Cumberland Advocate: News

The snowmobile trails may be closed, but there is still time to participate in the 2nd Annual Winterfest poker run, sponsored by the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce. This year, not only is the event meant to be a fun way to support local businesses, it also is a time to support our local veterans.

Establishments participating in the poker run include Spot Bar, Becky’s Food & Spirits (Shell Lake), Klopp’s (Shell Lake), Timberland Pub, Bistro 63 (Barronett), Barronett Bar & Grill, Five O’Clock Club, Nezzy’s Sports Bar & Grill, and the American Legion to the north, and Corner Bar, Dale’s Twin Pines, County Line Tavern, Staples lake Tavern, Hotel Bar (Turtle Lake), Spare Time (Turtle Lake), Cheers (Almena), Bourbon’s Bar, and Skiddies to the south.

The poker run, which began February 13, will wrap up on Saturday, March 6 at the Cumberland American Legion Barracks. Festivities include a chili and grilled cheese sandwich feed at 11 a.m., followed by a singles cribbage tournament from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m., meat raffles from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and a 50/50 raffle at 9 p.m.

From 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., poker run cards will be dealt, and live music will be provided by City Vibe from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go toward a new steel roof for the legion barracks.

“Since 1925, the Legion Barracks has been the home for the Cumberland Legion Post 98. Time, however, has not only taken a toll on our post members, but also on the building itself. We have had several remodeling projects to keep it in good shape, but at this time, we have sustained water damage and are in need of a new roof. A lot of discussion has taken place over how to fix this problem. We need to raise $36,000 to put a new steel roof on. We do not have the money at this time to afford the total expense without your help. We are asking for any donation you are able to give. The American Legion has been a part of most of our lives at one time or another, and now we need your help. This building has been our home for 84 years, and we would like to keep it for another 84 years. Please help us make that possible,” said Craig Greener, Vietnam Veteran and member of Post 98.

“The focus of Cumberland American Legion Post 98 is youth activities, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and FFA. Financially, we support Legion baseball, hockey, soccer, wrestling, and more. We offer scholarships every year and sponsor highly motivated students to attend Badger Boys and Girl State programs. We host the Red Cross Blood Bank and donate to numerous local charities,” Greener continued.

A chart will be on display on the wall at the legion with donor categories. All donations are welcome, and can be made until April 1.

Checks can be made payable to American Legion Post 98 and sent to PO Box 931, Cumberland, WI 54829.

Cumberland junior Chip Erickson is the 2010 Division 2, 145-pound State Wrestling Champion.

He won the honor Saturday night at the Individual State Wrestling Championships in Madison. Erickson took three decisions over his opponents in capturing the crown. He is only the seventh Cumberland Wrestler ever to win a State Title.

Erickson started his Championship run with a 6-4 decision over John Benzon of Delevan-Darien Friday afternoon. Benzon took a 40-7 record into the match. Erickson then moved into the title match with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mike Dusel of Pewaukee in the semifinals. Dusel was 47-12 going into the match. Erickson trailed with less than thirty seconds left, when he took Dusel down for the victory.

Erickson then concluded his dream season with a 7-5 victory over Levi Kuesel of Ellsworth in the Saturday evening finale. Erickson trailed 2-0 after the first period, but rebounded for the win. Erickson had also defeated Kuesel in the Somerset sectional.

The win leaves Erickson with a 40-4 record on the season, a new school record for wins.

Among Erickson’s season highlights were conference, regional, and sectional championships.

He was fifth at 140 pounds at last spring’s State Freestyle Tournament. He wrestled in last year’s Individual State Tournament, but did not place.

“It was an exciting season and I look forward to trying to repeat next year. I want to thank the coaches and my parents for the help they’ve given me along the way,” Erickson said.

Senior Alec Adams concluded his fine season with an overall record of 37-8. He won one, while losing three at Madison, earning him a sixth place finish.

Adams lost 9-2, 9-4, and 14-6 decisions. His victory was by pin over Nathan Brown of Sheboygan Falls in a second round match.

The 125-pound State Title went to Jarod Donar of Cuba City, who finished his season with a perfect 51-0 record.

Adams’ season hi-lights included regional and sectional championships. He finished second in the HON tournament and will graduate with 29 pins, a school record.

“The whole season and the experience in Madison was a blast,” the senior added.

“We are extremely proud of the sacrifice and dedication these two kids and our whole squad showed during this season. Chip and Alec were outstanding last weekend and I’m very proud of them,” said Coach Bob Erickson.

Barron County is one of twenty counties to be treated this summer by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Program. The program plans to treat 92 sites covering over 228,000 acres in twenty counties to help control the spread of the destructive gypsy moth. This plan is separate from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Suppression Program.

Gypsy moth caterpillars mainly feed on the leaves of oak trees, but they also feed on the leaves of hundreds of other species of trees and shrubs. When present in large numbers, gypsy moth caterpillars can defoliate trees and overcome native species.

Aerial treatments will start in May when the caterpillars begin to emerge. Some sites will be treated with a naturally occurring soil bacterium, and has been successfully used in gypsy moth treatments for more than thirty years. Most sites will receive two applications, about five to ten days apart. Other sites will receive Gypchek, a product specific only to the gypsy moth.

In June and July, additional sites will be treated with mating disrupter, which has the pheromone of the female adult gypsy moth. This confuses the male gypsy moths when they’re searching for a mate and prevents reproduction. None of the products that will be used have a known toxicity to people, animals, fish, and plants. The products must be applied with an airplane to be effective.

According to Chris Lettau, gypsy moth program coordinator, “When we spray an area, the planes must fly about 50 feet above the treetops for the products to get onto the leaves. This means the planes are loud, and they will make repeated passes over an area until the spraying is complete. We begin spraying early in the morning to take advantage of low winds and high humidity.”

Public meetings will be held to give citizens, foresters, local officials, and others an opportunity to learn about the program and comment on the proposed treatment plan.

A meeting will be held in Altoona on Tuesday, March 9 at the Eau Claire County UW Extension, 227 First Street West, Rooms 103 and 104, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., and in Superior on Wednesday, March 10 at the Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Avenue, Library Classroom, 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.gypsymoth.wi.gov, call 1-800-642-6684, or email gypsymoth@wisconsin.gov.