Mishicot School District Superintendent Cory Erlandson is focused on one main goal this year: ensuring every student achieves one year of academic growth. The district uses tools such as IXL, AimsWeb, and Progress Learning to track progress and provide targeted interventions when students need extra support.

For more than ten years, the Mishicot FFA chapter has played an important role in helping provide holiday meals for families in need within the community. This effort began when FFA partnered with the Snack Pack Program under the leadership of Zach Sand and Heather Baugniet. Their shared goal was to ensure families had access to meals and support during challenging times.

During last Monday's Denmark School Board meeting, two new classes were presented for the 2026-2027 school year. Board members were asked to review, and ultimately approved, a retooled Personal Finance class as well as a brand new course--Global Issues in Agriculture.

The majority of last Monday's Denmark School Board meeting was spent analyzing and discussing this year's Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School District Report Cards. District Director of Teaching Lance Grishaber provided an in-depth presentation on the 2024-2025 results, what they mean and how they will be used.

It started with an e-mail in mid-November:  “Texas cat located near you.  E-mail me for details.”  Pam Watzka, our Office Manager, thought, “Another scam - a new twist to the ‘free puppies to a good home - e-mail me for details’ scam.”  She pressed “Delete”.

On Tuesday night, the Denmark Middle School (DMS) gymnasium was filled with people and the sounds of the season as all three of the school’s bands presented their annual winter concerts. Both individual and group talent were showcased during the concerts with each grade level delivering holiday hit after holiday hit under the expert leadership of Director Bill Dennee.

On Thursday, just a week before Christmas Day, crowds filled the Denmark Performing Arts Center (PAC) for two back-to-back performances that showcased the musical talent of some of the community’s youngest students. That night, the Denmark Elementary School (DES) first and second grade classes presented their annual Christmas concerts under the direction of DES music teacher Tammy Carley.

This year, we partnered with Denmark Elementary School first grade teachers and their students to share their biggest gift requests for Christmas morning. This year, first grade boys seem to be hoping for video games and legos, while first grade girls are more interested in Labubus, UGGs and makeup.

Over the past two weeks, a number of local groups of caring volunteers have found ways to spread a little love--and Christmas cheer--to those less fortunate. In the lead up to the big holiday, parishioners from All Saints, Faith Formation students and staff from St. James, and Lions from both the Maribel and Denmark Clubs undertook their own care package initiatives, each with their own unique touches.

While The Denmark News is no stranger to big interviews, last week, we secured a sit-down conversation with the most famous figure to ever grace our pages. Besides Jesus himself, no figure is as symbolic to the Christmas season than the one and only Santa Claus. Thanks to some Christmas magic, we were able to meet with Santa in person to share his thoughts on the Denmark area and the Christmas season in general.

This holiday season, The Denmark News organized our 3rd Annual "Best Lights in Town" Christmas light decorating contest to determine who has the biggest and brightest display in the greater Denmark area. We began our quest by compiling a list of must-see displays before photographing each display to compare and determine a winner. 

The Mishicot Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) put together a smoothie bowl fundraiser for the week of December 8-12 . Each smoothie bowl was five dollars and came with three toppings with an additional fifty cents per topping chosen after the three. There were options of granola, honey, peanut butter, strawberries, bananas, and blueberries.

Blended Scoops and Eats, located in the heart of Mishicot at 219 East Main Street, has recently been the popular go-to spot for ice cream, drinks, and food! After months of preparation to make their business a fun, exciting experience for all, Blended Scoops and Eats first had a soft opening with invites only on March 2, 2025, and a grand opening on March 8, 2025. 

The holiday season is sounding a little brighter thanks to Mishicot High School’s auditioned choir, Soundwave. This talented, high-energy performance group is using their voices to spread Christmas cheer throughout the surrounding areas.

Last Monday afternoon, the Village of Denmark Board of Trustees hosted their last monthly meeting of 2025. In a short meeting that lasted just under 20 minutes, the board discussed recurring topics including a disputed mowing ordinance violation and the criteria to own an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in the Village.

As last Tuesday night's snowstorm started to set in, the Town of Cooperstown Board of Supervisors convened their final monthly meeting of 2025. Yet again, the recent conflicts surrounding the cul-de-sac at the end of Radtke Road came to the forefront of the night's proceedings.

On Friday, the Maribel Lions Club welcomed its newest member with Riley Norman being sworn in during the organization’s annual Christmas Party at Gatherings 43! Pictured: (from left to right) Maribel Lions President Pat Hickey, Former Lions District Governor Shirley Dahlke, Lion Riley Norman and sponsor Lion Greg Charney. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Kralovetz)