool-12 year old reading program. Mikhaila and I participated in the one last year and it was just a great reason to read a book.... like I need a reason! LOL Anyway the ladies at the library need you to sign-up you and your kids, there are great prizes to win as well! You can get ahold of them at www.spooner.wislib.org, on FaceBook at Spooner Memorial Library or 715-635-2792.

 

The Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library have started their summer reading program. You can sign your Pre-K-4th graders up at the library. Its a great way to get kids to spend time reading! Reading can take you on an adventure as a cowboy, or be the first woman to fly a plane- it all can happen while reading a book! For more information please check out the website www.weisscommunitylibrary.com or give them a call at 715-634-2161. Go find a tree to sit under while reading a book.....let your imagination take you on a great adventure!

 

  

Things to put on your calendar ...

    

 

Sawyer County Fair is August 15-18th. Fairgrounds office -715934-2721 if you need a Exibitor's handbook or have questions. Also www.sawyercountyfair.com

 

Springbrook Day at the VFW Post 10568 Canteen, August 31- they open at noon. There is a turkey shoot form 1:00-3:00pm, Pig roast with sweet corn from 3:00- 5:00pm- tickets for adults $8.00 pre-bought- $10 at the door, ages 6-12 $5.00 and Age 5- under ar FREE! Their is also a bounce house, pie contest by the Red Hat ladies and of course music from 5 pm until? 

Spooner Advocate Column- November 8, 2012

 

Good morning folks. Well the weather is sure getting cooler, however the days we have had sun it has just been beautiful! I have heard that various areas in Northern MN and other WI areas have had snow. All I can really say is I am glad it has been them and not us. I do like snow but as I get older I find myself dreading scraping the car off, plowing the driveway. I know that there are alot of you out there that think snow can't come soon enough, I hope it holds out alittle while longer.

Are the deer as crazy in your area as they are in mine? Wow, they are moving around alot. When I come home from class on Weds. nights it is like they all call each other and say "Hey Raine is on her way home- lets go jump out at her". The great day that I came across a bunch of deer in the ditch was a great day. They thought they should run, so then I would stop, think that they are going to go across the road. Oh no!! They decide to stop too. So then they go back to eating and looking at me. So I thought well I will go..... Oh no they thought we have to go with her, so they start running along side the car- like I am part of the herd! It was quite the experience!

I hope that everyone exercises their right to vote this Tuesday. It is very important that we don't take the right to vote for granted. Alot of people fought for those rights and they would say do your American duty and go place your vote.

Remember this week is the workshop at UW-Barron Co. in Rice Lake on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM designed to help you identify which grants or other financial options might be right for you. This workshop is designed to give farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs’ information, tools, and hands-on training to strengthen grant and loan applications. It will help you create a competitive application and get the financial resources you need to fuel your business. You will walk through an actual proposal and work together to develop key components of a strong proposal. The registration is $15 to cover lunch. Please give Otto a call at the Spooner Ag Station at 715-635-3506

The Beginning Farmer Course starts THIS WEEK, 14 regular class sessions will be starting Nov. 8, 2012 at the LCO College in Hayward. Classes run from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Thursdays. The entire course can also be taken on line. The cost of the entire course will be $240 or $15 per session. Please register by Nov. 5th if you plan to attend the entire course. To register or obtain further information, contact Otto Wiegand or Kevin Schoessow atUWEX Spooner at 715-635-3506

Weekly yard tips- these came from the Arboretum in MN.

1. Keep mowing your lawn as long as the grass is growing. Meadow voles and field mice will damage turf and nearby trees and shrubs if they have long grass for food and cover.
2. Spread clean straw, marsh hay or oak leaves over tender perennials, newly planted bulbs and strawberries before temperatures drop into the teens but after the soil surface has frozen.

What to Plant- these also are from the Arboretum in MN.

1. Many garden centers and florists will have Amaryllis bulbs for sale and often they are already planted in a pot and all you need to do is add water. Amaryllis are long lived plants that can be grown as blooming house plants during the winter and as foliage plant outdoors during the summer with a 8 week rest period in your basement during the fall.
2. Force tulip bulbs by planting them so they are barely covered with the “noses” poking out in shallow pots. Water well, cover with plastic and move to your refrigerator or an unheated, insulated garage that stays cool but does not drop below 35 degrees F. After about 12 weeks the pots may be moved into a cool area indoors and flowers will appear in 2 -3 weeks.

Have you ever been to the Arboretum? We have gone a handful of times- it really is a beautiful place and just a wonderful place to go. They have some wonderful things that they plan for the holiday seasons coming up, why not take a day trip or meet up with some friends and go check it ouot. They also do various classes- they are well worth the trip over to see them. If you would like to check them out on line their address is www.arboretum.umn.edu - go to the Making Spirits bright page and see what all is going on. I have to say I would love to go to the Christmas Tea, would also like to have a membership again.

Medicare open enrollment starts Oct 15 and goes through December 7th, 2012. If you need help in deciding how to pick a plan or stay on a plan you can go on the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan. If you want a person to actually help you out collecting information to make an educated decision you can go to the Wisconsin Aging and Disability Resource Center. They can be found at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare/adrc/customer/adrccontactlist.pdf .

News from Springbrook VFW Post 10568 - The Springbrook VFW Post 10568 is having a Gun raffle. Raffle tickets are $1 donation it 6 for $5. There are 5 top prizes, 3 of which are guns, the fourth and fifth prize are $100 cash. The Gun raffle prizes will be awarded November 21,2012 so you still have time to get your raffle tickets. They are also collected unopened, new toys for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program. If you have any questions feel free to give them a call at 715-766-2128, they open at 3pm on the weekdays and noon on weekends. As always everyone is invited to come to the community potluck every Wednesday 5-6 pm, please bring a dish to share.

That is all that I have this time for you. Please let me know if you have any info that you would like shared with the community. This column is posted on my blog every Thursday as well and is read by folks that do come to our area, so please let me know what is going on out there. Have a fabulous week!

Spooner Advocate Column- October 18, 2012

Good morning folks.  I hope this finds you all doing well and enjoying the weather, its been sad to see all the leaves leaving the trees- I did love the colors! We added some animals to the farm this week, so of course that meant working outside, in the rain. If I have the weekend off, you know the weather is going to be all over the map. The new geese and the pigs are settling in on the farm pretty well. If you don't know we live on a farm and quite a number of our animals came to use through having to be re-homed due to various reasons. We are always so blessed when people call or e-mail and think too rehome their farm animals with us. We have also taken in birds and reptiles in the past! My daughter was quite surprised when she opened the door and our geese population had increased from 4 to 16! If you ever need help rehoming animals due to death, drought, or any other reasons feel to contact me, we can put our heads together and figure out a solution.

My tips for getting ready for the winter this week are. Pick up the dishes, pots, chairs or anything else you use to decorate your yard and put them up. If water gets in things it can expand and break that item, your items will also last longer if you put them inside for the winter. Don't have a garage or shed? Then put the pots on top of the stacked chairs and then put a tarp around the chairs with a bungy cord. Do you need to cover your septic area? It is easier to do that now than when the forecaster is talking snow. Try on all those winter clothes that we all have not seen for months. Do you have a jacket that fits? Hats and scarves for all the people that live in your house? Do you have mittens, an extra pair? Do they match? Look now BEFORE you need them.
 

Congratulations to the Spooner Rails football team who won over the Hayward Hurricanes last friday night. It was pretty crustal that the Rails win as it was their Homecoming game but also now they get to go to the playoffs!! Way to go Rails! You guys rock!

Medicare open enrollment starts Oct 15 and goes through December 7th, 2012. If you need help in deciding how to pick a plan or stay on a plan you can go on the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan. If you want a person to actually help you out collecting information to make an educated decision you can go to the Wisconsin Aging and Disability Resource Center. They can be found at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare/adrc/customer/adrccontactlist.pdf .

