Continuing their tradition of offering family fun for everyone, the Altoona Youth Hockey Association will host their annual fundraising event on Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Altoona Hobbs Sports Center. This year, however, will feature a border battle between National Hockey League alumni and other “celebrity” players.

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   As the first flurries trickle in and Jack Frost begins his annual trek across the state, winter preparedness once again becomes vital for a safe season, this could not be more true than for Altoona’s seniors and other special-needs people.

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   As Altoona High School students walked into Davies Center at UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday, November 19, they were greeted by swarms of college students eager to welcome them to the 61st annual Chippewa Valley School Press Association (CVSPA) conference.

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   Altoona joined 22 other communities statewide in voting a strong “yes” on the health care referendum.
   Seventy-two percent of residents in Altoona believe that health insurance companies are scamming people. Seventy-two percent of residents think that the state legislature should crack down on these insurance corporations because they are inefficient and are taking more than $1.5 billion every year out of our wallets due to waste. Seventy-two percent of residents think it is immoral that corporations should be able to profit off of us just because we are sick. Seventy-two percent of residents think that failure from our state legislature is not an option, and that area representatives like Kristen Dexter and Jeff Smith should stand up strong for real reform.
   And most importantly, 72 percent of Altoona residents voted “yes” on Election Day for the legislature to enact a plan that would provide everyone in the state the ability to freely purchase quality, affordable health care as good as what is provided to state legislators.
   We need that security; we deserve that opportunity and action by the legislature will ensure our prosperity. The referendum is a mandate to change our broken health care system – inaction and more of the same is not (and never will be) an option. 

-Andrew Werthmann, Northwest Community Organizer, Citizen Action of Wisconsin

   The Town of Washington Board addressed the ongoing process of restructuring staff positions and organizational hierarchy once more at their meeting on Thursday, November 20. While much has been finalized, members of the board recognized the need to find potential candidates for available positions. Specifically, board members were asked to consider the consolidation of the clerk/treasurer position and the administrator position into one.

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   Altoona residents can expect to play an active role in the future of River Prairie, thanks to a suggestion by Mayor Tom Meyer to hold a public meeting on the development in early 2009. Meyer made the suggestion at the city council meeting on Thursday, November 20, where council members unanimously approved the 2009 budget.

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   One winter in the mid-1930s stands out in my memory. It was bitterly cold with an abundance of snow. The city workers were out in the road working with a steam jenny, trying to thaw out the city water mains. It was being done close to our house, on the corner of Lynn Avenue and 1st Street East. My dad was on the crew trying to get enough steam to do the job. 
   All I remember about the steam jenny contraption was that it had a boiler, fired somehow, that produced steam. The steam pushed through a long steel pipe affair that probed the ground to thaw the water main. How effective it was, I don’t know, but it most likely was the only solution on hand.
   Atop a snow bank that came half way up a telephone pole were the neighbor kids, fascinated by this big deal. Many warnings were shouted at us to stay back. All went well until we became bored and started playing “King of the Mountain.” This was push, climb, and shove to the very top of the pile of snow. The king then had to push everyone down so he could stay on top and remain king. We were kicked out of the area shortly thereafter and went elsewhere to play as long as we could.
   For my November birthday, I had received a new, all-wool, brown snowsuit and a brown and orange stocking hat. In the 1930s, this was especially wonderful. My grandmother Schilling had knitted me a pair of brown and orange mittens. She double-knitted very tightly so they were very stiff when new. I think that was the warmest outfit a little girl could have, so I would play outside until my feet were numb from the cold. After I went in to thaw my feet and take off my snowsuit, it was the end of outdoor play until my snowsuit dried. Being made of wool, it was totally saturated when it warmed up. It was hung on a little clothes rack close to the kitchen range with a tub underneath to catch the drips. If the covering for tender feet could have been nearly as efficient as my snowsuit, I probably would have stayed outdoors most of the time.

   Warning! The  bird watcher general has declared that bird watching is a highly addictive hobby with no known cure. Bird watching and feeding is a close second to America’s favorite hobby, gardening, and even in the winter months, it is still possible to enjoy this pastime.

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   As winter approaches, slippery pavement can become a considerable health hazard. Falls can lead to hip fractures, which can have a significant effect on a person’s independence and lead to pain, disability, and deformity.

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   For the past 40 years, St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Altoona has enjoyed the service of Father Norbert Wilger, and on Sunday, November 16, at the age of 85, Wilger officially retired from his full-time service to St. Mary’s and the community of Altoona.

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