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?

Benefit Dinner

Last week, the Eberle family lost so much in a fatal fire in Clarno. Not only has their home and all of their belongings crumbled into ashes, but Randy Eberle lost his life.

Our community is coming together to help out the Eberle family in so many ways. There is an ongoing collection drive to help the family begin to reconstruct their lives. There is a Facebook Event Page set up, and it has items the family needs including sizes for clothing. Drop off household goods and clothing for the family at any of the following local businesses:

• Zweifel Construction
• Carter and Gruenewald
• RT Movies and More

There is also a fundraising event for the Eberle family this week Wednesday at Ludlow Bar in Monroe. The spaghetti dinner will start at 5 pm, and The Jimmys take the stage at 8 pm for a show. Half of all food sales that evening at the Ludlow will go directly to the Eberle family. Check out the Facebook page for this event as well.

If you cannot make the fundraising event or you would rather give funds directly to the Eberle family, there is a charitable account in place at Woodford State Bank. You can stop in to make a deposit in person or, if it is easier, mail your donations to the bank:

Woodford State Bank
Attn. Eberle Donations
P.O.box 766
Monroe,Wi 53566

However you can help this family in their time of need, thank you.

Things to Do Around Monroe

Those of us here in Cheese Country are always game for something to do. Will we see you at any of these events in the upcoming week?

~ The Monroe Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 event will take place at Orchid International this month. Come learn all about the new technologies in development at Orchid. The event goes from 5 until 6:30 tonight, Wednesday.

~ Come down to the Monroe Theatre Guild Community Arts building Downtown on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm for another Clean Up Night. Can you push a broom or move a chair? You have just the skills needed to help with the ongoing renovations at MTG. Other construction skills are always welcome too! If Thursday doesn't work, how about Saturday from 1o until noon? Come for one or both and have fun while helping out a great cause. Community support at these work days helps MTG to reduce the costs for the renovations, so contribute this way if you can't comfortably give financially to their campaign for an improved building.

~ Lace up your hockey skates! Head down to Freeport any Thursday evening for the rest of winter for a free hockey night. Read Park in Freeport is home to an outdoor ice arena, and Thursdays from 6:30 until 9 are reserved for a pick-up hockey game. There is no cost for this, but you must sign a waiver before playing. Contact the Park Department at 815-233-6114 for a waiver.

~ Homegrown talent is something we have an abundance of here in Green County. Come out to MAC this Friday and Saturday evening to the Showcase of Talent. Showtimes are at 7:30 both evenings, and tickets are $10. Purchase your tickets in advance or at the door. The Showcase of Talent is hosted at the Monroe High School PAC this year. If you can't make it, tune in to Big Radio as they will be broadcasting Saturday's show live on the air.

~ We here in Cheese Country really support each other, so come out to Flannery's Wilhelm Tell Club on Saturday starting at 4 pm for a musical event that is raising money to help the Kleeman family of New Glarus get back on their feet after a devastating fire earlier this month. The Kleemans lost both their home and their business in this fire, so come enjoy some music and camaraderie, bid high on the silent auction items, pick up some raffle ticket and do what you can to help.

~ You know we always are up for a good pancake breakfast. Immanuel Lutheran Church on Pearl City Rd in Freeport is hosting their this week. On the menu are buttermilk pancakes, sausage, applesauce and beverages. Unique to this breakfast is the fact that it also a booksale, so browse the selection before or after eating. Adults $6.50, children $5.

~ Sports, sports and more sports. Yes, the Packers are going to the Superbowl, but don't forget about all our of local youth athletes. Come out and support the home team in any of the upcoming games or matches.

~ Thespians, are you ready for the auditions for Monroe Theatre Guild's upcoming production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"? Auditions take place on Thursday, February 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 and on Sunday Feb. 6 from 1-3 at the MTG Community Arts Building in Monroe. There are roles for four men and two women over the age of 18 (must be out of high school).

Snow Shoe Walk and Wine Tasting event

The Friends of the Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area are once again sponsoring a Snow Shoe Walk and Wine Tasting event this winter.

