Things to Do Around Monroe

Such choices this weekend!

~ The Cedarville Historical Society is showing a free outdoor classic movie this Friday evening at dusk. View "Comin' Round the Mountain", a Bud Abbott and Lou Costello comedy as to main feature, and selected shorts will be shown before it. Popcorn, soda and candy available at 1950s prices.

~ Get out the bikes again for another Bike the Badger Trail Explorers Ride. The group will leave Freeport and bike to Monticello on Saturday. Join the Friends of the Badger Trail on this 46 mile ride, and complete one leg of the trail for this year's Bike the Badger patch.

~ If that ride is too advanced, consider the Smart Cycling for Trail Users, also sponsored the the Friends of the Badger Trail. Get the confidence you need to ride safely and legally on recreational trails and roads. The course covers bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills and crash avoidance techniques.
Recommended for adults and children above age 14. Register by calling 608-897-8300 and bring your bicycle and helmet to the class. The class is free but a State trail pass ($4) is required.

~ It is Christmas in July on Monroe's Downtown Square this Friday through Sunday. There will special sales, decorations, snow and music.

~ ~ The Stephenson County Fair is going on all weekend at the fairgrounds in Freeport. From 4-H judging to grandstand events and demolition derbies, all the classics are here. Are you up for something special? Participate in the American Barnstormers Flying Circus! The vintage New Standard D25 can hold up to four passengers (plus the pilot) and is perfect for a family flying adventure - there is no minimum age for flying. Go all out and sign up for the Stearman flight. This is a trainer plane, and for 30 minutes, the passenger will be able to fly. The pilot will handle take off and landing, but once in the air, the flying is up to you. No flying experience is required. Interested? Call 863-899-4322 to sign up.

~ Calling all Pink Ladies and T-Birds! Grease is playing at Highland Community College this week and next on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

~ It is Bastille Day in Belleville this Saturday. Who knew we celebrated that here in Green County? The day is full of family events: K-12 talent show, live music, tours of the tunnel, wine and cheese tasting and more. The event starts at 11 am with the live music running from 3-10 pm.

~ Tret Fure is playing at the Monroe Arts Center this Saturday evening at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $17-25 and can be purchased through the MAC box office.

~ There are many other options to enjoy live music all over the area this weekend. Baumgartners, Tofflers, Turner Hall, and New Glarus Hotel will all feature bands this weekend. Brodhead also has their Twilight Music in the Park Sunday at dusk.

~ There is a concert and dinner at the Piazza this Saturday evening. The Piper Road Spring Band will play bluegrass starting at dusk. The potluck theme is Call Any Vegetable, and the potluck starts around 6:30. This is a pass the hat event with a recommended contribution of $10-15. If you haven't been to a concert at this country estate yet, give us a call and we can walk you through the details. Piazza concerts are magical.

Have a great weekend in Cheese Country!

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!