Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

January 27, 2010, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

The Highground adds Learning Center

The Highground is purchasing a home owned by Rick and Chris Christenson, located at W7014 Ridge Road near Neillsville and adjacent to The Highground?s Liberty Bell.  The Highground plans to open The Highground Learning Center in the house this summer.  (Contributed photo)

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, located at W7031 Ridge Road west of Neillsville announced the purchase of Rick and Chris Christenson?s property, located at W7014 Ridge Road.  The property will be used as a learning center.

When the Christensons made the decision to sell their home and property on Ridge Road, located adjacent to The Highground?s Liberty Bell, they had no idea what the impact would be for the Highground Veterans Park.

?An on-site learning center has always been a goal of The Highground. But funding and limited space on the plaza has made it difficult,? said Highground Volunteer General Manager Kirk Rodman.  ?The acquisition of the property will make the learning center and many other things possible.?

The Highground Learning Center will help The Highground further its mission of education and healing.

This opportunity could not have come at a better time, explained Rodman.  The park has experienced an increase in visitors and use of the park?s forest and facilities.

?Expansion has been a topic of discussion by the board of directors these last few years,? said Beth Martin, chair of the board.

Instrumental in making this possible was a gift from the Listeman Foundation; the foundation continues to help the Neillsville area grow.  Rural Development, a part of USDA, will also be involved with a grant to assist with this purchase.

Without Listeman and USDA grants, purchasing the home would not have been possible, said Rodman.

The Highground will be responsible for the mortgage and is planning on working with area banks, said Rodman.

A tour of the property was planned for the board meeting to be held Saturday, Jan. 30.

?We are looking forward to the tour and to sharing ideas on how best to proceed with the learning center,? Martin said.

The property officially changes hands in April.  Plans are being made for remodeling to allow for presentations, accessibility, parking and more.

Presentations at The Highground Learning Center may include week or month-long art presentations, said Rodman.

The Highground is already planning on holding several Vietnam presentations at the learning center, including one presented by a Wisconsin resident who will display 30 by 40 foot pictures and present interviews with 30 Vietnam veterans, explained Rodman.

Another presentation in the works will feature Vietnam memorabilia stored in a 6 by 6 storage trunk; the memorabilia will be explained by Vietnam veterans, said Rodman.

The learning center will also be used as a greeting center where visitors can stop and view an information video about The Highground before touring the park area, said Rodman.

The learning center will be a great place for visitors to utilize during inclement weather, explained Rodman.

Rodman plans to have the learning center open year-round and open an ?optimum? amount of hours daily.  The Highground plans to add additional staff for the learning center, he added.

The house that will become the learning center is visible to those traveling on USH 10 and will thus improve The Highground?s exposure.

The staff expects to open and dedicate the learning center to visitors in mid-summer.

For more information about becoming involved in the center, call The Highground at 715-743-4224.