The following schedule of events and admission prices are for the 2023 Price County Fair.
Some residents have asked us the cost of the grandstand entertainment. The grandstand entertainment comes with your gate entry ticket. There is not an additional charge.
Also, people are asking who owns the fairgrounds. Price County Productions took ownership of the fairgrounds on December 21, 2022. For the first time, Price County government no longer owns the fairgrounds. The fair association is leasing the fairgrounds from the new owners. To answer additional questions, read an earlier related article at this link.
We often see an accident that delays our travel plans as time lost, but it often becomes the circumstances for a "better life found." Unexpected changes are the colored threads the Lord uses when weaving our life's tapestry. The nine-day delay following Dennis’ accident in Alberta resulted in him crossing paths with numerous people traveling up the Alcan to Alaska. One of those persons, Donna McConkey, (pictured below), would become Dennis' "matchmaker." That thread would become the "multi-colored" strand that would forever change Dennis' life for the "BETTER" (my opinion, of course).
Dennis met Donna and her family about the second or third day after leaving the Reukerts in Beaver Lodge. Donna and her family were headed to Alaska and were interested in homesteading. The parties met in a small cafe on the Alcan and struck up a conversation. Those who know Donna know she is as friendly as Dennis, and as they traveled up the highway, often stopping at the same campgrounds or to refuel, they forged a friendship that continues today.
...Fast forward 14 months: July 1974...
"Oh, Sandy, you've gotta meet Dennis Onchuck; you two would be perfect for each other," this was how Donna introduced me to the idea of meeting Dennis. And, when you are a 27-year-old unclaimed blessing in a field of "culled" choices, your ears perk up. Donna and her family had returned to South Carolina months earlier after their plans of settling in Alaska had fallen through. I didn't have anything to lose, so I agreed. Dennis wrote his first letter to me on July 12, 1974. (No connection to my Dennis story, but July 12th commemorates the hanging of my great-great-great-grandmother, Frankie Silvers, the first woman legally hung in North Carolina in 1833 for murdering her husband). Frankie's story has been shared in numerous books, such as The Ballad of Frankie Silvers by Sharyn McCrumb and The Untold Story of Frankie Silver by Perry Deane Young. I didn't share this information with Dennis until we were blissfully married. I also failed to mention that Frankie's daughter, Nancy, who was only 13 months old when Frankie killed her husband, “may” have murdered her second husband as well. Curious about that story? Then read A Life for Nancy by Riley Henry and Danita Stoudemire. It is a historical fiction book but follows the storyline passed down by our grandparents. They don't say in the book that Nancy murdered her second husband, but that is the general thought among some of her descendants.
...Now, back to my Dennis story...
I visualized this muscular, handsome, kind he-man from Donna's description. I imagined and expected he would send a picture flexing his muscles with perhaps Mt. McKinley or wildlife in the background. But no, not Dennis; instead, he was standing before a crashed C-130 Hercules at Galbraith Lake, Alaska, where he worked on the trans-Alaska pipeline. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the only words I could come up with were, “Donna, what part of, 'you two would be perfect for each other' was I missing?"
Yes, I know you can't judge a book by its cover, in this case, "its coveralls," greasy, dirty coveralls at that, but I admit, I was tempted to close the book on this relationship before it had even begun. But he said he would ask his mother to send a better picture, so I decided to wait and see how well he cleaned up. That was one of my better choices in life because the following pictures caused my heart to flutter. Despite his "out of date" crew cut, I thought he was a hunk.
...Fast forward to the present: 2023...
Forty-eight years and a few old Maytags later, I realize the initial introductory picture said it ALL. So, what does this picture say? First, he is the most unpretentious man you will ever find - what you see is what you get. He isn't out to impress anyone. Secondly, he's not afraid of hard work. That answered my youthful prayers for a good, hard-working husband. I must note that when the Bible says God "will do above and beyond all we ask or think," He does! I expected a good "hard-working" husband, but a "workaholic" was the "above all we ask or think.” Still, I would rather he be a workaholic than be a couch potato.
