DAR Has Two New People At The Helm

For more than 100 years, the DAR Boys & Girls Club of Menominee and Marinette has been providing a place were boys and girls of the community aged 7 through 18 can gather for supervised fun while school is not in session - fun that is aimed at helping them develop self esteem and eventually reach their full potential. The cost is low. The benefits are great.

Recently two new people were placed at the helm, and they are faced with the task of keeping things going at the DAR Clubhouse at 901 8th Ave. in Menominee with Covid-19 restrictions in place and planning for ways to make things even better after the restrictions are lifted.

The new people at the helm are Koreen Gardon, who took over the role of Executive Director effective September 1, and Alyssa Wellman took over as program director. Gardon had been the program director for the DAR since October 10, 2000.

In regular times, after school hours would find 80 or more young people enjoying themselves at the clubhouse, getting help with homework, arts, crafts and projects, prevention programs, playing games outdoors and indoors, and learning to be good team members.

With Covid-19 social distancing in place, the DAR clubhouse is able to accommodate only up to 45 young people at a time, but programming is still going on. Currently hours are 3 p.m. through 6 p.m. from Monday through Friday, with special teen hours for those aged 11 though 18 from 6:15 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

In normal years the club would be open all day whenever school is not in session, and normal use would be about 80 members per day, but, in the words of Gardon, the new DAR Executive Director, "COVID-19 has changed a lot about the way things are done today versus the past years."

Nevertheless, Gardon stressed, "kids still need to be kids and have positive mentorships and structured programs. The DAR fills those needs."

Gardon replaced Rich Crevier, who had been Executive Director for 19 years, and Wellman had been Front Desk Coordinator since April of 2019.

The Executive Director is responsible for day to day operation of the DAR as well as recruitment and board development, financial responsibilities and safety of the club.

The Program Director oversees staffing, and is in charge of day to day programming work with area school districts and also in-house events and fund raisers.

The DAR Club in Menominee was started by a woman fondly known as "Ma Vennema" on Oct.15, 1915 in her home. With the logging industry in full swing, many of the area boys were getting into trouble. Ma Vennema saw the need for them to have something better to do, and opened her home for the boys to stop in, play pool, have snacks, maybe do homework, and just plain have wholesome fun.

Eventually the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) took over the program that Ma Vennema started. They have expanded it, and have kept the program going for 105 years. Today it provides after school supervised activities on weekdays for boys and girls aged seven through 18.

In its early years the DAR Club was moved to 7th Street for a while but since 2004 the Club has been at it's present location in Menominee.

Gardon said the current COVID pandemic has made her job a little tougher. The organization has not been able to hold many of the fund raising activities they rely on for financial support, so in some cases cuts had to be made.

Presently the DAR has 12 employees with several more during the summer months. COVID -19 has changed the way things are done today versus the past years. "This time of the year we normally have 80 members per day and now we can only have 45 kids here at a time," she said, adding that only nine kids are allowed per room. Since there must be a staff member in each room, extra staff is needed to accommodate the students, which adds to the overall cost of the program.

Gardon, daughter of Rich and Carol Denowski, grew up on a farm in Porterfield. She is a 1995 graduate of Crivitz High School and went on to get a degree in Sociology and Rural Social Work from UW-Stevens Point in 1999.

She married Christopher Gardon on April 8, 2017 in Green Bay. They are both members of Holy Family Parish in Marinette. Gardon is a member of the Marinette & Menominee Chamber of Commerce and the Healthy Youth Coalition of Marinette and Menominee counties. She also is a member of the River Cities Pool committee for the Annual Winter-Fest Activities and Kids Triathlon committee.

She is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership program at the Michigan School of Business and in 2005 participated in the Management Track program. She also has a background in non-profits. She was Program Assistant at the National 4-H Center in Washington DC, and Aquatics Director for the Elgin, IL YMCA.

She enjoys swimming, jogging and outdoor activities.

Wellman is a native of Green Bay, and she started with the DAR in April 2019 as the Front Desk Coordinator. Then when the opening for Program Director came up she successfully applied and was named for the position in June of 2020.

She is a 2007 graduate of Bay Port High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Stout in 2011 in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. She is a former manager of the Tundra Lodge in Green Bay. Wellman came to the area in 2016 after her marriage to her husband, Mason. Together they have a one-year old daughter Maren.

Wellman enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking and geocaching. She always enjoyed working with kids and that is the reason she decided to work for the DAR Club. In her new role as Program Director she is involved in the day to day operations. She said everyone is working together in these tough times. "I really enjoy working with Koreen and together we have a great working relationship," Wellman declared.

She added, "One of the unfortunate things of COVID is that we can't see many of the families because many of them just stay home for now."

Another responsibility she has is to help with fund raising and procurement. Wellman said the important thing is, "We are still here to serve our families. Our mission hasn't changed."

Gardon agreed wholeheartedly. "There is definitely a need for DAR," she said. "Kids need structure, and when they come here they know what to do and what is expected of them. Our program may look different, but the impact is greater than ever. They are happy to get back to some type of normalcy in their lives. Anyone is welcome to join the DAR. During the school year the cost is $20 per member and during the summer the cost is $100 per month.

