What’s Happening in Shell Lake!!
Ahhhh, the cool mornings have arrived, and we are now officially considered to be in the Fall season. It is slowly becoming evident by the colors of the leaves, the city docs are coming out, lifeguard chair and rafts have been put back on the beach. It’s funny, how, as we slowly have been saying good-bye to summer, Fall seems to just slide in and take over.
Speaking of Fall, soon the apple orchards will be brimming with those delicious red globes with a variety of flavors. Remember the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Well guess what, the apple is one of the most popular fruits in the world. If you want to eat healthy, apples are an excellent choice. Some studies indicate that apples may help protect against diabetes, heart disease and cancer. One study indicated that those who consume 1 or more apples per day were at a lower risk of cancer, including a 20% and 18% lower risk of colorectal and breast cancers, respectively. So, take time to get out and walk among the apple trees at your nearest orchard, breathe in the fresh air, and maybe, just maybe let that juice of that ripe crunchy apple run down your chin!
One of the things I always think of when October rolls around is Halloween! As a child, the thought of going from house to house to fill my bag with candy was so exciting…and funny as an adult I still really get a kick out of the antics of Halloween. Nothing is more enjoyable than to see those little Kido’s, all dressed up in their favorite costumes, and calling out Trick or Treat at your front door. After all, eerie ghost tales, pumpkin patches, and candy is what makes America’s favorite haunted holiday beloved by young and old alike. Do you know why the colors of Halloween are often orange and black? Well, its because “black” symbolized the death of summer and “orange” represented the beginning of harvest season. Here’s to a Happy Halloween to all…and I just have to pass along a Halloween Joke. Why do ghosts love elevators? It lifts their spirits! 😊
Shell Lake Public Library is looking to have a fun filled month with lots of activities for both young and old alike. Here are a few of the activities they have to offer in October:
8th Story Time playgroup 10-1030
10th Teen Murder Mystery 1-3pm RSVP to library to reserve your spot
14th Cheese Brothers 4-5pm
15th The Secret Lives of Owls with Hunt Hill 4-5pm
17th Death Café 3-5pm
19th Science with Dylan 11-noon
21st Silent Book Club 4-5pm
29th Adult Murder Mystery 5-7pm RSVP to library to save a seat!
Have you heard, that the Shell Lake School District will be asking residents to vote on a four-year operating referendum authorizing the district to exceed the revenue limit. The amount that they are asking for is $4,260.00 over the next 4 years. The public is invited to attend an information meeting on the referendum on Wednesday October 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm or October 28th, 2024 at 6:00pm in the SCHOOL LIBRARY. This is the perfect opportunity for the public to ask the questions and to hear why this referendum is being asked of the residents of Shell Lake. Hopefully one of these times will work for you, its so important to know the facts before voting for this on November 5th. And what better way to understand the needs then to ask those important questions that you may have, and to hear it first hand, dispelling the rumors that may be out there.
VOTE NOVEMBER 5th! Every Vote Matters: and every vote counts. Voting is a right that was hard-won here in America. Voting is an opportunity to drive positive change in our communities. By casting your vote, individuals honor the struggles of those who fought for this right. This year, on the ballot there will be the Shell Lake School referendum. Here in Shell Lake, you may vote absentee by mail which began on September 18th, and in person starting on October 22nd up until Friday November 1st in City Hall. The office will be open on November 1st until 5:00 pm. On November 5th, voting day, the polls will be open from 7:00am until 8:00pm. Please remember to have a proper picture ID when voting in person. This can be a driver’s license, passport, college ID, just to name a few. You also can register on the day of the election, but to do so, you must be able to submit proof of residence, such as a city/utility bill. If you have ANY questions regarding the voting process, please feel free to call City Hall at 715-468-7679. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
October
14th 7:00 pm City Council Meeting
16th and 28th Public informational meeting on the School referendum at 6:00pm School Library
22nd Absentee voting at City Hall until November 1st
31st Halloween!
STEVEN BYRD is the City Council member that is featured this month. Steve is our newest member to the council; he was sworn in this Spring for a one-year term. Steve states he was born a rebel in Macon Georgia where his father was from, but raised as a Yankee in Cumberland Wisconsin, from the age of 10, which is where his mother grew up. He is a graduate of UW Eau Claire with a degree in Business Administration, later earning a Masters of Arts in Teaching. He married a Shell Lake girl and they raised three boys, mostly in the 25 years they spent living in Chippewa Falls. In addition to teaching in the elementary grades, he has had some fascinating jobs working on a private yacht in the Caribbean, owning and running a car wash, serving on the board of directors for a non-profit which supported persons with various disabilities, and working at a private boy’s camp in Minong, where he met his wife!
Steve has also been a swim team coach for the Special Olympics, Eau Claire YMCA swim team and the Chippewa Falls high school. Three years ago, they retired and returned to Shell Lake where he currently is a substitute teacher in Shell Lake and has coached 2 years here in both track and cross country. We feel so fortunate to have Steve on the City Council, bringing new eyes and ideas to the group. Thanks, Steve, for agreeing to serve on our City Council!
October, has arrived, bringing with it a whirlwind of excitement, mystery and cozy charm. As the leaves change colors and the air grows crisp, take time to indulge in the season’s simplest pleasure. Embrace the magic of the season….and FALL into FUN!!
Mayor Rowie Hansberger