March 2010

 WASCOE NEWS March 2010 Think spring!
WASCOE NEWS
W A SC O E N E W S
The Wisconsin FSA Employee Association News Source
March, 2010
Check out www.wiwascoe.org for ALL WASCOE information!
In this edition:
Feature County: Eau
Claire…pg 3-9
Conventions..pg 9
WASCOE Convention
registration form…pg 10
Editor’s Notes:
Spring is in the air, believe it or not. Well, ok, I’m looking at some pretty nice
snow drifts outside my window right now, but I’m hopeful it is just around
the corner.
Hotel Information…pg11
Midwest Area Publicity
Winners…pg11
Retirements…pg 11
President’s Report…pg 12
IS APRIL 23-24 IN BEAUTIFUL EAU CLAIRE. THIS IS YOUR
OPPORTUNITY TO “LISTEN, LEARN AND LAUGH.” WE WOULD
LIKE TO SEE REPRESENTATION FROM ALL OFFICES IN WI.
Thanks, Deb Esselman, Publicity Chair
Good Job Awards…pg 13
Emblems…pg 13
Directors/Officers…pg14
Hope to see you at
the
WASCOE Convention
Committee Chairs…pg 15
Federal Employee and
Military Discounts…pg 16
Don’t Forget the Hawaiian Theme for
the Banquet Dinner and Auction!
Eau Claire County has a SAFE
program and they (FSA & NRCS) put
together a USDA float and
participated in three parades in the
past two years.
Sign up for CAPWIZ at www.wiwascoe.org!
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WASCOE NEWS
FEATURE COUNTY: Eau Claire County
Eau Claire County Staff
STAFF PICTURE
From left to right:
Andy Bourget, Debbie Sahm,
Terri Polley, Amy Moldenhauer,
Jennie Stewart
Eau Claire County
"Eau Claire" is the singular form of the original French name, "Eaux Claires",
meaning "Clear Waters", for the Eau Claire River. According to local legend,
the river was so named because early French explorers journeying down the
rain-muddied Chippewa River, happened upon the Eau Claire River, excitedly
exclaiming "Voici l'eau claire!" ("Here [is] clear water!"), the city motto, which
appears on the city seal.
Eau Claire County was originally set off as the Town of Clearwater in Chippewa County, in 1855. The name
was changed to the Town of Eau Claire on March 31, 1856. The entire town was separated as Eau Claire
County by an act of the Legislature on October 6, 1856.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin is located in the heart of West Central Wisconsin
approximately 90 miles east of Minneapolis/St.Paul. The city was founded near
the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers as three separate settlements.
The main section of downtown is on the site of the original village. West Eau Claire,
founded in 1856, was across the river near the present-day county courthouse, and
incorporated in 1872. Between a mile and a half and two miles downstream, the Daniel Shaw & Co. lumber
company founded Shawtown, which was annexed by the 1930s. The lumber industry drove Eau Claire's growth
in the late 19th century. At one time, there were 22 sawmills operating in the city. By the 1950s, the entire city
had spread far enough to the east to adjoin Altoona.
Since the organization of Eau Claire County, in 1856, when the county was
densely covered with a heavy growth of timber, rapid strides have been made in
agricultural pursuits. Where once stood the great forests of pine and hard timber,
long since brought in contact with the woodman's axe, fine farms and elegant homes
now abound. When the first settlers reached Eau Claire County and observed the immensity of the forest some
of them little thought that only a few short years would elapse before the county would become one of the
leading counties rich in agriculture. Others of the pioneers who came to make a home for themselves and
families set to work clearing the land, erecting buildings, and otherwise improving the land, so that now, where
the wild beasts once roamed at their leisure the soil is made to blossom like the rose.
The soil for the most part is a rich clay and sandy loam, with here and there in some parts of the county a little
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WASCOE NEWS
sand, which in later years has been made to produce abundant crops. The county is especially favored with a
bountiful water supply nearly everywhere, for in most every direction there are creeks and small streams.
Agriculture crops grown in the area are primarily corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and barley, We have seen an increase
in the acreage of wheat being grown. We are strong in dairy operations and have
seen one of our organic producers open their own bottling plant where they sell
milk, cheese, ice cream in their store, local stores and they also provide delivery.
