Things to Do Around Monroe

What are your plans for this Mother's Day weekend?

~ Treat Mom to a meal out at any of the wonderfully locally owned restaurants in the area. Whether her taste runs to a tasty brunch, elegantly prepared gourmet, hearty Tex-Mex or classic American fare, there are so many options. Check with your favorite to see if they are taking reservations for Sunday.

~ "Over the Porch Rail" opens tonight at Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center. This textile art exhibit features Mosinee, Wisconsin artist Sharon Rhotz. Rhotz will give a gallery talk tonight at 5:30.

~ Tour the Farm day in Brodhead is a popular local event. Five area farming businesses will be open to the public from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm on Saturday. Come see one or see them all! Sugar Maple Emu Farm will have structured emu farm tours starting every half hour with pen tours and meat tasting. Scotch Hill Farm has goats, vegetable gardens and soap at a local sustainable level. At Kinkoona Farm, you can learn about sheep farming at a local sustainable level. Neiman Dairy Farm at W1614 Hwy F is a local, family-owned dairy farm, and Applied Ecological Services will open the Taylor Creek Nursery with a diverse selection of native plant species.

~ Don't forget Mom's flowers either. Many of the local florists are taking orders still for Mother's Day, and some will be open special hours on Mother's Day as well if you need a last minute something.

~ Green Haven Family Advocates has their annual Mother's Day plant sale if you prefer something for the garden. Plants are available on Friday and Saturday at First National Bank and Trust in Monroe, at the Juda Oasis, at the Mini-Mart or First Banking Center in Albany, or at the New Glarus Hardware Store. All plants are locally grown through Ahrens Acres in Brodhead. Kudos to Green Haven working with a local supplier for their fundraiser!

~ The Apostolate to the Handicapped has their annual cheese-tasting fundraiser on Saturday. Come to Old Smokey's in Monroe between 4 and 8 pm on Saturday. There will be cheese from over 20 countries and 30 states, a huge variety available for tasting. There will also be steak sandwiches, sweet corn and all the fixin's, plus free beer. Don't miss the silent auction! All proceeds to the Apostolate to the Handicapped. Carry-outs are available. Sponsored by Foreign Type Cheesemakers here in Monroe, and the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Assn. $20

~ Shop for bargains at the Monroe Citywide garage sales! The event takes place Friday and Saturday throughout the city. Maps are available at the Chamber of Commerce or their website, Pick-n-Save or Piggly Wiggly.

So much to do, so little time! There is even more going on that I had space to list here - Youth Hockey golf outing, master gardener plant sale, lawnmower races, Oakdale family days, plus all the area parks are open for hiking, playing or picnicking.

Have a great weekend here in Green County!