News from Springbrook VFW Post 10568 - The Springbrook VFW Post 10568 is having a Gun raffle. Raffle tickets are $1 donation it 6 for $5. There are 5 top prizes, 3 of which are guns, the fourth and fifth prize are $100 cash. The Gun raffle prizes will be awarded November 21,2012 so you still have time to get your raffle tickets. They are also collected unopened, new toys for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program. If you have any questions feel free to give them a call at 715-766-2128, they open at 3pm on the weekdays and noon on weekends. As always everyone is invited to come to the community potluck every Wednesday 5-6 pm, please bring a dish to share.

Thimbles Quilt shop in Trego will be starting their demos again now that it is fall. Every Saturday they will demo something new to make, they usually have  treats and a how- to sheet that you can take home so that when you get around to making the project you can remember how. If you have any questions give the store a call- 715-635-6040.

Here is a recipe that I am going to share with you, I love to have a good, thick, tasty soup when the weather gets cold. I found this recipe on www.allrecipes.com . They really have a ton of great recipes and they are even rated so you know if folks have made them and have liked the recipe or not. Please don't let the serving size on this one scare you, you can always freeze it or how about sharing some with the neighbor next door? There are alot of elderly out there that would love a great big bowl of Potato Cheese Soup, do something nice for someone you may not know now but who may become a good friend!

Creamy Slow Cooker Potato Cheese Soup- makes 18 servings

        1/4 cup butter  

        1/2 white onion, chopped

        1/4 cup all-purpose flour

        2 cups water

        2 large carrots, diced

        4 stalks celery, diced

        1 tablespoon dried, minced garlic

        salt and pepper to taste

        1 cup milk

        2 tablespoons chicken soup base

        1 cup warm water

        5 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

        1 bay leaf

        1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

        6 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until translucent. Stir in flour until smooth, then gradually stir in 2 cups water, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper. Heat through, then stir in milk. Dissolve chicken base in 1 cup warm water, and pour into vegetable mixture.
2. Place potatoes in slow cooker, and pour heated vegetable mixture into potatoes. Place bay leaf in pot.
3. Cover, and cook 5 hours on High, or 8 hours on Low.
4. Remove bay leaf. Puree about 4 cups of the soup in a blender or food processor, and then stir pureed soup into contents of slow cooker. Stir in cheese and bacon until cheese is melted

 

That is all that I have this time for you. Please let me know if you have any info that you would like shared with the community. You can reach me at 612-619-7700 or drop me an e-mail at twogirlsandagarden@msn.com This column is posted on my blog every Thursday as well and is read by folks that do come to our area, so please let me know what is going on out there. Have a fabulous week!

Spooner Advocate Column- October 11, 2012

Good morning folks. As the weather has been getting colder I thought we could talk about some things to do to get ready for colder weather, this is just easy things to do to get started, especially since we have flakes forcasted for this week again. Get a bucket by the door that has sand in it, you can use it on the slippery steps, it is also animal friendly. Or you can always use a sand mixture with the snow melt pellets mixed in - just remember those pellets are hard on animals feet, maybe plants around the steps. Put a shovel in the inside of your house or at least on the porch- we forgot this last year and well... it was alot of fun walking through snow to the barn to get one! Have you cut back the plants that should be cut back in the fall? Did you leave some of the plants, grasses, bushes that have gone to seed or that are overgrown for the birds to eat and take shelter in when it is really cold? Please think of the animals that might come through your yard this fall or winter, try to make it as animal friendly as you can. If the cold weather coming early means a cold winter for the humans just think what it means for the animals that live out ther all the time. Do you have a tip or a recipe to share? I would love to hear it.

The Springbrook VFW Post 10568 will be having Les Millard over at the VFW Canteen hosting Karaoke from 5:30-9 pm on October 13.This is a change in the date so please note that so you go on the right date. The Canteen will also be hosting a meat raffle on October 13th  from 3-5:30. If you have any questions feel free to give them a call at 715-766-2128, they open at 3pm on the weekdays and noon on weekends. As always everyone is invited to come to the community potluck every Wednesday 5-6 pm, please bring a dish to share.The Springbrook VFW Post 10568 is having a Gun raffle. Raffle tickets are $1 donation it 6 for $5. There are 5 top prizes, 3 of which are guns, the fourth and fifth prize are $100 cash. The Gun raffle prizes will be awarded November 21,2012 so you still have time to get your raffle tickets. You may buy tickets for the raffle while you are up at the Canteen listening to Les! They are also collected unopened, new toys for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program.