A thousand words can't even begin to describe the never-boring life I've "sometimes enjoyed and other times endured" with this fellow. And his most notable attribute - he can fix almost anything. The downside is that he finds it almost impossible to let things die. So, for forty-eight years, I have been patching the patches on those old coveralls, and he has been resurrecting old Maytags to wash them in. Folks, I have learned to choose my battles, so I wash our clothes in those slow, slow, slow agitating machines. Still, unbeknownst to him, I often run the laundry through the wash and rinse cycle twice, but don't anyone reading this tell him.
Most importantly, the introductory picture didn't tell me how faithful he was/is to the Lord. I would discover from Day One that he begins each day reading his Bible and ends the day writing in a daily journal.
...Now, about that journal thing...
He has recorded every disagreement we have ever had and all from his point of view. I just hope that when my great-grandchildren read his accounts, they will not think, "Uh-huh, Frankie Silvers' blood ran through her veins.”
Yes, the accident that interrupted Dennis' long-ago journey was not an accident in the Lord's overall PLAN for Dennis and Sandy Onchuck. Sometimes it seems like we have been "off the road" more than on. Still, for the most part, those colored threads have brought more blessings than failures and more laughter than tears.
On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a motorcycle accident on Hwy. 47 near the intersection of Bridge Road in the Town of Newbold.
According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, "It was reported that the male driver of the motorcycle was traveling south bound between 80 MPH and 100 MPH and passing in a no passing zone. As a result, the operator failed to negotiate a curve, was ejected from the motorcycle, and was unresponsive. Witnesses began life-saving measures prior to the first responders' arrival. However, the driver, 36-year old Nathan Holoubek of Land O Lakes, Wisconsin, was pronounced deceased on scene."
Based on witness statements and observations, speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.
Newbold First Responders, Newbold Fire Department, Oneida County Ambulance, and the Oneida County Medical Examiner assisted the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office, "On August 19, 2023 at 6:53 a.m., Sawyer County deputies, assisted by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin DNR, Sawyer County EMS, and the Stone Lake and LCO Fire Departments, were dispatched to Snowmobile Trail Number 31 north of Sissabagama Road in the Town of Sand Lake for a report of a person being struck by a vehicle.
Upon arrival, an 18-year-old female victim was located and transported by ambulance for medical attention. The victim ultimately succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased while in transport to a medical facility."
Upon further investigation and information received, it was determined that an underage drinking party had taken place. The 16-year-old juvenile suspect, driving a 2011 Ford F-350, struck the 18-yeard old woman and ran her over. The suspect fled the area but was later taken into custody by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office.
The names of those involved are being withheld pending notification of family and further investigation into the incident. Continued investigation is being conduced by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Sawyer County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
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From pop to country to rock to polka, the Price County Fair's 2023 music line-up has a lot of genres covered! Enjoy the Price County Fair, coming to Phillips August 23-27, 2023! Visit the Price County Fair's website and follow the Price County Fair's Facebook page.
PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
7-3-2023: A Phillips man reported a threat was made to him by an AirBNB guest. After the guest left, damage to window blinds was discovered. The owner of the property reported the damage to AirBNB but was denied the claim. The guest found out about the claim and then left the owner a voice message stating, "That's fine if you wanna steal my money; just remember, I live close by."
7-3-2023: A Catawba man reported someone's bull was in the pasture with his cows and he wanted it out but the owner of the bull refused to get the bull out of the pasture.
7-4-2023: A Phillips man reported damage to his property in the Town of Elk, which he believed was caused by a fireworks display the previous night at a bar by his home. The man stated debris from the fireworks had damaged vehicles and other property. The man attempted to contact the bar owner but was unsuccessful.
7-4-2023: A Phillips man reported a male came to his residence asking for a blanket. He stated the male looked like he was going to hide somewhere. The male left on an orange bike and had a backpack.
7-5-2023: A Phillips man reported that he was experiencing harassing behavior from the Town of Flambeau, because the individual had township employees remove brush on his property.
7-5-2023: A Phillips woman from a business called to advise that a customer had pulled a knife on her and she needed the police. The line disconnected, and police responded.
