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 September 21, 2004 By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff RUDOLPH - Rudolph can build its economy by emphasizing two of its strengths - community pride and educational support, residents and natives said Monday during a Community Progress Initiative rally. During the Make It Happen rally on Sept. 20, 2004, about 25 Rudolph residents and natives discussed their community, which they said already has traditional institutions that are important to community life. "Our kids are happy and healthy, and they want to live in a community like this when they're done with school," said Hilde Henkel, who has been a Rudolph resident for 15 years. However, there is room to improve, attendees said. The community needs to support local businesses, and residents need to work together toward economic development, some in attendance said. Those in attendance were split on the community's ability to be self-reliant. The Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and the Community Foundation of South Wood County organized the Community Progress Initiative to enhance the local economy and to build optimism. The current batch of community rallies serve as an opportunity for residents to talk about why they moved to their respective communities, what they like about them and what they hope to see in the future. The community's small-town feel, safe environment and acceptance of any and all people are among the traits that appeal to many residents, said some of those in attendance. Rich and Caroline Casper have lived in Rudolph for about eight years. Rich was reluctant to move to Rudolph but now wishes he moved to the community sooner, he said. "(Rudolph) is wholesome and growing," he said. "We live in the country, but at the same time, we've got groceries and gas." The Caspers are currently working on developing a child care center in Rudolph. Caroline Casper has experience working at St. Phillips school in Rudolph, and Rich Casper is working on obtaining certification to run a child care center. The Caspers attended the rally to hear what other residents had to say about the community. Rudolph resident Linda Hobbs is the postmaster for the Rudolph Post Office. She's had many local customers mention how much they like Rudolph and its small town image, she said. "It's a friendly community. People do a lot of work, and it's a nice, clean community," she said. Hobbs grew up in Babcock, she said. Over the years, Babcock has fallen on hard times, and she doesn't want to see the same happen to Rudolph, she said. "We just need to do enough so (Rudolph) doesn't go down hill," she said. You can reach Colin Atagi at 422-6728 or at catagi@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
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