April 15: News from around the Driftless Area
‘News from Around the Driftless Area’ is a compilation showcasing the excellent work and interesting tidbits from the community journalists sprinkled throughout our area.
VIROQUA –Friends of Vernon County Parks & Forests will hold the first of their series of ‘Spring Ephemerals Hikes’ at the Duck Egg County Forest, on Saturday, April 17, starting at 4 p.m. Hikers will search for spring ephemerals. Participants should meet at the Upper Duck Egg parking lot, and will go on a guided, gentle one-to-three mile hike around the property. At the end of the hike, there will be a bonfire near the parking area… The Viroqua Library and Valley Stewardship Network are teaming up for a couple Earth Day education events this month! First up is information about a citizen science program for water monitoring. Learn about being a Water Action Volunteer to help monitor local streams and aquatic life, and sign up for an official training later in the month with VSN. This virtual event will take place on Wednesday, April 14, at 4 p.m… Genevieve Haugen was crowned the 2021 Westby Syttende Mai princess during a scaled-back coronation ceremony held at the Westby Community Room last Sunday... The Vernon County Fair Board will again sponsor the Fairest of the Fair contest. The Fairest will serve as the official hostess for the Vernon County Fair, Sept. 15-19… The Cashton FFA Alumni recently made a donation to the Cashton Fire Department for a set of turnout gear… Vernon Electric Co-op held its annual meeting virtually on Saturday, March 27. Members heard updates from President Bernadine Hornby and CEO/General Manager Craig Buros. Buros reported to the board on a variety of topics, including purchases in 2020 of the Community Solar and Westby Solar arrays and the establishment of CHARGE EV, LLC, and electric vehicle charging network. New officers were elected with Hornby remaining president, Orlan Bakkum will serve as vice president, David Dregne remains secretary, Richard Nemec is the new treasurer, and Daniel Korn remains the representative to the Dairlyland Power board.