7-7-2023: A man reported his vehicle was rear-ended in the Township of Fifield. At the time of call there were no injuries reported and there was no road blockage. Dispatch received a call from the Pike Lake Fire Chief, and he advised they needed an ambulance to respond for a passenger.
7-7-2023: A man called 911 to report a motorcycle hitting a deer in the Township of Fifield. He stated both occupants were injured but responsive at the time of the call. Park Falls Ambulance Service, Park Falls Ambulance Service back-up rig, Pike Lake Fire Department, Pike Lake First Responders, Fifield Fire Department, and Fifield First Responders were paged. Park Falls requested Marshfield Medical Center Med 5 for ground intercept and Life Link for two helicopters.
7-8-2023: A Phillips woman reported damage to her patio furniture from fireworks set off at a bar on July 3, 2023. The woman said there were hot spots on the arms of the chairs and table. She also found cement chunks in her yard from the fireworks.
7-8-2023: A Phillips man reported a pontoon came off its trailer when the vehicle towing it negotiated an intersection to travel north, and the pontoon tipped over. No injuries were reported.
7-8-2023: An Ogema woman reported large fireworks being set off. She was informed the Town of Ogema had rescheduled their fireworks, and it was the Ogema Fire Department setting off the fireworks.
7-8-2023: A man reported that loud music from a bar in the Town of Elk was disturbing him.
7-10-2023: A deputy found drug paraphernalia on the side of the road.
7-10-2023: A former employer of a man reported the man had been fired and was now at the job site yelling, screaming, and causing a disturbance.
7-11-2023: An Ogema man reported that his wife, who he believes has dementia, left on a UTV. About fifteen minutes later, a woman called reporting someone in her yard who appeared to be confused. The husband was taken to the residence to be reunited with his wife.
7-11-2023: A Park Falls woman called stating she needed assistance because her brother was being an idiot.
7-12-2023: A woman called reporting an individual, with a long-gun slung across his back, had entered a store in Phillips. She stated the man was just looking around and not pointing the rifle at anyone, but the woman was concerned.
7-15-2023: Three women reported damage to their mailboxes at their separate residences in Phillips. Two of the women heard noises around 2:30 to 4 a.m. One stated her mailbox appeared to have been shot.
7-16-2023: A Phillips woman reported a vehicle in the ditch with unknown number of occupants or if there were any injuries.
7-17-2023: A woman reported her mailbox was damaged overnight.
7-17-2023: Two separate callers reported a man lying in the roadway in Fifield. One of the callers talked with the man, and he said he was walking to Minocqua.
7-19-2023: Multiple callers reported a boat in the roadway near the Fifield wayside. No injuries were reported, and a caller was able to move the boat out of the roadway.
7-20-2023: A Phillips man reported he hit a calf with a UTV, and the calf was deceased.
7-20-2023: A Phillips woman reported that, while avoiding something in the roadway, she rolled her vehicle, was trapped, and had neck and back pain.
7-21-2023: An Ogema woman called requesting the phone number for NASA. She said she did not want any deputies sent. She called back screaming, "Don't send the deputies. I need to talk to someone higher up than you."
7-22-2023: A Prentice man reported a woman at his home was being belligerent and kept turning off the power panel because she believed people were stealing power.
7-24-2023: A woman called stating that her husband told her a tall, thin, blonde woman was trying to get into vehicles parked at a resort. It appeared the woman was trying to put items in the vehicles. Another woman called stating she saw the same woman at her residence. A Code Red was sent. About 50 minutes later, a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be driven by the person for which they were looking. However, the driver sped off and then stopped and left on foot. A woman called to report that a tall, blonde woman with a gash on her forehead had appeared at her house stating she was in an accident and her boyfriend was in the rocks. When the homeowner called for help, the woman left. Police then saw the woman running in a field south of the concrete park. A taser was deployed, and the woman was taken into custody. An ambulance was called as the patient lost consciousness but was breathing. Read the related article.
