Last month, the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy research announced this year's class of Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers. Among the five graduates from the esteemed program was Denmark native Ben Shibler.

This week, Denmark residents are hard at work preparing for a special event that comes just once a year. The 32nd Annual Denmark Village Wide Rummage, sponsored by the Denmark Community Business Association (DCBA), will take place this Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6, throughout the Village of Denmark as well as the surrounding community.

With spring comes that special season that bargain hunters look forward to every year, rummage sales. As always, the official "rummage sale season" in our community kicked off with Maribel's sales last Friday and Saturday. The sales are an annual tradition for many in the community and this year’s went off without a hitch.

If you were driving down the eastern portion of North Avenue last week, you may have noticed a strange sight. Throughout last week, a large red portable tower--accompanied by a fleet of trucks and a crew of workers--could be seen making its way up and down the street between Danish Way and the Denmark High School soccer fields stopping for long periods of time at a number of places leading traffic to be reduced to one lane.

Last Thursday, April 20, from 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. the Denmark High School Student Council was hard at work putting on a special yearly event. That day, they partnered with the American Red Cross to host their annual Blood Drive in the multi-purpose room of the high school. All morning, over 60 donors, consisting of DHS students, staff and a few visitors, helped save lives by donating much needed pints of blood.

After an entire year of fundraising and preparation, the Denmark High School band and choir classes joined forces for a week-long educational performance tour to Pittsburgh, PA and Washington DC this spring. The first stop for the 103 travelers was the University of Pittsburgh, where students worked with music instructors Dr. Brad Townsend and Dr. Susan Rice in personalized clinics for both band and choir.

Over the past eight months working for The Denmark News, I have had the privilege to see first-hand all the amazing things happening in our community, as well as the awesome people and organizations that make them possible. This experience has left me feeling extremely hopeful for what the future holds for our town and its people. So many in our community want what is best for everyone and are willing to put in the hard work necessary to accomplish it.

The next entry in our monthly "Local Eats" series is Wander Springs, located just over ten miles from Denmark near Wayside. While not as historic as other eateries like Suster's, Wander Springs has made itself a staple of the Denmark community by providing top-notch food and drinks along with their world-class golf course.

Last week, the Denmark Early Childhood Center staff, students and parents all took part in the Week of the Young Child with special activities and events throughout the school week. The Week of the Young Child is celebrated in schools nationwide and organized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Last Friday, April 21, students and staff at Denmark Elementary School teamed up to pull off an extraordinary feat weeks in the making. That morning, they assembled and set into motion a massive domino chain of over 1400 cereal boxes that weaved around the hallways of the school's first floor before culminating in an elaborate finale in the gymnasium.

Next Wednesday, May 3, community members of different faiths will be converging on Our Savior’s in Denmark for a special meal.

Last Wednesday, April 19, OneDenmark held a special meeting with special guests at Suster's in Denmark. That night, the group hosted their second "bright spots" get-together aimed at bringing together people who are making positive change in the Denmark community.

Denmark’s first female superstar athlete

By: Chris C. Nelson, Publisher

Following the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, various town officials delivered their monthly report to the board. First up was Dan Kasten with the month's road and equipment report. Kasten reported roads were being patched throughout the township noting the late snowfall had caused a lot of road damage due to the need to plow when there was no ground frost, but the roads had held up "considerably well".

On Monday, April 10, the Village of Maribel held its monthly board meeting at their community center at the Maribel Lions Park. This month's meeting, attended by two other village residents besides the board, covered several important topics as well as updated board members and the public on a number of developing issues in the small municipality.

With Mother Nature finally catching up with the calendar, it is easier to start to turn our attention to that wonderful season that comes next, summer. The Denmark School District is preparing for the coming season by getting details finalized for this year's Summer School program and they are excited for what is in store for this year's students.

Last Thursday, April 13, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m., representatives from Brown County Library were in Denmark to host a special weekly story time at the shelter house in Memorial Park.