We have the largest grower of horseradish in the nation and their processing
plant which manufactures Silver Springs sauces and mustards. We have seen
an increase in the number of small farms as people are continuing to be concerned about where their food
comes from. There are vegetable co-ops springing up, along with organic beef, chicken and turkeys. Farmers
markets in the area are a great place to find locally grown, produce, meat, poultry and flowers. We are also
home to a few fish farms and have an active conservation program.
Eau Claire County is also home to Beaver Creek Reserve. Beaver Creek Reserve is a special place where you
can share, explore, experience and learn about the rich natural diversity of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley. The
Reserve...
 Includes a nature center, butterfly house, observatory, youth camp, nature store, citizen
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science center,
field research station and charter science research school.
Provides programs, activities, and experiences to help people of all ages explore and
discover the magic and mystery of the natural world.
Is located four miles north of Fall Creek, Wisconsin, on County Hwy. K (12 miles east of
Eau Claire).
Encompasses 380 acres of diverse habitat including upland woods, river bottom forests,
wetlands, and savannah areas. BCR is bordered by the Eau Claire River, and two small
trout streams run though the property.
Is home to a multitude of birds, wildlife and native flowers in a diversity of habitats.
Offers miles of hiking and ski trails for year-round opportunities to explore and enjoy our
local natural beauty.
Breakfast in the Valley celebrates the importance of agriculture in our local economy.
Held on the second Friday in June at the Eau Claire County Exposition Center, more than 300 Eau Claire
Chamber volunteers begin serving breakfast from 5 a.m. -10 a.m. to more than 3,400 people. The menu includes
scrambled eggs with ham, cheese and mushrooms, muffins, sliced cheeses, cheese curds, coffee, milk and juice.
Breakfast isn’t complete without the traditional Breakfast in the Valley dessert of custard, corn flakes and
strawberries.
With a population of approximately 98,286, (77% urban, 23% rural) the county offers numerous reasons why it
is a great place to live, work and play. Eau Claire County has a perfect mix of urban and rural life, providing
many of the things that people value. The community has a diverse and expanding economic base in
manufacturing, health care, information technologies, and retail trade.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 645 square miles of which, 638 square
miles of it is land and 8 square miles of it is water.
There are two lakes in the city, Dells Pond, and Half Moon Lake. Dells Pond is a
reservoir created by a hydroelectric dam, and was formerly used as a holding pool
for logs. Half Moon Lake is an oxbow lake created as part of the former course
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of the Chippewa River.
Since the loss of several thousand manufacturing jobs in the early 1990s (due to the closure of the local
Uniroyal tire plant), the city's economy was reshaped by the opening of a number of plants engaged in the
construction of computer hardware, such as Hutchinson Technology's largest plant, and is home to IDEXX
Computer Systems, a division of IDEXX Laboratories.
Eau Claire county is home to several national and regional companies including Cascades Tissue Group,
Menards, National Presto Industries, Inc., Midwest Manufacturing, Bush Brothers and Company and Silver
Springs Gardens as well as Erbert & Gerbert's.
There are many attractions in the Eau Claire area. Action City and Chaos indoor water park provide lots of fun
featuring bumper cars, laser tag, race cars, and many games. Fun for kids and adults! Eau Claire is home to
Country Jam, which is a country music festival featuring national acts.
Other attractions include the Children’s Museum, Chippewa Valley
Museum and Paul Bunyan Logging camp.
There are many city and county parks offering mountain biking trails, cross country skiing, hiking, swimming
and camping. Carson Park in the city of Eau Claire is home of the Eau Claire Express baseball team (an
NCAA-sanctioned summer baseball league), the Eau Claire Cavaliers (an amateur baseball team) and the
Chippewa Valley Predators and the Eau Claire Crush (adult amateur football teams in the Northern Elite
Football League).
Hank Aaron, baseball player, played in Eau Claire for the Eau Claire Bears
during his first professional baseball season in 1952. Aaron has returned to
the city several times since, including in 1994 for the dedication of his statue
at Carson Park, and again in 2006 as a campaign speaker for governor
Jim Doyle's gubernatorial reelection
There are ten lakes in Eau Claire County with over 3000 acres of surface water with musky, northern pike,
walleye, bass and pan fish. There are also 161 miles of trout streams. There are many golf courses and a
frisbee disc golf course.