7-27-2023: A Phillips woman reported that 17 to 19 head of cattle were missing from her herd. The all white cattle were a special breed and a mixture of adults and calves.
7-27-2023: A Phillips woman reported that her neighbor called requesting that she check on the neighbor's husband due to his health. The woman found the man to be deceased and thought he may have been so for some time.
7-28-2023: A Butternut man called that his neighbor's dog was being a nuisance for some time, barking day and night. The neighbor then called stating that his neighbor was preventing him from leaving his driveway for about twenty minutes. He said the man was yelling and swearing about the dog barking.
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PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
7-3-2023: Responded to a report of a theft that had occurred in the City of Phillips. The officer arrived and mediated the situation and got the individuals property returned.
7-3-2023: Received a report that an individual tried to use a fake ID at a local business in the City of Phillips. The officer responded and collected the ID and interviewed the employee.
7-4-2023: Received a report of a child who was struck by a vehicle in the City of Phillips. The child was not injured, but the mother wanted a report for record of the incident.
7-5-2023: A person reported to the Phillips Police Department that they received a worthless check for services rendered and/or goods purchased. Attempts to collect the money owed via Certified Mail were unsuccessful. Police issued a citation for each violation to the subject with a mandatory court appearance and, in addition to the fine, is requesting restitution be paid to the victim of this offense as part of a court order.
7-5-2023: Responded to a disorderly situation at a local business where a knife was displayed by an adult male, who was then arrested for disorderly conduct.
7-7-2023: Received a complaint from a female individual stating her sister would not leave her mother's apartment. An officer spoke with the woman who stated her sister had been living there for six months and is receiving mail there. An officer advised the woman would have to contact the landlord and advise them; if she did not leave on her own, then they would have to start the eviction proses since residency had been established.
7-8-2023: Received a report of a hit and run vehicle accident on South Lake Avenue. An officer met with the adult female owner of the struck vehicle who said she was advised of the accident from the business she was at. An officer spoke with a witness who provided a brief description of the possible striking vehicle. The officer remained on scene until the vehicle was removed by a local towing service. An officer checked with the business for any video footage.
7-11-2023: Received a phone call from a local business reporting stolen property. The officer was informed the crime took place outside of the City of Phillips but that the individual involved resided in the City of Phillips. The business informed the officer that their local police department had been contacted, as well.
7-12-2023: Observed a male individual who looked to be camping at Elk Lake Park, so an officer told the male that camping was not allowed at Elk Lake Park. The male stated he would leave.
7-14-2023: Received a report that a City of Phillips resident found a basket of kittens and a mother cat that was abandoned. The officer advised the resident to contact a local animal rescue.
7-15-2023: Observed a man fishing from the railroad bridge off of North Lake Avenue. An officer spoke with the man about safety concerns. In doing so, the officer learned that the man did not have a valid fishing license. The officer issued the man a warning, and the man then obtained a Wisconsin fishing license.
7-15-2023: Contacted by a woman reporting harassing behavior from a neighbor. An officer met with the woman who explained the situation and requested a report be on file.
7-17-2023: Responded to a report of a theft from a property in the City of Phillips. The officer made contact with the complainants and gathered the necessary information. The officer made contact with the neighbors of the complainant in order to look for any witnesses. A further investigation is pending.
7-18-2023: Received information of a man who was residing in the City of Phillips with an
active arrest warrant out of the State of Illinois. Officers conducted surveillance of the residence and eventually the man exited the residence. Officers were able to take the man into custody without incident.
7-18-2023: Received a report of vandalism at a residence in the City of Phillips. An officer responded and spoke with the witness. The officer was able to speak with three juveniles that were involved plus the parents of the individuals. An officer spoke with the owner of the property. The officer will be referred the three juveniles to Price County Human Services.
7-18-2023: Responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence in the City of Phillips. The officer arrived on scene, along with Price County Sheriff's deputies. After an investigation, one male was arrested for child abuse. One female will have charges referred for child abuse.