If you don't snow shoe, hikers are welcome to participate in this event as well. If for some reason we get another snow melt, this event will transform to a winter hike instead of snow shoe walk.

Tickets are on sale now for the February 19th event. The walk starts at noon and snow shoers will enjoy the trails through the park while stopping to sample wines at various tasting stations. The wines are sponsored by Brennan's Market, and they always bring a nice variety.

Tickets are $20 per person, and children under 15 are free. To purchase tickets or for more information, email info@cadizsprings.com or call Larry at 608-558-2289.

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.

Help the Red Cross locally

Green County Red Cross is having a training event for volunteers on January 22 and 23. This event is for people who are interested in helping with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team.

The Disaster Action Team is on call after hours to assist victims of local disasters such as fires or flooding. If you are able to be on call is one out of every four weeks, have a desire to help people in a disaster situation and the ability to work in stressful situations while being caring and compassionate, are willing to work with a team to provide the best assistance to people affected by disaster, the Green County Red Cross needs you.

The training takes place at the Swiss Colony West Facility at 851 1st Ave in Monroe. There is an overview from 8:30 am until noon on Friday, then more specific training on shelter operations from 1 until 4:30 pm. On Saturday, there will be training on casework procedures all day from 8 am until 5 pm.

If this is something that you are able to help with, you can register via email or phone: disastertrain@arcbadger.org or 877-618-6628 x254.

Giving back to the community is always a good thing.

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.

~

Opening at Frehner Gallery

There is a new exhibit opening at Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center this week.

Mixed Media Time Four is, as the name implies, a exhibit featuring mixed media works by four artists. The artists each take their experience in painting, drawing, or photography and then add found objects into either the main work as embellishment. The result and then each add elements of found objects either into the main field of work or as an embellishment for framing. The result is mixed media works on great interest.

The artists, Randall Scott Zuber, Russell Gardner, Richard LeDuc, and Jim Salter, are all from the Green County and Dane County area. They work in media of acrylics, oils, photography and ink drawings.

The opening for this exhibit is on Friday evening from 5 pm until 7 pm. There will be an artist's talk at 5:30. Refreshments will be provided, and this event is free as are all Frehner Gallery exhibits.

Things to do around Monroe

~ Stop at Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center this evening for a new exhibit opening. "Drifting Forward" is a compilation of Driftless Area Artists works. The opening reception this evening includes an artist talk at 5:30 pm. Remember to check out the Silent Auction items also on display now.

~ Brodhead hosts "Christmas Walk" on Thursday and Friday evenings this week. There is a lighted parade on Friday evening and carriage rides will be available. The Downtown merchants will have in store specials both evenings.

~ There is still time to pick up your tickets to the Festival of Trees in Monroe this Saturday evening. Contact Pam at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, 608.325.7648. Cocktails are at 6, dinner is served at 7.

~ If outdoors is more your thing, come to Cadiz Springs this Saturday evening for the Owl Prowl hosted by Ranger Brad Bates.

~ On Sunday, New Glarus will host a Holiday Shopping Open House event at many Downtown merchants. Be sure to stop by the Swiss United Church for their cookie sale too!

~ Gun enthusiasts will gather at the Juda Community Center and Fire Station this Sunday for the annual Gun Show. This event is open from 8 am until 3 pm.

~ The Monroe City Band will play two concerts on Sunday afternoon. At 1 pm, they will be at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Then, they will head to the United Methodist Church for a 3 pm concert as well.

~ The Democratic Party of Green County has their monthly meeting on Sunday at the Swiss Alps in Monroe.

Hope you have a great weekend here in Cheese Country!

Parade Time

Thanksgiving week has many traditions.  Here in Monroe, one of our traditions is the Holiday Parade.

This is the ninth year for the annual parade, which features entries from area groups, businesses and individuals.  As in previous years, this is an evening parade giving the entrants an opportunity to shine - literally.  One of the traditions is the lighted entries.  Precision Drive & Control is once again providing electric generators for area groups who need a little help lighting up the night.  Many thanks to PDC for making the evening glow, and to Monroe Main Street for organizing the event.

