In 2024, the Denmark American Legion Johnson-Hershman Post #363 is taking up a noble mission to both recognize and honor those in our community who are currently serving our country in the armed forces. This year, the Legion will be presenting Blue Star Banners for families with members on active duty to display, and they need your help to make sure everyone eligible is properly identified.

On Sunday, January 21, all we welcome to join together at Gatherings 43 for an annual tradition aimed at bringing area Christians of differing denominations together. That afternoon, a number of area churches hosted their annual prayer service commemorating this year's Christian Unity Week.

While many (if not most) dread and detest the annual snowfall, one group of hobbyists eagerly await the falling flakes each year. Last week, area snowmobilers took to the trails to chase their yearly rush and enjoy the snow cover while it lasts.

Last Thursday, students at Denmark High School had the chance to take part in a unique and tasty contest and help support a great organization at the same time. During that day's lunch periods, the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) hosted their third annual Cookie Cook-Off, pitting student's baking skills against one another to raise funds for their chapter.

Last week, to the disappointment of many readers, winter finally took its first brutal swings at our community. After what had been an unusually mild and temperate start to the season, the snow, ice and cold finally showed up in a big way.

When thinking about the daily curriculum of high school students, most would imagine the usual subjects like math, science and reading, etc. What few, if any, would envision is designing, building and competing with robots. However, this semester at Denmark High School, a select group of students are doing just that in the new robotics class.

During last week's Village of Denmark monthly meeting, Village President Susan Selner provided the board and all in attendance with her annual "State of the Village" update to reflect on the year that has passed as well as look ahead to what is to come for the municipality.

Last Monday, the Village of Denmark held their first monthly meeting of 2024 at their new Village Hall in the former BMO Harris Bank building on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and North Wall Street.

Last Monday night, the School District of Denmark held their monthly board meeting in the Denmark High School Media Center. Following the call to order, Pledge of Allegiance and roll call that showed all members in attendance, the board unanimously approved the evening's consent agenda before moving on to monthly reports to the board.

On Monday, January 8, the Maribel Village Board held their monthly meeting in their community center in the village park.

Big news for readers in the Denmark area! The Brown County Library Bookmobile recently announced it will be making an additional stop in the Village of Denmark to serve the community until they are able to reopen a branch there. Currently, the Bookmobile makes a stop near Main Street Market on Railroad Avenue on the second Monday of each month from 4-6 p.m., allowing readers to return and pick up new materials from BCL’s collection.

This year, Denmark Village Hall and its associated offices have a new home in the former BMO Harris Bank building on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and North Wall Street. Municipal offices officially vacated their former location at 118 Main Street on December 28 making the relatively short move down the street to their new headquarters.

Despite the weather turning towards more wintry conditions, progress on the new addition to Denmark Elementary School is continuing at a steady pace. Since breaking ground in August, the district's partnering contractors have been hard at work assembling the large addition that is scheduled to house students within this calendar year. 

While the Denmark Village Hall may be finding a new home in the former BMO Harris Bank, another organization has already called the building home for a decade. In 2024, The Denmark Historical Society will mark its tenth year headquartered in the basement of the former bank which hosts their museum as well as storage for their large collection.

Over the past few months, readers may have noticed a small structure being assembled on the north side of Denmark High School. Since September, the mini-building has taken shape as the school's construction class has completed their annual project. Last week, we talked with the class's instructor, Tim Kapinos, to learn more about the project itself and the benefits it provides for his students.

This New Year's Eve, families had an all new fun event to check out to celebrate together. That afternoon, Gatherings 43 behind DeGrand Family Restaurant was transformed into a kid's wonderland complete with games, activities and beloved characters. 

2024 began with some very big news for one of Denmark's largest businesses, Salm Partners. In a press release dated January 3rd, Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, which has been an investment partner of Salm Partners since 2020, announced that the pre-cooked sausage giant had been sold to Johnsonville, LLC of Sheboygan Falls.