7-20-2023: Assisted the Price County Sheriff's Department with a one vehicle roll-over outside the City of Phillips. An officer arrived on scene with the Price County Sheriff's Department and was advised the female driver was trapped in the vehicle. An officer was able to open the door, and the Central Price County Ambulance Service transported the female to the medical center for evaluation.
7-24-2023: Received a necklace that was found at the Elk Lake Park pavilion. An officer filled out a custody document and put the necklace into safe-keeping until the owner can be located.
7-24-2023: Assisted the Price County Sheriff's Department with attempting to locate an adult female who had fled from a vehicle after a pursuit. Deputies were able to locate the female and take her into custody.
7-25-2023: Responded to a report of a snowblower on fire in a yard off of Sout Avon Avenue. An officer arrived and ordered for the man to put the fire out. The man got a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. The officer could smell the odor of intoxicants coming from the man and knew the man was on bond. The officer arrested the man for misdemeanor bail jumping and also issued two citations for disturbing the peace and negligent handling of burning material. The man was transported to the Price County Jail where he was booked and released.
7-28-2023: Responded to an elderly living facility where a resident had hit another resident. An officer spoke with both parties and advised them not to have contact with each other.
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PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
7-3-2023: Received a report stating a man's ex-girlfriend was headed to their home with guns in search of the man's daughter. Officers responded, and two people were taken into custody on a separate incident, felony mistreatment of animals.
7-6-2023: A hit and run occurred at the grocery store. No injuries were reported. The Phillips Police Department made contact with the driver who eventually called the Park Falls Police Department. The woman admitted to hitting the vehicle and didn't believe there was much damage, so she just left the scene. The driver was issued a citation for hit and run property adjacent to highway.
7-7-2023: Officers, along with the Price County Chief Deputy, responded to a report of domestic violence in progress with a man threatening to kill another man. Both people received verbal warnings.
7-8-2023: Received information on a possible bail bond and harassment/witness intimidation violation against a witness of a prior criminal incident.
7-8-2023: Received a report that a vehicle was damaged due to a pothole in a gas station's parking lot.
7-8-2023: Received a complaint of water leaking into a business from an apartment above.
7-9-2023: Received a domestic abuse/battery incident. The predominant aggressor was arrested for disorderly conduct, battery, and felony bail jumping.
7-14-2023: An officer was assigned to investigate a theft complaint at a gas station. The suspect was observed on video filling his pockets with items. A citation was issued; a trespass warning was issued.
7-15-2023: An officer was made aware of the location of a male suspect with a warrant out for his arrest. Officers responded to the location and Located the male suspect. The male was transported to the Price County Jail without incident.
7-19-2023: There was a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 182 and Highway 13. Minor injuries were reported.
7-23-2023: A complainant reported a high-pitched piercing noise going off intermittently at a neighbor's house. It was believed to be motion-activated, which is affecting the complainant's sleep and has been occurring all summer.
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The Price County Fair will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 through Sunday, August 27, 2023. However, if you cannot wait that long, you can watch the Dog & Cat Show at 6 p.m. in the Expo Building at the fairgrounds on Thursday, August 17th.
Wednesday, August 23rd is entry day with free gate admission; however, there are no rides that day. Youth face-to-face judging will take place in the Junior Building from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market animal weigh-in will begin at 7 p.m.
More judging will take place on Thursday, August 24th with open class judging starting at 9 a.m. in the Open/Youth Building; poultry judging will also take place at 9 a.m.; rabbit judging begins at 1 p.m.; and beef, swine, sheep, and goat judging starts at 5 p.m.
Thursday also kicks off the entertainment at the fair. The opening ceremony will take place at the Old Log School at 9 a.m. At 6 p.m., enjoy bingo or family music entertainment performed by The Dweebs.
