The Clark County Press (Neillsville,
WI)
October 5, 2005, Front page
Transcribed by
Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.
Beyond
the moment
Groundbreaking for new Legion Hall and
community center evokes a bright outlook for area
Anticipation was in the air at last
Saturday?s ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Neillsville American Legion building.
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Those
participating in the official groundbreaking for the new Neillsville American Legion
Hall and community center last Saturday included (from left to right) Karen Hoppa,
Neillsville Legion Auxiliary commander; Wilbert Adams, Greenwood VFW commander;
Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy; Don Simpson, Sons of the American Legion commander;
Dave Boe, Clark County American Legion commander; State Senator Dave Zien; Don Boon,
of Boon Construction, who donated three acres of land; Ben Urlaub, secretary of
the Listeman Foundation Board of Directors; Don Kalsow, an American Legion member
for over 60 years; Rick Thoma, Neillsville American Legion commander and Bonnie
Thoma, Clark County Legion Auxiliary commander. |
Even before
the first spade cut into the grassy turf of a former farm field, some of those gathered
at the future site of the building on a bright, clear morning were already looking
forward to a grand opening next year, and an even grander future in the years to
follow. Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy was one of them.
?We can say, ?We made it happen,? and
what a great day that will be,? she said in her remarks as one of the speakers at
the event.
But there was much to be thankful for
already, according to Murphy, who is also a member of the Legion?s Women?s Auxiliary.
The reality of the day?s groundbreaking was the result of a community coming together,
she said.
?We do have a partnership,? Murphy said,
going on to name the Legion Post, the Listeman Foundation, the city of Neillsville,
and the citizens of Neillsville, Granton and surrounding communities.
The mayor spoke of what an attraction
the new Legion Hall and community center, with its handicapped-accessibility, larger
size and many amenities, would be.
?It is truly worth the wait to see reality
happen,? said Murphy of the expected completion date of the facility, with a projected
cost of $1 million, sometime in the spring of 2006.
The Listeman Foundation, which is contributing
$250,000 through its Harold Naedler Fund, was represented at the groundbreaking
by Foundation secretary, Ben Urlaub. He took time to remember the benefactor
and his father, a long-time Legion member, adding that the men, both now deceased,
would have surely approved of the good cause to which the fund was being directed.
?Harold and Henry must be smiling up there today,? said Urlaub.
?It (the new Legion Hall) should be
a fine addition to our community,? he said on behalf of the members of the Foundation?s
Board of Directors.
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The Listeman Foundation?s Ben Urlaub invoked the name of Harold Naedler whose
generous legacy would go a long way toward the new Legion Hall (pictured on
the front of the podium stand) becoming a reality. |
When it came his turn to take the microphone,
State Senator Dave Zien spoke of the gravity of the moment. ?This is indeed
a prestigious time,? he said.
The Eau Claire Republican went on to
note that, although many there that day would not be alive in the next few years
or the next generation, they were part of an enduring legacy. ?Countless people
in the future will benefit from this building,? he said.
|
State Senator Dave Zien, one of the
speakers at Saturday?s groundbreaking ceremony for the new Neillsville Legion Hall
and community center, called the event a ?prestigious time? that bodes well for
the area that includes The Highground veterans memorial park. Rich Thoma (left),
Neillsville American Legion commander, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
|
Zien said the future Legion Hall and
community center would surely complement the surrounding area that includes The
Highground. The veterans memorial park west of Neillsville is becoming one
of the ?superior attractions? in the entire nation, he said.
Zien reflected on how a community must
be ?so tight and so strong? in order to achieve such a lofty goal. ?That sense
of family, that includes Granton and Greenwood, is just remarkable,? he said.
In closing, Zien announced he had a
check for $100 to give toward the new Legion Hall, and encouraged others within
listening distance to donate, as well.
Hearing that comment, DeWayne Seelow,
co-chair of the Building Committee, sensed an opportunity. ?Giving $250 will
get them on the wall,? he said of the ?Wall of Honor? plaque listing donors, starting
at $250, to be displayed in the new building.
Zien, good-naturedly took the hint.
?I will increase my contribution if others will do the same,? he said. At
least one other person at the groundbreaking did so.
Seelow said after the groundbreaking
that, thanks to the support of the community, the fundraising drive is 60% of the
way toward meeting its goal of $1 million.
More fundraising events are in the works,
he said, including a raffle for Packer game tickets and an auction on Oct. 29th,
the specifics of which will be publicized in the weeks to come.
