Ran on Friday, July 27, 2007
No dog and pony show
Fair's animal competitions becoming exotic
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-telegram Staff
Similar to the fairy tale "The Tortoise and the Hare," a slow-moving reptile finished first Thursday at the Eau Claire County Fair.
Cats, rats, birds, fish and guinea pigs all came together as competitors brought their pets to the Eau Claire County Exposition Center in an attempt to win the purple ribbon, which signifies the grand champion.
Taking home the purple ribbon in the small animal category for the second year in a row was Rome Rauter, a 10-year-old from Foster.
Last year his sun conure, Sunny, an exotic bird, took home the ribbon, but this year Speedy, a turtle, shined above the rest of the children's pets. Both Sunny and Speedy were in the finals.
County fairs no longer are restricted to farm animals. They now include exotic animals and small pets.
"It's getting more and more commonplace to have an exotic animal," small animal Judge Jill Helming said.
Helming judges the owner's basic knowledge as well as the care and health of the animal.
"It's really important you know about your animal and how to take care of it," Helming said.
In the guinea pig competition, Joey Lantz, 12, Eau Claire won a blue ribbon with 2-year-old Spike.
"I got the blue because I was hard to stump," Lantz said. "It's something I like to do."
As an animal lover and 20-year judge, Helming travels around the state to county fairs to determine which owner and pet pair is the best.
"I believe in county fairs," she said. "I don't think anything teaches kids responsibility better than to have an animal."
The wide range of animals at the fair sometimes can be a challenge for Helming. When an eight-foot python visited the fair, she wasn't eager to touch it.
"Sometimes the kids know more about the animal than I do," she said of reptiles and "critters."
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Ran on Thursday, July 26, 2007
Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Lawmakers: Eyes should be on road
By Leader-Telegram staff and The Associated Press
Many parents admonish their teenage children not to talk on their cell phones while driving.
The state of Wisconsin may order them not to if a bill introduced Wednesday in the Legislature passes.
"I'll use it once in a while," Eau Claire 18-year-old Liz Cattau said. "I use it to text."
"Texting" is sending short messages composed of words to another phone, which requires typing the letters into the message area.
"I know it's not safe," Cattau said, but she does it anyway.
However, if the law were to pass, she said she would most likely stop using her phone while driving.
Cattau said she keeps her cell phone in her cup holder so she doesn't have to rummage around the car to find it when she needs it.
Kira Hefty, also 18 and of Eau Claire, said she knows it's risky, but she uses her phone to make calls.
"I'll use it when my friends call or to call my friends," Hefty said.
Talking while driving diverts attention from the road to the phone, something some lawmakers want inexperienced drivers to avoid.
Cindy Beaupre of Menomonie has two teenage drivers. Both, Jessica, 18, and Michael, 17, have cell phones and use them when they drive.
"It's probably a good idea to make it illegal," Cindy Beaupre said. "They're not experienced drivers, and there are already other distractions."
Those distractions include arguments over the phone, music and friends in the car, she said.
Michael Beaupre said he uses the phone to call friends and also to let his family know where he is and where he's going. Unlike Cattau who said she would stop, he does not think he would.
"I know driving is dangerous, and some people can not pay attention," he said. "I think I'd keep calling; I'd be fine."
Nick Schroeder of Durand, who has a 16-year-old daughter behind the wheel, thinks phones should be put down while driving because talking and driving is not safe.
"I really don't think (teenagers) should be using phones (while driving)," Schroeder said. "Or anyone, for that matter."
State Rep. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, agrees.
Petrowski has proposed many unsuccessful attempts to limit drivers' cell phone use in Wisconsin.
Legislation to ban all drivers from using cell phones did not even get a hearing in 1997 and 1999. The teen driving restriction has been introduced every session since 2001 but has failed to pass despite no opposition from cell phone companies.
"We believe this bill is a good idea," said Mike McDermott, Verizon Wireless's executive director for state public policy. "Certainly we believe it makes sense for beginning drivers to devote their full attention to driving."
Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Lawmakers: Eyes should be on road
By Leader-Telegram staff and The Associated Press
Many parents admonish their teenage children not to talk on their cell phones while driving.
The state of Wisconsin may order them not to if a bill introduced Wednesday in the Legislature passes.
"I'll use it once in a while," Eau Claire 18-year-old Liz Cattau said. "I use it to text."
