Horicon Marsh Candlelight Hike

Last Saturday our group proudly served as volunteers for the Horicon Marsh International Educational Center's Candlelight Walk. It was a lovely, cold night. Tons, maybe over a thousand, people hiked along the marsh's lighted trail to enjoy the cold night view. Along the hike was a session about owls, a bonfire to warm up by, touch and feel stations for kids, and marshmallow roasting.

Thanks to Liz Darner for the bonfire shot

And this lovely photo is by Show Stopping Photography. It sure was gorgeous out there and this photo captures all the majesty!

Inside hikers could enjoy some hot cocoa and baked items, view and purchase photographs from local artists, and enjoy family activities. Thank you Tammy, Leslie, and Julie for putting on a cute felt mice craft for kids!

The First Annual Sponsorship and Recognition Dinner

Last Saturday night we hosted our first sponsorship and recognition dinner. All business and community leaders in Horicon were invited, as well as our past sponsors. It was a wonderful night, with music by the 4th Street Elevator.

Guest were able to mingle, sip wine, and enjoy a selection of cheese and gourmet crackers in the main area. Thank to our group of volunteers who quietly and quickly refilled glasses and trays.

Group members mingled with the crowd, got to know those that attended, and enjoyed the spread.

And we were pleased to see lots of smiles from those that came. 

Dinner was catered by Marsibilios from Mayville, with gorgeous fall table decorations by Tammy Baltzley. During the dinner, the group listened to a few presentation on what our group does, what is has accomplished this year, and our future plans. We hope to encourage more businesses to join with us in improving life in Horicon.

We were able to thank our past sponsors: Beaver Dam Community Hospital, Beaver Dam Dental, Krizan Insurance, American Legion, D'Signs Unlimited, John Deere Greater Area Foundation, the Horicon Bank, Innova Disc Golf, and Marshview Ministries.

We were also able to thank companies for donations to our community projects, these include a 5,000 grant from BDCH Foundation and two 500 grants from Walmart and Alliant Energy.

Last but not least, we awarded the Fall 2010 Phoenix Award to Bob Carpenter. Bob has tireless served the community for years. It was a pleasure to finally recognize him for all his service.

Dinner was a lovely affair. Thanks so much to Kathy for all her hard work and effort. Thank you also the Marsibilios - what a treasure it is to have you nearby.

After dinner, the band started up again and the dancing began. 

And a cameo with Mayer Steve Neitzel. Thank you all for a wonderful evening!

Summer Concert Series 2013

The summer concert series this year was fabulous! We tried a few new bands, some went well and others not. This year saw an increase in attendance, bigger sales at food vendors, and the continuation of Art in the Park. Attendees could grab some good eats, wonderful produce and crafts from the Horicon Farmers Market, and stay to listen.

Hosted by the Horicon Library, Art in the Park provided a craft for children to complete while parents relaxed and listened to the music. Some nights over 50 kids participated in this craft!

My personal favorite were treasure maps and sand sculptures. Oh, and my kids liked them too.

Why are these so successful?

1. Free music to improve the culture and community of Horicon

2. Art project to inspire children and get them excited about art

3. Partners with the Horicon Farmers Market to provide healthy, organic produce.

Grown locally by local farmers

3. Provide fund-raising opportunity for local groups, such as Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, Kiwanis, and American Legion. We are proudly support you!

The concert series ended with De La Buena - with their fabulous drums, dancers, and trumpets.

Dan, current president of the Horicon Phoenix Program, was enlisted to help.  We look forward to next years concert series and even have a few new bands picked out again.

Little Library in Kiwanis Park

Its finally fully installed - for those who kept seeing a pole there. Our group's first little library. Soon it will be filled with books and is in a perfect spot for anyone to sit on the bench and browse a book

We were so excited by this project that our group decided to put up a few more little libraries in other parks around Horicon. And we are not the only ones! Since we put up ours, four other little libraries have sprung up in Horicon neighborhoods.

Remember, if you take a book, leave a book. You can keep any book you take as long as you put another in its place. Feel free to donate any of your old books!

First Zombie Run in Horicon - World Zombie Day Oct 12, 2013

A new event this year was the Zombie Run and Walk. Thank to the suggestions by Dan Buchner who said we should have a zombie walk - it was born.

The idea was taken by Jenny Harris, who simply loves Halloween and all things Halloween, and planned for World Zombie Day.

Runners and zombies were put through the corridor trail at River Bend Park.

Check our our winners!

Sadly no runners survived - our zombies and the setup were too much for them.

We provided make-up, fake blood and snacks, as well as a few fun zombies.

Later, kids and families could go to the library, make signs, shoot zombies, and prepare for the walk.

Here are our costume winners - one armed boy zombie (kids) and Zombie Waitress (adult)

The walk went down vine street to Discher Park Dance Hall.

Here the HustiPlayers performed Thriller for us.

There were a few hiccups and next year the course will be more runner friendly, but overall it was a lot of fun!

Jersey Street Music Festival - June 2013

On June 12th, 2013 our group hosted the first block party in Horicon - the Jersey Street Music Festival. No one knew there was a Jersey Street, but there is. After months of planning and many hours of hard work, the street was closed, stages set up, and the music began.

The Milwaukee Conservatory of Music began the day with a drum march, then a show featuring their 9 ft tall puppets. The short march around the block kicked off the festival.

Food was provided by the Taste of Horicon - local vendors served a variety of yummy vittles. Kids games were available inside Discher Park Dance Hall, and the playground was near enough to hear the music while kids played.

Blessed Feathers, Vitroleum Republic, Steve Cohen, Hugh Bob and the Hustle all came to perform. The weather cooperated almost till the end where rain showers ended the last act a little early. Plans are in place to try to have this event again.

Board Walk at Horicon Marsh International Educational Center - May 2013

On May 28th, 2013 the Horicon Marsh International Education Center hosted a ribbon ceremony to open their new board walk. Many members of our community, including the Horicon Phoenix Program and John Deere, donated to help build this walk. Now visitors can walk over the water, watch turtles and tadpoles, while enjoying the lovely views from the marsh.

We were proud to sponsor this board walk, and help others to enjoy our beautiful marsh.