By Joe Bachman

For the past two years, volunteers of watering teams have taken part in a 16 week watering schedule to keep the hanging baskets in Wisconsin Rapids at their best.

In 2016, the number of baskets have increased from 60 to 65. This requires two watering teams watering 30 baskets each. The summer watering season begins on Jun. 4, and ends in late September. Weekend holidays for the 4th of July and Labor Day are compensated.

There will be a training session held on Wednesday, May 18 at the McMillan Library. There will be an instructional video on how to water the baskets, and any and all questions will be answered.

Hanging baskets on Grand. Ave. (Courtesy Sue Wesley)

Watering equipment will be handed out for those who volunteer this summer, which includes a water tank trailer. If you do not have a trailer hitch, the city has a van available for use to tow the trailer.

Organizations who have volunteered are the Yard & Garden Club, Sunrise Rotary, and Special Needs Boy Scout Troop #105, sponsored by the rotary.

The Special Needs Boy Scout Troop has been started by the local Noon Rotary Club back in 1993. The troop has no age limits, some of their Scouts are in their 70’s. They do summer and winter camping trips, and also earn merit badges. The troop participates in many community service projects, and they are always going to special outings such as the races at Golden Sands Speedway, Rafters Games, and Brewer Games.

The troop is lead by a great group of leaders; two of the leaders have been on since the beginning.

For more information, or if interested in becoming a volunteer this summer, please contact Sue Wesley at 715-423-5810.