"Texting" is sending short messages composed of words to another phone, which requires typing the letters into the message area.
"I know it's not safe," Cattau said, but she does it anyway.
However, if the law were to pass, she said she would most likely stop using her phone while driving.
Cattau said she keeps her cell phone in her cup holder so she doesn't have to rummage around the car to find it when she needs it.
Kira Hefty, also 18 and of Eau Claire, said she knows it's risky, but she uses her phone to make calls.
"I'll use it when my friends call or to call my friends," Hefty said.
Talking while driving diverts attention from the road to the phone, something some lawmakers want inexperienced drivers to avoid.
Cindy Beaupre of Menomonie has two teenage drivers. Both, Jessica, 18, and Michael, 17, have cell phones and use them when they drive.
"It's probably a good idea to make it illegal," Cindy Beaupre said. "They're not experienced drivers, and there are already other distractions."
Those distractions include arguments over the phone, music and friends in the car, she said.
Michael Beaupre said he uses the phone to call friends and also to let his family know where he is and where he's going. Unlike Cattau who said she would stop, he does not think he would.
"I know driving is dangerous, and some people can not pay attention," he said. "I think I'd keep calling; I'd be fine."
Nick Schroeder of Durand, who has a 16-year-old daughter behind the wheel, thinks phones should be put down while driving because talking and driving is not safe.
"I really don't think (teenagers) should be using phones (while driving)," Schroeder said. "Or anyone, for that matter."
State Rep. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, agrees.
Petrowski has proposed many unsuccessful attempts to limit drivers' cell phone use in Wisconsin.
Legislation to ban all drivers from using cell phones did not even get a hearing in 1997 and 1999. The teen driving restriction has been introduced every session since 2001 but has failed to pass despite no opposition from cell phone companies.
"We believe this bill is a good idea," said Mike McDermott, Verizon Wireless's executive director for state public policy. "Certainly we believe it makes sense for beginning drivers to devote their full attention to driving."
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Doyle pushes plan
Ran on Tuesday, July 24, 2006
Doyle pushes plan
Covenant guarantees spot in college
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
For many kids, starting eighth grade can mean getting new school clothes, a graphing calculator and fresh backpack. For Emily Kelly of Chippewa Falls, it means planning for college.
Kelly and more than 6,000 others her age have signed Gov. Jim Doyle's Wisconsin Covenant.
The covenant signers promise to graduate from high school with a B average while being good community citizens; in return they will get financial aid as needed and promised a spot at a college in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System or the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are all fair game.
"I want every single young person in Wisconsin to know that if you're ready to really work hard and to apply yourself that there is a way for you to get to college," Doyle said. "And there are a lot of people along the way who are supporting you and want to help you get there. And that's what the Wisconsin Covenant is all about."
Kelly, who will be an eighth-grader at Chippewa Falls middle school, signed the covenant Monday with three others in Eau Claire at a meeting Doyle had at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St.
"I think it's really important to go to college, and I want to get a good education so I can do something to support myself," the architect or interior design-hopeful said.
Kelly said she would like to go to either UW-Milwaukee or UW-Madison; an aunt is the only family member to graduate from college.
Doyle said he wants this program to work to ensure the future of the state.
"It is very, very clear the states that are going to be doing well and the countries that are doing well in the coming years are those that have invested in education and those that have significantly increased the number of college graduates," he said.
College administrators agree.
"We need more college educated citizens in order to be more competitive economically," UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich said.
"I think anything we can do to help these young people get higher educations is critical," Chippewa Valley Technical College President Bill Ihlenfeldt said.
Doyle said Assembly Republicans did not provide enough money in its version of the budget to give the UW System the additional money it needs to hire more faculty and increase financial aid. The Assembly also dropped the Wisconsin Covenant from its version of the budget.
"The Republicans in the Assembly recently have just cut the guts out of the university budget, cut it by 162 million dollars," Doyle said. "Not a single penny was added to the education budget."
Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, challenged the governor's math.
"I think the Wisconsin Covenant is more about politics that it is about helping eighth-graders," Suder said. "It's bumper sticker politics on the backs of eighth-graders."
Suder said the Assembly version of the budget would give the UW System an additional $62 million over the two-year biennium, a 3 percent increase.
Doyle's budget would give the UW System $2.23 billion in general fund aid over the next two years. The budget approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate provides slightly more at $2.24 billion, while the Assembly budget provides $2.11 billion.
