Things to Do Around Monroe

Come out, come out, wherever you are! Time for an update on what is going on in the area in the upcoming week:

~ New Glarus hosts their annual Winter Veteran's Rally. Events start Thursday evening and go throughout the weekend.

~ There will be live music at both Baumgartner's in Monroe and Toffler's in New Glarus this Saturday evening. Baumie's will feature blues with Glenn Davis. Toffler's has The Rowdy Prairie Dogs.

~ Film noir fans, take note of the upcoming series at Lindo Theater in Freeport. "Maltese Falcon" is showing this Saturday at 1 pm and 7 pm. The event is in conjunction with Highland Community College, and each showing will have an introduction before the movie and a discussion after. $5 per movie or $20 for the entire series. Other films to be shown in the series this spring will be "Double Indemnity", "Murder, My Sweet", and "The Third Man". Purchase tickets to the entire series, and you'll also get tickets to the bonus showing of "Swing Time" in April.

~ LeRoy Butler is speaking at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce dinner on January 20. The event will be at Peppercorn Banquets and Catering (aka The Mansion). Tickets are still available: $50 for Chamber members, $75 for non-members.

~ Tickets are on sale now for the Monroe Community Showcase of Talent at the Monroe Arts Center. The show takes place later this month on January 28 and 29.

Things to Do Around Monroe

Don't let the cold winter weather keep you at home this weekend. Here is a sampling of local events and things to do:

~ Come down to the Monroe Theatre Guild's STAGE building tonight from 6 until 8 pm for a clean up party. Construction is well underway with the renovations there, and help is needed with some general tasks. No special constructions skills or ability required. If you can move a chair or pick up some trash, you have the skills MTG needs tonight.

~ The Jimmy's are playing at 8 pm this Thursday at Toffler's in New Glarus.

~ Movie night! Come to the Goetz Theater in Monroe or the Lindo Theater in Freeport to enjoy a movie this weekend. The Goetz is showing Tangled, True Grit, Tron Legacy and Gulliver's Travels. Head to the Lindo to enjoy Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Fighter, Gulliver's Travels, How Do You Know, Little Fockers, Tangled, The Tourist, Tron Legacy, True Grit, and Yogi Bear 3D. Check the theaters' websites for showtimes.

~ Toe pick! SLICE in Monroe has open skate times this weekend. Practice your figure 8's from 5 until 8 pm on Friday or 3:45 to 6:45 pm on Saturday. The cost to skate is only $5. If you don't have your own skates, rentals are available for $2 or purchase a $10 discount card for unlimited free rentals for the skate season.

~ This Saturday, the Freeport Public Library is holding a Free Book Day. Stop in between 11 am and 2 pm to pick up a copy of Playing with the Enemy. The author, Gary Moore, will be on hand to sign copies as well.

~ It is not too late to register the kids for winter basketball programs through the Park and Rec departments in both Monroe and Brodhead. The 2nd and 3rd grade program starts in Brodhead on Saturday, and registrations must be turned in by Friday. In Monroe, 3rd to 6th grade program starts on Monday. Call the local Park and Recs for more information and registration.

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Things to Do Around Monroe

Happy Thanksgiving! Are you looking for something to do after the traditional dinner is finished?

~ Come to Downtown Monroe on Friday evening for the annual Lighted Holiday Parade. The parade kicks off from the middle school starting at 6 pm. This year's theme is "Frosty and Friends". Many of the entrants will be creative in their use of lighting, and generators are donated for use by PDC.

~ New Glarus lights the Community Holiday Tree this Friday evening at 6:30. Come downtown for all the festivities and join your neighbors to see the magic of the lights.

~ Turner Hall is the setting for the local Christkindlmarkt. This old world holiday shopping event has its roots in the markets dating back to 1432 in Germany. Stop by the Grand Hall between 9 am and 4 pm either Friday or Saturday. There will be a variety of fiber and fabric arts pieces, candles, soaps, floral arrangements, decorations, Scherenschnitte, Kerbschnitte, Holzschnitte (traditional Swiss-German crafts) along with a European cafe and Swiss baked goods.

~ Come to Flannery's William Tell restaurant in New Glarus this Saturday to enjoy live music by Amber Skies starting at 8:30. Amber Skies plays everything from americana to rock. Amber Skies is a popular local band with roots in Belleville.