The shopping alone makes a trip to Eau Claire worth it. Oakwood Mall, Super
Target, Best Buy and many other large stores allow you to find pretty much
everything you need all in one area. There are also lots of specialty shops and
small shops offering handmade products and one-of-a kind items. In many of the
smaller communities around Eau Claire, there are local shops featuring many items. You can make a day
driving to the different towns and finding treasures including antique shops, craft stores, Amish-made furniture,
handmade candles and jewelry.
There are three movie theatres in Eau Claire, along with numerous dining establishments. Eau Claire is home to
two public colleges University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley Technical College as well as
the Professional Hair Design Academy and two private colleges, Immanuel Lutheran College and a campus of
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business.
You can see Eau Claire has something for everyone. We hope you make a weekend of it
during the WASCOE convention, and partake in many of the attractions Eau Claire
County has to offer.
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WASCOE NEWS
Andy H. Bourget, County Executive Director
I was born and raised, with my nine siblings, on a dairy farm in Chippewa
County. Attended schools, half way between the equator and the North Pole;
Cadott. I experienced 4-H, FFA, county fairs, student council, choir, and sports
through Cadott Schools. U. W. River Falls was my choice for college.
During the summers I worked as a field reporter for Chippewa County ASCS
office. After graduation I worked for Northrup King Seed Company as a
Territorial Manager for thirteen counties in Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan.
In the fall of 1979 I was hired on as a COT with ASCS. Completed COT training
and was hired by the Trempealeau County ASCS Committee. I worked in
Trempealeau County for six years. I applied for and was hired as the CED in Eau
Claire County in the spring of 1986 and it has been my privilege to serve the
county producer, ASCS/FSA staff and committee ever since. During this tenure I
have served on numerous agency task forces, committees, attending national
training and have served as a trainer. At last count I have graduated seven COTs
through the Eau Claire boot camp.
I have been a WASCOE member since day one, serving in many different
capacities, from member to president of the association. I am always impressed
when I see the loyalty and dedication within WASCOE and NASCOE.
I am married and Roxi and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary this August. We
have two adult children, both graduates from the U. W. system. We raise
Christmas trees, English Springer Spaniels and some crops. I am a member of St.
Raymond Catholic Church and choir. Community is important to me; I
contribute by serving on various board and committees.
I greatly appreciate my family, my health and the great outdoors; fishing,
hunting, camping, swimming, biking, walking, silvaculture, cutting wood, etc. I
also enjoy coaching young aspiring athletes.
Terri Polley, Farm Program Technician
My career as a PT began in February, 1983 working for ASCS in Merced,
California. I was fortunate enough to be imported from California to Eau Claire
County in September, 1990. I am proud to say I have just entered my 28th year
with the agency.
Since my father served in the Air Force for 26 years I moved quite often. I was
born in Lincoln, Nebraska, moved to California, Texas, England, and North
Dakota, then back to California where my father retired. It was a great
experience, however, the downfall was leaving friends behind and acquiring a
little bit of a speech impairment. My friends and co-workers have had a few
laughs at how I pronounce some words. I love my job, have great friends/coworkers that I wouldn’t trade for the world, and I am privileged to work with and
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WASCOE NEWS
serve the farmers of Eau Claire County.
I have one child whom I am very proud of, a daughter (Maryam), age 21. She is
currently attending UW Eau Claire after withdrawing from UW Madison due to
stress related to my health issues. As most of you know my personal life has had
its ups and downs the past few years. I had colon cancer in 2007 and breast
cancer in 2008. My last chemo treatment was March of 2009 and I am currently
in remission . Life is good! I feel blessed each and every day. As I always say
“cancer, just another bump in the road of life”. Thanks to all of you, my
extended FSA family for your prayers and support during my battles.
Dan, my significant other and I have been together for the last 18 years. We are
very happy in spite of maintaining separate residences and living an hour apart.
In my spare time I enjoy making jewelry thanks to one of my favorite peeps/coworker Cathy Suckow for showing me how. I started making jewelry while
undergoing chemo treatments as therapy, and it has become one of my biggest
loves.
Last but not least I am a huge, huge, huge PACKER FAN!!! Win or lose I love
them.
