Last month, 116 voting members of the Our Savior's Lutheran congregation gathered and officially passed a resolution to begin the process of disaffiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This historic decision will have to be ratified at their next meeting in May, and congregants will spend the coming months thinking and praying on the matter.

Last month, the local agricultural community received big news regarding two area implement dealers. On Friday, January 17, it was officially announced that Eis Implement of Two Rivers had been acquired by Riesterer & Schnell of Pulaski. This merger may have long-lasting implications for many area farmers and will no doubt change the area agribusiness landscape for years to come.

Last week, All Saints Catholic School in Denmark, along with Catholic learning institutions across the country, took part in Catholic Schools Week 2025. Throughout the week, schools hosted a variety of fun and faith-filled activities to celebrate what makes their schools great and promote the benefits of a Catholic education. In Denmark, students and staff at All Saints had a whirlwind week filled with memorable events and adventures.

On Saturday, multiple area fire departments were called to the scene of a house fire on Nachtwey Road in the Town of Gibson. The fire is believed to have started shortly after noon with the first fire crews arriving soon after to find the adjoining garage in flames. Crews immediately went about extinguishing the flames while also trying to save the connected house with smoke being visible for miles around.

On Saturday, the Denmark American Legion Post 363 hosted the Brown County level of the 2025 American Legion Oratorical Contest at their Post building on Railroad Avenue. This comes one week after they hosted the Post Level of the competition at Denmark High School.

On Sunday, dozens gathered in the ag lab in the addition to Denmark High School to honor and reminisce with an area agricultural legend. That afternoon, the space was officially renamed the "Ken Seering Ag Science Lab" and a dedication celebration was held to mark the occasion. The Denmark News stopped by to learn more.

In the early hours of Friday morning, a historic landmark and former community fixture was completely destroyed by fire. For hours, nearly a dozen area fire departments fought to suppress flames that eventually consumed the former Reindl's Countryside Inn in Menchalville.

Over the past year, many residents in the Village of Denmark, including this reporter, have grown concerned with the frequency of "closed sessions" during the monthly municipal board meetings. More often than not, the final item on the board's meeting agendas is to convene into closed session where the public is not permitted, and the minutes are not publicly released.

During our meeting with Village of Denmark President Susan Selner and Trustees Brandon Ackley and Jim Steffek regarding closed sessions (see Closed Session Information), all three were happy to share updates on a large ongoing municipal project--the redesign and renovation of Veterans Memorial Park.

On Saturday, the Denmark Johnson-Hershman American Legion Post 363 hosted their first-ever speaking competition as part of the Legion's High School Oratorical Scholarship Competition. That afternoon, one Denmark High School student recited one prepared and one impromptu speech to be assessed by a team of judges and earned themselves a monetary prize as well as a place at the upcoming district competition.

Since reopening under new ownership in June of 2024, Denmark's Hardware Hank has made themselves a staple in the community and has found ways to give back through several events and initiatives. This past week, the local hardware destination took part in two very different opportunities that emphasized their commitment to the community in both good times and bad.

On Friday, before and during the Denmark High School Varsity Girls Basketball game against the Waupaca Comets, players, coaches and fans took the opportunity to recognize the future of the program. That night, Denmark’s elementary school basketball girls were celebrated and featured during this year’s Youth Basketball Night.

A big congratulations to Hayden Hurst, Denmark Middle School 8th grader, who is the 2025 Wisconsin Badger Spelling Bee School Champion, with the winning word “grotesque” in the 15th round of the competition. It was an exciting contest with the best spellers from each grade competing for the title.

Last week, legendary Denmark beautician BJ Goral made her television premiere on WBAY's "Small Towns" segment. The piece, which aired Thursday evening, focused on the acclaimed stylist's close relationship with her longest standing client, Delores "Dodo" Nesvacil. To learn more, we stopped by BJ's Boutique on Friday morning to speak with Goral and Nesvacil about their newfound fame.

It seems 2025 is off to a big start for the Denmark Community Cupboard with the nonprofit being selected for two upcoming countywide, nonprofit events. In February, they will take part in this year's Give BIG Green Bay fundraising initiative, and in April, the Cupboard will be a featured contestant in the first-ever Green Bay Booyah Battle during the 2025 NFL Draft.