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?

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, WI

Time once again for a things to do in the area in the upcoming week.

~ Monroe Youth Hockey is sponsoring "Give Hockey a Try" this Saturday from 8 - 10 am and 10 am - noon at SLICE in Monroe. This if for boys and girls 10 and under who have NEVER played hockey to try on some equipment and skate with our coaches to try hockey. Must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

~ Do some holiday shopping early at the Monticello Lionesses Craft and Nut Fair this Saturday. The gym at the high school will be filled with exhibitors featuring handmade goods of all sorts. The Lionesses also will have nuts of all varieties available to purchase for your holiday baking. There is a cash raffle, and lunch is available on site.

~ The growing season is drawing to a close, but local farmers markets are still open for a few more weeks. Visit the market in Monroe, Monticello, Paoli, or Lena to stock up for winter. Honey, preserves of all sorts, baked goods, root vegetable, meat and much more area still available.

~ Local athletes always need community support. Come to a youth football or volleyball game this weekend and lend your voice to cheer for the home team!

~ Come back to Monticello on Sunday morning for the Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. The proceeds go to support Monticello school scholarship program, vision screening programs, and the Wisconsin Lion's Camp and more

~ Dad's Farm Corn Maze is open for the season. Friday night is flashlight night. They will be open until 9 pm, so bring your flashlight and get ready for a spooky time finding your way through the maze. The maze is open 10 m to 6 pm on Saturdays and 12-5 pm on Sundays.

~ Monroe Arts Center has two events coming up in the next two weeks. Have you purchased tickets yet? Dallas Brass performs at the PAC on Monday starting at 7:30 pm. Monroe High School band students will spend time with the band that afternoon and will take the stage with them that evening. Tickets are $10, general admission. Folk musician Arlo Guthrie will also perform at PAC next week, on Friday evening starting at 7 pm. Tickets for that event are $20-75 depending on section. Contact MAC to reserve your tickets.

~ The Young Professional of Green County have a social event scheduled for Tuesday evening. Join them at the Monroe Country Club after work from 5-6:30 for conversation, a drink and an chance to win free golf.

We apologize for the weeks without our regular "Things to Do" feature. Between vacation and illness, Brenda clearly missed a number of weeks. We're healthy now and back on track. See you around town!

Things to Do Around Monroe

Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us. Where has the time gone this year? If you don't have plans yet for the weekend, here are a few options for you:

~ Sky Vu Drive-In is open! Shrek: 4 Ever After and Iron Man 2 are playing this weekend starting at approximately 8:45 pm. This year marks 56 years of continual operation for the local drive in theater.

~ There is a 3-D archery shoot at SLICE this weekend. The qualifying shoots start on Thursday evening, and the final is on Sunday. Call Boog at 817-243-9244 for more information; all ages are welcome.

~ New Glarus host a music festival this weekend. Brianna Hardyman, Swiftkick, Raindogs, 2nd Thought, Super Tuesday, Greenfield Brothers, Amber Skies, The Invaders, The Jimmys, Wildheart, New Glarus High School Jazz Band, Madison College Jazz Band, New Glarus High School Choir, New Glarus Jazz Combo, and the Kinderchor will all take the stage in the main tent. There will also be a 5k run/walk, volleyball tournament, silent auction, and more.

~ Albany comes out to celebrate with Yesteryears Days this weekend as well. Enjoy live music, a carnival, BBQ chicken 5k Reuben's Run, and a parade all in downtown Albany.

~ Come to Breakfast on the Farm! This year's breakfast is at the Devoe Farm, N266 Twin Grove Rd., outside of Monroe. Look for the directional signs from Hwy 11/81 by Juda. Breakfast on the Farm started in Green County 30 years ago, and has grown since. Enjoy ice cream sundaes with a hearty breakfast, enjoy a wagon ride, browse the crafts, enjoy photo ops at the petting zoo and much more on Saturday from 6 am until 10 am.

~ Famous Fossil Winery has a "Paint your own Wine Glass" event on Saturday starting at 3 pm. $10 includes the glass and all your supplies, so let your imagination run wild. Call ahead 815-563-4665 to reserve your seat, and make your reservation for next week's Wine Down and Cookout at the same time.

~ FHN starts their summer movie series at the Lindo Theater in Freeport. Shrek: 4 Ever After shows at 10 am with doors opening at 9:30. $5.50 per person.

~ Remember what this holiday is all about. There are Memorial Day parades in both Brodhead and Monroe on Monday.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Things to Do Around Monroe

Boo! Are you looking for something fun for this trick-or-treat filled weekend?