Amy Moldenhauer, Farm Program Technician
I’m Amy Moldenhauer and I have been a PT in the Eau Claire office since July
of 1987. It’s very hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years and even harder to
believe it may be another 20 or so until retirement! I have been married to my
husband, Jerry, for 17 years and have two children, Maddy who is soon 10, and
Hunter who is 7. They are a great joy and are already starting to keep us busy
with piano, dance, baseball, soccer and church activities. Jerry is a counselor at
Chippewa Valley Technical College. We are very fortunate to have most all of
our extended family within a half hour drive.
I was raised on a dairy farm south of Eau Claire and have lived in the area my
entire life. Since working at FSA, I have been involved in probably most of the
programs. I currently am responsible for GIS, Pay Limit, Automation, Price
Support, and FSFL. I have had the opportunity to help with GIS training and
served on various planning committees regarding the future structure of
Wisconsin FSA. I love to read, play piano and sing, and am involved in our
church. I’ve also become somewhat of a “bead” addict thanks to my friend
Cathy Suckow, who introduced us to the “habit”. The name of my jewelry is
“Karamy”, in memory of Karen and created by Amy. My sister-in-law, Karen,
lost her battle with colon/liver cancer in the fall of 2008. It was with her tools
and supplies that I first started making jewelry. For me, every piece I make, is
inspired by her.
I am very fortunate to have a great group of people I work with. When you hear
the term, FSA family, it is truly an accurate statement. It makes such a
difference to have a “team” concept and makes work enjoyable. We complete
plenty of work, but I think for the most part, have fun while doing it. Our
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producers who come in seem to enjoy their visit and many times, we are just
someone they can talk to when there is no one else. I understand the concept of
“widgets” for workload, but we are the face they connect with and trust in.
I am also currently a director for District 1 for WASCOE and want to personally
invite all of you to the convention this year. My friend Terri and I attended last
year after not attending for quite a few years, and we quickly remembered why
we used to attend. I don’t know if I remember when I’ve laughed so hard during
the banquet and auction. In this time of many unknowns, let’s support
WASCOE and see if we can have a HUGE convention. It’s a great source of
information, as well as a chance to meet or reconnect with friends!
Debbie Sahm, Farm Program Technician
Hello my name is Debbie Sahm I am currently a Program Technician in Eau
Claire County and have found it to be one of the best counties in Wisconsin to
work for. I have been with the agency since 1987 and am really looking forward
to retirement.
I am married to Larry Sahm a farmer from Chippewa County who I have been
with since 1996 and we cash crop 6000 acres here in Wisconsin with corn and
soybeans and 12,000 acres of winter wheat planted for harvest this summer in
Marcus South Dakota. My husband and I have four daughters between the two
of us. I have one daughter, Lacy who is 28 and is getting married in January
2011 and the first of our girls to get married. Larry has three daughters, Laurie
31, Cindy 28, and Krista 21.
In Eau Claire County I am responsible for the DCP/ACRE program, SURE,
HEL/WC Compliance and Compliance.
I really do not have any hobbies to take up time but during the summer months I
do some gardening, and try to do some quilting after all the book work for the
farm is done in the early spring. Once spring and fall comes around I spend a lot
of time doing farm things and the hobbies get put on hold.
Jennie Stewart, Farm Program Technician
I live near Menomonie, WI with my husband, Bill and black lab, Rocky. We
have three children and three grandsons, which are a great joy to us. We enjoy
most of our week-ends at a cabin in the woods near Bruce, WI, and look forward
to retiring there.
I have been employed with ASCS/FSA for twenty three years and have recently
transferred to Eau Claire County from Dunn. I grew up on a farm and so have
enjoyed my job as it relates to the Ag community. Ag producers are a great
group of customers.
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My hobbies include gardening, crocheting, and reading. There is just never
enough time to do all I would like to do.
Did you know?
Famous sons and daughters? Eau Claire's got them. Try John Menard, founder of a homeimprovement empire that boasts some 180 stores in the Upper Midwest. There's also former Green
Bay Packer great Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston, whose superior blocking skills made him an integral part of
the Packers' championship teams in the 1960s. In addition, the famous advice columnists (and twin
sisters) Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren lived in Eau Claire for over a decade while growing up.