A conference committee of four Democrats and four Republicans now must try to reach consensus on this and many other budget issues. The budget then will go back to the Legislature and eventually to Doyle, who has one of the strongest line-item veto powers of any governor.
Doyle pushes plan
Covenant guarantees spot in college
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
For many kids, starting eighth grade can mean getting new school clothes, a graphing calculator and fresh backpack. For Emily Kelly of Chippewa Falls, it means planning for college.
Kelly and more than 6,000 others her age have signed Gov. Jim Doyle's Wisconsin Covenant.
The covenant signers promise to graduate from high school with a B average while being good community citizens; in return they will get financial aid as needed and promised a spot at a college in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System or the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are all fair game.
"I want every single young person in Wisconsin to know that if you're ready to really work hard and to apply yourself that there is a way for you to get to college," Doyle said. "And there are a lot of people along the way who are supporting you and want to help you get there. And that's what the Wisconsin Covenant is all about."
Kelly, who will be an eighth-grader at Chippewa Falls middle school, signed the covenant Monday with three others in Eau Claire at a meeting Doyle had at the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, 418 Wisconsin St.
"I think it's really important to go to college, and I want to get a good education so I can do something to support myself," the architect or interior design-hopeful said.
Kelly said she would like to go to either UW-Milwaukee or UW-Madison; an aunt is the only family member to graduate from college.
Doyle said he wants this program to work to ensure the future of the state.
"It is very, very clear the states that are going to be doing well and the countries that are doing well in the coming years are those that have invested in education and those that have significantly increased the number of college graduates," he said.
College administrators agree.
"We need more college educated citizens in order to be more competitive economically," UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich said.
"I think anything we can do to help these young people get higher educations is critical," Chippewa Valley Technical College President Bill Ihlenfeldt said.
Doyle said Assembly Republicans did not provide enough money in its version of the budget to give the UW System the additional money it needs to hire more faculty and increase financial aid. The Assembly also dropped the Wisconsin Covenant from its version of the budget.
"The Republicans in the Assembly recently have just cut the guts out of the university budget, cut it by 162 million dollars," Doyle said. "Not a single penny was added to the education budget."
Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, challenged the governor's math.
"I think the Wisconsin Covenant is more about politics that it is about helping eighth-graders," Suder said. "It's bumper sticker politics on the backs of eighth-graders."
Suder said the Assembly version of the budget would give the UW System an additional $62 million over the two-year biennium, a 3 percent increase.
Doyle's budget would give the UW System $2.23 billion in general fund aid over the next two years. The budget approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate provides slightly more at $2.24 billion, while the Assembly budget provides $2.11 billion.
A conference committee of four Democrats and four Republicans now must try to reach consensus on this and many other budget issues. The budget then will go back to the Legislature and eventually to Doyle, who has one of the strongest line-item veto powers of any governor.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Leinie's fans flock to enjoy immense chair
Ran on Saturday, July 21, 2007
Leinie's fans flock to enjoy immense chair
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
It started as a really big idea and appears to be a giant hit with Leinie's beer fans.
The 10-foot tall, 6-foot deep and 4-foot wide chair, nicknamed the Leinie Lounger and built to entertain Leinenkugel's beer lovers, is making its second appearance at Rock Fest near Cadott.
"It's not a place to sell (normal-sized) Adirondack chairs," said Dick Leinenkugel, Leinenkugel's vice president of sales and marketing director. "But to engage our consumers, beer lovers and beer fans."
The notion seems to be working.
"It's great, unique and huge, it's what this whole thing is all about," said fest patron Jim Lane, who came with a bunch of friends.
Lane and part of his group hopped up on the large chair eager to visit it again after they saw it at the fest last year.
Paula Brewer, who also was in the group, admired the chair as she sat in it. The Leinenkugel's fan hadn't previously attended Rock Fest or seen the chair but was wowed by the massive seat.
"It's awesome," she said. "It's the best chair I've ever sat in."
Leinenkugel said the chair was designed to promote the brew's brand of relaxing with friends and family.
"I needed a really big idea, so we made a really big chair," Leinenkugel said.
The company previously sold Adirondack chairs, but the Goliath-sized furniture marks a step up, literally, from that venture.
Leinenkugel said the chairs have made appearances across the Midwest, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Minnesota State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and Navy Pier in Chicago. Currently chairs are at 10 sites throughout the U.S. as part of promotion efforts.
