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These comments typify the emotions being felt, in anticipation, by members of both the Banks Township Board and the Ellsworth Village Board. May 29, they have planned to have a shared meeting. It is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and the public is invited. At their May meeting on Monday night, the Ellsworth Village board discussed this and other positive developments.

Maybe the bigger news was the announcement that (Hold on to your hats!) the final phase of street repairs are due to begin next week with completion promised by June first.

Bigger yet might be the reality that fireworks will again fly over the village on July third. This event has been enjoyed by residents the last couple of years, and has been the donation of Ellsworth graduate David Muha. He now works in Ohio, and has been able to make this event happen purely out of his own generosity. He is asking for contributions this year, and the village board will make its decision to support his philanthropy at next month's meeting.

On the donation agenda at this meeting was approval of $250 for the pig roast. The parade route was also approved during the Police/DPW report.

Camping fees have increased at the Wooden Shoe Park. There are 40 sites in the park used in varying lengths of stay. Tent fees rose from $10 to $15 per night. Daily trailer rates have gone up from $16 to $20. Weekly rates are now $110 up from a previous rate of $85, and campers staying a month will now pay $350 instead of last year's $300. The village has hired Andy Veestra as their Zoning Administrator. He was also hired by Banks Township in the same capacity. The village and township have shared a zoning administrator in the past successfully. Citizens and board members alike have benefitted from the consistency and continuity that results.

The village seems ready for the summer season. Completed road work, fireworks, parades, new welcoming signage, flowers on the corners, and a spirit of cooperation have got everyone looking onward and upward. June 11 will be the next meeting.