SAUK COUNTY NEWS FLASH:
"Rivalry Week" hit the Sauk County Office recently, as the
Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball Team took on the
Illinois Illini. Unfortunately, Curt's Illini pulled one out
against Bucky late in the game, as they went on to win 6356. ...wait for the re-match, Curt!!!
Convention Dates-See www.nascoemidwestarea.org for registration forms and more information
Illinois Convention: March 19-20, 2010
Stoney Creek Inn Moline, IL
Iowa Convention: March 26-27
Des Moines, IA
MWA Rally: April 9-10, 2010
Cherry Valley Lodge, near Newark, OH
Check www.oascoe.org for more info
Indiana Convention: April 15-16
Embassy Suites, Indianapolis, IN
Wisconsin Convention- April 23-24
Eau Claire, WI-Registration form below
NASCOE Convention: August 3-8, 2010
Hot Springs, Arkansas
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WASCOE NEWS
Wisconsin FSA Employee Association
WASCOE REGISTRATION FORM
2010 WASCOE STATE CONVENTION
April 23-24, 2010
Americas Best Value Inn
809 W. Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: 715-834-6611
Website: www.abvicampusview.com
Mention you are with WASCOE to secure your room.
Reservations need to be made by April 9 to guarantee the room rate of
1 bed $58.00 per night plus applicable taxes
2 beds $62.00 per night plus applicable taxes
Friday Itinerary-April 23, 2010
 Activities: to be announced
 WASCOE Director’s Meeting – 2:00 PM
 Hospitality Room – 4:30 PM –6:30 PM
 WASCOE Awards Banquet and Scholarship Auction 6:30 PM - ? The banquet this year will have a Hawaiian
Theme, so bring your grass skirts and flowered shirts and have some fun!
Saturday Itinerary- April 24, 2010
 Registration 8:00 – 8:30 AM
 WASCOE General Session 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Speakers Include:
Jonathan Williams-NASCOE MWA Exec
Brad Pfaff– Wisconsin SED, WI State Committee
Banquet fee (includes Convention registration) is $25 per person.
If you attend the convention on Saturday ONLY, Convention registration is $5 per person.
There will be an early bird drawing for registrations received by March 26.
_____ No. of person(s) for Banquet/Registration X $25.00 = $ __________
(Children under 12 are half price)
____ No. of person(s) for Saturday Meeting only X $ 5.00 = $__________
TOTAL = $__________
NAME
County (State)
Telephone number
Make check payable to WASCOE. Mail check and registration to:
Terri Polley, Eau Claire County FSA, 227 1st Street West, Altoona, WI 54720
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WASCOE NEWS
America’s Best Value Inn in
Eau Claire
Americas Best Value Inn Campus View is conveniently located off of US-53
in beautiful Eau Claire, Wisconsin at 809 West Clairemont Avenue. Our
location provides guests with easy access to many local attractions and is
directly across the road from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire,
Chippewa Valley Technical College, and Sacred Heart Hospital. With easy
access to Interstate 94, Highway 53, and Highway 93, we are easy to find.
Our hotel features 120 inviting rooms, an enjoyable indoor pool and
whirlpool, a relaxing outdoor pool and sunning patio, and a conference
center with spacious banquet and meeting facilities. Guests may enjoy
free live entertainment on the weekends in our hotel's pub or enjoy a
meal in the casual on-site restaurant - Mancino's Grinders and Pizza.
Guests staying at Americas Best Value Inn Campus View receive a warm
welcome from our friendly staff and a complimentary daily continental
breakfast. Book your reservation with us for the next time that you visit
Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Things to do in Eau Claire!
Recreation:
* Chippewa Trail, Riverside Bike Trail, 0.5 mi.
* Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 1 mi.
* Carson Park (Eau Claire's Largest Park), 1.4 mi.
* Fanny Hill (Dinner Theater), 3.4 mi.
* Oakwood Mall, 5.3 mi.
* Action City, 5.5 mi.
* Mill Run Golf Course, 5.8 mi.
Attractions:
* University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Walking Distance
* Chippewa Valley Technical College, Walking Distance
* Chippewa Valley Museum, 2.2 mi.
* Eau Claire Children's Museum, 3 mi.
* Leinenkugel's Brewery, Brewery Tours and Restaurant, 15.7 mi.