"It's a showcase piece," Leinenkugel said. "It's a place where people can take photos and have fun."
Mike Leddell has been managing the Leinies Lodge for five years and said he has seen many people sitting on it.
"Everyone who sees it and has a camera take a picture with it," he said.
Leinie's fans flock to enjoy immense chair
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
It started as a really big idea and appears to be a giant hit with Leinie's beer fans.
The 10-foot tall, 6-foot deep and 4-foot wide chair, nicknamed the Leinie Lounger and built to entertain Leinenkugel's beer lovers, is making its second appearance at Rock Fest near Cadott.
"It's not a place to sell (normal-sized) Adirondack chairs," said Dick Leinenkugel, Leinenkugel's vice president of sales and marketing director. "But to engage our consumers, beer lovers and beer fans."
The notion seems to be working.
"It's great, unique and huge, it's what this whole thing is all about," said fest patron Jim Lane, who came with a bunch of friends.
Lane and part of his group hopped up on the large chair eager to visit it again after they saw it at the fest last year.
Paula Brewer, who also was in the group, admired the chair as she sat in it. The Leinenkugel's fan hadn't previously attended Rock Fest or seen the chair but was wowed by the massive seat.
"It's awesome," she said. "It's the best chair I've ever sat in."
Leinenkugel said the chair was designed to promote the brew's brand of relaxing with friends and family.
"I needed a really big idea, so we made a really big chair," Leinenkugel said.
The company previously sold Adirondack chairs, but the Goliath-sized furniture marks a step up, literally, from that venture.
Leinenkugel said the chairs have made appearances across the Midwest, including Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Minnesota State Fair, Wisconsin State Fair and Navy Pier in Chicago. Currently chairs are at 10 sites throughout the U.S. as part of promotion efforts.
"It's a showcase piece," Leinenkugel said. "It's a place where people can take photos and have fun."
Mike Leddell has been managing the Leinies Lodge for five years and said he has seen many people sitting on it.
"Everyone who sees it and has a camera take a picture with it," he said.
Crew member smells smoke; flight diverted here
Ran Saturday, July 21, 2007
Crew member smells smoke; flight diverted here
No problem found, but passengers bused to MSP
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader- Telegram staff
The baby book entry for "Daddy and Caitlin's first flight" will have a little extra drama, as Northwest Airlines Flight 687 made an emergency landing Friday afternoon at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.
Philadelphia native Keith Forman and his 11-month-old daughter, Caitlyn, both air-travel rookies, were aboard the jet along with Forman's wife, Jennifer.
"I'll fly again," Keith Forman said.
The airplane landed after a flight attendant reported smelling smoke. The flight was traveling from Philadelphia to Minneapolis. Eau Claire firefighters who responded didn't find smoke in the plane's cabin, Battalion Chief Rick Merryfield said.
Rather than risk further problems in the air, the flight crew sent about 140 passengers by bus to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Jennifer Forman, who had flown previously, described passengers as calm as they waited to exit the plane while it idled on the tarmac.
But those riding the airplane were happy to be back on the ground after their temporary scare. Dennis Gonsior and his family from Oakdale, Minn., were returning from Philadelphia after a weeklong vacation.
"Better safe than sorry," Gonsior said of the interrupted flight.
Not all passengers took the delay in stride. Peg Bachmann of Philadelphia was trying to get to Fairbanks, Alaska, to go on a cruise with Merritt Rhode, also from Philadelphia. Bachmann expressed frustration at the incident.
"Don't fly Northwest, ever," she said.
The incident caused extra hassle for passengers. Cell phones rang frequently, as passengers called friends and family, asking about luggage and arranging connecting flights.
Franz Harary, a magician from Hollywood, was traveling to Minneapolis to catch a transcontinental flight to Tokyo for the release of the "Transformers" movie in Japan. Harary is in charge of arranging the magic at the release party.
"Fortunately, the machine will go on without me," he said.
The buses left about 2 p.m. to get to Minneapolis after about an hour of waiting.
Crew member smells smoke; flight diverted here
No problem found, but passengers bused to MSP
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader- Telegram staff
The baby book entry for "Daddy and Caitlin's first flight" will have a little extra drama, as Northwest Airlines Flight 687 made an emergency landing Friday afternoon at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport.