On Friday, the Bug Extravaganza will begin at 10 a.m. in the chapel and continue throughout the day. A chainsaw carving show will take place at 10 a.m. with three other shows sprinkled throughout the day. At 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., enjoy Nick's Kids' Show & Barnyard Adventure. At 1 p.m., the "balloon guy," Half Twisted Half Knot, will perform. More judging will also take place on Friday with judging of the horse show at noon in the horse arena. A karaoke contest will take place at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., the annual market animal sale will start. The night's entertainment will be capped off starting at 8 p.m. with country music by Brady Lee, who was crowned Country Music's 2023 Artist to Watch.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, open horse show gaming will take place in the horse arena. Bug Extravaganza will begin at 10 a.m. in the chapel and continue throughout the day. Face painting will start at 10 a.m. and take place all day. Once again, the chainsaw carving show will take place at 10 a.m. with three additional shows throughout the day. Nick's Kids' Shows & Barnyard Adventure will take place at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. The Sawdust Dig begins at 1 p.m. in the Expo Building. Mid-afternoon, enjoy country, rock, and blues when Iron Mule performs. The kids' tractor pull will take place outside of the chapel at 5 p.m., and the dirt dash and demolition derby will also begin at 5 p.m. in the grandstands. You don't need to know how to square dance to partake in the fun, which starts at 7 p.m. and will be called by Gary Edinger. After the derby is finished, music by rock band, Twisted Whisker, will begin.
Rounding out the last day of the fair, a classic car show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Face painting will start at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Enjoy some polka with Richie Yurkovich & Polkarioty at 11 a.m. Noon will find people enjoying bingo. The Farm Olympics will take place at 2 p.m. Roger Lee, performing '70s and '80s country, will start at 2 p.m.
Wisconsin Remembers - A Face for Every Name will be on display every day at the fair. This traveling exhibit features a photo of each of the 1,163 Wisconsinites who are listed on the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Washington, D.C.
From Thursday through Sunday, the Phillips Children's Museum will open at 10 a.m. in the Theater Building. The S.E.A. Hampsters pool, where you can enter a 6.5 foot diameter ball and walk or float on water, will open at noon on Thursday and 10 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for all-day entertainment. All buildings are open at the fair, as well, to enjoy various displays, antiques, farm animals, and exhibits.
Carnival rides run from noon to 10 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Gate admission for each day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is $10 per person without rides and $20 per person with rides. Admission is $10 on Sunday with or without rides. Children 2 years old and younger enjoy free admission.
Come out to the fair, see some friends, enjoy the entertainment, and support this great community event.
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On Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 12:50 p.m., the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting an ATV accident on Lake Shore Drive in the Village Of Rib Lake.
The 911 caller was in a group of individuals driving UTVs and found the injured person lying on the road. The person was injured and unresponsive. Taylor County deputies, the fire department, and EMS were dispatched.
Upon emergency services arrival at the scene, the unresponsive ATV rider was identified as James C. Wacholtz Jr., 48, of Rib Lake. He has severe injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Wausau where he was pronounced deceased.
A preliminary investigation into the cause of the ATV accident indicates the driver likely lost control of the ATV while attempting to negotiate a right turn. This caused the ATV to overturn, and he was ejected off the ATV as it overturned. Speed is being considered as a factor in the cause of the accident, but the DNR is continuing its investigation.
Frank Dusek was born in 1939 in the Township of Emery to Frank and Anne. His siblings are Vivian and Ruth.
He attended East Highland School, which is now a bed & breakfast and then finished his schooling at Phillips High School. His favorite teacher was Mrs. Fox. Frank said, "I could do math real easy with her." Something that didn't come so easy to him, though, was playing the accordion, which his dad hoped he would master under the instruction of Marianne Foytek. "Dad wanted to make a musician out of me, but, at that age, I had other things in mind like cars, sports, and girls. It made it difficult to practice the accordion," Frank admitted.
Like a lot of young boys, Frank dreamed of being in professional sports; he wanted to be a baseball player. "On the farm, when I had a chance, if dad was napping or doing something, I'd throw that ball against the barn wall." He played baseball in school, and he also wanted to play basketball. "I think I screwed it up. I was told not to play basketball, but who's gonna tell me what to do? So, I went to play, and I got kicked in the back of the leg. The coach came up to me and said, 'Frank, that did it.' He knew I wouldn't be very good [at baseball] with that type of injury, which did bother me later in life when I played for the Legion and city teams."
