Things to Do Around Monroe

Another weekend is approaching quickly. Do you have your plans ready?

~ Monroe Main Street hosts a webinar on Green and Sustainable Downtowns on Thursday, October 17 at Wisconsin Community Bank over the lunch hour. Contact Cara at Green County Extension to register: 328-9440. Cost is $12.50 for the webinar, and that includes lunch.

~ John and Lisa over at Inn Serendipity are hosting a Sustainable Living in the 21st Century workshop on Friday and Saturday. Nationally recognized in the green movement, they are an incredible resource in sustainability and going green. This workshop covers buying a farm property, sustainable gardening, renewable energy, divirsified business planning in a rural setting and raising a family on the farm. There will be resources on getting started and a hands-on tour of the farm, gardens, a strawbale greenhouse under construction and various renewable energy systems. Registration required, $30 per person. Call Lisa or John at 608-329-7056 for information and registration.

~ Toffler's in New Glarus has special events for the weekend's football games. Saturday they are playing the UW game on the big screen, and come in on Sunday for the Packer game and a free nacho bar.

~ Live music at Baumgartner's this Saturday evening. Fever River String Band takes the stage at 8 pm.

~ Dad's Corn Maze just east of Monroe has Flashlight Night this Saturday until 9 pm. Bring your own flashlight and wind your way through the twists and the turns of the maze.

~ The Monticello Lioness Craft Fair is Sunday from 9 until 3 in the school gym. There will be over 60 vendors on hand, and the Lionesses sell nuts every year as well. Don't forget your tickets for the raffle!

~ Plan ahead for next weekend! Monroe Theatre Guild has a lot going on at the Stage building. Get your tickets for Singin' on Sunday and Craig Tuttle, performing on Friday and Saturday evening. There is also a Stage Right Youth Theatre workshop on Saturday, Acting Essentials for Teens.

Looking ahead to a busy weekend

This weekend is shaping up to be a full one here in Cheese Country, so I am giving a heads up on some of the Saturday activities. Spend a day vacationing here in your backyard or make a day trip to our area.

I've often talked about Inn Serendipity here on this blog. Lisa and John are great friends of ours, wonderful people. If you have never met them or are curious about their eco-destination B&B and farm, this is the weekend for you. Every July, they have an open house day on their farm celebrating energy independence and the good life. You are invited to join them for an all-day feast of friendships, food, fun and renewable energy.

From 10am to 5pm, Inn Serendipity will host a farm celebration, welcoming those who yearn for a bit of the good life in the country. Children's activities, farm tours, and potlucks (bring a dish to pass) for lunch (12noon) or snacks (anytime). The day-long educational event is free of charge. Bring along a dish to pass (to share with 5-6 people), and your questions about wind turbines, solar panels, squash and the employment world of free-agency. Copies of ECOpreneuring: Putting Purpose and the Planet before Profits and Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life, co-authored by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko, will be available for sale, as well as John's children's books.

The open house will be followed by the Piazza Potluck and Concert featuring "Andina and Rich" at Terry and Nancy's at Prairie Herbs Farm about twenty minutes from the farm. The Piazza Potluck begins around 6:30 pm (theme is foods and drinks made with or that go with caffeine) and concert begins at dusk (8:15ish); a hat is passed to pay for the band (suggested donation is $12/per person).

Before or after your visit to Inn Serendipity, stop on at the Downtown Square in Monroe. Don't be afraid of the construction down here; businesses are still open and people are still here!

Laura at Kookaburra's on the north side of the Square is sponsoring a visit from the Swiss Colony NASCAR drivers and cars. NASCAR on the Square event July 11th, 2009.

Drivers Jeremy Miller and Nathan Haseleu will be available for autographs and pictures from 10a-4p. Bring your family and friends and make a day of it on the square!

After visiting with the drivers and getting photos of the cars, be sure to stop in at Kookaburra's. Laura has a new stash of wonderfully funky aprons in stock. Be sure to walk all around the Square to check out the specials and changing inventory. If you haven't been there recently, you might be surprised by some of the new offerings in the stores.

While you are walking around the Square, head over to Europa. Heather is celebrating her first anniversary as the owner of this long-established Monroe business. She will be having specials and surprises through the day.

If you are on the Square before noon, be sure to pop down for the Farmer's Market. Every Saturday, Kurt is there with free coffee, lemonade and snacks. I will also be in the office until noon, so pop in and say hi!

Whether you spend all day at Inn Serendipity or on the Square or bop back and forth between the two before heading to the concert, you are sure to have a great day here in Green County!