German Settlement Update Issue #3,
In this Spring Issue:
[1] Calendar of Events for 2007
[2] History Buff Stuff
[3] “Settlement Drive” leads to Pioneer Grove & newly named drives
[4] Pioneer Grove Rejuvenation Project Early Morning on May 5
[5] Rejuvenation Volunteers Needed
[6] Spring Meeting on May 5
[7] “Redo of town ordinance gives developers a boost” by Joe Winter
[8] Points to Ponder
[9] Membership Grows to 109 in first five months. This is your invitation.
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[1] CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2007
Date 2007
May 1 (Tue.) at 6:30 p.m. GSHSI Board of Directors will meet at Garbe’s home
May 5 (Sat.) 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. build fence, educational material, sign building, sprucing up at the Pioneer Grove.
“ “ “ 11:30 to 12:30 General Spring Meeting followed by picnic lunch
July 7 (Sat.) 6:30 p.m. Picnic or other family event for GS friends & neighbors.
July 8 (Sun.) afternoon tour of historic places, or other events. Give ideas & stay tuned.
Oct. 2 (Tue.) at 6:30 p.m. GSHSI Board of Directors meet
Oct. 6 (Sat.) 9 to 11 Final setup for Barn Dance at Mike & Evonne Ganz farm
“ “ “ 11 to 12 General Fall Meeting followed by lunch
“ “ “ 6:30 to 11 p.m. Historical display followed by Barn Dance
[2] HISTORY BUFF STUFF
Why did the German Settlement pioneers of 1851 choose this spot of all the virgin land in St. Croix County? a. good soil; b. good spring water; c. good timber available from the Big Woods; d. Indian trail from the St. Croix River; e. all of the above
[3] “SETTLEMENT DRIVE” leads to PIONEER GROVE & newly named drives
“Settlement Drive” is the newly named main road leading into “Cottonwood South” – the newest housing development of Kernon Bast at the heart of the old German Settlement. It is opposite of Hilary Farm Road – south of County Road N.
The construction equipment moved into the development on April 18 and started the road building. The east branch of Settlement Drive will be Yost Drive (originally spelled “Jost” in the old country). The Pioneer Grove is just south of Yost Drive. The south branch of Settlement Drive is named Schwalen Drive and the north branch cul-de-sac is called Schwalen Court. Mr. Bast said he will use other pioneer names as the development expands around the Pioneer Grove. Some pioneer surnames have been used elsewhere in the county and duplication could cause problems during emergencies.
[4] PIONEER GROVE REJUVENATION PROJECT Early Morning of May 5
As a grateful response to the gift of the Pioneer Grove, neighbors, friends, and members of the German Settlement Heritage Society (GSHSI) will work to rejuvenate the old John Peter Roehl homestead and woods on May 5 (Sat.) 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. We will build a rail fence, path, educational signs and remove unwanted branches and plants. A picnic lunch of wieners, buns, chips, bake beans and marshmallows will be provided. Please bring your own water or beverage.
The German Settlement Pioneer Grove is a 3/4th acre woods and pioneer homestead set aside as a historic “Outlot” in the housing development of Kernon Bast (Please see later article [6] “Redo…”). After five years under our good stewardship, Mr. Bast and family have graciously agreed to formally deed the lot to the GSHSI (German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc.) as a permanent memorial to the pioneers of the first German Settlement in St. Croix County.
[5] REJUVENATION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Do you want to have a little Spring-time rejuvenation? Then please volunteer to join us in our morning workout at the Pioneer Grove. Just inform Charles or Barbara Garbe your 1st and 2nd preferred job:
a. Tree & plant identification and labels, with possible hardwood tree planting
b. Removal of unwanted trees, branches & brush, but protecting good plants.
c. Post digging and rail fence building (please bring appropriate tools)
d. Path layout and building
e. Historic signs made and put up in a secure way
f. Picnic preparation (Barb Garbe, coordinator)
g. Other responsibilities, Please list:
RSVP to Barb Garbe so she can order the right amount of food: garbe@pressenter.com or call: (715)386-9243
[6] SPRING MEETING ON MAY 5, 2007
All members and friends of the German Settlement are urged to attend the May 5th (Sat.) meeting at 11:30 a.m. The brief meeting will fit in between our Pioneer Grove Rejuvination project and picnic lunch in the Pioneer Grove (1st driveway east of farm #837 County Road N. Go south from Hilary Farm Road about 300 yards on Settlement Drive to Yost Drive.)
Agenda:
1. President, Secretary and Treasurer’s reports.
2. Report on Pioneer Grove, Smokehouse and other preservation projects.
3. Make plans and details for Summer and Fall activities
4. Nomination committee formed to select nominations for 3 board of directors for October 5 election when GSHSI members will vote.
5. Other matters arising
[7] “Redo of town ordinance gives developers a boost” by Joe Winter jwinter@rivertowns.net Hudson Star-Observer, Thursday, February 8, 2007, p. 2A
The Hudson Town Board is considering amendments to its subdivision ordinance that would make it more feasible for home builders to do some good as land is developed.
The changes would mean that space devoted to areas such as historic sites, sanitary easements, improvements to outlots and making walking trails would not count against developers when figuring average lot size – a number that must be higher than a certain rate to get subdivision approval.
The amendments would mean developers wouldn’t get hit in the pocketbook when doing such things. The matter arose when Kernon Bast proposed his Cottonwood subdivision, which includes plans for keeping remnants of the region’s oldest German settlement intact as a park.
The changes would also make it easier to alter existing lot lines to do such improvements or saving of land.
A public hearing on the amendments is set for 7 p.m. on Feb. 27.
[8] POINTS TO PONDER
“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” – Horace Mann
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As we face that challenge even today, a story about Helen Keller is worth remembering. Toward the end of her career, as she was speaking at a Midwestern college, a student asked: “Miss Keller, is there anything that could have been worse than losing your sight?” Helen Keller replied: “Yes, I could have lost my vision.”
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A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community.” – Aldo Leopold
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“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson
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“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” – Marcus Annaeus Seneca
[9] MEMBERSHIP GROWS TO 109 IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS
Our membership is off to a good start with 109 since our meeting last October. The categories and numbers are as follows: Seniors = 20; Senior Couples/Individuals = 16; Households = 39; Contributors = 14; Supporters = 6; Benefactor = 6; and Lifetime = 8.
These members are paid through to the end of 2007. We are accepting membership dues for this year and will still consider you and your spouse as Charter Members. Donations are welcomed. Note: Tax Exemption under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) was just approved.
THIS IS YOUR INVITATION…
To all interested in preserving German Settlement history to join GSHSI now. Please fill out and send to our Treasurer, Evonne Ganz, at the address below.
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German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. Charter Membership Form
Name: _________________________ Spouse’s Name: _________________________
Address: _______________________ City: _____________ State: ___ Zip: ________
Email: ______________________ Phone(s): ________________ _________________
Please consider giving a gift for Charter Membership.
This is a gift membership from: Name & Address: ______________________________
Check a category: [ ] Student $5, [ ] Senior $10, [ ] Individual or Senior Couple $15,
[ ] Household $25, [ ] Contributor $30, [ ] Supporter $50, [ ] Benefactor $100,
[ ] Lifetime Member $500, [ ] Corporate Member $1000+ [ ] Preservation donor $___
(Note: Tax Exemption under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) was just approved)
Please make checks payable to: German Settlement Heritage Society, Inc. & send to:
Evonne Ganz, 565 County Rd. U., Hudson, WI 54016