Guttenberg Press

LaVerna Mae Rutledge, 97, of Guttenberg, died Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Guttenberg Municipal Hospital.

Visitation was before services at the church.

Funeral services were Tuesday, March 10, at the United Methodist Church, in Guttenberg, conducted by Rev. Mike Jackson.

Arrangements were handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Guttenberg.

By Molly Moser

Area health resources will come together next month for the fourth annual Clayton County Wellness Fair & Family Night, co-sponsored by Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, St. John's Church, Clayton Ridge Schools, Thrivent, Clayton County Dairy Promotion, Families Helping Hand, and Prairie Farms Dairy. The event will take place at Clayton Ridge High School in Guttenberg on Tuesday, April 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The wellness fair will fill the high school gymnasium with over 40 vendors. New this year, the multipurpose room has been designated as an area specifically for interactive presentations. Exercise demonstrations will include weight lifting, balance exercises and equipment-specific instruction. “These groups are going to have a lot more space than before,” said Kari Harbaugh, one of many volunteers who help organize the annual countywide wellness fair. 

A professional health market place navigator will be in attendance to provide information on health care coverage options. Resources for families who may need specialty clinics will be available, and cancer-related support groups and education will also be represented at the wellness fair. Numerous organizations will have booths offering various health screenings as well as information on area fitness, recreation and education opportunities. The event includes information relevant to people of all ages living all across Clayton County.

Linda Zuercher, Clayton County Treasurer, reminds property owners that the second half payment for property taxes is due Tuesday, March 31, 2015.  Penalties will start on April 1. To avoid the penalty, payments must be received by the end of the business day March 31 or have a March 31 postmark.

There are several payment options to choose from. You may pay in person at the Treasurer’s Office in the Courthouse or at the Driver’s License Station located in the County Office Building at 600 Gunder Road. The offices are open Monday through Friday   8:00 a.m.  -  4:30 p.m. Both locations will accept cash and checks for payments.

By Molly Moser

G&G Living Centers, in partnership with GD&T, hosted their annual talent show on Sunday in the municipal building’s third floor ballroom. Six acts graced the stage before a large crowd of families, friends, and community members. 

First place in the show was awarded to Autumn Kivi, 15, of Prairie Du Chein. Kivi took second place at last year’s competition for her charismatic rendition of “At Last,” the 1960s hit made popular by Etta Games. This year, Kivi returned with “Cry Me a River” by Ella Fitzgerald. Kivi began singing at the Eagles Heart and Cancer Telethon when she was four. Her experience showed as she entertained the audience with her emotion, eye contact, and confident, fluid vocals. 

Seventeen-year-old Alex Simon opened the talent show with the reading of a poem titled, “My Little Italian Mother.” Simon earned second place for the poetry, which described his mother, Janette, in her transition from “invisibly mighty” to a woman who holds a PhD. The last line of the poem read, “She said she did it for me.”