If we ever questioned whether Mother Nature can be fickle about how she treats those on the path around the Falls, that should have been cleared up this week. On Jan. 8 the F-150’s digital reading of outside temperature briefly flirted with minus 24 F. Monday at midday was 37 F, a swing of 61 degrees.
For people who have experienced a number of Wisconsin winters, that doesn’t seem too unusual. But to put it in perspective, imagine a morning in July when the temperature at sunrise might be 50 degrees, but less than a week later, the thermometer hits 111. That’s the extreme change we just experienced in a few short days.
The cold weather has made for some great ice conditions. Reports from this weekend’s ice fishing derby at Kelly Lake hinted at two feet of ice before that tip-up line could be dropped. That didn’t seem to stop the crowds, as Saturday’s more reasonable temperatures brought many residents and visitors looking for a little cabin fever relief.
All that work drilling through the ice worked up a thirst for a few in the ranks, and the refreshment tent provided relief for those who sought it.
The Kelly Lake Sportsmen use the profits from the event to improve the fishery, and by doing so gain a lot of support and goodwill from those who use the lake.
While the Kelly Lake crowd was a big one with lots of cars on the ice, another large Saturday crowd had to leave their cars in the high school parking lot. Oconto Falls High School hosted the Brawl in the Falls with a great crowd on hand to watch the multiple-team event.
While this is a competition, it is also raises funds to support the wrestling program. The wrestling club has provided a number of enhancements for the school wrestling program and youth development in general.
Both of the events involve many volunteers who are dedicated to improving the quality of the experience, whether it is fishing or wrestling. While some wrestlers enjoy fishing, a wrestler who might be called a fish should not consider it a compliment.
Both of the events have a number of young people volunteering in one capacity or another. Teaching the value of volunteering is a somewhat lower priority in our classrooms, but it is an important value that can carry one far in life.
There are some thankless jobs that don’t draw a line of volunteers. One of these can be serving on the School Board. This is the time of year when terms of School Board members, County Board members and a number of other municipal offices may come to an end.
In some situations, there is minimal interest because of time commitments. Often the incumbents run unopposed. In unusual cases, there may be an issue that draws many candidates, and a primary may be necessary. Primaries cause extra work and expense for those involved with the election process.
The races for the Oconto Falls School Board have had both primaries and uncontested contests. Many years ago one of those primaries was so close that a recount was needed. The recount changed whose name appeared on the final election ballot.
More often than not, incumbent candidates for the School Board face little or no opposition. Some would interpret that as a sense of general confidence in the way things are going or perhaps unwillingness for new people to step forward to take up the work. This year the district has four candidates for the two seats up for election.
We would like to think it has to do with a couple of new people being willing to volunteer to provide that public service for the young people in the community.
Quite often, individuals become interested in school operation when they have children in school. Many times that interest wanes when their children are no longer in school.
Experience on the board is important, but there are many options for the limited time people have. The same can be said for service on a number of other boards. Things can just get too busy, or a job change may result in a midterm resignation. Continuity of service on a board can be important to provide stability.
Stability can sometimes be a rare commodity, as was the recent case with Mother Nature’s temperature control. If we could vote, we would vote for a continued January thaw. There was enough of the other end of the spectrum.
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