Traditions help us focus on faith

By: Chris Nelson, Publisher

Many of us celebrate this time of year. Spring is here, the weather is warmer, the days are longer and the sun seems to shine a little brighter. Winter is becoming a distant memory and we begin to focus on the new season that’s arrived.

By: Alex Sekora

For many decades, Trinity Lutheran Church was the main church in the Denmark area. Located outside of town across the street from West Danish Cemetery on Maribel Road, this left the village of Denmark without a Lutheran church. Around the time Denmark incorporated as a village, residents started to express a desire for a new Lutheran church in the village.

The stage is set, the players are cast and the final details are being assembled for a one of a kind performance that is sure to be a laugh filled good time for all who attend. This year's Denmark High School Spring Play, "Arsenic and Old Lace" is set to take the stage next weekend, April 14-16 with three performances in the Denmark Performing Arts Center.

Last Sunday, April 02, Eddie Whipp's in Poland, Wisconsin was packed with hundreds of people, all gathered for a historic concert fifty years in the making. That afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m., The Brass Buttons, the legendary local polka band, held their 50th Anniversary Concert at the packed hall on Highway 29. The band, which had not played together for almost 15 years, came back together and wowed the crowd with their polka tunes.

Last week, heavy rainfall coupled with the snow melt led to much of the area finding itself under water. Across the Denmark area, rivers surged and fields were left with standing water. The heavy snow we experienced throughout winter, combined with a later then average thaw, made for an already wet start to April, before adding even more water with heavy rainfall throughout the night Friday.

On Sunday, April 02, parishioners from Zion Methodist Church in Denmark held their annual "Baked Potato Buffet" fundraiser in their hall located below their church on Chicago Street. The dinner, which has been going on for approximately twenty years is a great chance for people from the parish and beyond to come together and enjoy a great meal.

Last Thursday, March 31, Denmark's Viking Academy held its annual showcase night during the middle school's open house and preview night. There, Viking Academy students and staff were available to answer any questions visitors had as well as present what they have been working on for the last school year.

Even though mother nature has still refused to accept the fact that spring has arrived, that has not stopped the arrival of one of the least loved parts of the season, road construction. Throughout the area, crews have started work on maintenance and improvement projects, leading to detours and delays that are tell-tale signs of the new season.

Last Monday, March 27, the Denmark School Board held a special meeting in the High School Media Center. After calling to order, the board approved the meeting's agenda as well as the prior meeting's minutes before moving on to new business.

Last Sunday afternoon, the Denmark High School Fieldhouse was packed with hundreds of spectators for an annual tradition in the Denmark community. That afternoon, the Denmark Middle and High School Bands hosted their yearly Band Extravaganza in the crowded gymnasium. The extravaganza is the one concert a year that brings band members in grades 6-12 together as one to showcase their skills to the community.

Last month, the congregations that make up the area WELS "Quad Parish" were happy to announce the installation of their new pastor, James Heffner, to head their respective parishes and lead them in services. The Quad Parish is made up of St. John's in Gibson, Christ Lutheran in Denmark, St. Peter's in Carlton and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rockwood.

Last weekend, WBAY Sports was in Denmark to provide a special preview of Denmark High School Baseball's upcoming season. Although snow still lay piled on the ground, WBAY reporters found the baseball team hard at work practicing inside the fieldhouse.

Last Thursday, March 23, All Saints Catholic School in Denmark hosted its annual "Preview Day". This year, seven students who will be entering the 3K and 4K programs at All Saints next year attended the event where they and their parents could meet their teacher for the next year.

Last Saturday, March 26, the Denmark Lions held their annual consignment auction fundraiser in Northeastern Asphalt’s gravel pit on Highway BB just south of Denmark. Despite the unseasonably wintery day, which brought heavy snow and high winds, hundreds of implement dealers, farmers and spectators alike crowded into the pit for the yearly tradition.

Last week saw the end of an era in the Denmark community as one of the village's best known establishments passed into new hands. As of the end of the business day last Friday, March 24, John Goral and his family will no longer be the operators of Rookies Bar and Grill with new owner, Jack St. Peter, taking the helm beginning on April 1.