Gardon said the Youth Development strategy is to have programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling as sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging and a sense of power or influence. When the strategy is implemented, self-esteem is enhanced and an environment is created which helps girls and boys reach their full potential.

Core Programs for the DAR provide diverse activities that meet the interests of all youth. Core Programs engage young people in activities with adults, peers and family members that enable them to develop self-esteem and to reach their full potential. Based on physical, emotional, cultural and social needs and interests of girls and boys, and recognizing developmental principles.

The Club has program activities in five areas:

Character and Leadership Development, which empowers youth to support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image, participate in the democratic process and respect their own and others' cultural identities;

Education and Career Development, which enables youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, applying learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to achieve success in a career;

Health and Life Skills, which develops young people's capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as self-sufficient adults;

The Arts, which enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing, and

Sports, Fitness and Recreation, which develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.

Gardon said one of her goals is to develop an alumni base with past members who would like to get involved with the organization today. "I look forward to continue our work to inspire and empower Club youth to achieve success to do whatever it takes to create great futures for youth."

For more information on this, or on DAR services, activities and membership in general, contact Gardon at kdenowski@TheDAR.org or phone 906-863-9512.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
05-05-2021	Front Page	City Firefighters Respond To Blaze at Luigi's Pizza
05-05-2021	Front Page	Grandaw Seated As Crivitz Village President, Behrendt Elected Trustee
05-05-2021	Front Page	John LaCombe Selected As New Marinette Police Chief
05-05-2021	Front Page	Coleman School Board Will Set Wages, Meal Prices On May 10
05-05-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo Town To Establish Key Log
05-05-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound Woman's Club 101 Years Celebration
05-05-2021	Community - Coleman	Suring Area Rummage Sales at Town Garage, St. John's Hall
05-05-2021	Community - Coleman	Municipal Court, Mobile Home Ordinance On Pound Agenda
05-05-2021	Community - Coleman	Sewer Rate Increase on Coleman Utility Agenda
05-05-2021	Community - Crivitz	Town of Stephenson Board Meet May 12
05-05-2021	Community - Crivitz	LNRB Meets May 12th
05-05-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz VFW Gun Show May 8th
05-05-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Jaworski Makes UW-W History with Enactus Nat'l Championship
05-05-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Awards Firelane, Eagle River Road Contract
05-05-2021	Sports	Marine/Bulldog Golfers Continue Winning Ways
05-05-2021	Sports	Area Teams Open Season With Full Slate of Games
05-05-2021	Sports	Peshtigo Piles Up Early Season Wins; Stays Undefeated
05-05-2021	Sports	Area Track Teams Claim Early Season Victories
05-05-2021	Sports	More Officials, Better Fan Behavior Needed in High School Sports
05-05-2021	Sports	"Migration Miracle" And Help Birds In Wisconsin
05-05-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
05-05-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
05-05-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-05-2021	Obituaries	William C. Anderson
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Jacob Todd Bartel
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Milferd L. Behnke
05-05-2021	Obituaries	John A. Berzsenyi
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Gary M. DeCamp
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Thomas J. Gucwa
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Christine A. Havelka
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Carrie S. Hescher
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Eileen M. Hoehne
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Susan Jahns
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Richard J. Lahaie
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Robert J. Mischker
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Joseph J. Paitl
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Frederick G. Polomis
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Glenn E. Robinson
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Michael W. Story
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Craig Sulk
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Sheila A. Sulk
05-05-2021	Obituaries	Timothy Thomas
04-28-2021	Front Page	BPM Breaks Ground on Their New Water Resource Recovery Facility
04-28-2021	Front Page	County Is Still Seeking Home For Supervised Sex Offender
04-28-2021	Front Page	Herman Pottratz Retires As Peshtigo Town Chair
04-28-2021		Herman Pottratz Retires As Peshtigo Town Chair
04-28-2021	Front Page	County Is Still Seeking Home For Supervised Sex Offender
04-28-2021	Front Page	Good Officers, Bad Drugs Cause Jail Overcrowding
04-28-2021	Front Page	Deputy Haws Honored For Life Saving Actions
04-28-2021	Community - Coleman	Patz Sworn in as NE Wisconsin Joint Municipal Court Judge
04-28-2021	Community - Coleman	Pound Woman's Club 101 Years Celebration
04-28-2021	Community - Coleman	Suring School District Lifts Mask Mandates, With Rules 3-32-2
04-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Veterans' Memorial Recipient of Crivitz Fund Grant
04-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Village Hall Now Open for Card Groups
04-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz VFW Gun Show May 8th
04-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Name Freitag, Stradl, Lemmer To Stephenson Plan Commission
04-28-2021	Community - Crivitz	Kremsreiter Presents Art Exhibits, Discusses Impacts of Studies
04-28-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Cornerstone to Join National Day of Prayer
