Community Action

The Sparta Freemasons have embarked on a new project to provide some schools in the outlying towns with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Some of our town schools are quite a distance from medical emergency treatment, and if needed, the defibrillator can be a life saving device.

Defibrillator Program

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are the key link in the Chain of Survival, and provide precise therapy for sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electrical waveform, or more simply, a shock to the heart. This treatment must be delivered within a 7 to 10 minute window of opportunity to provide a meaningful chance of survival. AEDs are designed specifically for the first responder at an emergency... typically a layperson. The U.S. survival rate is expected to increase dramatically with the expanded awareness and placement of AEDs

Make Way For The Midgets

Zor Midgets

Raising funds for the Shrine Children’s Hospital

Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at http://www.lacrossetribune.com

Zor Shrine drivers make Butterfest Parade a blast

By AUTUMN GROOMS Of the Tribune staff

SPARTA, Wis. - How does a full-grown man get into a miniature car, about 5 feet long and barely wide enough for one person?

If you ask a Zor Shrine Midget driver, it's easy. You just put in one leg at a time.

For more than 30 years, the Zor Shrine Midgets have been delighting parade attendees.

Sunday's Sparta Butterfest Parade was no different.

When it was about to begin, the nine drivers finagled their way into the cars. Once in, each pulled a cord several times and the engines fired up, sounding like a pack of lawnmowers.

Fez hats were placed atop their heads, horns were sounded and they were ready to head down the parade route.

"This is the only time we can legally drive on the street," said driver Jim Hover of Mauston, Wis.

With a whistle in his mouth and right hand in the air, Bob Severson of Mauston is the leader of the group. From his whistle and hand signals, somehow the group knows what he wants them to do.

"It's exhilarating," said driver Brian McQuilkin, a New Zealand native, now of Sparta. "We zip around and twirl. I just love watching the excitement and roar of the crowd."

The other drivers were in agreement with McQuilkin. Besides increasing awareness of the Shriners Hospital for Children, the applause and thumbs-up signs they receive is fantastic.

As the drivers traveled the parade route, they received the applause, smiles and an occasional "yahoo."

"I envy them," said Ben Kremer, 11, of Cataract, Wis. "I want one. They're really cool, awesome."

Kremer wasn't the only one in the crowd that was interested.

His friend, Ian Blackcoon, 11, of Cataract also thought they were "awesome."

"They go so fast," he said.

Kremer's mother, Penny, said she always loves the Shriners.

"I don't know how they do it without crashing. I always worry someone is going to flip over and crash," she said.

Penny has no need to worry.

"We really do practice," said Al Brueggen of Sparta.

Although the maneuvers - including figure eights, weaving in and out of one another, crossovers and circles - look as though they are done with ease, they do require practice.

For their practice, the Shriners use parking lots, industrial parks, roads and other secluded locations.

Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 782-9710, Ext. 357, or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.

This Article is courtesy of the Lacrosse tribune.