Things to Do Around Monroe

So, what is going on in the Monroe and Freeport region this weekend?

~ All aboard! Come to the Lena-Winslow High School this Saturday or Sunday for the model train show and swap meet. Admission is free, donations accepted.

~ Monroe Art Center hosts Marty Rayburn and Full Circle this Saturday. The show is at the Monroe High School PAC starting at 7:30.

~ Get out of the house and see a first sign of spring. Rainbow Fleece Farm hosts Cabin Fever Yarn on the Farm on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 4 pm. Fiber fanatics can come out to view the new yarns; bring the family to "ooooohhh" over the newly born sheep. Rainbow Fleece Farm is at W7181 Hustad Valley Rd., New Glarus. Call Patty Reedy at 608.527.5311 for more information.

~ SLICE in Monroe has open ice skating this weekend. Lace up and practice your twirls on Friday from 5:00-8:00, Saturday from 6:00-9:00, and Sunday from 4:15-6:45 pm. Costs are pretty minimal at $5 for skating and $2 rentals.

~ If you'd rather twirl on wheels, Roller Den in Monroe has a Talent Night this Saturday from 7 to 10 pm. Put together an act and go to town. Admission is $7.

~ Lend a helping hand at a community non-profit this Saturday. Monroe Theatre Guild has been working hard at the renovations in their building. MTG members and community people have been helping to reduce the costs of the renovations by pitching in and doing tasks that don't require contractors. This Saturday is a big day as MTG is carpeting the walls of the new black box theater for acoustical purposes. Come on down to the MTG building on 16th Ave on Saturday morning from 9 am to noon to help out. Luis will be there, so say hi and pitch in.

~ Remember to support your locally owned restaurant, coffee shop or pub if you feel like dining out this weekend. You don't have to travel and hour or more to the cities for a quality dining experience. Keep your money doing good work locally by spending it a locally owned eatery. From cafe to gourmet, coffee shop to dinner with all the trimmings, there are wonderful options in the Green County and Stephenson County area.

So, where we will see YOU around Cheese Country this weekend?

Fun for the Family

Last weekend, our family spent the afternoon roller skating at The Den in Monroe for the first time in far too long. It was such a great place for the entire family.

The Den changed hands a while back, and the new owners are certainly doing a wonderful job making their establishment a place that is fun for kids of all ages as well as adults.

They have a choice of skate types available for rental. There is the classic roller skate that we grew up with, now called "quads." Some may prefer roller blades, and these are available too. Prices are very reasonable, with quads renting for $1 a pair and blades renting for $2.

The Den has three open skating sessions available every week. Two are on Friday evenings, either from 6 until 9 pm or 8 until 11 pm. If you are feeling energetic, do them both. Admission for Friday open skate is $5 per session. Sunday afternoon is when we visited, and the open skate runs from 2 until 4 pm for $4. The Den also has birthday party packages available.

There are some special events coming up in the month of February. They will be hosting a Lock In on February 27. Arrive anytime between 6 pm and 11 pm. The Lock In ends at 6 am the next morning. $25 per person includes admission, skating, face painting, pizza, soda, popcorn, games and prices.

The Den is also hosting a concert featuring 5 area bands on February 21. Doors open at 6 pm and the music starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door.

You can visit their website, but it is currently a work in progress and is best viewed in Safari or Explorer at the moment. You can also call 325-2534 for more information on anything.

We all need to get out and exercise. Skating at The Den is much more fun than a treadmill, and your kids will love it too.