Community

Sauk Prairie Optimist Club President Bart Mauch, right, presented River Arts Inc. (RAI) Executive Director Lindsey Giese, left, with a check for $250 on December 10 on the back deck of the River Arts on Water Gallery in Prairie du Sac. The money was used to partially fund art kits for SPSD students K-12 to be used at home, especially during their holiday break. This was a joint project of RAI and Sauk Prairie School District Social Worker Susan Baumann Duren. The money was raised through donations given at the Optimist Spaghetti Dinner, a drive-through event held at Riviera Bowl and Pizzeria on Election Day.

On December 16 at the Sauk Prairie Optimist Club Zoom meeting, senior Joseph (Joe) Baumgardt, left, son of Kenneth and Tiffany Baumgardt, was presented the Optimist Club’s Student of the Month award for November by Shane Been, Assistant Principal at SPHS, and Optimist President Bart Mauch. Joe and his mother, Tiffany, were at home, and Been was at the HS; all participated via Zoom. Joe received a plaque, an Optimist pen and a Culver’s gift certificate. Been, starting his sharing about Joe, said, “When you are in his presence, you just feel good!” In the top 10 percent of this class, he is “an outstanding student who has persevered during these difficult times” and takes Advance Placement classes as well as hands on classes. The qualities he brings to the classroom are two-fold, Been shared. “He has a curiosity about him. When he is interested in something, he pursues it.” The second is his energy. “He was part of the soccer team that went to State and earned a second place finish. Joe was a ‘rock’ for his team and displayed high energy always. He has the ability to bring people together and the chemistry he brought to the team was outstanding.” Joe is considering attending UW-Madison in either biology or chemistry.

Left to right: Dennis Kindschi, Curt Meine, Dan Bussey, and Alison Duff.

SPHS NHS Advisor Mary Walz and NHS co-chairs Ava Roach and Emma Kopecky presented Sauk Prairie Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Todd Wuerger and Department Secretary Anne Brickl with gift certificates for every employee of the hospital. The certificates were part of a service project and a way to thank front line employees for their contributions during the pandemic. Left to right: Anne Brickl, Mary Walz, Emma Kopecky, Ava Roach, Todd Wuerger.

Pictured, Prairie du Sac’s Cub Scout Pack 373 received a 2020 grant from Sauk Prairie Healthcare Foundation to help with a community service project. In order to promote literacy in the area, the Pack constructed and placed Free Little Libraries at multiple locations in our region.

Mikayla Wheeler

Reese Grinstead is the Sauk Prairie Optimist Club’s Middle Level Leader for December. She is an eighth grader and the daughter of Carl and Kimberly Grinstead. She was nominated by her team of core teachers. Her teachers had this to say about Reese: ”Team Red in eighth grade is proud to present Reese Grinstead as a Middle Level Leader. A middle school year is filled with changes and adaptations. Reese is a student that is adaptable and conscientious to the constantly changing conditions in school. Reese is independent and trustworthy. In the classroom, Reese is a role model and a leader for fellow students. Reese pays attention to the finer details that lead to larger learning. In English class, Reese’s writing is entertaining and always improving. In Science and Social Studies, Reese has the unique ability to read the room and volunteer information and questions that further the class discussion. Reese is a leader inside and outside the classroom. In harmony with the Optimist vision, Reese provides hope, a positive vision, and brings out the best in others. At the Middle School, Reese is involved in Show Choir and Coding Club. In the community, she participates in dance and soccer. Time will tell what the future holds for Reese. She definitely plans to further her education beyond high school.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The time has come for the Sauk Prairie Music Department’s esteemed Madrigal Dinner. It is an entirely student run Elizabethan affair with costumes, good food and revelry. This year, we will be celebrating from a distance. Interested in viewing the festivities? The virtual performance will be available starting December 22nd and run through the holidays. A link will be posted on the Sauk Prairie Music Association Facebook page as well as www.riverartsinc.org/madrigal. There is no cost to view the show, but donations to support the Sauk Prairie Music Association are appreciated. Questions? Call River Arts Inc. at 608-643-5215.