Upon graduation from Phillips High School in 1957, Frank didn't head to baseball training camp; instead, he ventured to Portage, Wisconsin where he worked in a canning factory for the summer. After spending some time back home, he joined the Army in 1958, and he remained there for over 2 1/2 years. He was stationed in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, but he chuckled when he said, "That area didn't satisfy me."
He moved back to Phillips, and he was going to work on the farm, but "I saw all the rocks to pick, and I said 'no,'" he said with a chuckle. So, he went to work at the Standard Oil station. Fred Knez owned the station, and Frank asked him if he would like to sell it. Fred said he would need to talk with his wife, Mabel, and before Frank knew it, as he says, "I bought myself a job."
While running the Standard station, Lloyd Hilgendorf, a man from Tomahawk, approached him about getting into the LP gas business. Frank, a budding entrepreneur, decided to add that line of business. He soon found out, however, that Standard Oil was not going to allow him to also provide LP at the station. He had to choose which path he wanted his business to take, so, in 1962, he chose the LP gas business.
To get the venture going, Frank went to Texas to buy a bulk truck. He drove it back home, went straight to the Price County Fair, and his first LP customers signed up to his services.
In 1967, he purchased the land across from the current grocery store, built his store, and that remained the home of Dusek's LP Gas until the time of his retirement in 2003 when he sold the business after 41 years as a businessman.
While building his business, Frank got married to his first wife, who was from Waukegan, Illinois. She did not acclimate well to the area, and fourteen years later they divorced.
After some time living the single life, in the mid-1970s, someone caught his eye while he was watching a softball game south of town. He asked someone, "Who is the lady on first base?" He found out her name was Carol, and she was playing softball for the local bowling alley. Naturally, Frank decided to frequent the bowling alley so he could make her acquaintance. Once doing so, he realized he wanted to get to know her better. After a couple years of dating, Carol's daughter, Tracy, who was ten years old at the time, advised that Frank might want to marry Carol, which Frank says was likely the best piece of advice he has ever received, even though he joked he has probably received a lot of advice in his life. In 1977, they took Tracy's advice to get married, and Frank whole-heartedly feels it was the best decision of his life.
Not only is Carol his best friend, he said that she helped straighten out his life and make him a better person. He shared that he started drinking coffee when he was 25 years old with the other salesmen. However, as time progressed, the salesmen started going to the supper club for "drinks." When he met Carol, he was making a few choices with drinking that were not suiting his health, and by her suggestion and guidance, he did stop drinking, much to his doctor's delight.
"Being I went through this deal with drinking a little more alcohol than I maybe should have, I'm fortunate that I stopped before it got out of control, but today the kids are out there and you just wonder. The kids don't know what they are doing with trying the drugs and everything that is out there, and it makes it hard for these kids. If only they would realize, be taught, and know not to do it," Frank shared his advice to today's youth, knowing they could find more good things in a clean lifestyle.
Throughout their married life, Frank and Carol have focused on the good things in life. One good thing they love to do is travel in their motor home. They have visited many places, but Alaska is a highlight for Frank. They went on a cruise and a bus tour. "The bus tour was really nice. They had everything arranged for us. There were other couples with us. We got to see sites we normally wouldn't see. They could take the bus right through the reserves, and they would explain everything to us." Frank has traveled much of America, but he said they didn't get out west to as many places as he would have liked.
If Frank could have one wish for America, he'd wish that some people would not be so corrupt. "This stuff we have going on now, it's just too bad. I don't know where it all comes from, but the parents really should be responsible for what their kids do." He explained that most parents are doing a good job but some need to discipline their children to help them grow to be good and proper citizens and appreciate this great country we have. "I was disciplined when I was young. I guess that's what it takes. But I don't blame the parents for all of it. When the kids get in trouble, you've got to tell them what is wrong and not just fight for them and say, 'Well, it's okay.'" He said that some kids immediately go to their parents now to have them come to their aid, but when he was a kid, he didn't want his dad to know when he did something wrong. "But some things I couldn't hide," Frank joked, with some glee in his eyes remembering his mischievous days as a young man. It all started when his dad bought him a Sears & Roebuck Schwinn bike. "I didn't like to pedal it," Frank said, so he had to soup it up by adding a motor to it. Then, one time, he took his dad's car and accidentally rolled it. "I couldn't hide that one," Frank joked. With a few more fender benders under his belt, it's no surprise that Frank's dad got him his own car, and later in life Frank became interested in stock cars and racing snowmobiles.
