Holmen area

historical society
Winter 2023 Volume 29 Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE
President’s greetings ..........................................1 Upcoming program schedule............................. 4
Special recognition nomination .........................2 Special thanks to supporters .............................. 5
Archive report ....................................................2 Membership form ..............................................5
Programs held at HACC ....................................4 Books available for purchase ............................ 6
Military display at American Legion ................4

HAHS President’s greetings

Dear HAHS Members,
Best wishes for 2023!
Our family Christmas this year had a few major changes
as we tried to plan a time to get together. Illnesses and a bro-
ken leg changed time, date and location. But we made it
work and did have a wonderful time. We value the time
spent with children and grandchildren. What are your Christ-
mas memories? They may be wonderful ones but also could
be sad or challenging ones. Share them, write them down.
Maybe you remember parents or grandparent’s stories?
These are important as we live and experience history.
Since our last newsletter, we have had a great outreach to
the community with our programs and meetings. We were
invited to share with the Holmen second graders in Sand
Lake Elementary and Prairie View Elementary “the history
of Holmen, then and now.” With this effort we also wanted
to send thoughts home with them, something that they could
talk to their parents, grandparents and friends. Collaborative-
ly, we found pictures and items to show the students through
this presentation. Thank you to Barb Johnson and Pam Han-
son helping with the pictures and items from our archives.
Lynne Valiquette, Pat McKnight and I enjoyed answering
questions and seeing the enthusiasm of the second graders as
they thought about building, cooking, skiing, clothing and HAHS President Barb Anderson holds a school
the early restaurants, general stores, post office, and the his- girl dress from the early 20th century during a
tory that remains in Holmen. One of my favorite questions presentation given to second graders at Prairie
was, “What was the maraca used for?” It was the wooden View Elementary.
darning ball used for mending socks. We also involved the
students with pictures and questions in the form of an activi- suggestions. We have a very creative group and the
ty book. If you would like to have an activity book for your- meeting usually last about one and a half hours. If
self or a gift, they are on sale at the Holmen Library for you are coming and the weather is bad, please check
$5.00 and ask Ruth Scholze. (See page 6 for more infor- with the community center to see if we are still
mation.) meeting.
An invitation that we have neglected to post is that any- A fun exhibit last year at the Wisconsin Historical
one is welcome to attend the Board and Officer’s meeting Museum was the display of the Evergleam trees with
that is held the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the
Holmen Area Community Center. We welcome ideas and President’s greeting, continued on page 5
HAHS Facebook address is—https://www.facebook.com/Holmen-Area-Historical-Society-103927925185757
Website: www.holmenhistory.weebly.com
Email: holmenhistory@gmail.com
Lynne Valiquette and HAHS nominated for recognition
The following are excerpts from the nomination letter For years, the
submitted to Multiplying Good, an organization that rec- HAHS has found cre-
ognizes service of outstanding community members and ative ways to support
help build caring workplaces where everyone is commit- our eighth-grade stu-
ted to positive change. dents. Their work
“Just over 20 years ago, we began an invaluable part- shines a spotlight on
nership with Lynne Valiquette and the entire Holmen Ar- an age group of stu-
ea Historical Society (HAHS). The partnership started dents that are often
with Lynne helping to provide HAHS judges for our an- overlooked but who
nual National History Day event that was, at the time, in thrive with the kind
its first year. Shortly thereafter, Lynne began inviting stu- of attention given by
dents to present their work at their April meeting. this group. It is also
“Barb Anderson, as the current president, offered to extremely beneficial
organize and publish the students’ work in a book that that the support
eventually was titled Living History: Holmen Eighth comes in academics,
Grade Students Respond to 2020. They presented the an area where all stu-
books to students at a big unveiling. I can’t even begin to dents participate.
describe how proud and important our students felt on that “As a teacher,
Lynne Valiquette
day. A small group of students then read their memoirs at it is also wonder-
a special meeting of the HAHS, another source of inde- ful to find support outside of the school. The more adults
scribable pride of those kids. that contribute to student growth, the better.
“This past October, they came up with yet another “The HAHS is a tremendous group of people who have
amazing event for our students: a Human Library. Com- devoted untold hours and dollars to helping our students.
munity members were also invited, but they chose a theme In return, the students feel important, intelligent and val-
for the event that would directly benefit our students as ued as members of the community. It is a gift that cannot
they began their annual NHD research. Lynne, Barb, be repaid but should be recognized.”
Ruth, (Scholze) and a group of HAHS members organized Dayce McAndrews Holmen Middle School eighth
about a dozen speakers to gather as “living books,” telling grade ELA teacher and Ryan Vogler Holmen Middle
their stories of local and state history to students and com- School principal
munity members who came to listen and ask questions.

