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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At the beginning of the 1993 school year, the Denmark School District underwent some large changes. The school year was marked by the opening of the new Denmark Middle School, which centrally located the middle school students on the same campus with the elementary and high school students.

Last Monday, the Maribel Village Board held their first monthly meeting of 2025 in the village's Community Center. Following the call to order, Pledge of Allegiance and roll call showing President Fels and Trustee Hansen in attendance, the board unanimously approved the night's agenda, their December meeting minutes and the month's treasurer's report before opening the floor to comments from the public.

On Tuesday, the Town of Cooperstown convened their first monthly meeting of the new year in their Town Hall in Rosecrans. Following the call to order, Pledge of Allegiance and roll call showing all three members in attendance, the board unanimously approved the night's agenda as well as the minutes of the prior month's meetings before moving on to reports from the board.

Last Monday, the Denmark Village Board held their monthly meeting in Village Hall. Following the call to order, Pledge of Allegiance and roll call showing all members in attendance, the board unanimously approved the night's agenda before moving on to pre-registered citizens to be heard.

Last month, a Denmark native made the noble and generous decision to undergo surgery to help a total stranger. On December 17, Mike Graczyk donated a kidney to someone in need, joining the elite list of living donors. Last week, we spoke with Mike to learn more about his decision and the donation process.

Last Monday, the Town of Glenmore held a public hearing followed by a monthly town board meeting in their Community Center on Dickinson Road. At 7:30 p.m., Town Chairman Ron Nowak called the hearing in order to hear public comment on a number of changes to the municipality's housing codes and building permit process. It was explained these changes were necessary for the new town building inspector to assume their duties.

This year, the Denmark Johnson-Hershman American Legion Post 363 will be taking part in a national program aimed at spreading knowledge and awareness of the U.S. Constitution. On Saturday, January 26, they will host the local post level of the 2025 American Legion Oratorical Contest at Denmark High School. Last week, we sat down with Mark Cherney of the Denmark American Legion to learn more about this program.