~ Coffee house night in Freeport! Higher Grounds is hosting a Turkey Jam. Enjoy great music from Aaron Whalen, Nate Yeske and Dustin Hyatt, and Anneliese Schrader. Admission is $5 which includes a $1 coupon. This is our favorite Freeport coffee shop, and a very comfortable place to spend time.

~ Stopy by the Monroe Middle School this Saturday for "Shop for the Cure." Sponsored by the Green County Relay for Life, all proceeds from the day go to the American Cancer Society. There will be more than 40 independent local consultants, vendors and crafters offer a wide variety of gift items, making this a great place to work on your holiday shopping. The day will also include door prizes, raffles, baked goods, and a light lunch.

~ The Family Movie at Lindo Theater in Freeport this Saturday morning will be Planet 51. Bring the kids for a fun movie experience. $5 per person, and the kids will receive a holiday gift.

~ Stop by the Monroe Arts Center to view the items for this year's Silent Auction. This annual event supports all the great programming at MAC. There is usually everything from Dr Najat's honey to framed art pieces, special event dinners in your home to gift cards to local businesses. There is always something for everyone and every price range.

~ The Mighty Richland Players Dinner Theater will present A Christmas Madrigal: Handel and Gretzky" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This laughter filled show will feature songs and comedy from the Renaissance era. Bring your appetite as dinner will be an English groaning board (roast beef dinner). $40 per person, call 815-819-1310 for ticket information.

~ Pick up your tickets for the upcoming Festival of Trees or performance of A Christmas Carol. The deadline for tickets for Festival of Trees is Monday at 10 am; contact Pam at the Chamber to reserve yours (3257648). A Christmas Carol will be performed by the Monroe Theatre Guild the second and third weekends in December. This year, all children under 12 are free with an adult ticket thanks to the generosity of Scrooge (aka John Bauman).

Things to Do Around Monroe

Come out, come out wherever you are! What are you going to do this weekend?

~ Sign the kids up for free junior golf lessons at the Monroe County Club. All kids 13 and under are eligible for a free lesson to introduce them to golf. Call the Pro Shop at 325-3159 to register. I just spoke with them to sign up our children a little bit ago, and there are plenty of open slots still.

~ Don't forget the traditional balloon glow at the Fairgrounds this Friday and Saturday evening. All the festivities for the balloon rally take place over there this weekend, and walk-in admission is free.

~ Laugh away at the antics of Felix and Oscar in Monroe Theatre Guild's production of The Odd Couple. There will be shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, along with next weekend as well. Tickets are $10 for member, $12 for non-members. You can purchase them at the box office in the STAGE building or at the door.

~ There is a new exhibit opening up at Frehner Gallery at the Monroe Arts Center. Reality3 features three artists from the Momentum Art Guild of Northwest Illinois. This is a multi-media ehhibit featuring watercolor, pencil, acrylics and digital photographic compositions. The opening reception is at MAC on Thursday from 5 until 7 pm, and the artists will be on hand to talk with during the reception.

~ UW Alums! Come to Toffler's in New Glarus on Thursday from 6 until 8 pm for a special Alumni Happy Hour. I'm not sure that I'll be able to be there (the art opening is calling my name), but go big red! Come back to Tofflers on Saturday evening after 8 for live music. The featured act this week is acoustic rock with Mark Croft and violinist Julia McConahay.

~ Manny B is playing at Baumgartner's on Saturday evening. Manny does a great show and plays a mean guitar. Stop on in for an evening of camaraderie, good drinks and a good time.

~ The FHN summer family movie at Lindo Theater in Freeport for this Saturday is "Imagine That." Showtime is 10 am; $3 per person.

~ June means strawberries, at least to seasonal food-focused people like myself. Have you gone picking yet? The grocery store version can't hold a candle to a freshly picked, perfectly ripe berry. Christianson's Farm just south of Monroe is open for picking. Pick your own for $2 per quart of Honeoye, or pick up pre-picked berries for $4 per quart. They are at the Farmers Market too. Margharita does not spray her berries with chemicals.

~ Take dad to the Lions Park in Lena on Saturday or Sunday for a game of family mini-golf. Parents play free when the whole family plays together ($3 for kids).