Local

Katherine (Kennedy) Birdsill

The January 21, 2026 meeting of the Sauk Prairie Lions Club welcomed two members of the Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center to their monthly meeting. Amy Alt and Loran Slaney thanked the Lions for the $3000 donation that will be used for the outdoor learning area. The Early Learning Center opened last September at the south end of Culver Park. They currently have openings available for children from ages 6 weeks to 5 years. More than just day care, they provide an early learning environment and social skills. Please call 608-644-2980 for more information. The motto of the Lions is “We Serve.” And the Lions do just that! Through several fund raising events, they donate back 100% to the community including eye exams, glasses and hearing aids to those in need, the food pantry, Good Neighbor Clinic, Kids Ranch, Caring Tree, Fire on the River, Hope House, Sauk Prairie School Scholarships, Lions Camp for the Disable, Diabetes Awareness, to name a few. Pictured, left to right: Club President Leon Mindham, Loran Slaney, Amy Alt, and Club Secretary Nancy Passehl.

The January Above the Line theme at Grand Avenue was “Perseverance.” The students below received awards on Monday, January 26th from their classroom teacher or staff member who felt that they are an individual that perseveres through adversities. Congratulations to these students! Pictured, 3rd Grade, bottom row, left to right: Ainsley Wheeler, Harper Ballweg, Amaria Frascona, Damon Ripp, Landon Schoepp, Jace Jensen, Asher Crawley, Phoenix Hughes, Memphis Ederer, Henry Niederklopfer, Monte Ederer, Daniela Bautista, Ruby Perez-Rios. 4th Grade, middle row, left to right: Marryn Osgood, Ruby Wilson, Reid Zeman, Alistair Huber, Waylon White, Cael Schoeneberg, Joshua Seebecker, Liam Torres, Declan McCarthy, Carter Lewis, Madi Thomas, Emma Naggs. 5th Grade, top row, left to right: Levi Storm, Gage Fourtner, Avery Beuthin, Haylee Williams, Addelyn Neis, Charlotte Gesicki, Lilly Tesch, Sam Frost, Michael Rasmussen, Lincoln Raunio, Charlie Breunig. Not Pictured: Josiah Scheunemann and Crosby Albright.

Pictured, at right: John Peck, Executive Director of Family Farm Defenders, will present on the topic of Building Solidarity Between Family Farmers and Farm Workers in Troubled Times on February 23 from 6:15-7:45 pm at the Ruth Culver Community Library, 540 Water St.in Prairie du Sac. The talk will also be live streamed at https://bit.ly/JohnPeckLive Stream. The event is free and co-sponsored by Indivisible Sauk Prairie and Sauk PRairie CommUNITY Acceptance Now.

Remembering Dr. Tony DeGiovanni, a revered general surgeon, who dedicated four decades to serving the Sauk Prairie Healthcare community. Joining the hospital in 1977 after his residency at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he became a beloved figure known for prioritizing presence over convenience and community over prestige. His commitment extended globally through medical missions in Haiti. Honored with the Sauk Prairie Community Service Award, his legacy is defined by humility, service, and the countless lives he impacted, proving that he found gold in a small river town. (Submitted photo)