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, 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.

Things to Do Around Monroe

After a brief hiatus, "Things to Do Around Monroe" is back. What is on your agenda for the weekend?

~ The Young Professionals of Green County have their Annual Event this Thursday evening at Kuhn in Brodhead. The event starts at 6 pm with networking, and the recognition of the nominees for Young Professional of the Year starts at 6:30.

~ The Bloody Lake Rendezvous starts today in Woodford. The Rendezvous is open to the public on Saturday from 9 until 4 and Sunday from 9 until 3. Learn about the life of early 19th century trappers and explorers at this living history encampment. Admission is $2, but children under 12 and military service personnel are free.

~ If you rather work on your family history instead, the Green County Genealogical Society is open to the public this Saturday. Use their resource center to look up genealogical information and Green County historical data. They are located at 1609 10th Street Suite #4 (above Kookaburra's on the north side of Monroe's Downtown Square).

~ Check out the garage sales! The Green County Humane Society has a fundraising garage sale in the parking lot of Monroe Auto Sales this Friday and Saturday. If you don't see what you need there, head over to Belleville for their citywide garage sale weekend.

~ The Mighty Richland Players have a dessert theatre performance this weekend in Orangeville. "Belle of the Wabash" is a musical melodrama by Mike Carver. Set in the 1880s, "Belle of the Wabash" is the story of a group of steamboat performers who are shipwrecked near Galena and find their way to Orangeville where they sing for their supper, so to speak. $20 per person, dessert included.

~ Are you up to participating in the 3/50 Challenge? Visit 3 locally owned, independent businesses that you would miss if they were to go out of business. Spend $50 at locally owned, independent businesses over the course of the month. What local businesses do you love? Bakery, hair salon, restaurant, pharmacy, movie theatre, bookstore, auto service center...there are so many choices. Supporting local businesses can be just as convenient and inexpensive as shopping chain stores, and when you spend $50 at a local, independent business, $34 stays in the community as opposed to only $21.50 staying local when you shop a chain store (or $0 when you shop online).

~ River Valley Trading Company has two workshops this weekend:
Blending Herbal Teas and Tonics, and Creating Herbal Preparations with Local Lovely Weeds. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, the workshops start at 12:30 with herbal teas along with sweet and savory herbal treats. Cost is $25 for a single workshop or $40 for both. Space is limited, to contact RVTC for a reservation.

Looking ahead to next weekend, make your plans to attend the Brodhead Farm Tours on Saturday.

Things to Do Around Monroe

What to do, what to do.

~ The Wisconsin Regional Art Exhibit opens at the Monroe Arts Center on Thursday evening. This multi-media exhibit features artist from all over the region. The exhibit culminates with an artist workshop on Feburary 27. That all day workshop has $5 admission at the door, but the exhibit in Frehner Gallery is, as always, free.

~ MAC also has a painting workshop this weekend. "Approaches to Winter Painting" with Tina Duemler and Jonathan Wilde is this Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm. $70 fee, registration required. The deadline was actually Tuesday, but try giving MAC a call anyways if you are interested.

~ Young Professionals of Green County are participating in a free curling exhibit this Saturday. Come over to SLICE in Monroe on Saturday from 1 until 3 to learn about curling with other YPs.

~ Brooklyn has a free family movie night this Saturday at their community center starting at 7. Doors open at 6:30, and there will be concessions. Bring your own seating! Did you know that Brooklyn also has drop in Yoga and Zumba classes on Thursday evenings? Classes are from 6:30 to 7:30 at the community center, bring your own mat, $5 per class.

~ Monroe Theatre Guild has a "Painting Cinderella" workshop starting this Saturday. This FREE workshop will involved learning scene painting while working on the set for the middle school musical production of Cinderella this spring. Ages 12 through adult are welcome, 9 am through noon. This is the first of three Saturday workshops for it; come to one or come to all three. Sign up also for the music and movement classes for kids ages 4-7 next weekend or the spring youth choir, both next weekend.

~ MTG members can come over the STAGE building on Sunday for their big Super Bowl Party. Watch the big game on the BIG screen! The fun starts at 1 with board games and cards. Bring your snacks and drinks or a dish to share if you want. They will be pooling for pizza later in the evening. Not a member? Join for just $15 for individuals, $20 for members.

~ Cat's Pajamas is doing an vocal concert at the Performing Arts Center on Monday at 7 pm. Friends who have seen this group perform in the past rave about them. Everything is vocal, but you would swear there was an entire band up there when they perform. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for student, and are available through the any Monroe School office. The event benefits the Monroe School District Choral Department.

~ It will be a busy week for YPs. Tuesday evening is their monthly happy hour networking event. Pop in at Baumgartner's any time after 5:30 for free cheese trays and drink specials. Baumgartener's is owned by fellow YP'er Chris Soukup, and he is sponsoring the food.

