Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

May 21, 2008, Page 9

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Memorial Day Observance at the Highground

The Liberty Bell will once again toll to signal the start of The Highground?s Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 26, at 1 p.m., at which time the colors will be presented.  Volunteers will lead those in attendance in the ?Pledge of Allegiance? and ?The Star-Spangled Banner.?  This year?s ceremony will incorporate the 48 individual Native American tribal flags that have been donated from Tribal Nations all over the United States.

This 140-acres park is located three miles west of Neillsville on USH 10.  The Timberframe Information & Gift Shop is open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information, call 715-743-4224.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

May 21, 2008, Front Page

Parrish honored at The Highground

Mitch Parrish (center) poses with family and extended family at a Saturday, May 17 Legacy Stone Placement ceremonies at The Highground.  Parrish, a Vietnam veteran whose ancestry is Cherokee and Seminole, was instrumental in obtaining 48 tribal flags for The Highground?s National Native American Vietnam Veterans Tribute.  (Contributed photo)

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

May 21, 2008, Page 4

The Highground dedicates forest walking tour

Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m., The Highground will dedicate its new Developmental Forest Walking Tour. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation District 4 West donated the funds to design, manufacture and install the 14 educational signs that explain the forest, flora and ecosystem.  The signs cover a one-mile section of the four miles of hiking trails that are open to the public year-round at The Highground.  With over 200,000 visitors coming to the park annually, the signs are designed to educate people about plant identification, management and its unique role within the forest.

Volunteers and contributors are the heart of The Highground, and the Developmental Forest Walking Tour is an example of how many people come together to make the project happen.  With the funds in hand, The Highground worked with local foresters from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to identify which items to include.  The wording was written and passed on to the sign manufacturer.  With the ingenuity and generosity of Excell Street Fabricators, the sign-holders were designed, built and donated.  During the annual spring work weekend, the signposts were installed and the holders were bolted on.

The dedication ceremony will kick off a season of adventure for the area youth groups that have volunteered to be trail rangers.  These eager young people will maintain the trails by cleaning up trash and picking up sticks and brush that block the trail.  They will report on any downed trees and ensure all signs and benches are secure and sturdy.  The youth will build their map reading and recording skills as well as learning about the forest, flora, ecosystem and wildlife in the developmental forest.

The public is invited to join the many volunteers and contributors to dedicate this new addition to The Highground and help further its mission of healing and education.  The 140-acre veterans? memorial park has nine veterans? tributes and four miles of walking trails.  The park is a 501(c) 3 organization and relies on donations and volunteers receiving no ongoing federal and state funding.  Located three miles west of Neillsville on USH 10, the Timberframe Information & Gift Shop is open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  For more information, call 715-743-4224.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

April 30, 2008, Page 11

National VFW Auxiliary donates to Highground

Joyce Hoffman, department president for the Ladies VFW Auxiliary of Wisconsin (second from right), presented Kirk Rodman (r) of The Highground with a check for $2,000 for the Fountain of Tears Statuary project from the National VFW Auxiliary.  The Fountain of Tears Statuary project is unique at The Highground, because the statuary will be interactive.  With a goal of $125,000, the project has raised $82,960 as of April.  Also pictured from left to right are Pat Hoffman and Irene Strathmann representing VFW Auxiliary Post 2227.  (Contributed photo)