Sherrine called to let me know that the  Namekogan Congregational  Harvest dinner is Tuesday October 9th from 5-7, the column had already gone to press last week.  I am hoping that the meal is a success, I will try to get over there to eat some great food.

Please remember that the deadline for information making it into the column is Sunday night or early (by 9am) Monday morning. The sooner you tell me the longer I can put it in the paper. So if there are events that you know of that are planned already please let me know, that way we can get them out there to the public.

I hope everyone had a wonderful time at Stone Lake Cranberry Festival. I am sure that it was alot of fun, I heard some positive feedback so people must have had a good time.I know that I would have liked to go but I worked all weekend. I still need to get over there and buy some cranberries from someone! I would love too freeze a bunch and be able to dry some as well.

 Mark your calendar- the 1st annual Octoberfest is coming to Shell Lake October 13- 5pm- 11 pm. Sounds like they are going to have brat sliders, sauerkraut, pretzels. All you can eat Bavarian Waffles. Live polka band with dancing, of course beer and other refreshments. For more information email info@shelllakeartscenter.org or go to their website www.shelllakeartscenter.org.

Thimbles Quilt shop in Trego will be starting their demos again now that it is fall. Every Saturday they will demo something new to make, they usually have  treats and a how- to sheet that you can take home so that when you get around to making the project you can remember how. If you have any questions give the store a call- 715-635-6040.

That is all that I have this time for you. Please let me know if you have any info that you would like shared with the community. This column is posted on my blog every Thursday as well and is read by folks that do come to our area, so please let me know what is going on out there. Have a awesome week!

 

Spooner Advocate Column- August 9, 2012

Good morning Neighbors- Have you been enjoying the cooler weather? I have to say it has been delightful to feel cold!  My body was so adjusted to it being so hot and humid that ewhen it finally cooled off I was actually cold. The animals are happy that it  is cooler thats for sure. Also it helps make it alot more enjoyable to can and freeze food when you aer not so hot and miserable. Have you been putting any food up? Do you have any recipes you would like to share? I know I have to apple sauce for sure this year, we are completely out. Also carmel apple jam and then I have a whole list of recipes that I want to try out. Just got some Beet pickles done yesterday- I do love a good beet!

Sawyer County Fair is right around the corner- August 16-19, 2012-Hayward, WI. Did you get all your registration paperwork in? How about volunteering at the fair this year? If you need questions answered or maybe you  would like to volunteer this year please  go to the website www.sawyercountyfair.org and let them know. I know they will get back to you and let you kjnow where you can help out at. Please remember to support your local county fair, take your family and please go to the animal  auction. These people work hard at get the exhibits together as well as showing some great animals!  Also a big thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers- you are all awesome!

Remember to go on over to the Springbrook VFW  on Aug 17th Stacey Hughes- Not All Jazz will be at the VFW to sing for all of you. Grab something to eat and drink and have a good time with your neighbors. Not from Springbrook? Thats ok go meet some new friends and have fun!!! Remember by going to these events the VFW is able to support our community through donations to places like the Washburn County Food Shelf. Please go and show support for all the great work that the Springbrook VFW has been able to do.


I saw in The Country Today that a wonderful business had been written about from our neck of the woods. Farmstead Creamery and Cafe, which is located at N11077 Fullington Road East, Hayward has opened their Cafe and I can tell you that the food there is awesome! We had a wonderful cup of coffee, a taste chicken enchilada, a fresh salad grown right there as well as a piece of blueberry that was delicious right down to the crust! My daughter had a brownie with ganache frosting that she oohed and ahhed over the entire time she at it! The Berlages- Ann, Kara, Laura run a wonderful farm- where alot of the food comes from that they use in their cafe food. The farm has  a CSA (Community Supported Ag) that people can buy a share of and have farm fresh food grown by someone you know and respect. They also sell in the cafe eggs, produce from the farm as well as some lovely hand made knitting items. Our own Springbrook Organic Dairy sells their milk, as well as their terrific drinkable yogurts at the Farmstead. I just heard from a friend that Log Cabin Soaps is also pairing up with the Farmstead so you can get some wonderful soaps for yourself as well as for gifts. It really is worth the trip over to have a great cup of coffee and a baked good treat and chat with the Berlage family. Soon they will be able to serve yiou uo a Gelato as well. If you need directions or would like to let them know you and your frinds are coming give them a call at 715-462-3453 or www.northstarhomestead.com.

