Darien's Family Connections email: [email protected] (Newsletter articles due by the 3rd Friday of the Month) Next Meeting: December 10, 2013 @ Darien School – 7:00pm December 2013

Darien Women's Club Annual Cookie and Candy Walk (all senior citizens invited) December 14th 9am – noon Saturday, December 7, 2013 Darien Library

Darien Senior Center Santa will be handing out treats ! Time: 11:30 am Proceeds go towards Scholarship Fund & other Community Projects Noon Luncheon will be served

Entertainment by: Live Nativity Scene Presented by John Duggleby Darien United Methodist Church Writer, Musician, Chicken Dancer 15 Park St Darien Call Alice Davis to make reservations or need

information 882-5086

December 20, 2013 5p-7p In the Park across from the Church

Circle of Hope Bake Sale - Cookies and Darien's Food Pantry is every Candies Monday, at the Darien United Last Chance to get Christmas Goodies

Methodist Church from 5:30pm until

6:30pm. You must have a 53114 zip code to participate.

Darien American Legion Auxiliary is collecting names of the Darien Servicemen and Servicewomen to send them Christmas cheer. Please call Pearl Dodge with the information by th December 15 . (262)882-5753.

Darien Family Connections wishes each

and every one of you a very Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

From: Alice and Marilyn Greeting s of our Darien Fire Chief Justin Schuenke It is my honor to be serving your community as the Fire Chief. In an effort to fulfill a portion of the Darien Fire Department’s mission statement that reads “we will actively participate in our community”. I would like to start introducing you to the brave and dedicated men and women of the Darien Fire Department with the “Meet your Firefighters” segment of the Family Connections Newsletter. Please take a moment to visit your fire departments website at www.darienfiredept.com Remember that Smoke detectors save lives, if you are in need of a smoke detector please contact the Darien Fire Department. Meet Your Firefighters Name- Michael Hoffman II Position- Firefighter/Acting Officer Years of Service- Three Career- Ground Crew for Ginner Tree Service Hobbies & Activities- Michael enjoys being outdoors, and spends his spare time hunting and fishing.

Satisfaction Guaranteed! Do you need a little satisfaction in your life? If so the Darien School READS program is for you. You will be helping children become better readers. It only takes 1 hour a week to help a child, and the rewards are huge. Signing up for the READS program is easy. No special training needed. It is fun and very rewarding! We have openings Monday-Thursday.

Contact: Betty Blanke READS Coordinator at 728-2642 ex. 4711. If I am not available please leave a message.

Cub Scout Pack 323 If interested in joining Cub Scouts please contact Samantha Datka [email protected] Pack meetings will be held at the Darien Town Hall next meeting December 18th at 7:00pm

Den Meetings: Tigers Darien Town Hall --6 pm Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday Contact Lisa Morgan @ [email protected] Wolfs/Bears Darien Fire Department 7 pm Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday Contact Angela Schellpfeffer @ [email protected] Webelos Alternating Leader Homes Every 1st and 3rd Thursday Contact Becky Klarich @ [email protected]

Village News

Web Site: www.darienwi.com DECEMBER 2013

MUNICIPAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY The government shutdown affected the time schedule, however construction will soon resume. The Community Development Authority accepted the low bidder Magill Construction from Elkhorn. Magill will be meeting with staff and engineers to plan out an exact schedule. It is anticipated demolition will start in December and the construction schedule will span approximately 12 months. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 22, 2013 with Lt. Governor Kleefisch presenting the Village with a grant from WEDC for downtown redevelopment. The USDA was also present to discuss their funding program and commitment to the Village. This project clearly shows how State, Federal, and Local governments worked together to bring this project to a reality.

VILLAGE ADOPTS 2014 ANNUAL BUDGET The annual operating budget for a municipality is intended to provide a basis for transparent accountability, serve as an operating plan for each fiscal year, and provide policy direction for staff. The process is many times difficult as officials try to keep property tax bills low, while continuing to fund essential Village services.

The Police Department is in year two of our Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Delavan to provide services. Our Police coverage remains the same at 24 hours a day and we continue to maintain our office staffing hours. This has made great strides in holding costs down while maintaining that high level of service. The Public Hearing for the 2014 Budget was held on November 18, 2013. The Budget continues to fund needed capital improvements and maintain the same level of service. Overall the Budget for 2014 was at a minor increase of $10,780.

