Things to do around Monroe

~ Stop at Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center this evening for a new exhibit opening. "Drifting Forward" is a compilation of Driftless Area Artists works. The opening reception this evening includes an artist talk at 5:30 pm. Remember to check out the Silent Auction items also on display now.

~ Brodhead hosts "Christmas Walk" on Thursday and Friday evenings this week. There is a lighted parade on Friday evening and carriage rides will be available. The Downtown merchants will have in store specials both evenings.

~ There is still time to pick up your tickets to the Festival of Trees in Monroe this Saturday evening. Contact Pam at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, 608.325.7648. Cocktails are at 6, dinner is served at 7.

~ If outdoors is more your thing, come to Cadiz Springs this Saturday evening for the Owl Prowl hosted by Ranger Brad Bates.

~ On Sunday, New Glarus will host a Holiday Shopping Open House event at many Downtown merchants. Be sure to stop by the Swiss United Church for their cookie sale too!

~ Gun enthusiasts will gather at the Juda Community Center and Fire Station this Sunday for the annual Gun Show. This event is open from 8 am until 3 pm.

~ The Monroe City Band will play two concerts on Sunday afternoon. At 1 pm, they will be at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Then, they will head to the United Methodist Church for a 3 pm concert as well.

~ The Democratic Party of Green County has their monthly meeting on Sunday at the Swiss Alps in Monroe.

Hope you have a great weekend here in Cheese Country!

Festival of Trees 2010

One of our favorite local events is coming up in just a few weeks.  The Festival of Trees is a community fundraiser combined with an evening out.  Four area non-profit groups benefit from the evening:  Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Theatre, Green County Humane Society, Green Haven Family Advocates or Green County Habitat for Humanity.

Festival of Trees takes place at the Mansion on December 4 this year.  There will be silent auction items, and the proceeds from these go directly to the non-profit group that has put them together.  Many area businesses and individuals contribute items both big and small for the bidding.  Each non-profit group also decorates a few holiday trees, also sponsored by local business.  These trees area auctioned at the end of the evening in an entertaining live auction.

Cocktails start at 6 pm, and dinner is served at 7.  The dinner choices this year will be prime rib, rosemary chicken or your choice of butternut squash or mushroom ravioli with alfredo sauce. If you prefer the vegetarian ravioli option, you should specify that when purchasing tickets.

Tickets are $40 per person, and they can be purchased through any of the non-profit groups above or through the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

Festival of Trees

Help out four local non-profit groups while having a good meal and entertaining evening. Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn't it?

The annual Festival of Trees is coming up quickly. This event is scheduled for December 5 this year. The silent and live auctions are always great fun, and all proceeds will benefit either Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Theatre, Green County Humane Society, Green Haven Family Advocates or Green County Habitat for Humanity.

Entertainment this year will be provided by the Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Choir. Forty members of the youth choir will perform a variety of songs at 7:30 with the live auction following their performance.

The evening takes place at Peppercorn Banquets and Catering starting at 6 for cocktails and 7 for dinner. Contact any of the charities to purchase tickets (and this way your favorite gets a little more of the proceeds) or contact the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $40 for the evening, and they include the entertainment as well as the dinner (chose from prime rib, rosemary chicken, butternut squash ravioli or stuffed mushroom ravioli).