Source: http://www.americasbestvalueinn.com/bestv.cfm?idp=1566
Call for WASCOE convention reservations
today!
RETIREMENTS!
Linda Feldkamp, Milwaukee/Racine/Kenosha Counties
Sherry Vander Missen, Brown County
Midwest Area Publicity Award Winners Announced:
Best Overall Newsletter- Iowa, Cindy Pistek
Best Single Issue- Iowa September, Cindy Piskek
Best Website- Wisconsin, Deb Esselman
Human Interest Article- Dee Lehn, Iowa “Provincial Reconstructive Team”
Humor Article- Barry Terhark, Iowa “Hornets and the Terhark Home”
Good Luck to all in the National Competition. Winners will be announced later in April.
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WASCOE NEWS
WASCOE President’s Updates
Hello my fellow WASOCE Members!
Good news! I woke up at 3:00 AM this morning freaking out about the DNR sticker for the
boat – “did I get it in the mail and forget to mail in the money, is it due this year, how am I
going to go fishing without it?” Maybe that’s the sign that Spring is just around the corner! Oh
yeah, guess what came in the mail today? The DNR renewal form! That’s just plain weird!
Why can’t I have a premonition about the winning lottery numbers!?!
On behalf of WASCOE, I would like to invite each and every one of you to the WASCOE
Convention in Eau Claire on April 23rd and 24th. Terri Polly, Amy Moldenhauer and Mary
Behm have set everything up for both WRASCOE and WASCOE meetings on the 23rd and we
are working on getting “key note” speakers set up for the WASCOE Convention on the 24th.
They also will not tell me who, but they have made arrangements with a “secret” auctioneer to
call the Scholarship auction on Friday night! The hotel will have a DJ or live band for our
entertainment on Friday after the banquet and auction, so plan to bring your dancing shoes!
The room rates are very affordable and should leave plenty of extra money left over that you
can spend at the annual Scholarship auction! If you have never been to our auction, you don’t
know what you have been missing!
As long as it seems this winter has been, treat yourself to a couple of days in beautiful Eau
Claire Wisconsin, and as an added bonus, learn what YOUR Association is doing for you! If I
can get the Directors to agree, we may have a very special bonus for one of you that will be
attending your first WASCOE convention! The complete registration form is included in this
newsletter.
As always, please let me know if you have any issues or concerns we can help you with.
Enjoy the rest of the newsletter!
Tom Oasen, WASCOE President
The offices of President and Vice President will be up for election in Early May.
Announcements for Candidacy to date:
President: Deb Esselman
Vice President: John Baird
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WASCOE NEWS
Awards
WASCOE Nice Job Nominations:
If you know of an individual or a group of people, such as an entire County Office, doing something a
little more out of the ordinary or special, please feel free to write up just a short narration on their
activities. All of these nominations are put into a special drawing to be held at our annual convention.
These nominations can be submitted by e-mail directly to Teresa Zimmer.
Emblems
The NASCOE Store has some great deals on emblem items. Be sure to check out the website at www.nascoeemblemsonline.com
One-Size-Fits-All White Sweater
$24.00 $21.60
Save: 10% off Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt
$24.00 $21.60
Save: 10% off Unisex Sweatshirt
$20.00 $18.00
Save: 10% off Unisex Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt
$30.00 $27.00
Save: 10% off Ladies Flatback Rib Full-Zip Jacket
$32.00 $28.80
Save: 10% off Unisex Flatback Rib 1/4-Zip Pullover Jacket
$32.00 $28.80
Save: 10% off Did you know?
Cherrific! 
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The same chemicals that give tart cherries their color may relieve pain better than aspirin
and ibuprofen in humans.
Eating about 20 tart cherries a day could reduce inflammatory pain and headache pain.
There are about 7,000 cherries on an average tart cherry tree (the number varies depending on the age of
the tree, weather and growing conditions). It takes about 250 cherries to make a cherry pie, so each tree
could produce enough cherries for 28 pies!
Today, in Michigan, there are almost 4 million cherry trees which annually produce 150 to 200 pounds
of tart cherries.
