Back to school can be a difficult time for new students. It can be even more difficult for new teachers who have to navigate the trials and tribulations of a new school without the benefit of a classroom full of their peers. In the Denmark School District, newly-hired educators are provided with a "New Teacher Mentor Program" to help acclimate them to both the district and the community as a whole.

This school year, the Denmark Elementary School office will feature a new, albeit familiar, face as former DES teacher Kate Willett returns to assume the helm of the school. We sat down with Willett to talk to her about how she first found Denmark, why she returned and what she hopes to bring to the institution this year.

On Monday, August 21st, the School District of Denmark held their monthly board meeting in the high school media center (library). Although it was an uncharacteristically short meeting for the board, they still managed to discuss and act on a number of topics including renewing the district's snow removal contract for another year and the hiring of a new principal for the elementary school.

A one-of-a-kind event is taking shape for this October with a celebration of Denmark Viking Football past, present and future being its main intention.

Next week, the young people across our community will be making their way back to school for another year of learning. In last week's issue, we talked with Denmark District Administrator Luke Goral to see how this hectic time was going in our public school district.

Last week, the downtown Denmark business community added a new, albeit familiar face to their ranks. A new sign erected on the corner of Main Street and Wisconsin Avenue signified to the community that Salm Partners would be taking over the office building formerly owned by Bank First.

This week, longtime Denmark community member Norman Sengbusch observed two incredible milestones, both of which were commemorated by the American Legion at their monthly meeting. On Wednesday, August 16, the Denmark American Legion Johnson-Hershman Post #363 recognized Sengbusch for both his upcoming 97th birthday but his even more impressive 75 years as a member of the post.

On Monday, August 14, the Maribel Village Board held their monthly meeting at their Community Center. This meeting stood apart from others because, rather than the usual handful of community members, over a dozen concerned citizens were in attendance.

Last Thursday, the community building organization OneDenmark hosted a second "listening session" regarding the future of the soon to be vacated Early Childhood Center (ECC). Last month, OneDenmark partnered with Brown County Library to host a similar event and, after its success, they decided to host another to better introduce themselves and their vision to the community.

With August somehow already coming to a close, the hectic back to school season is once again inexplicably upon us. Soon, the buses will again be rolling and the classroom bells will again be ringing as the young people in our community set out on another year of education and all it entails.

Last week was one for the history books for the Denmark community as the International Softball Congress World Tournament gripped the area with over a week of intense athletic action. For eight days, thirty six elite teams faced off in over a hundred games across three venues.

Last Saturday, the Maribel Community Center witnessed a celebration a century in the making. That afternoon, friends and family gathered to celebrate Marcella Dellemann's 100th birthday. The Community Center was packed and a lively scene as all in attendance paid tribute to ten decades of a truly remarkable life. 

Last Sunday, Prince of Peace Catholic Community hosted their annual Picnic and Car Show in the large fields surrounding their church. The event saw thousands attending to enjoy the festivities and the beautiful summer day the event was blessed with.

Last Tuesday night, the Town of Cooperstown held their monthly meeting at their Town Hall in Rosecrans. Among the wide array of topics discussed and acted on, was the continuation of the debate on how to proceed with a potential hauling ordinance. 

On Monday, August 7th, the Village of Denmark held their monthly board meeting at their new Village Hall in the former BMO Harris Bank. This month's meeting covered a variety of topics including possible sidewalk placement, potential purchases and changes to their current zoning fees among many others.

Editor’s note: This is Part III of a three-part series on Maribel resident Bill Jartz. Being a television anchorman at WBAY is just one small aspect of Jartz’s life. He’s also a farmer, auctioneer and emcee for charity events as well as the voice of Lambeau Field as the team’s gameday announcer. Parts I and II ran in the previous two issues of The Denmark News.

Softball fever has officially enveloped the Denmark area as the International Softball Congress hosts its World Tournament on three fields across two venues. Players and fans from across the world have assembled in our community and are presently in the midst of an action-packed battle of top-notch fastpitch talent.