~ Bring the little ghosts and goblins to Monroe's Downtown Square for the annual Halloween Parade. The parade begins and ends at Monroe Middle School. Children of all ages (and parents if they are so inclined) should line up at 3:45 for the 4:00 pm step off. Trick or Treating hours for Monroe begin after the parade and go until 8:00.

~ Wisconsin's Area 51 is celebrating this weekend. The UFO Capitol of the World - aka Belleville - is celebrating UFO Day this weekend. There will be the annual UFO Parade, a Fun Run, a pet costume contest, children's games, a craft fair, a Haunted Forest, pumpkin carving, food fair, and a Monster Costume Ball. Join in the festivities all day Saturday in Belleville.

~ Curious about the new Justice Center for Green County? There will be a dedication ceremony and open house this Saturday. The dedication ceremony will be at 10 am, and there will be building tours until 1 pm.

~ Toffler's in New Glarus is having live blues and classic rock music to go with their costume party this Saturday evening. The Mud Angels take the stage at 9 pm.

~ Monroe Theatre Guild hosts another of their member's only movie nights on Saturday evening with a showing of the classic Psycho. The showtime is 8 pm, and tickets are $5 at the door. Seating is limited, so call to reserve your seats, 325-1111. Concessions will be available, and all the popcorn you can eat is only $1. Not a member? No problem. Individual memberships start at $15, family memberships start at $20. Get your yearlong membership, and you'll be guaranteed reduced ticket prices for all MTG productions and access to movie nights and other members only events.

~ SLICE has their annual Annual Pumpkin Ball and Costume Contest on Saturday evening. $5 per person will get you ice skating, live DJ, dancing, costume contest and more. Rentals are available, and the concession stand will be open.

~ The Green County Entreprenuers and Inventors Club meets this Monday evening starting at 6:30 pm in the New Glarus room of the Monroe Hospital. This month, Dave Babler, Dave Mosher and Dave Smith will speak on entrepreneurs sharing resources to reduce costs and benefit all. Contact Susan at GCDC if you have any questions: 328-9452.

If you are new to the area and wondering about Trick or Treat hours for your community, a good place to contact is your local city clerk: Albany (862-3240), Brodhead (897-4018), Monticello (938-4383), New Glarus (3 pm until 8 pm), Albany (862-3240), Argyle (543-3113) or South Wayne (439-1011).

Things to Do Around Monroe

Hopefully this gorgeous fall weather will hold for another weekend!

~ Monroe Theatre Guild hosts a Business After 5 event for the chamber and a general public open house this Thursday evening. Come by the Stage to see the updates to the building and learn about MTG's upcoming events. Pick up your tickets to Singing on Sunday and Craig Tuttle for either Friday or Saturday evenings, or sign up for one of the upcoming theatre workshops for children or adults.

~ Monroe Lego Club is meeting again this fall and winter. The first meeting will be on Saturday in the meeting room of the Monroe Public Library from noon until 2 pm. Kids are welcome to come and build with other lego enthusiasts. Legos are provided, so please do not bring your own bricks to build with in order to prevent mix-ups, but bring creations to show if you would like. Kids 10 and under must have parent with them or in the library building at all times. Email Lisa if you have any questions.

~ Dad's Corn Maze is offering Pumpkin Carving on Saturday. Pick out the pumpkin of your choice and let your artistic side have at it. Wander the maze before or after carving.

~ Green County Habitat for Humanity is still working on their home build in Monticello. Stop in at the site on Summett Ave in Monticello to help out. Contact Cathy for more information.

~ SLICE is open for public skating this weekend. Bring your skates or rent a pair, then get out on the ice for some exercise and fun. Open skate times are 5 untiil 8:30 Friday evening, 6 until 9 Saturday evening and 4 to 6:30 on Sunday. Plan ahead for Halloween! SLICE is hosting the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Ball and Costume Contest. $5 per person for ice skating, live DJ, dancing, costume contest and more.

~ On Sunday, there will be a Native American Artifact Show in the gym of the Monticello School from 8 am until 2 pm. The show features authentic American Indian and Pre-Columbian artifacts and Indian cultural items. This show is hosted by the Badger State Archaeological Society in conjunction with the Central States Archaeological Societies.

~ Head out to one of our local, independently owned restaurants or cafes this weekend. In these economic times, supporting local businesses and restaurants makes a huge difference in keeping these businesses around. Craving a casual coffee shop atmosphere? Hit Fat Cat Coffee Works, Caribbean Coffee and Cream, or Perks. Looking for good old fashioned diner food? Try Corner Cafe or M&M Cafe. Maybe you want to enjoy some local foods or beverages? Cafe Claudeen, Pancho and Lefty's, Creamery Cafe and Barrett's Brick Cafe all feature some of the bounty of Green County. Going gourmet? The Dining Room at 209 Main or Deininger's can accommodate your palette.