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WASCOE NEWS
WASCOE Directors
Effective July 1, 2009
1 year left in term
2 years left in term
3 years left in term
Amy Moldenhauer***
Mary Behm
Terri Polley
Eau Claire Co
Dunn Co
Eau Claire Co
Jim Sullivan*
Marion Koca*
John Baird*
Richland Co
Juneau Co
Crawford Co
Randy Kunsman
Richard Johnson
Tim Siehr
Fond du Lac Co
Dodge Co
Door Co
Dave Heideman**
Chris Imhoff
Jake Bourget
Waupaca Co
Marathon Co
Portage Co
Kathy Morton*
Deb Schut
Kim Iczkowski
Rock Co
Jefferson Co
Racine-Kenosha-Milwaukee Co
Area 1
Area 2
Area 3
Area 4
Area 5
* second term
** third term
*** filled Jared Singer Vacancy
WASCOE OFFICERS
Position
Office
Home
President
Walworth County
Tom Oasen
Tom.oasen@wi.usda.gov
oasen@charter.net
262-723-3216
262-723-6676
Vice President
Taylor-Price County
Deb Esselman
deb.esselman@wi.usda.gov
debessel@pcpros.net
715-748-4121
715-613-5556
Treasurer
Dunn County
Mary Behm
mary.behm@wi.usda.gov
wmbehm@triwest.net
715-232-2614
715-695-3153
Secretary
Kathy Watson
Green County
kathy.watson@wi.usda.gov
katjwats@tds.net
608-325-4195
608-325-3067
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WASCOE NEWS
WASCOE Committee Chairs
Awards
Teresa Zimmer-Green Co
Benefits
Diana Pernsteiner-Marathon Co
Membership
Kathy Morton-Rock Co
CAPWIZ
Jonathan Williams-Juneau Co
Scholarship
Susan Blachowiak-Dodge Co
Programs
Brenda Kluesner-Grant Co
Legislative, Emblems, Publicity, Webmaster
Deb Esselman-Taylor Co
March 17-St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth
century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day,
which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning
and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people
would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
The First Parade
The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the
English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade
helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.
Over the next 35 years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called
"Irish Aid" societies like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold
annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and
drums.
In 1848, several New York Irish Aid societies decided to unite their parades to form one New York City St.
Patrick's Day Parade. Today, that parade is the world 's oldest civilian parade and the largest in the United
States, with over 150,000 participants.
Each year, nearly three million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more
than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving
between 10,000 and 20,000 participants.
Source: http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day
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WASCOE NEWS
Military and Federal Employee Discounts
All these businesses offer military discounts; all you have to do is ask. You will need to know the military member's
supervisor's name, phone number, and full address, so that his/her military status can be verified.
RESTAURANTS 
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PRODUCTS Arby's
A&W
Back Yard Burgers
Burger King
Captain D's
Chick-Fil-A
Cotton Patch
Denny's
Dunkin' Donuts
IHOP (20 percent discount
with military identification)
Java Cafe
KFC
Long John Silver
Pancho's Mexican Buffet
Pizza Hut
Quizno's
Sizzler
Sonic
Taco Bell
Whataburger
SERVICES 
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AT&T
California Cryobank
Geico
Jiffy Lube
Meineke
Sears Portrait Studio
TRAVEL AND LEISURE 
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Blockbuster
Movie theaters
Ripley's attractions and
museums
Professional Sports teams
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Apple Computers
AutoZone
Barnhill's
Bass Pro Shop
Bath and Body Works
Big 10 Tires
The Buckle
Champs Sports
Copeland's Sports
Dell
The Discovery Channel Store
Dress Barn
The Finish Line
Foot Action
Footlocker
Gadzooks
GNC
Goody's
Great Party
Happy Harry's
Hot Topic
Jockey
Lerner
Michael's
NAPA Auto Parts
New York & Company
Pac Sun
Payless Shoes
Play It Again Sports
Pure Beauty
Quizno's
Sally Beauty Supply
Spencer's Gifts
Suncoast
Timberland Outlets
Wilson's Leather
CELL PHONE SERVICE DISCOUNT
All Federal employees are able to get a 15% discount on their personal cell phones by calling their carrier and mentioning
the "Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 - Discount to Federal Employees Past and Present."
Cingular - 800-319-6393
Sprint - 877-812-1223
T-Mobile - 866-646-4688
Nextel - 800-639-6111
Verizon - 800-865-1825
Thank a Soldier Today
www.usdamilitaryfamilies.org
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