04-28-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive Collected 64 Pints of Blood
04-28-2021	Sports	Bulldogs/Marines Claim Early Season Victories
04-28-2021	Sports	Undefeated Cougars Top M&O Boys All-Conference Hoops Roster
04-28-2021	Sports	Coleman Grapplers Dominate M&O Post-Season Honors List
04-28-2021	Sports	Separate Weight Classes for Girls and Boys Wrestling Established
04-28-2021	Sports	STAA/Lena Open Season With Win Over Niagara
04-28-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
04-28-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
04-28-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Sarah O. Ackerman
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Mabel H. Bice
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Bernadine V. Bohlman
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Patricia A. Braley
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Richard Giese
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Beverly M. Goltz
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Michelle L. Fugate
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Alger R. Heise
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Rose M. Johnson
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Richard A. Johnson
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Jon D. Kytta
04-28-2021	Obituaries	George O. Kopczynski
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Enola C. Lepianka
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Beverly J. Lindquist
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Randy Meno
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Catherine E. Morois
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Dawn M. Plude
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Katherine S. Thomson
04-28-2021	Obituaries	David D. Treptow
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Victoria A. Verette
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Daniel W. Versland
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Randy R. Vollmer
04-28-2021	Obituaries	Debra L. Walk
04-28-2021	Obituaries	JoAnn Zelm
04-21-2021	Front Page	Mayor George Bousley Retirement Marks End Of An Era For Niagara
04-21-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo School Board Honors Girls Bowling Team
04-21-2021	Front Page	Brigitte Schmidt Elected New City Council President
04-21-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo Mayor Asks For Ok On Grant Applications
04-21-2021	Front Page	Mask Mandate Ends April 26 For Coleman School District
04-21-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Legion Flags For Sale, Meet May 4
04-21-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Cancels Reunion for Classes 1943-65
04-21-2021	Community - Coleman	Zeitler Wins United Coop Scholarship
04-21-2021	Community - Coleman	Lena Lions Club Annual Fish Fry
04-21-2021	Community - Coleman	Lena School Board Officers Reelected
04-21-2021	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Recount Shows No Change In Supervisor Race
04-21-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Library Book Sale Until May 13th
04-21-2021	Community - Crivitz	St. Mary's, Crivitz Resumes Rummage Sale
04-21-2021	Community - Crivitz	National Day of Prayer at Northwood's Church
04-21-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Sportsmen Sponsor Roadside Cleanup On April 25th
04-21-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lions 9-Pin Bowl Results
04-21-2021	Community - Wausaukee	WBA Looking for Help for July 4th Celebration
04-21-2021	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire and Rescue Report Meeting Minutes
04-21-2021	Sports	Coleman/Gillett/Suring Lead Girls Basketball All-Conference Selections
04-21-2021	Sports	Stephanie Hauser Becomes WIAA Executive Director
04-21-2021	Sports	Individuals, Doubles Duos Compete For WIAA Alternate Season Girls Tennis Titles
04-21-2021	Sports	Hunt Safely During Spring Turkey Season
04-21-2021	Sports	Take Steps to Avoid Potenial Conflicts With Black Bears
04-21-2021	Perspectives	From My Window
04-21-2021	Perspectives	From Our Readers...
04-21-2021	Perspectives	Country Cousin
04-21-2021	Obituaries	James L. Asplund
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Kelly A. Everson
04-21-2021	Obituaries	John Gaertner
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Mary J. Gollakner
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Edward B. Kendziera
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Judith A. Lemirande
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Bernard J. Lesperance
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Elizabeth J. Linsmeier
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Ken L. Pickl, Sr.
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Robert Poisson
04-21-2021	Obituaries	William T. Porter
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Mary Lee Racine
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Steven D. Sebero
04-21-2021	Obituaries	Ronald L. Young
04-14-2021	Front Page	Peshtigo City Finances Get Good Audit Report
04-14-2021	Front Page	Recount April 15 For Middle Inlet Board
04-14-2021	Front Page	Officers Detonate Live Blasting Caps
04-14-2021	Front Page	DNR Extends Deadline For TOP PFAS Water Sampling
04-14-2021	Front Page	Marinette City Council Okays Four Capital Outlay Projects
04-14-2021	Community - Coleman	Vegetable Garden Plans at Coleman
04-14-2021	Community - Coleman	Coleman Legion Flags For Sale, Meet May 4
04-14-2021	Community - Coleman	STEF Donation
04-14-2021	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Garden Needs Help
04-14-2021	Community - Crivitz	Country Gospel Jam April 16th
04-14-2021	Community - Crivitz	St. Mary, Crivitz Rummage Sale
04-14-2021	Community - Crivitz	Near North Municipal Court Sets $75 As Monthly Membership Fee
04-14-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Concert at Cornerstone Assembly
04-14-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Board To Set Graduation Plans
04-14-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Poppy Poster Contest Winners
04-14-2021	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Middle/High School Lists Third Quarter Honor Rolls
04-14-2021	Sports	Bulldogs, Blue Devils Picked for Packerland All-Conference
04-14-2021	Sports	Panthers Whiting Tops Area NEC All-Conference Selections
04-14-2021	Sports	Wisconsin State Park System Spring Operations Updates