MENOMONITES RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORTING THE ARTS
    Arts Wisconsin recently announced its annual Arts in the Community awards, given to a choice few around the state who have helped the arts grow and thrive in their communities, and among this year’s winners are Mayor Dennis Kropp and B. Jane Hoyt of Menomonie. Kropp and Hoyt led the way for the renovation of the historic Mabel Tainter Theatre. These locals helped continue the legacy of the non-profit Victorian-era theater, and join Carol Kratchowill of Merrimac and Julia Taylor of Milwaukee as being recognized for exemplary advocacy on behalf of the arts.

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES THE SELLING OF BUILDING NAMES
    Oh what one will do for money. City and school budgets are continuing to drop across the state, and its no exception in Eau Claire. Local officials are digging for dollars anywhere that seems promising, and the Oct. 5 meeting of the school board saw the approval of the selling of naming rights for its facilities. Lakeshore could become Hannah Montana Elementary or “The doghouse” at North could become Twilight Gymnasium. The school district has yet to have offers of this type, but the prospect opens up a whole new vista of brow-raising possibilities.

LOCAL STUDENT DUBBED ONE OF THE BEST COMPOSERS IN STATE
    The Wisconsin School Music Association recently recognized DeLong Middle School student, Teddy Wright, as one of the best young composers in the state. Wright submitted his composition Sycamore Tree to the WSMA/DPI Student Composition Project and is one of five middle schoolers in the state to achieve this honor. Wright will receive his award on Oct. 28 in Madison, during the Wisconsin State Music Conference.

WISCONSIN ACADEMY CONTEST WANTS POETRY, SHORT STORIES
    If you have some colorful, creative wordage floating about in your brain, it’s time to let it all out and win stuff! The quarterly Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine is once again hosting their annual poetry and short story contests. This is the big leagues, people. Along with the Wisconsin Book Festival, these contests are the largest in the state. It’s open to all Wisconsin residents. Submissions will be accepted until December 15. The first place winners of the poetry and short story contest win a whopping $500 and a one-week stay at Edenfred (a creative arts residency in Madison), plus some other really cool opportunities. Second and third place winners get their hands of some green as well and all winners get published online and in Wisconsin People & Ideas. Visit WisconsinAcademy.org for details.