The parade starts at 6 pm on Friday, November 26.  It runs a circle from the middle school parking lot, past Turner Hall, down 17th Avenue to the Square and back to the middle school.  Come early to pick up some hot cocoa or coffee from one of our downtown eateries to warm your hands during the parade.  If you have never been to the Holiday Parade, here is a snippet from last year's parade:

We hope to see you there!

Festival of Trees 2010

One of our favorite local events is coming up in just a few weeks.  The Festival of Trees is a community fundraiser combined with an evening out.  Four area non-profit groups benefit from the evening:  Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Theatre, Green County Humane Society, Green Haven Family Advocates or Green County Habitat for Humanity.

Festival of Trees takes place at the Mansion on December 4 this year.  There will be silent auction items, and the proceeds from these go directly to the non-profit group that has put them together.  Many area businesses and individuals contribute items both big and small for the bidding.  Each non-profit group also decorates a few holiday trees, also sponsored by local business.  These trees area auctioned at the end of the evening in an entertaining live auction.

Cocktails start at 6 pm, and dinner is served at 7.  The dinner choices this year will be prime rib, rosemary chicken or your choice of butternut squash or mushroom ravioli with alfredo sauce. If you prefer the vegetarian ravioli option, you should specify that when purchasing tickets.

Tickets are $40 per person, and they can be purchased through any of the non-profit groups above or through the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

Things to do around Monroe, WI

*Boo* It is that spooky time of year again. If you have time between Halloween parties and trick or treating this weekend, take a look at the area happenings:

~ Stop at at JoAnn's on Monroe's Square this evening for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 event.

~ Join the Young Professionals of Green County for the Ghosts of Green County tour this Friday evening. Let a local expert guide you through 55 miles of spooky stops, dark cemeteries, ghost sightings, and creepy locations through out Green County. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight. Space is limited!! $15 per person, register at the YP website.

~ The Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe is ready for a ribbon cutting. Come to the Center of Saturday morning at 10 am for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Milk will be delivered at 9 am, and local cheesemakers will work their magic in the farmstead factory for the next four hours. There will be a presentation at 2 pm, "More than Just Cheese - Gourmet Spreads", followed by a tasting.

~ The Aliens are here! UFO Days is in Belleville this weekend. Don't miss out on the fun this Saturday throughout the town. Pancake breakfast, kids games, craft and food fair, fun run, parade, monster ball and more are going on throughout the day in Belleveille.

~ One of our favorite Halloween traditions is the Costume Parade in Monroe. Children of all ages are invited to show off their costume and walk in the parade from the middle school, around the Square and back to the school. Parents are always welcome to walk with the kids or line to streets and enjoy the fun. Line up by 3:45; parade starts at 4.

~ This is the last weekend for the Orangeville Haunted Mill and the Lena Haunted Barn. Have you visited these spook-tacular community fun-draising events yet this year?

~ Argyle has Fair Acres Haunted Hike this Friday and Saturday evenings. Meet at N7180 Dougherty Creek Road at 7:30. You'll hike up the hill and through created tunnels and halls at this haunted event.


~ Are you wondering about Trick or Treat hours for your Green County community?

• Monroe - 4 to 8 pm
• Monticello - 3 to 6 pm
  
• Albany - 5:30 to 7:30 pm
• New Glarus - 3 to 8 pm
  
• Brodhead - 4 to 8 pm
  
• Browntown - 5 to 7:30 pm
  
• Brooklyn - 4 to 7:30 pm
  

~ Monticello has costume judging at the school after trick or treat hours are finished. That is followed by hayrides to the firehouse for bonfires.

~ Finally, don't forget to VOTE next week on Tuesday. If your Tuesday looks busy, contact your community clerk about early voting via absentee ballot.

Volunteers needed

Get a little exercise and help out the Green County Humane Society at the same time.

The GCHS is always looking for people to help with walking dogs. This volunteer opportunity is a good for all involved - volunteers get exercise and the good feeling of helping out, the dogs become more adoptable with increased human interaction, and GCHS staff is freed up to work on other projects.