Philadelphia native Keith Forman and his 11-month-old daughter, Caitlyn, both air-travel rookies, were aboard the jet along with Forman's wife, Jennifer.
"I'll fly again," Keith Forman said.
The airplane landed after a flight attendant reported smelling smoke. The flight was traveling from Philadelphia to Minneapolis. Eau Claire firefighters who responded didn't find smoke in the plane's cabin, Battalion Chief Rick Merryfield said.
Rather than risk further problems in the air, the flight crew sent about 140 passengers by bus to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Jennifer Forman, who had flown previously, described passengers as calm as they waited to exit the plane while it idled on the tarmac.
But those riding the airplane were happy to be back on the ground after their temporary scare. Dennis Gonsior and his family from Oakdale, Minn., were returning from Philadelphia after a weeklong vacation.
"Better safe than sorry," Gonsior said of the interrupted flight.
Not all passengers took the delay in stride. Peg Bachmann of Philadelphia was trying to get to Fairbanks, Alaska, to go on a cruise with Merritt Rhode, also from Philadelphia. Bachmann expressed frustration at the incident.
"Don't fly Northwest, ever," she said.
The incident caused extra hassle for passengers. Cell phones rang frequently, as passengers called friends and family, asking about luggage and arranging connecting flights.
Franz Harary, a magician from Hollywood, was traveling to Minneapolis to catch a transcontinental flight to Tokyo for the release of the "Transformers" movie in Japan. Harary is in charge of arranging the magic at the release party.
"Fortunately, the machine will go on without me," he said.
The buses left about 2 p.m. to get to Minneapolis after about an hour of waiting.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Agencies tune up traffic plans for festivals
Ran on Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Agencies tune up traffic plans for festivals
Extra officers, signs expected to help with congestion near music grounds
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Simultaneous music festivals 30 miles apart may be music to fans' ears, but it means longer hours and beefed up staff for law enforcement.
Extra officers will direct traffic in the town of Union for Country Jam USA and in rural Cadott for Rock Fest.
Sgt. Steve Miescke of the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department said he is encouraging motorists to take alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion around the Country Jam grounds.
"It's preventative," Miescke said. "It's an excellent way to lessen congestion we see every year."
Mieske also is encouraging people to carpool to help with limited parking space and be familiar with directions to their destination; officers directing traffic don't have time to give directions, he said.
Country Jam organizer Kathy Wright was busy with last-minute details Tuesday afternoon after a fire destroyed some kitchens on the grounds. She doesn't think the fires will have an effect on the festival.
Wright is expecting about 25,000 people, one of the largest crowds in Country Jam's history, for Saturday night's headliner Bon Jovi.
"We've added some reserved and VIP sections," she said. "We're staffed heavy on Saturday night."
Chippewa County Sheriff's Department partol staff will increase with contracted officers from other communities and organizations.
Capt. Gene Gutsch said his department will use the same system for Rock Fest traffic that it has for many years.
The plan includes message boards on Highway 27 alerting drivers to the influx of traffic and officers directing vehicle and foot traffic at the festival entrance.
Gutsch said the system of patrolling campsites and 19 miles of affected roads works well because it's planned years in advance and is based on experience.
Not knowing how many people to expect for Fest's Saturday night headliner, KISS, Gutsch said the department will do things as planned.
"Basically, for us it's just another headliner appearing that night," he said.
Agencies tune up traffic plans for festivals
Extra officers, signs expected to help with congestion near music grounds
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Simultaneous music festivals 30 miles apart may be music to fans' ears, but it means longer hours and beefed up staff for law enforcement.
Extra officers will direct traffic in the town of Union for Country Jam USA and in rural Cadott for Rock Fest.
Sgt. Steve Miescke of the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department said he is encouraging motorists to take alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion around the Country Jam grounds.
"It's preventative," Miescke said. "It's an excellent way to lessen congestion we see every year."
Mieske also is encouraging people to carpool to help with limited parking space and be familiar with directions to their destination; officers directing traffic don't have time to give directions, he said.
Country Jam organizer Kathy Wright was busy with last-minute details Tuesday afternoon after a fire destroyed some kitchens on the grounds. She doesn't think the fires will have an effect on the festival.
Wright is expecting about 25,000 people, one of the largest crowds in Country Jam's history, for Saturday night's headliner Bon Jovi.
"We've added some reserved and VIP sections," she said. "We're staffed heavy on Saturday night."