It is a tough job for elected officials to make those hard funding decisions, however this year is nothing more than excellent team work. On-Line Park and Recreation Guide Registration

Register On-Line for our partnership programs with the Delavan-Darien Park and Recreation Guide. Darien residents pay the resident rate!

https://apm.activecommunities.com/delavanpark rec/Home

In the Fall Program Guide, you will find information on instructional, league and enrichment programs for youth and adults; park system information; staff contact information; hours of operation; registration

information and more!

Village Hall Police Department Department of Public Works Phone: (262) 882-5055 Phone: (262) 882-3432 Phone: (262) 882-5258

Chairperson – Cecil Logterman Supervisors Happy Holidays Jim Terpstra, Dale Wheelock, Matthew Smith, and Dan Kilkenny Town Clerk – Marilyn Larson Town of Darien Town Treasurer – Richard Logterman Public Works Superintendent Bill Shimer www.darientown.com (262) 882 - 3393

TAX PAYMENT: Please mail your payment to: Treasurer Richard Logterman, Town of Darien, N2826 Foundry Road, Darien, Wisconsin 53114. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive a receipt. You may also pay in person at the Town Treasurer’s Office or use the drop box at the Town Hall, N2826 Foundry Road, Darien. Regular Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday – December 24th & 25th Additional Hours: December 26th from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. December 30th and 31st from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. January 2014 Regular Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursday s from 5 p.m. Additional Hours: January 30th from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. January 31st from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Real Estate Taxes may be paid in two installments, with the first installment due to the Town of Darien Treasurer on or before January 31, 2014. The second half must be paid to the County Treasurer on or before July 31, 2014. If you pay your taxes in full, the due date for payment is January 31, 2014. All Personal Property Taxes, Special Assessments, Special Charges, and Special Taxes of $99.99 or less per parcel must be paid in full. ***NEW THIS YEAR If you have paid your taxes by mail or dropped them off you are able to go on line and verify that the Town of Darien has received them. Go to the Walworth County Home Page, Click on Real Estate Information, and then click on Tax Balance Pay off Information. Put the proper information that is required and you will be able to see if the Town had received your payment. Of course, if you have any problems, please call the Town Hall at 882 – 3393. Also give the Town Treasurer 3 to 4 business days to receipt your payment in the program.

Town of Darien – April 1, 2014 – Spring Election NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an election is to be held in the Town of Darien on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, the following offices to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed. The Term of the office is two years beginning Wednesday, April 16, 2014 to succeed the following incumbents: OFFICE INCUMBENT Town Board Supervisor James Terpstra Town Board Supervisor Matthew Smith NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the first day to circulate nomination papers is Sunday, December 1, 2013 and nomination papers must be filed at the Darien Town Hall in the Clerk’s Office, N2826 Foundry Road, Darien, Wisconsin by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2014. DOG LICENSES BUCKET OF SAND According to Town Ordinances all dogs five

Town Residents, if you need a five gallon bucket or months and older require a license. More two of sand – please contact Public Works, Bill information is available on line or talk to the Town Shimer, 882-2658. Treasurer.

 DARIEN PUBLIC LIBRARY  47 Park Street … Next Door to Darien Elementary School

December 2013

FALL CRAFT WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

On Saturday, November 23rd, at 11:00 a.m., the Darien Library will be holding a craft workshop for kids aged 5 years and older. We’ll be making fall scarecrow faces. Be a part of our workshop and make one for Thanksgiving. Maybe you’ll be able to find your scarecrow a place at your Thanksgiving table!

HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS – DARIEN LIBRARY FUNDRAISER

The Darien Library is once again selling beautiful holiday gift baskets by silent auction. The baskets are being displayed in the library at this time. Bids will be accepted until NOON on Saturday, December 14th. Please stop in to see our baskets and to place your bids. This year some of our themes include A Woodland Christmas, Grandma (Another Word for Love), Tea for Two, Santa Bears, Cat Fancy, Large Print Book Basket, A Pup’s Tale, My Sister - My Friend, Homespun Christmas, Snoopy, Horrible Harry Book Basket, The Chocolate Lover, Mom Basket, Mr. Bear’s Books, Popular Fiction Basket, and Home for the Holidays.