Requirements are pretty minimal: must be at least 13 years of age, schedule a time in the afternoon or early evening, walk a dog for at least 15 minutes.

To help out, you can go to the GCHS website and print out the volunteer application. Some community organizations (such as Monroe Theatre Guild) organize dog walkers in exchange for grant money. If you want your volunteering to go even farther, contact a non-profit you are part of to see if they participate in these programs.

If dog walking isn't your thing, you can help out with the cats as well. Cat Cuddlers are also needed, and the minimum age for that is only 12. As with dogs, cats benefit from the interaction and become more adoptable as they become increasingly comfortable with humans.

Can you spare a hour once a week or once a month to help out?

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!

Cheese Days!

It is that time again - Cheese Days!

Our biennial celebration of all things cheese here in Green County takes place this weekend. Come downtown to taste samples from the local cheesemakers, view demonstrations in the hospitality tent, enjoy the stage acts and much more.

You can visit the official Cheese Days website for a full schedule of events, but here is a sampling for you:

• The following are open Friday evening through Sunday afternoon:
  Hospitality tent and stage
  Cheese sample tent
  Children's Arts & Imagination Station
  Carnival
  Minhas Brewery
  Historical Society museum
  National Historic Cheesemaking Center
  Taste of Green County
• Enjoy the parade on Sunday starting at 12:30. Remember to stake out a place early if you want to be downtown or near the beginning. Insider tip: it is never very crowded at the very end of the route on 9th St near the fairgrounds.
• Children's Costume Parade takes place at 5:30 on Friday.
• Arts and Crafts fair is all day Saturday by the Middle School.
• Cow milking contest at 1 pm downtown.
• Polka lessons at 1:15 at the main stage.
• The street dance starts at 8:30 on Saturday evening.

Look for us in the parade on Sunday. Luis will be walking as a giant cheese wedge with Future Forward! Green County. Brenda is going to be a Swiss Miss as she walks with the Prudential Towne Square Realtors office.

How about a chorus of the Cheese Days song?


Come to Cheese Days in Monroe.
That’s the place for you to go.
Music, dancing, yodeling, too.
And a big parade for you.
And we know you will be pleased.
When you taste Green County Cheese.
Come to Cheese Days, come to Cheese Days,
Come to Cheese Days in Monroe!

Tee off for a good cause

The United Way of Green County is hosting their 8th Annual Golf Outing and Golf Ball Drop this month. Lace up your golf shoes and help raise funds and awareness for United Way by joining the fun on August 20th.

The scramble start begins at 12:30. 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch, a t-shirt and a gift bag are all included in the $75 registration fee. Have some fun on the links and help out the community at the same time.

If you are not a golfer, you can still get in on the fun by purchasing raffle tickets. Prizes include a Badger Football Fan Package (2 game tickets, autographed football, a Badger gazebo and more), a Golf 4-some at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena, a Green County Shopping Spree and many more great prizes. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

To register for the golfing or to purchase raffle tickets, contact United Way of Green County at 325-7747 or unitedway@pecbell.com.

Skateboard Competition on Saturday

The local Optimists are are sponsoring a skateboard contest this Saturday.

Extreme Flow Run is a skate competition circuit around Wisconsin. The Optimists are running the event, and the top four qualifiers from each location go on to the finals in Milwaukee. Each skater gets two one minutes runs. Judges will look at consistency, use of park, difficulty of tricks and style.

Saturday's event takes place at Honey Creek Skate Park. Registration begins at 10 am, and the skaters get started at 11 am.

Come out to see some talented local skaters and cheer them on! Food will be provided all day from the Optimists.

Many thanks to our local Optimist International clubs. They do so much for local youth - really putting the money raised by those cheese curd (Morning Optimists) and cookies (Noon Optimists) to good use.

Things to do around Monroe, WI

~ Take a tour of the old world at the annual Amish Quilt Auction. Bid on hundreds of handmade quilts, Amish made furniture, collectibles, and even horse implements. Bake sale and hand made ice cream made with a diesel engine featured. The auction is on Saturday at the Amish Schoolhouse - corner of Hwy. 104 and Atkinson Rd.

