A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News July 2, 2005 - Picnic unites town, village, city By Karen Madden, Daily Tribune Staff GRAND RAPIDS - Cloudy skies gave way to sunshine on Friday, just in time for residents to enjoy food and entertainment at a picnic intended to unite three communities. A Community Progress Initiative leadership team invited everyone in Biron, Grand Rapids and Wisconsin Rapids to the Grand Rapids Lions Park. "I hope everyone enjoys themselves and has a great start to their weekend," said Laura Eisch, 19, of Grand Rapids. Eisch is co-chairwoman of the committee assigned to create an event to bring officials and residents from the Wisconsin Rapids Area Community Progress Team together. The team is one of many involved in the Community Progress Initiative, launched last year by the local Community Foundation and Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance. Eisch, who just graduated from Lincoln High School, came up with the idea for a picnic, and the committee approved. Janet Roehl, 64, of Grand Rapids decided the picnic was a good way to get out, get something to eat and meet other people. "I think it's a good idea for the community to get together," Roehl said. She hopes that if Friday's picnic was a success, there will be more events like it in the future. Pete Taylor, 48, of Grand Rapids believes bringing people from the different communities together is an ongoing process. Taylor decided to attend Friday's picnic because it was a beautiful evening, and he wanted to check it out. "I've heard a lot about the Progress Initiative, so I decided to come down and see for myself," he said. He hopes there are more events like the picnic, if they can be scheduled when the weather is as nice as it was Friday. Saratoga resident Jerry Nash brought his granddaughter. Although a little leery about joining in the games, she was excited about getting an eagle painted on her face. "I think it will take a couple years to get this up and running," Nash said. "I think it's off to a good start." No attendance estimate was immediately available Friday. Participants listened to live music, watched a karate demonstration and took part in a salute to the Wisconsin Army National Guard 1st Battalion 120th Field Artillery. The Wisconsin Rapids-based Guard unit is scheduled for deployment in August. Children took part in train rides, pony rides, face painting and a parachute game. Carla Uber, 12, of Girl Scout Troop 34 said the object of the parachute game is to keep several small balls in the air. Carla was one of the troop members leading the children in the games. She also would like to see more events like the picnic. "I think it's cool," Carla said. "I'm seeing a lot of my friends." Officials hope the event will foster good relationships among the community members, said Wisconsin Rapids Common Council member Jean Young. One aspect of the Community Progress Initiative is to get all the communities in the area working together, she said. "What's good for one community is good for us all," Young said. Biron Village Board Trustee Tammy Steward hopes events like Friday's picnic also will bring about a sense of family among the participants. Steward said she especially would like more winter events, when people are less busy. Grand Rapids Town Clerk Kathy Alft wanted to see new faces and build new friendships at Friday's event. The area has needed something like Friday's picnic for a long time to bring about cooperation among the municipalities and county, said state Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids. The tough economy makes it necessary for communities to work together, he said. "I have to represent them all, so sometimes I get caught in the middle of the special interests," Schneider said. "I'm grateful to them for putting something like this together."
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome