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Mon
14
Nov

Nonagenarian reflects on life in the olden days


Rita (Weighner) Clayton, 96, a former Prairie du Chien resident, was recently interviewed by her great-great-nephew Adam Novey about the olden days.

Rita’s husband, DuWain Clayton died 25 years ago, just before Thanksgiving. At 96 years old, she still keeps this photograph of them fastened to the cover of a notebook in which she records her memories.

Prairie du Chien native, Rita (Weighner) Clayton, 96, recently participated in an hour-long videotaped interview produced by her great-great-nephew, Adam Novey, of Wyocena (Wis.).

Rita, who currently resides at Leisure Terrace in Overland Park, Kan., was born in 1920 to Melvin and Elda (Zabel) Weighner in their two-room living quarters in the back of a barn in Frenchtown. She resided in Prairie du Chien until she and her husband, DuWain, moved to Beloit and then to the Kansas City area after World War II.

Rita spoke of the days when her father farmed and worked as a mechanic at Ray Weighner’s car dealership, while her mother stayed at home and was an excellent seamstress and cook. The kids’ chores included carrying in wood, carrying out ashes from the cook stove, pumping water, and fluffing grandpa’s feather bed which they did not always do to his satisfaction.

Mon
14
Nov

Ecumenical Thanksgiving service Nov. 23 at PdC UMC

All welcome to join service and community choir

The annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving service in Prairie du Chien will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 23, At 7 p.m., at the Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church, 625 S. Dousman St. All members of area communities, of any denomination, are invited to this celebration of thanks and the beginning of the holiday season.

Every year, the Prairie du Chien Clergy Association organizes this service, which is usually held at the church that has the newest pastor. This year, Pastor Barb Cook fills that role at the United Methodist Church.

The service features a family-friendly message and service as well as wonderful music by a community choir directed by Lori Frailey. There will be a collection and offering, which goes toward the Community Christmas Dinner (held at noon, Dec. 25, in the Prairie Catholic School basement).

Mon
14
Nov

Recount possible in 32nd Senate District

58 votes separate incumbent Shilling from Kapanke

A recount is possible for the race to take the seat in State Senate District 32.

Only 58 votes separate leading candidate Jennifer Shilling, the incumbent in the election, and Dan Kapanke in the district’s balloting. Shilling had 43,565 votes to Kapanke’s 43,507.

But, there is no recount just yet.

The losing candidate has to wait until the last day the county board of canvassers meet, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, and Kapanke has three days to request a recount after all votes are canvassed.

The district covers four counties—La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford and Monroe—so the recount request might not be made until Nov. 15-16. The target date for completing a recount is Dec. 1.

Kapanke won’t have to pay recount costs because the difference is less than .25 percent.

Mon
14
Nov

Personal trainer finds her element in body building


Deidre Dillman, 27, of Prairie du Chien, recently won the amateur figure class in the Minnesota Mayhem Natural Body Building Championships. This was her first time in a body building compeittion, though she plans to enter more in the future and hopefully achieve professional status.

By Correne Martin

“I just like being strong; it’s part of me. I need to do it. It’s my lifestyle.”

Deep down, that’s how personal trainer, turned body builder, Deidre Dillman, feels. She’s been known in the Prairie du Chien community since her high school and college days as a decorated cross country and track athlete.

“I’ve always been a runner. It’s just kinda my thing,” she smiled.

These days, at the age of 27, Deidre is a personal trainer and strength trainer for Suppz Gym in Prairie du Chien. She’s been there about four years and, while she loves getting others pumped up about being healthy and strong, she’s personally chased gradually greater goals for herself.

She’s always enjoyed lifting heavy weights. “I love it. It’s helped me with everyday things, my self confidence,” she said. “I’m all about the pump. I wanna get to a 300-pound back squat.”

Mon
14
Nov

Mary Ruth Bean

 

Mary Ruth Bean, 84, of Bagley, died Friday, Nov. 11, at Orchard Manor in Lancaster. 

 

Mon
14
Nov

James M. Jacoby

 

James M. Jacoby, 64 died unexpectedly Friday, Nov. 11, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, after a brief illness. 

 

Fri
11
Nov

Loren Joseph Welsh

 

Loren Joseph Welsh, 85, of Prairie du Chien, and formerly of Fennimore, died on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse. 

 

Loren was born on May 14, 1931, in Prairie du Chien, the son of Frank and Elsie (Geisler) Welsh. He married Gilda Freymiller on Sept. 5, 1956, at the Marion Church. 

Wed
09
Nov

Burglary at Glen Haven bank


At a burglary at Peoples State Bank in Glen Haven Sunday morning, Nov. 6, evidence was collected along with a video of the activities and suspect. Above is an image taken from the video to see if the suspect can be identified.

A burglary at Peoples State Bank in Glen Haven is being investigated by the Grant County Sheriff’s Department.

On Sunday, Nov. 6, just after 6 a.m., the sheriff’s department received an alarm complaint from the bank at 13207 Main St. in Glen Haven. Deputies arrived, checked and secured the building. While clearing the building, they noticed the back door had been kicked in and other damage was done inside.

Once the bank had been cleared and no suspects were located, the Grant County K9 unit was called to the scene in an attempt to track the suspect. The track led to a neighboring property, which was checked and cleared. K9 Riko continued to check the area and was unable to find a second track to continue searching for the suspect, according to the sheriff’s department.

Wed
09
Nov

Jail inmate found unresponsive

On Nov. 7, at about 4:30 p.m., a Clayton County Sheriff’s Office inmate was found unresponsive by jail staff. Michael C. Breckenfelder, 32, was found in his jail bunk area with no visible signs of life. Clayton County sheriff’s office staff and Central Ambulance Service provided CPR and were able to revive Breckenfelder. He was transported to Central Community Hospital in Elkader, lowa, and later air lifted to University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

Breckenfelder was held in the Clayton County Jail on the charges of domestic abuse with strangulation (class d felony), domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor), possession of burglary tools (aggravated misdemeanor), and driving while license suspended (simple misdemeanor).

No immediate details will be released as this incident remains under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.

Wed
09
Nov

Head Start a little known program for school readiness, family support


In Head Start, children ages 3-5 learn basic skills and curriculum taught in other early childhood schools. The program is income and needs based and enrolls up to 17 kids per school year, though only six are currently enrolled.

During an activity night, parents and their children work on motor skills while interact with playdough together.

By Correne Martin

In a growing sea of early childhood programs, Head Start sets itself apart because of its approach to not only educate children ages 3 to 5, but also support the whole family.

Head Start is a free, federally-funded, school readiness program. It started in Prairie du Chien in 1967. From home-based when it began to center-based as it is now, over 1,000 children and their families have been served in Crawford County. The Prairie du Chien Head Start Child and Family Development Center is presently located at 116 E. Broadway St.

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