~ Turn your trip to the auction into an adventure. Bicycle there by joining the ride sponsored by Bombay Bicycle Club, and the Earth Rider van will bring your purchases back for you. Meet at Earth Rider in Brodhead at 8:00am for the ride. Pace 12-14 mph; Distance: 24 miles; Route: Moderate.

~ Come to New Glarus on Saturday to celebrate the 108th Anniversary of the New Glarus Fire Department. This fundraising event will feature bucket brigades, water fights, children's activities and live music. There will be food stands throughout the day, and there is a steak fry in the evening.

~ If you are experimenting with gardening this year and are curious about how to put up your bounty for winter, consider attending the food preservation workshop sponsored by UW Extension. This one day workshop is from 9 am to 3 pm at Pecatonica High School in Blanchardville. There is a $25 per person charge that includes preservation publications that you will be able to take home. Contact Bridget Mouchon at 328-9440 to register.

~ Fore! Join the YPs of Green County for their annual golf outing this Friday. Registration is required, so get over to their website to print out the form and get it in. $45 per person includes 9 holes at the Monroe County Club, beer on the course, and dinner. Tee time is 5:30.

~ The Green County Entrepreneurs Monday at 6:30 PM at the AmericInn Lodge conference room in Monroe. This month's speakers is Kate Walker from the Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation.

~ The free outdoor movie in Cedarville this Friday evening is "Calamity Jane". The movie starts at dusk, and there will be series of shorts in addition to the main feature.

~ Downtown Freeport will be happening this weekend. Friday evening is Brats, Beer & Blues at the Freeport Art Museum. Saturday, it is Cruise Night. Classic cars will fill the downtown lots. Starting at 7, the drivers can cruise around downtown Freeport as the roads closed to other traffic. Spectators line the street light a parade to enjoy the show. There is also a burnout contest, winners judged by applause and amount of smoke.

~ Don't forget about the great farmers markets happening in the region: Monroe, Monticello, Paoli, Belleville, Orangeville, Lena... Come out, meet your producer and get some great food straight from the source.

Free Clothing Exchange this week

If you are cleaning out the closets in preparation for fall or if your family could use a little help with back to school shopping this year, the Free Clothing Exchange happening this Saturday at St Victor's in Monroe could be just the thing for you.

Sponsored by the Catholic Daughters of America, Grace Lutheran Church, Hope Evangelical Free Church and community member, the Free Clothing Exchange is looking for people who need help this preparing for this fall and winter, people who have clothing to donate or both.

The Free Clothing Exchange will operate on a simple honor system...donate what you can, visit to obtain what your children need, try to keep the room orderly.

Come browse for clothing from 8 am to 1 pm this week Saturday at St Victor School in Monroe (1416 20th Ave). You do not need to donate in order to attend as a consumer. All items are free to those Shopping for their families. It would be helpful for you to bring your own bags/boxes/laundry baskets for your items.

If you are able to donate, the following items are needed are needed in size infant through adult:

Shoes/Boots/Snow boots/Tennis Shoes
Coats: Fall & Winter
Hats & Mittens & Snow pants
Socks/Under garments/Tights
Shirts
Pants/Jeans
Sweatshirts/Pants
Tote bags/Backpacks/Duffle Bags/Pencil Cases
Scout Uniforms
New School Supplies

Items being accepted are to be clean and without stains. Footwear should be new or with light wear.

Items donated can be dropped off at St. Victor School, 1416 20th Avenue, Monroe WI on Friday, July 23 1 to 3 PM & 5 to 7 PM, or Saturday, July 24 Morning 10 AM to Noon. If you have items to donate, but cannot drop off at these times, email CourtMazzuchelli@luckymail.com or phone Susan at 608-851-9137 to arrange a pick time and site. At the end of the day, anything useful that remains will be boxed and donated to various other programs in need, St. Vincent De Paul, Easter Seals, or other charities.

Volunteers are also needed for this one day event. If you can help out, please contact CourtMazzuchelli@luckymail.com or phone Susan at 608-851-9137.

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!