~ After the YP happy hour, come over to Kookaburra's in Monroe for one of their cooking classes. Cooking for 2 is this week's class. Sign up on their website or by talking with Laura, $25 per person. They will be making fondue, ravioli gratin, custard and more, and attendees get to eat what they make!

Goodness, there is a lot going on. This doesn't even cover the normal movies and dining options in the area. Have fun!

Future Forward reveals survey results

For months now, we have been mentioning the surveys that Future Forward! conducted throughout 2009. We hope that you took the time to fill out one, two or all seven!

The surveys are now finished, and the results are being tabulated. Filled out by current and former residents of Green County, these surveys give a nice snapshot of the strengths and weaknesses of our area.

Come to the Future Forward! meeting on January 21 to learn what the surveys show. What are the area strengths, and how can we capitalize on them? What are the weaknesses, and what can we do to improve them? Future Forward! will be discussing all of this, and looking for both member and community input on what should the role of Future Forward be in working with this information.

Everyone is welcome. This meeting is a must for all local business owners, human resources directors and government officials. The survey information can help show how we market the area to potential employees and residents. Local business can use the information to help determine wants and needs in the area.

Don't miss this meeting! Anyone who is interested in learning more can come to the free meeting at Toffler's in New Glarus on January 21. The event beings at 5 with nibbles and social time, sponsored by Dave Mosher and Associates. The informational part of the evening starts at 5:30.

We'll be there, and we hope to see there too!

Things to Do Around Monroe

Welcome back after the winter holiday break! Now that the festivities are over, are you looking for something to do this weekend?

~ The Young Professionals of Green County are having a Business Showcase this Thursday evening. Join them at Beast Buffet from 5:30 to 6:15 where 2009 YP of the Year Nominee, Eric Jerdee, will talk about the services his company has to offer for pets and farms. The YPs are doing a semi-formal event next week at The Dining Room at 209 Main in Monticello. Join them on Thursday evening for appetizers, drinks and conversation. $20 includes a drink and appetizers; RSVP via email, Facebook or LinkedIn by January 7.

~ Goetz Theater in Monroe is showing "Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel", "Avatar", and "Sherlock Holmes" this weekend. Matinees are $6, evening shows $7.50, kids are always $5.

~ There is a gallery reception at Frehner Gallery at the Monroe Arts Center on Thursday evening from 5 until 7 pm. The new exhibit, Positive Matter, features both two and three dimensional pieces in oil, acrylic, painted steel and bronze.

~ Tofflers in New Glarus has live music this Saturday evening starting at 9 pm.

~ There is a Family Day at Oakdale Nature Center in Freeport this Sunday afternoon from 1 until 4 pm. There will be plenty of opportunities for creative nature play for the kids. Warm up with cookies and cocoa.

~ The kids get started on Saturday for the SCWA Youth League. The nine week South Central Wisconsin Archers league is a popular winter activity. Is this the first you have heard of it? There might still be a little time to enroll. Contact Al at 439-1819.

~ Saturday's weather looks to be chilly, but the mercury should top 20 on Sunday, perfect for getting out and enjoying some winter sports. The Green County cross country ski trails are open and ready for fun!

Things to Do Around Monroe

Are you looking ahead to the weekend plans? Here is a snapshot of area events in the upcoming days:

~ Behring Senior Center in Monroe has a Brat Fest every fall, and it is here again. On Thursday from 10 am until 6 pm, you can stop in for single brats at $3 each or a meal for $6 (brat, chips, soda/water, and a cookie).

~ The Young Professionals of Green County are playing wiffleball and kickball with the YP of Freeport on Saturday at Little Cubs Field at 2 pm. Bring the whole family for a day of fun. Afterwards, some of the YPs are planning to head over to Cannova's in Freeport for dinner.

~ Bag Ladies in Monroe has an open house event this week from Thursday through Saturday. New fall purses are in, so come and browse.

~ Get your registration in for the collaborative class between Stef at Goose Chaser Farm and Laura at Kookaburra's in Monroe. The October 5 class will feature Oktoberfest foods. Who better to teach it than a native German? Brats, kraut recipes and much more including the beer. Also sign up for the Fall Foods class on October 11 where Stef will be cooking soups and stews.

~ Artisan Gallery in Paoli has a new exhibit opening on Friday evening. The opening reception of the 6th Annual Ceramics Invitaional Art Show is on September 25 from 5 until 9. The show will be on display through November 1

~ It is Oktoberfest weekend in New Glarus! Festivities kick off with a brew master from New Glarus Brewing Company tapping into a keg of their Oktoberfest Staghorn beer. There will be classic cheese fondue, a tractor pull, chainsaw wood carving demonstrations, and plenty of food and live music all weekend long.

