Treasure Island earns Patriot Award

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Treasure Island Resort & Casino with its Patriot Award.

The department’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve organization delivered the honor. This is a Department of Defense organization that acknowledges employers who place a priority on supporting employees who are in the military.

The organization conducts an awards program designed to recognize employers who support a strong National Guard and Reserve force. Six-year veteran Sgt. Christopher Schmitz of the U.S. Army National Guard nominated Treasure Island. Schmitz is a black jack dealer and assistant pit supervisor.

“It was truly an honor to receive this award on behalf of the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island,” said Mike Heavner, general manager of Treasure Island. “The Prairie Island Indian Community has a long history of supporting veterans and their families. The employee polices also reflect those values and we appreciate that Christopher nominated Treasure Island.”

The Prairie Island Indian Community owns Treasure Island.

Michael O’Rourke, Guard and Reserve spokesperson, stated, “Our Reserve forces are spending more time away from the workplace defending the nation, supporting operations and training to maintain their mission readiness. In this environment, civilian employers play a critical role in the defense of the nation by complying with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the reserve component.”

• Tom Graff of Red Wing, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has qualified for the organization’s Sierra level for 2009 achievements. Graff demonstrated outstanding sales and service to members in qualifying for the award.

Graff serves Lutherans and their family members in Red Wing and the surrounding communities. He has been with Thrivent Financial for five years.

• Preparations for the July 20-22 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days outside River Falls shifted to high gear this past week with the arrival of tent-erection crews, contractors and electricians.

A crew of more than a dozen men from Briggs Tent Co., Eau Claire, arrived with semi-trailers of canvas, poles, ropes and stakes that will transform the majority of 40 acres into a covered display area.

More than 800 exhibitors from across the country have committed to the show.

Greg Andrews, Pierce County’s UW-Extension agricultural agent and executive secretary for the show, said things are unfolding according to plan. Last week’s heavy rain and hail essentially skirted the Roger and Bev Peterson acreage, causing widespread crop damage to corn and bean fields just two miles from the show site at Highway 20 and County Road E.

While the tents are sturdy, Andrews recalled the Brown County’s structures incurred some damage from high winds just days before the 2007 show opened and again during the second day of the event. The third day was canceled because the site was too wet to accommodate foot and vehicle traffic.

A stockpile of more than 1,000 yards of wood chips will be spread on the various streets and avenues of the show site. Andrews said another 300 yards will be delivered this week.

Billed as the largest farm exhibition in Wisconsin, Farm Technology Days showcases every aspect of production agriculture and offers entertainment, education and sales opportunities for farm and non-farmers alike.

Admission is $5 per day. Advance sale tickets are available at the Pierce County Extension office for $4. The show opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. daily. The site is handicap-accessible. For more details, visit www. piercefarmtech.com

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