Chippewa County Sheriff's Department partol staff will increase with contracted officers from other communities and organizations.
Capt. Gene Gutsch said his department will use the same system for Rock Fest traffic that it has for many years.
The plan includes message boards on Highway 27 alerting drivers to the influx of traffic and officers directing vehicle and foot traffic at the festival entrance.
Gutsch said the system of patrolling campsites and 19 miles of affected roads works well because it's planned years in advance and is based on experience.
Not knowing how many people to expect for Fest's Saturday night headliner, KISS, Gutsch said the department will do things as planned.
"Basically, for us it's just another headliner appearing that night," he said.
Need for help at Table heats up
Ran on Wendesday, July 18, 2007
Need for help at Table heats up
Meal demand rises in summer
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Volunteers at Eau Claire's soup kitchen, The Community Table, are scarce during the sizzling days of summer, when demand is highest.
Serving from the basement of the Eau Claire Parks and Recreation building, The Community Table provides free meals to 60 to 100 people daily.
Last year, The Community Table served 33,000 meals and had 3,000 volunteers.
But with Chippewa Valley residents vacationing and university students gone for the summer, Community Table executive director Nadine Jentzsch said there are fewer people to serve a greater number of needy.
More people show up at the soup kitchen in summer because the weather makes it easier to travel.
"In the summer months we feed more people and have less volunteers," Jentzsch said.
Area volunteers plan, provide, prepare and serve the food, as well as clean up after the meal. Serving groups can range from five to 20 people.
Volunteers are often church, school and youth groups, she said.
On Tuesday night a team from Sacred Heart- St. Patrick Parish served a pasta and sausage dish.
Amy Naiberg, 17, of Eau Claire has volunteered with the group a handful of times. She said she enjoys doing it for a few reasons.
"Because I think that Eau Claire needs a lot more community support," Naiberg said. "I get the feeling that I helped somebody that needed it. It's better than sitting around and doing nothing."
Serving a variety of people with a variety of needs, the Community Table serves some people multiple meals each week.
Jean Rice of Eau Claire has brought her family to The Table to get meals a few times a week to lighten the food budget for the past 12 years.
"For low-income families who are stretching their food budget from month to month, it helps a lot," Rice said.
Seeing the shortage of volunteers, Rice has helped out a few times on the other side of the kitchen and volunteered to serve meals.
In addition to families stretching to make ends meet, the free meals serve people with mental and physical handicaps, people who can't work and people who are homeless.
"We see a little bit of everything," site director Peter Raleigh said.
Need for help at Table heats up
Meal demand rises in summer
By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff
Volunteers at Eau Claire's soup kitchen, The Community Table, are scarce during the sizzling days of summer, when demand is highest.
Serving from the basement of the Eau Claire Parks and Recreation building, The Community Table provides free meals to 60 to 100 people daily.
Last year, The Community Table served 33,000 meals and had 3,000 volunteers.
But with Chippewa Valley residents vacationing and university students gone for the summer, Community Table executive director Nadine Jentzsch said there are fewer people to serve a greater number of needy.
More people show up at the soup kitchen in summer because the weather makes it easier to travel.
"In the summer months we feed more people and have less volunteers," Jentzsch said.
Area volunteers plan, provide, prepare and serve the food, as well as clean up after the meal. Serving groups can range from five to 20 people.
Volunteers are often church, school and youth groups, she said.
On Tuesday night a team from Sacred Heart- St. Patrick Parish served a pasta and sausage dish.
Amy Naiberg, 17, of Eau Claire has volunteered with the group a handful of times. She said she enjoys doing it for a few reasons.
"Because I think that Eau Claire needs a lot more community support," Naiberg said. "I get the feeling that I helped somebody that needed it. It's better than sitting around and doing nothing."
Serving a variety of people with a variety of needs, the Community Table serves some people multiple meals each week.
Jean Rice of Eau Claire has brought her family to The Table to get meals a few times a week to lighten the food budget for the past 12 years.
"For low-income families who are stretching their food budget from month to month, it helps a lot," Rice said.
Seeing the shortage of volunteers, Rice has helped out a few times on the other side of the kitchen and volunteered to serve meals.
In addition to families stretching to make ends meet, the free meals serve people with mental and physical handicaps, people who can't work and people who are homeless.
"We see a little bit of everything," site director Peter Raleigh said.
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