~ Monroe Arts Center has Big Top Chautauqua’s “Wild Woods & Waters" coming to the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Saturday. The Blue Canvas Orchestra and singers travel to Monroe with an original musical theatre production highlighting the natural beauty and history of Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. The multi-media performance features live music and songs by talented musicians, dramatic storytelling, and hundreds of breathtaking large screen, historical images.

~ Dance to beat of your own drummer. Oakdale Nature Preserve in Freeport will be the site of a Community Drumming Circle on Friday evening from 7 until 9. All ages are welcome and a variety of percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. Reservations are preferred by the day of the event; call 815-235-6114. $4.

~ Argyle has a Homecoming celebration this Sunday with a parade and high school football game. Come support the youth athletes! The parade starts at noon and kickoff for the football game versus Benton/Scales Mound is at 2 pm.

Things to Do Around Monroe

Bring the canoe, load up the lawn chair! Here is a look at what is going on in the Green County area in the upcoming week:

~ Come Downtown on Thursday evening for the first Concert on the Square of the summer. Horsefeathers takes the stage at about 6:30. There is still time to book a boxed supper from Cafe Claudeen, Turner Hall or Garden Deli.

~ Young Professionals, come join me as I take the YPs of Green County on a tour of a local home. I will be talking as an EcoBroker about green home ownership, specifically environmental features that make sense for every home owner.

~ Stop in at The Green Door between noon and 7 pm on Thursday for their summer entertaining open house event. Stop in before you come to the Concert on the Square. Have some nibbles, browse the entertainment collections, chat with Judy and Nancy.

~ Chicago Ave in Downtown Freeport is the site for Music on Chicago, featuring oldies music in the historic Downtown area.

~ On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, New Glarus hosts the Roger Bright Polkafest. What kind of polka do you do? Skip your workout and come dance. The polka is more of a workout than an elliptical machine, plus it is a lot more fun!

~ If you prefer activity on the water, Canoe Fest begins on Thursday in Darlington and runs through Sunday. This event, in its 43rd year now, features canoe races, a parade, fireworks show, outdoor concerts and more.

~ Spice it up a little at the Pedal/Paddle. The Lena Park District sponsors this day of outdoor activity on the Jane Addams Trail and Pecatonica River. Bike 8.25 miles on the trail, then hop into a canoe or kayak for an 8.35 mile flotilla on the river. Worried you aren't up to the challenge? There will be a sag wagon and pontoon to help if you need a break. $20 if you have your own canoe, $30 if you need to rent. Call 815-369-5351 to register.

~ The New Glarus Brewing Company officially opens their Hilltop Facility for tours on Saturday, June 13. The grand opening takes place all day from 10 am until 5 pm. The Jimmys will be on hand to play R&B, so sit and stay a while.

~ Monroe Theatre Guild Youth Choir will perform their first concert on Sunday at 7 pm at the Stage Building in Monroe.

~ Get your picnic baskets ready! The first "Stirring the Pot: Dialogue, Discussion and Dinner in Dairyland" picnic happens on the lawn of the MAC following the Farmers Market on Wednesday, June 17. Guest chefs take the stage at 5:30 with a community picnic dinner and discussions following. There will be three picnics total, one in each June, July and August, sponsored by the group working to bring the Community Commercial Kitchen to Green County.

Have a great weekend here in Cheese Country!

Things to do

It is time to take a look ahead at what is going on in the area in the upcoming week:

~ The Young Professionals of Green County are going mini golfing on Thursday, May 28. Join us at 6:30 pm at Swissland Mini Golf in New Glarus. The cost is only $7.50, and I've been told that YPs can feel free to bring the family. On June 11, the YPs will be having a business showcase featuring Brenda talking about the benefits of working with an EcoBroker and green real estate for everyone while touring a local home. More details on that to follow.

~ The kids from the Shakespeare Project have their show on Thursday evening at Monroe Arts Center. Shakespeare on the Edge is a local non-profit that supports teens making connections to the world through the works of Shakespeare. These teens have been working on their pieces since February; come out and support them in their performance while enjoying some of the great works of theater.

~ Come to Breakfast on the Farm on Saturday morning. The annual event is being held at Bruegger farms N4253 and N4611 Rechsteiner Road between Monroe and Albany off of Hwy FF. Just follow the signs. Breakfast is served from 6 am until 10 am. After you eat, enjoy the petting zoo, craft show, wagon rides, live entertainment and more.

~ Goosechaser Farm is having another culinary workshop on Saturday. This month's class targets cooking with children, particularly those between 4 and 8. Bring the favorite child in your life along for an entertaining, delicious and informative event. Check with Stef to see if space if still available.

~ Did you get the kids signed up for the puppetry classes at Monroe Theatre Guild? Our kids are looking forward to them.