We are also offering mini baskets this year, all of which have a value of $25.00. Bids for these baskets will all start as low as $10.00. Our baskets make lovely holiday gifts for family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, or anyone else to whom you would like to give something unique. The money that is made from the sale of these baskets will go directly to the Darien Library.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE DARIEN LIBRARY - A FAMILY EVENT

The Darien Library will be holding a free Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We invite you to come to be a part of this event. All kids who attend will be able to make a holiday ornament to put on our Christmas tree, and can also make one to take home. We will be hosting a group of the Delavan Darien High School Choir singers who will be singing some holiday songs for us at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. We’d be so pleased if you would come in and spend a little time at your library and celebrate the upcoming holidays with your family, neighbors, and friends.

MITTEN TREE

At this time we have a tree in the library that we have designated as our Mitten Tree. We are asking for donations of new or handmade mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves. All sizes for everyone, kids through adults, are needed. The items that we collect will be distributed to the needy in our own community. The tree will be in the library through the end of November. A donation to our tree is a good and affordable way to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Please consider bringing in a donation and put a smile on someone’s face. Thank you!

VHS MOVIES – FINAL BLOWOUT SALE!!

We are selling all VHS movies for adults and children for ten cents each through the end of November. We have a lot of good titles available, so please come in and take a look at our selection. This is a great time to buy. All remaining VHS movies need to go, so come on in. If you don’t want to pay ten cents, make us an offer. Any reasonable offer will be accepted! Really!

BOOK CLUB FOR ADULTS

The Darien Library holds a monthly book club for adults. Our group reads a variety of books, all of which are provided by the library at no cost to our book club members. This year our book club is meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to be a part of our group, simply stop at the circulation desk and ask for a copy of our book for the month and come to our next meeting.

COMPUTER CLASSES

Address Labels – one 90 minute class As you prepare for the holiday season, this class will assist you in preparing return address labels as well as mailing labels. Please bring your address book so that you have the information needed for preparing the mailing labels. This class is for those people with limited typing/computer skills. This class has a course fee of $2.00. Jump/flash drives will be available for purchase. You may bring your own fully-charged laptop if it has Microsoft Office—Word (either XP or Vista). Wednesday, Dec. 4 … 3 – 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 … 10:30 - 12 noon

Mailing Labels using Excel – one 90 minute class Participants in this class should have a good typing skill and basic knowledge of the Excel spreadsheet. A sample problem covering the basic steps in preparing the labels will be completed first. Be sure to have your address book along so you can enter names/addresses into a spreadsheet. Then we will be using the mail merge feature in Word to prepare our mailing labels. This class has a course fee of $2.00. Jump/flash drives will be available for purchase. You may bring your own fully charged laptop if it has Microsoft Office—Word and Microsoft Office—Excel (either XP or Vista operating systems). Wednesday, Dec. 4 … 5 – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 … 12:30 – 2 p.m.

STOP IN TO RENT SOME HOLIDAY DVDS!

During the holidays when we’re all busy, it’s nice to just kick back and watch a holiday movie. The Darien Library has something for everyone. For kids: Mickey’s Magic Christmas, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, The Berenstain Bears A Time for Giving, The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, Holiday, Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas, Merry , the Halls, Thomas the Train’s Santa’s Little Engine, is Coming to Town, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Elmo’s Christmas Countdown, Barneys Christmas Star, Swan Princess Christmas, Diego Saves Christmas, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Max and Ruby’s Christmas

For the family: Deck the Halls, The Dog Who Saved Christmas, Fred Claus, On the Second Day of Christmas, Christmas with The Kranks, Mr. Christmas, A Christmas Kiss, The Christmas Blessing, a Golden Christmas, Home Alone, Holiday in Handcuffs, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, The 12 Dogs of Christmas, Santa Paws, The Town Christmas Forgot, A Year Without Santa Claus, Santa Buddies, One Special Night

Some classics for you traditionalists: Scrooge, A Christmas Carol, and Miracle of 34th Street

You can check out seven DVDS on your free library card for a period of one week. This is the best deal in town, so what are you waiting for? Please stop by today!

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