Archive and collection report

Somehow our information always starts
out the same; we have been busy archiving
items since the last newsletter. We have al-
ready recognized our item donors, either in
print or at our January program that we pre-
sented on Jan. 2nd. Thanks again to the do-
nors for some interesting items and pictures.
The goal of the January program was to
collect items from donors and give instruc-
tion on how to preserve the pictures they are
willing to donate. It was sort of a reverse
“garage sale.” The donors brought the items
to us and although we received a small num-
ber of items, they are all worth it.
To review events, we will still have the
display up at the Holmen American Legion
until Feb 1st. It was a joint display with them,
showing items from the Spanish American
War to WWII. Most items were donated to
the HAHS and a few were from the Legion’s
collection. In February, they will provide the
display, and in March, we will be looking at a
display of historic Holmen pictures and
items. The plans for the display are still being
discussed, but it is just another collaborated
approach to sharing our collection with the
community.
We also have begun sorting through his-
toric school items given to us by Greg Gro-
kowsky. There are duplicates of school class
group pictures and we will have some availa-
ble at the February program for anyone who Wards Home Milk
may want one to add to their personal collec- Pasteurizer, given to
tion. For any donations you may want us to HAHS by Sherman
consider, bring them to the next meeting.
Witte

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 Programs held at Holmen Area Community Center
Video of veteran’s oral How to donate collectibles
history presented topic of program
HAHS archi-
vists Barb John-
son and Pam
Hanson gave a
PowerPoint
presentation at
the January 2,
2023 meeting
about the memo-
rabilia they ac-
cept for HAHS’s
collection. They
showed a num-
ber of photos HAHS archivists Barb Johnson and
Cherryl Jostad they’ve scanned Pam Hanson
A video recording of an interview with Glen Jostad and entered into
relating his WWII service was presented Monday, No- our archive. They informed possible photo donors it’s
vember 7, 2022 at the Holmen Area Community Center preferable to have at least one person in the photo identi-
with permission from the National WWII Museum in fied. The date the photo was taken and a bit of history
New Orleans. Glen was a 1941 Holmen High School also makes the donation more meaningful. Folks with his-
graduate. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces after the toric photos who don’t want to donate them can bring
bombing of Pearl Harbor. He ended up in a POW camp them to the archive where they can be scanned and then
in Germany. Segments of the interview were streamed returned to the owners. The photos will be on file with
via the WWII Museum website. His daughter, Cherryl HAHS, and the owners can retain possession of the histor-
Jostad, introduced the program and shared family mem- ic item. In those situations, it’s again preferred to have
orabilia from those difficult times. historic information about the photo.

Military display at Holmen American Legion

HAHS archivists Barb Johnson and Pam Hanson set up a military
memorabilia display at the Holmen American Legion. The display in-
cludes uniforms and posters from the Spanish American War through
World War II. The display can be viewed any time the Holmen American
Legion is open. The legion is located at 419 First Avenue East in Holmen.

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 Upcoming program schedule
Our upcoming programs begin at 6 p.m. at the Holmen Area Community Center the first Monday of each
month unless otherwise noted. HACC is located at 600 N. Holmen Dr., Holmen, WI 54636.
Attend in person or view live on the Holmen Area Historical Society Facebook page (vs. group). Watch for
reminders and updates on future programs on the Holmen Area Historical Society’s Facebook group.

We have a great series of programs planned for the remainder of 2023. It isn’t too early to
order Deenie Laskey’s memoir, Journal from Iraq, A Nurse’s Story, so that she can sign it
for you at the March meeting (see below).

Monday, Feb. 6, “Native Roots” Miranda Alexander, archeologist and HAHS mem-
ber, will talk about the process of learning more about her Native American roots in the
Brothertown and Stockbridge-Munsee tribes of Wisconsin.

Monday, March 6 (Women’s History Month) “Journal from Iraq: A Nurse’s Sto-
ry” Deenie Laskey will talk about her service as an army nurse and the writing of her re-
markable memoir. Those wishing to have her autograph a copy can purchase it ahead of
time on Amazon.

Monday, April 3, "Frontiers in History, People, Places, and Ideas” Every year we are
impressed by the presentations of top National History Day projects by Holmen Middle
School eighth graders.

Monday, May 1 Tentative (Preservation Month) “Preserving Family History: Tracking Down Holmen An-
cestors” Kim Evenson Valiquette’s grandparents, Ole Evenson and Josie Olson, lived in the Holmen area. She has
worked with her cousin, Linda Cottrell-Sanders, to put together a family history, including photographs. She will talk
about this journey.