Looking back on his long life, Frank said, "It's just a blessing that I am here. I sure accomplished a lot of things. I joined the Lion's Club in 1964, and I am still an active member. I, and other Lions Club members, did a lot of work on what is now known as Elk Lake Park, working many hours to clear and prepare the land. I belong to the American Legion. I was involved with the early part of the campground clean-up in Phillips and did work with the Park Falls Industrial Development. I did a lot of snowmobile trail work, got permission from the landowners."
While Frank's love of snowmobiling is evident, not everyone knows about all the time and attention he has put into the Price County snowmobile trails and snowmobiling in general.
Those who know him as the "Father of Price County’s Snowmobile Trails Program” know he has done a lot. In 1969, Frank was a charter member of the Phillips Chaparrals, which was the first snowmobile club in Price County. In 1972, he was the founder and first president of the Price County Trails Association, which is now made up of ten clubs, and Frank is a member of each club. In 1984, the governor took notice, and Frank was appointed to the Wisconsin Governor’s Snowmobile Recreation Council.
In the early years, Frank worked tirelessly to develop Price County's network of trails, establishing relationships with private landowners who allowed the trails to be placed on their properties.
All the trails need to be maintained, and Frank was the most instrumental in securing state funding for trail maintenance. However, he didn't just seek funding, he also did the work. He started grooming snowmobile trails with bed springs being towed behind snowmobiles until more heavy-duty grooming equipment became available. He personally signed for a loan to buy the first Tucker Sno-Cat for Price County. He even provided valuable input for the design of how a drag should most effectively process the snow. This insight helped in the process of creating the commercial groomers that are now used. In 2022, Frank was awarded the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) Groomer of the Year.
To this day, Frank continues to be actively involved with the AWSC and all the local clubs.
Frank enjoys riding with family and friends, and he also enjoys riding for a cause. Many times he has helped to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.
According to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, "Frank has earned the respect of everyone he interacts with. He is regarded as the ambassador for snowmobiling in Price County and the state of Wisconsin. Frank is very adamant about ensuring everyone stays safe when grooming and snowmobiling. It is for his unwavering commitment to the sport of snowmobiling that places Frank Dusek in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2023." The induction ceremony will take place in Eagle River on September 15 and 16, 2023.
Frank appreciates being recognized for his contributions, but he most appreciates what he has in life. If Frank won the lottery, he said, "My personal thought is that I don't want it." He said he'd either give it to the kids or charity. He knows people can have bad results when they win, so he wouldn't tell anyone he got it. Frank also doesn't care to meet any famous people. The people he is most interested in spending his time with and proud of are his wife, Carol; his two step-children (who he loves as his own children), Jeff Williams and Tracy (Williams) Hand; his five grandchildren; and his nine great-grandchildren with one on the way which will make ten.
"It turned out for the good and the best in my life," Frank reminisced. He said the motto he currently lives by is, "I'm getting older and slower but not old." With all the accomplishments in his life and having that positive mindset, Frank will likely continue to make positive contributions to his community and his loved ones both on and off the trails.
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Update, 2-22-2024: You can view a video that was created by Discover Wisconsin three months after our article was published. Click this link.
According to the Price County Highway Department, areas of Hwy. 13 will be patched in a portion of the City of Phillips.
Starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, Hwy. 13 will be closed from County Hwy. F to County Hwy. H.
All traffic will be detoured. The detour will be on Airport Road.
Roadwork is expected to be done, and the detour lifted, on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at noon.
This roadwork is not the repair and repaving that residents have been anticipating getting done by the state for many years. That roadwork has been delayed a number of times and is slated to happen in an upcoming year.
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