Just a reminder that Aug 12th is the Family Range Day Camp held over at Indianhead Rifle and Pistol Club on Cty Highway A. THe hours are 11 am -3pm. Lunch will be served from Noon- 3 pm. The entire family can participate in shooting trap, 22-rifle and pistol, archery, black powder rifle with supervision stressing safety froim NRA instructors. Sounds like alot of fun!  Free ammunition as well as free use of guns and bows will be provided. This is put together by a bunch of volunteers and some wonderful sponsors- thanks too all of you! If you have any questions please give Bob Dembinski 715-635-9525 or Debbs Ohl 715-635-7340 or Gary Magnus 715-635-2369 a call. When you go out there make sure you tell all the volunteers thank you for investing in the future generation of hunters. Also I am sure that sponsors would appreciate a thank you card and your support as well.

Thanks so much for reading the column. Let me know if there is something that you want the community to know about.  Have a wonderful week!

Spooner Advocate Column- July 26,2012

Good morning neighbors!
Wow it is a hot one out there already, suppose to go up to 89! I hope everyone is being smart in the heat, drinking lots of water, stay cool- air is wonderful but even with a fan on and a wet towel around the shoulders will help! Keep your windows closed and curtains closed. Remember if you are feeling weird, sick, not the normal way you always feel call for help. Check on people as well as all those animals that are out there- they need shade and water! Be smart... stay safe.

Our prayers go out to Barb Atkinson's family, her brother passed away from the heat last week.

A big thank you goes out to Sandy and Len Sheehan of Whispering Oaks Equine Center, Hayward for hosting a horse pasture walk on July 21. The Sheehans have a wonderful set-up over there for boarding about 40 horses, large indoor arena, nice big pastures. We were very impressed how very professional, clean and inviting their set-up is. Makes you want to have a horse to board over there just so you can go ride the trails! Thanks again for having us all out to the farm!

On the weekend of July 14th the Springbrook VFW had a big event to raise money for the local Washburn Food Pantry. The Springbrook VFW, which is a chartered organization that is made up of volunteers who are Veterans  that were in combat zones, host different venues to raise money for various organizations. The organization has donated various monetary amounts to Scholarships for Seniors, Spooner Girl Soccer Team, Vetereans that need help just to name a few. They  have also volunteered hours cleaning the railroad tracks right there in Springbrook. This last fundraiser was for the Washburn County Food Shelf. They had 5 bands, 2 guitarist who entertained over 500 people. It seems like everyone had a good time listening to the wonderful music and  listen to Larry and the Drifters until the bugs drove them inside! We appreciate all the volunteers that make things like this possible, thanks to all the bands that come out to entertain everyone with their talent! Without all of you things like this would not be possible. Springbrook VFW were happy to donate a pickup truck full of food as well as $1500.00 to the food shelf, so far to date they have donated about $2500.00 to the pantry- way to keep it local guys!!! The Springbrook VFW is open M-F 3-9 Sat and Sun 12-9, weds evening (4:30-6:30pm )they do a burger for $2.50 that is delicious!!! August 3 come on out and listen to Les Mallard from 7-9pm, everyone enjoys Karoake right? If you have any questions please give them a call  at 715-766-2128. Thanks for supporting the Springbrook VFW!!

The Washburn County Fair starts this week in Spooner. Good luck to all the exhibitors! We appreciate all the hard work you put into your animals and exhibits! Please go and check out all the fun that will be going on at the fair, you can pick up a schedule of events a the Kwik-Trip in town. Enjoy the Washburn County Fair!!

If you have any news please let me know. Have a great week!