Monday, June 5 (Tentative): Movie Night at Holmen Library: “I Married the War: Wives of Combat Veterans
Tell Their Stories (2021)” This moving documentary features interviews with the wives of veterans from WWII to
the Middle -East wars. It explores the ways families at home are forever impacted and changed by the trauma of
war. Francine and Bruce Jones, area residents, are featured and will share their experiences in the making of this im-
portant film. This screening is co-sponsored by the La Crosse County Library, so we will be meeting at the Holmen
Public Library Community Room, 121 W. Legion Street, instead of the Holmen Area Community Center.

Monday, July 3, “Story Circle: First Job” Each July we circle up and share stories on a topic. This year it will be
fun to learn how we all got started in the world of work. The telling is sweetened with root beer floats.

SUNDAY, Aug. 6, “Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social/ Fundraiser” This year our popular ice cream social will be
held at Bill and Julie Yahnke’s beautiful Antique Green. Come for the ice cream, the music, the basket raffles, and a
chance to see the Yahnke’s amazing collection of antique John Deere tractors. A silent auction of donated antiques
will also be held. We hope to raise the funds to cover rental for our archives’ storage and preservation.

No meeting in September (falls on Labor Day every year)

Monday, Oct. 2, “Human Library” Come and “check out” local “human books” with stories to tell. We will focus
on next year’s National History Day theme (yet to be announced).

Monday, Nov. 6 “Historic Women’s Basketball” A Granny Basketball team, the “LaCrosse Does,” will play a
“historic” basketball game, using 1920’s era rules, vs a team of local girls. The show down is co-sponsored by our
partner, the Holmen Area Community Center, and the Barb & Dave Skogen Boys and Girls Club. It will take place
in the BGC gym.

Monday, Dec. 4: “Annual Meeting and Holiday Potluck”

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 President’s greeting, continued from page 1
Special thanks to their history here in Wisconsin. Maybe you even still have one or remember
the following for the light that would rotate and change the color of the artificial white or silver
their support tree? This year I bought the book Evergleam 60th Anniversary Book”by The-
ron Georges. These trees were produced in Manitowoc, Wisconsin by Alumi-
num Specialty and the book is a very interesting history of its creation and
Mary and Keith Johnson manufacture.
Ed and Nancy Hill We hope you will support the Holmen Area Historical Society with your
Mary Dahlby membership and attendance of our wonderful programs this coming year. If
you feel inclined to support us with additional monetary support, that is also
Kristin Olson appreciated. We hope to continue to pursue ways to share Holmen history
Dan & Sharon McHugh and are looking at various ways we can display and share our artifacts and
collections. Please share your ideas as well.
Sincerely, Barb Anderson, President

Ways to support HAHS

Holmen Area Historical Society is a nonprofit with the mission of preserving Holmen’s
past for future generations.
Memorials and honorariums are always welcome to maintain the historical collection and
to hold programs. You can also support HAHS by renewing your membership and inviting
friends and family members to join.
Send contributions to Holmen Area Historical Society, PO Box 535, Holmen, WI 54636.

Remember — 2023 membership are due. They can be mailed to the post of-
fice box listed in the membership form or can be paid at a meeting.

Membership Form
Name _______________________________________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code __________________________________________
Phone number _______________________________________________
Email address ________________________________________________
Annual: I would be willing to -
 Individual, $10 __ be a board member/officer
 Family, $20 __ help with archiving
 Business, $125 __ help write grants
Lifetime: __ membership development
 Individual, $75 Mail membership dues to -
 Family, $125 Holmen Area Historical Society,
 Business, $500 PO Box 535, Holmen, WI 54636 5
 Booklet about Holmen’s past available to public
HAHS President Barb Anderson shared stories of Holmen’s past as well as actual arti-
facts from the early years of the village and surrounding area with second graders at Prairie
View Elementary and Sand Lake Elementary.
The sessions included stories about how the Holmen was discovered by European ex-
plorers and then settled by immigrants from those countries.
Using a slide presentation created with the help of archivists Barb Johnson and Pam
Hanson, Barb showed photos of pioneer life including settlers standing by their log homes,
folks building a barn, ice harvesting and other activities.
Among the items from the HAHS archive and Barb’s personal collection were a bread
riser pan, ice tongs, bottles from the creamery, a school dress and a small travel trunk.
Students were provided a work book containing historic photos along with activities encouraging further study of
Holmen’s history. The study booklet is available to the public for $5.

A number of copies of Living History, Holmen Eighth Grade Students

Respond to 2020 are also still available to the public. The book contains es-
says written by students at Holmen Middle School students who share their
experiences lived during the 2020 pandemic.
Copies can be purchased for $15 at monthly meetings or by emailing
holmenhistory@gmail.com.

The Holmen Area Historical Society newsletter, edited by Pat McKnight, is published seasonally to keep
members and supporters informed about its activities.

Holmen Area Historical Society

P.O. Box 535
Holmen, WI 54636