~ Lindo Theater in Freeport is beginning their discount family movie series courtesy of FHN. Tickets are only $3 for the 10 am showing. This week, they are showing "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian".

~ Get outside! Hop on the bike and enjoy a leisurely ride on one of our area bike trails. If you prefer hiking, you can hike on the trails as well, or stop in at New Glarus Woods State Park, the Cadiz/Browntown Recreational Area or the Oakdale Nature Preserve (Freeport) for a hike through the woods or prairie. If you plan on spending time in your own yard gardening, remember that you can get the supplies you need at the independently owned nurseries in the area, and some of the Farmers Market vendors are selling vegetable and flower starts as well.

~ Live music! Enjoy Blue with Jimmy Voegli at Tofflers in New Glarus this Saturday evening. The Monroe City Band begins their summer concert series at Twining Park on Monday eveningat 7:30 pm. Also, make your plans now to attend next weekend's Brooklyn Bluegrass festival.

~ Don't forget to get out to the Farmers Markets locally in Monroe, Belleville and Paoli. The fresh foods taste so good, and it is great to buy local.

Have fun! The weather is supposed to be great, so enjoy your weekend here in Green County!

Things to Do Around Monroe

It looks like another busy week here in the Monroe area! Saturday is an especially busy day around here.

~ The Stage building will be hopping! Come try out for a part in Monroe Theatre Guild's upcoming production of The Odd Couple on April 16 or 17 from 7 until 9 pm or on April 18 from 10 am until noon. Upcoming MTG events include Saturday's Youth Theatre Set and Prop Design Workshop, a Mask and Mime workshop (April 25) and another Member's Movie Night (April 25).

~ Fun for the entire family! Albany Elementary School is having their annual PTO Carnival on Friday evening from 6 until 9 pm.

~ Come to the Garden of Quilts quilt show sponsored by the Courthouse Quilters on Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm at the Monroe High School. $5 admission, $1 discount with a non-perishable food item donation. Lunch available on site benefits the German Club.

~ Fiber arts enthusiasts, remember the Stephenson County Fiber Arts Fair this Saturday! The link will take you to our full post on this fair from last month.

~ Bring the kids to the Monroe Lego Club meeting on Saturday 12 until 3 pm at the Monroe Public Library.

~ Stop by the Swiss Colony Warehouse sale on Saturday from 9 am until 4 pm at their 1112 7th Ave location.

~ Nancy's Meadow Herbs is having an open house on Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm. Nancy's is one of our hidden treasures. Nancy and Terry grow over a hundred variety of herbs for wholesale sources, and they have a large variety of succlents and other very interesting plants. This open house also is the opening of their new Crone's Nest, a retail herbarium that will also offer teas, aromatherapy products, spices, dried herbs and more. W5549 Center Road just north of Monroe.

~ Bel Canto Singers are having a concert on Sunday afternoon at the Monroe Arts Center, 3 pm.

~ There will be a meeting on Monday evening for brainstorming community improvement with the goal of helping Monroe become a destination community and a home of a Local Foods Discovery Center. There will be a guest speaker, the creator the famous Mount Horeb Mustard Museum. Please, if you care about the future of our community, come. It will be from 5:30 until 7:30 at the Minhas Brewery.

~ April 23 will be the Annual Recognition Event for the Young Professionals of Green County. The evening will begin with at 7 pm with a dessert reception and networking. There will be a welcome from Dr Lance Sathoff, networking time and then presentation of the annual Young Professional of the Year award. It will be in Founders Hall at the Monroe Clinic. No charge, but please RVSP to the Young Professionals.

It should be another great weekend here in Cheese Country!

Young Professionals February gatherings

The Young Professionals of Green County are sponsoring two events in the month of February.

Their scheduled event is a trip to Rockford to watch the Icehogs play the Lake Erie Monsters on February 20. They will meet at the Swiss Colony parking lot at 5 pm, with a stop at the Culvers in Winnebago for dinner and to give any stragglers a chance to catch up with the rest of the group. Tickets are $18, and you can email ypofgc@yahoo.com to RVSP.

A bonus event was just added to the February line up as well. Come bowling with the group next Wednesday evening, February 10, if you are free. We will be meeting at Turner Hall at 6 pm. $10 per person will get you two games of bowling, pizza and soda. If you have never been bowling at Turner Hall, it is blast from the past. In an age of bigger is better, Turner Hall bowling is a reminder of the way things used to be, a comfortably sized, community bowling alley. An RSVP to ypofgc@yahoo.com are requested, but not required.

Young Professionals of Green County is a group with a mission: "Our mission lies within our motto of 'Connecting, Celebrating, and Developing Green County's Young Professionals.' Our purpose is to provide existing and future YPs who live or work in Green County with a means to network while having fun."