Emily Hemphill/SCI
Utica held a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for a new playground at the ballfields on May 16. Pictured with the ribbon are, from left: Becky Sandman, Mike Fehlhafer, Kayla Rystrom, Don Sandman and Melissa Grantski. Behind them are (from left) Jim Swanson, Ewald Fehlhafer (Carl Fehlhafer is obscured), Garry Dittmar and Autumn Walford with her daughter, Ella.
Welcome to Tuesday, June 18. There are a number of things happening this week and throughout the month, as we gear up for the Fourth of July. Here's what you need to know:
Utica residents recently joined efforts to make their community a little safer and a little more fun for kids.
Last summer, volunteers installed a new playground near the ballfields on the northwest side of town, and they held a dedication ceremony for the new equipment this spring on May 16.
Autumn Walford, who helped spearhead the project, said the village board approached her and fellow residents Melissa Grantski and Carrie Gumaer three years ago about improving the old equipment.
“There wasn’t much of it, and what was there wasn’t safe for our children to play on,” Walford said.
In three years, they raised $3,838 from the community to help pay for the equipment, which totaled $25,984.
“That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of money, but this is a small community,” Walford said.
They sent fundraising letters to local businesses, farmers, families and community organizations like the Lions Club and Heritage Committee, in addition to holding fun run events.
“Your participation is greatly, greatly appreciated,” Walford said to a crowd that gathered at the dedication. For more on this story, click HERE
The Kiwanis KiTones will perform at the Utica Senior Center tomorrow, beginning at 1 p.m.
Need help with your electronic tablet? Seward High School students will be at the Seward Senior Center on Wednesday to answer questions and assist at 1 p.m. They will help with questions regarding electronics, Facebook and more.
Bottle Rocket Brewery will host trivia night June 20, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Trivia master Cliff Lowell will be present and cash prizes are to be awarded. Bottle Rocket is partnering with the Seward Memorial Library for the event. You can create a team and register at sewardlibrary.org.
The final meeting for the Seward Fourth of July committee will take place June 20. Last minute details will be shared and discussed during the meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center.
